JP6944630B2 - Swallowing function training device - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a swallowing function training device capable of easily and safely performing swallowing training for a person with low swallowing function or a handicapped person for the purpose of improving, improving, recovering or the like of swallowing function.

The swallowing function is a function of forming a bolus in the oral cavity and sending (swallowing) the generated bolus to the pharynx, and the swallowing operation is performed by skillfully interlocking the tongue and throat. For example, a person with a low swallowing function or a handicapped person cannot form a bolus and cannot efficiently send the bolus to the pharynx due to a decrease in muscle strength such as the muscles of tongue and the muscles of mastication due to aging or the like.

In addition, in order to send (swallow) the bolus to the pharynx, it is necessary to bring the upper and lower lips into close contact with each other and attach the tongue to the palate for nasal breathing. A drop or the like occurs.

Conventionally, rehabilitation training devices and the like have been developed for improving and recovering the swallowing function of such persons with low swallowing function.

For example, in Patent Document 1, a grip portion 10 gripped by the user, a curved protective portion 20 connected to the tip portion of the grip portion 10 and inserted between the lips and the gum portion, and the protective portion 20. Disclosed is a dysphagia rehabilitation training device 1 in which a protrusion 35 is formed on a lower surface 34 which has a spoon-shaped stimulating portion 30 which is connected to the gingiva and is inserted into the oral cavity and forms a concave curved surface of the stimulating portion 30. Has been done.

In this conventional dysphagia rehabilitation training device 1, the concave curved surface of the stimulating portion 30 is placed on the tongue and the grip portion 10 is swung up and down, so that the stimulating portion 30 presses the tongue and protects it. The part 20 stimulates the lips and the gums to promote saliva secretion, whereby the symptoms of a dysphagic person can be alleviated (paragraphs 0019 and 0023 of Patent Document 1).

However, the dysphagia rehabilitation training device 1 of Patent Document 1 stimulates the lips and gums in order to promote saliva secretion and the like, and the tongue muscles and masticatory muscles, which are the root causes of dysphagia deterioration and disorders, etc. It is not intended to improve or recover the muscle strength of the nasal muscles, nor is it intended to improve or recover the nasal respiratory function.

JP-A-2007-319303

The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems of the prior art, can be used easily and safely, and improves the muscles in the oral cavity such as the muscles of tongue and the muscles around the oral cavity such as the orbicularis oris muscle. -The purpose is to provide a swallowing function training device for improving and recovering swallowing function, pronunciation function, and physical strength by activating and improving respiratory function.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the swallowing function training device according to the first aspect of the present invention has an intraoral insertion portion inserted into the oral cavity and the intraoral insertion portion connected to the intraoral insertion portion and inserted outside the oral cavity. The intraoral insertion portion is connected to the tongue trainer and the tongue trainer, which is composed of an elastic member capable of pushing up the lower surface with the tongue and pressing the upper surface against the upper jaw, and is connected to the tongue trainer. It is characterized by having a flange-shaped mouth shield extending along the dentition.

The swallowing function trainer according to the second aspect of the present invention is characterized in that, in the first aspect, the tongue trainer extends obliquely upward from the root portion. Preferably, an angle is given based on the measurement to facilitate fit in the oral cavity.

The swallowing function trainer according to the third aspect of the present invention is characterized in that, in the first or second aspect, the tongue trainer has a maxillary pressing portion having a substantially dome shape.

The swallowing function trainer according to the fourth aspect of the present invention is characterized in that, in any one of the first to third aspects, the tongue trainer has a tongue contact guide on the lower surface.

In the fourth aspect of the swallowing function trainer according to the fifth aspect of the present invention, the tongue contact guide is formed at a position 5 mm to 15 mm away from the connection position with the mouse shield in the tongue trainer. It is characterized by.

The swallowing function trainer according to the sixth aspect of the present invention is characterized in that, in the fourth aspect, the tongue contact guide is formed at the closest end of the mouth shield of the maxillary pressing portion. do.

In the swallowing function training device according to the seventh aspect of the present invention, in any of the fourth to sixth aspects, the tongue contact guide is formed by protrusions protruding downward from the lower surface of the tongue trainer. It is a feature.

In the swallowing function trainer according to the eighth aspect of the present invention, in any one of the first to seventh aspects, a notch is formed at the upper end of the mouse shield located above the connection portion with the tongue trainer. It is characterized by being.

In the swallowing function training device according to the ninth aspect of the present invention, in any one of the first to eighth aspects, the height of the upper overhanging portion where the mouse shield projects upward with respect to the connecting portion with the tongue trainer. It is characterized in that it is configured to be 2 mm to 6 mm longer than the height of the downward overhanging portion that overhangs downward.

