WO2016042767A1

WO2016042767A1 - Tool for determining oral cavity-related function

Info

Publication number: WO2016042767A1
Application number: PCT/JP2015/004736
Authority: WO
Inventors: 耕一郎豊田
Original assignee: 株式会社ジェイ・エム・エス
Priority date: 2014-09-16
Filing date: 2015-09-16
Publication date: 2016-03-24
Also published as: JP2016059466A

Abstract

An insert part 10 which is to be inserted into the oral cavity upon the determination of an oral cavity-related function is provided with a main body part 11 and a movable part 12. The movable part 12 is so configured as to be detached from the main body part 11 and move when a force applied in the oral cavity is equal to or larger than a predetermined value.

Description

Oral-related function judgment device

The present invention relates to an oral cavity related function determination device used when determining oral cavity related functions including a tongue.

For example, if oral-related functions decline due to aging or illness such as stroke, the ability to chew and swallow will decline, so if you swallow food or drink in the mouth, The phenomenon of entering (hereinafter, this phenomenon is referred to as aspiration) is likely to occur. It is also known that this aspiration may cause aspiration pneumonia.

In recent years, in order to improve QOL (Quality of Life) of elderly people, maintenance and recovery of feeding and swallowing functions are required, and it is necessary to clarify the functions. The movement of the tongue is deeply involved in the eating and swallowing functions, and a predetermined tongue pressure is required for the formation of the bolus and the feeding into the pharynx. For this reason, the measurement and analysis of tongue pressure as one of the oral-related functions are important.

Some methods for measuring tongue pressure are known, and for example, those disclosed in Patent Documents 1 and 2 are actually used in clinical practice. The oral cavity related pressure measuring device disclosed in Patent Document 1 uses a probe provided with a balloon. After the balloon is inserted into the oral cavity, when the balloon is pressed with the tongue, the pressure detection unit communicating with the balloon detects a change in the air pressure in the balloon, and the tongue pressure can be measured by converting it into an electrical signal. . In the measuring apparatus disclosed in Patent Document 1, the probe is positioned so that the hard ring attached to the probe is positioned at the lips or teeth.

The measuring device disclosed in Patent Document 2 includes a pressure sensor sheet having a pressure detection cell. With the pressure sensor sheet affixed to the palate, a series of tongue movements can be detected as an electrical signal by the pressure sensor sheet by actually chewing and swallowing food.

Japanese Patent No. 3801737 Japanese Patent No. 3713595

Comparing the devices of Patent Literatures 1 and 2, the device of Patent Literature 1 that can be easily positioned at the clinical site can be easily positioned at the clinical site, and the device of Patent Literature 2 is a preparation before measurement. Is rather complicated, it can be said to be a device suitable for research.

However, there is a problem that any of the devices in Patent Documents 1 and 2 requires electric power, and the measurer is limited to a function evaluation specialist, and anyone can easily determine oral-related functions. Absent.

The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and an object of the present invention is to enable anyone to easily determine oral-related functions even if they are not professionals.

In order to achieve the above object, the first invention provides:
In the oral-related function determination device for determining the oral-related function,
Having an insertion part to be inserted into the oral cavity at the time of determination of oral-related functions,
The insertion part includes a main body part and a movable part provided in the main body part,
The movable part is configured to move away from the main body part when a force applied to the movable part in the oral cavity is equal to or greater than a predetermined value.

According to this configuration, when determining a function related to the oral cavity, the insertion part is inserted into the oral cavity, and for example, a force is applied to the movable part by a muscle or the like that moves the tongue. If the force applied to the movable part is greater than or equal to a predetermined level and is strong enough to prevent swallowing or the like in terms of oral-related functions, the movable part moves away from the main body part. On the other hand, when the force applied to the movable part is weaker than a predetermined value and there is a problem with swallowing or the like in terms of oral cavity-related functions, the movable part does not leave the main body part. Therefore, it is possible to determine whether there is a problem on the oral cavity-related functions in a manner that anyone can easily and reliably recognize the separation and movement from the main body of the movable part. Oral related functions can be easily determined.

