Thin Tongue-Palate Pressure Sensor for Speech Disorder Diagnosis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing tongue-palate pressure measurement devices face issues with inappropriate transducer size, response characteristics, inefficient pseudopalate construction, and excessive profile, making it difficult to obtain valid pressure measurements for diagnosing and treating speech and swallowing disorders.
Innovation Solution
A tongue-palate pressure sensing device with a body thickness no greater than 4 millimeters, equipped with a pressure sensor and a communication module, manufactured by heating a plastically deformable base plate to fit the user's palate, and affixed with sensors to measure pressure, force, and temperature, allowing for accurate data collection during speech therapy sessions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a traditional pseudopalate construction is used with standard transducers, then pressure measurement capability is achieved, but the device profile becomes excessive and comfort is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a thin pseudopalate structure (no greater than 4 millimeters in thickness) that functions as a flexible shell to house the pressure transducer. This thin-film approach allows the device to maintain adequate pressure measurement capability while significantly reducing the overall profile and improving patient comfort during extended wear.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent integrates the pressure transducer within the pseudopalate structure itself, nesting the measurement device inside the wearing appliance. This nesting approach eliminates the need for external bulky components, achieving both measurement precision and a reduced device profile simultaneously.
2Measurement precision
If a standard-sized transducer is used for pressure measurement, then measurement function is provided, but the transducer size becomes inappropriate for the application
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by positioning the pressure transducer at the specific location within the pseudopalate where tongue-palate contact pressure needs to be measured. The transducer is integrated into the pseudopalate structure at the optimal location to capture accurate pressure data while maintaining an appropriately small size for the application.
3Strength
If conventional pseudopalate construction methods are used, then structural integrity is achieved, but manufacturing efficiency is low and cost is high
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the pseudopalate structure and pressure transducer into a single integrated device. This merging of functions allows the pseudopalate to serve both as the wearing appliance and as the housing for the measurement device, simplifying manufacturing processes and reducing overall cost while maintaining structural integrity.
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 device provides precise and comfortable measurement of tongue-palate pressure, enabling effective diagnosis and treatment of speech and swallowing disorders by providing stable and accurate data over extended sessions without interfering with tongue movement or swallowing.
Implementation Method 1
heating a base plate
Implementation Method 2
shaping the base plate to form a body... The base plate includes a body material that is plastically deformable at no greater than 5.0 pounds per square inch of pressure when heated
Data Source
AI summary
A device for measuring the pressure applied between a user's tongue and palate includes a body shaped to fit complimentarily against the user's palate and a pressure sensor affixed to the body such that the device has a total thickness less than 4 millimeters.