WO2023286107A1

WO2023286107A1 - Tongue strength measuring and training tool and device

Info

Publication number: WO2023286107A1
Application number: PCT/JP2021/026072
Authority: WO
Inventors: あゆ美畑
Original assignee: 株式会社オクチィ
Priority date: 2021-07-12
Filing date: 2021-07-12
Publication date: 2023-01-19

Abstract

Conventional tongue power measuring and training tools or devices presented problems such as discomfort being felt in the tongue and the tongue being liable to detach from a pressing part during measurement or training, a problem of difficulty in immobilizing a cover mounted on a pressing part with which the tongue comes into contact, and a problem relating to portability of the device. The present invention provides a tongue strength measuring and training tool and device in which the problems are solved by innovating, inter alia, the shape of a pressing part, a structure for fastening a cover mounted on the pressing part, and a device that is easily portable.

Description

Tongue force measurement training device and device

The present invention relates to a tongue force measurement training instrument and device that can be used for tongue motor function training as well as for measuring tongue motor function.

Sleep apnea syndrome (SAS) is a disease in which breathing stops many times during sleep due to airway obstruction, etc. have symptoms of Therefore, it is said that daytime sleepiness may cause traffic accidents, industrial accidents, etc., and appropriate examination and treatment are required.
SAS is thought to have several causes, one of which is Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome (OSAS), which is caused by upper airway obstruction. OSAS is caused by apnea or hypopnea caused by narrowing of the respiratory passages around the upper airway and pharynx. As a factor of OSAS, it is pointed out that it is related to the deterioration of the motor function of the tongue. Therefore, evaluation of tongue motor function and maintenance and improvement of tongue motor function have become important.
Patent document 1 proposes a tongue contact device used for evaluation of tongue motor ability and training of tongue muscle strength. In Patent Document 1, as shown in FIG. 18, a tongue contact device 8 composed of a tongue contact portion, a connection portion, a strain sensor, etc., a regulator 9, a tongue force measurement portion 5, a display portion 7, etc. Examples of tongue function testing and training devices are disclosed.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2020-28581

In conventional devices and devices for evaluating the motor function of the tongue and devices and devices for training the motor function, when the tongue touches the pressing portion of the device when measuring or training the tongue motor function, the pressing portion There are problems such as the tongue being easily dislodged from the pressing portion, and the user feeling discomfort when the tongue touches the corners of the pressing portion.
In addition, when two or more users use the conventional devices and devices for evaluating the motor function of the tongue and the devices and devices for training the motor function of the tongue, from a sanitary point of view, the tongue is In some cases, a thin film cover was attached to the pressing part of the device to be touched. However, there is a problem that it is difficult to fix the cover.
Furthermore, conventional tongue motor function evaluation devices and tongue motor function training devices are installed in the measurement room for use, and there is a problem with the portability of the devices.
The "user" of these instruments or devices is the person who measures or exercises the tongue strength using the tongue strength measurement training device or device, and is sometimes called the "subject." The same applies hereinafter.

A tongue force measurement training device according to Embodiment 1 is a device used for measuring or training the motor function of the tongue, and comprises a force sensor and a rod provided perpendicularly to the sensing portion of the force sensor. The user to measure or train the motor function of the tongue presses the tip of the rod with the user's tongue in the vertical, horizontal and depth directions to measure or train the motor function of the tongue. configured to

A tongue force measurement training device according to Embodiment 2 is the tongue force measurement training device according to Embodiment 1, wherein the tip portion of the rod is a tongue contact body, and the tongue contact body extends in the longitudinal direction of the rod. and a plane perpendicular to the length direction of the rod in the tip direction of the rod, wherein the four planes along the length direction of the rod are respectively When viewed from the force sensor, the right surface of the tongue contact body on the right side, the left surface of the tongue contact body on the left side, the upper surface of the tongue contact body on the upper side, and the lower surface of the tongue contact body on the lower side. , the surface in the tip direction of the rod and orthogonal to the length direction of the rod is configured to be the tip surface of the tongue contact body.

A tongue force measurement training device according to Embodiment 3 is the tongue force measurement training device according to Embodiment 2, wherein: the right surface of the tongue contact body; the left surface of the tongue contact body; the upper surface of the tongue contact body; The lower surface and the tip surface of the tongue contact body are configured to correspond to the usage of pressing the tongue of the user in rightward, leftward, downward, upward and depth directions as viewed from the user.

A tongue force measurement training device according to embodiment 4 is the tongue force measurement training device according to

embodiment

2 or 3, wherein the tongue contact body is configured to have a rectangular parallelepiped shape along the length direction of the rod. .

A tongue force measurement training device according to Embodiment 5 is the tongue force measurement training device according to Embodiments 2 to 4, wherein the tongue contact body has four surfaces extending along the length direction of the rod. It was configured to be concave at its central portion along its length.

A tongue force measurement training device according to Embodiment 6 is the tongue force measurement training device according to any one of Embodiments 2 to 5, wherein at least the ridges formed by the surfaces of the tongue contact body and the intersection of the ridges A part of it was configured to have a chamfer.

A tongue force measurement training device according to Embodiment 7 is the tongue force measurement training device according to any one of Embodiments 2 to 5, wherein at least the ridges formed by the surfaces of the tongue contact body and the intersection of the ridges A part of it is configured to have a curved shape.

A tongue force measurement training device according to Embodiment 8 is the tongue force measurement training device according to any one of Embodiments 2 to 7, wherein the surface extending from the rod to the tongue contact body has the length of the rod It is configured to have a step having a height difference along the direction.

A tongue force measurement training device according to Embodiment 9 is the tongue force measurement training device according to any one of Embodiments 2 to 8, wherein the tongue contact body is attachable to and detachable from the rod. bottom.

A tongue force measurement training device according to Embodiment 10 is the tongue force measurement training device according to any one of Embodiments 2 to 9, wherein the tongue contact body has a rough surface. bottom.

A tongue strength measurement training device according to Embodiment 11 is the tongue strength measurement training device according to any one of Embodiments 2 to 10, wherein at least part of the surface of the tongue contact body is made of rubber or silicone rubber. , plastic, vinyl, metal, ceramic, pottery, and porcelain.

A tongue strength measurement training device according to Embodiment 12 is the tongue strength measurement training device according to any one of Embodiments 2 to 11, wherein the tongue contact body has a height ranging from 0.9 cm to 1.5 cm. , the width is in the range of 0.9 cm to 1.5 cm, and the length in the depth direction from the tip surface side of the tongue contact body is in the range of 0.9 cm to 2.5 cm.

A tongue force measurement training device according to Embodiment 13 comprises the tongue force measurement training device according to any one of Embodiments 1 to 12, the tongue force measurement training device, and the tip portion of the rod or the tongue contact body. and an instrument holding mechanism that holds the instrument so as to be positioned in front of the user's mouth.

A tongue strength measurement training device according to embodiment 14 is the tongue strength measurement training device according to embodiment 13, wherein the device holding mechanism is mounted on the user's head.

