System and Method for Tongue Force Detection and Exercise

• US 20120143091A1
• Filed: 11/30/2011
• Published: 06/07/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 12/02/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Eric Friedland, Mark Annett
• Original Assignee: Eric Friedland, Mark Annett
• Inventors: Annett, Mark, Friedland, Eric
• Granted Patent: US 8,905,947 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/590
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/0247 Pressure sensors
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/225 of the fingers, e.g. by monitoring hand-grip force
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/228 of masticatory organs, e.g. detecting dental force
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4542 Evaluating the mouth, e.g. the jaw
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/7405 using sound
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/7455 characterised by tactile indication, e.g. vibration or electrical stimulation

Abstract

A force sensing and exercise device for assessment and therapeutic usage is described herein. The force sensing device may include a registration plate, to form a ridge with a body part of a patient and provide a fixed point from which measurements are taken. The force sensing device allows for linear movement as a component of the measurement and the ability to vary exercise resistance continuously over an exercise range. Tactile and auditory feedback is provided to a patient to indicate than an exercise objective has been achieved.

Claims

1. A force sensing device, comprising:

a force sensing element configured to receive compressive force from a user'"'"'s tongue; and

a registration plate, supporting the force sensing element, that forms a shelf against a body part to maintain a position of the force sensing element relative to a force exerted by another body part.

2. The force sensing device of claim 1, wherein the registration plate maintains a fixed position from which force measurements are taken.

3. The force sensing device of claim 1, further comprising:

a longitudinal element having two ends, a first end coupled perpendicularly to the registration plate.

4. The force sensing device of claim 1, further comprising:

measurement equipment attached to the force sensing element, wherein the measurement equipment comprises;

a processor that receives data from the force sensing element;

a display that displays the data; and

a reset actuator.

5. The force sensing device of claim 1, wherein the force sensing element is a conductive sensor.

6. The force sensing device of claim 1, wherein the force sensing element is a pneumatic element.

7. The force sensing device of claim 1, further comprising:

an enclosure housing the force sensing element; and

a cap slidably disposed within the enclosure and engaged to contact with the force sensing element such that the cap pushes against the force sensing element axially in response to the tongue applying compressive force to the cap.

8. The force sensing device of claim 7, further comprising:

a circuit assembly, disposed within the enclosure, configured to receive data representative of a sensed compressive force from the force sensing element; and

a display disposed on the enclosure, that displays the sensed compressive force based on the data representative of the sensed compressive force received by the circuit assembly.

9. The force sensing device of claim 1, further comprising:

an enclosure housing the force sensing element; and

a compressive element, coupled to the force sensing element, within the enclosure; and

a cap slidably disposed within the enclosure and engaged to contact with the compressive element such that the cap pushes against the compressive element axially in response to the tongue applying compressive force to the cap.

10. The force sensing device of claim 9, wherein the cap creates an auditory and tactile indication to a user in response to the cap moving linearly within the enclosure.

11. The force sensing device of claim 9, further comprising:

a resistance adjuster, coupled to the compressive element, configured to adjust the compressive element in order to change a resistance of the compressive element.

24. The force sensing device of claim 11, wherein the cap creates an auditory and tactile indication to a user in response to the cap moving linearly within the enclosure.

25. The force sensing device of claim 11, further comprising:

a resistance adjuster, coupled to the compressive element, configured to adjust the compressive element in order to change a resistance of the compressive element.

12. A method for measuring tongue force, comprising:

receiving at least one application of compressive force from a user'"'"'s tongue at a cap that moves slidably relative to an enclosure, against a resistance of a compressive element, in response to receiving an application of compressive force;

creating an auditory and tactile indication for the user in response to each instance that an application of compressive force satisfies a resistance threshold.

13. The method of claim 12, further comprising:

adjusting a resistance threshold for the compressive element.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein adjusting the resistance threshold comprises:

setting the resistance threshold based on a predetermined scale associated with a nominal resistance value achievable by a particular population.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein scale level of 100 is equivalent to 100 percent of the nominal resistance value.

16. The method of claim 12, further comprising:

adjusting the resistance threshold continuously over a range of interest.

26. The force sensing device of claim 15, further comprising:

a resistance scale integrated with the enclosure, to display a current resistance provided by the compressive element.

27. The force sensing device of claim 26, wherein the resistance scale represents a predetermined scale associated with a nominal resistance value achievable by a particular population

17. A force sensing device, comprising:

an enclosure;

a compressive element within the enclosure; and

a cap slidably disposed within the enclosure and engaged to contact with the compressive element such that the cap pushes against the compressive element axially in response to a tongue applying compressive force to the cap.

18. The force sensing device of claim 17, further comprising:

a registration plate integral with the enclosure, that forms a shelf against a body part to maintain a position of the enclosure relative to the tongue to facilitate the cap moving slidably during use.

19. The force sensing device of claim 18, wherein the registration plate maintains a fixed position from which force measurements are taken.

20. The force sensing device of claim 17 further comprising:

a force sensing element, disposed within the enclosure, to contact the compressive element when the cap moves slidably relative to the enclosure, against the resistance of the compressive element.

21. The force sensing device of claim 17, further comprising:

a circuit assembly, disposed within the enclosure, configured to receive data representative of a sensed compressive force from the force sensing element; and

a display disposed on the enclosure, that displays the sensed compressive force based on the data representative of the sensed compressive force received by the circuit assembly.

22. The force sensing device of claim 17, wherein the compressive element comprises a spring.

23. The force sensing device of claim 17, wherein the force sensing device is covered by a disposable sheath.

28. A force sensing device, comprising:

an enclosure;

a force sensing element within the enclosure; and

a cap slidably disposed within the enclosure and engaged to contact with the force sensing element such that the cap pushes against the force sensing element in response to a tongue applying compressive force to the cap.

29. The force sensing device of claim 28, further comprising:

a registration plate integral with the enclosure, that forms a shelf against a body part to maintain a position of the enclosure relative to the tongue to facilitate the cap moving slidably during use.

30. The force sensing device of claim 29, wherein the registration plate maintains a fixed position from which force measurements are taken.

31. The force sensing device of claim 28, further comprising:

a circuit assembly, disposed within the enclosure, configured to receive data representative of a sensed compressive force from the force sensing element; and

a display disposed on the enclosure, that displays the sensed compressive force based on the data representative of the sensed compressive force received by the circuit assembly.