WO2015156680A1

WO2015156680A1 - An oral device for the intake of a fluid

Info

Publication number: WO2015156680A1
Application number: PCT/NO2015/050064
Authority: WO
Inventors: Ole Jakob DJUPVIK; Dag Kristoffer DJUPVIK; Bjarte HØYDAL
Original assignee: Letsip As
Priority date: 2014-04-09
Filing date: 2015-04-09
Publication date: 2015-10-15
Also published as: NO20140465A1; NO337535B1

Abstract

The present invention relates to an oral device(1) for the intake of a fluid, comprising a mouthpiece (2) comprising a lip stopper (3) to be placed on the outer side of the lips connected via a connection part (4) to a tongue stopper (5) to be placed between the lips and the teeth, said mouthpiece (2) having a passageway (6) for fluids for an end of a straw (7) to be inserted through the lip stopper (3) and the connection part (4) and into the tongue stopper(5). Further, the present invention relates to the use of an oral device.

Description

An oral device for the intake of a fluid

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an oral device for the intake of a fluid that encourages tongue retraction and improves lip closure to be used by individuals, especially infants/children with low muscle tone having problems with suckling.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Infants/children with low muscle tone (hypotonia) often experience difficulties when fed due to problems with suckling. The reason for this is a protruding tongue causing difficulties in forming a seal while suckling. This is especially a problem in children with Down syndrome. After a period of suckling, usually until the end of their first year, children will move on from suckling to sucking. Children with low muscle tone have difficulties developing a sucking behavior and many will continue suckling for the rest of their lives, even as adults. Also individuals having neurological and functional development disorders leading to a misuse of the oral musculatures when eating chewing, sucking, drinking and/or talking will benefit from the present invention.

US 7,137,393 B2 discloses an apparatus for normalizing breathing and thereby preventing snoring, teeth grinding and the like. Said apparatus is for placement in the mouth of a user, comprising a tongue receiving structure for positioning/restraining the tongue, said tongue receiving structure being attached to a shaft comprising a lip plate and an outer shield including an inlet tube in fluid communication with the rest of the apparatus. The inlet tube is adapted for connection to devices enabling gases and medicine to be delivered to the user.

EP 1 075 848 A2 describes a system for oral delivery of gases comprising a mouthpiece comprising a tongue depressor and a vestibular shield for location between the teeth and lips/cheeks of a wearer for receiving and sealing the lips of a user. A gases pathway is provided through said vestibular shield.

US 5,590,643 A relates to a device for intubating the airway, and comprises a C-shaped portion for the purpose of tongue retraction. Said device further comprises an oval opening for facilitating insertion of an endoscope or related medical instruments. Said device also comprises a flange shaped portion which lies on the lips of the ser and provides a protecting and sealing advantage.

US 8,613,279 B2 discloses an apparatus for supplying gas to a patient for breathing assistance. Said apparatus comprises a mouthpiece with a structure for depressing the tongue and a lip support. Further, the mouthpiece has an inlet and an outlet forming a passage for gases.

US 2013/0200029 Al describes a mouthpiece for drinking, especially for babies and young children. The mouthpiece comprises a structure for lying against the tongue and an enlarged neck for the attachment of a drinking straw or the like.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide an oral device for the intake of a fluid that will prevent the tongue from protruding and improve lip closure, thereby enabling a sucking behaviour during the drinking process instead of a suckling behaviour.

In a first aspect of the present invention, it is provided an oral device for the intake of a fluid, comprising a mouthpiece comprising a lip stopper to be placed on the outer side of the lips connected via a connection part to a tongue stopper to be placed between the lips and the teeth, said mouthpiece having a passageway for fluids for an end of a straw to be inserted through the lip stopper and the connection part and into the tongue stopper.

In a second aspect, the present invention provides the use of an oral device. Preferred embodiments of the present invention are set forth in the dependent claims.

DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

Preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be illustrated in more detail with reference to the accompanying figures. Figure 1 illustrates the device according to the present invention with the mouthpiece in place in a user, demonstrating the position of the mouthpiece in the oral cavity of the user.

Figure 2 is a side view of the mouthpiece.

Figure 3 is a top view of the mouthpiece.

Figure 4 is a front view of the mouthpiece.

Figure 5 is a front/side perspective view of the device showing the connection of the mouthpiece to a drinking straw.

Figure 6 is a side view of the device showing the mouthpiece connected to a drinking straw placed inside a bottle.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The problem sought to be solved by the present invention is to encourage tongue retraction and improve lip closure. This will improve the infants/children's suckling by increasing the activity of lips and cheek and the development of sucking instead of suckling and also stimulate the development of the upper jaw leading to the formation of a normal oval form of the palate.

The present invention will also prevent respiratory infections which is a frequent problem in infants and children having problem suckling and swallow.