A tongue strength measurement training device according to a fifteenth embodiment is the tongue strength measurement training device according to the fourteenth embodiment, wherein the device holding mechanism attached to the user's head can come into contact with the user's face. A mask-like frame having an instrument holding member extending from the frame to the front of the user's mouth, wherein the tongue force measurement training instrument is attached to the instrument holding member configured to be

A tongue strength measurement training device according to embodiment 16 is the tongue strength measurement training device according to embodiment 15, further comprising: moving the tongue strength measurement training device upward, downward, leftward, rightward, and downward with respect to the user's mouth. A movement mechanism for moving back and forth is provided, and the tongue force measurement training instrument is attached to the instrument holding member via the movement mechanism.

A tongue strength measurement training device according to Embodiment 17 is the tongue strength measurement training device according to Embodiment 16, further comprising: (a) the tongue strength measurement training device together with the movement mechanism; (b) the mouth of the user when the rotation mechanism rotates the mouth of the user horizontally around the mouth of the user, and and an angle indicator for displaying the angle of rotation with respect to.

A tongue strength measurement training device according to Embodiment 18 is the tongue strength measurement training device according to Embodiment 13, further comprising a forehead contacting member that contacts the forehead of the user, and a chin rest on which the chin is placed. and a placement member.

A tongue strength measurement training device according to Embodiment 19 is the tongue strength measurement training device according to Embodiment 18, further comprising: moving the tongue strength measurement training device vertically, horizontally and A movement mechanism for moving back and forth is provided, and the tongue force measurement training device is attached to the device holding mechanism via the movement mechanism.

A tongue strength measurement training device according to Embodiment 20 is the tongue strength measurement training device according to Embodiment 19, wherein the moving mechanism and the tongue strength measurement training device are connected to the tongue of the tongue strength measurement training device. A contact body displays a rotation mechanism that horizontally rotates around the user's mouth centering on the user's oral cavity, and a rotation angle of the user with respect to the oral cavity when the rotation mechanism performs the rotation. and an angle indicator.

A tongue strength measurement training device according to Embodiment 21 is the tongue strength measurement training device according to any one of Embodiments 13 to 20, further comprising a current value of tongue strength measured by the tongue strength measurement training device. It is configured to be equipped with a tongue force indicator that displays

A tongue strength measurement training device according to Embodiment 22 is the tongue strength measurement training device according to any one of Embodiments 13 to 21, further comprising a maximum value of tongue strength measured by the tongue strength measurement training device. and a maximum value reset device for resetting the maximum value.

The tongue force measurement training device according to Embodiment 23 is used in the tongue force measurement training device according to any one of Embodiments 1 to 12 or the tongue force measurement training device according to any one of Embodiments 13 to 22. The tongue force measurement training device and the user of the tongue force measurement training device cover at least a portion of the tip portion of the rod or the tongue contact body of the tongue force measurement training device that is pressed by the tongue. and a film covering at least a part of the tip portion of the rod or the tongue contact body pressed by the tongue, and the end portion of the film farther from the user. It was configured to consist of a fastener that fastens the

The tongue force measurement training instrument or device according to the present invention has the following effects. That is, it is possible to easily measure or train the tongue strength. There is little discomfort in the tongue when training to measure the strength of the tongue. Hygienic measures can be taken easily when one measurement training instrument or device is used by a plurality of users. In addition, it is possible to provide a tongue force measurement training instrument or apparatus with excellent portability.

Tongue force measurement training device according to the first form of the first embodiment of the present invention Tongue force measurement training device according to second to fourth forms of the first embodiment of the present invention Tongue force measurement training device according to the first form of the second embodiment of the present invention Tongue force measurement training device according to the first form of the third embodiment of the present invention Tongue force measurement training device according to the second form of the third embodiment of the present invention Tongue force measurement training device according to the first form of the fourth embodiment of the present invention Tongue force measurement training device according to the first form of the fourth embodiment of the present invention Different example of the tongue force measurement training device according to the first form of the fourth embodiment of the present invention Different example of the tongue force measurement training device according to the first form of the fourth embodiment of the present invention Tongue force measurement training device according to the third form of the fourth embodiment of the present invention Tongue force measurement training device according to the first form of the fifth embodiment of the present invention Tongue force measurement training device according to the first form of the ninth embodiment of the present invention Tongue force measurement training device according to the first and second forms of the tenth embodiment of the present invention Tongue force measurement training device according to the third form of the tenth embodiment of the present invention Tongue force measurement training device according to the fourth form of the tenth embodiment of the present invention Tongue force measurement training device according to the first to third forms of the eleventh embodiment of the present invention Tongue force measurement training device according to first and second forms of the twelfth embodiment of the present invention Conventional example of tongue force measurement training device

An embodiment of the tongue force measurement training instrument or device according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. It should be noted that each of the embodiments described below is a preferred specific example of the present invention. Therefore, numerical values, shapes, materials, constituent elements, arrangement positions of constituent elements, connection forms, steps, order of steps, and the like shown in the following embodiments are examples and do not limit the present invention. The tongue strength measurement includes its examination and evaluation, and the tongue strength training includes its rehabilitation.

In addition, each drawing is a schematic diagram and is not necessarily strictly illustrated. Duplicate descriptions in each drawing are omitted or simplified.

[First Embodiment]
A first embodiment of the present invention will be described. An example of the first embodiment is shown in FIG. 1 as a first form of the first embodiment. In this example, the tongue force measurement training device 10 according to the first form of the first embodiment is a device used for measuring or training the motor function of the tongue, and includes a force sensor 12 and sensing of the force sensor 12. A rod 16 is provided perpendicularly to the portion 14, and a user who is to measure or train the motor function of the tongue holds the tip 18 of the rod 16 with the user's tongue. As indicated by the arrows in the vicinity, it is configured to measure or train the motor function of the tongue by pressing in the vertical, horizontal and depth directions.
Since the tongue force measurement training device 10 is configured in this way, it is possible to easily measure the motor function of the tongue. The device can also be used for tongue motor function training.

Another example of the first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. 2 as a second form of the first embodiment. In FIG. 2, the tongue force measurement training device 20 according to the second form of the first embodiment is the tongue force measurement training device according to the first form of the first embodiment, in which the tip portion of the rod 16 is The tongue contact body 22 is a three-dimensional body having four surfaces along the length direction of the rod 16 and a surface located in the tip direction of the rod 16 and perpendicular to the length direction of the rod 16. The four surfaces along the length of the rod 16 are the right surface 23 of the tongue contact body on the right side, the left surface 24 of the tongue contact body on the left side, and the tongue contact surface 24 on the upper side when viewed from the force sensor 12 . The upper surface 25 of the contact body, the lower surface 26 of the lower tongue contact body, which is in the distal direction of the rod 16 and perpendicular to the length direction of the rod 16, is the distal surface 27 of the tongue contact body. configured to
The surfaces corresponding to the five directions in which the user moves the tongue are the right surface 23 of the tongue contact body, the left surface 24 of the tongue contact body, the upper surface 25 of the tongue contact body, the lower surface 26 of the tongue contact body, and the tip of the tongue contact body. Five surfaces of the surface 27 are pressed by the tongue. By configuring in this way, the movement of the tongue can be reliably captured, and tongue motor function measurement or tongue motor function training can be easily performed.

