TWI915905B - Oral training system - Google Patents

Abstract

This invention relates to an oral training system, comprising an oral training device and a control module, wherein the control module is electrically connected to the oral training device to provide a control signal. The oral training device includes a device module and a light source module. The device module is installed in the oral cavity of a user, and the light source module is disposed in the device module and is used to emit light of a specific wavelength to a designated area of the oral cavity.

Description

Oral training system

This invention relates to an oral training system, and more specifically, to an oral training system comprising an oral training device and a control module.

In the current field of oral health treatment, problems such as sleep apnea, difficulty swallowing, and periodontal disease caused by the degeneration of oral muscle function are addressed through traditional methods that typically focus on surgical or therapeutic procedures affecting both hard and soft tissues.

Another important factor is sarcopenia, which can also affect oral health. While current light therapy can effectively promote metabolism, there are no specific treatments for oral problems.

Existing PCT Patent No. 2021178655 discloses an oral phototherapy device for improving tissue illumination. Illuminating oral tissues is particularly difficult in the oral cavity, especially inside the teeth. That is, illuminating the tissues of the maxilla and near the back of the throat is particularly challenging. This oral phototherapy device improves the illumination of these tissues by using a probe with a cylindrical body.

The technology of the first prior art is the same as that of this case. The first prior art patent describes an intraoral phototherapy probe for improving the illumination of intraoral tissues. The system includes a light source and a probe with a cylindrical body that guides the light from the light source within the oral cavity, improving the illumination of specific tissues and providing a more effective oral phototherapy solution.

U.S. Patent No. 20190282829 discloses a method for controlling a device configured for treating a patient's disease. The method includes supplying electricity to an implantable device configured to be located in the submucosa of a patient's nasal cavity, causing the implantable device to emit near-infrared and red light directed at at least one region, including an ocular region, a brain region, a brain nerve and cerebrospinal fluid region, a vascular system region, and a patient's lymphatic system region. The device is configured for implantation at a location to deliver near-infrared and red light to at least one region, including the ocular region, brain region, brain nerve and cerebrospinal fluid region, vascular system region, and lymphatic system region, at a dose and duration sufficient to treat the disease.

The technical field of the second prior case differs from that of this case. The second prior case patent describes a method and apparatus for treating a disease. The method involves supplying power to an implantable device placed under the nasal mucosa of a subject and treating the disease by emitting near-infrared and red light. This light is directed at one of the subject's ocular structures, brain regions, cerebral nerves and cerebrospinal fluid, vascular system regions, and lymphatic system regions. The device is implanted in a specific location to ensure sufficient light dose and duration for treating the disease.

Existing Chinese Patent No. 108553765 discloses a wearable phototherapy system, including a light source element, a light guide element, and a wearable phototherapy element. The light source element can emit light of one or more specific wavelengths for phototherapy, and its light source can be an LED light source. The light guide element is disposed between the light source element and the wearable phototherapy element to transmit the light energy generated by the light source element to the wearable phototherapy element. This application improves product safety and ease of use by separating the light source generation and application components, and provides a solution for unified treatment of various body parts. The wearable phototherapy system provided by this application utilizes the ability of light to treat skin diseases, rheumatism, and other ailments or for health maintenance. It uniformly irradiates the treated surface with light of a specific spectrum through a side-emitting fiber module, achieving better therapeutic effects and possessing significant market potential.

The technology field of the third prior art is the same as that of this case. The third prior art patent describes a wearable phototherapy system, including a light source component, a light guide component, and a wearable phototherapy component. The light source component emits light of a specific wavelength, such as an LED light source, for phototherapy. The light guide component transmits the light from the light source component to the wearable phototherapy component. By separating the light source and application components, the safety and ease of use of the product are improved, making it suitable for treating various diseases and possessing good market promotion value.

