The present invention relates to an intra-oral bite device for use with an x-ray recording apparatus for recording the image of at least one oral area of a patient, located by the intra-oral bite device.

Devices and methods for providing sensory feedback during an exercise are disclosed. An exertion target is set, for a user performing the exercise, based on a self-calibration that estimates the user's ability using signal amplitudes of surface electromyography (sEMG) data, wherein the exertion target includes a target signal amplitude of muscle contractions to be reached during the exercise. sEMG data are received from a measurement device attached to the user as the user performs the exercise. Upon processing the sEMG data, sensory feedback is generated at a computing device operated by the user, wherein the sensory feedback has an intensity proportional to the user's exertion level as the user performs the exercise, and wherein the sensory feedback changes over a course of the exercise in dependence on a duration that the user maintains a muscle contraction at or above the target signal amplitude, and the change in sensory feedback is configured to encourage the user to prolong the duration.

The present disclosure describes systems and methods for the treatment of obstructive sleep apnea. The system includes a mouthpiece. The mouthpiece includes a force plate that a user can press against with their tongue. Pressing the force plate enables the user to strengthen their tongue. The system also includes a control module that can measure the force applied to the force plate and provide feedback to the user about progress and the applied force.

The present invention is method and a device to detect and treat Bruxism through a combination of muscle and brain sensors detecting sensors and providing a set of biofeedbacks to stop grinding while preventing habituation to biofeedbacks. The frequency and phase of the rhythmic grinding pattern of a Bruxer is identified and a biofeedback with the same frequency but different phase is applied on the user to stop grinding without waking the user from a sleep.

A tongue strengthening device includes an intraoral bolus simulator having a sensor input component. An extraoral user interface is connected to the intraoral bolus. The intraoral bolus simulator is moveable relative to the extraoral user interface in response to a movement of a user's tongue. The sensor input component is configured to detect a pressure or force applied to the intraoral bolus simulator and/or to detect movement of the intraoral bolus simulator relative to the extraoral user interface.

A method of monitoring patient use of an endotracheal tube with a ventilator includes receiving in a controller, such as in a stand-alone monitoring device or in the ventilator itself, force data indicative of a biting force of the patient on the endotracheal tube, wherein the force data is based on force signals generated by a force sensor coupled to the endotracheal tube (e.g., either directly or by way of a bite block). The method further includes analyzing the force data in the controller, and determining in the controller from the analyzing of the force data that the force data is indicative of one or more of: (i) at least a predetermined threshold level of agitation or discomfort of the patient, and (ii) a current or likely attempt to self-extubate by the patient.

A bite force measuring system comprising a mouthpiece interfaced to a control unit. The mouthpiece comprises memory for storing calibration parameters. The mouthpiece comprises a fluid-filled compressible cavity, and a fluid-pressure-sensing device for measuring a pressure of a fluid contained in the fluid-filled compressible cavity. The mouthpiece comprises a communication interface for transmitting the calibration parameters and the measured pressure to the control unit. The control unit comprises a communication interface for receiving the calibration parameters and the measured pressure from the mouthpiece. The control unit comprises a processing unit for calculating a bite force corresponding to the measured pressure. The calibration parameters and the measured pressure are used calculating the bite force corresponding to the measured pressure. The calibration parameters may consist of coefficients of a polynomial equation for calculating the bite force by applying the polynomial equation to the measured pressure. A calibration method is also disclosed.

A feeding transition system for transitioning an infant subject to oral feeding includes at least one no-flow nipple and at least one flow nipple. The no-flow nipple has a fully enclosed tip portion such that no fluid can flow directly from the nipple cavity through the nipple wall. The flow nipple is formed of a no-flow nipple having an aperture formed in the tip portion for flowing fluid from the nipple cavity through the nipple wall. The system includes a bolus delivery nipple formed of a no-flow nipple including a bolus delivery conduit disposed in the nipple cavity and in fluid communication with a reservoir of fluid. The bolus delivery conduit includes a conduit outlet attached to the nipple wall to output a bolus of fluid from the tip portion of the bolus delivery nipple via the outlet. A method for transitioning an infant subject to oral feeding is provided.

A jaw function measurement apparatus comprises a mastication measurement device having a pliable body, the pliable body defining at least one bite location having at least one force sensor therein. A data collection device is in data communication with the mastication measurement device. Also, a data analysis device is in data communication with the data collection device, which converts data collected by the data collection device into a format suitable for output. Moreover, an input output device is in data communication with the data analysis device 106 that outputs measured bite force.

An apparatus for evaluating the tongue strength and coordination of a subject includes an intermediate device such as a lever which is pivotably attached to a coupling device and extends into a cavity of a nipple element. The lever is detached from the nipple and pivotable in response to deformation of the nipple element by a tongue force exerted on the nipple element by a subject during a suck-swallow-breathe sequence. The coupling device includes a sensing device to wirelessly transmit sensor outputs to a mobile device paired to the sensing device. The sensing device includes at least one sealed chamber defined by a membrane and a sensor. In one example, a first membrane and sensor senses pressure change in a fluid in the apparatus, and a second membrane and sensor is actuated by the intermediate device to sense deformation of the nipple element. A method using the apparatus is provided.