Another example of the first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. 2 as a third form of the first embodiment. In FIG. 2, the tongue force measurement training device 20 according to the third form of the first embodiment is the tongue force measurement training device according to the second form of the first embodiment, in which the right surface 23 of the tongue contact body, The left surface 24 of the tongue contact body, the upper surface 25 of the tongue contact body, the lower surface 26 of the tongue contact body, and the tip surface 27 of the tongue contact body are directed to the right, left, downward, upward, and upward directions of the user's tongue, respectively, as viewed from the user. It is constructed so as to correspond to the application of pressing in the depth direction.
With this configuration, the five directions in which the user moves his/her tongue, which are described in the second form of the first embodiment, are rightward, leftward, downward, upward, and depthwise, respectively, as viewed from the user. Can be direction. The same applies to tongue motor function training.

Another example of the first embodiment of the present invention will be described using FIG. 2 as a fourth form of the first embodiment. In FIG. 2, the tongue force measurement training device 20 according to the fourth form of the first embodiment is the tongue force measurement training device of the second form of the first embodiment or the third form of the first embodiment. In the device, tongue contact body 22 was configured to have a cuboid shape along the length of rod 16 .
By configuring in this way, when measuring the tongue strength, the user can reliably provide a surface that touches the tongue, and can easily perform the measurement and training of the tongue strength.

[Second embodiment]
A second embodiment of the present invention will be described. An example of the second embodiment is shown in FIG. 3 as a first form of the second embodiment. In this example, the tongue force measurement training device 20 according to the first form of the second embodiment is the second form of the first embodiment, the third form of the first embodiment, or the first embodiment. A tongue force measurement training device according to the fourth aspect of the aspect, wherein the right surface 33 of the tongue contact, the left surface 34 of the tongue contact, the upper surface 35 of the tongue contact, and the lower surface 36 of the tongue contact extend the length of the rod 16. It is configured to be concave at its central portion along the direction.
By configuring in this way, the user's tongue can easily catch the tongue contacting body, making it easier to measure and practice tongue strength.

[Third Embodiment]
A third embodiment of the present invention will be described. An example of the third embodiment is shown in FIG. 4 as a first form of the third embodiment. 4 shows the tip of rod 16 and tongue contact 42. FIG. In this example, the tongue force measurement training device according to the first form of the third embodiment is the second form of the first embodiment to the fourth form of the first embodiment or the second embodiment. 3. In the tongue force measurement training device according to any one of the first modes, the ridges formed by the surfaces of the tongue contact body 42 and the intersection of the ridges are chamfered 44 .
With this configuration, the angle of intersection of the corners where the sides of the tongue contact body intersect is large and becomes an obtuse angle, and when the user touches the tongue contact body with the tongue, the user feels discomfort at the corners of the tongue contact body. Tongue strength can be measured without Moreover, this is not limited to the measurement of tongue strength, but is the same for tongue motor function training.
In FIG. 4, the tongue contact body is shown as an example of a rectangular parallelepiped, but this embodiment is not limited to a rectangular parallelepiped and can be configured with any shape, and the same effects can be obtained.

Another example of the third embodiment is shown in FIG. 5 as a second form of the third embodiment. 5 shows the tip of rod 16 and tongue contact 52. FIG. In this example, the tongue force measurement training device according to the second form of the third embodiment is the second form of the first embodiment to the fourth form of the first embodiment or the second embodiment. 3. In the tongue force measurement training device according to any one of the first modes, the ridges formed by the respective surfaces of the tongue contact body 52 and the intersection of the ridges are configured to have a curved surface shape 54. .
With this configuration, the corners where the sides of the tongue contact body intersect are rounded, and when the tongue of the user touches the tongue contact body, the tongue force is increased without feeling discomfort at the corners of the tongue contact body. Measurement can be performed. The curved surface shape 54 may be a curved surface without corners, that is, a shape that does not make the tongue contacting the tongue feel uncomfortable. Moreover, these are not limited to the measurement of tongue strength, but are the same for tongue motor function training.
Although FIG. 5 shows an example in which the tongue contact body is a rectangular parallelepiped, the present embodiment is not limited to a rectangular parallelepiped and can be configured with any shape, and the same effects can be obtained.

[Fourth Embodiment]
A fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described. An example of the fourth embodiment is shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 as the first form of the fourth embodiment. The tongue force measurement training device 62 according to the first form of the fourth embodiment is the second to fourth forms of the first embodiment, the first form of the second embodiment, or the third embodiment. 2. In the tongue force measurement training device according to any one of the first and second embodiments, the surface from the rod to the tongue contact body has a step having a height difference along the length direction of the rod. It is configured as follows. A specific example of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 6 to 9. FIG.

In the measurement of tongue strength, the user touches the tongue contact body with the tongue and performs the measurement. Therefore, when measuring a large number of people, it is preferable to cover the tongue contact body with a cover material made of a thin and flexible material, and change the cover material for each user. This is for hygiene reasons.
A film material such as a vinyl film or a wrap film can be used as the cover material. When such a film material is used as a cover material, the cover material can be easily attached, and the cover material covers the tongue contact body without being removed during the measurement of tongue force, and the cover material is used after the measurement is completed. should be easily removable. In this context, the covering can be fastened to the tongue contacts or rods, for example using rubber bands as fasteners.

One example of this embodiment is shown in FIG. It is what I did. When the cover material 67 is fastened to the tongue contact member 62 with a linear fastener such as a rubber band 68, the groove serving as the step 61 serves as a step having a height difference along the length of the rod. A linear fastener such as a can be effectively fastened without causing positional deviation.
When the cover material that covers the tip portion of the rod or at least a portion of the tongue contact body from the tip of the rod toward the rear of the rod is locked at the end of the cover material that is farther from the user, The fastener used for the locking is configured so that the fastening position of the fastener is firmly determined.
That is, as shown in FIG. 6, the tongue contact member 62 is covered with a cover material 67 made of a film material, and as shown in FIG.
By configuring in this way, the cover material 67 can be easily and reliably attached to the tongue contact body 62 . This is because the cover material can be attached simply by putting the rubber band 68 over the step 61 from the cover material 67 . Also, the cover material can be easily removed. This is because it suffices to remove the cover material 67 together with the rubber band 68 . According to this embodiment, the cover material 67 can be easily attached and detached. That is, it becomes possible to easily and quickly measure the tongue strength of a large number of users. These are not limited to the measurement of tongue strength, but the same applies to tongue motor function training.

In FIG. 6, the width and depth of the groove which is the step 61 may be approximately the same as the thickness of the rubber band 68 used, for example, but it is effective even if it is deeper or shallower than that. Further, the position where the step 61 is formed is the surface of the tongue contact body 62 along the length direction of the rod 14, which is the right surface 63 of the tongue contact body, the left surface 64 of the tongue contact body, the upper surface 65 of the tongue contact body, or the tongue contact body. Any position on the lower surface 66 may be acceptable as long as the step has a height difference along the length direction of the rod 14 . This position is desirably a position far from the user when measuring the tongue force, that is, a position close to the rod 14 of the tongue contact member 62 in these planes. This is because the rubber band 68 hardly interferes with the subject's tongue when the cover material 67 is fastened.