Existing Chinese Patent No. 107430072 discloses a simple photometric device capable of reliably detecting small amounts of dental plaque and easily fitting into a toothbrush. The photometric device of this invention comprises: multiple light sources, each irradiating a sample with different wavelengths of light; a detection unit that detects the intensity of each test light generated when the multiple wavelengths of light are irradiated onto the sample; and a control unit that calculates the fluorescent material quality of the object to be measured based on the intensity of the test light detected by the detection unit corresponding to the multiple wavelengths of light.

The technology of the previous patent (Patent 4) differs from that of this patent. This patent provides a photometric device designed to reliably detect small amounts of dental plaque and can be easily integrated into a toothbrush. The device includes multiple light sources, each irradiating a sample with different wavelengths; a detection unit detects the fluorescence intensity of the sample under different wavelengths of light; and a control unit calculates the fluorescent material content of the sample based on the difference or ratio of fluorescence intensities. The first light source excites the sample's intrinsic fluorescence, while the second light source has lower excitation efficiency. The control unit calculates the fluorescent material content by adjusting the fluorescence intensity of the second wavelength to match the intensity of the intrinsic fluorescence component of the first wavelength fluorescence.

Existing Taiwanese Patent No. I709358 discloses a multichannel lamp system and method using a mixed spectrum. This system and method utilize a low-blue-component light source emitting a first substantially white light and a high-blue-component light source emitting a second substantially white light. The second substantially white light has a higher correlated color temperature than the first substantially white light. The first substantially white light and the second substantially white light are combined to provide substantially mid-warm white light.

The technical field of the previous patent (Patent 5) differs from that of this patent. Patent 5 relates to a multi-channel light source system and method, utilizing two substantially white light sources: one emitting low blue component light and the other emitting high blue component light. The high blue light has a higher color temperature than the low blue light, and the combination of the two provides a mid-range warm white light. At least one of the components in this composite light source system includes a narrowband red emitter. The combined white light has a mid-range color temperature, a standard red crystal value of at least 51, and a Duv value of -0.025 to -0.005.

In light of this, how to provide an oral training system that can emit light with a specific wavelength to a designated area of the oral cavity for training and treatment is a pressing problem that the industry needs to solve.

To address the shortcomings of the existing technology, one embodiment of the present invention aims to provide an oral training system comprising an oral training device and a control module, wherein the control module is electrically connected to the oral training device to provide a control signal. The oral training device includes a device module and a light source module. The device module is installed in the mouth of a user, and the light source module is disposed within the device module and is used to emit light of a specific wavelength to a designated area of the mouth.

To achieve the above objectives, the oral training system of this invention includes a device module comprising a phototherapy anti-snoring device, a light emitter for nasal treatment, a toothbrush, a gum care and massage device, and a brace-type toothbrush.

To achieve the above objectives, the light source module of the oral training system of this invention includes a wavelength spectrum irradiation device selected from one or any combination of LED, MINI LED, laser light equipment, pulsed light equipment, continuous light equipment, and carbon quantum dots (CQD).

To achieve the above objectives, in the oral training system of this invention, when the device module is a phototherapy anti-snoring device, the phototherapy anti-snoring device includes a soft jaw portion and an outer layer portion, and both the soft jaw portion and the outer layer portion are made of a transparent material.

To achieve the above objectives, the oral training system of this invention comprises a soft jaw and an outer layer, the main material of which is a rigid biomolecular polymer. The occlusal contact surface between the soft jaw and the teeth is made of a thermoplastic transparent material, and the outer layer has an opening and a latch on its vertical surface.

To achieve the above objectives, the temperature range generated by the current power of the wavelength spectrum irradiation device in the oral training system of this invention is between 33°C and 38°C.

To achieve the above objectives, in the oral training system of this invention, when the light source module comprises an irradiation device and a carbon quantum dot, the irradiation device can emit a first wavelength spectrum, and the carbon quantum dot can absorb the first wavelength spectrum to convert it into a second wavelength spectrum.

To achieve the above objectives, the control module of the oral training system of this invention may include a chip or a computing device, and the control module is used to install a control program or a control algorithm.

