Flexible Oral Pressure Sensor for Irregular Dentition

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing oral cavity sensors face challenges in accurately measuring physical quantities like occlusal force due to the inability to account for dental irregularities and conditions such as dental caries, missing dentition, or periodontal disease, which can place a burden on the measurement subject and compromise measurement accuracy.

Innovation Solution

The oral cavity sensor employs a flexible first resin layer softer than a second resin layer, with electrode portions on the flexible first resin layer, to reduce burden and enhance sensitivity, allowing accurate pressure measurement even in subjects with dental irregularities or reduced muscular strength.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a flexible cover is used to cover the pressure-receiving plates, then the device can adapt to dental irregularities, but the measurement sensitivity is insufficient and accurate measurement cannot be made

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadaptability to dental irregularitiesVSAvoidmeasurement accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses a flexible resin layer instead of a traditional flexible cover to create a pressure-sensitive sensor surface that can conform to irregular dental surfaces while maintaining measurement accuracy. The flexible resin layer deforms under occlusal force to change the capacitance between electrodes, enabling precise measurement despite dental irregularities.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the traditional mechanical pressure transmission system (pressure-receiving plates and pressure medium liquid) with a capacitive sensing system using flexible resin layers and electrodes. This substitution allows direct measurement of pressure through electrical capacitance changes, improving both adaptability and measurement precision.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Strength

If highly-rigid pressure-receiving plates are used, then the structural strength is sufficient, but the device places a burden on teeth with high mobility or dental caries

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural strengthVSAvoidburden on vulnerable teeth

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the physical parameters of the pressure-receiving structure by using soft flexible resin materials instead of highly-rigid plates. This parameter change allows the sensor to maintain structural integrity while being gentle enough for vulnerable teeth, eliminating the burden on teeth with high mobility or dental caries.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs composite material structures where flexible resin layers are combined with electrode patterns to create a pressure-sensitive sensor that is both structurally sound and gentle on vulnerable teeth. The composite design maintains strength while reducing harmful mechanical stress.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

3Measurement precision

If a softer first resin layer is used in the sensor portion, then the sensitivity is enhanced and accurate measurement can be made, but the structural rigidity is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesensor sensitivityVSAvoidstructural rigidity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by making the sensor portion (first resin layer) softer than the protective outer layer (second resin layer). This local differentiation allows the sensor area to be highly sensitive to pressure while the outer layer provides necessary structural protection and durability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses a composite structure with two resin layers of different hardness: a softer first resin layer for sensitive pressure detection and a harder second resin layer for structural protection. This composite design achieves both high sensitivity and adequate structural rigidity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

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 sensor effectively measures pressure in the oral cavity with reduced burden on the subject, enhancing sensitivity and accuracy by using a softer first resin layer that deforms easily with external force, while distributing force evenly and preventing electrical issues.

Implementation Method 1

a sensor portion including a flexible first resin layer and a pair of electrode portions on the flexible first resin layer and configured to measure pressure

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCapacitance: Capacitance

Implementation Method 2

the flexible first resin layer is softer than the flexible second resin layer... the flexible first resin layer is easily displaced with external force

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentUS12502113B2Oral cavity sensor

Publication Date: 2025.12.23 MURATA MFG CO LTD

AI summary

An oral cavity sensor that includes a sensor portion having a flexible first resin layer and a pair of electrode portions on the flexible first resin layer and configured to measure pressure; and a flexible second resin layer covering the pair of electrode portions, wherein the flexible first resin layer is softer than the flexible second resin layer.