According to a second invention, in the first invention,
The main body portion of the insertion portion is provided with a base portion that extends outside the oral cavity in a state of being inserted into the oral cavity and is sandwiched by at least one of teeth and lips.

According to this configuration, when determining the oral cavity related function, the base portion extends to the outside of the oral cavity with the insertion portion inserted into the oral cavity. And the base part is clamped and fixed by at least one of a tooth | gear and a lip. Therefore, since the movable part is stabilized when a force is applied to the movable part in the oral cavity, an accurate determination result can be obtained.

According to a third invention, in the first invention,
The main body is formed in a cylindrical shape having a center line extending in a direction in which a force in the oral cavity is applied,
The movable part has a cylindrical part inserted concentrically with respect to the main body part,
The movable part is configured to move into the main body part when a force applied to the movable part in the oral cavity is a predetermined value or more.

According to this configuration, since the movable part moves in the direction in which the force is applied, it is possible to determine the oral-related function without giving the person to be judged uncomfortable.

According to a fourth invention, in the third invention,
A main body side protrusion is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the main body,
On the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical part of the movable part, a movable side protruding part that engages with the main body side protruding part is formed,
When the force applied to the movable part in the oral cavity is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, the movable side protruding part is configured to be detached from the main body side protruding part.

According to this configuration, the movable portion is fixed to the main body portion with the movable side protruding portion engaged with the main body side protruding portion. When determining the function related to the oral cavity, when the force applied to the movable part becomes greater than or equal to a predetermined value, the movable side protruding part is detached from the main body side protruding part, and the movable part moves in the direction in which the force is applied. Therefore, the determination result of the oral cavity related function can be reliably obtained by a simple configuration in which the movable side protrusion and the main body side protrusion that are engaged with each other are formed. Further, since the sound and vibration are likely to occur when the movable protrusion protrudes from the main protrusion, the person to be determined can know the determination result himself.

According to a fifth invention, in the third invention,
The cylindrical part of the movable part is divided into a first cylindrical part and a second cylindrical part arranged concentrically inside the first cylindrical part,
The first cylindrical portion is engaged with the main body portion, the second cylindrical portion is engaged with the first cylindrical portion,
The engaging force of the first tubular portion with the main body portion and the engaging force of the second tubular portion with the first tubular portion are different from each other and are intraoral with respect to the movable portion. It is characterized by being set so as to be disengaged when the applied force is equal to or greater than a predetermined value.

According to this configuration, for example, when the engagement force of the first tubular portion with the main body portion is smaller than the engagement force of the second tubular portion with the first tubular portion, the force is applied in the oral cavity. When added, first, the first tubular part is detached from the main body part, and then, when a stronger force is applied, the second tubular part is detached from the first tubular part. In this way, it is possible to determine the extent to which the person to be determined can apply even if the force that can be applied in the oral cavity is insufficient by making the part to be separated different depending on the strength of the force. It becomes possible.

According to the first invention, when the force applied in the oral cavity is greater than or equal to the predetermined value, the movable part can be moved away from the main body part, so that even if it is not a specialist, anyone can Related functions can be easily determined.

According to the second invention, since the base portion sandwiched between at least one of the teeth and the lips is provided, the movable portion can be stabilized when force is applied to the movable portion in the oral cavity, and an accurate determination result Can be obtained.

According to the third invention, when the force applied in the oral cavity to the movable part is greater than or equal to a predetermined value, the movable part moves in the direction in which the force is applied. The oral cavity-related function can be determined without giving

According to the fourth invention, since the cylindrical portion of the movable portion is inserted into the cylindrical main body portion and the main body side protruding portion and the movable side protruding portion are engaged with each other, the oral-related function can be achieved with a simple configuration. The determination result can be obtained with certainty.

