Dynamic Mouth Opening Device With Adjustable Spring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current treatments for trismus, such as medications and soft-food diets, often only alleviate symptoms rather than directly addressing the restricted jaw motion, failing to effectively regain the normal range of motion.
Innovation Solution
A mouth opening device that applies dynamic forces to the jaw through a spring mechanism, varying resistance based on jaw position and severity of trismus, to stretch the temporomandibular joint and mandibular muscles, facilitating increased jaw mobility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If medications and soft-food diets are used to treat trismus, then symptom relief is achieved, but the restricted jaw range of motion is not effectively addressed
Solution Approach 1:
The device employs a spring mechanism that provides dynamic resistance during jaw opening movements. The spring constant can be adjusted to match the patient's specific needs, and the resistance varies continuously as the jaw moves through its range of motion, making the treatment adaptable to different stages of recovery and severity of trismus.
Solution Approach 2:
The device allows modification of the spring constant parameter to accommodate different patient conditions. By changing the spring constant, the resistance level can be adjusted to match the severity of trismus and the patient's current capability, enabling customized treatment protocols.
2Productivity
If a spring mechanism with variable resistance is introduced, then jaw range of motion is effectively addressed, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The spring mechanism automatically provides variable resistance based on the jaw's position and the spring constant, eliminating the need for external control systems. The device self-regulates the resistance level through the physical properties of the spring, simplifying the overall system while maintaining effective treatment.
3Productivity
If customized resistance matching patient severity is provided, then treatment effectiveness is improved, but device adaptability requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The device enables customization by allowing adjustment of the spring constant parameter. This single parameter change can accommodate different patient conditions and treatment stages, providing adaptable resistance without requiring multiple complex device configurations.
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 effectively opens the jaw, addressing the restricted range of motion in trismus by providing customized resistance, thereby treating the condition more directly and effectively than traditional methods.
Implementation Method 1
the device includes a spring, which is configured to be stretched when the patient performs mastication motions. Such stretching of the spring dynamically applies varying amounts of force on the jaw
Data Source
AI summary
A device is described that can effectively increase the range of motion of a jaw of a patient to address physiological conditions that involve restricted range of motion of the jaw of the patient. The device can be used to apply opposing forces to the maxillary and mandibular teeth, which can stretch the temporomandibular joint and mandibular muscles, which in turn can aid in opening of the jaw. Furthermore, the device includes a spring, which is configured to be stretched when the patient performs mastication motions. Such stretching of the spring dynamically applies varying amounts of force on the jaw depending on the position of the jaw during the entire range of motion of the jaw, and severity of the physiological condition such as trismus. Such dynamic force requires the jaw to perform different amounts of work at various positions, which aids in the opening of the jaw.