WO2017086776A1

WO2017086776A1 - Device suitable for influencing the intake of food through the oral cavity of a human

Info

Publication number: WO2017086776A1
Application number: PCT/NL2016/050760
Authority: WO
Inventors: Johannes Bonefatio Thomas Maria Renders
Original assignee: Johannes Bonefatio Thomas Maria Renders
Priority date: 2015-11-20
Filing date: 2016-11-02
Publication date: 2017-05-26
Also published as: NL2015827B1

Abstract

The invention relates to a device suitable for influencing the intake of food through the oral cavity of a human, comprising anchoring means which can be applied to one or several teeth of both the upper and the lower jaw, and at least one elongated element that can be placed around the front of the upper or lower jaw. The device according to the invention is characterized in that said elongated element is fixedly connected by its two element ends to the anchoring means present on the respective other jaw. This renders possible a simple placement in the mouth without the necessity of complicated dental treatments which are unpleasant (painful) for a patient. In addition, a direct coupling between the two jaws is achieved, wherein the movement of the jaws away from one another can be accurately adjusted on the basis of the physiological build of the mouth as well as of the desired food therapy to be followed.

Description

Title: Device suitable for influencing the intake of food through the oral cavity of a human

Description

The invention relates to a device suitable for influencing the intake of food through the oral cavity of a human, comprising anchoring means which can be applied to one or several teeth of both the upper and the lower jaw, as well as at least one elongated element that can be arranged around the front of the upper or lower jaw.

A device as described above is known from international patent application WO 97/42916A1.

Especially in the modern age, where slimness is regarded as an ideal, overweight is a major problem for many people. Overweight is also a problem in regard to health.

A large number of therapies is known for reducing overweight and promoting weight loss. Many of these are based on the following of certain diets wherein it is attempted either to limit the quantities of food consumed or to regulate the intake such that certain nutrients are avoided. Other known therapies are based on the use of pharmaceutical substances that act on the digestive system.

These known therapies have the disadvantage that for many people diets are often difficult to follow or to keep up. Furthermore, pharmaceutical means often introduce undesirable substances into the human body, which may have less desirable side effects.

On the assumption that overweight is mainly caused by the intake of too much food, it is also known in the case of bulimia patients to fix the jaws, after which it will only be possible to provide food in a very special manner and in liquid form. Such a method is obviously not suitable for normal people who wish to reduce their weight or want to limit their weight.

The present invention is also based on the assumption that it is advisable to influence the quantity of food taken in through the oral cavity in order to reduce overweight and thus has for its object to provide means by which the intake of food can be hampered.

The device described in the cited WO 97/42916A1 , however, is built up from several separate components, such as a spring that counteracts a movement of the elongated element while at the same time generating a limited sensation of unpleasantness or pain. In addition, the known device is fixedly and permanently adjusted for the relevant person and cannot be modified without major manipulations inside the mouth.

To achieve the set objective, the device according to the invention is characterized in that the elongated element is fixedly connected by its two element ends to the anchoring means provided on the other jaw. This renders possible a simple placement in the mouth without the necessity of complicated dental treatments which are unpleasant (painful) for a patient. In addition, a direct coupling between the two jaws is realized, wherein the movement of the upper and the lower jaw away from one another can be accurately adjusted on the basis of the physiological build of the mouth as well as on the desired food intake therapy that is to be followed.

In an embodiment, more specifically, the elongated element is constructed as flexible wire element that is arranged around the front of the upper or lower jaw and that cooperates in a guided manner with the anchoring means provided on this jaw. The use of a flexible wire element around the jaw prevents irritation of the mouth, and in particular of the gums and the jaw bone, whereby the wearing comfort of the device in the mouth as well as the tolerance inside the mouth are substantially improved.

The cooperation with guiding possibility between the flexible elongated element and the anchoring means also ensures a smooth and quick, and above all trouble-free functioning of the device in the mouth without unnecessary blocking or irritation

The guided cooperation between the flexible elongated element and the anchoring means is further enhanced in that according to the invention the anchoring means provided on the jaw and cooperating with the elongated element in a guided manner comprise a ring element through which the flexible wire element is guided.

