JP2000042009A - Labial pressure measurement device and mouthpiece for the device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an easily handleable labial pressure measurement device capable of measuring a maximum labial pressure in a short time without burdening a subject out the chair side. SOLUTION: A tension gauge 5 as a force measurement device is attached through an attaching member 15 to this mouthpiece 3 arranged between the lips and teeth and gingiva inside a mouth vestibule and force added to the tension gauge 5 acts on the mouthpiece 3. A switch unit is arranged on the side of the inner side face 9 of the mouthpiece 3, the contact of the mouthpiece 3 and the teeth and the gingiva is sensed, and by the force exerted to the tension gauge 5, the force when the mouthpiece 3 and the teeth and the gingiva are turned to a non-contact state is detected.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an apparatus for measuring the strength of a human lip, that is, a perioral muscle or a cheek muscle / orbicularis complex.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art It is known that a soft tissue or a muscle tissue around a lip is not only involved in oral functions but also has a strong relation to maintenance of a normal dental arch form. By the way, the inventor of the present application has deepened the recognition that the compression of the dentition by the perioral muscles greatly affects the orthodontic treatment in the course of performing many orthodontic treatments. That is, the lip pressure by the perioral muscle affects not only the orthodontic treatment but also the retention after orthodontic treatment. Therefore, if corrective treatment is performed ignoring this lip pressure, corrective treatment cannot be performed as intended, or even once corrective treatment is performed, the prognosis is poor and reversion may occur. Therefore, it is necessary to know beforehand the strength of the lip pressure of a patient who undergoes orthodontics before deciding a treatment policy in orthodontic diagnosis.

Conventionally, as a method for measuring such lip pressure, the present inventors inserted a small pressure sensor into the oral vestibule, positioned it between the inside of the lip and the teeth and gums, and closed the lip. The lip pressure has been measured during functions in daily life, such as resting, laughing, or drinking juice.

[0004] As another method, for example, in a place where the influence of soft tissue on the jaw, facial skeletal system, teeth, dental arch, etc. is to be studied, a lip piece is held by a subject, and a dynamometer is connected to the electric motor and used. It is also practiced to pull the lip piece in a certain direction until the lip piece separates from the lip, and measure the traction force at that time.

[0005]

However, in the method using a small pressure sensor, the time required for collecting data, that is, the chair time becomes long, and the burden on the patient is large.
Further, the obtained data is a force for a limited type of function, and is insufficient as data. The size is also a relatively small value such as 200 to 250 grams, and the maximum lip pressure that the perioral muscle can exert cannot be measured.

Further, in the method of pulling the lip piece by a motor, the device becomes large-scale, and setting and the like before the start of the examination take time, and the burden on the subject is also large. In addition, in this method, the traction force when the lip piece is detached from the lips is measured, and the traction force in this case includes not only the strength of the perioral muscles but also the shape of the lips,
Other factors, such as flexibility, also have a significant effect.

The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems of the prior art, and provides a lip pressure measuring device capable of easily measuring the maximum lip pressure at a chair side without imposing a great burden on a patient. That is the task.

[0008]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, according to the present invention, a plate-shaped mouthpiece is provided between the inside of the lips and the teeth and gingiva in the oral vestibule,
A force measuring device was connected to the mouthpiece via a mounting member. Then, a sensing device for sensing contact between the mouthpiece and the teeth and gums was provided.

The force applied to the force-measuring device acts on the mouthpiece via the mounting member, and at the same time this force can be measured by the force-measuring device, so that the force applied causes the mouthpiece to move away from the teeth and gums. Force, or maximum lip pressure, is measured.

[0010]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, specific embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings, but the scope of the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described below.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a configuration of a lip pressure measuring device 1 according to a first embodiment of the present invention. This device 1 is arranged in a vestibule of a subject when measuring lip pressure. A mouthpiece 3, which is connected to the mouthpiece 3, a tension gauge 5 as a force measuring device for measuring a tensile force applied to the mouthpiece 3, and a contact between the inner surface of the mouthpiece 3 and teeth and gums. And a sensing device 7.

The mouthpiece 3 is formed by using a synthetic resin, and has an elongated plate shape and is curved in the longitudinal direction as shown in FIGS. The width dimension of the mouthpiece 3 is such that this piece 3 fits in the vestibule of the oral cavity between the inside of the upper lip and the upper teeth and gums, or between the inside of the lower lip and the lower teeth and gums. .

The length of the mouthpiece 3 is about 30 mm in the present embodiment, and the surface (inner surface) 9 on the side in contact with the teeth and the gingiva is curved substantially in accordance with the shape of the dentition of a normal occlusion person. It is formed. The side that touches the inside of the lips (outer side)
The radius of curvature of 11 does not necessarily have to be the same as the radius of curvature of the inside, but it is smoothly curved so that it can contact the inside of the lips without resistance over its entire length. The mouthpiece 3 has a certain rigidity and does not easily deform.

