Overlapping Segment Mouthpiece for Palate Expansion

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing maxillofacial correction devices suffer from inflammation and tissue exposure due to gaps between segment pieces during expansion, inadequate support leading to insufficient correction, and inefficient force distribution in the oral cavity.

Innovation Solution

A mouthpiece design with overlapping segment pieces to prevent tissue exposure, integrated with a head gear to cancel reaction forces, and incorporating a generator or power storage to convert masticatory force into electrical energy for actuation devices, made from materials with controlled surface roughness to prevent bacterial film formation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If segment pieces are spaced apart to enable maxillar expansion, then expansion capability is improved, but gaps are generated causing tissue exposure and inflammation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemaxillar expansion capabilityVSAvoidtissue exposure and inflammation

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The mouthpiece is divided into multiple segment pieces (first segment piece, second segment piece, etc.) that can move relative to each other. Each segment piece contains a contact portion for maxillary teeth and a palatal portion for palatal tissue, allowing independent movement while maintaining continuous coverage to prevent gaps.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a vertical dimension to the segment arrangement by positioning contact portions and palatal portions at different heights. The first contact portion and first palatal portion are positioned at a first height, while the second contact portion and second palatal portion are positioned at a second height, creating a multi-dimensional structure that prevents gap formation during expansion.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Adaptability or versatility

If segment pieces are made movable for expansion, then treatment adaptability is improved, but force distribution stability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetreatment adaptabilityVSAvoidforce distribution stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent pre-establishes a support force vector through the head gear connection before expansion occurs. The head gear applies a support force that counteracts the reaction force generated during screw expansion, ensuring stable force distribution is maintained throughout the expansion process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The head gear provides a support force vector that acts as a counterweight to the reaction force vector generated by the expansion screw. This counterbalancing mechanism stabilizes the force distribution in the oral cavity during the expansion process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #8Anti-weight (Counterweight)

3Object-affected harmful factors

If mouthpiece material surface is made smooth, then bacterial film formation is reduced, but manufacturing precision requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebacterial film formationVSAvoidsurface roughness control

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent specifies a controlled surface roughness parameter (Ra 0.2 to 0.4) for the mouthpiece material surfaces. This parameter change creates a surface that is smooth enough to prevent bacterial film formation but achievable through standard manufacturing processes, balancing hygiene requirements with manufacturing feasibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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

Minimizes inflammation and tissue flow, enhances treatment effectiveness by stable force distribution, and supports efficient palate expansion while preventing bacterial growth.

Implementation Method 1

at least one of the segment pieces include a generator (31a) for converting a masticatory force in an oral cavity into electrical energy by a piezoelectric phenomenon

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPiezoelectric effect: Piezoelectric Effect

Data Source

PatentUS20230015152A1mouthpiece

Publication Date: 2023.01.19 PARK MI RA

AI summary

Provided is a mouthpiece which is mounted in an oral cavity for use in changing the shape of the skull including the maxillary bone and is composed of a plurality of segment pieces, at least some of the segment pieces being configured to approach or be spaced apart from each other by means of a screw, wherein the surfaces of the segment pieces facing or contacting the skin in the oral cavity are configured such that the segment pieces overlap with each other, such that a gap does not occur in spite of the approaching or spacing-apart movement of the segment pieces relative to each other.