In a further embodiment, the portion of the elongated element to be placed around the upper or lower jaw is provided with one or several local thickened portions. These thickened portions serve as contact points with the jaw whereby an additional sensation of unpleasantness or pain can be generated. The invention will now be explained in more detail with reference to a drawing, in which:

Figure 1 diagrammatically shows a skull with opened jaws;

Figure 2 is a front elevation of part of a skull provided with an embodiment of a device according to the invention;

Figure 3 is a side elevation of part of a skull provided with an embodiment of a device according to the invention, with the mouth closed; and

Figure 4 is a side elevation of part of a skull provided with an embodiment of a device according to the invention, with the mouth open.

For a better understanding of the invention, corresponding components have been given the same reference numerals in the ensuing description of the different figures.

It should further be noted that the figures show only those portions of the oral cavity that are necessary for a correct understanding of the present invention.

In Figure 1 , reference numeral 1 denotes an upper jaw and reference numeral 2 a lower jaw which is in an open position relative to the upper jaw. A set of lower teeth 3 and of upper teeth 4 is accommodated in the respective lower and upper jaws in a known manner.

Figure 2 shows a portion of a human skull formed by the upper jaw 1 and lower jaw 2 in front elevation. The upper set of teeth 4 is present in the upper jaw 1 and the lower set of teeth 3 is present in the lower jaw 2. The mouth is shown in the closed position. This figure also shows an embodiment of a device for influencing the intake of food through the mouth according to the invention.

Reference numerals 1 1 a-1 1 b and 12a-12b denote anchoring means which can be applied to one or several teeth 3 and 4, respectively, of both the lower jaw 2 and/or the upper jaw 1 on either side of the mouth. Such anchoring means are generally known and are widely used in orthodontic treatments for providing dentures.

According to the invention, the device is further provided with at least an elongated element 13 that can be placed around the front of a jaw, the upper jaw 1 in this case, that follows the contour of the upper jaw, as is also shown in Figures 3 and 4, and that is fixedly connected by its element ends 130a-130b to the anchoring means 1 1 a-1 1 b provided on the teeth 4 of the lower jaw 1 . The elongated element 13 is preferably entirely manufactured from a light, flexible, preferably supple and bendable material, preferably a synthetic resin wire or a thin (twisted) metal wire. Such an elongated wire element 13 preferably has the same, uniform diameter all along its length. The flexible and supple elongated element 13 can thus shape itself completely in accordance with the shape of the upper or lower jaw.

As is shown in Figure 2, the elongated wire element 13 is not formed as a single light and flexible element, but it is built up from two flexible wire parts 13a and 13b arranged around the upper jaw and each fixed by its respective element end 130a-130b to the teeth 3 of the other, i.e. the lower jaw 2. The two flexible wire parts 13a and 13b are interconnected at the centre by a wire segment 13c which upon activation provides an additional point of contact with the jaw (the upper jaw here), which creates an additional sensation of unpleasantness or pain.

The wire segment 13c is thickened in the construction of this embodiment, i.e. it has a diameter greater than the diameter of the two supple and flexible wire parts 13a and 13b. The thicker wire segment 13c may be made of the same material as the two supple and flexible wire parts 13a and 13b, with the proviso that the thicker wire segment 13c owing to its greater thickness will be much less flexible, or not flexible at all, and preferably completely rigid, so as to provide the additional sensation of unpleasantness or pain upon activation.

Alternatively, the wire segment 13c may be made of a different material, for example of (twisted) metal, whereas the more flexible wire parts 13a and 13b are made of a light and supple synthetic resin material, or at least of a more flexible, less rigid and less hard material. The wire segment 13c made of a different material may then have the same diameter as the more flexible and supple wire parts 13a-13b. This is more comfortable for the person "wearing" the device in his/her mouth.