The tension gauge 5, which is a force measuring device, may be of a known type. A tension spring (not shown) is built in the outer cylinder 13, and a shaft 15 extends through the outer cylinder 13. Once the spring is fixed to the outer cylinder 13,
The other end is connected to the shaft 15. When a force in the direction of the arrow in FIG. 1 acts on the shaft 15, the shaft 15 moves in the same direction with respect to the outer cylinder 13, and pulls the tension spring. The magnitude of the force acting on the shaft 15 is indicated by a scale 17 engraved on the outer cylinder 15 and an indicator 19 that moves along the scale 17 integrally with the shaft 15.

As shown in the figure, the leading end 21 of the shaft 15 is attached to the mouthpiece 3 above the outer surface 11 thereof (FIG. 1).
And in FIG. 2) near the edge. That is, the shaft 15 also functions as an attachment member when attaching the tension gauge 5 to the mouthpiece 3. In this embodiment, when the mouthpiece 3 is formed, the mouthpiece 3 is integrally formed and connected. However, another mechanical connection method may be adopted. Further, it is not essential that the shaft 15 of the tension gauge 5 is directly and integrally connected to the mouthpiece 3. For example, a hook may be provided on the outer surface 11 of the mouthpiece 3 and a hook provided on the pulling end 21 of the shaft 15 may be detachably engaged with the hook. The shaft 15
The angle of attachment to the mouthpiece 3 is slightly wider than 90 degrees as shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a partial cross-sectional view of the mouthpiece 3 taken along line 3-3 in FIG. Reference numeral 23 denotes a switch unit constituting the contact sensing device 7. The switch unit 23 includes a switch box 25 and is embedded in the mouthpiece 3 such that the upper surface 26 of the switch box 25 is substantially flush with the inner side surface 9 of the mouthpiece 3.

In a space 25a formed inside the switch box 25, an upper electrode plate 27 and a lower electrode plate 29 formed of two plastic thin plates are arranged to face each other. The lower electrode plate 29 is flat and the switch box 25
At the bottom of the empty space 25a. On the other hand, the upper electrode plate 2
7 is slightly curved as shown in the figure, and the inner surface of the curve is disposed facing the lower electrode plate 29, and they are separated from each other at the center. In the present embodiment, the upper and lower electrode plates 2
The outer shapes 7, 29 are formed in a substantially circular shape.

Upper and lower electrodes 31 and 33 made of a conductive material are formed substantially at the center of the inner surfaces of the upper and lower electrode plates 27 and 29 facing each other. And the upper electrode plate 27
On the outer side surface of the switch box 25, a contact 35 fitted in a hole 37 formed in the upper wall of the switch box 25 is placed in a mounted state. The contact 35 can be moved in the direction of the arrow in the figure, and the upper surface 35a of the contact 35
Slightly outside the outer surface of the upper plate. Electrodes 31, 3
3 is connected to a buzzer 39 via a lead wire. Therefore, when a force acts on the contact 35 and the contact 35 moves downward, the central portion of the upper electrode plate 27 moves downward by being pushed by the contact 35, and the upper electrode 31 contacts the lower electrode 33 and the buzzer 39.
Is closed and the buzzer 39 sounds. When the force acting on the contact 35 is removed, the upper electrode plate 27 is restored to its original curved state by its elasticity, the upper and lower electrodes 31, 33 are separated, the circuit of the buzzer 39 is opened, and the buzzer stops sounding. The upper electrode plate 27 is elastically deformed by a weak force, but quickly and surely returns to its original state when the force is removed.

Reference numeral 8 denotes a thin hollow tube as ventilation means for ventilating the inside and outside of the oral cavity during measurement.
At one end, it is fixed to the upper edge of the mouthpiece 3, and the other end extends rearward. Its length and thickness are
Any material can be used as long as it can perform the function of ventilation described later in use, and is not particularly limited together with its material. Also,
Depending on the actual chairside situation, the tube 8 may not be fixed to the mouthpiece 3, but to another member, or may not be fixed at all, and may be used by simply sandwiching it between the patient's lips.

FIG. 4 shows the lip pressure measuring device 1 described above.
It is a side view which shows the state which is measuring lower lip pressure using. In the oral vestibule of the subject, the mouthpiece 3 is arranged as shown in the figure between the lower lip 41 and several teeth 43 and gingiva 45 centered on the front teeth. When the subject closes the lips in this state, the contact 35 of the switch unit 21 located on the inner surface 9 side of the mouthpiece 3 causes the teeth 43 or the gingiva 45
, The upper and lower electrodes 31 and 33 come into contact with each other, and the buzzer 3
9 rings. In this state, the outer cylinder 13 of the tension gauge 5 is
And pull in the axial direction. Then, the spring force of the tension gauge 5 acts on the lower lip 41 via the shaft 15 and the mouthpiece 3. The lower lip pressure of the subject holds the mouthpiece 3 in that position against this force. As the force applied to the tension gauge 5 is gradually increased, the lower lip pressure of the subject finally loses the tensile force, and the mouthpiece 3
Is separated from the teeth 43 or gingiva 45. Then, the contact 35 returns to the original position, and the buzzer 39 stops sounding. By reading the scale indicated by the indicator 19 of the tension gauge 5 at this time, the maximum lower lip pressure can be measured.

