JP2020075076A - Oral cavity rehabilitation instrument and insertion instrument into oral cavity - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide an oral cavity rehabilitation instrument which improves a use sustainability by introducing factors such as eating and drinking, and to which further new function is added.SOLUTION: An oral cavity rehabilitation instrument according to the present invention includes: a hollow oral cavity insertion part 2 having a space 30 therein and a hole 35 communicating inside and outside of the space 30, the insertion part being elastically deformable to be inserted into an oral cavity; and a connection part 5 which is connected in a detachable/attachable manner to an opening 60 of a flexible container 6 in which fluid food or beverage is stored in a storage space therein, the connection part communicating the space 30 of the oral cavity insertion part 2 and the storage space of the flexible container 6. This configuration can improve use sustainability by introducing factors such as eating and drinking, and also can add new function of promoting grasping movement of a hand.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

  The present invention relates to an oral rehabilitation device and an intraoral insertion device which are used for the purpose of recovering a swallowing function and the like by improving the movement function of the oral cavity including raising the tongue and assisting the swallowing operation.

  Swallowing is the oral period when food and drink are pressed against the soft palate of the upper jaw by the movement of the tongue and sent from the oral cavity to the pharynx; It is divided into the esophageal stage in which food is sent to the stomach by the peristaltic movement of the esophagus. Dysphagia is impaired swallowing function due to various causes. When dysphagia occurs, food or the like cannot be taken, or food or the like accidentally enters the respiratory tract, which may induce aspiration pneumonia, for example.

  One of the causes of dysphagia is a decrease in tongue motor function and masticatory function with age. Therefore, conventionally, an oral rehabilitation device for swallowing training has been proposed, which is capable of promoting swallowing of a person with dysphagia and training of muscle strength used for swallowing. As an example thereof, a fluid-filled portion having a fluid filled therein, a pressure-receiving portion that is inserted into the oral cavity and elastically deforms by receiving an external force in the oral cavity, and a fluid-filled portion filled with a fluid inside are provided. However, a swallowing training device including a pressure transmitting portion having a contact portion that is placed outside the oral cavity and that is touched by the hand, and a tubular member that communicates the fluid filling portion of the pressure receiving portion and the fluid filling portion of the pressure transmitting portion has been proposed. (Patent Document 1). When the trainee inserts the pressure receiving portion into the oral cavity and applies an external force to the pressure receiving portion by the force of the tongue, the pressure receiving portion is elastically deformed and crushed, and the fluid is transferred from the tubular member to the pressure transmitting portion. The volume of the fluid-filled portion is increased by flowing into the fluid-filled portion and the elastic deformation is sensed by hand, so that the user can actually feel the swallowing training.

  However, this kind of training is monotonous, and it takes a considerable period of time for the training to be effective, so it is difficult to continue training without a strong will. In particular, considering that the dysphagia is mainly elderly, it is difficult to say that this is an appropriate training method. Therefore, based on the concept of combining the act of drinking a drink and the training that is inevitable in daily life, an intraoral insertion part made of a soft resin that is inserted into the oral cavity and elastically deforms by receiving external force in the oral cavity An oral rehabilitation device for swallowing training attached to the mouth of a beverage container has been proposed (Patent Document 2). Such an oral rehabilitation device is such that the intraoral insertion part is accommodated in the oral cavity of the trainee so that the space between the oral cavity and the tongue, which is caused by the thinning of the tongue with aging, is filled. The tongue pressure can be applied to the fossa palate via the inner insertion part, and the reaction force causes the force applied to the base of the tongue to collapse the epiglottis and block the trachea. It is possible to properly swallow the beverage delivered from the hole at the front end of the intraoral insertion portion, and by continuing this training, the swallowing function will be restored.

JP, 2017-189461, A Japanese Patent No. 6333487

  An object of the present invention is to provide an oral rehabilitation device and an intraoral insertion device that incorporate an element of food and drink, improve the sustainability of use, and add a new function.

The oral rehabilitation device according to the present invention,
While having a hollow space portion inside, having a hole that communicates the inside and outside of the space portion, an elastically deformable intraoral insertion portion to be inserted into the oral cavity,
The interior of the accommodation space is detachably connected to the mouth of the flexible container in which the liquid food or beverage is accommodated, and includes a connection part that communicates the space part of the intraoral insertion part and the accommodation space of the flexible container.