Although the example shown in FIG. 6 is a step 61 having a height difference along the length direction of the rod, this is not limited to the groove, and any step having a height difference along the length direction of the rod may be used. The step 61 does not have to be formed around the entire circumference of the tongue contact body 62. At the ridge where the respective surfaces of the upper surface 65 of the tongue contact or the lower surface 66 of the tongue contact meet, there may be grooves placed on part or all of the ridge. Even in this case, the same effects as in the case where the groove is formed on the entire periphery of the tongue contact member can be obtained.

In addition, although FIG. 6 shows an example in which the step 61 is formed on the tongue contact member 62, the "step having a height difference along the lengthwise direction of the rod" may be formed on the rod 16. That is, grooves may be formed on the surface of the rod 16 as "steps having height differences along the length of the rod". Moreover, this step may not be formed on the entire circumference of the rod 16, but may be formed on a part thereof. These "steps having height differences along the lengthwise direction of the rod" also produce the effects described above as the present embodiment.

Another example of the fourth embodiment is shown in Figures 8 and 9 as a second form of the fourth embodiment. In the second form of the fourth embodiment, as shown in FIG. 8, a protrusion 81 is provided on the rod 16 as "a step having a height difference along the length direction of the rod". Also in this form, the same effects as those described in the first form of the fourth embodiment are obtained. As shown in FIG. 8, the covering member 67 is attached to the tongue contact member 82 together with the rubber band 68, and the projection 81 acts so that the rubber band 68 is positioned without displacement as shown in FIG. 8 and 9 show an example in which two protrusions 81 are provided, but the same effect can be obtained with only one protrusion.
Although the fourth embodiment has been described above, these descriptions are not limited to the measurement of tongue force, and the same applies to tongue motor function training.

Fourthly, still another example of the embodiment will be described as a third form of the fourth embodiment with reference to FIG. In the third form of the fourth embodiment, in the second form of the fourth embodiment, the cover material 67 is locked to the tongue contact body 82 using a rubber band 68 as a fastener. A clip 69 is used instead of a rubber band as a fastener. When the rubber band 68 is used, it is necessary to attach the rubber band 68 so as to wrap the tongue contact member 82 with the cover material 67, and a technique is required so that the force sensor, which is sensitive to force, is not subjected to a force load during attachment. Was. When the clip 69 is used, it can be engaged simply by holding the distal end portion of the cover material 67 covering the tongue contact member 82 with the clip 69 while holding it with a finger. A cover material 67 that does not cover can be attached. This fastener can take various forms. For example, if the fastener is configured to be a clip 69, the clip 69 is made of, for example, a steel wire or an elastic rod-shaped plastic Ω It has a clip shape with a letter shape, and the lower end of the Ω letter shape has a V shape that expands when the lower end is pressed against the rod or tongue contact body that is the part that holds the cover material with the clip 69. , the width of the central portion of the Ω character shape is smaller than the size of the rod or tongue contact body, which is the part that further presses the clip 69 to fasten the cover material, so that it presses the rod or tongue contact body from above the cover material. , the upper part of the Ω character is long enough to be pinched with fingers, for example, the upper part of the Ω character is elongated to have a length of typically 0.5 cm to 2 cm. Such fasteners can be used to easily and quickly fasten the covering material over the rod or tongue contact. Also, such fasteners can be easily and quickly removed.
By using such a fastener, it becomes possible to easily and quickly measure the tongue strength of a large number of users. These are not limited to the measurement of tongue strength, but the same applies to tongue motor function training.

In the third form of the fourth embodiment, the clip 69 used for locking the cover material 67 is not limited to the one shown in FIG. Any fastener may be used as long as it holds the film covering at least a part of the tip portion and the tongue contact portion. For example, a clip used for binding documents may be used.

[Fifth Embodiment]
A fifth embodiment of the present invention will be described. An example of the fifth embodiment will be described as the first form of the fifth embodiment. The tongue force measurement training device according to the first form of the fifth embodiment includes the second to fourth forms of the first embodiment, the first form of the second embodiment, and the third embodiment. The tongue force measurement training device according to any one of the first and second embodiments, or the first embodiment of the fourth embodiment, wherein the tongue contact body is attachable to and detachable from the rod. It is configured.

An example of the tongue force measurement training device according to the first form of the fifth embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 11 . An example of the tongue force measurement training device according to the first form of the fifth embodiment has a rod 16 provided perpendicular to the sensing portion 14 of the force sensor 12 in FIG. 202 is configured to be attachable and detachable from rod 16 . In this example, the tip portion of the rod 16 is provided with a rectangular parallelepiped convex portion 101 . The tongue contact body 202 is provided with a fitting hole 222 formed so that the projection 101 fits therewith. The tongue contact body 202 is attached to the rod 16 by fitting the protrusion 101 into the fitting hole 222 .
Since the tongue contact member 202 is attached to the rod 16 by fitting in this way, it can be attached to and removed from the rod 16 .
As a hygienic response when measuring a large number of people, an example of covering the tongue contact body with a cover material made of a thin and flexible material was described above. In place of this method of covering with a cover material, means like this embodiment can be used as a hygienic measure when performing measurements on a large number of people. That is, the tongue contact body 202 is changed for each user.

In the example shown in FIG. 11, the convex portion 101 can be provided with a tapered side surface so that the cross section of the convex portion 101 becomes smaller from the rod 16 side toward the tip of the convex portion 101 . The fitting hole 222 can have a fitting structure corresponding to the tapered shape of the projection 101 . By configuring in this way, it becomes easier to insert the convex portion 101 into the fitting hole 222, and the replacement of the tongue contact body 202 becomes easier.
11, the convex portion 101 can be configured such that the cross section of the convex portion 101 perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the rod 16 has a trapezoidal shape expanding downward. Here, the fitting hole 222 can have a fitting structure corresponding to this shape of the projection 101 . With this configuration, the tongue contact body 202 can be uniquely attached to the rod 16 for rotation about the longitudinal direction of the rod 16 . This is useful when the tongue contactor 202 needs to be attached to the rod 16 in a particular orientation for rotation about the longitudinal direction of the rod 16 . In this case, for example, at least one of the four surfaces along the length of the rod of the tongue contact body 202 described in the second form of the first embodiment has a shape different from the other surfaces. and so on.

Regarding the attachment and detachment to and from the tongue contact member 202 and the rod 16, an example of the convex portion 101 and the fitting hole 222 was described here, but various attachment and detachment methods can be adopted.

[Sixth embodiment]
A sixth embodiment of the present invention will be described. An example of the sixth embodiment will be described as a first form of the sixth embodiment. The tongue force measurement training device according to the first form of the sixth embodiment includes the first to fourth forms of the first embodiment, the first form of the second embodiment, and the third embodiment. In the first and second forms, the first and second forms of the fourth embodiment, or the first form of the fifth embodiment, the surface of the tongue contact body is configured to have a rough surface. It is what I did.
Here, the rough surface has a roughness that prevents the tongue from slipping when the rough surface is pressed by the tongue, for example, the surface has unevenness with a height of more than 0.3 mm and not more than 1.5 mm. It is the surface.
By configuring in this way, when measuring tongue strength, the unevenness of the rough surface causes moderate friction between the tongue and the unevenness, and good tongue strength measurement can be performed without the tongue slipping. be. For this reason, if the size of the unevenness is less than 0.3 mm, friction with the tongue is unlikely to occur, and if it exceeds 1.5 mm, the tongue feels uncomfortable, making it difficult to properly measure and train tongue strength. be.

