Tongue evaluation system and method
US10085686B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | May 22, 2017 |
| Grant date | Oct 2, 2018 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 22, 2037 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61J11/00
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
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.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.