Although not shown, the device 1 is positioned so that the mouthpiece 3 is turned upside down from FIG. 4, and the mouthpiece 3 is positioned between the upper lip and the upper teeth and gingiva. By performing the same operation, the maximum upper lip pressure can be measured.

At the time of measurement, it is desirable that the patient including the mouthpiece 3 close the mouth in a natural state, and that the muscles around the oral cavity should not be unnecessarily strained. In that case, in some patients, the lips are completely closed and a negative pressure is generated in the oral cavity during the measurement, which may affect the measured value. The tube 8 eliminates the influence of the negative pressure. That is,
As described above, the tube 8 is attached to the upper edge of the mouthpiece 3, and when the mouthpiece 3 is included in the mouth, one end opens to the inside of the oral cavity and the other end opens to the outside. Therefore, the inside of the oral cavity is ventilated to the outside through the tube 8, so that air can freely flow into and out of the oral cavity at the time of measurement, and the influence of negative pressure can be eliminated.

Although not shown in the drawings, in order to deal with hygiene problems, a mouthpiece 3 is required for measurement.
It is convenient to use a thin vinyl cover that covers a portion included in the oral cavity, such as the tip 21 of the shaft 15 of the tension gauge 5. At this time, the aforementioned ventilation tube 8 can be attached to the cover.

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing the basic structure of the lip pressure measuring device 51 according to the second embodiment. Code 5
3 is a mouthpiece, and this mouthpiece 53 is a first
The mouthpiece may be basically the same as the mouthpiece used in the embodiment, but a hook 55 is attached to the outer surface side. Reference numeral 57 denotes a digital force measuring device using, for example, a strain gauge or the like, and digitally displays the force acting via the hook 59 on the display unit 61. This measuring instrument 57
Has a function of storing and displaying the maximum value of the force applied during a series of operations. Such a force measuring device is commercially available from, for example, A & D Corporation, and is known, and therefore, detailed description is omitted.

Reference numeral 54 denotes a contact of the switch unit similar to that of the first embodiment. When this contact is pressed, the circuit of the buzzer 63 connected by the lead wire 65 closes, and the buzzer 63 sounds. The measuring method is the same as in the first embodiment. In this case, even if the pulling force of the measuring device is reduced when the buzzer 63 stops sounding, the maximum value of the applied force is stored, which is convenient. The two-dot chain line 6
As shown by 7, the signal from the switch unit is
7, it is more convenient to store the value of the force when the buzzer 63 stops sounding. Further, the buzzer 63 may be integrated into the measuring instrument. When a configuration is used in which a signal from the switch unit is input to the measuring device 57 using the lead wire 67, it is more convenient that the lead wire 67 be configured to be detachable from the measuring device using a socket or the like. is there.

[0026]

As is apparent from the above description, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide a lip pressure measuring apparatus having a very simple structure and easy handling. According to this device, the maximum lip pressure can be measured in a short time, and the burden on the subject can be reduced.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a measuring device according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a view showing a mouthpiece, (a) is a plan view, and (b) is a side view.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 3-3 of FIG.

FIG. 4 is a side view showing a state where lower lip pressure is being measured.

FIG. 5 is a schematic configuration diagram illustrating a basic configuration of a measurement device according to a second embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Lip pressure measuring device 3 Mouthpiece 5 Tension gauge (force measuring device) 7 Contact sensing device 8 Tube (venting means) 23 Switch unit 27 Upper electrode plate 29 Lower electrode plate 31 Upper electrode 33 Lower electrode 35 Contact 39 Buzzer

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. A plate-shaped mouthpiece disposed between an inside of a lip and teeth and gums in an oral vestibule, connected to the mouthpiece via a mounting member, and the mouse is connected via the mounting member. A lip pressure measuring device, comprising: a force measuring device capable of measuring a magnitude of a force acting on a piece; and a sensing device for sensing contact of the mouthpiece with the teeth and gingiva. 2. The lip pressure measuring device according to claim 1, wherein an inner surface of the mouthpiece is curved so as to substantially match a dentition of a normal occlusion person. 3. The lip pressure measuring device according to claim 1, wherein the sensing device includes a switch unit having a contact disposed on an inner surface of the mouthpiece. Pressure measuring device. 4. The lip pressure measuring device according to claim 3, wherein the sensing device has a signal generating device connected to the switch. 5. The lip pressure measurement device according to claim 3, wherein a signal from the switch is input to the force measurement device, and the force measurement device determines whether the mouthpiece is not in contact with the teeth and gingiva. A lip pressure measuring device characterized in that it measures and memorizes the force when it becomes. 6. The lip pressure measuring device according to claim 1, wherein said lip pressure measuring device further comprises a ventilation means for ventilating the inside of the oral cavity to the outside of the oral cavity. measuring device. 7. A mouthpiece for a lip pressure measuring device, wherein the mouthpiece has a plate-like shape that can be arranged between the inside of the lip and the teeth and gums in the vestibule of the oral cavity, and comes into contact with the teeth and gums. A mouthpiece, wherein a switch unit for detecting contact between the mouthpiece and the teeth and gums is provided on a different inner surface side.