To achieve the above objectives, the oral training system of this invention has a control program that controls the wavelength spectrum irradiation based on preset values including light intensity, duration, and frequency wavelength spectrum irradiation.

To achieve the above objectives, the oral training system of this invention incorporates a control algorithm to calculate optimized settings including irradiation control flow, intensity, duration, and frequency wavelength spectrum irradiation.

100: Oral Training System

200: Oral Training Device

210: Device Module

212: Phototherapy Anti-Snoring Device

214: Soft palate

216: Outer layer

220: Light Source Module

222: Wavelength Spectrum Irradiation Device

224: Irradiation device

226: Carbon Quantum Dots

300: Control Module

Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of the oral training system of this invention.

Figure 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating the operation steps of the oral training system of this invention.

Figure 3 is a perspective view of the oral training system of this invention when the device module is a phototherapy anti-snoring device.

Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of the oral training system of this invention when the device module is a phototherapy anti-snoring device.

Figure 5 is a top view of the oral training system of this invention when the device module is a phototherapy anti-snoring device.

Figure 6 is a bottom view of the oral training system of this invention when the device module is a phototherapy anti-snoring device.

The present invention is described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments. The drawings used herein are for illustrative and explanatory purposes only and may not represent the actual scale and precise configuration of the invention in practice. Therefore, the scale and configuration of the accompanying drawings should not limit the scope of the invention in actual implementation.

As shown in Figure 1, the present invention relates to an oral training system 100, which includes an oral training device 200 and a control module 300, wherein the control module 300 is electrically connected to the oral training device 200 to provide a control signal. The oral training device 200 includes a device module 210 and a light source module 220. The device module 210 is installed in the mouth of a user, and the light source module 220 is disposed in the device module 210 and is used to emit light of a specific wavelength to a designated area of the mouth.

The operation steps of the oral training system 100 of this invention are shown in Figure 2. First, as shown in step 201, the control module 300 controls the light source module 220 to control the wavelength spectrum irradiation. Next, as shown in step 202, the light source module 220 receives control commands from the control module 300 to implement wavelength spectrum irradiation. Finally, as shown in step 203, the device module 210 ensures the irradiation position is fixed, so that the wavelength spectrum irradiates the target position.

In this invention, the oral training system 100 includes a device module 210 that encompasses all devices usable within the oral cavity, and is integrated with a wavelength spectrum irradiation device 222 provided by the light source module 220, thereby achieving comprehensive irradiation of the intraoral cavity's wavelength spectrum. The device module 210 of this invention includes, but is not limited to, phototherapy anti-snoring devices, light emitters for nasal treatment, toothbrushes, gum care massagers, and brace-type toothbrushes.

Furthermore, the light source module 220 of the oral training system 100 includes a wavelength spectrum irradiation device 222, which includes, but is not limited to, LEDs, mini LEDs, laser light devices, pulsed light devices, continuous light devices, carbon quantum dots (CQDs), and combinations thereof.

Referring to Figures 3 to 6, in the oral training system 100 of this invention, when the device module 210 is a phototherapy anti-snoring device 212, the phototherapy anti-snoring device 212 includes a soft jaw portion 214 and an outer layer portion 216, and both the soft jaw portion 214 and the outer layer portion 216 are made of a transparent material.

Preferably, the main material structure of the soft jaw portion 214 and the outer layer portion 216 is made of a high-polymer rigid biomedical polymer. The occlusal contact surface between the soft jaw portion 214 and the teeth is provided with a thermoplastic transparent material, and the outer layer portion 216 has an opening and a latch (not shown in the figure) on its vertical surface. The latch can be opened, and the wavelength spectrum irradiation device 222 in the light source module 220 for performing wavelength spectrum irradiation is inserted into the soft jaw portion 214 and the inner side of the outer layer portion 216 (as shown in the embodiment of the figure, it is a three-piece design, including the left tooth, the right tooth and the soft jaw). The wavelength spectrum irradiation device 222 in the light source module 220 for performing wavelength spectrum irradiation is connected to the wide metal wire covering the PU soft packaging material. A wide metal wire extends from the opening of the phototherapy anti-snoring device 212, allowing for direct power supply (e.g., via a power bank, socket, etc.). Once powered, the wavelength spectrum irradiation device 222 in the light source module 220 generates a wavelength spectrum, thus achieving comprehensive irradiation of the oral cavity's wavelength spectrum.

