JP6054971B2 - Oral devices that optimize user capabilities - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to oral devices, and in particular, but not necessarily, to oral devices for use during sports activities.

  Mouth guards are commonly used in sports to protect the user's teeth and accompanying structures (eg, the dental arch and upper and lower jaws) from injury as a result of the force applied to the mouth.

  Mouth guards commonly available today fall into one of three categories. That is, a standard mouth guard supplied to the user in the form in which it should be used, a self-moldable mouth guard that can be shaped by the user so that the inside of the mouth guard adapts to the shape of the user's teeth , And custom mouth guards molded by professionals to suit user characteristics.

  More recently, the physiological effects of mouthguard have been observed. And the design has been adapted so that physiological benefits are provided to the user through the use of even mouth guards or even oral devices with minimal protective features. For example, Patent Document 1 describes a mouth guard that reduces the pressure at the temporomandibular joint as the user bites the mouth guard, thereby reducing the amount of stress hormone released by the user using the device.

International Publication No. 2009/012243

  According to a first aspect of the present invention, an oral device including at least one engagement portion configured to receive a pad, and a plurality of pads, each pad being attached to at least one engagement portion. A kit comprising a plurality of pads, wherein at least two of the plurality of pads have different depths. By providing a replaceable pad, the pad can be placed on the user's maxillary and mandibular teeth by changing the depth of the pad attached to the mesh that allows the optimum depth for the user to be selected. The distance maintained between and may vary.

  Optionally, the oral device is configured such that when inserted into the user's oral cavity, the mating pad is located between the user's upper and lower jaw teeth.

  Preferably, the meshing portion can be detachably connected to the pad. By having removable pads, different pads may be selected depending on the activity performed by the user. Also, determining the optimal depth of the pad used for the activity allows experimentation.

  The depth of the pad may be 1-12 mm.

  The interlock may comprise attachment means, and each of the pads comprises complementary attachment means. Optionally, one of the attachment means and the complementary attachment means comprises a female member and the other of the attachment means and the complementary attachment means comprises a male member. The female member and the male member are either held in frictional engagement or include complementary threaded attachments, or include an enlarged head portion that the male member can be received within the chamber of the female member. Good.

  Preferably, the oral device further comprises a restricting means, and when the oral device is inserted into the user's mouth, the restricting means is located and meshes between the user's teeth and the buccal mucosa. When attached to the part, the restricting means extends past the depth of the pad. The presence of this regulating means reduces pad diffusion or lateral movement by creating a physical barrier to spread when the pad is depressed by the user's teeth. This means that the depth of the pad is not significantly changed during use and / or stops the pad from moving from between the teeth to the gap between the teeth and the buccal mucosa.

  The oral device may be a mouth guard, and the engagement portion may form part of the base of the mouth guard or part of the side wall. The pad may have an L-shaped cross section where the mating portion forms part of the mouth guard sidewall.

  The oral appliance and mating pad may be made from one or more of the group comprising silicon, TPE or EVA.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, a kit comprising a plurality of pads, wherein each pad is configured to be attached to a meshing portion of an oral device, wherein at least two of the plurality of pads are: Kits are provided having different depths.

  According to a third aspect of the invention, a kit comprising two or more oral appliances, each device comprising at least one engagement pad, wherein the engagement pad of each device is relative to the engagement pad of the other device. Kits having different depths are provided. The user can now determine the optimal depth of the mating pad for the activity and select an oral device for future use in the activity.

  Each oral device may be configured such that the mating pad is located between the user's maxillary and mandibular molars when inserted into the user's oral cavity.

  The depth of the engagement pad is preferably 1 to 12 mm.

  Conveniently, the oral device further comprises a restricting means, wherein the restricting means is located between the user's teeth and the buccal mucosa when the oral device is inserted into the user's mouth. And when attached to the mating portion, the restricting means extends past the depth of the pad. The presence of this restricting means reduces the diffusion or lateral movement of the pad by creating a physical barrier to diffusion when the pad is depressed by the user's teeth. This means that the depth of the pad is not significantly changed during use and / or stops the pad from moving from between the teeth to the gap between the teeth and the buccal mucosa.

  The oral appliance may include a mouth guard and the mating portion forms part of the mouth guard base.

