Oral Soft Tissue Analysis via Vibrational Sensing
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for analyzing oral soft tissue properties, such as gum recession and inflammation, are time-consuming, painful, and typically require a dental practitioner, limiting their efficiency and accessibility.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising an oral monitoring head with at least one sensing element, an actuator, and a controller that analyzes force or strain signals to derive viscoelastic material properties of oral soft tissues, providing a gum health indication and potentially detecting gum recession.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional impact and shaker tests are used to analyze oral soft tissue properties, then measurement precision can be achieved, but the examination becomes time-consuming and painful for the patient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical impact and shaker testing systems with a simplified vibrational sensing system. A single sensing element is vibrated at multiple frequencies to extract tissue properties, eliminating the need for cumbersome impact hammers and shaker mechanisms while maintaining measurement capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the operating parameters by vibrating the sensing element across a range of frequencies (not just a single frequency) to extract multiple tissue properties including stiffness, damping, and density. This multi-frequency approach enables comprehensive tissue characterization without requiring multiple separate tests.
2Measurement precision
If traditional impact and shaker tests are used to analyze oral soft tissue properties, then measurement precision can be achieved, but the examination becomes painful for the patient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces painful mechanical impact forces with gentle vibrational excitation of a sensing element. The tissue is not directly impacted; instead, the sensing element itself is vibrated and its response to tissue contact is measured, eliminating the need for painful hammer impacts on the patient's gums.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensing element acts as an intermediary between the vibration source and the tissue. Rather than directly impacting the tissue with a hammer, the system vibrates the sensing element which then interacts with the tissue, translating mechanical vibrations into measurable signals that indicate tissue properties without causing pain.
3Measurement precision
If traditional screening methods are used by dental practitioners, then accurate detection of gum recession and inflammation can be achieved, but the process requires specialized personnel and cannot be performed by patients themselves
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables patients to perform their own gum health assessments using a portable device that incorporates the vibrational sensing system. The device automatically vibrates the sensing element, processes the signals, and provides feedback, allowing patients to monitor their own oral health without requiring a dental practitioner's time and expertise for routine screenings.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensing element serves multiple functions: it acts as both the actuator (when vibrated) and the sensor (when contacted with tissue). This dual functionality simplifies the device design and enables a single portable device to perform comprehensive tissue property assessment that previously required complex specialized equipment and trained operators.
4Measurement precision
If multiple sensing elements are used to improve measurement reliability, then measurement precision improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the single sensing element universal by using it for both actuation (vibration) and sensing (tissue contact detection). This eliminates the need for separate actuators and sensors, reducing device complexity while maintaining the ability to extract multiple tissue properties through frequency-domain analysis of the sensing element's response.
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 system enables efficient and non-invasive monitoring of oral soft tissue health, allowing for early detection of gum disease and providing a quantitative assessment of gum tissue properties during routine oral care activities.
Implementation Method 1
an actuator for imparting a motion to the at least one sensing element
Implementation Method 2
a force or strain sensor or motion sensor for monitoring a force or strain or motion associated with the at least one sensing element
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
A system is provided for monitoring properties of oral soft tissues. An oral monitoring head comprises at least one sensing element such as a probe which can be provided among cleaning bristles. A tapping motion is imparted to the at least one sensing element and the force or strain or motion associated with the at least one sensing element is monitored to produce a force or strain or motion signal. From this signal, viscoelastic material properties for the material in contact with the at least one sensing element are derived. In one example, a gum health indication can be provided.