According to the fifth invention, the first cylindrical part of the movable part is engaged with the main body part, the second cylindrical part is engaged with the first cylindrical part, and the first cylindrical part is connected to the main body part. Since the engaging force and the engaging force of the second tubular portion to the first tubular portion are different from each other, it is determined how much force the person to be determined can apply in the oral cavity. Can do.

It is a side view of the oral cavity related function determination instrument concerning Embodiment 1. It is a figure explaining the use condition of the oral cavity related function determination instrument which concerns on Embodiment 1. FIG. It is a bottom view of an oral cavity related function judging instrument concerning Embodiment 1. It is an expanded sectional view of the insertion part vicinity of the oral cavity related function determination instrument which concerns on Embodiment 1. FIG. It is a side view explaining the state after use of the oral cavity related function judging instrument concerning Embodiment 1. FIG. 6 is a view corresponding to FIG. 4 according to the second embodiment.

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

In the present specification, the “vertical direction” refers to the tongue and hard palate of the person to be determined (user) when the oral cavity related function determination device 1 of the present invention is inserted into the oral cavity as shown in FIG. It is a direction to push an insertion portion described later, and the “left / right direction” corresponds to the left / right direction of the person to be determined when the oral cavity related function determination device 1 is inserted into the oral cavity.

(Embodiment 1)
FIG. 1 shows an oral cavity related function determination device 1 according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. The mouth-related function determination device 1 is for determining a mouth-related function. Specifically, the mouth-related muscle strength, in particular, the strength of the muscle that moves the tongue, can be used without any problem in chewing and swallowing. It can be used to determine if it is at a level that can be done. As the function related to the oral cavity, for example, it can be used to determine the muscular strength of the lips and the sophistication of the operation of the tongue and lips.

Examples of the person to be determined using the oral-related function determination device 1 include a person whose swallowing function has decreased due to a disease such as stroke, a person whose swallowing function has decreased due to aging, and the like. For example, a person who has a reduced swallowing function or a person who is likely to decrease can be widely determined.

As shown in FIG. 3, the oral cavity related function determination instrument 1 includes an insertion portion 10 that is inserted into the determination subject's oral cavity when the oral cavity related function is determined, and a base 20 that extends so as to extend from the insertion portion 10. I have. Examples of the material for the insertion portion 10 and the base portion 20 include silicone rubber, polypropylene, polyethylene, polyvinyl chloride, thermoplastic elastomer, natural rubber, and the like, but are not limited thereto, and when inserted into the oral cavity. A soft material having a hardness that does not damage the mucous membrane in the oral cavity is preferable. In addition, it is preferable to use an elastomer that is inexpensive, has good moldability, and has high safety to the human body. Although specifically described later, only a part of the oral cavity related function determination device 1 may be a soft material, and the other part may be a hard material harder than the soft material.

The material of the insertion portion 10 and the base portion 20 may be different materials. By making the material of the base part 20 harder than the material of the insertion part 10, the base part 20 can be firmly fixed at the time of use mentioned later.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 4, the insertion portion 10 includes a main body portion 11 and a movable portion 12 provided in the main body portion 11. The base portion 20 is provided integrally with the movable portion 12 and extends to the outside of the oral cavity in a state where the insertion portion 10 is inserted into the oral cavity and is sandwiched between at least one of the determination subject's teeth and lips. . Specifically, the base 20 is formed in a plate shape. The width (dimension in the left-right direction) of the base 20 is set to, for example, 20 mm to 30 mm, and the length is set to 80 mm to 90 mm. However, these dimensions are only examples, and are matched to the gender and physique of the person to be judged. Can be changed.

As shown in FIG. 2, in the use state of the oral cavity related function determination instrument 1, one side in the longitudinal direction of the base 20 is inserted into the oral cavity, and the other side goes out of the oral cavity. As shown in FIG. 3, the edge part of the longitudinal direction one side (right side of FIG. 3) of the base 20 is formed in circular arc shape. This is a shape along the outer edge of the insertion portion 10. Moreover, the edge part of the other side (left side of FIG. 3) of the base 20 is also formed in circular arc shape.

