Oral Cavity Sensor for 3D Tongue Movement Analysis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current tongue pressure sensors can only measure vertical pressure, making it difficult to analyze complex tongue movements in the oral cavity, which limits the detailed analysis of mastication and swallowing processes.
Innovation Solution
An oral cavity sensor with a mechanical configuration capable of measuring external force components in three axis directions, featuring a sensor element embedded in an elastic body covered with a biocompatible coating film, allowing for detailed analysis of front-rear, left-right, and vertical movements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a pressure-sensitive sensor with two ink layers is used to measure tongue movements, then the vertical pressure can be detected, but the complex multi-directional movements of the tongue cannot be sufficiently analyzed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from measuring only vertical pressure (one dimension) to measuring force components in three orthogonal directions (x, y, z dimensions). This is achieved by arranging four pressure-sensitive sensors in a specific configuration that enables detection of shearing forces in front-rear and left-right directions, as well as vertical pressure, thereby resolving the technical contradiction by adding dimensional measurement capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor is divided into multiple independent pressure-sensitive sensors (four sensors in total) arranged in a specific pattern. Each sensor contributes to measuring different force components, and the collective output of these segmented sensors enables comprehensive three-dimensional force analysis, resolving the limitation of single-direction measurement.
2Loss of information
If only vertical pressure measurement is implemented, then the sensor structure remains simple, but detailed analysis of complicated tongue movements becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor system achieves multi-functionality by using four pressure-sensitive sensors arranged in a specific configuration that simultaneously measures vertical pressure, front-rear shearing force, and left-right shearing force. This universal measurement capability allows a single sensor device to capture all three components of tongue movement forces, preventing information loss while managing device complexity through a unified measurement approach.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines multiple measurement functions (vertical pressure sensing and shearing force sensing in two horizontal directions) into a single integrated sensor system. By merging these functions into one device with four strategically positioned sensors, the system captures comprehensive tongue movement information without requiring multiple separate sensors, thus reducing overall system complexity while preventing information loss.
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 comprehensive analysis of tongue movements during mastication and swallowing by accurately measuring force components in multiple directions, providing more detailed insights than previous technologies.
Implementation Method 1
a sensor element (7) which is capable of measuring each of external force components in three axis directions, the external force components being applied to the palate (PL) by tongue movements
Implementation Method 2
the elastic body (9) is covered with a coating film (11a) made of a biocompatible material
Implementation Method 3
a sensor element provided with a mechanical configuration capable of measuring each of the external force components in the three axis directions
Data Source
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AI summary
To propose an oral cavity sensor capable of analyzing tongue movements in more detail than before. In an oral cavity sensor (1) which is even provided with a sensor element (7) having a mechanical configuration capable of measuring each of external force components in three axis directions, the sensor element (7) can be protected by an elastic body (9), and the whole of the elastic body (9) is covered with the coating film (11a) made of a biocompatible material. Thereby, the sensor element (7) and the elastic body (9) can be safely attached in an oral cavity (MT) of a subject (EXA), and can measure each of the external force components in the three axis directions. As a result, on the basis of the external force components in the three axis directions, complicated tongue movements at the time of mastication or swallowing in the oral cavity (MT) can be analyzed in more detail than before.