  According to this configuration, when performing the swallowing training, the user grasps the flexible container so that the contents stored in the storage space in the flexible container are pushed out from the mouth of the flexible container. And is supplied to the space inside the intraoral insertion part via the connection part. Then, the user applies the tongue to the intraoral insertion portion, pushes up the tongue, and presses the intraoral insertion portion against the palate. As a result, the contents supplied to the space inside the intraoral insertion portion are pushed out from the holes and discharged into the oral cavity. The user can swallow this content by further advancing the swallowing operation. Then, during the training, an appropriate load is applied to the tongue, so that by continuing the training by the user, the muscular strength of the tongue and other muscular strength used for swallowing are exercised, and the effect of recovering the swallowing function can be expected.

Here, as one aspect of the oral rehabilitation device according to the present invention,
The connection portion may be configured to have a predetermined length and be bendable or bendable, and may be configured to change the direction of the intraoral insertion portion with respect to the flexible container.

Further, as another aspect of the oral rehabilitation device according to the present invention,
The intraoral insertion portion includes, on the lower surface portion on the distal end side, a pocket portion that is guided so that the distal end portion of the tongue contacting the lower surface portion enters, and a raised portion located on the distal end side of the pocket portion,
A part of the space part corresponding to the raised part may be configured to be larger than a part corresponding to the pocket part.

In addition, the oral rehabilitation device according to the present invention,
A configuration further including an oral vestibular interposition part, which is formed in a brim shape that extends from the anterior tooth part to the left and right along the dentition or the ridge, and is provided in the oral vestibule, can be adopted.

Further, the intraoral insert according to the present invention,
It is hollow and has a space inside from the base end to the tip, and also has a hole that communicates the inside and outside of the space in the direction that intersects the intraoral depth direction on the tip side and is elastically deformable to be inserted into the oral cavity. It is something.

  As described above, according to the oral rehabilitation device and the intraoral insert device according to the present invention, it is possible to improve the sustainability of use by combining the eating or eating and drinking actions (incorporating the elements of eating and eating). In addition, it is possible to add a new function of promoting the grasping motion of the hand.

FIG. 1 is a front view of a swallowing training instrument with a grasping motion promoting function according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is an exploded front view of the training device. FIG. 3 (a) is a side view of an intraoral insertion tool which is one of the configurations of the training apparatus, FIG. 3 (b) is a side sectional view of the intraoral insertion tool, and FIG. ) Is a bottom view of the intraoral insert, and FIG. 6D is a sectional view taken along line AA of FIG. 4 (a) and 4 (c) are side views of a connecting tool which is one of the configurations of the training apparatus, and FIGS. 4 (b) and 4 (d) are side sectional views of the connecting tool. FIG. 5 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a main part of the training device. FIG. 6: is explanatory drawing which shows a mode that the swallowing training is performed using the same training apparatus. 7A to 7C are explanatory views showing movements of the tongue during swallowing training using the training device. FIG. 8: is explanatory drawing which shows a mode that swallowing training is performed using the swallowing training apparatus with the grasping movement promotion function which concerns on other embodiment. FIG. 9 (a) is a front view of an intraoral insert of a swallowing training instrument with a grasping motion promoting function according to another embodiment, and FIG. 9 (b) is a bottom view of the intraoral insert. FIG. 7C is a front view of the intraoral insertion tool, and FIG. 8D is an explanatory view showing a state in which swallowing training is performed using the training device. FIG. 10 (a) is a bottom view of a state in which an intraoral inserter of a swallowing training instrument with a grasping movement promoting function according to another embodiment and an oral vestibular intermediary appliance which is one of the configurations of the training instrument are combined. FIG. 11B is a bottom view of the oral vestibular intermediary appliance of FIG. FIG. 11 (a) is a side view of an intraoral insert of a swallowing training instrument with a grasping movement promoting function according to another embodiment, and FIG. 11 (b) is an enlarged side view of the head of the intraoral insert. It is a sectional view, and the same figure (c) is an enlarged bottom view of the same head.

  Hereinafter, as an embodiment of the oral rehabilitation device according to the present invention, a swallowing training device with a hand grasping motion promoting function will be described with reference to the drawings.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the training device 1 includes an intraoral insertion tool 2 that is inserted into the oral cavity of a trainee, and a connection tool 5 that connects the intraoral insertion tool 2 and the flexible container 6. Composed. The intraoral insertion tool 2 corresponds to the intraoral insertion section according to the present invention, and the connection tool 5 corresponds to the connection section according to the present invention.

