System and method for tongue force detection and exercise
First Claim
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1. A force sensing device, comprising:
- a force sensing element; and
an intraoral registration plate for supporting the force sensing element, the intraoral registration plate comprising a single surface configured to form a shelf against an interior surface of a user'"'"'s upper teeth and an interior surface of the user'"'"'s lower teeth to maintain a position of the force sensing element relative to a force exerted by the user'"'"'s tongue.
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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.
20 Citations
27 Claims
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1. A force sensing device, comprising:
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a force sensing element; and an intraoral registration plate for supporting the force sensing element, the intraoral registration plate comprising a single surface configured to form a shelf against an interior surface of a user'"'"'s upper teeth and an interior surface of the user'"'"'s lower teeth to maintain a position of the force sensing element relative to a force exerted by the user'"'"'s tongue. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A method for measuring tongue force using a tongue force measurement device having an enclosure, a compressive element and a cap, the method comprising:
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receiving at least one application of compressive force from a user'"'"'s tongue at the cap of the tongue force measurement device, wherein the cap moves slidably relative to the enclosure, against a resistance of the compressive element, in response to receiving an application of compressive force; creating an auditory and tactile indication of the cap for the user in response to each instance that an application of compressive force satisfies a resistance threshold by the cap moving slidably a predetermined distance against the compressive element. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A force sensing device, comprising:
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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 is configured to push against the compressive element axially in response to a tongue applying compressive force to the cap and to create an auditory and tactile indication to a user in response to the cap moving axially a predetermined distance. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25)
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26. A force sensing device, comprising:
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an enclosure; a force sensing element within the enclosure; a registration plate integral with the enclosure and configured to form a shelf against an interior surface of a user'"'"'s upper teeth and an interior surface of the user'"'"'s lower teeth; and a cap slidably disposed within the enclosure and engaged to contact with the force sensing element such that the cap is configured to push against the force sensing element in response to a tongue applying compressive force to the cap. - View Dependent Claims (27)
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Specification