JP7626989B2 - Bite training device - Google Patents

Description

This disclosure relates to a bite training device that improves bite force.

A decrease in bite force can have an effect not only on the oral cavity but also on other tissues of the human body. For this reason, there is a need to prevent the decrease in bite force. Patent Document 1 discloses an example of a bite force training device that uses a mouthpiece made of elastomer.

JP 2013-192865 A

When using training devices such as those described above, it can be difficult to bite the mouthpiece with an appropriate biting force. If the biting force exerted by the user is low, it is not possible to expect improvement in biting force. On the other hand, if the biting force exerted by the user is too high, there is a risk that the training device will be destroyed or the user's teeth will be fractured.

The bite training device disclosed herein has an bite portion and a support portion that supports the bite portion, the bite portion includes a first member and a second member that faces the first member, and the first member includes a first leaf spring that is deformed by bite.

The bite training device disclosed herein allows the user to appropriately exert bite force, allowing the bite force to be appropriately trained.

FIG. FIG. FIG. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing the bite portion in a first state. FIG. 4 is a front view showing the bite portion and the support portion housed in the housing portion. FIG. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of an occlusal portion in a second state.

(An example of a possible form of the bite training device)
(1) The bite training device of the present disclosure has an bite portion and a support portion that supports the bite portion, the bite portion including a first member and a second member that faces the first member, and the first member including a first leaf spring that deforms due to bite.
The bite training device is composed of a first member and a second member, and the first member is composed of a first leaf spring. Furthermore, by providing the second member, the first leaf spring buckles when the user bites the first leaf spring with a force greater than a predetermined force. Therefore, the bite force of either the upper or lower jaw of the user can be appropriately exerted, and the bite force can be appropriately trained.

(2) According to one example of the bite training device, the second member includes a second leaf spring that is deformed by bite.
According to the bite training device, the second member includes the second leaf spring, so that the bite force of both the upper and lower jaws can be appropriately exerted and the bite force can be appropriately trained.

(3) According to one example of the bite training device, the recess of the first leaf spring and the recess of the second leaf spring face each other.
According to the bite training device, the bite force can be suitably trained by the first leaf spring and the second leaf spring.

(4) According to one example of the bite training device, the bite training device further includes a housing portion having a housing space for housing the bite portion and the support portion.
According to the bite training device, the bite portion and the support portion are housed in the housing portion, so that the user can preferably bite the bite portion.

(5) According to one example of the bite training device, the accommodation portion has an opening that connects the accommodation space with the outside, and further has a covering portion that covers the opening.
According to the bite training device, the covering portion is provided, so that the possibility of the bite portion and the support portion jumping out of the opening is suppressed.

(6) According to an example of the bite training device, the covering portion includes at least one of silicone, synthetic rubber, and thermoplastic resin.
According to the bite training device, the covering portion contains at least one of silicone, synthetic rubber, and thermoplastic resin, so that the bite force of the user can be suitably transmitted to the bite portion.

(Embodiment)
With reference to Figs. 1 to 7, an embodiment of the bite training device 10 will be described. The bite training device 10 shown in Fig. 1 is used to suppress a decrease in bite force, maintain bite force, or strengthen bite force. Biting force is a force with which a user bites an object in the oral cavity. Biting force training includes training of muscles present around the oral cavity. Examples of muscles present around the oral cavity include the temporalis muscle, masseter muscle, and pterygoid muscle. The bite training device 10 may be used independently, or may be attached to a different configuration. The bite training device 10 may be used alone, or may be used in a plurality of units of two or more. When two or more units are used, the target areas for biting force training are different. The target areas are at least one of an anterior tooth area and a posterior tooth area. The anterior tooth area includes a central incisor, a lateral incisor, and a canine. The posterior tooth area includes a premolar and a molar. The bite training device 10 is configured with a shape and size suitable for insertion into the oral cavity of a user. The shape of the occlusion training device 10 is, for example, a rectangular prism as shown in Fig. 1. In another example, the shape of the occlusion training device 10 is a cylinder. In the following description, the direction in which the teeth of the target area of the user come into contact and a force acts when using the occlusion training device 10 may be described as an up-down direction XA. A direction perpendicular to the up-down direction XA may be described as a left-right direction XB or a front-back direction XC.