  The intraoral insert 2 is a molded product made of a material such as a soft resin such as silicone rubber, isoprene rubber, thermoplastic elastomer, or natural rubber and having a hollow body as a whole. As shown in FIG. 3, the intraoral insertion tool 2 includes a base portion 20 and a shape protruding from the base portion 20 in one direction to fit into the oral cavity of the trainee, more specifically, a space portion between the palate and the tongue. And a main body 24 having a shape adapted to

  The base 20 has a predetermined thickness and is formed in an annular shape. The base portion 20 includes a flange portion 21 that protrudes outward in an annular shape from the outer circumference of the end portion, and a constricted portion 22 that is adjacent to the flange portion 21. In the present embodiment, the base 20 has an annular shape.

  The main body portion 24 has a shape that extends from the base portion 20 (the constricted portion 22 thereof) with a predetermined thickness, and the outer circumference is gradually enlarged (diameter increase) and then gradually reduced (diameter reduction). A portion 25 and a head portion 26 having a shape that extends from the body portion 25 with a predetermined wall thickness and gradually increases in width and height are provided. In the present embodiment, the body portion 25 has a circular shape, and the head portion 26 has a flat shape in which the width direction is wider than the vertical direction.

  The upper surface portion 26a of the head portion 26 has a curved surface shape that decreases toward both sides in the width direction, and thus has a shape that conforms to the palate of the trainee. On the other hand, the lower surface portion 26b of the head portion 26 includes a pocket portion 27 that is guided so that the tip portion of the tongue that comes into contact with the lower surface portion 26b is inserted, and a raised portion 28 that is adjacent to the pocket portion 27 on the tip end side of the pocket portion 27. Equipped with.

  The pocket portion 27 is formed by recessing the central portion of the lower surface portion 26b of the head portion 26 toward the upper surface portion 26a of the head portion 26. The pocket portion 27 includes a front slope portion 27a located on the base end side of the pocket portion 27 from the deepest portion of the pocket portion 27, and a rear slope portion 27b located on the front end side of the pocket portion 27 from the deepest portion of the pocket portion 27, It is composed of the side wall portions 27c located on both sides of the pocket portion 27 from the deepest portion of the pocket portion 27. The front slope portion 27a is a steeper slope than the rear slope portion 27b. In other words, the rear sloped portion 27b is a gentler slope than the front sloped portion 27a. The side wall portion 27c is a curved slope. In addition, "front" means "front" for the trainee who has inserted the intraoral insert 2 into the oral cavity, and "rear" is the trainee who has inserted the intraoral insert 2 into the oral cavity. For the person, it means “after” (hereinafter the same).

  The raised portion 28 is formed by bulging the tip of the lower surface portion 26b of the head portion 26. The raised portion 28 is located from the top of the raised portion 28 to the base end side of the raised portion 28 and to the front slope portion 28 a, and from the top of the raised portion 28 to the tip side of the raised portion 28, and the tip 26 d of the head 26. And a side wall portion 28c located on both sides of the raised portion 28 from the top of the raised portion 28. The front sloped portion 28a is formed continuously with the rear sloped portion 27b of the pocket 27 and is a slope gentler than the rear wall portion 28b. In other words, the rear wall portion 28b is a steeper slope than the front slope portion 28a. More specifically, the rear wall portion 28b is a concave slope having a concave center side. The side wall portion 28c is a curved slope.

  Since the intraoral insertion tool 2 is a hollow body as described above, it has the space portion 30 inside. The space portion 30 is a head portion of the opening portion 31 defined in the base portion 20, the body portion space portion 32 defined in the body portion 25, and the head portion space portion defined in the head portion 26. From the base end portion 26c (end portion on the body portion 25 side) of 26 to the deepest portion of the pocket portion 27 in the head portion, and from the deepest portion of the pocket portion 27 to the tip portion 26d of the head portion 26. It is composed of the second space part 34 in the head. The inner space 32 of the body has a large capacity and is an expanded space. The first space part 33 in the head part is a space part narrowed flat from the space part 32 in the body part. The in-head second space portion 34 is a space portion that is enlarged by passing through the in-head first space portion 33.