[Seventh embodiment]
A seventh embodiment of the present invention will be described. An example of the seventh embodiment will be described as the first form of the seventh embodiment. The tongue force measurement training device according to the first form of the seventh embodiment includes the first to fourth forms of the first embodiment, the first form of the second embodiment, and the third embodiment. In the first and second forms, the first and second forms of the fourth embodiment, the first form of the fifth embodiment, or the first form of the sixth embodiment, the tongue contact body has at least part of its surface made of a material selected from rubber, silicon rubber, plastic, vinyl, metal, ceramic, pottery, and porcelain.
With this configuration, it is possible to perform good measurement even when the tongue force measurement is performed without providing a cover or the like on the tongue contact body. These effects are not limited to the measurement of tongue strength, but are similar in tongue motor function training.

[Eighth embodiment]
An eighth embodiment of the present invention will be described. An example of the eighth embodiment will be described as the first form of the eighth embodiment. The tongue force measurement training device according to the first form of the eighth embodiment includes the second to fourth forms of the first embodiment, the first form of the second embodiment, and the third embodiment. First to second forms of, first to second forms of the fourth embodiment, first form of the fifth embodiment, first form of the sixth embodiment, or seventh embodiment In a first form of configuration, the tongue contact body has a height in the range 0.9 cm to 1.5 cm, ie for example 0.9 cm or more, 1.0 cm or more or 1.2 cm or more; 5 cm or less, 1.2 cm or less, or 1.0 cm or less, and a width in the range of 0.9 cm to 1.5 cm, that is, for example, 0.9 cm or more, 1.0 cm or more, or 1.2 cm or more; 5 cm or less, 1.2 cm or less, or 1.0 cm or less, and the length in the depth direction from the tip surface side of the tongue contact body is in the range of 0.9 cm to 2.5 cm, that is, for example, 0.9 cm or more, 1 0 cm or more, 1.2 cm or more, 1.5 cm or more, 1.7 cm or more, or 2.0 cm or more, or 2.2 cm or more, and 2.5 cm or less, 2.2 cm or less, 2.0 cm or less, 1.7 cm or 1.5 cm or less.
In tongue strength measurement, the size of the tongue differs depending on the person to be measured, but by configuring in this way, it is possible to deal with many people to be measured. These actions and effects are not limited to the measurement of tongue strength, but are the same in tongue motor function training.

[Ninth Embodiment]
A ninth embodiment of the present invention will be described. An example of the ninth embodiment will be described as the first form of the ninth embodiment. The tongue force measurement training device according to the first form of the ninth embodiment includes the first to fourth forms of the first embodiment, the first form of the second embodiment, and the third embodiment. First to second forms, first to second forms of the fourth embodiment, first form of the fifth embodiment, first form of the sixth embodiment, of the seventh embodiment The tongue force measuring training device of any one of the first form or the first form of the eighth embodiment, and the tongue contact body of the tongue force measuring training device positioned in front of the mouth of the user. and an instrument holding mechanism for holding the instrument.
FIG. 12 shows an example of this embodiment. As shown in FIG. 12, the device holding mechanism 121 is provided with the tongue force measurement training device 102 according to the present invention. The instrument holding mechanism 121 is installed, for example, on a desk for tongue strength measurement. The user 103, for example, faces the desk and sits on a chair. The illustration of this chair is omitted. The illustration of the desks is omitted. The device holding mechanism 121 is configured so that when the user 103 sits on the chair to measure the tongue strength, the tongue force measurement training device 102 is positioned so that the tip portion of the rod or the tongue contact body is positioned in front of the user 103. The installation position of the height and tongue force measurement training device 102 is set.
By configuring in this way, it is possible to easily measure the tongue strength. Moreover, these actions and effects are not limited to the measurement of tongue strength, but are the same in tongue motor function training.

[Tenth embodiment]
A tenth embodiment of the present invention will be described. An example of the tenth embodiment will be described as a first form of the tenth embodiment. A tongue force measurement training device according to a first form of the tenth embodiment is the tongue force measurement training device according to the first form of the ninth embodiment, wherein the device holding mechanism is attached to the head of the user. It is designed to be worn.
FIG. 13 shows an example of a tongue force measurement training device according to the first form of the tenth embodiment. In FIG. 13, the device holding mechanism 114 is a mechanism to be worn on the user's head, and the tongue force measurement training device 102 is installed in the device holding mechanism 114. The tongue force measurement training device 102 and the device holding mechanism 114, the tongue force measurement training device 113 is configured. In such a configuration, the tongue force measurement training device 113 is attached to the user's head.
With this configuration, the tongue strength measurement training device can be easily carried around, and the tongue strength can be measured even when the user is lying on the bed. These actions and effects are not limited to the measurement of tongue strength, but are the same in tongue motor function training.
Although the instrument holding mechanism shown in FIG. 13 has a frame-like configuration, the instrument holding mechanism is not limited to this configuration and may be mounted on the user's head.

The tongue force measurement training device according to the first form of the tenth embodiment can be further configured as a tongue force measurement training device according to the second form of the tenth embodiment as follows. That is, the tongue force measurement training device according to the second form of the tenth embodiment is attached to the head of the user in the tongue force measurement training device according to the first form of the tenth embodiment. The appliance holding mechanism has an appliance holding member which is a mask-like frame that can come into contact with the face of the user and extends from the frame to the front surface of the mouth of the user. A measurement training instrument is configured to be attached to the instrument holding member.

A specific example of the tongue force measurement training device according to the second form of the tenth embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. In FIG. 13, the instrument holding mechanism 114 has a mask-like frame 116 that can rest against the user's face. A mask-like frame 116 has an instrument holding member 117 extending in front of the user's mouth. The tongue force measurement training device 102 is attached to a rail-shaped device holding member 117 . In this example, the instrument holding member 117 is configured to be horizontal.
By configuring the tongue strength measurement training device in this way, there is an advantage that the device can be easily carried around and tongue strength can be measured even when the user is lying on the bed.

In this embodiment, the mask-shaped frame 116 is a frame made of a resin material or a wire-shaped metal whose surface is covered with resin. This frame is similar to a face mask used in sports, for example. A protective pad 118 may be attached to the mask-like frame 116, and the protective pad 118 has the function of protecting the user. A belt 119 may be attached to the mask-like frame 116, and the belt 119 may be used to securely fix the mask-like frame 116 to the user's head. The mask-shaped frame 116 has an instrument holding member 117 which is a member extending in front of the user's mouth. It can be configured to be positioned at the front of the mouth, and tongue force measurements can be taken quickly. These actions and effects are not limited to the measurement of tongue strength, but are the same in tongue motor function training.

In the description of the second form of the tenth embodiment, the device holding mechanism 114, which is a mechanism worn on the user's head, is shown in FIG. Although an example using the covering frame 116 is shown, the frame does not necessarily cover the user's entire face, and may cover a portion of the face such as the lower half of the face. Any device holding mechanism configured to be worn on the user's head is included in the present embodiment.

