Orthodontic Aligner Pressure Sensing for Wireless Progress Tracking

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing orthodontic treatment monitoring methods are inefficient and lack accurate, cost-effective ways to track treatment progress and detect potential issues early.

Innovation Solution

An orthodontic device with a pressure sensing arrangement, including a pressure chamber and wireless communication and power transfer system, allows for wireless monitoring of pressure changes to track treatment progress without complex electronics, using a low-power pressure sensor integrated into the aligner.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a pressure sensor with integrated power source (e.g., battery) is used in the orthodontic device, then the device can continuously monitor treatment progress, but the device becomes bulky and complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetreatment progress monitoring capabilityVSAvoiddevice structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The power source (battery) and complex electronic components are extracted from the orthodontic device itself. Instead, a simple pressure sensing arrangement is used that can be wirelessly powered by an external device, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining monitoring capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The wireless power transfer system serves multiple functions: it provides power to the pressure sensor and simultaneously transmits the pressure data to the external device. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate power source and communication components in the orthodontic device

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Measurement precision

If multiple pressure sensors are used to monitor different regions, then measurement precision improves, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetreatment progress detection accuracyVSAvoidsensor arrangement complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

A single pressure sensor acts as an intermediary that measures the overall pressure changes in the orthodontic device. This single measurement point provides sufficient information to detect treatment progress and identify potential issues, avoiding the need for multiple sensors while maintaining measurement precision

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The pressure sensor is positioned to detect pressure changes that naturally occur during orthodontic treatment as teeth move. The treatment process itself generates the pressure variations that the sensor monitors, eliminating the need for complex multi-sensor arrangements or active stimulation mechanisms

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Productivity

If high-power electronic components are used for continuous monitoring, then data collection frequency increases, but energy consumption increases requiring larger power sources

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata collection frequencyVSAvoidpower source size

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The pressure sensor operates in a periodic manner, taking measurements at predetermined intervals rather than continuously. This periodic operation significantly reduces power consumption while still providing sufficient data to monitor treatment progress effectively

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses feedback from pressure measurements to determine when treatment progress has been achieved. By monitoring pressure changes over time and comparing them to expected patterns, the system can assess treatment status without requiring continuous high-frequency data collection, thereby reducing energy consumption

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Facilitates convenient, cost-effective, and safe monitoring of orthodontic treatment progress by detecting pressure changes, enabling early detection of treatment problems and reducing the need for bulky power sources.

Implementation Method 1

a wireless communication and power transfer arrangement configured to: wirelessly supply power to the pressure sensor

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectWireless power transfer: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 2

a pressure sensor configured to generate an output pressure signal indicating the fluid pressure inside the pressure chamber

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPressure sensing: Pressure Gradient

Data Source

PatentEP4604873B1An orthodontic device, a system for tracking orthodontic treatment progress and a method of manufacturing an orthodontic device

Publication Date: 2026.02.25 KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS NV

Figure 1A~1B
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AI summary

An orthodontic aligner for changing or maintaining the position of a user's teeth comprises a mouthpiece body including a teeth receiving portion, a pressure sensing arrangement and a wireless communication and power transfer arrangement. The pressure sensing arrangement comprises a pressure chamber, containing fluid, coupled to the teeth receiving portion. A pressure sensor is arranged to sense pressure of the pressure chamber. The pressure sensor is configured to generate an output pressure signal indicating the pressure associated with the pressure chamber. The wireless communication and power transfer arrangement comprises an antenna and is configured to supply power to the pressure sensor.