Systems and methods for reducing subconscious neuromuscular tension including bruxism

• US 8,690,800 B2
• Filed: 05/18/2011
• Issued: 04/08/2014
• 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
• Primary Examiner(s): SZMAL, BRIAN SCOTT
• Application Number:
  US13/110,757
• Publication Number:
  US 20110288445A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,056 Days
• Field of Search: 600/546, 600/587, 600/590, 600/595
• 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 sensor and a second sensor, located on a side of the electronics housing, such that the first and second sensors are configured to be secured firmly to the face of the user using an adhesive portion, 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 clench event occurs;

a microprocessor, the microprocessor configured to execute programming receive a plurality of inputs from the first and second sensors, determine when the clench event occurs based on the plurality of inputs from the first and second sensors, and activate the feedback generator to provide the feedback to the user upon an occurrence of the clench event; and

a ground sensor configured to provide a second plurality of inputs to the microprocessor and wherein the ground is configured to be located in a location on the face of the user where there are few muscle fibers, wherein the electronics housing includes the first and second sensors but not the microprocessor and feedback generator.

2. The system of claim 1 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.

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

4. 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 clench event.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

(a) providing a Bruxism Detection System to a user, wherein the Bruxism Detection System includes a first, second, and third sensor, the third sensor being a ground sensor and the ground is configured to be located in a location on the face of the user where there are few muscle fibers;

(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 clench event, including comparing a second electromyography signal to the clench event indicator;

(e) providing feedback to the user based on the detecting of (d) via a feedback generator;

(f) detecting a response time of the user to the feedback, the response time being a time for the user to stop the clench event; and

(g) adjusting an intensity of the feedback based on the response time.

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

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

a first sensor and a second sensor, located on a side of the electronics housing, such that the first and second sensors are configured to be secured firmly to the face of the user using an adhesive portion, 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 clench event occurs;

a microprocessor, the microprocessor configured to execute programming, receive a plurality of inputs from the first and second sensors, determine when the clench event occurs based on the plurality of inputs from the first and second sensors, and activate the feedback generator to provide the feedback to the user upon an occurrence of the clench event; and

a ground sensor configured to provide a second plurality of inputs to the microprocessor and wherein the ground is configured to be located in a location on the face of the user where there are few muscle fibers, wherein the microprocessor is configured to monitor a response time of the user to the feedback, the response time being a time for the user to stop a clench and wherein the feedback has an intensity, and the intensity of the feedback is automatically adjusted according to the response time.

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

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

a first sensor and a second sensor, located on a side of the electronics housing, such that the first and second sensors are configured to be secured firmly to the face of the user using an adhesive portion, 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 clench event occurs;

a microprocessor, the microprocessor configured to receive a plurality of inputs from the first and second sensors, determine when the clench event occurs based on the plurality of inputs from the first and second sensors, and activate the feedback generator to provide the feedback to the user upon an occurrence of the clench event;

a ground sensor configured to provide a second plurality of inputs to the microprocessor and wherein the ground is configured to be located in a location on the face of the user where there are few muscle fibers; and

wherein the microprocessor is configured to execute programming that monitors a response time of the user to the feedback, the response time being a time for the user to stop a clench and wherein the feedback has an intensity, and the intensity of the feedback is automatically adjusted according to the response time.

15. The system of claim 14, wherein the location is behind the ear of the user.

16. The system of claim 14 wherein the electronics housing includes the first and second sensors but not the microprocessor and feedback generator.

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

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

a first sensor and a second sensor, located on a side of the electronics housing, such that the first and second sensors are configured to be secured firmly to the face of the user using an adhesive portion, 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 clench event occurs;

a microprocessor, the microprocessor configured to execute programming, receive a plurality of inputs from the first and second sensors, determine when the clench event occurs based on the plurality of inputs from the first and second sensors, and activate the feedback generator to provide the feedback to the user upon an occurrence of the clench event; and

a ground sensor configured to provide a second plurality of inputs to the microprocessor and wherein the ground is configured to be located in a location on the face of the user where there are few muscle fibers, wherein the microprocessor is configured execute programming that monitors a response time of the user to the feedback, the response time being a time for the user to stop a clench and wherein the feedback has an intensity, and the intensity of the feedback is automatically adjusted according to the response time.