In the swallowing function training device according to the tenth aspect of the present invention, in any one of the first to ninth aspects, in the mouse shield, the upper overhanging portion protruding upward with reference to the connecting portion with the tongue trainer is formed. It is characterized in that the lower overhanging portion that is inclined along the upper dentition at the time of use and projects downward with reference to the connecting portion with the tongue trainer is inclined along the lower dentition at the time of use.

In the tenth aspect of the swallowing function trainer according to the eleventh aspect of the present invention, in the tenth aspect, the mouse shield is tilted 2 to 8 degrees inward of the oral cavity with respect to the lower overhang portion. It is characterized by being.

In the swallowing function training device according to the twelfth aspect of the present invention, in any one of the first to eleventh aspects, the operating portion has a lip gripping portion in the vicinity of the connecting portion with the tongue trainer, and the lip The thickness of the grip portion is such that air does not leak from the oral cavity when the upper and lower lips are closed.

In the swallowing function training device according to the thirteenth aspect of the present invention, in any one of the first to twelfth aspects, the operating portion projects upward with reference to the connecting portion of the mouse shield with the tongue trainer. It is characterized in that it is inclined by 100 degrees to 110 degrees with respect to the downward direction of the upper overhanging portion.

According to the present invention, it can be used easily and safely, and for improving and activating the muscles of the oral cavity such as the tongue muscle and the lip muscle, and improving and recovering the swallowing function by improving the respiratory function. A swallowing function training device can be realized.

The front view which shows the structure of one Embodiment of the swallowing function training apparatus which concerns on this invention. The plan view which shows the structure of one Embodiment of the swallowing function training apparatus which concerns on this invention. The bottom view which shows the structure of one Embodiment of the swallowing function training apparatus which concerns on this invention. FIG. 2 is an arrow view of the AA cross section of FIG. The arrow view of the BB cross section of FIG. FIG. 4 is a detailed view of part G in FIG. The figure which shows the concept of the usage situation of a swallowing function training device.

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the swallowing function training device according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 are a front view (elevation view), a plan view and a bottom view showing the structure of an embodiment of the swallowing function training device according to the present invention, respectively, and FIGS. 4 and 5 are views, respectively. 2 is an arrow view of the AA cross section, 2 is an arrow view of the BB cross section of FIG. 1, and FIG. 6 is a detailed view of the G portion of FIG. Further, FIG. 7 is an image diagram showing a concept of a usage state of the swallowing function training device.

The swallowing function training device 1 is manufactured of an elastic material (epolymer) such as rubber or synthetic resin, and is connected to an intraoral insertion portion 2 inserted into the oral cavity 12 and an intraoral insertion portion 2 and is connected to the oral cavity 12 outside the oral cavity 12. An operation unit 3 for operating the internal insertion unit 2 is provided, and the oral insertion unit 2 has a tongue trainer 4 and a mouth shield 5 connected to the tongue trainer 4, and is a tongue trainer. 4. The mouth shield 5 and the operation unit 3 are arranged in this order. The swallowing function training device 1 including the tongue trainer 4, the mouth shield 5, and the operation unit 3 is preferably manufactured by the same material, for example, by injection molding, but at least one is manufactured by another material and is joined or joined. They may be connected by mechanical coupling.

The tongue trainer 4 is an elastic member that is thin in the vertical direction and is formed in the shape of an elongated thin plate in the direction toward the back of the oral cavity 12 (FIG. 7) and can be easily deformed in the vertical direction. It has a structure that can be pushed up by the tongue 15 and the upper surface can be pressed against the upper jaw 13. As a result, the tongue muscles necessary for swallowing (swallowing of food) can be strengthened by performing motion training in which the tongue trainer 4 is pushed up from below by the tongue 15 and the upper surface is pressed against the upper jaw 13.

The tongue trainer 4 is inclined so as to extend diagonally upward from the base portion (connecting portion with the mouse shield 5), and the portion pressed against the upper jaw 13 (upper jaw pressing portion 6) is the upper jaw 13. It has a substantially dome shape that is curved upward along the lower surface of the. As a result, a sufficient space for the movement of the tongue 15 can be secured below the tongue trainer 4, and the tongue trainer 4 can be surely and easily pushed up and pushed by the tongue 15.

Further, on the lower surface of the tongue trainer 4, a position 5 mm to 15 mm away from the connection position with the mouse shield 5 or the mouth shield 5 of the upper jaw pressing portion 6 so that the upper jaw pressing portion 6 can be sensed by the tongue 15. A tongue contact guide 7 (FIG. 3) having a heart-shaped cross section is formed at the end on the closest side of the tongue. As a result, the pressing position of the tongue trainer 4 by the tongue 15 can be accurately grasped, and the tongue muscle strengthening training can be performed more efficiently. The tongue contact guide 7 is not limited to a heart-shaped cross section, and may be a protrusion having a circular cross section, a polygonal shape, or other shape. Further, the cross section is not limited to the protrusion, and the cross section is not limited to a circular shape, a polygonal shape, or other shape. It may be a recess.

