阅读说明：本技术 特别用于吞咽障碍患者的功能康复装置 (Functional rehabilitation device, in particular for dysphagia patients ) 是由 多米尼克·佩拉德 莉迪·佩拉德 于 2018-12-14 设计创作，主要内容包括：一种用于功能康复的装置(1),其包括大体呈马蹄形的板(2),该板(2)可定位在咬合平面中,板(2)的凹形边缘设有从该板(2)的底面(3)和顶面(4)突出的凸起部(7),以便形成舌头抬起区域(34)。在板(2)的顶面(4)上,凸起部(7)具有在凸起部(7)的顶端(8)和板(2)的上表面(4)之间的高度,该高度从凸起部(7)的中间区域向凸起部(7)的自由端减小,板(2)在其凸形边缘的中间区域具有两个突起(11、12),两个突起(11、12)分别从板(2)的底面(3)和顶面(4)突出,并且具有带圆形顶端的锥形的立柱(111、121)的形状,并且板(2)的在每个立柱(111、21)和凸起部(7)之间延伸的边缘是无沿边缘。(A device (1) for functional rehabilitation comprising a substantially horseshoe-shaped plate (2), the plate (2) being positionable in an occlusal plane, the concave edge of the plate (2) being provided with projections (7) protruding from the bottom (3) and top (4) surfaces of the plate (2) so as to form a tongue lifting region (34). On the top face (4) of the plate (2), the boss (7) has a height between the top end (8) of the boss (7) and the upper face (4) of the plate (2) which decreases from the middle region of the boss (7) to the free end of the boss (7), the plate (2) has two projections (11, 12) in the middle region of its convex edge, the two projections (11, 12) projecting from the bottom face (3) and the top face (4) of the plate (2) respectively and having the shape of a tapered upright (111, 121) with a rounded top end, and the edge of the plate (2) extending between each upright (111, 21) and the boss (7) is a no-edge.)

1. Functional rehabilitation device (1) comprising a substantially arc-or horseshoe-shaped plate (2) having a concave edge (5) and a convex edge (6), said plate (2) being positionable in an occlusal plane so as to be sandwiched between a lower arch (30) and an upper arch (31) which can bear respectively on a bottom face (3) and a top face (4) of said plate (2), said concave edge (5) of said plate (2) being provided with a projection (7) projecting from said bottom face (3) and from said top face (4) of said plate (2), said projection (7) having a top end (8), a bottom (9) and a lateral flank (10) in a horizontal condition of said plate (2),

characterized in that said boss (7) has a height (H) at said top face (4) of said plate (2), taken between said top end (8) of said boss (7) and said top face (4) of said plate (2), said height (H) decreasing from a middle region (71) of said boss (7) towards a free end (72) of said boss (7), and in that said plate (2) has, in said middle region of its convex edge (6), two projections (11, 12), one (11) of said projections projecting from said bottom face (3) of said plate (2) and the other (12) of said projections projecting from said top face (4) of said plate (2), each of said projections (11, 12) being in the form of a substantially conical pillar (111, 121) having a rounded top end, and the convex edge (6) of the plate (2) extending between each upright (111, 121) and the boss (7) is a free edge, i.e. no edge.

2. The functional rehabilitation apparatus (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the angle (a) formed by the generatrix of the taper of the upright (121) facing the boss (7) at the portion of the upright that protrudes from the top face (4) of the plate (2) and the plane of the plate (2) is greater than the angle (β) formed between the generatrix of the taper of the upright (111) and the plane of the plate (2) at the portion of the upright (111) facing the boss (7) that protrudes from the bottom face (3) of the plate (2).

3. The functional rehabilitation device (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, at the region of the portion of the upright (121) facing the boss (7) protruding from the top face (4) of the plate (2), the generatrix of the cone of the upright (121) forms an angle (a) with the plane of the plate (2) of between 35 ° and 45 °, preferably about 40 °, and, at the region of the portion of the upright (111) facing the boss (7) protruding from the bottom face (3) of the plate (2), the generatrix of the cone of the upright (111) forms an angle (β) with the plane of the plate (2), said angle (β) being between 10 ° and 20 °, preferably about 15 °.

4. The functional rehabilitation apparatus (1) according to any of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the height of the studs (121) protruding from the top face (4) of the plate (2) is greater than the height of the studs (111) protruding from the bottom face (3) of the plate.