As shown in FIG. 1, a plurality of upper ridges 21 a are formed on the upper surface 21 of the base 20. Each upper ridge portion 21a extends in the width direction of the base portion 20, and is gently curved so as to form an arc in a plan view. The arc shape of the upper ridge portion 21a corresponds to, for example, a sequence of adult front teeth A and B (shown in FIG. 2). The upper ridges 21 a are arranged at intervals in the longitudinal direction of the base 20. An upper groove 21b is formed between the upper ridges 21a adjacent to each other in the longitudinal direction of the base 20. Although details will be described later, the upper groove 21b is for fitting the upper front tooth A of the determination subject.

As shown in FIG. 3, a plurality of lower ridges 22 a are also formed on the lower surface 22 of the base 20. The number of the lower ridges 22a is larger than that of the upper ridges 21a, and the formation of the lower ridges 22a on the lower surface of the base 20 is greater than the formation range of the upper ridges 21a on the upper surface of the base 20. The range is wider.

The lower ridge 22a has substantially the same curvature as the upper ridge 21a, and the lower ridge 22a is longer than the upper ridge 21a. A plurality of lower grooves 22b are also formed on the lower surface 22 of the base portion 20 by the formation of the lower ridge portions 22a. Although details will be described later, the lower groove 22b is for fitting the lower front tooth B of the person to be determined.

The upper ridge portion 21 a and the lower ridge portion 22 a are arranged so as to be shifted from each other in the longitudinal direction of the base portion 20. That is, the lower ridge 22a is not positioned directly below the upper ridge 21a. Accordingly, the upper groove 21b and the lower groove 22b are also displaced from each other in the longitudinal direction of the base portion 20. The shift amount between the upper groove 21b and the lower groove 22b is set in consideration of the shift amount in the front-rear direction between the upper end of the upper front tooth A and the upper end of the lower front tooth B of a general adult. It can be set to ~ 2 mm. The shift amount between the upper groove 21b and the lower groove 22b is an amount corresponding to the shift amount in the front-rear direction between the lower end of the upper front tooth A and the upper end of the lower front tooth B.

As shown in FIG. 4, on one side in the longitudinal direction of the base portion 20, a through hole 23 that penetrates in the vertical direction (thickness direction of the base portion 20) is formed in a portion corresponding to the insertion portion 10. The through hole 23 is circular and communicates with the hollow portion R of the insertion portion 10. By forming the through hole 23, the hollow portion R is opened.

Further, an annular ridge portion 25 that protrudes downward and extends in the circumferential direction of the through hole 23 is provided at the peripheral edge portion of the through hole 23 on the lower surface 22 of the base portion 20. The protruding portion 25 is formed to have a diameter that decreases toward the distal end side (lower side) in the protruding direction, and is a portion for fixing the main body portion 11 of the insertion portion 10. A lower end surface 25a of the ridge portion 25 is formed of a substantially flat surface and extends in a direction substantially orthogonal to the center line S.

As shown in FIG. 3, a circular through hole 24 is formed at the end of the base 20 opposite to the side where the insertion portion 10 is formed. The through-hole 24 is for hooking through a hook or the like when storing the oral cavity related function determination device 1, or for allowing a person to be determined to hold the oral cavity related function determination device 1 through a finger. .

As shown in FIG. 4, the main body portion 11 of the insertion portion 10 is formed in a cylindrical shape having a center line S extending in a direction (substantially vertical direction) in which a force is applied in the oral cavity. The main body 11 is formed to have a smaller diameter as it goes downward as a whole. Therefore, the main body 11 is fixed to the base 20 in a state where the protrusion 25 of the base 20 is fitted inside the upper end of the main body 11.

A main body side protruding portion 11 a is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the lower end portion of the main body portion 11. The main body side protruding portion 11a may be formed in an annular shape that extends over the entire circumference of the inner peripheral surface of the main body portion 11, or may have a shape that extends intermittently. Moreover, the number of the main body side protrusions 11a can be set to an arbitrary number, and when a plurality of main body side protrusions 11a are provided, it is preferable to provide them at substantially equal intervals in the circumferential direction.