As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the main elements constituting the bite training device 10 are the bite portion 20 and the support portion 30 that supports the bite portion 20. The bite portion 20 is configured to change from a first state to a second state when it is bitten with a force equal to or greater than a predetermined force. The bite portion 20 is configured to change from the second state to the first state when it is not bitten with a force equal to or greater than a predetermined force. The first state includes a state in which the bite portion 20 is not deformed. The second state includes a state in which at least a portion of the bite portion 20 is deformed.

The bite portion 20 includes a first member 20A and a second member 20B. At least one of the first member 20A and the second member 20B is made of metal. When one of the first member 20A and the second member 20B is made of metal, the other of the first member 20A and the second member 20B may be made of at least one of silicone, hard rubber, and thermoplastic resin. The first member 20A and the second member 20B are arranged to face each other in the vertical direction XA.

The first member 20A includes a first leaf spring 21. One or more first leaf springs 21 are provided. The shape of the first leaf spring 21 is formed, for example, in a rectangular shape in a plan view. The shape of the first leaf spring 21 is configured so that the end 21A and the center 21B are connected by a curve in a side view. In the first state of the first leaf spring 21, when the center 21B is provided above the end 21A in the vertical direction XA, the end 21A and the center 21B are connected by a curve that is convex upward. When the center 21B is provided below the end 21A in the vertical direction XA, the end 21A and the center 21B are connected by a curve that is convex downward. The curvature of the curve connecting the end 21A and the center 21B is in the range of 6R to 8R. In one example, the curvature of the curve connecting the end 21A and the center 21B is 7R. The first leaf spring 21 is formed with a recess 21C with a curvature of 7R.

When a predetermined force is applied, the first leaf spring 21 changes from the first state shown in FIG. 4 to the second state shown in FIG. 7. In one example, the first leaf spring 21 in the first state buckles, causing the first leaf spring 21 to change to the second state. The buckled first leaf spring 21 changes the relative position of the center 21B with respect to the end 21A in the up-down direction XA compared to the unbuckled first leaf spring 21. When the predetermined force is no longer applied, the first leaf spring 21 in the second state changes to the first state. When the first leaf spring 21 changes from one of the first and second states to the other, sound is generated due to buckling.

The second member 20B includes a second leaf spring 22. The shape of the second leaf spring 22 is formed, for example, in a rectangular shape in a plan view. The shape of the second leaf spring 22 is configured so that the end 22A and the center 22B are connected by a curve in a side view. In the second leaf spring 22 in the first state, when the center 22B is provided above the end 22A in the vertical direction XA, the end 22A and the center 22B are connected by a curve that is convex upward. When the center 22B is provided below the end 22A in the vertical direction XA, the end 22A and the center 22B are connected by a curve that is convex downward. The curvature of the curve that connects the end 22A and the center 22B is in the range of 6R to 8R. In one example, the curvature of the curve that connects the end 22A and the center 22B is 7R. The second leaf spring 22 is formed with a recess 22C with a curvature of 7R.

When a predetermined force is applied, the second leaf spring 22 changes from the first state shown in FIG. 4 to the second state shown in FIG. 7. In one example, the second leaf spring 22 in the first state buckles, causing the second leaf spring 22 to change to the second state. In the buckled second leaf spring 22, the relative position of the center 22B with respect to the end 22A in the up-down direction XA changes compared to the non-buckled second leaf spring 22. When the predetermined force is no longer applied, the second leaf spring 22 in the second state changes to the first state. When the second leaf spring 22 changes from one of the first and second states to the other, sound is generated due to buckling.

