Wedge-Shaped Jaw Stretching Device With Incremental Steps
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current dental devices for stretching jaw muscles to alleviate temporomandibular disorders (TMD) are either bulky, complex, imprecise, or inadequate in providing incremental jaw-opening stretches, leading to ineffective pain relief and potential user confusion or injury.
Innovation Solution
A wedge-shaped dental device with step-like increments on one side for the upper teeth and a stop for the lower teeth, optionally featuring a lengthening element and sensors for data transmission, allowing incremental jaw stretching and muscle relaxation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a passive motion therapy device is used to stretch the jaw, then jaw strengthening is provided, but the device's bulk rests far out from the patient's jaw and the complicated multi-piece design confuses users
Solution Approach 1:
The device is divided into two separate bite plates (upper and lower) that can be independently positioned and adjusted. Each plate has its own adjustment mechanism, allowing for precise customization of the stretching exercise configuration to suit individual patient needs while maintaining a simple, intuitive design for each component
Solution Approach 2:
A wedge-shaped intermediate structure with multiple stepped positions is introduced between the upper and lower bite plates. This intermediary element provides predetermined angular increments that guide the opening motion of the jaw, making the complex stretching exercise simple and intuitive for users while ensuring proper positioning and effectiveness
2Adaptability or versatility
If a jaw-widening device is used to facilitate increased range of motion, then temporomandibular joint range of motion is widened, but the imprecise design fails to provide for specific intervals upon which a patient's maxillary teeth may rest
Solution Approach 1:
The wedge-shaped intermediate structure features multiple stepped positions at different heights and angles, allowing the device to adapt to various jaw opening angles and muscle flexibility levels. The user can select different step positions based on their comfort and progress, providing dynamic adjustment capability while maintaining precise angular intervals
Solution Approach 2:
The device incorporates predetermined angular parameters in the wedge-shaped intermediate structure, with steps configured at specific angle increments (e.g., 5-15 degree intervals). These fixed angular parameters ensure precise positioning of the maxillary teeth on the wedge surface, enabling controlled stretching at defined intervals while accommodating different ranges of motion
3Ease of operation
If a handheld device with two bite plates is used to stretch temporomandibular muscles, then jaw stretching is provided, but the device only moves teeth vertically rather than radially along the jaw's natural range of motion
Solution Approach 1:
The wedge-shaped intermediate structure has a curved, radially-oriented surface that guides the maxillary teeth along an arc path corresponding to the natural rotational movement of the temporomandibular joint. This curved geometry ensures that the stretching force is applied in the correct radial direction, mimicking the jaw's natural range of motion during opening and closing movements
Data Source
AI summary
A wedge-shaped therapeutic stretching device for the jaw generally having three sides (first, second and third), the three sides connected to each other to create the wedge shape. At the corner of two of the three sides is a stop that can rest on a user's lower teeth. On an opposing side of the stop is the second side of the stretching device, on which a plurality of steps is formed. A user's upper teeth can be placed on one of the steps. As the user's jaw flexibility increases, a user can move “up” in steps, thereby increasing distance between upper/lower jaw and allowing the jaw to stretch providing therapeutic relief.