SWALLOWING ASSESSMENT AND IMPROVEMENT SYSTEMS AND METHODS

• US 20150045698A1
• Filed: 08/12/2014
• Published: 02/12/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 08/12/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Progia Medical Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Swallow Solutions, Llc
• Inventors: Gribb, Tye, Robbins, JoAnne, Hind, Jackie, Peterman, John
• Granted Patent: US 9,474,483 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/587
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/0247 Pressure sensors
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0002 Remote monitoring of patients using telemetry, e.g. transmission of vital signals via a communication network A61B5/07 takes precedence; transmission systems for measured values G08C; transmission H04B; transmission of digital information H04L; wireless communication networks H04W
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/08 Detecting, measuring or recording devices for evaluating the respiratory organs A61B5/0205 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4205 Evaluating swallowing
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4803 Speech analysis specially adapted for diagnostic purposes
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/682 Mouth, e.g., oral cavity; tongue; Lips; Teeth
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/742 using visual displays A61B5/339 takes precedence

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to devices, systems, and methods for assessing and altering swallowing, speech, and breathing function. In particular, the present disclosure relates to devices and systems to assess and improve speech, breathing, and swallowing function in subjects in need thereof.

Claims

1. An intraoral device for assessing swallowing function, comprising:

a flexible metal frame, and one or a plurality of pressure sensors at a plurality of sensor locations on said frame.

2. The device of claim 1, further a registration component proximal to said plurality of pressure sensors.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein said frame is stainless steel.

4. The device of claim 2, wherein said registration component comprises two sliding components configured to fit around the teeth of a subject.

5. The device of claim 1, wherein said plurality of pressure sensors comprises four or more sensors.

6. The device of claim 1, wherein said pressure sensors are located on an upper or lower surface of said frame.

7. The device claim 1, wherein said pressure sensors are polymer thick film (PTF) sensors that exhibit a decrease in resistance with increase in force applied to the surface of the sensor.

8. The device claim 1, wherein the intraoral device comprises a computer chip with a unique serial number.

9. The device of claim 1, wherein said frame has a composition and shape that provides tensile strength, malleability, and ductability sufficient to withstand stress associated with bending up to 90 degrees.

10. The device of claim 1, wherein said device further comprises a communication component.

11. A system, comprising;

a) the intraoral device of claim 1;

b) a communication component;

c) an information processing component; and

d) a protocol component.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein said communication component is a wireless communication component.

13. The system of claim 11, wherein said information processing component comprises a tablet computer.

14. The system of claim 11, wherein said protocol component comprises one or more diagnostic protocols.

15. The system of claim 11, wherein said protocol component comprises one or more therapeutic protocols.

16. A method of assessing swallowing function, comprising:

a) contacting a device of claim 1 with a mouth of a subject; and

b) assessing aspects of pressures generated for swallowing capability using said system.

17. The method of claim 16, further comprising the step of providing said subject a swallowing therapeutic regime selected based on said assessed swallowing capability.

18. The method of claim 16, wherein the subject performs an exercise with said device, the device generates and sends metrics relating to the exercise to a secure server, the secure server generates and sends alerts and/or reports relating to the exercise to a clinician device, the clinician device sends messages informed by the alerts and/or reports to the device directly or indirectly via the secure server, and a protocol of the device is modified by the messages from the clinician device.