RU2223067C2 - Device for massaging and applying electrostimulation of mimic muscles - Google Patents

Abstract

FIELD: medical engineering. SUBSTANCE: device has insert manufactured from hard plastic material having vestibular and oral surface and interocclusion platform. Means for applying electrostimulation of mimic muscles has two cathode electrodes electrically connected to each other and one anode electrode, and unit connected to the electrodes that produces impulse signal. Vestibular insert surface corresponds to oral cavity atrium soft tissues contours. A groove is manufactured on insert surface in inferior alveolar process projection and a cut-out arranged at the level of oral fissure from the central incisor to canine tooth. The oral cavity corresponds to dental crown outline from the central incisor to the last molar of the superior and inferior dental arch and to alveolar process outline. The superior and inferior parts of the interocclusion platform represent chewing side relief of the mandible and maxilla in central occlusion cases. Two cathodes are arranged in the first superior and inferior dental arch premolar projections. The anode is arranged at the level of the second superior and inferior dental arch molars occlusion. EFFECT: simplified method usable both in domestic and hospital condition. 2 dwg

Description

 The invention relates to medicine, to the section of neurostomatology and can be used for massage and electrical stimulation of facial muscles in the complex treatment of neuropathies of the facial nerve.

 Conventional therapy of this disease involves the appointment of patients with therapeutic exercises, massage of facial muscles, electrical stimulation [1]. The patient should be trained in self-massage and perform it periodically during treatment, massaging the facial muscles of the affected side by lightly kneading them with the thumb and forefinger, while the thumb of the opposite hand is inserted behind the cheek [2].

 The disadvantage of this technique is that the patient, after performing a massage 3-4 times a day for several minutes, activates the muscles only for a short period of time, which is not always enough.

 For electrical stimulation, devices are used UEI-1, "Miorhythm-7" [3], "Bion" [4]. These electrical stimulators allow you to affect the neuromuscular complex with an electric current of high frequency and intensity. When working with such devices, the amperage and duration of irritation are selected in each individual case, depending on the severity of muscle damage and its response. Basically, for electrical stimulation, average values of current strength, frequency, and intensity are used. In order to carry out electrical stimulation, the patient is forced to visit physiotherapy rooms, which is not always convenient for him in time.

 We first developed such a device that the patient can use himself.

 The proposed device is an insert located in front of the oral cavity of the affected side, made of hard plastic, and has the following surfaces: vestibular 1 (Fig. 1), oral 2 (Fig. 2) and interocclusal pad 3 (Fig. 2).

 Vestibular - facing the mucous membrane of the cheek, corresponding to the contours of the soft tissues of the vestibule of the oral cavity, smooth or finely tuberous, the latter contributes to muscle irritation during massage to a greater extent; in the projection of the lower alveolar ridge there is a groove 4 (Fig. 1) for the outflow of saliva. At the level of the oral fissure from the central incisor to the canine there is a notch 5 (Fig. 1) for the normal closure of the upper and lower lips. In the projection of the first premolars of the upper and lower dentition there are two electrodes (cathodes) 6 (Fig. 1), electrically connected to each other, and also at the level of closure of the second molars of the upper and lower dentition there is another electrode (anode) 7 (Fig. 1). The location of the electrodes corresponds to the area of motor points where muscle fibers are concentrated in the most richly innervated muscle areas with a dense arrangement of myoneural endings [5]. To each of these electrodes fit wiring 8 (figure 2) located inside the liner, and go outside through the corner of the mouth, then connect to a device that generates a signal.

 The oral surface exactly follows the contour of the tooth crowns from the central incisor to the last molar of the upper and lower dentition, as well as the contour of the alveolar processes.

 The interocclusal area is located on the side of the oral surface, the upper part of which displays the relief of the chewing surface of the teeth of the upper jaw, and its lower part repeats the relief of the chewing surface of the teeth of the lower jaw in the central occlusion.

 Fixation of the design of the stimulator at rest and during function occurs due to the tight fit of the oral surface and the interocclusal area to the teeth.