The tongue force measurement training device according to the second form of the tenth embodiment can be configured as follows as a tongue force measurement training device according to the third form of the tenth embodiment. That is, the tongue force measurement training device according to the third form of the tenth embodiment is the tongue force measurement training device according to the second form of the tenth embodiment, and further includes the tongue force measurement training device and a moving mechanism for moving up and down, left and right, and back and forth with respect to the user's mouth, and the tongue force measurement training device is attached to the device holding member via the moving mechanism. It is configured as it is.

A specific example of the tongue force measurement training device according to the third form of the tenth embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 13 and 14. FIG. In FIG. 14, a Y stage 242 is installed on the X stage 241 and a Z stage 243 is attached to the Y stage 242 . The X stage 241, Y stage 242, and Z stage 243 are moving mechanisms 124 that can move in the X, Y, and Z directions in the figure, respectively. A tongue force measurement training device 102 is installed on the Z stage. A mounting member 125 is attached to the X stage. The tongue force measurement training device 102, the moving mechanism 124, and the mounting member 125 holding the moving mechanism 124 shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 13 , the tongue force measurement training device 102 is attached to the device holding member 117 via the attachment member 125 in the device unit 120 .
With this configuration, even if the tongue force measurement training device 102 is slightly deviated from the user's mouth, it can be positioned at the mouth by adjusting each stage of the moving mechanism 124 with accurate position adjustment. These actions and effects are not limited to the measurement of tongue strength, but are the same in tongue motor function training.

The tongue force measurement training device according to the third form of the tenth embodiment can further be configured as follows as a tongue force measurement training device according to the fourth form of the tenth embodiment. That is, the tongue force measurement training device according to the fourth form of the tenth embodiment is the tongue force measurement training device according to the third form of the tenth embodiment, further comprising the movement mechanism and the tongue force measurement training device. The force-measuring training device comprises a rotation mechanism in which the tongue contact body of the tongue-force-measuring training device horizontally rotates around the mouth of the user centering on the oral cavity of the user, and the rotation mechanism causes the rotation. and an angle indicator for displaying the rotation angle with respect to the oral cavity of the user at the time of the rotation.

A specific example of the tongue force measurement training device according to the fourth form of the tenth embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 13 to 15. FIG. As shown in FIG. 14, the mounting member 125 has a retention hole 126 that retains through the curved rail-like instrument holding member 117, and the instrument unit 120, as shown in FIGS. rails are passed through the holding holes 126 and held.
The tool unit 120 can move along the tool holding member 117 shown in FIG. 15 using the tool holding member 117 as a rail. As shown in FIG. 14 , the attachment member 125 is provided with a screw-like fastening member 127 , and by tightening the fastening member 127 , the instrument unit 120 can be fixed to the instrument holding member 117 . The tool unit 120 is also provided with a notch 128 through which the tool unit 120 can be attached to and removed from the tool holding member 117 . Note that the notch 128 is not drawn in FIGS. 13 and 15 for ease of viewing.

A combination of the instrument unit 120 having the holding hole 126 and the rail-shaped instrument holding member 117 constitutes the rotation mechanism 130 . As shown in FIG. 15, a scale 141 is provided on the frame of the instrument holding member 117 . Further, the instrument unit 120 is provided with a pointer 142 from a member that moves integrally with the force sensor 12 so as to point to a scale 141 provided on the frame of the instrument holding member 117 . A structure including pointer 142 and scale 141 functions as angle indicator 143 . 13 and 14, the drawing of the pointer 142 and the scale 141 is omitted.

The rail-shaped device holding member 117 has a curved line forming a part of the circumference, and the curved line is set so as to center on the user's oral cavity during tongue force measurement. . From this configuration, as the tool unit 120 moves along the frame of the tool holding member 117, the tongue force measurement training tool 102 moves horizontally around the user's oral cavity portion. Become. The scale 141 provided on the frame of the device holding member 117 is set so that the tongue force measurement training device 102 is in front of the user's mouth as the origin, and the device unit 120, that is, the tongue force measurement training device 102 is positioned on the device holding member 117. A scale is provided to indicate the displacement angle .theta. seen from the center of the circumference of the frame of the instrument holding member 117 as it moves along the frame.

With this configuration, the tongue force measurement training device 102 can move horizontally around the user's mouth, and the tongue force measurement training device 102 can be easily set at a position corresponding to a certain displacement angle θ. can be done. That is, the scale 141 and the pointer 142 constitute the angle indicator 143 . With such a configuration, it is possible to measure the tongue force when the tongue force measurement training device 102 is displaced by the displacement angle θ. These actions and effects are not limited to the measurement of tongue strength, but are the same in tongue motor function training.

In the above description, the configuration including the pointer 142 and the scale 141 has been described as the angle indicator, but the angle indicator is not limited to this configuration and can take various configurations. For example, when the device holding member is a frame, scales are provided on the frame at a constant pitch, and when the tongue force measurement training device 102 moves along the frame, the number of scales that move is The angle indicator 143 can be configured to electronically display the displacement angle θ of the tongue force measurement training device 102 by electronically measuring using light.

In addition, in the description of the present embodiment, "the tongue contact body of the tongue force measurement training device rotates horizontally around the user's mouth with the oral cavity of the user as the center." The term "horizontally rotating" refers to the state in which the user is seated on a chair or standing up. Even if the tongue force measurement training device according to the present embodiment is used while the user is lying down, it should be interpreted as "horizontally rotating" based on the state in which the user is sitting on a chair or standing up. It is a kimono.

[Eleventh Embodiment]
An eleventh embodiment of the present invention will be described. An example of the eleventh embodiment will be described as the first form of the eleventh embodiment. A first form of the eleventh embodiment is the tongue force measurement training device according to the first form of the ninth embodiment, further comprising a forehead contact member that contacts the user's forehead; and a chin-resting member on which the chin is placed.

A specific example of the tongue force measurement training device according to the first form of the eleventh embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.
As shown in FIG. 16, the tongue strength measurement training device 140 of this embodiment includes a forehead contacting member 131 that contacts the forehead of the user 103 for tongue strength measurement, and a chin support member 131 that rests the chin of the user 103 for tongue strength measurement. A placement member 133 is provided. In this embodiment, the tongue force measurement training device 102 is provided with a device holding mechanism 135 that holds the tongue contact body in front of the user's mouth, and in this state, the user's forehead and chin are positioned. A forehead contact member 131 and a chin rest member 133 are provided to contact the forehead contact member 131 and the chin rest member 133, respectively.

With this configuration, when measuring the tongue force, the user can contact the forehead and chin with the forehead contact member 131 and the chin rest member 133, respectively, so that the tongue force is applied to the front surface of the mouth of the person being measured. The measurement training device 102 is now positioned, enabling rapid tongue strength measurement. These actions and effects are not limited to the measurement of tongue strength, but are the same in tongue motor function training.

The tongue force measurement training device according to the first form of the eleventh embodiment can be configured as follows as a tongue force measurement training device according to the second form of the eleventh embodiment. That is, the tongue strength measurement training device according to the second form of the eleventh embodiment is the tongue strength measurement training device of the first form of the eleventh embodiment, further comprising the tongue strength measurement training device , a moving mechanism for moving up and down, left and right, and back and forth with respect to the user's mouth, and the tongue force measurement training device is attached to the device holding mechanism via the moving mechanism. It is configured.