5. The functional rehabilitation apparatus (1) according to any of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the top ends of the uprights (111, 121) are spaced apart from each other by a distance of between 20mm and 40mm, preferably by about 30 mm.

6. The functional rehabilitation apparatus (1) according to any of claims 1-5, characterized in that at least one of the uprights (111, 121) is asymmetrical.

7. The functional rehabilitation apparatus (1) according to claim 6, characterized in that the asymmetrical upright has an oval base.

8. The functional rehabilitation device (1) according to any of claims 6 and 7, characterized in that the angle formed by the tapered generatrix with the plane of the plate (2) at the portion of the asymmetrical upright (111, 121) facing the boss (7) is smaller than the angle formed by the tapered generatrix with the plane of the plate (2) at the portion of the upright (111, 121) opposite to the portion of the upright (111, 121) facing the boss (7).

9. The functional rehabilitation apparatus (1) according to any of claims 1-8, characterized in that the apex (8) of the protrusion (7) is planar.

10. The functional rehabilitation apparatus (1) according to any of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the inner lateral wing (10) of the boss (7) delimiting the inner part of the arc has two mutually facing portions (100) which can extend on both sides of the lingual frenum when the apparatus (1) is inserted into the oral cavity, the mutually facing portions (100) of the lateral wings (10) forming, in the horizontal orientation of the plate (2), inclined surfaces which converge from the tip (8) of the boss (7) in the direction of the bottom (9) of the boss (7).

Technical Field

The present invention relates to an oral device for functional rehabilitation, in particular for patients with swallowing disorders.

The invention relates more particularly to a functional rehabilitation device comprising a substantially arc-or horseshoe-shaped plate in the form of an arch that can be positioned in the occlusal plane so as to be sandwiched between a lower and an upper arch that can be supported on the bottom and top surfaces, respectively, of the plate, the concave edge of the plate being provided with projections that project from the bottom and top surfaces of the plate so as to form areas for raising the tongue, the projections having, in a horizontal condition of the plate, a top surface that forms the tips of the projections, a bottom surface that forms the bottoms of the projections, and lateral wings.

Background

Dysphagia is well known. These disorders particularly affect children who cannot naturally progress from infant swallowing to adult swallowing.

In infant swallowing (also known as atypical swallowing), a person swallows by applying forward pressure with his or her tongue, i.e., toward the upper and/or lower (incisor) teeth. The expression tongue pushing is also used to describe this movement of the tongue. This mode of swallowing with the tongue in the forward position is considered normal in infants and children.

A typical mature swallow (also known as an adult swallow) is produced with the tip of the tongue in contact with the socket (the portion just behind the upper teeth). Such adult swallowing involves placing the tongue apex on top of the mouth during the swallowing movement and also in the resting position of the tongue. However, in persons with atypical swallowing or tongue pushing, it often happens that the position of the tongue at rest is also in contact with the teeth, not on the alveoli, towards the top.

Atypical swallows and the location where the tongue exerts pressure on the teeth while at rest may interfere with eruption of the teeth and thus may lead to malocclusion and development of poor positioning of the teeth and also lead to the tongue producing noise between the teeth.

Therefore, there is a need to find a solution that allows easy and fast learning of adult swallowing.

Disclosure of Invention

It is an object of the present invention to provide an oral device for functional rehabilitation, the design of which allows for simple and fast learning of adult swallowing.

To this end, the invention relates to a functional rehabilitation device comprising a substantially arc-or horseshoe-shaped plate having a concave edge and a convex edge, the plate being positionable in an occlusal plane so as to be sandwiched between a lower dental arch and an upper dental arch, the lower dental arch and the upper dental arch being able to bear on a bottom face and a top face, respectively, of the plate, the concave edge of the plate being provided with a projection projecting from the bottom face and the top face of the plate, the projection having a top end, a bottom and side wings in a horizontal state of the plate, characterized in that the projection has a height at the top face of the plate, taken between the top end of the projection and the top face of the plate, which height decreases from a middle area of the projection towards a free end of the projection, and in that the plate has two projections in a middle area of its convex edge, one of the projections projecting from the bottom face of the plate, the top face of the other of the projections projecting, each projection is in the form of a post having a generally conical shape with a rounded tip, and the convex edge of the plate extending between each post and the boss is a free edge, i.e. a rim-free edge.

This design of the device makes it possible to obtain a functional adult swallow by wearing the device for about twenty minutes per day during leisure time, e.g. in front of a television set, for a short time of 1 to 3 months.

