ES2924148A1 - DEVICE TO DETERMINE THE LINGUAL POSITION BY MEASURING THE NEGATIVE PRESSURE IN THE ORAL CAVITY AND ASSOCIATED TERMINAL (Machine-translation by Google Translate, not legally binding) - Google Patents

Abstract

Device for determining tongue position from the measurement of vacuum pressure in an oral cavity generated by swallowing, comprising an intraoral screen designed to be placed in the oral cavity, a conduit connectable at a first end to the intraoral screen and at a second end to a pressure gauge, which in turn is attachable to a base, and an electronic module attachable to the base, the electronic module is in data communication with the pressure gauge and comprises a processing unit, such that In an operative condition of the device, the intraoral shield is configured to block dental interstices in the oral cavity and the conduit establishes fluid communication between the interior of the oral cavity and the pressure gauge, so that the negative pressure generated by the swallowing is measured by said pressure gauge. (Machine-translation by Google Translate, not legally binding)

Description

DESCRIPTION

DEVICE FOR DETERMINING LINGUAL POSITION BY MEASURING PRESSURE

NEGATIVE IN THE ORAL CAVITY AND ASSOCIATED TERMINAL

TECHNICAL SECTOR

The present invention falls within intraoral devices, more specifically in the sector of intraoral vacuum activation devices, and more specifically intraoral devices that facilitate the creation of vacuum pressure in the oral cavity and its measurement from tongue movement produced by swallowing.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

It is known in the clinical world the need to keep the tongue in the correct position in order to avoid, for example, loud breathing, such as snoring, which occurs when breathing through the mouth during sleep when the tongue partially blocks the respiratory tract. Therefore, it is necessary for the tongue to remain in a forward position that guarantees that these ducts are kept clear or unobstructed.

Additionally, apart from the discomfort caused by the emission of snoring during sleep stages, the obstruction of the respiratory tract can symbolize a source of health problems, causing a cut in the air supply to the lungs, commonly known as apnea. This decreases the amount of oxygen carried by the blood to the brain, causing disruptive sleep patterns, resulting in chronic fatigue that can cumulatively cause damage.

That is why, for many people, it is necessary to reduce or eliminate these incorrect positions of the tongue within the oral cavity, avoiding the possible respiratory problems that this may cause.

We can find numerous documents in the state of the art that refer to devices intended for the correct positioning of the tongue.

An example of said documents is patent US5373859, which describes a device to retain the tongue and reduce snoring, comprising a housing that defines a flexible vacuum reservoir and a rigid flange that completely surrounds the housing and makes contact with the face of the user around the entire perimeter of the mouth. The reservoir opening fits over the tongue and holds the tongue by negative pressure created with the device.

Document US4169473 also belongs to the state of the art, which presents a device to be placed inside the mouth of a user, with the aim of preventing the appearance of snoring and/or bruxism, which is configured as a molded body that provides a part located externally, and a part placed inside the user's oral cavity, with dental hook arches and a central receptacle with a rear opening that acts together with the front part of the tongue, forcing it to be placed in the front part of the tongue. mouth, increasing the unobstructed dimension of the airway.

We can also find in the state of the art the document WO2018076088 that proposes an intraoral device to create a sensation of contact between the teeth, which must be applied to the upper and/or lower palate of the user, and which comprises a means of contact designed to be associated with at least a portion of one to four posterior teeth, with the aim of creating a sensation of contact for the user through contact between the contact means themselves and at least a part of the opposing dental area

Document ES1067430 also belongs to the state of the art, which describes an intraoral device to prevent snoring and/or apneas, which is made up of a main body, which incorporates a flexible fin on its back, which removes the movement of the tongue, preventing it from moving backwards and, therefore, preventing the user from snoring.

As can be seen, in the state of the art there are numerous intraoral devices designed to position the tongue inside the oral cavity in such a way as to ensure that the user's airways are not obstructed, preventing the language can intervene in harmful processes for health, such as snoring or apnea.

However, it has been detected that none of the existing systems proposes means of correcting the tongue position from the measurement of the vacuum pressure in the oral cavity generated by swallowing, where from said measured vacuum pressure it is possible to carry out a study and/or monitoring of the tongue position to assist the user in training to correct an inadequate tongue position and at the same time assist a health professional in understanding the position occupied by the tongue and evaluating correction alternatives.

EXPLANATION OF THE INVENTION

To respond to the vacuum detected in the technical field, the present invention proposes a device to determine the lingual position from the measurement of a vacuum pressure in the oral cavity of a user, said negative pressure being generated by the movement lingual in swallowing to give information, for example, in the form of a warning to the user, or to health personnel about whether, based on said negative pressure, a correct lingual position is achieved or not.