The first leaf spring 21 and the second leaf spring 22 are arranged to face each other in the vertical direction XA. Specifically, the recess 21C formed in the first leaf spring 21 and the recess 22C formed in the second leaf spring 22 are arranged to face each other.

The predetermined force for buckling at least one of the first leaf spring 21 and the second leaf spring 22 and changing the state from the first state to the second state is set to any force depending on the subject and purpose of use of the bite training device 10. In one example, the subject is a small child or an elderly person. In another example, the subject is an adult. The purpose of use is at least one of suppressing a decrease in bite force, maintaining bite force, or strengthening bite force. If the subject is an elderly person and the purpose of use is suppressing a decrease in bite force, the predetermined force is preferably in the range of 5N to 200N. In one example, the predetermined force is 100N. If the subject is an adult and the purpose of use is strengthening bite force, the predetermined force is preferably in the range of 5N to 50N. In one example, the predetermined force is 10N. The predetermined force is changed, for example, depending on the metal material constituting the first leaf spring 21 and the second leaf spring 22 and the thickness in the vertical direction XA.

The support portion 30 supports at least one of the first member 20A and the second member 20B that constitute the interlocking portion 20. In this embodiment, the support portion 30 supports both the first leaf spring 21 and the second leaf spring 22.

The support portion 30 includes a first support portion 31 and a second support portion 32. The first support portion 31 supports one end of the first member 20A and the second member 20B in a predetermined direction. The second support portion 32 supports the other end of the first member 20A and the second member 20B in the predetermined direction. The predetermined direction is, for example, the front-rear direction XC of the first member 20A and the second member 20B.

The material constituting the first support portion 31 is made of a material suitable for supporting the occlusal portion 20 and for appropriately deforming the occlusal portion 20 from one of the first state and the second state to the other when a predetermined force is applied. The material constituting the first support portion 31 is, for example, silicone, synthetic rubber, or thermoplastic resin. The material constituting the first support portion 31 may be foamed silicone obtained by adding a foaming agent to silicone.

The first support portion 31 has one or more slits 31A that support the bite portion 20. The slits 31A are configured to be able to support the ends of the first leaf spring 21 and the second leaf spring 22. The first leaf spring 21 and the second leaf spring 22 are supported by the first support portion 31 by inserting the ends of the first leaf spring 21 and the second leaf spring 22 into the slits 31A.

The material constituting the second support portion 32 is made of a material suitable for supporting the occlusal portion 20 and for appropriately deforming the occlusal portion 20 from one of the first state and the second state to the other when a predetermined force is applied. The material constituting the second support portion 32 is, for example, silicone, synthetic rubber, or thermoplastic resin. The material constituting the second support portion 32 may be foamed silicone obtained by adding a foaming agent to silicone.

The second support portion 32 has one or more slits 32A that support the bite portion 20. The slits 32A are configured to be able to support the ends of the first leaf spring 21 and the second leaf spring 22. The first leaf spring 21 and the second leaf spring 22 are supported by the second support portion 32 by inserting the ends of the first leaf spring 21 and the second leaf spring 22 into the slits 32A.

The bite training device 10 further includes a storage section 40 that stores the bite section 20 and the support section 30. The storage section 40 includes a main body 41. Inside the main body 41, a storage space S is formed in which at least a portion of the bite section 20 and the support section 30 is stored. The material that constitutes the main body 41 is, for example, silicone, synthetic rubber, or thermoplastic resin. The material that constitutes the main body 41 may be foamed silicone in which a foaming agent is added to silicone.

An opening 42 is formed in the main body 41 of the storage section 40. The opening 42 connects the storage space S with the outside. One or more openings 42 may be formed. It is preferable that at least one opening 42 is configured to be longer in the left-right direction XB and the front-back direction XC than a configuration in which the bite section 20 and the support section 30 are integrally formed. A handle H is formed in the storage section 40 for connection to other components or for the user to grasp.