A specific example of the tongue force measurement training device according to the second form of the eleventh embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 14 and 16. FIG. In FIG. 16, the tongue force measurement training instrument 102 is configured within an instrument unit 120 having an X stage 241, a Y stage 242 and a Z stage 243 as shown in FIG. That is, the tongue strength measurement training device 140 according to the second form of the eleventh embodiment is the tongue strength measurement training device of the first form of the tenth embodiment, and further includes the tongue strength measurement training device 102. , an X stage, a Y stage, and a Z stage, which are moving mechanisms 124 that move up and down, left and right, and back and forth with respect to the user's mouth. It is configured to be attached to an instrument holding mechanism 135 .
In this specific example, the tool unit 120 is configured including the moving mechanism 124, and the configuration of the tongue force measurement training device with the tool unit 120 and the tool holding member is shown. The tongue force measurement training device according to is not limited to this example, and can take various configurations. For example, the tongue force measurement training device may be attached directly to the device holding mechanism via the moving mechanism.

With this configuration, even if the tongue force measurement training device 102 is slightly displaced from the user's mouth, it can be positioned at the user's mouth by adjusting each stage of the moving mechanism 124 to perform accurate position adjustment. , measurement and training of tongue strength can be easily performed. These actions and effects are not limited to the measurement of tongue strength, but are the same in tongue motor function training.

The tongue force measurement training device according to the second form of the eleventh embodiment can further be configured as follows as a tongue force measurement training device according to the third form of the eleventh embodiment. That is, the tongue strength measurement training device according to the third form of the eleventh embodiment is the tongue strength measurement training device of the second form of the eleventh embodiment, and further includes the moving mechanism and the tongue strength training device. The training device for measuring tongue force has a rotation mechanism in which the tongue contact body of the training device for measuring tongue strength horizontally rotates around the mouth of the user centering on the oral cavity of the user, and the rotation mechanism performs the rotation. and an angle indicator for displaying the current rotation angle with respect to the oral cavity of the user.

A specific example of the tongue force measurement training device according to the second form of the eleventh embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 14 to 16. FIG. The tongue force measurement training device according to this embodiment is configured to include the same members as the rotating mechanism 130 and the angle indicator 143 in the tongue force measurement training device according to the fourth form of the tenth embodiment. It is.
With this configuration, it is possible to measure the tongue force when the tongue force measurement training device 102 is horizontally displaced by the displacement angle θ from just in front of the user's mouth. These actions and effects are not limited to the measurement of tongue strength, but are the same in tongue motor function training.

Regarding the angle indicator described above, as described in the explanation of the tongue force measurement training device according to the fourth form of the tenth embodiment, the displacement angle θ of the tongue force measurement training device 102 can be electronically displayed. It can be configured in various ways, such as displaying the

[Twelfth embodiment]
A twelfth embodiment of the present invention will be described. An example of the twelfth embodiment will be described as a first form of the twelfth embodiment. The first form of the twelfth embodiment is the first form of the ninth embodiment, the first to fourth forms of the tenth embodiment, and the first to third forms of the eleventh embodiment. The tongue strength measurement training device according to any one of the above aspects, further comprising a tongue strength display device for displaying the current value of the tongue strength measured by the tongue strength measurement training device. be.

The tongue force measurement training device according to this embodiment will be specifically described with reference to FIG. 17 . In FIG. 17, the output of tongue force measurement training device 151 is connected to signal processor 153 . The signal processor 153 can, for example, process the output of the tongue force measurement training device 151 and output the measured value measured by the tongue force measurement training device 151 to the tongue strength display device 155 . For example, in FIG. 2, the display displays the force of the tongue pressing the right surface 23 or the left surface 24 of the tongue contact body 22, i.e., the force in the X direction, and the force pressing the upper surface 25 or the bottom surface 26 of the tongue contact body 22, i.e., the Y direction. and the force pressing the tip surface 27 of the tongue contact body 22, ie, the force in the Z direction are displayed. The force in the X direction and the force in the Y direction can also be labeled with a "+" or "-" sign, respectively, depending on the direction of the force.
By configuring in this way, the current value of the tongue strength can be known in the tongue strength measurement.

Furthermore, a second form of the twelfth embodiment will be described. The second form of the twelfth embodiment is the first form of the ninth embodiment, the first to fourth forms of the tenth embodiment, and the first to third forms of the eleventh embodiment. , or any one aspect of the first mode of the twelfth embodiment, wherein the tongue power measuring training device further displays the maximum value of the tongue power measured by the tongue power measuring training device It is configured to have a display and a maximum value reset device for resetting the maximum value.

The tongue force measurement training device according to this embodiment will be specifically described with reference to FIG. 17 . In FIG. 17, the output of tongue force measurement training device 151 is connected to signal processor 153 . The signal processor 153 can, for example, process the output of the tongue force measurement training device 151 and output the measured value measured by the tongue force measurement training device 151 to the display device 155 . For example, in FIG. 2, the display displays the force of the tongue pressing the right surface 23 or the left surface 24 of the tongue contact body 22, i.e., the force in the X direction, and the force pressing the upper surface 25 or the bottom surface 26 of the tongue contact body 22, i.e., the Y direction. and the force pressing the distal end surface 27 of the tongue contact body 22, that is, the force in the Z direction, the maximum value of each force is displayed. The maximum value of the force in the X direction and the force in the Y direction can also display a "+" or "-" sign, respectively, depending on the direction of the force. It also has a maximum value reset device 157 capable of resetting these maximum values.
By configuring in this way, the maximum value of the tongue force can be known in the tongue force measurement. By providing a maximum value reset device, it is possible to display the maximum value of each person to be measured each time the person to be measured changes.
Note that the configuration of the tongue force measurement training device shown in FIG. It can also be applied in Further, the signal processing device may not only display the measured value of tongue strength, but also store the measured value of tongue strength, and perform various calculations and judgments based on the measured value of tongue strength. .

[Thirteenth embodiment]
A thirteenth embodiment of the present invention will be described. An example of the thirteenth embodiment will be described as the first form of the thirteenth embodiment. The tongue force measurement training device according to the first form of the thirteenth embodiment includes the first to fourth forms of the first embodiment, the first form of the second embodiment, and the third embodiment. First form to second form of form, first form to third form of fourth embodiment, first form of fifth embodiment, first form of sixth embodiment, The first form of the seventh embodiment, or the first form of the eighth embodiment, the tongue force measurement training device according to any one aspect, or the first form of the ninth embodiment, the Any of the first to fourth embodiments of the tenth embodiment, the first to third embodiments of the eleventh embodiment, or the first to second embodiments of the twelfth embodiment or the tongue force measurement training device used in the tongue force measurement training device according to one aspect, and the user of the tongue force measurement training device, regarding the tip portion of the rod or the tongue contact body of the tongue force measurement training device, a film that covers at least part of the portion to be pressed by the tongue; and the film covering at least part of the portion to be pressed by the tongue of the tip portion of the rod or the tongue contact body. The end farthest from the user comprises a fastener for fastening the film.