The present invention provides an oral device 1 for the intake of a fluid, e.g. a liquid, comprising a mouthpiece 2 comprising a lip stopper 3 to be placed on the outer side of the lips connected via a connection part 4 to a tongue stopper 5 to be placed between the lips and the teeth, said mouthpiece 2 being constructed to comprise a passageway 6 making room for a straw 7, e.g. a drinking straw, to be inserted through the lip stopper 3 and the connection part 4 and into the tongue stopper 5.

It is however, also possible to place a stem 8 in the front of the lip stopper where e.g. a drinking straw 7 may be pressed. Figure 1 shows an embodiment of the device 1 when in place in a user. A mouthpiece 2 comprises a lip stopper 3 and a tongue stopper 5, connected via a connection part 4, said tongue stopper 5 being placed inside the oral cavity, between the lips and teeth, preventing the tongue from protruding and thereby favoring a sucking behavior instead of the undesired suckling behavior. The mouthpiece 2 is provided with a passageway 6 for fluids. A straw 7 for fluid supply is connected to the mouthpiece 2 via a stem 8.

An important feature of the invention which constitutes an improvement of the prior art is the fact that the tongue stopper 5 is placed between the lips and the front teeth.

The tongue stopper 5 is formed allowing the fluid to pass and at the same time keeping the tongue retracted. The distance between said tongue stopper 5 and lip stopper 3 can vary and will generally be adapted to the user's need and/or lip size.

Figure 2 is a side view of the mouthpiece 2, showing in detail an embodiment of said mouthpiece 2, comprising the lip stopper 3, the tongue stopper 5 and the stem 8. Figure 3 is a top view of the mouthpiece 2, and Figure 4 is a front view of the mouthpiece 2, showing the lip stopper 3, the tongue stopper 5, and the fluid passageway 6.

In Figure 5, the device 1 is shown in a front/side perspective view. The mouthpiece 2 is connected to the straw 7 via the stem 8. In Figure 6, a side view of the device shows how the mouthpiece 2 is connected via the stem 8 to the straw 7 which extends into a bottle.

The device according to the invention is placed inside the mouth right behind the lips, in front of the teeth, i.e. between the lips and teeth. When sucking, the jaw muscles open slightly, forming a gap between the upper and lower teeth. The tongue might easily protrude and be a hindrance during the drinking sequence. The tongue stopper 5 according to the invention prevents the tongue from protruding.

The device 1 according to the invention stops right on the inside of the lips, i.e is placed with the tongue stopper 5 between the user's lips and teeth, said device 1 comprises a passageway 6 for the drink and tongue stopper 5 preventing the tongue from coming out of the mouth or take part in the drinking process in such position. Further, the device 1 might comprise a stem 8 in the front of the lip stopper. When the tongue does not protrude, an active retraction of the tongue is obtained. Lip closure, cheek and tongue are thereby stimulated. In particular, the following muscles are stimulated: m. Levator labiisuperioris aequenasi, m. Zyonatius minor, m. Zyomatius major, m. Buccinator, m. Orbicularis oris, m.n Triangularis, m. Mentalis, and tongue muscles. In addition, jaw stability is stimulated.

The present invention provides a device able to stimulate tongue, cheek and lip muscles simultaneously. This is not achieved with prior art devices. Due to the present invention, both children and adults can develop from a suckling behavior to a sucking behavior when drinking. Several muscle groups are needed for this in one large movement, and such movement is caused by the device according to the invention.

The device according to the invention promote tongue retraction and is helpful for correcting the tongue position. Further, lip closure is improved.

The device is used to stop or make the tongue passive in order to not protrude when drinking with a straw or spout. Due to the tongue stopper 5, the tongue does not have the space or is not able to take an active part in the sucking process. The device 1 functions both as a training and maintenance device for anyone who has reduced tonus (hypotonia) in the musculature, or has neurological and functional development disorders leading to a misuse of the oral musculatures when eating, chewing, sucking, drinking and/or talking.

There are known products for making the tongue passive or stopping it. It is known to make a lip stopper and shorten the end of the drinking straw so that the lips only may fold around the straw. Often, the tongue is not made passive with such device. The tongue protrudes under the straw, together with the lower lip, resulting in a suckling behavior. Many people are not able to develop a sucking behavior and continue suckling during their whole lifetime, with the straw lying well onto the tongue.

The device according to the present invention is made for people who up till their birth have had a normal cranium and jaw development. Ultrasound scans show a more normal sucking behavior than observed after birth. After birth, all children are influenced by the air and gravity. Children with reduced muscle tonus (hypotonia) will experience this phase to a larger extent than normally developed children. This leads to difficulties both during breast feeding and bottle feeding. Several methods are used to improve the hypotonia and start the breast feeding process, to avoid undernourishment and probe feeding or percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) in the stomach.