It should be noted that the wide metal wire, encased in a soft PU casing, needs to be further sealed with transparent silicone to prevent corrosion from air, saliva, bacteria, and other potential corrosive agents. Furthermore, the wide metal wire can be connected to external power sources (including power banks, sockets, and cords) via male and female connectors. When the phototherapy anti-snoring device 212 is used and subjected to external pulling, the wide metal wire will automatically disconnect the power supply from the male and female connectors, preventing potential damage to the device's internal components.

The phototherapy anti-snoring device 212 of this invention has no size limitation. It can adjust the size and shape of its outer layer to fit the shape of the user's mouth. Therefore, the phototherapy anti-snoring device 212 can provide design options and customization methods according to different oral cavity shapes, and can be assembled with other components into a single unit for use.

The light source module 220 of this invention is a device for performing wavelength spectrum irradiation after receiving control commands from the control module 300, and is integrated with the device module 210, which provides a device usable inside the oral cavity, thereby performing specific wavelength spectrum irradiation on the entire oral cavity.

The wavelength spectrum irradiation device 222 of the light source module 220 is selected from one or any combination of LED, MINI LED, laser light equipment, pulsed light equipment, continuous light equipment, and carbon quantum dots (CQD), and can be integrated with the device module 210 to perform wavelength spectrum irradiation at a fixed position inside the oral cavity.

In this invention, the device for the light source module 220 can be a wavelength spectrum irradiation device 222 composed of different light sources. Taking the aforementioned phototherapy anti-snoring device 212 as an example, its wavelength spectrum irradiation device 222 is composed of an irradiation device 224 (MINI LED, laser, or a combination thereof) and carbon quantum dots 226, and irradiation with different wavelength spectra and their combinations is implemented in the following manner:

1. The irradiation device (MINI LED, laser, or a combination thereof) directly emits light of the first wavelength.

2. An irradiation device 224 having a first wavelength spectrum has carbon quantum dots 226 coated on its irradiation position surface. Thus, the first wavelength spectrum emitted by the irradiation device 224 can be absorbed and converted into a second wavelength spectrum by the carbon quantum dots 226.

3. Adjust the wavelength ratio of the first and second wavelength spectra based on the solid content (carbon quantum dot concentration ratio) of the carbon quantum dots 226 coated on the irradiation device 224.

in:

The first wavelength of light is blue light at 450nm, which has gentle, disinfecting, antibacterial, and sebum-inhibiting effects (used for hair growth).

The second wavelength of light is red light at 635 nm, which itself has the effect of stimulating the proliferation of fibroblasts.

The control module 300 of this invention is used to control the light source module 220 to control the wavelength spectrum irradiation. The control module 300 may include a chip or a computing device, and is used to install a control program or a control algorithm. The control program can control the wavelength spectrum irradiation based on set values including, but not limited to, light intensity, duration, and frequency; the control algorithm can calculate optimized set values including, but not limited to, irradiation control flow, intensity, duration, and frequency, so that the irradiation effect can be optimized according to user needs.

In this way, the oral training system 100 of this invention can target the uneven surfaces within the oral cavity, applying different spectra to repair and increase blood circulation, and implementing precise wavelength spectral irradiation intensity and area. An example of its implementation is as follows:

1. The device module 210 is constructed of a rigid biomaterial with high transparency to ensure that no uneven surface in the oral cavity is obstructed by irradiation. A wide metal wire, surrounded by a soft PU sheath, connects to and powers the wavelength spectrum irradiation device 222 of the light source module 220.