  In the upper surface portion 26a of the head portion 26, a hole 35 that communicates the inside and outside of the space portion 30 (the second head-inside second space portion 34) is formed. The hole 35 is formed in the center of the upper surface 26a of the head 26 in the width direction. In the present embodiment, the hole 35 is a circular hole, and one hole is formed on the upper surface portion 26 a of the head 26.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the connector 5 is provided at one end of the tubular body portion 50 having a predetermined wall thickness and being hollow and flexible, and is connected to the intraoral insertion tool 2. And a second connecting portion 55 provided at the other end of the tubular body portion 50 and connected to the mouth portion of the flexible container 6.

  As the tube body 50, a tube made of a material such as a silicone rubber, a thermoplastic elastomer, or a soft resin such as PVC (polyvinyl chloride) is used. The tubular body 50 is normally straight, but in this figure, it is shown in a state of being bent by about 90 degrees. The length, diameter, and hardness of the tubular body portion 50 are not particularly limited, but the bending angle of the axis line of the tubular body portion 50 in the first connecting portion 51 with respect to the axial line of the tubular body portion 50 in the second connecting portion 55 is at least 45. It is selected such that it is possible to be more than 60 degrees, more preferably more than 60 degrees, and even more preferably more than 80 degrees.

  The first connecting part 51 is detachably attached to the receiving part 52, which is in contact with the base part 20 of the intraoral insert 2 and receives the base part 20, and the base part 20 of the intraoral insert tool 2 is attached to the receiving part 52. And a cap 53 for fixing the.

  The receiving portion 52 is formed to have the same size as the base portion 20 of the intraoral insertion tool 2. In the present embodiment, the base portion 20 of the intraoral insertion tool 2 has an annular shape, and thus the outer shape of the receiving portion 52 is circular. The receiving portion 52 has a hole 52a at the center thereof along the axial direction. Further, a part of the hole 52a (a part excluding a part on the tip end side of the hole 52a) is expanded, and one end of the tubular body portion 50 is inserted therein. Since the inner diameter of the enlarged diameter portion of the hole 52a is set to be slightly smaller than the outer diameter of the tubular body portion 50, the tubular body portion 50 inserted in the enlarged diameter portion cannot be easily removed.

  A male screw portion 52b is formed on the outer periphery of the receiving portion 52. On the other hand, a female screw portion 53a is formed on the inner circumference of the cap 53. As a result, the cap 53 is detachably screwed into the receiving portion 52. In addition, when the cap 53 is tightened, the receiving portion 52 is provided with a rotation restricting portion 52c that hooks a finger to restrict the rotation of the receiving portion 52 so that the receiving portion 52 does not rotate together. In the present embodiment, the rotation restricting portion 52c is a projection that projects in a plate shape in the axial direction from the end surface of the receiving portion 52 on the proximal end side.

  The cap 53 has a hole 53b in the center thereof so that a flange portion 53c that protrudes inward from the inner circumference of the end portion in a ring shape is formed. The inner diameter of the hole 53b is smaller than the outer diameter of the flange portion 21 of the base 20 of the intraoral insert 2 so that the flange 53c fits into the constricted portion 22 of the base 20 of the intraoral insert 2 and is not easily removed. It is set to be small and equal to or slightly larger than the outer diameter of the constricted portion 22.

  The second connecting portion 55 has a hole 55a at the center thereof along the axial direction. Further, the second connecting portion 55 has a tubular insertion portion 55b protruding from the end face on the front end side, and the other end of the tubular body portion 50 is externally fitted therein. Since the outer diameter of the insertion portion 55b is set to be slightly larger than the inner diameter of the tubular portion 50, the tubular body portion 50 in which the insertion portion 55b is inserted cannot be easily removed.

  A female screw portion 55c corresponding to a male screw portion formed on the outer periphery of the mouth of the flexible container 6 is formed on the inner circumference of the second connecting portion 55. Thereby, the second connecting portion 55 is detachably screwed into the mouth portion of the flexible container 6.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the flexible container 6 is generally in the form of a pouch container with a spout. The flexible container 6 contains liquid foods such as milk, eggs, fruit juice, kuzuyu, heavy water (soup), soup, oatmeal, candy sugar, jelly, pudding, jelly-type health food, and jelly-type dietary supplement. (Food that is fluid and does not require chewing) is stored. In the present embodiment, a commercially available product containing the contents is used.

