Automatic Teeth Clenching Detection via Adaptive Force Thresholds
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for detecting teeth clenching and grinding, such as bruxism, require manual setup and calibration, which can lead to incorrect signal differentiation and ineffective treatment due to dependence on user setup.
Innovation Solution
A user-friendly device and method that automatically detects teeth clenching and grinding by calculating a threshold level of biting force or muscular activity based on a background level, adapting to individual signals without manual calibration, using predefined time periods to distinguish between normal and bruxism-related activities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual setup and calibration are used to detect teeth clenching and grinding, then the device can be configured to sense individual signals, but the detection accuracy deteriorates due to incorrect setup by users
Solution Approach 1:
The device automatically adapts to the individual user's signals through self-calibration, eliminating the need for manual setup. The system performs automatic threshold determination and signal characterization by having the user perform specific jaw movements, allowing the device to configure itself without user intervention while maintaining high detection accuracy
Solution Approach 2:
The device performs preliminary calibration actions automatically during initial use, where the user performs specific jaw movements to establish baseline signal characteristics. This preliminary automatic configuration ensures accurate detection is established before normal operation begins, preventing incorrect setup errors
2Ease of operation
If automatic threshold determination is implemented, then ease of operation improves by eliminating manual calibration, but the complexity of the detection algorithm increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically determines thresholds and characterizes signals through self-calibration procedures, eliminating manual calibration steps. The device performs these complex algorithmic operations autonomously, maintaining user-friendly operation while handling the computational complexity internally
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts detection parameters such as thresholds and time windows based on the individual user's signal characteristics. By adapting these parameters automatically through algorithmic analysis of user-specific signals, the system achieves high accuracy without requiring manual parameter configuration
3Measurement precision
If the device monitors continuous signals to distinguish bruxism from normal chewing, then detection accuracy improves, but the processing time and computational load increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs periodic evaluation of signal characteristics against established thresholds and patterns. By continuously monitoring but only triggering detailed analysis when specific conditions are met (such as sustained threshold exceedance), the system maintains high detection accuracy while reducing unnecessary processing during normal chewing periods
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure provides a computer implemented method for automatic detection of teeth clenching and/or teeth grinding in a dataset representing the level of biting force vs. time of a subject, the method comprising the steps of a) calculating a threshold level of biting force assigned to time t=t1 based on a background level determined from the dataset at a prior time t=t1−Tback, where Ttrack is a first predefined period of time, b) checking the level of biting, and if the level of biting force at time, t, exceeds the threshold level assigned to time t for a second predefined period of time, Tclench/grind, then assigning an event of teeth clenching to time t, c) if an event of teeth clenching has been assigned to time t, then either waiting a predefined period of time 10 Twait, or waiting until the level of biting is below the threshold for another predefined period of time Tend, d) if no events of teeth clenching and/or teeth grinding have been assigned for a third predefined period of time Tsilence, then repeating steps a)-c), e) if events of teeth clenching and/or teeth grinding have been assigned for a third predefined period of time Tsilence, then repeating only steps b)-c).