In this early phase with a large struggle to swallow, many of the weakest children develop chronic respiratory infections, blocked ears, nose and throat infections. If the nose is blocked, the children will have problems breathing normally and might develop a chronic mouth breathing habit. Further in this process, they will often keep their mouths open to breathe, the tongue is hypotonic and protrude, and the mandible will be hanging down. In such situations, the development of the upper jaw is not stimulated and the tongue will not be involved in the formation of a normal oval form of the palate. The palate becomes high and narrow, the tongue does not have enough space and does not reach the palate. The children will not be able to form a vacuum with their tongues. In this way, the children will not be able to sit with their mouth closed, and the jaw will fall down and the tongue protrude. This process starts already in the first year of life and cannot be reversed. There will be insufficient room for the teeth and often the teeth will grow forward, making lip closure difficult.

Lips, tongue, palate, jaws and cheek musculatures are i.a. active in the eating and drinking processes. Oral Placement Therapy (USA) and Orofacial Regulation Therapy (Argentina, USA, Germany) are used to help children develop suckling and later sucking. Sucking will develop in the end of the first year of life, after a period of breast/bottle feeding.

Normally, the development of a sucking behavior will commence with drinks having a slightly thick consistency, and later thinner drinks. In the first phase, they are suckling on the straw. The straw is made shorter, but the tongue often follows and will not be made passive by the lip stopper.

The device 1 according to the present invention might be used in an improved method for the oral intake of a fluid, e.g. a liquid, said method comprising placing a mouthpiece 2 in the oral cavity of a user, said mouthpiece 2 comprising a lip stopper 3 to be placed on the outer side of the lips connected via a connection part 4 to a tongue stopper 5 to be placed between the lips and the teeth, said mouthpiece 2 being constructed to comprise a passageway 6 making room for a straw 7, e.g. a drinking straw, to be inserted through the lip stopper 3 and the connection part 4 and into the tongue stopper 5. Further, the mouthpiece 2 might be connected to a stem 8.

Said method prevents the tongue from protruding when drinking, improves tongue retraction and lip closure and prevents respiratory infections.

In one embodiment, the tongue stopper 5 is included on the mouthpiece 2 about 1 - 25 mm in front of the lip stopper 3. In another embodiment, said tongue stopper 5 is included on the mouthpiece 2 about 1.5 - 15 mm in front of the lip stopper 3. In another embodiment, said tongue stopper 5 is included on the mouthpiece 2 about 2 - 10 mm in front of the lip stopper 3. In another embodiment, said tongue stopper 5 is included on the mouthpiece 2 about 2 - 6 mm in front of the lip stopper 3.

Said tongue stopper 5 inactivates the role and function of the tongue in the sucking process. There is less possibility to place the tongue under the straw and instead, the lips get a better grip around the straw, with sufficient lip closure. The cheeks become more active in the sucking, the tongue is retracted (backwards) in the sucking process, which is one of the main objectives.

In one embodiment, the mouthpiece 2 comprises a tongue stopper 5 to be placed between the lips and the teeth, without having a lip stopper connected to said mouthpiece 2.

Many disabled persons suckle all their lives, also as adults. The tongue often makes a uniform movement forwards and out of the mouth, so that the food is pressed into the mouth without chewing and the food is swallowed in large bites.

The device according to the invention will be an aid that is used for a shorter period in the development or used daily to improve the drinking function and as maintenance training. It helps to prevent the tongue from moving forwards and out while drinking. The rigid forward-movement of the tongue is inactivated and instead, lips and cheeks become more active. The tongue will become statically inactivated or it will behave in a normal pattern, i.e. by retracting. This might stimulate a better eating and drinking pattern. The device according to the invention may also be fitted with, or molded with, different sensoric parts in an effort to trigger the muscles in the area in order to make them work more efficiently. According to a further possible embodiment of the invention, the device may also be turned around and used with the tongue stopper placed between the upper lip and the teeth. In this position the device will trigger the muscles in, and around, the upper lip. Increased movement in this area is indicated to have a positive effect on the tongue activity. This is important in order to improve the function of the tongue, resulting in better speech and improved swallowing ability.

The device according to the invention may for instance be using for stoke patients having difficulty swallowing (dysphagia), in order to enable them to eat and drink as early as possible.

Claims

W e a l m

1.

An oral device (1) for the intake of a fluid,

c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n that it comprises a mouthpiece (2) comprising a lip stopper (3) to be placed on the outer side of the lips connected via a connection part (4) to a tongue stopper (5) to be placed between the lips and the teeth, said mouthpiece (2) having a passageway (6) for fluids for an end of a straw (7) to be inserted through the lip stopper (3) and the connection part (4) and into the tongue stopper (5).

2.

An oral device (1) according to claim 1, wherein the distance between said tongue stopper (4) and lip stopper (3) is 1 - 25 mm.

3.

An oral device (1) according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein said device comprises a stem (8) placed in front of the lip stopper (3).

4.

An oral device (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the fluid is a liquid.

5.

Use of an oral device (1) according to any of the preceding claims for correction of the tongue position and/or tongue retraction.

6.

Use of an oral device (1) according to any of the preceding claims for improved lip closure.

7.

Use of an oral device (1) according to any of the preceding claims for the prevention of respiratory infections.