  Then, the flange portion 21 of the base portion 20 of the intraoral insert 2 is brought into contact with the end surface of the receiving portion 52 of the first connecting portion 51 of the connecting portion 5 and the cap 53 is tightened, whereby the receiving portion 52 A state in which the flange portion 21 of the base 20 of the intraoral insert 2 is sandwiched between the distal end surface and the flange 53c of the cap 53, and the intraoral insert 2 (the base 20 thereof) and the first connecting portion 51 are connected. Then, the second connecting portion 55 of the connecting portion 5 is screwed into the male screw portion 60a of the mouth portion 60 of the flexible container 6 to connect the second connecting portion 55 to the mouth portion 60 of the flexible container 6. To be done. As a result, the oral cavity insertion tool 2 is in a state in which the internal space portion communicates with the mouth portion 60 of the flexible container 6 via the connection portion 5. Therefore, the liquid food discharged from the mouth portion 60 of the flexible container 6 is supplied to the space portion 30 in the intraoral insertion tool 2 through the tubular body portion 50 of the connection portion 5, and poured from the hole 35 of the upper surface portion 26a. It is possible to get out.

  The training device 1 according to this embodiment has the above-described configuration. Next, a training method using the training device 1 will be described.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the trainee holds the flexible container 6 and grasps the flexible container 6. As a result, an external force is applied to the flexible container 6 to reduce the volume of the storage space in the flexible container 6, and the stored liquid food is pushed out from the mouth portion 60 and discharged into the connection portion 5. Then, the discharged liquid food is supplied to the space portion 30 in the intraoral insertion tool 2 via the connection portion 5. However, since the hole 35 is provided in the upper surface portion 26a of the head 26 of the intraoral insert 2, and the hole 35 is formed in a direction intersecting the intraoral depth direction, the trainee does not have the head of the intraoral insert 2. Even if the portion 26 is sucked, the suction force of the trainee is difficult to be transmitted to the space portion 30 in the intraoral insert 2. Therefore, the liquid food is less likely to be discharged from the hole 35. Moreover, since the hole 35 is provided in the upper surface portion 26a of the head 26 of the intraoral insert 2, the hole 35 is closed by the palate when the intraoral insert 2 is inserted into the oral cavity. Further, the liquid corrosion is more difficult to be discharged from the hole 35 because the state is close to the blockage.

  Therefore, in order for the trainee to eat the liquid food, the trainee needs to perform an operation of pushing out the liquid food stored in the space 30 in the intraoral insert 2 and discharging it from the hole 35. .. FIG. 7 specifically shows this operation. First, the trainee brings the tip of the tongue into contact with the lower surface 26b of the head 26 of the intraoral insert 2 as shown in FIG. 7 (a). Then, since the pocket portion 27 is formed on the lower surface portion 26b of the head portion 26, the tip portion of the tongue is guided to the pocket portion 27. Thereby, the tongue of the trainee can smoothly and reliably capture the position of the head 26 of the intraoral insert 2.

  Next, the trainee pushes the tip of the tongue up toward the palate so that the head 26 of the intraoral insert 2 hits the palate as shown in FIG. As a result, the head 26 of the intraoral insert 2 is supported by the palate, so that the force of the tip of the tongue is reliably transmitted to the head 26 of the intraoral insert 2, and the head of the intraoral insert 2 is surely transmitted. The force can be converted into a force that elastically deforms the portion 26.

  Therefore, the trainee pushes up the entire tongue toward the palate as in the swallowing motion, as shown in FIG. Then, the tongue elastically deforms and crushes the raised portion 28 at the tip of the pocket portion 27. As a result, the volume of the in-head second space 34 in the raised portion 28 is reduced, and the liquid food stored in the in-head second space 34 is pushed out from the hole 35 and discharged into the oral cavity. .. The trainee can swallow this liquid food by further advancing the swallowing motion. In addition, the raised portion 28 has a concave shape in which the rear wall portion 28b is recessed on the center side to facilitate crushing.

  As described above, according to the training method using the training device 1 according to the present embodiment, an appropriate load is applied to the tongue, so that the trainee continues to train, and is used for tongue muscle strength and other swallowing. It is expected that the muscle strength will be strengthened and the swallowing function will be restored. Moreover, since the training method using the training device 1 according to the present embodiment is a combination (combination) of ingestion behaviors that are inevitable in daily life, a training method for a simple purpose of simply exercising. Use (training) is more sustainable than. Therefore, according to the training method using the training device 1 according to the present embodiment, the effect of recovering the swallowing function is expected in more trainees.