The mouse shield 5 is inserted between the upper and lower lips 16 and 17 and the upper and lower dentitions 18 and 19 when using the swallowing function training device 1 (see FIG. 7). Therefore, the mouth shield 5 is horizontal so that the inner surface (the surface on the side of the upper and lower dentitions 18 and 19) is in close contact with the upper and lower dentitions 18 and 19 as much as possible and the operating range of the tongue in the oral cavity 12 can be secured as wide as possible. In the direction, it is curved and extends along the upper and lower dentitions 18 and 19, and in the vertical direction, it has a flange-like shape protruding vertically from the connecting portion with the operation portion 3, and is in contact with the tongue trainer 4. The height a of the upper overhanging portion 21 overhanging upward and the height b of the lower overhanging portion 22 protruding downward with reference to the connecting portion (see FIG. 6) are the heights of the upper dentition 18 and the lower dentition 19, respectively. The upper overhanging portion 21 is inclined at an inclination angle α with respect to the lower overhanging portion 22 in accordance with the inclination angle of the inner surface of the upper and lower dentitions 18 and 19 in the vertical cross section (see FIG. 7). (See Fig. 6).

Therefore, considering the heights and inclination angles of the general upper and lower dentitions 18 and 19, the height a of the upper overhanging portion 21 is 2 mm to 6 mm larger than the height b of the lower overhanging portion 22, and the lower overhanging portion 21 is extended. The inclination angle α of the upper overhanging portion 21 with respect to the portion 22 is preferably 2 ° to 8 °.

Further, since the upper lip zonule 20 exists between the upper lip 16 and the upper dentition 18, the upper lip zonule 20 is substantially V at the upper center of the upper overhanging portion 21 of the mouth shield 5 so as not to damage the upper lip zonule 20. A character-shaped notch 8 is formed. The shape of the notch 8 is not limited to a substantially V-shape, and may be a shape such as a substantially U-shape that cuts out a portion corresponding to the upper lip zonule 20.

The operation unit 3 has a lip grip portion 9 in the vicinity of the connecting portion with the tongue trainer 4, and the lip grip portion 9 sandwiches the lip grip portion 9 up and down when the upper and lower lips 16 and 17 are closed. The lips 16 and 17 are in close contact with each other and have a size that prevents air from leaking from the oral cavity 12. As a result, in order to swallow, it is necessary to close the upper and lower lips 16 and 17 and press the tongue 15 against the upper jaw 13 while breathing through the nose. Interlocking training of pressing motion becomes possible. That is, the lip strengthening force can be improved by closing the upper and lower lips 16 and 17 to suppress the lip grip portion 9, and by performing an exercise of closing and sucking the upper and lower lips 16 and 17, the activity of the muscles in the oral cavity 12 is activated. It is effective for improving nasal breathing ability and swallowing function.

Further, the operation unit 3 has a recess 10 on the lower surface behind the lip grip portion 9 (FIG. 3), and the operation unit 3 is securely gripped by inserting a thumb into the recess 10 and grasping the operation unit 3 with the palm. Can be grasped.

Further, the operating portion 3 is inclined so that the angle β (see FIG. 1) with respect to the downward overhanging portion 22 of the mouse shield 5 in the longitudinal direction is 100 degrees to 110 degrees. This, combined with the effect of inserting the thumb into the recess 10 and grasping the operation unit 3 with the palm, maintains the correct posture (direction) of the tongue trainer 4 and facilitates the pulling-out operation of the intraoral insertion unit 2 in the oral cavity 12. It will be possible. That is, when the thumb is inserted into the recess 10 and the operation portion 3 is grasped by the palm, and the intraoral insertion portion 2 is pulled out (operated) in the vertical direction in the downward direction of the lower overhanging portion 22 of the mouth shield 5. In general, the central axis of the palm is easy to operate if the thumb shield 5 is gripped so that the upward angle with respect to the vertical direction of the lower overhanging portion 22 is 10 to 20 degrees. ..

Using the swallowing function training device 1 described above, the oral insertion portion 2 can be inserted into the oral cavity 12, and for example, the following training can be performed to strengthen or recover the swallowing function. can.

(1) The tongue 15 presses the tongue trainer 4 (maxillary pressing portion 6) against the maxilla 13 to strengthen the muscle strength in the oral cavity 12 such as the muscles of tongue.

(2) With the tongue trainer 4 (upper jaw pressing portion 6) pressed against the upper jaw 13 with the tongue 15, the operation portion 3 is operated to pull out the tongue trainer 4 outward, and the tongue 15 suppresses it. By moving and sucking, the muscle strength and suction power to send the bolus to the back are strengthened.