The movable portion 12 has a cylindrical portion 12a that is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape and extends in the vertical direction, and an end plate portion 12f that extends so as to close the lower end opening of the cylindrical portion 12a. The cylindrical portion 12a and the end plate portion 12f are integrally formed. The lower surface of the end plate portion 12f is curved downward.

An enlarged diameter portion 12b is provided on the upper portion of the cylindrical portion 12a. The enlarged diameter portion 12b is formed so that the diameter increases toward the upper end. A stopper portion 12c is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the upper portion of the enlarged diameter portion 12b so as to protrude outward in the radial direction. The stopper portion 12c is continuous in the circumferential direction of the enlarged diameter portion 12b. The outer diameter of the portion other than the portion where the stopper portion 12 c is formed in the cylindrical portion 12 a is set smaller than the inner diameter of the lower end portion of the main body portion 11, and the cylindrical portion 12 a is centered with respect to the main body portion 11. It is inserted concentrically around the line S.

On the other hand, the outer diameter of the portion of the cylindrical portion 12a where the stopper portion 12c is provided is set larger than the inner diameter of the portion of the main body portion 11 where the main body side protruding portion 11a is provided, and the stopper of the cylindrical portion 12a. In a state where the portion 12c is inserted into the main body side protruding portion 11a, the movable portion 12 is prevented from being detached from the main body portion 11 by the stopper portion 12c being hooked and engaged with the main body side protruding portion 11a from above. .

Further, on the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 12a, a movable side protruding portion 12d that is engaged by being hooked on the main body side protruding portion 11a is formed. The movable protrusion 12d is disposed away from the stopper 12c. Since the main body side protruding portion 11a is positioned between the movable side protruding portion 12d and the stopper portion 12c and engages with the movable side protruding portion 12d and the stopper portion 12c, the movable portion 12 moves vertically relative to the main body portion 11. It will not move in the direction.

In this embodiment, when the force applied to the movable part 12 in the oral cavity is greater than or equal to a predetermined value, the movable part 12 moves upward with respect to the main body part 11, that is, moves into the main body part 11. Has been. That is, the above-described configuration is embodied by setting the engagement force between the main body side protruding portion 11a and the movable side protruding portion 12d. For example, if the protrusion amount of the main body side protrusion 11a and the protrusion amount of the movable protrusion 12d are reduced, the engagement force between the main body protrusion 11a and the movable protrusion 12d is reduced. Further, the engagement force between the main body side protruding portion 11a and the movable side protruding portion 12d is also reduced by reducing the mutual contact area when the main body side protruding portion 11a and the movable side protruding portion 12d are in the engaged state. Become. Further, the engagement force between the main body side protruding portion 11a and the movable side protruding portion 12d is also reduced by reducing the rigidity of the main body side protruding portion 11a and the movable side protruding portion 12d.

The force applied to the movable part 12 in the oral cavity is due to the muscle strength in the oral cavity of the person to be judged. If the muscle power in the oral cavity is strong, the force applied to the movable part 12 in the oral cavity becomes strong. In this embodiment, the force applied to the movable part 12 in the oral cavity is greater than or equal to a predetermined value because the person to be judged has a muscle strength that can be used for chewing and swallowing without problems in a normal meal. That is.

In addition, as described above, the criterion for determining the force applied to the movable portion 12 in the oral cavity may be based on whether or not it has a level of muscular strength that allows chewing and swallowing without problems in a normal meal. Not limited to this, it may be set to a lower level depending on the age and illness condition, and may be a standard that can determine the degree of ability recovery by mastication or swallowing rehabilitation.

In this embodiment, the engaging force between the movable side protruding portion 12d and the main body side protruding portion 11a is such that when the force applied to the movable portion 12 in the oral cavity exceeds a predetermined value, the movable side protruding portion 12d It sets so that it may detach | leave from the side protrusion part 11a.

