JP2012065941A - Occlusal pressure measurement means and occlusal pressure measurement device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an occlusal pressure measurement means wherein positional relation between a measurement position of an occlusal pressure and a tooth row is accurate and wherein reliability of the obtained occlusal pressure is high.SOLUTION: This occlusal pressure measurement means includes: a sensor part (10) capable of measuring the occlusal pressure; and a wiring part (20) transmitting information from the sensor part. The sensor part is a laminate body having a plurality of layers, at least one layer of the plurality of layers is a pressure-sensitive layer (13) capable of detecting the occlusal pressure, and the laminate body is formed in a shape having unevenness imitating the tooth row surface.

Description

  The present invention relates to a means for measuring occlusal pressure performed in the dental field, and an occlusal pressure measuring apparatus using the same.

  Abnormalities in the dentition shape and occlusal pressure (occlusion pressure) are one of the factors such as temporomandibular disorders and alveolar pyorrhea. A comprehensive treatment is performed. Conventionally, wax or an impression material has been generally used as a means for obtaining a dentition shape. In addition, as a means for obtaining the occlusal pressure, there is a sheet-like prescale that has a different color depending on the pressure level, and the patient can quantitatively grasp the occlusal pressure distribution by biting it. It was.

  In recent years, an occlusal pressure measuring device having an advantage of grasping occlusal pressure as electronic data by electrical information, for example, grasping a change in occlusal pressure in real time, an occlusal pressure measuring method and system using the same, etc. It has been proposed (Patent Documents 1 to 4 etc.).

JP-A-6-277240 JP 2001-224608 A JP 2004-117263 A JP 2005-87646 A

  However, as described in Patent Documents 1 to 4, alignment between the dentition position and the occlusal pressure measurement position is often difficult, although various devices have been applied by the invention described in the document. Still, this alignment was a major challenge.

  Moreover, the media of the above-mentioned prescale and the conventional occlusal pressure measuring apparatus as described in Patent Documents 1 to 4 are both sheet-like and flat. On the other hand, the tooth surface where the occlusal pressure is generated has many irregularities and the undulations are severe. Accordingly, when the occlusal pressure generated on the tooth surface is measured with a sheet-like or flat plate-like medium, there has been doubt as to whether the actual occlusal pressure is appropriately represented.

  Accordingly, in view of the above problems, the present invention provides an occlusal pressure measuring means in which the positional relationship between the occlusal pressure measurement position and the dentition is accurate and the resulting occlusal pressure measurement result is highly reliable. Let it be an issue. Moreover, the occlusal pressure measuring apparatus using this is provided.

  The present invention will be described below. In order to facilitate understanding of the present invention, reference numerals in the accompanying drawings are appended in parentheses, but the present invention is not limited to the illustrated embodiment.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, a sensor unit (10) capable of measuring an occlusal pressure, which can be arranged along the dentition on at least one occlusal surface of the upper jaw or the lower jaw, and information from the sensor unit. The sensor unit is a laminated body having a plurality of layers, and at least one of the plurality of layers is a pressure-sensitive layer (13) capable of detecting an occlusal pressure. The body is an occlusal pressure measuring means (1) characterized in that the body is formed in a shape having irregularities imitating the dentition surface.

  According to the second aspect of the present invention, a sensor unit (10) capable of measuring an occlusal pressure, which can be arranged along the dentition on at least one occlusal surface of the upper jaw or the lower jaw, and information from the sensor unit. The sensor unit is a laminated body having a plurality of layers, and at least one of the plurality of layers is a pressure-sensitive layer (13) capable of detecting an occlusal pressure. The body is occlusal pressure measuring means (1) characterized in that the body is formed in a shape along the dentition surface.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the occlusal pressure measuring means (1) according to the first or second aspect, the pressure sensitive layer (13) is formed by dispersing conductive particles in a highly insulating resin. In addition, charge transfer layers (12, 14) for transmitting charges are provided on both sides of the pressure-sensitive layer.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the occlusal pressure measuring means (1) according to the third aspect, the charge transfer layers (12, 14) are organic transistors.

  The invention according to claim 5 is a sensor unit (110) capable of measuring occlusal pressure, which can be arranged along the dentition on at least one occlusal surface of the upper jaw or the lower jaw, and information from the sensor unit. The sensor unit is a laminated body having a plurality of layers, and at least one of the plurality of layers is a pressure-sensitive layer capable of detecting occlusal pressure, and the laminated body is a groove. The pressure sensitive layer is formed by dispersing conductive particles in a highly insulating resin, and charge transfer layers that transmit charges including organic transistors are provided on both sides of the pressure sensitive layer. It is an occlusal pressure measuring means (101) provided.

  The invention according to claim 6 is an occlusal pressure measuring device (30) capable of measuring the occlusal pressure and displaying the result, wherein the occlusal pressure measuring means according to any one of claims 1 to 5 ( 1) and information processing means (33) for processing an electrical signal transmitted from the occlusal pressure measuring means and displaying the occlusal pressure as at least one of a numerical value, an image, and an image. Device.

According to the present invention, the occlusal pressure measuring means itself has a shape close to the dentition shape, and this functions as a sensor capable of measuring the occlusal pressure. Therefore, alignment between the position of the dentition and the position where the occlusal pressure is generated is easy and accurate.
Further, if the shape of the sensor for measuring the occlusal pressure is made closer to the dentition shape, the detected occlusal pressure has higher accuracy than the actually generated occlusal pressure.
Further, if the sensor is excellent in flexibility, the occlusal pressure with higher accuracy can be measured.

  And the occlusal pressure measuring device using such an occlusal pressure measuring means also has the same effect.

It is an external appearance perspective view of the occlusal pressure measuring means which concerns on one embodiment. FIG. 2 is an end view taken along the line II-II in FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of a portion indicated by III in FIG. 2, schematically showing a layer configuration of a laminate. It is an external appearance perspective view of the occlusal pressure measuring means which concerns on other embodiment. It is a figure which illustrates notionally the structure of the occlusal pressure measuring apparatus.

  The above-described operation and gain of the present invention will be clarified from embodiments for carrying out the invention described below. Hereinafter, the present invention will be described based on embodiments shown in the drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments.

  FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an appearance of an occlusal pressure measuring unit 1 (hereinafter, simply referred to as “measuring unit 1”) according to one embodiment. The measuring unit 1 includes a sensor unit 10 and a wiring unit 20. 2 shows an end view taken along the line II-II in FIG. 1 of the sensor unit 10. FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of the portion indicated by III in FIG. 2 and schematically shows the layer structure.

  The sensor unit 10 is a part that can actually grasp the dentition shape and detects the occlusal pressure. As can be seen from FIGS. 1 to 3, the sensor unit 10 is formed of a laminate material having a predetermined thickness in a shape along the dentition surface of the subject. At this time, as shown by A in FIG. 2, one side is open and has a groove shape, so that the sensor unit 10 can be placed on the subject so as to cover the subject's dentition. And since the sensor part 10 is formed based on a test subject's dentition shape so that it may mention later, it can arrange | position appropriately with respect to a test subject's dentition. That is, the outer shape of the sensor unit 10 already represents the dentition shape of the subject, and thus the dentition shape of the subject can be grasped. A method for manufacturing the sensor unit 10 will be described in detail later.

  As can be seen from FIG. 3, the sensor unit 10 is a laminated body having a plurality of layers in the thickness direction. Specifically, the sensor unit 10 includes an outer skin layer 11, a charge transfer layer 12, a pressure sensitive layer 13, a charge transfer layer. A layer 14 and an outer skin layer 15 are provided.

The outer skin layers 11 and 15 are disposed on the outermost layer of the laminate, and are exposed to the atmosphere and directly touched by the subject's teeth. The charge transfer layers 12 and 14 and the pressure sensitive layer 13 provided between one outer skin layer 11 and the other outer skin layer 15 are protected, and the charge transfer layers 12 and 14 are fixed and function as an insulating member. To do. The outer skin layers 11 and 15 are preferably made of a material that can be deformed by heating with a heater or the like. This makes it possible to form a dentition shape by heating, as will be described later. From such a viewpoint, a material such as a hydrogenated styrene-isoprene block copolymer can be used as the outer skin layer.

  The charge transfer layers 12 and 14 are layers that transmit and receive signals based on the state of the pressure-sensitive layer 13 while allowing and prohibiting the movement of charges. More specifically, the charge transfer layers 12 and 14 are formed by arranging the elements 12a and 14a in a grid pattern at a predetermined interval. Therefore, although the parallel state in one direction appears in FIG. 3, the elements 12a and 14a are similarly arranged in the back / front direction of FIG.

The charge transfer layers 12 and 14 preferably have high thermal stability and excellent flexibility in addition to the function of transferring charges. From such a viewpoint, an organic transistor can be used as the charge transfer layers 12 and 14.
An organic transistor is a microelement having a switching function as a transistor by providing a drain, a source, and a gate terminal on an organic semiconductor formed by bonding other elements with carbon as a skeleton. The organic transistor can be applied on a film (in the case of this embodiment, the outer skin layers 11 and 15) at a process temperature of about room temperature. The coating method is not particularly limited, and examples thereof include an inkjet method and a gravure printing method using a roll.

  By using organic transistors in the charge transfer layers 12 and 14 in this way, measurement disturbance can be suppressed by the switching function and measurement stability can be improved, so that a more reliable measurement result can be obtained. It becomes possible. The arrangement density of the elements 12a and 14a in the charge transfer layers 12 and 14 is preferably arranged so that the resolution of the occlusal pressure measurement is about 0.2 mm. According to this, the occlusal pressure distribution can be obtained with particularly high accuracy. it can. Specifically, the pitch of the elements 12a and 14a is preferably 0.1 mm to 1.0 mm.

  In addition, the organic transistor is excellent in flexibility, and follows the deformation of the outer skin layers 11 and 15 and the pressure sensitive layer 13 well, so that the outer skin layers 11 and 15 and the pressure sensitive layer 13 become uneven on the tooth surface by occlusal pressure. Even when deformed along, it follows this and operates accurately. Therefore, it is possible to further improve the accuracy of the obtained occlusal pressure.

The pressure sensitive layer 13 is a part for detecting occlusal pressure. In the present embodiment, it is made of a material whose electrical resistance value changes due to deformation, and specifically, a member in which iron powder (iron powder) is dispersed in a silicon rubber base material. That is, when an occlusal pressure is applied to the pressure-sensitive layer 13, the layer is deformed based on the magnitude of the occlusal pressure, and the distance between the iron powders is changed. Specifically, the electrical resistance value decreases at the portion where the distance between the iron powders is reduced due to the deformation of the pressure sensitive layer 13, and the electrical resistance value increases at the portion where the distance between the iron powders increases due to the deformation of the pressure sensitive layer 13. This makes it possible to obtain the occlusal pressure at the site as an electrical signal.
Here, the resolution of occlusal pressure detection is affected by the bulk density of iron powder. That is, when the bulk density is large, the resolution is lowered, and when the bulk density is small, the resolution is improved.
The dynamic range is affected by the dispersion density of the iron powder in the silicon rubber substrate. That is, if the amount of iron powder is the same, when the silicon rubber substrate is thinned, the iron powder dispersion density is relatively increased and the dynamic range is decreased. Conversely, if the silicon rubber substrate is thickened, the dispersion density is lowered, so that a high dynamic range can be secured. Here, the dynamic range is a ratio between the minimum value and the maximum value of the identifiable signal.

  In the present embodiment, the example in which the pressure-sensitive layer 13 is formed by a member in which iron powder is dispersed in a silicon rubber base material has been described. However, the material is not particularly limited as long as the material has the same effect. That is, it is only necessary that a highly conductive powder or a particulate material is dispersed in a base material that is rich in elasticity and has high electrical insulation. Specifically, a resin, a rubber material, etc. can be used for a base material. Examples of the highly conductive powder and particles include iron powder, metal powders such as copper, silver, and gold, metal particles, carbon powder, carbon particles, and other conductive powders and conductive particles.

Although not shown, a conductor pattern is formed between the outer skin layers 11 and 15 and the charge transfer layers 12 and 14. The conductor pattern is electrically connected to the elements 12a and 14a. Furthermore, a conductive member extends from the conductor pattern, and the conductive member is electrically connected to the wiring portion 20 as described later.
The pattern of the conductor can be formed by printing or the like. Moreover, a conductive wire or the like can be used as the conductive member, and the conductive member is fixed to the outer skin layers 11 and 15 by an insulating adhesive or thermal welding.

  Returning to FIG. 1, the description of the measuring means 1 will be continued. The wiring unit 20 is means for transmitting electrical data related to the occlusal pressure detected by the sensor unit 10 to an information processing apparatus or the like. That is, a normal conductive wire or the like can be used for this.

  The sensor unit 10 and the wiring unit 20 are connected as follows. That is, as described above, a conductor pattern (not shown) is formed on the surface of the outer skin layers 11 and 15 on the charge transfer layers 12 and 14 side. Then, a conductive member extends from the conductor pattern and is electrically connected to the wiring portion 20. Therefore, the pressure-sensitive layer 13 and the charge transfer layers 12 and 14 can be electrically connected to the wiring part 20 via the conductor pattern and the conductive member.

Next, an example of a manufacturing method of the measuring unit 1 will be described. When the measuring means 1 is manufactured, a dentition shape mold of the subject is acquired in advance. This can be done, for example, with gypsum and the like, and a dentition-shaped gypsum model can be obtained by a method usually performed in dentistry.
Next, a flat sheet-like member having the above-described layer configuration that can be the sensor unit 10 is prepared. At this time, the sheet-like member is preferably an arcuate flat sheet such as a dental arch.
Then, the dentition-shaped gypsum model and sheet-like member prepared in a vacuum heating molding machine (for example, Proform, manufactured by GC Corporation) are set, and the sheet-like member is deformed along the surface shape of the gypsum model. Here, in a vacuum heating molding machine, a sheet-like member is heated and softened, and is operated and molded so as to press it against the surface of the plaster model. Thereafter, the formed sheet-like member is taken out from the vacuum heat molding machine and cooled. Thereby, the sensor part 10 can be obtained.

  The conductive member extended from the conductor pattern formed between the outer skin layers 11 and 15 and the charge transfer layers 12 and 14 is connected to the wiring portion 20. At this time, the conductive member is fixed to the outer skin layers 11 and 15 by an insulating adhesive, thermal welding, pressure bonding, or mechanical fixing.

According to the measuring means 1 described above, since the measuring means 1 itself has already become a dentition shape of the subject, the dentition shape of the subject itself can be grasped by reading this as a shape. It is also possible to visually confirm the dentition shape of the subject.
Further, the measuring means 1 having such a dentition shape itself functions as a sensor capable of measuring the occlusal pressure. Therefore, it is not necessary to match the position of the dentition and the position where the occlusal pressure is generated, and the positional relationship is also accurate.
Furthermore, since the shape of the sensor for measuring the occlusal pressure matches the dentition shape, the detected occlusal pressure is accurate with respect to the actually generated occlusal pressure.

  In addition, when an organic transistor is used as the charge transfer layer, the excellent flexibility allows the skin layer and the pressure sensitive layer to follow the deformation of the skin layer and the pressure sensitive layer. Even when it deforms along the unevenness, it follows this and operates accurately. Therefore, it is possible to further improve the accuracy of the obtained occlusal pressure.

  Further, in the conventional occlusal pressure measurement sheet, it is necessary to make the sheet thin as much as possible along the surface shape of the dentition. However, since the sensor unit 10 of the measuring means 1 itself has a shape along the shape of the dentition surface, it is preferable that the sensor unit 10 is thin, but it does not necessarily require a thickness like a conventional measurement sheet. Specifically, the occlusal pressure can be measured with high accuracy even when the thickness is 20 μm to 500 μm.

In this embodiment, the measuring means 1 which forms the shape of the sensor part 10 so that it may follow the dentition with respect to each test subject was demonstrated. However, in addition to such an embodiment, although it is not as strict as the measuring means 1, for example, a sensor part formed by imitating a typical dentition surface shape for each age and sex is prepared and measured using this sensor part. It may be a means. According to this, although accuracy is lowered with respect to the measuring means 1, it is highly versatile and is excellent in terms of handling, productivity, cost, and the like.
Even with such a measuring means, the accuracy of the obtained occlusal pressure and the relationship with the dentition position are better than those of the conventional occlusal pressure measuring sheet having a flat plate shape.

  The sensor unit may be formed in any type of upper jaw, lower jaw, or both jaws.

FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of the occlusal pressure measuring means 101 according to another embodiment. The occlusal pressure measuring means 101 includes a sensor unit 110 and a wiring unit 120. Since the layer configuration of the sensor unit 110 is the same as that of the sensor unit 10 of the occlusal pressure measuring means 1 described above, description thereof is omitted here.
As can be seen from FIG. 4, the sensor unit 110 is formed in a groove shape, but the sensor unit 110 does not have a shape along or imitated the unevenness of the dentition surface like the sensor unit 10. Is a U-shaped groove. That is, the part in contact with the tooth surface where the occlusal pressure is generated is smooth.

The part of the sensor unit 110 that includes the occlusal surface is deformed along the shape of the occlusal surface of the dentition by using a deformable elastic member for the outer skin layer and the pressure-sensitive layer. It becomes possible. As a result, the occlusal pressure can be measured with higher accuracy than the conventional sensor.
Then, by using an organic transistor for the charge transfer layer of the sensor unit 110, the occlusal pressure actually generated can be measured with higher accuracy as described above.

  Further, even with such a sensor unit 110, the accuracy of the measurement unit 1 is reduced, but the positional relationship of the dentition can be specified to some extent. In addition, the occlusal pressure measuring means 101 is highly versatile and excellent in terms of handling, productivity, cost, and the like.

  The wiring part 120 is a conductive wire formed in a sheet shape. However, it is not limited to this, and can be formed similarly to the wiring part 20.

Next, the occlusal pressure measuring device 30 using the above-described measuring means 1 will be described. FIG. 5 schematically shows the apparatus configuration. The occlusal pressure measuring device 30 includes a relay box 31, a cable 32, and an information processing means 33 in addition to the measuring means 1 described above.
The measuring means 1 is as described above, and a description thereof is omitted here.
The relay box 31 has a function of receiving information from the measuring unit 1, amplifying a weak signal, and transmitting it to the information processing unit 33. Therefore, the relay box 31 has a connection terminal to which the wiring unit 20 of the measuring means 1 can be connected, and the wiring unit 20 is connected thereto. In addition, an amplifier for amplifying the signal from the measuring means 1 is provided inside. Known amplifiers can be used as the amplifier. Further, the relay box 31 is provided with an output connection terminal for transmitting the amplified signal to the information processing means 33. Specifically, the cable 32 is connected.
The cable 32 is a member that electrically connects the relay box 31 and the information processing means 33 so that information can be transmitted and received. The form is not particularly limited, but a USB cable can be used because of easy handling.

  The information processing unit 33 is a unit that performs predetermined processing on the information signal sent from the relay box 31 via the cable 32, and performs digitization, imaging, and imaging. Accordingly, the information processing means 33 includes, for example, an input port to which a signal from the relay box 31 is input, a storage device (ROM) in which information necessary for a predetermined arithmetic expression is recorded in advance, a central operator (CPU) that performs an operation, It has a RAM that functions as a work area and a temporary information storage area, and an output port that outputs calculation results. Therefore, it is possible to use a commercially available personal computer.

In the information processing means 33, based on the arrangement distribution of the elements 12a and 14a in the charge transfer layers 12 and 14, current information transmitted from each of the elements 12a and 14a (that is, a current value based on the occlusal pressure) is converted into an occlusal pressure. To do. Thereby, occlusal pressure information can be obtained. The obtained occlusal pressure information may be processed so as to be expressed visually by color, shading, etc., in addition to numerical values. In that case, it can be two-dimensional or three-dimensional.
The relationship between the occlusal pressure and the dentition position where the pressure is generated may be estimated from the occlusal pressure distribution state, or the shape of the sensor unit 10 may be acquired in advance as data, and the data may be integrated. .

With such an occlusal pressure measuring device 30, for example, measurement is performed as follows.
Of the measuring means 1, the sensor unit 10 is placed so as to match the dentition of the subject, and the subject bites the sensor unit 10. At this time, a voltage is generated in the sensor unit 10 at the start of measurement. When an electrical signal proportional to the occlusal pressure reaches a predetermined threshold value or more, energization is started by the organic transistor (charge transfer layer) and current flows. By measuring the value of this current, the occlusal pressure associated with the current value can be obtained. In addition to reading the current value itself, a method of indirectly calculating the current value by providing an electric resistance meter and reading the voltage value may be used.
When the subject bites the sensor unit 10, electrical information based on the occlusal pressure is generated in the sensor unit 10, and this is transmitted to the relay box 31 through the wiring unit 20. In the relay box 31, electrical information generated in the sensor unit 10 is amplified by the action of the amplifier provided here, and transmitted to the information processing means 33. Then, the information processing means 33 performs the above information processing and provides various information to the practitioner, the subject, and the like.

  According to the occlusal pressure measuring device 30, the position of the dentition and the generation position of the occlusal pressure coincide with each other with high accuracy. Moreover, since the shape of the sensor for measuring the occlusal pressure matches the dentition shape, the detected occlusal pressure can obtain an accurate result with respect to the actually generated occlusal pressure.

1 Occlusal pressure measuring means (measuring means)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Sensor part 11 Outer skin layer 12 Charge transfer layer 13 Pressure sensitive layer 14 Charge transfer layer 15 Outer skin layer 20 Wiring part 30 Occlusal pressure measuring apparatus 101 Occlusal pressure measuring means

Claims (6)

A sensor unit capable of measuring the occlusal pressure, which can be arranged along the dentition on at least one occlusal surface of the upper jaw or the lower jaw, and a wiring unit for transmitting information from the sensor unit;
The sensor unit is a laminated body having a plurality of layers, and at least one of the plurality of layers is a pressure-sensitive layer capable of detecting an occlusal pressure, and the laminated body has unevenness imitating a dentition surface. An occlusal pressure measuring means characterized in that it is formed in a shaped shape. A sensor unit capable of measuring the occlusal pressure, which can be arranged along the dentition on at least one occlusal surface of the upper jaw or the lower jaw, and a wiring unit for transmitting information from the sensor unit;
The sensor unit is a laminate having a plurality of layers, and at least one of the plurality of layers is a pressure-sensitive layer capable of detecting occlusal pressure, and the laminate is formed in a shape along the dentition surface. An occlusal pressure measuring means characterized by the above.   2. The pressure-sensitive layer is formed by dispersing conductive particles in a highly insulating resin, and charge transfer layers for transferring charges are provided on both sides of the pressure-sensitive layer. Or the occlusal pressure measuring means of 2.   4. The occlusal pressure measuring means according to claim 3, wherein the charge transfer layer is an organic transistor. A sensor unit capable of measuring the occlusal pressure, which can be arranged along the dentition on at least one occlusal surface of the upper jaw or the lower jaw, and a wiring unit for transmitting information from the sensor unit;
The sensor section is a laminate having a plurality of layers, and at least one of the plurality of layers is a pressure-sensitive layer capable of detecting occlusal pressure, and the laminate is formed in a groove shape,
The pressure-sensitive layer is formed by dispersing conductive particles in a highly insulating resin, and each of both surfaces of the pressure-sensitive layer is provided with a charge transfer layer that transmits charges including an organic transistor. Pressure measuring means. An occlusal pressure measuring device capable of measuring occlusal pressure and displaying the result,
Occlusal pressure measuring means according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
An information processing means for processing an electrical signal transmitted from the occlusal pressure measuring means and capable of displaying the occlusal pressure as at least one of a numerical value, an image, and an image;
An occlusal pressure measuring device.

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