Oral Device With Flexible Mastication Barriers for Solid Food Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing oral devices that inhibit mastication and ingestion of solid food often cause discomfort, interfere with jaw movement, and can lead to dental issues, while failing to effectively prevent chewing and swallowing of solid foods.
Innovation Solution
An oral device comprising retainer bars bonded to posterior teeth with flexible mastication barriers that allow jaw movement and prevent food from reaching occlusal surfaces, using AI for precise fabrication to minimize discomfort and dental interference.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a sieve-like blocking means is used to prevent solid food ingestion, then solid food may be blocked from being swallowed, but the device permits food to be trapped in the mouth and does not inhibit chewing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a flexible retainer film that conforms to the tongue's surface, creating a barrier that prevents solid food from being moved to the occlusal surfaces while allowing the device to adapt to natural tongue movements and jaw motions without trapping food
2Ease of operation
If an outwardly projecting flange is attached to make chewing difficult, then chewing may be made more difficult, but the device does not entirely block food from contacting tooth surfaces and is cumbersome and uncomfortable
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible retainer film provides a comfortable, minimally intrusive barrier that prevents food contact with occlusal surfaces while allowing natural tongue and jaw movements, eliminating the discomfort and bulkiness of rigid flange structures
Solution Approach 2:
The device transitions from rigid, three-dimensional protruding structures to a two-dimensional flexible film that conforms to the tongue surface, reducing bulkiness while maintaining effectiveness
3Productivity
If the mouth opening is restricted to slow food ingestion, then satiety may be increased, but the device does not prevent chewing and swallowing of solid foods and is impractical
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible retainer film selectively interferes with solid food manipulation on the tongue surface while allowing full mouth opening for liquids and normal jaw motion, providing adaptability without restricting essential mouth functions
4Ease of operation
If devices are attached to teeth to inhibit mastication, then chewing may be inhibited, but teeth may shift potentially resulting in super eruption and tooth damage
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible retainer film attaches to the tongue surface rather than directly to teeth, distributing forces across the tongue and avoiding concentrated stresses that could cause tooth shifting or super eruption while still preventing solid food contact with occlusal surfaces
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention is oral device that inhibits mastication and ingestion of solid food while minimizing intrusiveness and discomfort in other oral activities. This device is ideal for individuals following an all-liquid diet without relying on willpower alone. The oral device allows a full range of motion of the jaw and the wearer keeps the ability to open and close the mouth, allowing all oral functions other than chewing and swallowing solid food. In various embodiments of the invention, the oral device comprises a set of retainers worn over teeth or retainer bars bonded to, or integrated as part of the retainers. A set of flexible mastication barriers coupled to the retainers or retainer bars and extending from mandible to the maxilla on the lingual side of the mouth inhibit the movement of solid food to the occlusal surfaces of the posterior teeth for chewing. An artificial intelligence platform is implemented to improve fabrication of the oral device and predict and eliminate undercuts in the retainers or retainer bars.