The person skilled in the art will see it as obvious that, in the context of the invention, a negative pressure in the oral cavity refers to a pressure that is lower than the pressure measured outside said oral cavity that generally corresponds to, but does not is limited to, the atmospheric pressure at which a user is using the device.

The negative pressure in the oral cavity is generated by swallowing and, to prevent air from leaking into the oral cavity through the dental interstices, reducing the vacuum pressure, the device of the invention has a screen intraoral, preferably made of a flexible material suitable for intraoral use, non-invasive for the user, which, as mentioned, assists the user in maintaining negative pressure after the swallowing maneuver.

In addition to the intraoral screen, the device comprises a conduit connectable at a first end to the intraoral screen at a connection end arranged therein and at a second end to a pressure gauge, in turn attachable to a base of said device . So, in a condition of use of the device by a user, the intraoral screen is arranged between the inner portion of the lips and the front part of the user's teeth to block the dental interstices and the conduit fluidically communicates the interior of the oral cavity with the pressure gauge, such that the pressure negative generated in the oral cavity by swallowing is measured by the pressure gauge.

Preferably, the conduit will have a saliva trap with a membrane made of an impermeable and preferably flexible material, such as Goretex®, which will prevent saliva from entering the interior of the conduit itself and subsequent contact with the pressure gauge.

An electronic module is attached to the base, comprising a processing unit configured to obtain/calculate/determine data on the lingual position from the measurement of the vacuum pressure in the oral cavity. The electronic module comprises wireless connection means, for example, a bluetooth card, or a data connection port attachable to the base and connectable to said electronic module prepared to transmit data on the pressure in the oral cavity and/or receive data or information to/from any external terminal, such as a computer, smartphone, tablet or similar.

As described above, a device is proposed that assists in the sealing of the oral cavity to measure the negative pressure generated by swallowing, for example when swallowing saliva, where through the negative pressure measurement it is possible to identify if the tongue position is correct. correct, and if it is not, generate signals, transmit data to the external terminal to assist the training of the correct position of the tongue, to generate habits that prevent the obstruction of the airways by the tongue.

For example, a negative pressure in the oral cavity of 15m Bar will indicate that the tongue is in the proper position, occupying the entire oral cavity without any space being able to exist. Therefore, the tongue is fully attached to the palate.

The ideal negative pressure at which the tongue is considered to be in the proper position can be set within a specific range or can be set by medical personnel for a particular user and their particular condition.

Thus, with the device it is possible to monitor the pressure in the oral cavity and/or the changes in it, indicative of the position of the tongue, as well as the device to monitor the time that the negative pressure is maintained in the mouth. oral cavity by the user.

The device described represents an innovation of structural and constitutive characteristics unknown until now, reasons that, together with its practical utility, provide it with sufficient grounds to obtain the privilege of exclusivity that is requested.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

To complement the description that is being made and in order to help a better understanding of the characteristics of the invention, a set of drawings is attached as an integral part of said description, where for illustrative and non-limiting purposes, the following has been represented: Next:

Figure 1.- Shows a general view of the device object of the invention

Figure 2.- Shows an explosion of the device components

Figure 3.- Shows a detail of the components of the electronic card

List of references and figures:

1. Intraoral screen

2. base

3. Duct

4. Pressure gauge

5. Waterproof membrane

6. Electronic module

7. Wireless means of connection

8. Power supply means

9. Data connection port

10. Casing

PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

In the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments, reference is made to to the accompanying drawings which form a part hereof, and in which are shown by way of illustration specific preferred embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. These embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention, and it is understood that other embodiments may be used and logical structural, mechanical, electrical, and/or chemical changes may be made without departing from the scope of the invention. To avoid details not necessary to enable those skilled in the art to carry out the detailed description should therefore not be taken in a limiting sense.

Specifically, a device is presented to determine and modulate the tongue position from the measurement of a vacuum pressure in an oral cavity, which is generated by the tongue movement during the user's swallowing stage, the device comprising:

- an intraoral screen 1 intended to, in use or operation, be placed in the oral cavity, plugging the dental interstices;

- a base 2 connectable to the intraoral screen 1 through at least one conduit 3, configured so as to, in a condition of use or operation of the device, establish fluid communication between the interior of the oral cavity; and a pressure gauge 4 attachable to the base 2, intended to measure the vacuum pressure produced by swallowing;

- and an electronic module 6 attachable to the base 2, said electronic module 6 being in data communication with the pressure gauge 4, and comprising a processing unit configured to obtain data on the lingual position from the pressure measurement vacuum in the oral cavity.