2. The light source module 220 is a wavelength spectrum irradiation device 222 composed of an irradiation device 224 (MINI LED, laser, or a combination thereof) and carbon quantum dots 226.

3. The control module 300 sets the wavelength spectrum irradiation device 222 at each position to perform wavelength spectrum irradiation.

The aforementioned implementation method achieves the effect of irradiating different locations with different wavelengths of light and their combinations by controlling the irradiation of wavelengths of light and the distribution of the irradiation device coated with carbon quantum dots 226 (e.g., irradiating periodontal disease areas with a 450nm wavelength of light, and irradiating areas requiring increased blood circulation with a 635nm wavelength of light). Simultaneously, the transparent device module 210 and the wide metal wire encased in soft PU material avoid the risk of the recipient biting through and swallowing traditional wire, or the possibility of developing Alzheimer's disease if aluminum is used and the recipient accidentally ingests it.

This invention can have the following extended applications:

I. Application of anti-snoring devices as intraoral devices

The device module 210 of this invention, through a customized anti-snoring device comprising a complete oral airway scan, stimulates oral muscles to help widen the oropharyngeal airway, enhance oropharyngeal airway motility, and improve breathing smoothness (such as snoring during sleep) by irradiation with a specific wavelength of light.

II. Application of Gum Care and Massage Devices as Intraoral Devices

The device module 210 of this invention can be integrated with the wavelength spectral irradiation device 222 of this invention for periodontal care and post-implantation care, utilizing the gum massage function of the dental massager itself to prevent bleeding and loose teeth.

III. Examples of irradiation targeting the oral mucosa and periodontal tissues.

The device module 210 of this invention can be used in conjunction with an anti-snoring device, toothbrush, etc., to irradiate the soft jaw area and the area around the teeth.

IV. Application of Integrated Vibration Devices

The device module 210 of this invention can integrate a vibration device, such as an electric toothbrush or a teeth massager, to simultaneously increase blood circulation through vibration during implementation.

V. Application of wavelength spectrum irradiation in clinics

The light source module 220 of this invention can use laser light as its light source. The laser light source primarily needs to be supplied from within the clinic and can provide a more powerful wavelength spectral illumination effect than conventional light sources, thus enabling irradiation of deeper locations, including the oropharynx.

VI. Portable and home-use applications of wavelength spectrum irradiation

The light source module 220 of this invention can use LEDs or mini LEDs as the light source, thereby achieving portable and home-use wavelength spectrum illumination, and can achieve the spectral conversion effect of carbon quanta, providing home oral health care services.

VII. Controlling the oral cavity temperature range during irradiation with a wavelength spectrum irradiation device

The control module 300 of this invention can control the current power (wattage) of the wavelength spectrum irradiation device 222 and the heat generated during irradiation by the wavelength spectrum irradiation device 222 to match the oral cavity's receiving temperature, thereby maintaining the temperature range generated by the current power of the wavelength spectrum irradiation device 222 between 33°C and 38°C, ensuring its suitability for oral irradiation.

In summary, this invention irradiates the oral cavity comprehensively with wavelengths of light. Since wavelengths of light themselves have cell-activating effects, such as increasing metabolic activity, and because the muscle tissue in the oral cavity atrophies with age, leading to pain, the oral training device 200 of this invention, such as a brace-type toothbrush, combined with wavelength irradiation, can train the oral muscles and prevent muscle collapse. Different wavelengths of light have their own corresponding functions. Furthermore, although it is an oral training device 200, its irradiation range also includes the inside of the throat, thus providing similar benefits.

Furthermore, the phototherapy anti-snoring device 212 designed in this invention also has the following main advantages:

1. Both the soft jaw portion 214 and the outer layer 216 are made of transparent materials. The main material structure of the soft jaw portion 214 and the outer layer 216 is composed of a rigid biomedical polymer. The contact surface between the soft jaw portion 214 and the teeth is provided with a thermoplastic transparent material, therefore the device itself does not block the irradiation of wavelength light.

