Jaw function measurement apparatus

Abstract

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.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A jaw function measurement apparatus comprising:
 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 in data communication with the mastication measurement device;   a data analysis device in data communication with the data collection device, which converts data collected by the data collection device into a format suitable for output; and   an input output device in data communication with the data analysis device  106  that outputs measured bite force.   
     
     
         2 . The jaw function measurement apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the mastication measurement device further comprises:
 a first region having a first thickness, and a second region having a second thickness, the second region being thicker than the first region; and   a plurality of force sensors arranged within the pliable body such that at least one of the plurality of force sensors is within the first region and at least one of the plurality of force sensors is within the second region.   
     
     
         3 . The jaw function measurement apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein at least one force sensor measures bite force and at least one sensor measures shear force transverse to the bite force. 
     
     
         4 . The jaw function measurement apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the mastication measurement device further comprises:
 a first region having a first rigidity, and a second region having a second rigidity different from the first rigidity.   
     
     
         5 . The jaw function measurement apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the mastication measurement device further comprises:
 a first region having a first thickness, and a second region having a second thickness, the second region being thicker than the first region; and   a plurality of force sensors arranged within the pliable body such that at least one of the plurality of force sensors is within the first region and at least one of the plurality of force sensors is within the second region;   wherein:   the first region has a first rigidity, and a second region has a second rigidity different from the first rigidity.   
     
     
         6 . The jaw function measurement apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein at least one force sensor measures bite force and at least one sensor measures shear force transverse to the bite force. 
     
     
         7 . The jaw function measurement apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the pliable body includes a first section having a plurality of sensors, and a second section having a plurality of sensors, the first section thinner than the second section. 
     
     
         8 . The jaw function measurement apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the pliable body of the mastication measurement device comprises a non-nutritive chewable surface;   the first region of the pliable body has a first bite location;   the second region of the pliable body has a second bite location;   the plurality of force sensors are arranged within the pliable body such that at least two of the plurality of force sensors are within the first region and at least two of the plurality of force sensors are within the second region.   
     
     
         9 . The jaw function measurement apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the mastication measurement device further comprises:
 a first region having a first thickness, and a second region having a second thickness, the second region being thicker than the first region; and   a plurality of force sensors arranged within the pliable body such that at least one of the plurality of force sensors is within the first region and at least one of the plurality of force sensors is within the second region;   wherein the first section of the mastication measurement device is up to 12 millimeters thick.   
     
     
         10 . The jaw function measurement apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the mastication measurement device further comprises:
 a first region having a first thickness, and a second region having a second thickness, the second region being thicker than the first region; and   a plurality of force sensors arranged within the pliable body such that at least one of the plurality of force sensors is within the first region and at least one of the plurality of force sensors is within the second region;   wherein the second section of the mastication measurement device is greater than 12 millimeters.   
     
     
         11 . The jaw function measurement apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the mastication measurement device includes a tube that contains the plurality of sensors. 
     
     
         12 . The jaw function measurement apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the mastication measurement device comprises graded widths, each graded width having at least one sensor therein, each graded width configured to assess a different jaw position. 
     
     
         13 . The jaw function measurement apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the data analysis device includes processing circuitry that captures a series of bite measurements so as to record bite force, and at least one of bite frequency, bite shear, jaw endurance, jaw stability, and jaw motion. 
     
     
         14 . The jaw function measurement apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the processing circuitry of the bite force analysis device captures a series of bite measurements so as to record bite force, and at least one of bite frequency, bite shear, jaw endurance, jaw stability, and jaw motion in each of the first region and the second region. 
     
     
         15 . The jaw function measurement apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising:
 a database that stores food models, each food model corresponding a food type to particular values of measureable parameters that can be recorded by the mastication measurement device, a particular food model being selectable; 
 wherein the data analysis device is configured to compare actual measured values against the values stored in the selected food model to assess jaw function performance. 
 
     
     
         16 . The jaw function measurement apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising:
 a database that stores jaw function test specifications that are read out and executed by the data analysis device to specify which of a set of parameters are required to be measured during a test. 
 
     
     
         17 . The jaw function measurement apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising:
 a database that stores benchmarks, each benchmark associating particular values of measureable parameters that can be recorded by the mastication measurement device; 
 wherein the data analysis device is configured to compare actual measured values against a selected benchmark to assess jaw function performance. 
 
     
     
         18 . The jaw function measurement apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising:
 a database that stores:
 food models, each food model corresponding a food type to particular values of measureable parameters that can be recorded by the mastication measurement device, a particular food model being selectable; 
 jaw function test specifications that are read out and executed by the data analysis device to specify which of a set of parameters are required to be measured during a test; and 
 
 
       benchmarks, each benchmark associating particular values of measureable parameters that can be recorded by the mastication measurement device;
 wherein the data analysis device is configured to compare actual measured values against the values stored in a selected food model or a selected benchmark to assess jaw function performance.