DE29818783U1 - Device for implementing an intraoral, myofunctional interface to the personal computer - Google Patents

Description

CX

Ill ..

Dipl. Phys. Gerhard Hoch
37130 Equals

Device for implementing an intraoral, myofunctional interface to the Personal Computer

The invention relates to a device for implementing an intraoral, myofunctional interface to the personal computer, which can be used in particular for patients with intraoral, myofunctional disorders as a therapy and as a communication element for people with motor and speech disabilities. As a carrier system for the sensors, a construction using a deep-drawn rail commonly used in dental technology is modified and used in such a way that a simple and cost-effective system is created. The sensor information is converted electronically in such a way that it can be used as an input medium for the personal computer via the mouse input interfaces (in particular serial and PS/2) and the serial interface (in particular RS-232) and the parallel interface.

The sensors, which detect the parameters light, temperature, pressure from the tongue on the palate, as well as the position of the tongue or the distance of the lower jaw from the upper jaw, serve individually or in combination as sensor information for the information "up/down/sideways and event triggering" required as a control element for controlling software on the personal computer.

The computer mouse, the keyboard, the digitizing board, the joystick connected to the game port and the acoustic voice signal are known as personal computer input elements.

Especially in the rehabilitation sector for people with physical or speech disabilities, systems are known that can send commands to the personal computer via motor functions such as blowing with the mouth or moving the eyelid.

For text input, special enlarged, handicapped-accessible keyboards or keyboards with only one key, which present the letters sequentially or in a matrix and then adopt the letter when the key is pressed.

In the absence of executable motor skills, systems are known that can trigger an event via the activation potential to the muscle (EMG).

The invention is based on the object of creating a device of the type described above which enables a further, universal input option on the personal computer.

According to the invention, a very simple device for implementing an intraoral, myofunctional interface to the personal computer can be achieved by using sensors as an information source, which are mounted on a special support structure with the help of a deep-tissue splint in the mouth, for which the parameters light, temperature, pressure through the tongue on the palate as well as the position of the tongue or the distance of the lower jaw from the upper jaw are used individually or in combination.

The light sensor can be used as a semiconductor element or as a photoresistor and indirectly determine the mouth opening via the light intensity in the mouth. In order to also record fluctuations in daylight, a reference light sensor is installed outside.

The temperature sensor, which can consist of all common types such as NTC, PTC resistors, platinum resistors and thermocouples, detects inhalation and exhalation via temperature fluctuations. A decrease in temperature means inhalation of the colder outside air and an increase in temperature means exhalation of the warmer air from the lungs inside the body.

The pressure of the tongue on the palate serves as an indicator of the position of the tongue on the palate and can be detected by sensor elements such as strain gauge measuring strips, pressure foils or pressure gauges, which indirectly introduce the pressure into the sensor via air or liquid-filled balloons.
The position of the tongue or the distance of the lower jaw to the upper jaw can be detected via inductive length measurement, ultrasonic length measurement or via Hall elements in conjunction with a permanent magnet.

The sensor signals listed now serve individually or in combination as control signals for the signals commonly used in personal computers for the computer mouse and the joystick for movements up, down and sideways as well as triggering events by pressing a button.

The invention is explained and described in more detail below using an embodiment.

The device shown in Figure 1 for implementing an intraoral, myofunctional interface to the personal computer has a sensor system on a carrier system -4- made of a special construction using a deep-drawn rail. The sensor signals are amplified using an analog data processor -3- and converted into a digital data stream. The sensor signals in digital form are then converted directly using a microcontroller -2- into the signals commonly used on the personal computer from the computer mouse and the joystick for up/down and sideways movements, as well as an event triggering by pressing a button.

The absolute height of the light sensor signal is used to determine the opening of the mouth and is converted into a movement of the PC cursor to the left or right, up or down. The light sensor -5- is used as a reference for the ambient light and the difference between the two light sensors is taken.

The absolute level of the sensor signal from the temperature sensor is used to detect inhalation and exhalation via temperature fluctuations. A decrease in temperature means inhalation of the colder outside air and an increase in temperature means exhalation of the warmer air from the lungs inside the body. This information is then directly transferred to the game port as movements to the left or right, up or down.
Pressing the tongue on the palate or on the front incisors is detected by sensor elements such as strain gauge measuring strips, pressure foils or pressure gauges, which indirectly introduce the pressure into the sensor via air or a liquid-filled balloon, and is converted into an event trigger (key press on the computer mouse or joystick).
A movement of the tongue or a movement of the lower jaw towards the upper jaw can be measured via inductive length measurement, ultrasonic length measurement or via Hall elements in conjunction with a permanent magnet and converted into a movement of the PC cursor to the left or right, up or down.

List of reference symbols

1 - Generation of the hardware data stream for PC serial interface

and for the game port..

2 - Binary conversion of the sensor information by a microcontroller:

in Mouse-Information left/right & up/down in Joystick-Information

3 - Analog data processing by preamplifier and AD converter

4 - Sensors placed on a palate plate in the mouth

(light, temperature, pressure, position measurement)

5 - Reference - Light sensor

6 - Personal computers

Claims (4)

Protection claims: 1. Device for implementing an intraoral, myofunctional interface to the personal computer , characterized in that sensors for light, or temperature, or pressure through the tongue on the palate or position measurement are used. 2. Device according to claim 1 , characterized in that a conversion of the analog sensor signals into digital data values is carried out by a microcontroller. 3. Device according to claim 1 or 2 , characterized in that the sensor signals present in digital form are converted in a suitable manner adapted to the type of disability of the patient into the signals of the computer mouse and the joystick commonly used in the personal computer for movements up/down and sideways as well as an event triggering by pressing a button. 4. Device according to claim 1 or 2 , characterized in that the sensor signals in digital form are converted directly into the signals of the computer mouse and the joystick commonly used in the personal computer for up/down and sideways movements as well as event triggering by keystroke.