Ear-worn Device Detects Bruxism via Motion and Acoustic Signals
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Solution Overview
Problem
Dental health issues such as bruxism, TMJ joint problems, and tooth decay often go undetected, leading to pain and disability, as individuals may not notice these conditions or experience sudden onset of symptoms, necessitating early and proactive monitoring for optimal outcomes and cost minimization.
Innovation Solution
Ear-wearable devices equipped with control circuits, microphones, and motion sensors that evaluate signals to detect dental health conditions, issue alerts, and track patterns, distinguishing between awake and sleep bruxism, and identifying issues on one side of the mouth, with the option of a second device for opposite ear wear.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional dental monitoring methods are used, then dental health issues can be detected, but early and proactive monitoring is difficult and outcomes are suboptimal
Solution Approach 1:
The ear-wearable device performs preliminary monitoring of dental health parameters continuously before problems manifest. Motion sensors detect bruxism patterns and jaw movements in advance, while microphones capture early signs of TMJ issues, enabling proactive intervention before pain and disability occur
Solution Approach 2:
The ear-wearable device serves as an intermediary monitoring system that indirectly detects dental health conditions through jaw movements, sounds, and motions near the ear. This intermediary approach allows detection of bruxism, TMJ issues, and other dental problems without direct contact with teeth or gums
2Measurement precision
If comprehensive dental monitoring is implemented, then detection accuracy improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The ear-wearable device integrates multiple functions into a single platform: motion sensors detect bruxism and jaw movements, microphones capture TMJ sounds and chewing patterns, and the system distinguishes between awake and sleep bruxism. This multi-functional approach achieves comprehensive dental monitoring without requiring multiple separate devices
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines motion sensing, acoustic detection, and pattern recognition algorithms into a unified ear-wearable system. The control circuit integrates signals from both motion sensors and microphones to comprehensively evaluate dental health conditions, merging multiple detection modalities into one compact device
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments herein relate to ear-wearable device systems with features to monitor dental health. In an embodiment, an ear-wearable device system is included having an ear-wearable device. The ear-wearable device can include a microphone and a sensor package. The sensor package can include a motion sensor. The ear-wearable device system can be configured to evaluate signals from at least one of the microphone and the motion sensor to detect an occurrence of a dental health condition. In some embodiments, an ear-wearable device system herein can be configured to compare signals from at least one of a microphone and a motion sensor from a time period prior to a dental procedure with signals from a time period after the dental procedure. In some embodiments the ear-wearable device system is configured to evaluate signals a sensor to detect an occurrence of a dental hygiene event. Other embodiments are also included herein.