  Further, according to the training method using the training device 1 according to the present embodiment, the movement of the tip of the tongue causes the intra-head space part (the intra-head first space part 33 and the intra-head part) of the intraoral insertion tool 2 to move. If the operation of squeezing up the second space portion 34) from the base end side to the tip end side is accurately performed, a large amount of liquid food is squeezed out from the hole 35 without staying in the head inner space portion. Therefore, the trainee can confirm whether or not the training is properly performed by the amount of the liquid food discharged from the intraoral insert 2.

  Further, as described above, even if the trainee sucks the head 26 of the intraoral insert 2, the liquid food is difficult to be discharged from the hole 35, and in order to obtain the liquid food, an appropriate swallowing operation must be performed. I have to. Therefore, according to the training method using the training device 1 according to the present embodiment, regardless of the consciousness of the trainee, it is possible to naturally perform the correct training, and thus the unintended training that is not effective. It is possible to preferably prevent that

  Further, the training device 1 according to the present embodiment is configured such that the flexible and bendable connector 5 is interposed between the intraoral insert 2 and the flexible container 6, and The direction of the insertion tool 2 can be changed. Therefore, it is possible to hold the flexible container 6 in an upright state (hold the mouth portion 60 upward) and perform the training in the posture as it is. If the flexible container 6 is obliquely lifted for training, the jaw tends to float and the head tends to be in an upward posture. However, if this happens, an appropriate swallowing operation cannot be performed and aspiration is likely to occur. However, according to the training method using the training device 1 according to the present embodiment, since the head can maintain the normal posture in which the line of sight is in the horizontal direction, it is appropriate under the proper swallowing posture with the chin part pulled. It is possible to perform a swallowing motion that is different, and to prevent the occurrence of aspiration.

  In addition, in the training method using the training device 1 according to the present embodiment, the grasping movement of the flexible container 6 is performed in order to supply a necessary and sufficient amount of liquid food to the space 30 in the intraoral inserter 2. Need to do. Further, during the training, the liquid food is appropriately discharged from the intraoral inserter 2, so that the grasping movement of the flexible container 6 is performed in order to replenish the reduced amount to the space 30 in the intraoral inserter 2. Need to do. Therefore, the grasping movement of the flexible container 6 during the training becomes a proper amount of movement. The hand is also called the "second brain", and if you move your fingertip, the stimulus is transmitted to the brain and you can activate the brain. Therefore, according to the training method using the training device 1 according to the present embodiment, the effects of dementia prevention, rehabilitation of brain dysfunction, and muscle strength improvement of hands and fingers, which are completely different from the swallowing function recovery, are also obtained. You can expect at the same time. This is the reason why the training device 1 according to the present embodiment is referred to as a “swallowing training device with a hand grasping motion promoting function”.

  In addition, according to the training method using the training device 1 according to the present embodiment, the independence of meals (not being thrown into the mouth by another person, but the amount and timing of drinking can be decided by oneself), There is also an advantage that the dignity of the person's personality can be protected.

  The oral rehabilitation device according to the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.

  For example, in the above-described embodiment, as the connector 5 that connects the intraoral insert 2 and the flexible container 6, a flexible connector is used, and the direction of the intraoral insert 2 with respect to the flexible container 6 is set. It is configured to be changeable. However, the connector may not have flexibility. In short, the connector may be of any form as long as it has a minimum function of connecting the intraoral insert 2 and the flexible container 6. As an example, as shown in FIG. 8, the connection portion (the second connection portion 55 in the above embodiment) connected to the mouth portion 60 of the flexible container 6 is the first connection portion 51 (in the above embodiment). The structure integrated with the receiving portion 52) can be adopted.

  Further, the configuration of the connecting portion for changing the direction of the intraoral insertion tool 2 with respect to the flexible container 6 is not limited to the bendable configuration using the flexibility of the tubular body portion 50. For example, it is possible to adopt a structure in which a flexible joint is provided and can be bent.

  In addition, in the above-described embodiment, the intraoral insertion tool 2 and the connection tool 5 are separate components. However, the intraoral insert 2 and the connector 5 may be integrally configured.

