Sensorized Dental Aligners for Wear Compliance Detection
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing orthodontic treatments face challenges in monitoring patient compliance with prescribed appliance usage, which can disrupt treatment plans and prolong treatment duration, and existing methods for monitoring physiological characteristics like sleep disordered breathing often require external sensors.
Innovation Solution
Intraoral appliances equipped with embedded sensors and processors to monitor compliance and physiological characteristics, such as orthodontic aligners with capacitive and temperature sensors, NFC communication, and processors to process data for compliance and physiological monitoring, allowing autonomous data logging and communication with smartphones.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If patient-removable orthodontic appliances are used, then patient comfort and ease of removal are improved, but patient compliance with prescribed usage becomes difficult to monitor
Solution Approach 1:
The orthodontic appliance includes embedded sensors and processors that automatically monitor and record usage data without requiring external intervention. The compliance monitoring system is self-contained within the appliance, enabling it to track wearing time, removal events, and usage patterns autonomously, thus maintaining reliability while preserving ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The appliance incorporates feedback mechanisms through wireless communication modules that transmit usage data to external devices or cloud servers. This feedback loop provides real-time or periodic information about compliance status, allowing practitioners to monitor patient behavior and adjust treatment plans accordingly, while the appliance remains easily removable by the patient.
2Measurement precision
If external sensors are used for monitoring physiological characteristics, then monitoring capability is improved, but device complexity and patient discomfort increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple functions including orthodontic treatment, compliance monitoring, and physiological sensing into a single integrated appliance. Sensors for detecting physiological characteristics such as temperature, humidity, and motion are embedded within the appliance structure, eliminating the need for separate external sensing devices and reducing overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The orthodontic appliance serves multiple purposes: it provides orthodontic force application, tracks compliance through usage monitoring, and detects physiological characteristics. This multi-functional design allows a single device to perform what would traditionally require multiple separate systems, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining comprehensive monitoring capability.
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
Enhances patient compliance and treatment efficacy by providing accurate monitoring of appliance usage and physiological data, facilitating precise diagnosis and treatment of conditions like obstructive sleep apnea.
Implementation Method 1
one or more capacitive sensors operably coupled to the appliance shell and configured to generate sensor data
Implementation Method 2
one or more temperature sensors operably coupled to the appliance shell and configured to generate sensor data
Implementation Method 3
NFC communication
Data Source
AI summary
Detection of placement of dental aligners in patient mouth on teeth for indication of wearing compliance. Described herein are apparatuses and methods for detecting wearing, including compliance. In some variations these apparatuses and methods may include a sensor configured to detect deflection of the one or more deflectable structures. In some variations, these apparatuses and methods may include a proximity sensor coupled to the appliance shell and configured to generate sensor data when in proximity with intraoral tissue.