Intraoral Acid Sensor With Erodible Layer for Acid Source Differentiation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for diagnosing erosive tooth wear and gastro-oesophageal reflux disease are subjective, time-consuming, and lack accurate, non-invasive tools for distinguishing between dietary and gastric acid exposure, leading to delayed treatment and potential irreversible damage.
Innovation Solution
A non-invasive oral acid-sensing device with an erodible layer and indicator, which selectively dissolves in the presence of mineral acids, providing a visual response to detect acid exposure and differentiate between gastric and dietary acids.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If clinical indices are recorded at interval appointments to assess disease activity, then diagnostic information is obtained, but the method is subjective and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The erodible layer is applied to the tooth surface in advance before acid exposure occurs. This preliminary placement allows the device to be ready to detect acid attacks immediately, eliminating the need for time-consuming interval assessments and providing continuous monitoring capability from the start.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical/visual assessment method (clinician examining tooth surfaces) with a chemical detection system. The erodible layer undergoes chemical dissolution in response to acid, and this chemical change is detected optically through color change, substituting subjective mechanical inspection with objective chemical-optical detection.
2Measurement precision
If dental study casts are taken at interval appointments to inspect for differences, then tooth wear changes are detected, but it takes a minimum of 18-24 months to detect clinical differences
Solution Approach 1:
The erodible layer is placed on the tooth surface in advance, creating a sensitive indicator system before any wear occurs. This allows immediate detection of acid attacks and wear processes, eliminating the 18-24 month waiting period required for traditional cast comparison methods to show visible differences.
Solution Approach 2:
The erodible layer can be designed with porous or highly reactive structure that accelerates the detection process. The porous material increases surface area and reactivity to acid, allowing rapid dissolution and color change that immediately indicates wear activity, rather than waiting for significant structural changes to accumulate over months.
3Speed
If the erodible layer is designed to dissolve rapidly in acid, then acid exposure is detected quickly, but the device may be consumed too fast for monitoring purposes
Solution Approach 1:
The erodible layer is applied locally to specific areas of the tooth surface where acid exposure is most likely to occur, rather than covering the entire tooth. This localized application concentrates the detection function in high-risk zones, enabling rapid acid detection where needed while preserving the overall device structure for extended monitoring periods.
Solution Approach 2:
The erodible layer is designed as a consumable indicator that is replaced periodically. Each layer provides intensive monitoring for a specific period until dissolution, then is replaced with a fresh layer. This approach allows rapid acid detection during each monitoring period while maintaining continuous long-term surveillance through systematic replacement of short-lived indicators.
4Object-affected harmful factors
If a non-invasive device is used to detect acid exposure, then patient comfort is improved, but the ability to distinguish between dietary and gastric acids is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses multiple erodible layers with different dissolution rates and/or different pH thresholds. Gastric acid (typically lower pH) and dietary acids (typically higher pH) cause dissolution at different rates or thresholds. By measuring which layers dissolve and at what rates, the system can differentiate between acid sources while remaining non-invasive.
Solution Approach 2:
The device employs composite construction with multiple erodible layers having different material compositions. Each layer is formulated with specific erosion characteristics responsive to different acid types. The combination of layers creates a composite detection system that can distinguish between gastric and dietary acids through their differential effects on the various material compositions.
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 quick, accurate diagnosis of erosive tooth wear and reflux disease, allowing healthcare professionals to categorize risk factors and improve treatment plans, reducing the need for invasive tests and promoting timely medical referrals.
Implementation Method 1
an erodible layer which is arranged to be in direct contact with saliva when the device is in situ within the oral cavity of a subject; The erodible layer selectively dissolves in the presence of mineral acids
Implementation Method 2
providing a visual response to detect acid exposure
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides non-invasive intraoral devices and methods for the detection of intraoral acid exposure, methods of making said devices, and their use in the diagnosis of disorders such as gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD).