JP2013208357A - Oral cavity function training implement - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an oral cavity function training implement capable of recovering, maintaining and improving an oral cavity function, and capable of maintaining motivation.SOLUTION: An oral cavity function training implement includes at least a storage part 2 and a lid 4. The storage part 2 has flexibility and includes an inner lumen 21 in which a filler can be loaded. The storage part further includes an opening 3 making the inner lumen 21 communicate with the outside. The lid 4 can be fitted with the opening 3, and a channel is formed when the opening 3 and the lid 4 are fitted with each other. The storage part 2 is deformed when pressed, and the filler loaded in the inner lumen 21 flows out via the channel.

Description

The present invention relates to a training device used for training for recovery, maintenance, and improvement of oral function, particularly tongue function and swallowing function.

When oral function decreases due to illness or aging, masticatory power and swallowing function decrease, and food and drink (hereinafter also referred to as “food, etc.”) cannot be sufficiently consumed, resulting in decreased nutritional status. Invite. In addition, when a food or the like is swallowed, a phenomenon in which the food or the like mistakenly enters the trachea (hereinafter, this phenomenon is also referred to as “aspiration”) is likely to occur, which may cause aspiration pneumonia. Aspiration pneumonia accounts for the top cause of death among elderly people, and preventing aspiration of patients and elderly people is an urgent issue in Japan, which is aging. In addition, diseases that reduce oral function include acute diseases such as cerebrovascular disorders such as stroke, disuse syndrome caused by prolonged resting, sarcopenia and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) There are progressive diseases such as.

In order to avoid the risk of occurrence of aspiration pneumonia, it is important to determine whether mastication and swallowing can be performed normally, that is, diagnosis of swallowing function. A wide variety of methods are used for diagnosis of swallowing function, from a method based on the doctor's subjectivity called an inquiry to an objective method called a swallowing contrast test (VF). As a result of this diagnosis, if swallowing function declines and it is judged that it is difficult to take food etc. from the mouth, it is necessary to take nutrition by a method other than oral such as parenteral nutrition or enteral nutrition. Become. However, in this case, in addition to the problem that the burden on the caregiver increases, the quality of life, that is, the quality of life (QOL) decreases, such as the loss of pleasure to eat and the morale to live. There is.

For this reason, an attempt has been made to train a person with reduced swallowing function to improve oral function so that the person can eat again. Specifically, there are direct training using food such as a trolley meal and indirect training without using food. In indirect training, muscular strength of the lips and tongue, and the skill of their movements are trained. Previously, general-purpose items such as gauze and buttons were processed and used according to the training purpose. However, in recent years, in order to enhance the effect of training, a dedicated training device as shown in the prior art document has been devised and clinical use has been attempted.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2005-287712 JP 2006-34916 A Specification JP 2007-319304 A JP 2008-11024 A specification

  These instruments are intended to improve oral function by the person who receives training actively moving the tongue, etc., but it is not objectively known whether the training is performed as intended by the practitioner, There is a problem that the training situation is difficult to understand. In addition, since it can be determined only by the sense of the person being trained whether exercise using the device is really successful, there is a possibility that the training may not be performed effectively. Furthermore, in the case of limb rehabilitation, it is easy to maintain the motivation because it is easy to realize the recovery of the function, but in the case of the oral function, the recovery is difficult to realize and it is difficult to maintain the motivation. Therefore, it may be difficult to continue voluntary training.

  In order to solve the above problems, the present inventors have invented an oral function training device shown in FIG. The oral function training apparatus shown in FIG. 9 includes a flexible main body portion having a hollow portion therein, and the main body portion communicates a slit that communicates the hollow portion and the outside, and the hollow portion and the outside. And it consists of at least 1 or more hole provided in the position different from the said slit. When performing training using the apparatus, first, a filling such as a liquid, a solid, or a semi-solid body (hereinafter also simply referred to as “filling”) is filled into the hollow portion from the slit, and the filling is filled. Press the instrument with your tongue in the state. When a sufficient pressure is applied, the main body portion is deformed, and the volume in the hollow portion is reduced. It can be determined that sufficient training has been carried out by sensing the outflow of the filling material with the taste or the like as the filling material flows out of the hole as the volume decreases. As a result, it is possible to obtain a feeling that training is being performed, and it is possible to maintain motivation for training.

  When the training is repeatedly performed using the above-described device, it is necessary to clean the device after the training is completed. However, since the hollow portion and the outside are communicated by the slit x, the portion that is opened when the device is washed after the training is finished is limited, and there is a problem that it is difficult to wash the inside of the hollow portion. Further, since the fluid exudes to the outside through the hole x provided in the main body portion, the hole x must be sufficiently cleaned. However, depending on the size of the hole x, the fluid may not be sufficiently cleaned. In other words, when training is repeatedly performed using the above-described instrument, there is a problem that it takes time and effort to perform the cleaning work each time it is used.

  In order to solve the above problems, the present invention has the following configuration. That is, the oral function training device of the present invention includes at least a storage portion and a lid portion, the storage portion has a flexible lumen and can be filled with a filling material, and further includes the lumen. And an opening that communicates with the outside, the lid can be fitted with the opening, and when the opening and the lid are fitted, a flow path is formed and pressed. Thus, the storage portion is deformed, and the filling material filled in the lumen flows out to the outside through the flow path.

  In the oral function training device of the present invention, a groove is provided on the periphery of the opening, and the flow path is formed by the groove when the opening and the lid are fitted. It is desirable to do.

Further, when the opening and the lid are fitted, a groove is provided in the portion of the lid that contacts the opening, and when the opening and the lid are fitted. It is also desirable that the channel be formed by the groove.

  Furthermore, a peripheral side groove is provided at the periphery of the opening, and a lid side groove is provided in a portion of the lid that comes into contact with the opening when the opening and the lid are fitted together. It is also desirable that the flow path is formed by the peripheral side groove and the lid side groove working together when the opening and the lid are fitted.

The lumen is preferably formed in a substantially hemispherical shape.

  Further, it is desirable that the storage portion and the lid portion are connected.

  A structure in which a flow path is formed in the opening and / or the lid in advance by forming a flow path that connects the lumen and the outside when the opening and the lid are fitted together. In comparison, there is an advantage that the portion that becomes the flow path can be easily cleaned. This makes it difficult for the filler or saliva to remain on the device, and keeps the device clean. Further, training can be performed in a manner close to actual mastication and swallowing, and further feedback can be obtained when training is performed, so that motivation for training can be maintained.

  By forming the lumen into a substantially hemispherical shape, that is, a shape having no step, it is difficult for the filler in the lumen to remain when cleaning is performed. Therefore, the lumen can be more easily cleaned.

It is a perspective view which shows the 1st embodiment of the oral function training apparatus of this invention. It is a top view which shows the 1st embodiment of the oral function training apparatus of this invention. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line A-A ′ in FIG. 2. In the 1st embodiment of the oral function training instrument of the present invention, it is a perspective view showing the state where the storage part and the lid part were made to fit. It is the schematic diagram which showed the aspect which trains using the oral function training of this invention. It is a perspective view which shows the 2nd embodiment of the oral function training apparatus of this invention. It is a perspective view which shows the 3rd embodiment of the oral function training apparatus of this invention. It is a perspective view which shows the 4th embodiment of the oral function training apparatus of this invention. It is a perspective view which shows the conventional oral function training apparatus.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. It should be noted that the following description of the preferred embodiment is merely illustrative in nature, and is not intended to limit the present invention, its application, or its use.

  FIG. 1 shows an oral function training device 1 (hereinafter also referred to as “the device of the present invention”) according to an embodiment of the present invention. The device of the present invention is mainly intended for training of muscular strength in and around the oral cavity and improving the sophistication of their operation. The instrument of the present invention includes at least a storage portion 2 and a lid portion 4 that can be fitted to an opening 3 provided in the storage portion 2.

The storage unit 2 includes a lumen 21 that can be filled with a filler therein, and the lumen 21 communicates with the outside through the opening 3. In addition, an opening side groove 51 is provided on the periphery of the opening 3. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the storage portion 2 is hemispherical, but may have a prismatic shape as shown in FIG. 8, and other shapes such as a truncated cone shape and a truncated pyramid shape. Also good. What is necessary is just to become a structure where the lumen | bore 21 is sealed when the cover part 4 mentioned later is fitted with the opening part 3. FIG. At this time, by forming the lumen 21 in a substantially hemispherical shape (that is, by forming a shape without a step in the lumen 21), it becomes difficult for the filling material to remain in the lumen when washing is performed. The effect that it becomes easy to keep cleanliness can be acquired.

  The storage part 2 is formed of an elastic material. Examples of the material include, but are not limited to, silicone rubber, natural rubber, thermoplastic elastomer, polypropylene, and polyethylene. An elastic material having a hardness range that can be deformed when pressed is desired. It can be used as appropriate according to the intensity of training to be performed.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the lid 4 is formed so as to be fitted to the opening 3 of the storage portion 2 and to seal the lumen 21. A lid side groove 52 is provided on the periphery of the lid portion 4. In the embodiment of FIG. 1 and the like, the lid portion 4 is substantially formed in a flat plate shape, but is not limited thereto, and may be in a hemispherical shape or a prismatic shape, for example. The material forming the lid 4 may be a material having elasticity similar to that of the storage unit 2, or a material different from that of the storage unit 2 may be used. Further, by connecting the lid portion 4 and the storage portion 2, the risk of losing the lid portion 4, or when the lid portion 4 is removed while the device of the present invention is being inserted into the oral cavity, is removed. The risk of aspiration can be reduced. The lid portion 4 and the storage portion 2 may be connected by a string or the like, but a connecting portion 7 is formed between the lid portion 4 and the storage portion 2 as shown in FIG. Also good.

Since the opening portion 3 and the lid portion 4 are fitted together to seal the lumen 21 in the storage portion 2, the opening portion 3 can be formed large. With this configuration, there is an advantage that the operation of filling the lumen 21 with a filler can be easily performed, and the lumen 21 can be easily and sufficiently cleaned after the training.

  As shown in FIG. 4, when the opening 3 and the lid 4 are fitted together to seal the lumen 21, the opening side groove 51 provided on the periphery of the opening 3 and the periphery of the lid 4 are provided. By the lid side groove 52, the flow path 6 that communicates the lumen 21 and the outside is formed. With this flow path, when the instrument of the present invention is inserted into the oral cavity and the storage portion 2 is pressed, the filling material filled in the lumen 21 flows through the flow path 6 as the volume of the lumen 21 decreases. It can be exuded through.

Since the channel 6 is formed by the opening-side groove 51 and the lid-side groove 52, it is easier to clean and easier to maintain than the case where the channel 2 is simply formed by perforating the storage portion 2. There are advantages. That is, when the storage unit 2 is perforated to form the flow path, the thin flow path cannot be sufficiently cleaned at the time of cleaning, and there is a possibility that the filling material remains in the flow path. However, since the storage portion 2 is formed of an elastic material and the flow path 6 is formed in both the opening-side groove 51 and the lid-side groove 52, it is easy to clean during cleaning. Residues such as food and saliva can be prevented.

  In the instrument of the present invention, a grip 8 that is connected to the storage 2 and / or the lid 4 may be provided. At this time, the gripping portion 8 is provided in a direction that protrudes out of the mouth when the storage portion 2 and the lid portion 4 are inserted into the oral cavity. By grasping the gripping portion 8 with lips, teeth, hands, etc., the instrument of the present invention can be easily held when performing training by inserting the instrument of the present invention into the oral cavity, and training can be performed more efficiently. Can be done. As shown in FIG. 1 or the like, the gripping portion 8 may be formed integrally with the storage portion 2 and / or the lid portion 4, and the storage portion 2 and / or the lid portion 4 is formed after the gripping portion 8 is formed with a separate member. The shape which connects with may be sufficient. Further, the shape of the gripping portion 8 may be a plate shape as shown in FIG. When the gripping portion 8 is formed in a plate shape, the protrusion 9 is provided on the gripping portion 8 to prevent slipping when gripping. Further, by providing a plurality of protrusions 9, the insertion length of the device of the present invention into the oral cavity can be adjusted. In FIG. 1 and the like, the projection 9 is provided, but the same effect can be obtained even if this is a concave portion such as a groove. In addition, if the grip 8 is made of a material having elasticity or flexibility, the grip 8 is deformed according to the shape of the oral cavity when inserted into the oral cavity. The device of the present invention can be placed in the oral cavity. Further, the through hole 10 may be formed at the end of the grip 8 on the side opposite to the storage 2 and / or the lid 4. The through-hole 10 is for hooking through a hook or the like when storing the instrument of the present invention, or for the user to easily grasp the instrument of the present invention through a finger.

  A case where training is performed using the apparatus of the present invention will be described. First, the storage unit 2 is filled with a filling material such as a liquid, a solid, and a semi-solid body in a state where the storage unit 2 and the lid unit 4 are not fitted. It is desirable for the filling to have a taste such as sweetness, and to have a certain degree of viscosity. Commercially available jelly, jam, syrup, etc. can be used for the filling.

After the filling material is filled into the storage portion 2, the lid portion 4 is fitted to the opening 3, and the filling material is sealed in the lumen 21 in the storage portion 2. After sealing, as shown in FIG. 5, the storage portion 2 is inserted into the user's oral cavity, and when the storage portion 2 reaches a desired position on the tongue, further insertion is stopped.

  Training starts with the storage unit 2 placed on the tongue. That is, when the tongue is pushed upward, the storage portion 2 is sandwiched between the tongue and the hard palate, and a force is applied to the storage portion 2 so as to be crushed in the vertical direction. When the force by the tongue exceeds a predetermined value, the elastic storage portion 2 is deformed so as to be crushed. At this time, the volume of the lumen 21 is reduced by crushing the storage portion 2. Along with this, the filler filled in the lumen 21 oozes out from the flow path 6 formed by fitting the opening 3 and the lid 4 together. When the user feels the oozing out of the filling material, it can be realized that the force by the tongue is sufficiently applied to the storage unit 2, and the level of training can be grasped. Thus, since the feedback of the result of training can be obtained clearly, the actual feeling that training is performed can be obtained more clearly.

  After the training, the device of the present invention is taken out from the oral cavity, and the saliva adhering to the device and the filling remaining on the device are washed away with water and dried. At this time, the opening-side groove 51 provided on the periphery of the opening 3 and the lid-side groove 52 provided on the periphery of the lid 4 serve as a flow path for the filling material. The flow path can be washed away with the same feeling as washing the periphery. As a result, the filling and saliva are less likely to remain in the device of the present invention at the time of cleaning, and it becomes easier to maintain cleanliness. When training is performed again, the above method may be repeated.

  In the present embodiment, the flow path 6 is provided in a direction perpendicular to the insertion direction X into the oral cavity, but is not limited thereto, and may be provided at another position. However, by providing it in the above position, even if the filling material suddenly pops out when force is applied to the device of the present invention in the oral cavity, it does not directly enter the back of the oral cavity, that is, the esophagus or trachea, and it can be safely Training can be performed.

  In this embodiment, the opening side groove 51 is provided on the periphery of the opening 3 and the cover side groove 52 is provided on the periphery of the lid 4 so that the opening 3 and the lid 4 are fitted together. Although the example in which the path 6 is formed has been described, the present invention is not limited thereto, and the opening side groove 51 is provided only at the periphery of the opening 3 as shown in FIG. Sometimes the flow path is formed, or as shown in FIG. 7, the lid side groove 52 is provided only on the periphery of the lid part 4, and the flow path is formed when the opening 3 and the lid part 4 are fitted. It may be configured to. That is, it is only necessary to form a portion where the periphery of the opening 3 and the groove 4 are not in contact with each other when the opening 3 and the lid 4 are fitted to each other. In addition, for example, an engaging portion that engages with the lid portion 4 is provided on a part of the periphery of the opening portion 3 and when the opening portion 3 and the lid portion 4 are engaged with each other by the engaging portion, It is conceivable that the periphery of the opening 3 and the lid 4 are not in contact with each other.

  When the opening 3 and the lid 4 are fitted, a locking mechanism for locking the lid 4 to the storage unit 3 may be provided in order to maintain the fitted state. By providing such a mechanism, it is possible to prevent the lid portion 4 from being detached from the storage portion 3 during training, for example.

  In the examples, the strengthening of the muscle strength of the tongue has been described as an example. However, the device of the present invention is not limited to this, and can be used for general strengthening of muscles around the oral cavity, such as cheeks and lips. It can be used not only for training but also for beauty training.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Oral function training apparatus 2 Storage part 21 Lumen 3 Opening part 4 Lid part 51 Opening part side groove | channel (1st Example)
52 Lid side groove (first embodiment)
6 Channel 7 Connecting Portion 8 Gripping Portion 9 Protrusion 10 Through Hole

Claims (6)

The storage unit includes at least a storage unit and a lid. The storage unit includes a lumen that is flexible and can be filled with a filler, and further includes an opening that communicates the lumen with the outside. The lid portion can be fitted to the opening portion, and when the opening portion and the lid portion are fitted, a flow path is formed and the storage portion is deformed by being pressed, An oral function training device, wherein the filling material filled in the lumen flows out through the flow path. The oral cavity according to claim 1, wherein a groove is provided on a peripheral edge of the opening, and the flow path is formed by the groove when the opening and the lid are fitted. Functional training tool. A groove is provided in a portion of the lid portion that contacts the opening when the opening and the lid are fitted, and the groove is formed when the opening and the lid are fitted. The oral function training device according to claim 1, wherein the flow path is formed. A peripheral side groove is provided on the periphery of the opening, and a lid side groove is provided in a portion of the lid that comes into contact with the opening when the opening and the lid are fitted. 2. The oral cavity according to claim 1, wherein when the opening and the lid are fitted, the peripheral side groove and the lid side groove cooperate to form the channel. Functional training tool. The oral cavity function training device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the lumen is formed in a substantially hemispherical shape. The oral function training device according to claim 1, wherein the storage portion and the lid portion are connected to each other.

Images