  In addition, in the above-described embodiment, the tubular body portion 50 and the receiving portion 52 of the first connecting portion 51 are separately configured, and the tubular body portion 50 and the second connecting portion 55 are separately configured. However, the tubular body portion 50 and the receiving portion 52 of the first connecting portion 51 may be integrally configured, or the tubular body portion 50 and the second connecting portion 55 may be integrally configured.

  Further, in the above embodiment, the pocket portion 27 and the raised portion 28 are provided on the lower surface portion of the intraoral insertion tool 2. However, these configurations are not always necessary in the intraoral insert 2.

  Further, in the above-described embodiment, the raised portion 28 is provided at the tip of the intraoral insertion tool 2. However, the raised portion 28 is not necessarily limited to this position.

  Further, in the above-described embodiment, the hole 35 for discharging the liquid food from the intraoral insert 2 is formed in the upper surface portion 26 a of the head 26 of the intraoral insert 2. However, the place where the hole is formed is not limited to this. For example, the holes may be formed in the tip portion 26d of the head 26 or on the side of the head 26.

  Moreover, the number of holes is not limited to one, and two or more holes may be provided. Further, the shape of the hole is not limited to the circular hole, and may be, for example, a square hole, or a slit formed in a Y shape, a cross shape, or a single shape.

  In addition, the oral rehabilitation device according to the present invention, as shown in FIG. 9, is an oral vestibular interposition provided in the oral vestibule (a horseshoe-shaped space formed between the mucous membrane inside the cheeks and lips and the upper and lower teeth). The mounting part 36 can be provided. The oral vestibular interposition part 36 is formed in a brim shape that extends from the anterior tooth part to the left and right in a curved manner along the dentition or the alveolar ridge, and mainly seals the corners of the mouth to assist negative pressure formation during swallowing, The purpose is to properly hold the position of the intraoral insertion portion 2.

  The oral vestibular interposition part 36 is provided in the body part 24 of the intraoral insert 2 and is integrally molded with the body part 24. In the oral vestibular interposition part 36, the peripheral edge portion 36a is thick, and the other portions (inside the peripheral edge portion 36a) are thin. Therefore, while the shape retention of the oral vestibular interposition part 36 is obtained by the thick peripheral portion 36a, deformability (flexibility) is obtained by the thin part, and as shown in FIG. Even if the body portion 24 of the insertion tool 2 is deformed differently on the upper surface side and the lower surface side, the upper interposition part 36a and the lower interposition part 36b are preferably respectively interposed in the upper and lower oral vestibules. Further, the oral garden interposition part 36 is tilted backward as shown in FIG. This is to enhance the fit according to the inclination of the front teeth.

  Further, the oral vestibular interposition part may be configured separately from the intraoral insertion tool 2 as the oral vestibular interposition device 7 as shown in FIG. 10. In the example shown in the figure, the oral vestibular intermediary appliance 7 is made of the same material as the intraoral insert 2 and is elastically deformable, and like the intraoral insert 2, has a flange portion 70, and It has a body portion 71 into which the proximal end side of the intraoral insertion tool 2 is inserted. Then, in a state in which the flange portion 21 of the intraoral insert 2 is overlapped with the flange portion 70 of the oral vestibular interposition 7, the cap 53 is tightened and attached as shown in FIG. By configuring both as separate bodies, it is possible to replace only one of them, and it is possible to manufacture at a lower cost than when integrally configured.

  Further, the oral rehabilitation device according to the present invention, as shown in FIG. 11, is behind the pocket portion 27, that is, at the top of the raised portion 28 or in the vicinity thereof, in the width direction of the head 26 of the intraoral insert 2, that is, The ridge 37 which extends along the direction which intersects with the depth direction in the oral cavity can be provided. In the living body, the folds of the hard palate (pallate folds) work like cleaning plates to clean the tongue and make it easier to feed food. It can be expected that the effect is to clean the skin, stimulate the tongue appropriately, or serve as a sensation when the tip of the tongue is put in the pocket 27. One ridge 37 may be provided, or a plurality of ridges 37 may be provided in parallel.

  Moreover, in the said embodiment, liquid food is consumed. However, it may be a drink such as water, tea, or juice, instead of the liquid food. In this case, since the beverage has a better discharge property from the holes than the liquid food, the size of the holes is set smaller than that for the liquid food. Alternatively, as long as the slit-type hole is closed when no load is applied, one hole can be used for both liquid food and beverage.