In this way, a device capable of determining the lingual position of a user is obtained, from the measurement of the internal pressure of his intraoral cavity, thanks to a pressure gauge 4 and the subsequent processing of the data obtained by the same. , by means of an electronic module 6.

In a preferred embodiment, the intraoral screen 1 comprises at least one connection end 1A, to which the conduit 3 is connectable, to achieve fluid communication between the interior of the oral cavity and the pressure gauge 4, when the device is in use. use, achieving pressure measurement after the user's swallowing process, for example, when swallowing saliva

Preferably the pressure gauge 4 is a manometer. The person skilled in the art will understand that the term pressure gauge 4 includes all sensitive devices for measuring pressure in the oral cavity and that may be applicable within the context of the invention.

In a preferred embodiment, the intraoral screen 1 will be made of a hydrophobic elastic polymeric material, preferably silicone for intraoral use, so that adaptability to the morphology of the user's oral cavity is achieved and thus seal the oral cavity and prevent it from entering. air in it when the vacuum has been generated during swallowing.

The preferred position in operation of the intraoral screen 1 will be between the inner part of the lips and the front part of the teeth of the user's oral cavity.

On the other hand, the electronic module 6 comprises wireless communication means 7, configured to transmit, based on the measurement of the vacuum pressure in the oral cavity, the data of the lingual position towards an external terminal and/or receive information from said external terminal. In such a way that information can be exchanged between the device object of the present invention and said external terminal.

In another preferred embodiment, the device comprises a data connection port 9, attachable to the base 2, which will be connectable to the electronic module 6, and where the data connection port 9 is configured to transmit the lingual position data, obtained by measuring the vacuum pressure in the oral cavity, towards the external terminal and/or receiving information from said terminal. Thanks to this, the exchange of information is also achieved in person, through the direct connection between the data connection port 9 and the external terminal.

As previously mentioned, the electronic module 6 comprises a processing unit configured to obtain tongue position data from the measurement of the vacuum pressure in the oral cavity. So that, given a vacuum pressure established as a reference, for example, 15m Bar (milli Bar), the processing unit determines if the lingual position is correct based on the measurement obtained by the pressure gauge 4 from the vacuum pressure generated in the oral cavity and/or also through the time said negative pressure is maintained.

Through the continuous measurement made by the pressure gauge 4, the processing unit can monitor the position of the tongue, as well as the time that the negative pressure is maintained. For example, if the reference vacuum pressure is 15m Bar, and the measured pressure is 10m Bar, this could be insufficient for an adequate lingual position, and/or it is also possible that, having reached the reference pressure, said negative pressure has been sustained for less time than necessary

According to the last two embodiments, the device comprises communication means, both wireless and direct connection, with external devices, achieving the exchange of pressure data measured in the oral cavity with external terminals, facilitating the processing and treatment of said data.

In a preferred embodiment, the electronic module 6 comprises signaling means configured to emit a warning signal, where the processing unit of the electronic module 6 is configured to, based on the measurement of the negative pressure in the oral cavity, determine a improper tongue position and transmit a warning signal through the signaling means.

These signaling means can take the form of a loudspeaker, to send an acoustic signal, and/or an LED bulb to send a visual signal, and/or a vibrating mechanism, such as the one found in smartphones, to send a vibrating signal, to warn the user of a poor positioning of the tongue within the oral cavity.

The device comprises power supply means 8, attachable to the base 2, and configured to electrically power the electronic module 6 and/or the pressure measurement means 4. Preferably, the power supply means 8 will be comprised of a removable rechargeable battery. of the base 2, such as, for example, a rechargeable battery similar to the one carried by the AirPods® of the company Apple®, or rechargeable batteries of similar devices.

Likewise, in alternative embodiments not illustrated, the device of the invention comprises additional pressure gauges 4 intended to be coupled to one or more ducts 3 or other similar ducts (not shown) distributed by the intraoral screen 1. The purpose of disposing these additional pressure gauges 4 is to measure the vacuum pressure in the intraoral compartments, for example, at different points in the intraoral cavity. These additional pressure gauges 4 are coupled to additional conduits 3 conveniently distributed by the intraoral screen 1 and are not necessarily arranged on the base 2, although said additional pressure gauges 4 must be in data communication by suitable means with the electronic module 6 to transmit to the latter the vacuum pressure measurements made at the different points by each of said additional pressure gauges 4 .