The covering portion 50 is configured to at least partially cover the opening 42 provided in the main body 41. Preferably, the covering portion 50 is configured to cover the entirety of the opening 42. The covering portion 50 is made of a material capable of transmitting the user's biting force to the biting portion 20. The hardness of a material suitable for forming the covering portion 50 is preferably relatively low. The material constituting the covering portion 50 is, for example, silicone, synthetic rubber, or thermoplastic resin. The material constituting the covering portion 50 may be foamed silicone obtained by adding a foaming agent to silicone. The covering portion 50 is further at least partially covered by a sheet 51. The material constituting the sheet 51 is, for example, silicone, synthetic rubber, or thermoplastic resin. The material constituting the sheet 51 may be foamed silicone obtained by adding a foaming agent to silicone.

A center mark 50A is formed at the center of the covering portion 50. The center mark 50A is formed, for example, with paint that does not affect the human body. The center mark 50A and the central portion 21B of the first leaf spring 21 and the central portion 22B of the second leaf spring 22 that constitute the bite portion 20 are at least in the same location in the vertical direction XA.

The covering portion 50 is adhered to the housing portion 40. In one example, the covering portion 50 and the housing portion 40 are bonded by thermocompression. In another example, the end portion 41A of the body 41 of the housing portion 40 and the covering portion 50 are adhered with an adhesive that has no effect on the human body even if it dissolves in the oral cavity. It is preferable that the adhesive strength is such that the covering portion 50 can be peeled off from the housing portion 40.

Figure 6 shows the bite exercise device 10 attached to an oral care item 100. The oral care item 100 is, for example, a conventional toothbrush having a handle 110 and a head portion 120. The bite exercise device 10 is attached to the head portion 120. The bite exercise device 10 may be attached, for example, by adhesive, or may be attached to the head portion 120 of the oral care item 100 by an engagement portion (not shown).

A method of using the bite exercise device 10 of this embodiment will be described.
When the user bites the covering portion 50 of the bite training device 10 with a force greater than a predetermined force with the teeth of the target area, the bite portion 20 changes from the first state shown in FIG. 4 to the second state shown in FIG. 7. When changing from the first state to the second state, a sound is generated due to buckling of at least one of the first leaf spring 21 and the second leaf spring 22. The user recognizes that buckling has occurred in the bite portion 20 from the generation of the sound, and ends the bite of the bite training device 10. With the end of bite, the bite portion 20 changes from the second state shown in FIG. 7 to the first state shown in FIG. 4. When changing from the second state to the first state, a sound is generated due to at least one of the first leaf spring 21 and the second leaf spring 22 returning from buckling to the original state. The user recognizes that the buckling of the bite portion 20 has been resolved from the generation of the sound, and performs bite training of the bite training device 10 again.

According to the bite exercise device 10 of this embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.
(1) The bite training device 10 of this embodiment is composed of a first member 20A and a second member 20B, and the first member 20A is composed of a first leaf spring 21. Furthermore, by providing the second member 20B, the first leaf spring 21 buckles when the user bites the first leaf spring 21 with a force greater than a predetermined force. Therefore, the bite force of either the upper or lower jaw of the user can be appropriately exerted, and the bite force can be appropriately trained.

(2) In the bite training device 10, the second member 20B includes the second leaf spring 22. This allows the bite force of both the upper and lower jaws to be appropriately exerted, and the bite force can be appropriately trained.

(3) The bite training device 10 can effectively train bite force using the first leaf spring 21 and the second leaf spring 22.

(4) The bite training device 10 has the bite section 20 and the support section 30 housed in the housing section 40, allowing the user to bite down on the bite section in a suitable manner.

(5) The bite training device 10 is provided with a covering portion, which reduces the possibility of the bite portion and support portion popping out of the opening.

(6) The covering portion 50 of the bite training device 10 includes at least one of silicone, synthetic rubber, and thermoplastic resin. By being made of at least one of silicone, synthetic rubber, and thermoplastic resin, the bite force of the user can be suitably transmitted to the bite portion 20.

