SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR REDUCING SUBCONSCIOUS NEUROMUSCULAR TENSION INCLUDING BRUXISM

• US 20110288445A1
• Filed: 05/18/2011
• Published: 11/24/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 05/18/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: A&E MedTech LLC
• Original Assignee: Adam Kirell, Erik Lillydahl
• Inventors: Lillydahl, Erik, Kirell, Adam
• Granted Patent: US 8,690,800 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/590
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/389 Electromyography [EMG]
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4557 Evaluating bruxism

Abstract

A system for the detection of bruxism includes an electronics housing configured to be worn on the face of a user. The system further includes a first and second sensor, located on a side of the electronics housing. The first and second sensors are secured firmly to the face of the user, positioned a distance apart from each other, and positioned to rest over a muscle of the face; the distance apart being such that the first and second sensors both rest on the muscle of the face. The system also includes a feedback generator, configured to provide feedback to the user when a clenching event occurs. The system also includes a microprocessor, configured to receive a plurality of inputs from the first and second sensors, determine when the clenching event occurs, and activate the feedback generator to provide feedback to the user upon an occurrence of the clenching event.

Claims

1. A system for the detection of bruxism, comprising:

an electronics housing configured to be worn on a head of a user;

a first and second sensor, located on a side of the electronics housing, such that the first and second sensors are secured firmly to the face of the user, the first and second sensors positioned a distance apart from each other and positioned to rest over a muscle of the face, the distance apart being such that the first and second sensors both rest on the muscle of the face;

a feedback generator, configured to provide feedback to the user when a clenching event occurs; and

a microprocessor, configured to receive a plurality of inputs from the first and second sensors, determines when the clenching event occurs, and activates the feedback generator to provide the feedback to the user upon an occurrence of the clenching event.

2. The system of claim 1, further comprising:

a ground sensor that provides a second plurality of inputs to the microprocessor.

3. The system of claim 2 wherein the ground sensor is placed a second distance from the first and second sensors, the second distance being greater than the distance between the first and second sensors.

4. The system of claim 1 wherein the microprocessor includes logic for providing an envelope follower with a high time constant, wherein the logic provides for the determining of the microprocessor.

5. The system of claim 1 wherein the feedback generator is a small unbalanced motor.

6. The system of claim 2 wherein the ground is configured to be located in a location on the face of the user where there are few muscle fibers.

7. The system of claim 1 wherein the microprocessor includes logic for providing a ring buffer, wherein the ring buffer is used to determine an average for the plurality of inputs, and the average of the plurality of inputs is compared to a threshold to determine the clenching event.

8. The system of claim 1 wherein the muscle is the masseter muscle.

9. The system of claim 1 wherein the muscle is the temporalis muscle.

10. The system of claim 1 wherein the muscle is the Frontalis muscles.

11. The system of claim 1 wherein the muscle is the trapezius muscle.

12. The system of claim 1 wherein the muscle is the sternocleidomastoid.

13. The system of claim 1 wherein the electronics housing includes a wireless network communication system.

14. The system of claim 13 wherein the wireless network communication system is a Bluetooth communication system.

15. The system of claim 14 wherein the Bluetooth communication system communicates with a device capable of receiving a Bluetooth signal, and the device receiving the Bluetooth signal includes the feedback generator.

16. The system of claim 15 wherein the device receiving the Bluetooth signal includes the microprocessor.

17. The system of claim 15 wherein the electronics housing includes the first and second sensors but not the microprocessor and feedback generator.

18. The system of claim 1 wherein the electronics housing includes an adhesive portion for securing the first and second sensors.

19. The system of claim 1 wherein the electronics housing is included as part of a pair of glasses.

20. The system of claim 1 wherein the electronics housing is included as part of a Bluetooth headset.

21. A method for the prediction of bruxism, the method comprising:

(a) providing a Bruxism Detection System to a user;

(b) calibrating the Bruxism Detection System, including providing a manual adjustment mechanism for the user;

(c) monitoring the user with the Bruxism Detection System, wherein the monitoring includes smoothing the signal from a plurality of sensors;

(d) detecting a clenching event, including comparing a second electromyography signal to the clenching event indicator; and

(e) providing feedback to the user based on the detecting of (d).