The presence of the projection and the configuration of the projection allow the tongue to be controlled so as to direct the tongue towards the palate without laterally constraining the tongue. The presence of the studs and the absence of the edge of the plate in the region of the plate extending between the studs and each boss allows for the proper positioning of the lip.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the angle formed by the tapered generatrix of the stud and the plane of the plate at the portion of the stud projecting from the top surface of the plate facing the boss is greater than the angle formed between the plane of the plate and the tapered generatrix of the stud at the portion of the stud projecting from the bottom surface of the plate facing the boss.

According to one embodiment of the invention, at the area of the portion of the stud projecting from the top face of the plate facing the boss, the angle formed by the tapered generatrix of the stud with the plane of the plate is between 35 ° and 45 °, preferably about 40 °, and at the portion of the stud projecting from the bottom face of the plate facing the boss, the angle formed by the tapered generatrix of the stud with the plane of the plate is between 10 ° and 20 °, preferably about 15 °.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the height of the studs protruding from the top surface of the plate is greater than the height of the studs protruding from the bottom surface of the plate.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the top ends of the uprights are spaced apart from each other by a distance of between 20mm and 40mm, preferably about 30 mm.

According to one embodiment of the invention, at least one of the uprights is asymmetrical.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the asymmetric post has an oval base.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the angle formed by the tapered generatrix with the plane of the plate at the portion of the asymmetric upright facing the boss is smaller than the angle formed by the tapered generatrix with the plane of the plate at the portion of the upright opposite to the portion of the upright facing the boss.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the tip of the projection is planar. This creates an area to comfortably support the top of the tongue.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the inner wing of the boss, which delimits the inner part of the arc, has two mutually facing portions that can extend on either side of the lingual frenum when the device is inserted into the mouth, said mutually facing portions of the lateral wings forming, in the horizontal positioned condition of the plate, inclined surfaces that converge from the tip of the boss towards the bottom of the boss. This configuration, which leaves free space between the mutually facing portions of the inner flanks of the lobes, limits the risk of the tongue encroaching into the portion located below the plate when the device is positioned in the mouth.

Drawings

The invention will be clearly understood by reading the following description of exemplary embodiments, and by referring to the accompanying drawings, in which:

figure 1 shows a perspective view of a functional rehabilitation apparatus according to the invention,

figure 2 shows a side view of a functional rehabilitation apparatus according to the invention,

fig. 3 shows a side view of a functional rehabilitation apparatus according to the invention, schematically illustrating the teeth, lips and tongue,

figure 4 shows a top view of a functional rehabilitation apparatus according to the invention,

figure 5 shows a rear view of the functional rehabilitation apparatus according to the invention,

fig. 6 shows a front view of the functional rehabilitation apparatus according to the present invention, and

fig. 7 shows a bottom view of the functional rehabilitation apparatus according to the present invention.

Detailed Description

As mentioned above, the oral device 1 for functional rehabilitation, which is the subject of the present invention, is more particularly intended for patients suffering from swallowing disorders, in particular children. The oral device 1 is intended to be worn for about twenty minutes for several weeks a day, for the time required for learning to swallow by an adult.

The oral device 1 comprises an arcuate or horseshoe shaped plate 2, typically in the form of a dental arch, the plate 2 having a convex edge 6 corresponding to the outer contour of the horseshoe shape and a concave edge 5 corresponding to the inner contour of the horseshoe shape.

In a state where the device 1 is placed in the oral cavity, the plate 2 may be located in an occlusal plane formed by an imaginary plane where the lower arch 30 and the upper arch 31 intersect, so as to be sandwiched between the arches.

Thus, the plate 2 has a top surface 4 capable of supporting the upper arch 31 and a bottom surface 3 capable of supporting the lower arch 30.

The plate 2 also comprises a raised portion 7 formed along and continuous with the concave edge 5 of the plate. The projections 7 extend on both sides of the plate 2 and thus project from the bottom surface 3 and the top surface 4 of the plate 2. The boss 7 has, in a horizontal state of the plate 2, a top surface 8 forming a top end 8 of the boss, a bottom surface 9 forming a bottom 9 of the boss 7, side flaps 10 (i.e. inner side flaps 10) for defining an inner part of an arc, and outer side flaps, a part of which extends above the plate and another part of which extends below the plate.