(7) When the occlusal portion 20 changes from one of the first state and the second state to the other, a sound associated with buckling is generated from at least one of the first leaf spring 21 and the second leaf spring 22. This allows the user to easily recognize that the state has changed from one of the first state and the second state to the other. When the state has changed from the first state to the second state, the user can easily recognize that there is no need to bite the occlusal training device 10 any more. When the state has changed from the second state to the first state, the user can recognize that he or she can bite the occlusal training device 10 again to train his or her bite force.

(8) In the bite training device 10, the support part 30 supports the bite part 20 by inserting the first member 20A and the second member 20B into the slits 31A and 32A. Therefore, the first member 20A and the second member 20B can be easily attached and detached. For example, the bite training device 10 can be used by selecting the first member 20A and the second member 20B that constitute the bite part 20 appropriately depending on the target user and the purpose of use.

(9) The support portion 30 and the storage portion 40 are made of a relatively soft material such as silicone, synthetic rubber, or thermoplastic resin. Therefore, even if the user bites down on the support portion 30, the risk of damage to the bite training device 10 and the fracture of the teeth is reduced.

(10) The opening 42 of the storage section 40 allows the configuration of the occlusion section 20 and the support section 30 to be easily replaced with any configuration. This improves the usability of the occlusion training device 10.

(11) A center mark 50A is formed on the covering portion 50. Therefore, for example, when a practitioner other than the user of the bite training device 10 uses the bite training device 10, position adjustment can be easily performed. In one example, the practitioner is a childcare or caregiver for the user.

(Example)
The above-mentioned embodiment will be described in more detail with reference to examples. Note that the present disclosure is not limited to the configurations described in the examples.
In Examples A to G, at least one of the occlusal portion 20, the support portion 30, the storage portion 40, the covering portion 50, the sheet 51, and the oral care item 100 was changed. Table 1 shows the details of the configuration of each Example. In each Example, the user's occlusal force was appropriately trained.

The engaging portion 20 used leaf springs of the same material and specifications for both the first leaf spring 21 and the second leaf spring 22. The leaf spring used was one of a standard leaf spring, a leaf spring harder than the standard leaf spring, and a leaf spring longer in the front-to-rear direction XC than the standard leaf spring.

The first support part 31 and the second support part 32 of the support part 30 are both made of the same material and have the same specifications. The support part 30 is made of silicone. The silicone used for the support part 30 is of standard hardness or harder than the standard hardness. The hardness of the silicone was measured using a type A durometer.

The storage section 40 is made of silicone. The silicone used to make the storage section 40 was either standard or longer in the front-to-back direction XC than the standard silicone. The hardness of the silicone was measured using a type E durometer.

The covering part 50 is made of silicone. A standard covering part 50 or a covering part that is longer in the front-to-rear direction XC than the standard covering part 50 was used.

The sheet 51 is made of silicone. The sheet 51 used was either a standard one, one harder than the standard one, or one that is longer in the front-to-back direction XC than the standard one.

The handle 110 is made of a material suitable for a user to grip. The handle 110 used was one of the following: one that is long in the longitudinal direction of the handle portion and made of polyethylene terephthalate, one that is short in the longitudinal direction of the handle portion, and one that is long in the longitudinal direction of the handle portion and made of silicone.

Preferred specifications of the bite training device 10 will now be illustrated.
It is preferable that the length of the occlusion forging apparatus 10 in the up-down direction XA be within a range of 4 mm to 14 mm. In one example, the length of the occlusion forging apparatus 10 in the up-down direction XA is 9 mm. It is preferable that the length of the occlusion forging apparatus 10 in the left-right direction XB be within a range of 7 mm to 27 mm. In one example, the length of the occlusion forging apparatus 10 in the left-right direction XB is 17 mm. It is preferable that the length of the occlusion forging apparatus 10 in the front-back direction XC be within a range of 8 mm to 37 mm. In one example, the length of the occlusion forging apparatus 10 in the front-back direction XC is 23 mm.