  Further, in the above embodiment, the flexible container 6 is a commercially available container in which the contents are stored, and therefore, the mouth portion 60 of the spout has a general shape. However, it is also possible to provide a dedicated flexible container having a unique connection shape between the connection portion of the oral rehabilitation device and the mouth portion of the flexible container according to the present invention so that only the flexible container can be connected. In that case, a product filled with contents such as nutritional supplements developed for the elderly should be a commercial product for exclusive use, and this should be purchased and connected, or the user or caregiver should use water in a flexible container, You can use it in various ways, including using it to connect contents such as tea.

  The present invention also relates to a combination of an intraoral insert and a flexible container. However, the above-mentioned intraoral insertion device (and oral vestibular intermediary device) is unique by itself, and therefore can be established as an invention not limited to combination with a flexible container.

  The oral rehabilitation device according to the present invention is, in addition to the swallowing training device, when the oral rehabilitation device according to the present invention is used, an appropriate swallowing operation is performed, which makes it possible to swallow gently and safely. Can also be used. Further, by using the oral rehabilitation device according to the present invention, since it is possible to learn the correct movement of the tongue, the oral rehabilitation device according to the present invention is not limited to people with dysphagia, tongue such as lower tongue and protruding tongue It is also effective for people who have poor habits and women who are estheticians (to raise the corners of the mouth or sharpen the chin line) from children. Further, according to the oral rehabilitation device according to the present invention, an effect of improving the respiratory function by promoting the masticatory function, pronunciation and nasal breathing can be expected.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Training instrument, 2 ... Oral-insertion tool, 20 ... Base part, 21 ... Flange part, 22 ... Constriction part, 24 ... Main body part, 25 ... Body part, 26 ... Head part, 26a ... Top part, 26b ... Bottom part , 26c ... Base end part, 26d ... Tip part, 27 ... Pocket part, 27a ... Front slope part, 27b ... Rear slope part, 27c ... Side wall part, 28 ... Raised part, 28a ... Front slope part, 28b ... Rear wall part , 28c ... Side wall part, 30 ... Space part, 31 ... Opening part, 32 ... Body part inner space part, 33 ... Head first space part, 34 ... Head second space part, 35 ... Hole, 36 ... Oral cavity Vestibular interposition part, 36a ... Peripheral part, 37 ... Convex strip, 5 ... Connector, 50 ... Tube part, 51 ... First connection part, 52 ... Receiving part, 52a ... Hole, 52b ... Male screw part, 52c ... Rotation regulating part, 53 ... Cap, 53a ... Female screw part, 53b ... Hole, 53c ... Flange part, 55 ... Second connection part, 55a ... Hole, 55b ... Insert part, 55c ... Female screw part, 6 ... Flexible container , 60 ... Mouth part, 60a ... Male screw part, 7 ... Oral vestibular intermediary device, 70 ... Flange part, 71 ... Body part

Claims (5)

While having a hollow space inside, having a hole that communicates the inside and outside of the space, elastically deformable intraoral insertion portion to be inserted into the oral cavity,
A connection part that is detachably connected to the mouth of a flexible container in which liquid food or beverage is stored in the internal storage space, and that connects the space part of the intraoral insertion part and the storage space of the flexible container. An oral rehabilitation device including and. The oral rehabilitation device according to claim 1, wherein the connecting portion has a predetermined length and is configured to be bendable or bendable so that a direction of the intraoral insertion portion with respect to the flexible container can be changed. The intraoral insertion portion, on the lower surface of the distal end side, a pocket portion that is guided so that the distal end portion of the tongue in contact with the lower surface portion is inserted, and a raised portion located on the distal end side of the pocket portion,
The oral rehabilitation device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a portion of the space portion that corresponds to the raised portion is larger than a portion that corresponds to the pocket portion. 4. An oral vestibular interposition part, which is formed in a brim shape extending from the anterior tooth part to the left and right along a dentition or a ridge, and is provided in the oral vestibule, further comprising: Oral rehabilitation device described in.   It is hollow and has a space inside from the base end to the tip, and also has a hole that communicates the inside and outside of the space in the direction that intersects the depth direction in the mouth on the tip side, and elastic deformation that is inserted into the mouth Possible intraoral inserts.

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