In the example shown, the top surface of the top end 8 forming the boss 7 is planar. The inner flap 10 of the boss 7, which defines the inner part of the arc, has two mutually facing portions 100, the two mutually facing portions 100 extending on both sides of the lingual frenulum when the device is inserted into the oral cavity.

These mutually facing portions 100 of the inner wings 10 of the boss 7 form inclined surfaces which converge from the tip 8 of the boss 7 towards the bottom 9 of the boss 7 in the horizontally oriented state of the plate 2. This convergence limits the risk of positioning the tongue between the mutually facing portions of the projections.

The boss 7 also has a height H at the top surface 4 of the plate 2, taken between the top end 8 of the boss 7 and the top surface 4 of the plate 2, which decreases from a middle region 71 of the boss 7 towards a free end 72 of the boss 7.

The middle area of the raised portion corresponds to the area or middle portion of the concave edge that divides the concave edge of the plate into two substantially identical portions. The intermediate region is thus located in the region of the region that divides the arc formed by the plate into two parts.

Thus, when the oral device 1 is inserted into the oral cavity, the tips 8 of the projections 7 form a bearing area for the tongue when the tongue is in the raised position.

In the middle area of the convex edge 6 of the plate 2, the plate 2 also has two protrusions 11, 12. One of which (11 in the figures) protrudes from the bottom surface 3 of the plate 2 and the other (12 in the figures) protrudes from the top surface 4 of the plate 2. Each protrusion can form a lip stop when the device 1 is inserted into the mouth.

Thus, projection 12 forms a positive stop for upper lip 32, while projection 11 forms a positive stop for lower lip 33. Each of the protrusions 11, 12 is formed by a generally conical pillar 111, 121 having a rounded tip.

In the example shown, the upright is in each case an asymmetrical upright with an oval base. Each upright forms, at its base, a scallop-shaped projection or protuberance of the convex edge 6 of the plate, in plan view.

The edge 6 of the plate extending between each plate and the boss 7 is a free edge, that is, a no-edge. Thus, no trenches are formed in this region as is common in prior art devices.

The height of the studs 121 projecting from the top surface 4 of the plate 2 is greater than the height of the studs 111 projecting from the bottom surface 3 of the plate 2, and the top ends of the studs 111, 121 are spaced from each other by a distance typically between 20mm and 40mm, here chosen to be about 30 mm.

These columns are made in such a way that: at the portion of upright 121 projecting from top surface 4 of plate 2 facing boss 7, the tapered generatrix of upright 121 forms an angle α with the plane of plate 2, and at the portion of upright 111 projecting from bottom surface 3 of plate 2 facing boss 7, the plane of plate 2 forms an angle β with the tapered generatrix of upright 111, angle α being greater than angle β.

In particular, at the portion of the upright 121 projecting from the top face 4 of the plate 2 facing the boss 7, the tapered generatrix of the upright 121 forms an angle α, typically between 35 ° and 45 °, here about 40 °, with the plane of the plate 2, while at the portion of the upright 111 projecting from the bottom face 3 of the plate 2 facing the boss 7, the tapered generatrix of the upright 111 forms an angle β, typically between 10 ° and 20 °, here about 15 °, with the plane of the plate 2.

Finally, the angle formed by the tapered generatrix with the plane of the plate 2 at the portion of the asymmetrical upright 111, 121 facing the boss 7 is smaller than the angle formed by the tapered generatrix with the plane of the plate 2 at the portion of the upright 111, 121 opposite to the portion of the upright 111, 121 facing the boss 7.

Therefore, the taper of the pillar is less inclined at the portion of the pillar facing the boss.

Such a device 1 is introduced into the mouth via the concave edge of the plate until it is positioned in the mouth according to the position shown in fig. 3. In this position, the tongue 34 rests on the tip 8 of the projection 7, the upper arch 31 and the lower arch 30 bearing on the top surface 4 and the bottom surface 3 of the plate 2, respectively, at the area of the plate, wherein the upper arch 31 bears on the area of the plate 2 extending between the stud 121 protruding from the top surface 4 of the plate 2 and the projection 7, and the lower arch 30 bears on the area of the plate 2 extending between the stud 111 protruding from the bottom surface 3 of the plate 2 and the projection 7. The upper and lower lips 32, 33 rest partly on studs 121 projecting from the top surface 4 of the plate 2 and on studs 111 projecting from the bottom surface 3 of the plate 2, respectively.

By this design of the device, excellent results are obtained in learning the adult swallowing process.