As shown in Figure 1, in a preferred embodiment, the device comprises a casing 10 attachable to the base 2, and configured to protect the electronic module 6 and/or the pressure gauge 4 and/or the data connection port 9 and/or the power supply means 8. Where the casing 10 comprises at least one opening to access the data connection port 9. In such a way that the casing 10 protects said components from external agents.

On the other hand, the device comprises at least one membrane 5, preferably made of waterproof material, such as GoreTex®, removable, arranged inside the conduit 3, and which is configured to prevent the passage of fluids through said conduit 3 that may come into contact with the pressure gauge 4 and/or the electronic module 6, causing deterioration or malfunction.

Likewise, the present invention proposes an external terminal that can be connected in communication to the device of the previous embodiments, which is configured to receive the lingual position data obtained by the device, as described so far, where the external terminal comprises means of processing configured to determine if the lingual position is correct or not, based on the data obtained from the lingual position, and generate a warning signal through said external terminal for the user of the device of the previous embodiments

Having sufficiently described the nature of the present invention, as well as the way of putting it into practice, it is not considered necessary to make its explanation more extensive so that any person skilled in the art understands its scope and the advantages derived from it, stating that, within its essentiality, it can be taken to the practice in other forms of embodiment that differ in detail from the one indicated by way of example, and to which the protection sought will also apply provided that its fundamental principle is not altered, changed or modified.

Claims (15)

1. Device for determining the tongue position from the measurement of a vacuum pressure in a user's oral cavity generated by the tongue movement in a swallow, characterized in that it comprises an intraoral screen (1) intended to be placed in the cavity oral, a conduit (3) connectable at a first end to the intraoral screen (1) and at a second end to a pressure gauge (4), said pressure gauge (4) in turn attachable to a base (2) , and an electronic module (6) attachable to the base (2), said electronic module (6) being in data communication with the pressure gauge (4) and comprising a processing unit, such that, in an operating condition of the device, the intraoral screen (1) is configured to block dental interstices of the teeth in the oral cavity and the conduit (3) establishes fluid communication between the interior of the oral cavity and the pressure gauge (4), so that negative pressure generates in the oral cavity by swallowing is measured by said pressure gauge (4), where the processing unit is configured to determine tongue position data from the measurement of the vacuum pressure in the oral cavity. 2. Device according to claim 1, wherein the intraoral screen (1) comprises at least one connection end (1A) to which the conduit (3) can be connected. 3. Device according to claims 1 or 2, where the intraoral screen (1) is made from an elastic hydrophobic polymeric material. Device according to any of claims 1 to 3, where the intraoral screen (1) is intended to be interposed between an inner part of the lips and a front part of the teeth in the oral cavity. 5. Device according to any of the claims, wherein the electronic module (6) comprises wireless communication means (7) configured to transmit data on the vacuum pressure in the oral cavity to an external terminal and/or receive information from said external terminal . 6. Device according to any of the preceding claims comprising a data connection port (9) attachable to the base (2) and connectable to the electronic module (6), where the data connection port (9) is configured to transmit the data of the vacuum pressure in the oral cavity to the external terminal and/or receive information from said external terminal. 7. Device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the electronic module (6) comprises signaling means configured to emit a warning signal, where the processing unit of the electronic module (6) is configured to, based on the lingual position determined from the vacuum pressure measurement, determine an improper tongue position and transmit a warning signal through the signaling means. 8. Device according to the previous claim, where the signaling means comprise a loudspeaker and/or an LED bulb and/or a vibrating mechanism. Device according to any of the preceding claims, comprising power supply means (8) arranged on the base (2), configured to power the electronic module (6) and/or the pressure gauge (4) electrically. Device according to the previous claim, where the power supply means (8) comprise a removable rechargeable battery from the base (2). 11. Device according to claim 9 comprising a casing (10) attachable to the base (2), configured to protect the electronic module (6) and/or the pressure gauge (4) and/or the data connection port ( 9) and/or the power supply means (8), where the casing (10) comprises an opening to access the data connection port (9). Device according to any of the preceding claims, comprising at least one membrane (5) arranged inside the conduit (3), configured to prevent the passage of fluids through the conduit (3). 13. Device according to the previous claim, where the membrane (5) is waterproof and interchangeable. 14. Device according to any of the preceding claims comprising one or more pressure gauges (4) coupled to one or more conduits (3). fifteen.

External terminal connectable in data communication with the device of claims 5 to 13, prepared to receive the negative pressure measurement data in the oral cavity obtained by said device, where the external terminal comprises processing means configured to, based on on the data of negative pressure in the oral cavity, determine if the tongue position is not correct.