The central wire segment 13c, which may or may not be of greater diameter, may be shaped more or less straight, as shown in figure 2, or it may be constructed as a bent -V--shaped segment in an alternative embodiment (having the same diameter as or a greater diameter than the flexible wire parts 13a-13b). The -V--shaped bend enables the central segment 13c to follow more satisfactorily the angular shape of the front of the upper or lower jaw along which the flexible elongated element is guided. The anchoring means 12a-12b provided on the teeth 4 of the upper jaw 1 , along which jaw also the elongated element 13 is guided, are designed such that the elongated wire element 13, and in particular the flexible wire parts 13a-13b, cooperate in a guided manner with said anchoring means 12a-12b. This implies that there is no fixed connection between the anchoring means 12a-12b and the ends of the wire parts 13a-13b, whereas such a fixed connection is present between the anchoring means 1 1 a-1 1 b and the element ends 130a-130b on the other jaw.

Figures 3 and 4 diagrammatically show the lower and upper sets of teeth 3 and 4 in a closed and an open position of the lower and upper jaws 2 and 1 , respectively, viewed from the right-hand side of the face. An elongated wire-shaped element 13 is provided around the upper jaw here, extending from the right-hand side to the other, left-hand side (not shown) of the jaw. The wire-shaped element 13 may be bent at the area of its central portion or segment 13c (into a -V--shape) so as to follow the contour of the jaw, in this embodiment the upper jaw 1 . It will be obvious that the elongated wire element 13 may be bent around the lower jaw in an alternative embodiment. The function of this lower-jaw arrangement is identical to that of the embodiment as shown here in Figures 3 and 4 (and Figure 2).

Figure 3 shows the lower jaw 2 and upper jaw 1 in a closed mouth in which the teeth 3 and 4 of the lower and upper jaw, respectively, are placed on one another. The elongated wire element 13 is provided around the contour of the upper jaw 1 , as shown, and is bent adjacent its central portion 13c (see also Figure 2). The elongated element 13 is fixedly connected by its element ends 130a-130b to the anchoring means 1 1 a-1 1 b provided on the teeth 3 of the lower jaw 2.

The anchoring means 12a-12b provided on the teeth 4 of the upper jaw 1 in this embodiment are each provided with a ring-shaped element or eyelet 120a-120b through which the flexible elongated wire element 13 is guided. So there is no rigid connection between the anchoring means 12a-12b and the wire ends 13a- 13b, whereas such a fixed connection is present between the anchoring means 1 1 a- 1 1 b on the other jaw and the element ends 130a-130b.

Since the elongated wire element 13 is preferably entirely made of a light, flexible, preferably supple and bendable material (or, as in Figures 2, 3 and 4, at least the wire parts 13a and 13b thereof), preferably a synthetic resin wire or a thin (twisted) metal wire, said flexible elongated wire element 13 will perfectly follow the shape of the upper or lower jaw. The user will thus hardly notice the presence of the device in his/her mouth, which makes for a considerably improved comfort. The use of a flexible and supple material (for example a synthetic resin material) also prevents irritation of the gums and jaw bone as much as possible.

The anchoring means 1 1 a (1 1 b) provided on the tooth 3 of the lower jaw 2 is provided with a hollow sleeve-shaped element 1 10a (1 10b) that is fixedly connected to the anchoring means 1 1 a (1 1 b). The free end 130a (130b) of the flexible elongated wire element 13 is accommodated in the opening of the sleeve- shaped element 1 10a (1 10b) and is clamped in said sleeve-shaped element 1 10a (1 10b) by means of a setscrew 1 1 1 a (1 1 1 b). A fixed connection can be realized in this manner between the anchoring means 1 1 a (1 1 b) and the free end 130a (130b) of the flexible elongated wire element 13.

The flexible elongated wire element 13 is guided with its flexible wire parts 13a (13b) through the ring-shaped element (eyelet or opening) 120a (120b), which ring-shaped element (eyelet or opening) 120a (120b) is a fixed component of the anchoring means 12a (12b) provided on the jaw around which the flexible elongated element 13 is laid (the upper jaw in this case).

