Custom Mouth Guard Impact Sensor
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing solutions for detecting injurious concussive forces in sports and athletic activities are not flexible or precise enough, often requiring bulky equipment like helmets or multiple part pieces that are cumbersome and uncomfortable to wear.
Innovation Solution
A customizable, single-piece mouth guard with embedded sensors and on-board electronics that detect impact forces, provide local and remote notifications, and adjust impact thresholds based on user biometric data and activity type.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If bulky equipment like helmets or multiple part pieces are used for detecting impact forces, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and ease of operation deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple impact sensors, notification components, and electronic circuits into a single integrated mouth guard unit. This merging eliminates the need for separate helmet-mounted devices or multiple body parts, achieving both accurate impact detection and ease of wear as a single customizable mouth guard
Solution Approach 2:
The mouth guard performs multiple functions including impact detection, data processing, local notification, and remote communication within a single device. This multi-functionality replaces the need for separate monitoring systems, maintaining measurement precision while improving ease of operation
2Measurement precision
If helmets or complete headgear are used for impact detection, then measurement precision is improved, but adaptability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The mouth guard is designed to fit specifically in the oral cavity, providing localized impact detection at the chin and jaw area where concussive forces are most relevant. This localized approach maintains measurement precision for head impacts while being adaptable to various sports where full helmet coverage is not required
Solution Approach 2:
The device allows dynamic adjustment of impact thresholds and notification settings based on user preferences and sport-specific requirements. This adaptability enables the same mouth guard design to be customized for different sports and user needs while maintaining accurate detection
3Measurement precision
If multiple part pieces are used for impact detection system, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates multiple sensors, processing circuits, notification components, and communication modules into a single mouth guard unit. This consolidation reduces device complexity by eliminating the need for separate helmet-mounted devices or multiple body-worn components while maintaining comprehensive impact detection 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
The mouth guard effectively identifies and communicates impact forces to the user and remote devices, enhancing safety by providing accurate and timely notifications while maintaining comfort and usability across various sports and activities.
Implementation Method 1
The mouth guard device is able to detect and measure the impact force to an athlete's head during activities by use of an array of motion and accelerometer sensors
Implementation Method 2
The notification component may include a vibration motor configured to generate mechanical vibrations in response to a concussive impact
Data Source
AI summary
A mouth guard senses impact forces and determines if the forces exceed an impact threshold. If so, the mouth guard notifies the user of the risk for injury by haptic feedback, vibratory feedback, and/or audible feedback. The mouth guard system may also remotely communicate the status of risk and the potential injury. The mouth guard uses a local memory device to store impact thresholds based on personal biometric information obtained from the user and compares the sensed forces relative to those threshold values. The mouth guard and its electrical components on the printed circuit board are custom manufactured for the user such that the mouth guard provides a comfortable and reliable fit, while ensuring exceptional performance.