Next, the case where the oral cavity related function determination device 1 configured as described above is used will be described. First, as shown in FIG. 2, the insertion portion 10 side of the base portion 20 is inserted into the determination subject's oral cavity, the insertion portion 10 reaches the tongue, and the insertion portion 10 side of the base portion 20 reaches the palate. At that point, stop further insertion. In this state, the other end portion in the longitudinal direction of the base portion 20 protrudes from the oral cavity. At this time, since the upper groove 21b and the lower groove 22b are formed in the base portion 20 to facilitate bending deformation, the base portion 20 can be elastically deformed so as to correspond to the shape of the oral cavity.

Then, the person to be judged bites the base 20 with the front teeth A and B. Then, the upper front tooth A fits into the upper groove 21b, and the lower front tooth B fits into the lower groove 22b. At this time, the upper groove 21b and the lower groove 22b are curved so as to correspond to the upper front teeth A and the lower front teeth B, respectively, so that the person to be judged only needs to naturally bite the base 20 and the front teeth A , B are surely fitted in both

grooves

21b, 22b. Further, generally, the lower end of the upper front tooth A of the person to be judged and the upper end of the lower front tooth B are displaced in the front-rear direction. In this embodiment, the upper groove 21b and the lower groove 22b are arranged in front of and behind the person to be judged. Since it is shifted in the direction, this also ensures that the front teeth A and B fit into the

grooves

21b and 22b only by the person to be judged naturally biting the base 20. As a result, the base 20 is stably fixed to the person to be determined.

Moreover, when adjusting the position of the insertion part 10 in the insertion direction in the oral cavity, the base part 20 may be taken in and out. In this case, the base part 20 is provided with a plurality of upper grooves 21b and lower grooves 22b. Even after the position adjustment, the front teeth A and B are surely fitted into the grooves 11b and 12b only by biting the base 20. Therefore, for example, even if the same oral cavity related function determination instrument 1 is used by a plurality of determination persons having different genders, physiques, and the like, the insertion portion 10 can be disposed at a position suitable for each.

After that, the person to be measured applies force to push up the tongue. Since the tongue is in contact with the end plate portion 12 f of the movable portion 12, an upward force is applied to the movable portion 12. At this time, since the insertion portion 10 side of the base 20 is in contact with the palate and does not move further upward, when the force applied to the movable portion 12 in the oral cavity is a predetermined value or more, In terms of function, the strength is such that there is no problem with swallowing. In this case, the movable side protruding portion 12d is detached from the main body side protruding portion 11a. Thereby, as shown in FIG. 5, the movable portion 12 moves upward, and the substantially upper half portion of the movable portion 12 is accommodated in the main body portion 11. When the upper end surface of the movable portion 12 comes into contact with the lower end surface 25a of the protrusion 25 in the base portion 20, the upward movement of the movable portion 12 is stopped. Since the sound and vibration are generated when the movable side protruding portion 12d is detached from the main body side protruding portion 11a, the person to be determined can know the determination result himself.

It should be noted that the main body side protruding portion 11a and the peripheral portion including the main body side protruding portion 11a can be made of a hard material that is harder than other portions. Moreover, the surrounding part including the movable side protrusion part 12d and the movable side protrusion part 12d can also be comprised with a hard material hard compared with another part. Thus, when the movable protrusion 12d is detached from the main protrusion 11a, sound and vibration are easily generated, and the sound and vibration can be increased. And the people around it are easier to detect.

Also, the end plate portion 12f in the movable portion 12 can be made of a soft material that is softer than other portions. Thereby, most of the tongue is made of a soft material, so that the feeling of use of the measurement subject can be improved. Moreover, the part which hits the palate by the side of the through-hole 23 in the base 20 can also be comprised with a soft material softer than another part. Thereby, since most of which corresponds to the palate is made of a soft material, it is possible to improve the feeling of use of the measurement subject. The above-described change depending on the part of the material can be achieved, for example, by combining separately molded parts, but by a molding method (for example, a die slide injection molding method) in which a molding die is automatically replaced in a molding apparatus. Can also be achieved.