When the mouth is opened in that the lower jaw 2 moves down, as shown in figure 4, the lower teeth 3 will move away from the upper teeth 4, whereby the anchoring means 1 1 a (1 1 b) and 12a (12b) will also move away from one another. Owing to the fixed connection between the element ends 130a (130b) of the elongated rigid connecting element 14a (14b) and the anchoring means 1 1 a (1 1 b) via the sleeve-shaped element 1 10a (1 10b) and the setscrew 1 1 1 a (1 1 1 b), the two wire parts 13a (13b) will slide freely through the ring-shaped element (eyelet or opening) 120a (120b) and be finally tensioned by the eyelet or opening 120a (120b), in dependence on the total length of the flexible elongated wire element 13 (measured between the two fixed connection points formed by the anchoring means 1 1 a and 1 1 b) and the degree to which the mouth is opened.

The maximum distance over which the user can open his/her mouth is thus given by the maximum length of the flexible elongated wire element 13 arranged around the jaw. Tensioning of said flexible elongated wire element 13 through the ring-shaped element (eyelet or opening) 120a (120b) causes the central part 13c to be pressed against the upper jaw. This results in a sensation of unpleasantness or pain, whereby a further opening of the mouth is counteracted in a reflex. The sensation of unpleasantness or pain can be reinforced in that the central part is provided with one or several thickened portions, which may or may not be of a rigid construction (as shown in Figures 3 and 4), thus providing an additional point of contact with the gums and the jaw.

The displacement or shifting of the two wire parts 13a (13b) through the ring-shaped element (eyelet or opening) 120a (120b) caused by the opening of the mouth is facilitated by the flexible and supple material from which the two wire parts 13a and 13b are manufactured. This reduces the friction between the wire parts 13a (13b) and the associated ring-shaped element (eyelet or opening) 120a (120b) considerably, so that the activation of the device, i.e. pressing of the central segment 13c against the gums or the jaw, can be effected quickly and in an unhampered manner.

The flexible and supple material from which the wire-shaped element 13 is entirely manufactured (or only the two wire parts 13a and 13b thereof) also ensures an unhampered de-activation of the device, i.e. when the mouth is closed again, the central segment 13c of the wire-shaped element 13 detaches itself smoothly from the gums or the jaw and no longer causes any unpleasant or painful sensation.

The ring-shaped element (eyelet or opening) 120a (120b) need not be fully closed; it may be constructed as a bent hook element behind which the flexible wire part 13a, 13b can be retained. A closed eyelet or opening through which the wire part 13a (13b) is passed, however, is preferred because any inadvertent detachment of the wire part 13a (13b) from the hook element is prevented thereby.

It will be clear from the above that the invention provides a method and means for influencing the intake of the food quantity by a human by reducing the intake capacity of the mouth. Overweight can be counteracted thereby and a reduction of any overweight that may be present can be achieved. It was found that the results of this method are noticeable after a very short period already. After the desired weight has been achieved, the means for carrying out the method according to the invention may be removed from the oral cavity, upon which it was found that the user of these means continues to profit from the applied method for a longer period. Should the weight increase again after some time, the means can be placed in the oral cavity again. It will be apparent from the above that the invention provides a method and means for counteracting overweight, wherein the user can continue to eat, albeit in a slower tempo than before, so that the method causes no or only a small reduction in the eating pleasure of the user.

Although the Figures 3 and 4 show only one half of the oral cavity

(the right-hand side), it will be obvious that the means in question are also present at the other side of the mouth.

Claims

1 . A device suitable for influencing the intake of food through the oral cavity of a human, comprising

- anchoring means which can be applied to one or several teeth of both the upper and the lower jaw,

- at least one elongated element that can be placed around the front of the upper or lower jaw, wherein said elongated element is fixedly connected by its two element ends to the anchoring means present on the respective other jaw.

2. A device according to claim 1 , characterized in that the elongated element is constructed as flexible wire element that is arranged around the front of the upper or lower jaw and that cooperates in a guided manner with the anchoring means provided on this jaw.

3. A device according to claim 2, characterized in that the anchoring means provided on the jaw and cooperating with the elongated element in a guided manner comprise a ring element through which the flexible wire element is guided.

4. A device according to any one or several of the preceding claims, characterized in that the portion of the elongated element to be placed around the upper or lower jaw is provided with one or several local thickened portions.