Oral function and dysfunction quantification device

US8343077B1 · kind B1 · utility

Inventors

• John Dolan · San Francisco, US
• Brian L. Schmidt · White Bear Lake, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Feb 11, 2009
• Grant date: Jan 1, 2013
• Expiry date: Jan 15, 2030

Classification

• Technology area (CPC A): Human Necessities
• CPC primary: A61B5/4542
• WIPO field: Medical technology
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

An oral function and dysfunction quantification device that automatically records the amount of time required for a laboratory animal to gnaw through multiple obstructions in a tube comprising a confinement tube and spring-loaded polymer dowels that actuate timers to precisely record the time required for a rodent to complete a discrete gnawing task. The investigation of human orofacial pain requires an animal test that objectively measures impairment secondary to pain during an oral function (gnawing) that is analogous to behavior that elicits pain in human patients (chewing). The device can also evaluate behavioral change secondary to complex disorders such as anxiety and depression and facilitate evaluation of molecular mechanisms and pharmacologic therapies relevant to chronic orofacial pain and behavioral disorders.