Bite Guard Embedded Piezo Sensors Pressure Mapping

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Teeth grinding issues are difficult to recognize and diagnose, as the effects are often only visible in loss of teeth material, making it hard for medical professionals to identify the root cause and provide timely treatment.

Innovation Solution

A bite guard with embedded piezo pressure sensors and 3D MEMS position sensors that measure and monitor pressure on the teeth, transmitting data to a processor to generate a time-dependent pressure map, enabling accurate diagnosis and treatment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If traditional bite guards are used without sensors, then the device remains simple and inexpensive, but teeth grinding problems cannot be detected or diagnosed early

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepressure measurement capabilityVSAvoidsensor array integration

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The bite guard is divided into multiple sensor assemblies distributed throughout its structure. Each sensor assembly contains one or more piezoresistive pressure sensors that independently measure pressure at specific locations. This segmentation enables comprehensive pressure mapping across the bite guard surface while maintaining modular complexity management.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Traditional mechanical pressure indication methods are replaced with piezoresistive pressure sensors that convert mechanical pressure directly into electrical signals. This substitution enables precise, quantifiable pressure measurements and wireless data transmission to external devices for analysis and diagnosis.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Reliability

If sensor assemblies are embedded in the bite guard, then accurate pressure data can be collected, but the manufacturing process becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata collection accuracyVSAvoidembedding process

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

Sensor assemblies are pre-positioned and integrated into the bite guard structure during the manufacturing process. The bite guard is formed using additive manufacturing techniques that allow sensor assemblies to be embedded as the structure is built layer by layer, rather than requiring post-manufacturing installation. This preliminary integration ensures accurate positioning and reliable data collection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The bite guard combines traditional dental appliance materials with electronic sensor components to create a composite structure. The additive manufacturing process uses specialized filaments or resins that can incorporate conductive elements and sensor assemblies, creating a unified composite object that integrates mechanical and electronic functions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

3Loss of information

If multiple sensor assemblies are distributed throughout the bite guard, then comprehensive pressure mapping is achieved, but the device becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepressure distribution dataVSAvoidsensor array configuration

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Each sensor assembly continuously monitors pressure and transmits data wirelessly to an external device or processor. The system provides real-time feedback about pressure distribution, magnitude, and duration across different regions of the bite guard. This feedback mechanism enables comprehensive pressure mapping while managing complexity through automated data collection and processing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The sensor assemblies are distributed throughout the three-dimensional volume of the bite guard, not just on the surface. This volumetric distribution enables pressure measurements at multiple depths and locations, creating a comprehensive three-dimensional pressure map that captures the full complexity of biting and grinding forces.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

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

Enables early and accurate diagnosis of teeth grinding problems, allowing for timely treatment and reducing the risk of significant teeth damage.

Implementation Method 1

each sensor assembly includes at least one piezo pressure sensor

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPiezoelectric effect: Piezoelectric Effect

Data Source

PatentUS20240423827A1Bite guard with embedded pressure sensors

Publication Date: 2024.12.26 INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINE CORPORATION

AI summary

A bite guard configured to conform to teeth of a patient, and an array of sensor assemblies encapsulated in the bite guard, where the array of sensor assemblies is distributed throughout the bite guard, and where each sensor assembly includes a piezo pressure sensor.