  The oral device may be made from one or more of the group comprising silicon, TPE or EVA.

According to a fourth aspect of the invention, there is a method for selecting an oral device from a kit according to the first aspect of the invention, comprising:
a) inserting an oral device having an initial depth pad into the user's oral cavity;
c) measuring the user's ability in the activity;
d) inserting an oral device having a second depth pad into the user's oral cavity;
e) measuring a user's ability in an activity with a second depth pad; and
f) determining the oral device producing optimal capacity;
A method is provided comprising:

  As will be apparent to those skilled in the art, this method may be performed any number of times with any number of pads having different depths.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is a method for selecting an oral device from a kit according to the third aspect of the present invention, comprising:
a) selecting an oral device;
b) inserting the oral device into the user's oral cavity;
c) measuring the user's ability in the activity;
d) inserting another oral device into the user's oral cavity;
e) measuring the user's ability in activity with other oral devices in the user's oral cavity; and
f) determining the oral device producing optimal capacity;
A method is provided comprising:

  As will be apparent to those skilled in the art, this method may be performed any number of times with any number of oral appliances having different depths.

FIG. 1 shows an oral device according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 shows an oral device according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 shows an oral device according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 shows an oral device according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5a shows how the user's ability in the activity varies with the depth of the mouth guard. FIG. 5b shows how the user's ability in activity varies with the depth of the mouthguard. FIG. 5c shows how the user's ability in the activity varies with the depth of the mouth guard. FIG. 5d shows how the user's ability in the activity varies with the depth of the mouth guard. FIG. 6 shows an oral device according to another embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 7 shows an oral device according to another embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 8 shows an oral device according to another embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 9 shows an oral device according to another embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 10 shows a mouth guard according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 11 illustrates a pad according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 12 is a front view of the mouth guard of the embodiment of the present invention engaged with the pad of the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 13 is a side view of the mouth guard of the embodiment of the present invention engaged with the pad of the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 14 is a rear view of the mouth guard of the embodiment of the present invention engaged with the pad of the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 15 shows a pad for attachment to a mouth guard according to a further embodiment of the invention.

  1-4 show a support member 12 of a device according to the invention.

  The support member 12 includes two plates 14 connected by an integral connecting portion 13. The plates 14 are positioned with respect to each other such that when the oral devices are inserted into the oral cavity, they sit between the molars. The connecting portion maintains the relative position of the two plates 14.

  The connecting portion 13 has a substantially semicircular shape. The tether 13 is also in a substantially lower plane than the receiver 14 when the device 10 is in the correct position for use. Thus, the connection part 13 contains the inclined part. This allows the connection to be located around the user's gingival line to provide minimal interference to the user when the oral device is inserted into the oral cavity. However, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the connections may take any suitable form. For example, the connection may be a plate configured to substantially contact the upper jaw when the oral device is inserted into the oral cavity.

  One or more openings 28 exist through the plate 14 of the device.

  The apparatus further includes a removable pad (not shown). Upper and lower pads are provided for each plate 14. The upper and lower pads are configured to connect to each other through one or more openings 28 that exist through the plate 14. The pads may be connected to each other in any suitable manner. For example, the upper pad may include one or more male members and the lower pad may include one or more complementary so that the upper and lower pads are held in communication with either side of the plate. A typical female member may be provided. Alternatively, the upper pad may comprise one or more female members and the lower pad may comprise one or more complementary male members. In this way, the pads can be attached to be present above and below the receiving portion 14.

  Support member 12 may be made of any suitable material. Examples of materials include silicon, thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) or ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA). To help the pads maintain their shape and in addition to help maintain the distance between the upper and lower teeth, the plate 14 is more elastic than the pads Is advantageous.

  It has been found that the user's ability in activity correlates with the distance maintained between the user's maxillary and mandibular teeth (hereinafter referred to as the separation distance). Figures 5a to 5d show how the ability of a user performing four different activities differs with separation distance. As can be seen, the same separation distance may result in different ability effects of the same user depending on the activity being performed. In addition, it has been found that the optimal separation distance may be different for different users performing the same activity. That is, the optimum separation distance depends on the user and activity.