The length of the first leaf spring 21 and the second leaf spring 22 in the up-down direction XA is preferably within the range of 2 mm to 15 mm. In one example, the length of the first leaf spring 21 and the second leaf spring 22 in the up-down direction XA is 5 mm. The length of the first leaf spring 21 and the second leaf spring 22 in the left-right direction XB is preferably within the range of 3 mm to 20 mm. In one example, the length of the first leaf spring 21 and the second leaf spring 22 in the left-right direction XB is 11 mm. The length of the first leaf spring 21 and the second leaf spring 22 in the front-rear direction XC is preferably within the range of 5 mm to 30 mm. In one example, the length of the first leaf spring 21 and the second leaf spring 22 in the front-rear direction XC is 18 mm.

The hardness of the silicone of the first support section 31 and the second support section 32 that constitute the support section 30 is preferably within the range of 10° to 70°. In one example, the hardness of the silicone is 30°. The hardness of the silicone that constitutes the storage section 40 is preferably within the range of 10° to 70°. In one example, the hardness of the foamed silicone that constitutes the storage section 40 is 30°.

The hardness of the silicone that constitutes the covering portion 50 is preferably within the range of 10° to 70°. In one example, the hardness of the silicone that constitutes the covering portion 50 is 30°. The hardness of the silicone that constitutes the sheet 51 is preferably within the range of 10° to 70°. In one example, the hardness of the silicone that constitutes the sheet 51 is 30°.

The longitudinal length of the handle 110 is preferably in the range of 50 mm to 250 mm. In one example, the longitudinal length of the handle 110 is 150 mm.

(Modification)
The explanations regarding the embodiments are merely examples of possible forms of the bite training device according to the present invention, and are not intended to limit the forms. In addition to the embodiments, the present invention may take forms such as modified versions of the embodiments shown below, and combinations of at least two mutually compatible modified versions.

- The first member 20A and the second member 20B may be modified as desired. In one example, the first member 20A includes a plate made of metal instead of the first leaf spring 21. The second member 20B is composed of a second leaf spring 22. The plate is less prone to buckling than the second leaf spring 22. In another example, the second member 20B includes a plate made of metal instead of the second leaf spring.

- At least one of the first member 20A and the second member 20B may be composed of a plurality of first leaf springs 21 and second leaf springs 22. By being composed of a plurality of first leaf springs 21 and second leaf springs 22, the specified force required for buckling can be increased as desired.

- The center mark 50A may be configured so that the user himself/herself can recognize the center of the bite training device 10. In one example, the center mark 50A is an unevenness formed in the covering portion 50. By recognizing the unevenness of the center mark 50A in the oral cavity, the user is more likely to be able to recognize the appropriate bite position in the bite training device 10. The unevenness may be a single unevenness, or may include multiple unevennesses. The multiple unevennesses are formed, for example, in a Braille shape.

10...occlusion training device, 20...occlusion section, 30...support section, 40...accommodation section, 50...covering section.

Claims (4)

The occlusion part and
A support portion that supports the bite portion,
The bite portion includes a first member and
a second member opposed to the first member,
The first member includes a first leaf spring that is deformed by engagement,
The second member includes a second leaf spring that is deformed by engagement,
The recess of the first leaf spring and the recess of the second leaf spring face each other.
Bite training device. The occlusion part and
A support portion that supports the bite portion,
The bite portion includes a first member and
a second member opposed to the first member,
The first member includes a first leaf spring that is deformed by engagement,
The support member further includes a housing portion having a housing space for housing the bite portion and the support portion.
Bite training device. The storage section has an opening that connects the storage space with the outside,
The opening is further provided with a covering portion.
The bite training device according to claim 2 . The coating portion includes at least one of silicone, synthetic rubber, and thermoplastic resin.
The bite training device according to claim 3 .