In the description of the fourth embodiment, when a large number of people are to be measured, the tongue contact body is covered with a cover material made of a thin and flexible material, and the cover material is changed for each user. explained. In the fourth embodiment, a configuration is adopted in which ``the surface from the rod to the tongue contact body has a groove which is a step having a height difference along the length direction of the rod''. .
The tongue force measurement training device according to the first form of the thirteenth embodiment has this structure that "the surface from the rod to the tongue contact body has a step having a height difference along the length of the rod." It is a good configuration without In other words, even without having the same step,
When the cover material that covers the tip part of the rod or at least part of the tongue contact body from the tip direction of the rod toward the rear of the rod is locked at the end of the cover material farther from the user, the fastener is It is constructed so that it can be locked by using it.
In this configuration, a fastener is used to engage a cover material that covers the tip of the rod or at least a portion of the tongue contact body from the tip of the rod toward the rear of the rod. is.
Here, the fastener may be the rubber band 68, clip 69, or clip used for binding documents as described in the description of the fourth embodiment, or other various configurations may be used. The description given in the fourth embodiment also applies to the first form of the thirteenth embodiment, which has no "step having a height difference along the lengthwise direction of the rod" in the same embodiment. It applies except for effects. That is, the cover material can be easily and reliably attached to and detached from the tip portion of the rod or the tongue contact body. That is, it becomes possible to easily and quickly measure the tongue strength of a large number of users. These are not limited to the measurement of tongue strength, but the same applies to tongue motor function training.

According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a tongue strength measurement training device or a tongue strength measurement training device that measures the tongue strength of the user.

10, 20, 30, 102... Tongue force measurement training device 12... Force sensor 16...

Rods

22, 32, 42, 52, 62, 82... Tongue contact body 44... Chamfer 54 Curved shape 61 Step 81 Projections 121, 114, 135 Instrument holding mechanism 117 Instrument holding member 124 Moving mechanism 130 Rotating mechanism 143 Angle Indicator 155...Tongue power indicator 157...Maximum value reset device

Claims

An instrument used for measuring or training the motor function of the tongue, comprising a force sensor and a rod provided perpendicularly to the sensing portion of the force sensor, and measuring or training the tongue motor function. 1. A tongue force measuring and training instrument for measuring or training a tongue motor function by a user pressing the tip portion of the rod with the user's tongue in vertical, horizontal and depth directions.
The tip portion of the rod is a tongue contact body, and the tongue contact body includes four faces along the length direction of the rod and four faces along the length direction of the rod and four faces along the length direction of the rod. A solid having orthogonal faces,
The four surfaces along the length of the rod are the right surface of the tongue contact body on the right side, the left surface of the tongue contact body on the left side, and the tongue contact body on the upper side when viewed from the force sensor. and the lower surface of the tongue contact body on the lower side, and the surface in the tip direction of the rod and perpendicular to the length direction of the rod is the tip surface of the tongue contact body. The tongue force measurement training device according to claim 1.
The right surface of the tongue contact body, the left surface of the tongue contact body, the upper surface of the tongue contact body, the lower surface of the tongue contact body, and the tip surface of the tongue contact body are the tongue of the user, respectively. 3. The training device for measuring tongue force according to claim 2, which is adapted for pressing rightward, leftward, downward, upward and in the depth direction.
The tongue force measurement training device according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the tongue contact body has a rectangular parallelepiped shape along the length direction of the rod.
According to claims 2 to 4, the tongue contact body has four surfaces along the length direction of the rod that are concave at the central portion along the length direction of the rod. A tongue strength training device as described.
The tongue force measurement training device according to any one of claims 2 to 5, characterized in that at least part of the ridges formed by the surfaces of the tongue contact body and the intersection of the ridges is chamfered.
The tongue force measurement training device according to any one of claims 2 to 5, characterized in that at least a part of the ridges formed by the surfaces of the tongue contact body and the intersection of the ridges has a curved surface shape. .
The tongue force according to any one of claims 2 to 7, characterized in that the surface from the rod to the tongue contact body has a step having a height difference along the length direction of the rod. Measurement training device.
The tongue force measurement training device according to any one of claims 2 to 8, characterized in that the tongue contact body can be attached to and detached from the rod.
The tongue force measurement training device according to any one of claims 2 to 9, characterized in that the tongue contact body has a rough surface.
4. The tongue contact body is characterized in that at least part of its surface is made of a material selected from rubber, silicone rubber, plastic, vinyl, metal, ceramic, pottery, and porcelain. 11. The tongue force measurement training device according to any one of 2 to 10.
The tongue contact body has a height in the range of 0.9 cm to 1.5 cm and a width in the range of 0.9 cm to 1.5 cm. 12. The training device for tongue strength measurement according to any one of claims 2 to 11, characterized in that is in the range of 0.9 cm to 2.5 cm.
The tongue force measurement training device according to any one of claims 1 to 12,
a device holding mechanism for holding the tongue force measurement training device such that the tip portion of the rod or the tongue contact body is positioned in front of the user's mouth. .
The tongue force measurement training device according to claim 13, characterized in that said device holding mechanism is mounted on said user's head.
The device holding mechanism mounted on the user's head is a mask-shaped frame that can contact the user's face,
an instrument holding member extending from the frame to the front of the user's mouth;
15. The tongue force measurement training device according to claim 14, wherein the tongue force measurement training device is attached to the device holding member.
The tongue strength measurement training device according to claim 15,
Furthermore, it has a movement mechanism for moving the tongue force measurement training device up and down, left and right, and back and forth with respect to the user's mouth,
A tongue force measurement training device, wherein the tongue force measurement training device is attached to the device holding member via the moving mechanism.
The tongue strength measurement training device according to claim 16,
(a) the tongue contact body of the tongue force measurement training device horizontally rotates around the user's mouth with the user's mouth as a center; a rotating mechanism;
(b) an angle indicator for displaying a rotation angle with respect to the oral cavity of the user when the rotating mechanism rotates.
The tongue strength measurement training device according to claim 13,
The tongue force measurement training device further comprises a forehead contacting member for contacting the user's forehead, and a chin resting member for resting the chin.
The tongue strength measurement training device according to claim 18,
Furthermore, it has a movement mechanism for moving the tongue force measurement training device up and down, left and right, and back and forth with respect to the user's mouth,
A tongue force measurement training device, wherein the tongue force measurement training device is attached to the device holding mechanism via the moving mechanism.
The tongue strength measurement training device according to claim 19,
Further, a rotation mechanism in which the tongue contact body of the tongue force measurement training device horizontally rotates around the user's mouth centering on the user's oral cavity together with the moving mechanism. ,
and an angle indicator for displaying a rotation angle with respect to the oral cavity of the user when the rotating mechanism rotates.
The tongue force measurement training device according to any one of claims 13 to 20,
A tongue strength measurement and training device further comprising a tongue strength indicator for displaying a current value of the tongue strength measured by the tongue strength measurement training device.
The tongue force measurement training device according to any one of claims 13 to 21,
Furthermore, a tongue strength indicator that displays the maximum value of tongue strength measured by the tongue strength measurement training device;
and a maximum value reset device for resetting the maximum value.