Alternating Rotational Massage Units for Oral Muscle Stimulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing devices for massaging muscles in the oral cavity to alleviate snoring are uncomfortable and inefficient, often causing gag reflexes due to vibrations, and require prolonged use, which can lead to muscle fatigue and discomfort.
Innovation Solution
A device with two rotating massage units on an extending element that operates with alternating clockwise and anti-clockwise rotational movement, aligned with muscle fibers, providing a deep and efficient massage with frequencies between 18 to 30 Hz, which strengthens muscles in the soft palate and tongue, reducing snoring and apnea.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If vibrations are applied to massage muscles in the oral cavity, then muscle stimulation is achieved, but gag reflexes and unpleasantness increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs mechanical vibrations generated by a vibration element to stimulate muscles in the oral cavity. The vibration element is configured to produce controlled vibrations at specific frequencies and amplitudes that effectively stimulate muscle tissue without triggering gag reflexes, thus resolving the contradiction between stimulation effectiveness and user comfort.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes adjustable vibration parameters including frequency, amplitude, and duration. By optimizing these parameters within specific ranges, the device achieves effective muscle stimulation while minimizing harmful effects such as gag reflexes. The control unit allows dynamic adjustment of these parameters to suit different user needs and tolerance levels.
2Strength
If prolonged treatment is applied to strengthen muscles, then muscle strength increases, but muscle fatigue and discomfort increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic vibration patterns with alternating active and rest phases. The vibration is delivered in controlled intervals rather than continuously, allowing muscle tissue to recover between stimulation bursts. This periodic approach builds muscle strength over time while preventing fatigue and discomfort associated with prolonged continuous treatment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies vibrations at optimized intensity levels that provide sufficient stimulation to strengthen muscles without exceeding the tissue's tolerance threshold. By using partial action at optimal intensity rather than excessive prolonged action, the device achieves muscle strengthening while minimizing fatigue and discomfort.
3Adaptability or versatility
If vibrations are applied to targeted muscle groups, then muscle isolation is achieved, but device stability and positioning difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the oral cavity into distinct treatment zones with specific vibration elements targeted at different muscle groups. Each vibration element can be independently controlled to stimulate specific muscles such as the masseter, temporalis, or buccinator. This segmentation allows precise muscle group targeting while the overall device structure provides stability through multiple contact points.
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
The device offers a comfortable and effective method for strengthening muscles in the oral cavity, reducing snoring and apnea, with short treatment sessions, as it provides a non-interrupted, deep massage that stimulates muscle fibers without causing reactive forces, leading to improved muscle tone and blood flow.
Implementation Method 1
The use of BMS is most commonly performed by means of vibrations, which are applied on the muscles on which the treatment is wanted by using some sort of vibrating device.
Implementation Method 2
A device with two rotating massage units on an extending element that operates with alternating clockwise and anti-clockwise rotational movement, aligned with muscle fibers, providing a deep and efficient massage
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a device (1) for massaging muscles in the oral cavity comprising a body (3) with drive means (5) and a power unit (7), an extending element (9) detachably coupled to the body (3), and two massage units (11) coupled to an end portion (13) of the extending element (9), wherein the massage units (11) operate with an alternately rotating movement, which rotates about a rotational axis (15) essentially perpendicular to the end portion (13). The invention further relates to a method for massaging muscles in the oral cavity such a device (1), wherein the massage units (11) massage the muscles in the oral cavity with an alternately rotating movement. Even further, the method may be used for reducing or eliminating snoring by massaging muscles in the oral cavity using such a device (1).