On the other hand, when the force applied to the movable part 12 in the oral cavity is weaker than a predetermined value, there is a problem in swallowing or the like in terms of oral function. Since 12d does not detach from the main body side protruding portion 11a, the movable portion 12 does not move.

As described above, according to the oral cavity related function determination device 1 according to the first embodiment, whether or not there is a problem on the oral cavity related function is referred to as separation and movement of the movable part 12 from the main body part 11. Since anyone can easily and reliably make a determination, it is possible for anyone to easily determine oral-related functions even if they are not professionals.

Also, the base 20 can be clamped by at least one of teeth and lips. Since the base portion 20 is provided, the movable portion 12 can be stabilized when a force is applied to the movable portion 12 in the oral cavity, and an accurate determination result can be obtained.

(Embodiment 2)
FIG. 6 shows an oral cavity related function determination device 1 according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention. The second embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that the movable part 12 has a two-stage structure. Hereinafter, the same parts as those of the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals as those of the first embodiment, and the description thereof will be omitted. The parts different from those of the first embodiment will be described in detail.

The cylindrical portion 12a of the movable portion 12 according to the second embodiment includes a first cylindrical portion 12A and a second cylinder arranged concentrically on the inner side of the first cylindrical portion 12A in the middle portion in the center line S direction. It is divided into a shape portion 12B. 12 A of 1st cylindrical parts have the enlarged diameter part 12b, and the stopper part 12c and the movable side protrusion part 12d are formed in the outer peripheral surface of the enlarged diameter part 12b. 12 A of 1st cylindrical parts are engaged with the main-body part 11 by the movable side protrusion part 12d.

The outer peripheral surface of the second cylindrical portion 12B is engaged with the first cylindrical portion 12A. That is, the lower protrusion 12i is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the upper portion of the first cylindrical portion 12A. A first projecting portion 12g and a second projecting portion 12h are formed on the outer peripheral surface of the upper portion of the second cylindrical portion 12B with a space in the vertical direction. The lower protrusion 12i of the first cylindrical portion 12A is positioned between the first protrusion 12g and the second protrusion 12h so as to engage with the first protrusion 12g and the second protrusion 12h. It has become. When the lower protruding portion 12i is engaged with the first protruding portion 12g, the second cylindrical portion 12B is prevented from being detached from the first cylindrical portion 12A.

The engaging force of the first cylindrical portion 12A to the main body portion 11 and the engaging force of the second cylindrical portion 12B to the first cylindrical portion 12A are different from each other, and within the oral cavity with respect to the movable portion 12. It is set so as to be disengaged when the applied force exceeds a predetermined value. That is, the engaging force of the first cylindrical portion 12A to the main body portion 11 can be changed according to the setting method of the engaging force between the main body side protruding portion 11a and the movable side protruding portion 12d, as in the first embodiment. . Similarly, the engaging force of the second cylindrical portion 12B to the first cylindrical portion 12A can also be changed depending on the size of the lower protruding portion 12i and the second protruding portion 12h, the contact area with each other, and the like.

In this embodiment, the engaging force of the first cylindrical portion 12A to the main body portion 11 is set to be larger than the engaging force of the second cylindrical portion 12B to the first cylindrical portion 12A. Therefore, when the person to be judged gradually applies force to the movable portion 12 with the tongue while the insertion portion 10 is inserted into the oral cavity, first, the second tubular portion 12B is engaged with the first tubular portion 12A. Is released, and then the engagement of the first cylindrical portion 12A with the main body portion 11 is released.