  Thus, it is desirable to determine a separation distance that is optimal for a user performing a particular activity. This is accomplished using the above device by a user measuring their ability in activity. For example, if the user is a weightlifter, their ability measurements may be the amount of weight they can lift in the competitive discipline they have chosen, and they can lift with their better ability It may be larger than the weight possible. The device with the first set of upper and lower pads attached to each plate is then inserted into the user's oral cavity and the user's ability in activity is measured again. The separation distance maintained by the oral appliance may be further varied by measuring the user's ability with activity at each separation distance using pads of different depths.

  Once users get results, they can compare their capabilities at different separation distances. The user can then determine the pad depth needed to provide them with the optimum capability and knows to use this depth when performing this activity in the future. If the user wants to perform multiple activities, they can then change the depth of the pad attached to the plate in response to that activity. This allows the user to achieve optimal capacity in both activities while only requiring one device.

  In this way, pads of different depth sizes may be selected by allowing the pads to be removably attached to the device plate 14. This allows the separation distance to be optimized for each user without the need for a separate custom device manufactured for each user.

  In other embodiments shown in FIGS. 6-9, the plate 14 includes an integral pad 16 having a depth equal to the separation distance rather than including an opening. Pads 16 may be provided above and below the plate surface when the device is in use. Alternatively, the plate may form a pad and have a depth d. The user is provided with a plurality of devices, each having a different depth d. The user can then perform the same method to determine the optimal separation distance for such activities. However, rather than replacing the pads, they can measure the capabilities achieved with each device and determine the device that provides them with the optimal capability.

  In a further embodiment shown in FIGS. 10-15, the oral device is a mouth guard. A mouth guard 20 according to the present invention is shown in FIG. The mouth guard 20 includes an outer wall 22 adjacent to at least one buccal side of the user's teeth during use, an inner wall 24 adjacent to at least one tongue or lid side of the user's teeth during use, and inner and outer walls. In addition, it has a base 26 adjacent to at least one occlusal surface of the user's teeth when in use. The outer wall 22, inner wall 24 and base 26 all have at least an outer surface and an inner surface. When the mouth guard 20 is in use, the inner surface is the surface of the mouth guard 20 closest to the user's teeth, and the outer surface is the surface of the mouth guard 20 opposite the inner surface.

  The base 26 of the mouth guard 20 is a depth that is the distance between its inner surface (adjacent to at least one occlusal surface of the user's teeth when in use) and its outer surface (opposite the inner surface). A.

  The mouth guard 20 includes a cavity 28 in the rear region of the outer surface of the outer wall 22 of the mouth guard 20. The rear region of the mouth guard 20 is a region that is not further forward than the position of the anterior molar in the user's mouth. This may be 5 mm from the rear end 23 of the mouth guard, for example. Each cavity 28 is configured to receive a projection from the pad and hold it in frictional engagement, as described below with reference to FIGS.

  A pad 30 suitable for attachment to the mouth guard 20 of FIG. 9 is shown in FIG. The pad 30 has a body with an L-shaped cross section and a first inner surface 34 and a second inner surface 36. The first inner surface 34 of the body has a protrusion 32 that extends from the surface of the pad 30. As shown in FIGS. 11-13, the first inner surface 34 of the pad is brought into contact with the outer surface of the outer wall 12 of the mouth guard 20 when the mouth guard 20 and the pad 30 are in the engaged state. And the protrusion 32 is positioned so that the second inner surface 36 of the pad is brought into contact with the outer surface of the base 26 of the mouth guard 20.

  The protrusions 32 are shaped so that they can be held in frictional engagement with the cavity 28 of the mouthguard 20.

  The depth of the pad 30 is considered to be the distance between the surface (that is, the second inner surface) of the pad 30 adjacent to the base 26 of the mouth guard 20 and the opposing surface. This distance is marked B in FIG.

  As can be seen from FIGS. 11-13, when the pad 30 is attached to the mouth guard 20, the effective depth of the base 26 of the mouth guard 20 (ie, the upper jaw and the mouth guard 20 when the mouth guard 20 is inserted into the oral cavity). The distance of the tooth from the lower jaw) increases so that it is equal to the combined depth of the base 26 and pad 30 of the mouth guard 20.