Device for massage and electrical stimulation is made as follows:
1. Removing impressions from the upper and lower jaws of the patient with an alginate mass.

 2. Based on the received impressions, we cast the model of the jaws from plaster.

 3. Comparison of models in the bite and gypsum them in the occluder.

 4. Modeling of a wax structure on jaw models, electrode arrangement.

 5. Replacing the wax composition with plastic.

 6. Grinding, polishing the design of the stimulator.

 The patient can use it constantly or for the duration of the massage, and by connecting the electrodes to the device’s power source, conduct electrical stimulation.

 An individual stimulator is designed for active restoration of facial muscles through massage and electrical stimulation. The patient performs massage with his hand, gently massaging the circular muscle of the mouth, as well as the buccal, zygomatic muscles of the affected side, while an individual stimulator serves as a support (base) for massage. In this case, the need to use the thumb of the opposite hand as a support is eliminated. Electrical stimulation is carried out daily or every other day for 7 minutes, for a course of treatment of 10-15 procedures. Flexible metal wires with an insulating sheath connected to a device that generates a pulse signal at the output are suitable for the available electrodes. The amplitude of the pulses is regulated from tenths of a volt (Umin) to 8.2 volts (Umax). The frequency (f) of the pulse signal varies between 5-10 hertz. The pulse duration (t) varies from 0.5 ms (tmin) to 2 ms (tmax).

 The possibility of changing the output parameters of the signal using the organs (knobs) 9 (figure 2) of the control device that generates a signal.

The device is powered from a constant voltage source from + (3-12) volts. In this embodiment, +9 volts from the element "crown" 10 (figure 2)
An individual stimulator contributes to the disappearance of edema, improvement of trophism, and improvement of facial signs, due to the slight tension of the muscles of the affected side, and has a vasodilating effect.

 The advantage of the presented device is its compactness, cheapness due to the use of domestic elemental base, cost-effectiveness, ease of use, the possibility of using it for massage, and for electrical stimulation both in stationary and at home.

 Studies have shown that massage and electrical stimulation of facial muscles using an individual stimulator for facial neuropathies increases the effectiveness of treatment. The effect is associated with a pronounced vasodilating effect, providing improved blood flow and trophic tissue in the affected area of the face, stimulating normal facial nerve function to prevent subsequent atrophy and contracture of paretic muscles, while using an individual stimulator, the patient notes the normalization of facial signs, which helps to improve his psychoemotional state .

Sources of information
1. Karlov V.A. Neurology of the face. M., 1991.

 2. Farber M.A., Farber F.M. Neuropathy of the facial nerve. Alma-Ata, 1991.

 3. Pelekh L.E., Semenova M.I. et al. Features of muscle electrical stimulation in the treatment of patients with acute neuritis of the facial nerve. M., 1983.

 4. Korchemny V.A., Ischuk A.A., Yarosh A.A. Electrical stimulation in the complex treatment of patients with facial neuritis. Medical business. 12 sec 74-77.

 5. Yusevich Yu.S. Essays on clinical electromyography. M., 1972.

Claims (1)

A device for massage of facial muscles, made in the form of an insert made of hard plastic having a vestibular and oral surface and an occlusal area, characterized in that it is equipped with means for electrical stimulation of the facial muscles, including two cathode electrodes electrically connected to each other, and one electrode anode, and a device that generates a pulse signal connected to the electrodes, while the vestibular surface of the liner corresponds to the contours of the soft tissues of the vestibule of the oral cavity, on which a groove was made in the projection of the lower alveolar process and a notch at the level of the oral fissure from the central incisor to the canine, the oral surface corresponds to the contours of the tooth crowns from the central incisor to the last molar of the upper and lower dentitions, as well as the contour of the alveolar processes, the upper and lower parts of the interocclusal area respectively depict the relief of the masticatory surface of the upper and lower jaws in a central occlusion, two cathodes are located in the projection of the first premolar of the upper and lower dental x rows, and the anode - at the level of closure of the second molars of the upper and lower dentition.

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