(3) The upper and lower lips 16 and 17 are closed to hold down the lip grip portion 9 to strengthen the muscle strength of the upper and lower lips 16 and 17. In addition, the upper and lower lips 16 and 17 and their peripheral parts are strengthened by pulling out the swallowing function training device while holding down the lip grip portion 9 and closing the upper and lower lips 16 and 17. ..

(4) By performing training in which the above (3) and the above (1) or (2) are combined, the swallowing function is further strengthened. That is, the action of pressing the upper jaw pressing portion 6 against the upper jaw 13 with the tongue 15 while closing the upper and lower lips 16 and 17 and breathing through the nose, and further, the swallowing function with the upper jaw pressing portion 6 pressed against the upper jaw 13 with the tongue 15. By pulling out the training device 1 to the outside, the nasal respiratory force and the muscle strength in the oral cavity 12 are strengthened and improved.

The following effects can be obtained by using the swallowing function training device according to the present embodiment.

・ Strengthens and improves oral muscle strength such as tongue muscle and orbicularis oris muscle, and also strengthens nasal breathing power, improves suction power, and strengthens and improves swallowing function.

-By improving the nasal breathing power, the jaw rises upward and the posture is improved, and the illness caused by taking in bacteria of the outside air by mouth breathing is prevented and the oral hygiene problem is improved.

-By closing the lips and moving the tongue by closing the lips, it is possible to activate the muscle strength in the oral cavity, loosen the muscles of the entire face, and maintain and improve the health of the entire face.

-By using the swallowing function training device, stimulated saliva is secreted, the oral cavity and pharynx are washed, and diseases in the oral cavity can be prevented.

1 Swallowing function trainer 2 Intraoral insertion part 3 Operation part 4 Tongue trainer 5 Mouse shield 6 Upper jaw pressing part 7 Tongue contact guide 8 Notch 9 Lip grip part 10 Recession 11 Through hole 12 Oral mouth 13 Upper jaw 14 Lower jaw 15 Tongue 16 Upper lip 17 Lower lip 18 Upper dentition 19 Lower dentition 20 Upper lip zonule 21 Upper overhang 22 Lower overhang α Inclination angle with respect to lower overhang 22 of upper overhang 21 β Longitudinal mouth shield 5 of operation unit 3 Angle of the lower overhanging portion 22 with respect to the downward direction

Claims (9)

It is provided with an intraoral insertion portion to be inserted into the oral cavity and an operation unit connected to the intraoral insertion portion to operate the intraoral insertion portion outside the oral cavity.
The intraoral insertion portion is connected to the tongue trainer and a tongue trainer made of an elastic member capable of pushing up the lower surface with the tongue and pressing the upper surface against the upper jaw, and has a brim shape extending along the dentition during use. possess and mouse shield, the,
The tongue trainer extends diagonally upward from its base.
The tongue trainer has a maxillary press that has a substantially dome shape.
In the mouth shield, a notch is formed at the upper end located above the connecting portion with the tongue trainer.
The operating portion has a lip grip portion in the vicinity of the connecting portion with the tongue trainer, and the thickness of the lip grip portion is such that air does not leak from the oral cavity when the upper and lower lips are closed. There is a swallowing function training device. The swallowing function training device according to claim 1, wherein the tongue trainer has a tongue contact guide on the lower surface thereof. The swallowing function training device according to claim 2 , wherein the tongue contact guide is formed at a position 5 mm to 15 mm away from the connection position with the mouse shield in the tongue trainer. The swallowing function training device according to claim 2 , wherein the tongue contact guide is formed at the end of the maxillary pressing portion on the closest side of the mouse shield. The swallowing function training device according to any one of claims 2 to 4 , wherein the tongue contact guide is formed by protrusions protruding downward from the lower surface of the tongue trainer. Claimed that the mouth shield is configured such that the height of the upper overhanging portion that overhangs upward with reference to the connecting portion with the tongue trainer is 2 mm to 6 mm longer than the height of the lower overhanging portion that overhangs downward. Item 3. The swallowing function training device according to any one of Items 1 to 5. In the mouth shield, the upper overhanging portion protruding upward with reference to the connecting portion with the tongue trainer is inclined along the upper dentition during use, and the lower overhanging portion is projected downward with reference to the connecting portion with the tongue trainer. The swallowing function training device according to any one of claims 1 to 6 , wherein the lateral overhang is inclined along the lower dentition during use. The swallowing function training device according to claim 7 , wherein the mouse shield has the upper overhang portion inclined 2 to 8 degrees inward of the oral cavity with respect to the lower overhang portion. Claims 1 to 110, wherein the operating portion is tilted 100 to 110 degrees with respect to a downward direction of an upper overhanging portion that overhangs upward with respect to a connecting portion of the mouth shield with the tongue trainer. 8. The swallowing function training device according to any one of 8.

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