  Although pads are described as having an L-shaped cross section, it is understood that they may have any suitable cross section. For example, they may have a rectangular cross section. If the pad has a rectangular cross section, the protrusion protrudes from the surface of the pad in contact with the outer surface of the mouthguard base. In addition, the mouth guard cavity for receiving the protrusions is in the mouth guard base rather than the mouth guard outer wall.

  Optionally, rather than the first inner surface of the pad having an L-shaped cross-section is brought into contact with the outer wall of the mouth guard, the first inner surface of the pad contacts the outer surface of the inner wall of the mouth guard. As provided, the pad and mouth guard cavities may be positioned.

  The mouth guard is shown as configured to accept two individual pads on one of either side of the rear of the mouth guard. However, the pads may be placed in any suitable configuration along the mouthguard base. For example, the mouth guard may be configured to receive a pad extending around the entire length of the mouth guard base, as shown in FIG. In this type of configuration, the mouth guard and pad may each comprise further receiving means and protrusions. For example, the mouth guard may comprise receiving means on the base at the front of the mouth guard. Alternatively, the mouth guard may be configured such that one or more pads may be received at the front of the mouth guard. As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, any number of pads of any number of sizes may be used.

  The pad may be any suitable depth to provide the optimum effective depth for the mouthguard base. It is preferred that the pad has a depth of 1-12 mm and the mouthguard base has a depth of 2-4 mm.

  The pad may be made from any suitable elastic material. For example, they may be made from silicon, thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) or ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA).

  Despite being described that the pad is held in frictional engagement with the mouth guard, the protrusion and receiving means are in any suitable complementary shape that allows the pad and mouth guard to be removably connectable. It should be understood that there may be. For example, each protrusion may comprise a portion having a wide cross-section at the end furthest from the pad body, for example, a spherical shape may be disposed at the end of the protrusion. Each cavity may include a neck having a diameter smaller than the diameter of the wide cross section and an enlarged receiving chamber for receiving a portion of the protrusion having a wide cross section. The enlarged receiving chamber is then far away from the outer surface of the mouth guard.

  In another example, the pad may be connected to the base of the mouth guard by a ball and socket joint having a female member on the mouth guard and a male member on the pad. The pad may then be connected to the mouth guard and rotated to position. In an alternative embodiment, the pad may be connected to the mouth guard using a slide joint.

  Any other suitable securing means that allows the pad to be removably connected to the mouth guard may be used.

  Preferably, during molding of the mouth guard, a plastic insert is provided and placed in any cavity present in the mouth guard. The plastic insert has a shape that corresponds to the shape of the cavity and is manufactured from any material that does not undergo deformation at a temperature at which the mouthguard takes the shape of the user's teeth. In this way, the shape of the cavity is maintained while the mouthguard material can be deformed and the pad can be held by the mouthguard after molding has occurred.

  Despite the present invention being described with a mouth guard with receiving means and one or more pads with protrusions received by the receiving means, one skilled in the art will recognize that one or more protrusions are present on the outer surface of the mouth guard. It is understood that it may be received by the corresponding one or more cavities of the pad to hold the pad in contact with the exterior surface of the mouth guard of any configuration described above.

  In a further embodiment, the user is provided with a plurality of mouth guards having bases with different depths d. Similar to the second embodiment, the user may move between a plurality of mouth guards to determine a mouth guard that provides the desired ability.

Claims (3)

A method for optimizing a user's ability during physical activity ,
Inserting an oral device into the user's oral cavity that includes at least one engagement portion and at least a first pad having an initial thickness;
Measuring a user's ability during a first type of physical activity ;
Inserting the oral appliance having a pad having a second thickness into the oral cavity of the user;
Measuring the user's ability during the first type of physical activity ; and
Selecting a pad to produce optimum capacity,
Including the method. The method of claim 1, wherein the oral device is configured such that when inserted into a user's oral cavity, a mating pad is positioned between the user's upper and lower teeth. Inserting an oral device into the user's oral cavity that includes at least one engagement portion and at least a first pad having an initial thickness;
Measuring a user's ability during a second type of physical activity;
Inserting the oral device having at least a second pad having a second thickness into the oral cavity of the user;
Measuring a user's ability during a second type of physical activity; and
Selecting a pad that produces optimal ability;
The method of claim 1, wherein the selected pad is different from the pad selected to produce an optimal ability for the first type of physical activity.

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