For example, when the muscle strength related to the oral cavity is weaker than a predetermined value, only the engagement of the second cylindrical portion 12B with the first cylindrical portion 12A is released, and the engagement of the first cylindrical portion 12A with the main body portion 11 is released. May not be released. Further, if it is weaker, even the engagement of the second tubular portion 12B with the first tubular portion 12A may not be released. In this embodiment, since the engaging force of the first tubular portion 12A to the main body portion 11 and the engaging force of the second tubular portion 12B to the first tubular portion 12A are changed, the oral cavity of the subject is measured. When the related muscular strength is weaker than a predetermined value, it can be specifically determined how much it is.

As described above, according to the oral cavity related function determination device 1 according to the second embodiment, as in the first embodiment, anyone can easily determine the oral cavity related function even if it is not a specialist. In addition, when the measurement subject's mouth-related muscular strength is weaker than a predetermined value, it can be specifically determined how much it is.

In addition, in the said Embodiment 2, although it has set as the structure which shrinks the movable part 12 in two steps, it is good also as a structure which shrink | contracts in three steps or more without limiting to this. In this case, a cylindrical part having the same configuration as the first cylindrical part 12A may be added.

Further, in the first embodiment, a plurality of oral cavity related function determination devices 1 having different engagement forces between the main body side protruding portion 11a and the movable side protruding portion 12d may be prepared and set. Thereby, when the to-be-measured person's oral-related muscular strength is weaker than predetermined, it can be determined concretely.

Further, the engagement structure between the main body side protruding portion 11a and the movable side protruding portion 12d is not limited to the above-described structure. For example, the main body portion 11 and the movable portion 12 are integrally formed by a thin resin portion. Alternatively, when the force applied to the movable part 12 in the oral cavity is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, the thin part may be broken to cause the movable part 12 to be detached from the main body part 11.

The above-described embodiment is merely an example in all respects and should not be interpreted in a limited manner. Further, all modifications and changes belonging to the equivalent scope of the claims are within the scope of the present invention.

As described above, the oral cavity related function determination device according to the present invention can be used, for example, when determining oral muscle related muscle strength.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Oral-related function determination instrument 10 Insertion part 11 Main body part 11a Main body side protrusion part 12 Movable part 12A 1st cylindrical part 12B Second cylindrical part 12a Tubular part 12d Movable side protrusion part 20 Base

Claims

In the oral-related function determination device for determining the oral-related function,
Having an insertion part to be inserted into the oral cavity at the time of determination of oral-related functions,
The insertion part includes a main body part and a movable part provided in the main body part,
The movable part is configured to move away from the main body when the force applied to the movable part in the oral cavity is greater than or equal to a predetermined value. .
In the oral cavity related function determination instrument according to claim 1,
An oral cavity-related function determination device characterized in that the main body portion of the insertion portion is provided with a base portion that extends to the outside of the oral cavity while being inserted into the oral cavity and is sandwiched by at least one of teeth and lips.
In the oral cavity related function determination instrument according to claim 1,
The main body is formed in a cylindrical shape having a center line extending in a direction in which a force in the oral cavity is applied,
The movable part has a cylindrical part inserted concentrically with respect to the main body part,
An oral cavity-related function determination device, wherein the movable part is configured to move into the main body when a force applied to the movable part in the oral cavity is greater than or equal to a predetermined value.
In the oral cavity related function determination instrument according to claim 3,
A main body side protrusion is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the main body,
On the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical part of the movable part, a movable side protruding part that engages with the main body side protruding part is formed,
Oral-related function determination, wherein when the force applied in the oral cavity to the movable part is greater than or equal to a predetermined value, the movable-side protrusion is configured to separate from the main-body-side protrusion. Instruments.
In the oral cavity related function determination instrument according to claim 3,
The cylindrical part of the movable part is divided into a first cylindrical part and a second cylindrical part arranged concentrically inside the first cylindrical part,
The first cylindrical portion is engaged with the main body portion, the second cylindrical portion is engaged with the first cylindrical portion,
The engaging force of the first tubular portion with the main body portion and the engaging force of the second tubular portion with the first tubular portion are different from each other and are intraoral with respect to the movable portion. An oral cavity-related function determination device, wherein the device is set so as to be detached when an applied force is equal to or greater than a predetermined value.