2. The outer layer 216 has an opening and a latch on its facade. The latch can be opened to insert the wavelength spectrum irradiation device 222 into the soft palate 214 and the inner side of the outer layer 216. Therefore, the wavelength spectrum irradiation device 222 can be deployed for irradiation of specific areas within the oral cavity, providing adjustability.

3. Although a slight temperature increase may occur when the wavelength spectrum irradiation device 222 is encased in a high-polymer hard resin shell, this increase is minimal because the irradiation occurs throughout the entire oral cavity environment, and saliva and other oral substances act as a barrier. Therefore, the temperature increase will not cause damage to the oral mucosa. Instead, the current power of the wavelength spectrum irradiation device 222 has a greater impact on the temperature. Thus, this invention controls the current power (wattage) and the heat generated during irradiation by the wavelength spectrum irradiation device 222 to match the oral cavity's acceptable temperature, thereby maintaining the temperature range generated by the current power of the wavelength spectrum irradiation device 222 within 33℃~38℃.

Therefore, through the irradiation method of this invention, wavelength irradiation can be provided to address conditions such as sleep apnea, dysphagia, periodontal disease, oral inflammation, and habitual ulcers caused by muscle relaxation. This is combined with oral muscle training, appropriate exercise, and protein supplementation to achieve the goal of oral muscle training for the recipient.

The embodiments described above are merely illustrative of the technical concept and features of this invention, intended to enable those skilled in the art to understand its content and implement it. They should not be used to limit the scope of this invention's patent; that is, any equivalent changes or modifications made in accordance with the spirit of this invention should still be covered within the scope of this invention's patent.

100: Oral Training System 200: Oral Training Device 210: Device Module 212: Phototherapy Anti-snoring Device 214: Soft Jaw 216: Outer Layer 220: Light Source Module 222: Wavelength Spectrum Irradiation Device 224: Irradiation Device 226: Carbon Quantum Dots 300: Control Module

Claims (8)

An oral training system includes: an oral training device; and a control module electrically connected to the oral training device to provide a control signal; wherein, the oral training device includes: a device module installed in the oral cavity of a user; and a light source module disposed in the device module and used to emit a light spectrum with a specific wavelength to a designated area of the oral cavity; the wavelength spectrum irradiation device of the light source module is selected from LED, MINI... The light source module comprises one or any combination of an LED, laser light device, pulsed light device, continuous light device, and carbon quantum dot (CQD). The characteristic feature is that when the wavelength spectrum irradiation device of the light source module is an irradiation device and a carbon quantum dot, the irradiation device can be used to emit a first wavelength spectrum, and the carbon quantum dot can be used to absorb the first wavelength spectrum to convert it into a second wavelength spectrum. The oral training system as described in claim 1, wherein the device module includes a phototherapy anti-snoring device, a light emitter for nasal treatment, a toothbrush, a gum care massager, and a brace-type toothbrush. The oral training system as described in claim 2, wherein when the device module is a phototherapy anti-snoring device, the phototherapy anti-snoring device includes a soft jaw portion and an outer layer portion, and the soft jaw portion and the outer layer portion are made of a transparent material. The oral training system as described in claim 3, wherein the main material structure of the soft jaw and the outer layer is a rigid biomolecular polymer, the occlusal contact surface of the soft jaw and the teeth has a thermoplastic transparent material, and the vertical surface of the outer layer has an opening and a latch. The oral training system as described in claim 4, wherein the temperature range generated by the current power of the wavelength irradiation device is between 33°C and 38°C. The oral training system as described in claim 1, wherein the control module may include a chip or a computing device, and the control module is used to install a control program or a control algorithm. The oral training system as described in claim 6, wherein the control program controls the wavelength spectrum irradiation based on settings including light intensity, duration, and frequency wavelength spectrum irradiation. The oral training system as described in claim 6, wherein the control algorithm is used to calculate optimized settings including irradiation control flow, intensity, duration, and frequency wavelength spectrum irradiation.