US4669477A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Apparatus and method for preventing bruxism
Assignee: Empi Inc
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Filing: 1985-05-20
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Granted: 1987-06-02
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Expires: 2005-05-20
Abstract
Abstract Apparatus for producing an electrical stimulation signal adapted to be applied to a patient's jaw muscle, thereby causing the jaw to open and preventing bruxism. The apparatus includes electrodes positioned to sense an electromyographic (EMG) signal indicative of jaw muscle activity and jaw clenching. A control circuit produces a control signal when the EMG signal exceeds a threshold value indicative of a predetermined level of jaw muscle activity. Stimulator means produce the stimulation signal in the form of a pulse train when triggered by the control signal. The threshold value and intensity of the stimulation signal are adjustable.
Inventors
- 👤 Stephen H. Ober
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 21:25
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61N; A61N1/00; A61N1/18; A61N1/32; A61N1/36; A61N1/36014; A61N1/3603; A61N1/36031; A61N1/36017; A61N1/36034; A61B; A61B5/00; A61B5/45; A61B5/4538; A61B5/4542; A61B5/4557
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 31
Claim 1
Independent Claim
79 words
Apparatus for producing an electrical stimulation signal which can be applied to a patient's jaw muscle near the temporo-mandibular joint to cause the jaw to open and prevent bruxism, the apparatus comprising: input means for receiving an input signal representative of jaw muscle activity; control means responsive to the input means for producing a control signal as a function of the input signal; and stimulator means responsive to the control means for producing a jaw opening electrical stimulation signal.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
79 words
Apparatus for producing an electrical stimulation signal which can be applied to a patient's jaw muscle near the temporo-mandibular joint to cause the jaw to open and prevent bruxism, the apparatus comprising: input means for receiving an input signal representative of jaw muscle activity; control means responsive to the input means for producing a control signal as a function of the input signal; and stimulator means responsive to the control means for producing a jaw opening electrical stimulation signal.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
30 words
The apparatus of claim 1 and including electrode means for sending an electromyographic (EMG) signal representative of jaw muscle activity, and for coupling the EMG signal to the input means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
33 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the control means includes means for producing the control signal when the input signal exceeds a threshold value indicative of a predetermined level of jaw muscle activity.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus of claim 3 and further including means coupled to the control means for adjusting the threshold value.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
25 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the stimulator means includes pulse generator means for producing the stimulation signal in the form of a pulse train.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus of claim 5 and including means for controlling intensity of pulses in the pulse train.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
36 words
The apparatus of claim 6 wherein: the pulse generator means comprises voltage pulse generator means for producing voltage pulses; and the means for controlling intensity of the pulses controls voltage of pulses in the pulse train.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus of claim 6 and including means for adjusting a maximum intensity of pulses in the pulse train.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus of claim 8 wherein the stimulator means includes means for producing a pulse train having a predetermined period.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
68 words
The apparatus of claim 9 wherein: the stimulator means includes means for causing the predetermined period to include an onset region, a stimulation region, and a termination region; and the means for controlling the intensity of the pulses causes the intensity to increase to the maximum intensity during the onset region, to remain at the maximum intensity during the stimulation region, and to decrease during the termination region.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus of claim 1 and including electrode means for applying the electrical stimulation signal to the jaw muscle.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus of claim 1 and including means interfaced to the apparatus for recording information indicative of apparatus operation.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
26 words
The apparatus of claim 12 wherein the means for recording information includes means for recording the number of times the stimulator means produces the stimulation signal.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
74 words
Apparatus for preventing bruxism, comprising: sensor means for sensing jaw muscle activity indicative of jaw clenching, and for providing a sensor signal representative thereof; control means responsive to the sensor means for producing a control signal as a function of the sensor signal; stimulator means responsive to the control means for producing a jaw opening electric stimulation signal; and electrode means for applying the stimulation signal to the jaw muscle near the temporo-mandibular joint.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
74 words
Apparatus for preventing bruxism, comprising: sensor means for sensing jaw muscle activity indicative of jaw clenching, and for providing a sensor signal representative thereof; control means responsive to the sensor means for producing a control signal as a function of the sensor signal; stimulator means responsive to the control means for producing a jaw opening electric stimulation signal; and electrode means for applying the stimulation signal to the jaw muscle near the temporo-mandibular joint.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus of claim 14 wherein the sensor means comprises electrodes for sensing an electromyographic (EMG) signal within the jaw muscle.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
45 words
The apparatus of claim 15 wherein: the control means includes means for producing the control signal only when the sensor signal has at least a predetermined magnitude; and the stimulator means includes means for producing the stimulation signal only in response to the control signal.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
34 words
The apparatus of claim 16 and including means coupled to the control means for adjusting the predetermined magnitude of the sensor signal which must be provided before the control means produces the control signal.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
25 words
The apparatus of claim 14 wherein the stimulator means includes pulse generator means for producing the stimulation signal in the form of a pulse train.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus of claim 18 wherein a frequency of pulses in the pulse train is from five to thirty-five pulses per second.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus of claim 18 and including means for controlling intensity of pulses in the pulse train.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus of claim 20 and including means for adjusting a maximum intensity of pulses in the pulse train.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus of claim 21 wherein the means for controlling intensity controls voltage of pulses in the pulse train.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
78 words
The apparatus of claim 22 wherein: the stimulator means includes means for causing the pulse train to have a predetermined period which includes an onset region, a stimulation region, and a termination region; and the means for controlling intensity includes means for causing voltage of the pulses to increase to the maximum voltage during the onset region, to remain at the maximum voltage during the stimulation region, and to decrease from the maximum voltage during the termination region.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
42 words
The apparatus of claim 23 wherein: the stimulator means causes the onset region and termination regions to have a duration of one to three seconds; and the stimulator means causes the stimulation region to have a duration of five to ten seconds.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus of claim 14 and including means interfaced to the apparatus for recording information regarding apparatus operation.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
26 words
The apparatus of claim 25 wherein the means for recording information includes means for recording the number of times the stimulator means produces the stimulation signal.
Claim 29
Independent Claim
29 words
A method for preventing bruxism including: sensing jaw muscle activity indicative of jaw clenching; and applying a jaw opening electrical stimulation signal to jaw muscles when clenching is sensed.
Claim 30
Independent Claim
29 words
A method for preventing bruxism including: sensing jaw muscle activity indicative of jaw clenching; and applying a jaw opening electrical stimulation signal to jaw muscles when clenching is sensed.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 27 and sensing electromyographic (EMG) signals within the jaw muscle to indicate jaw clenching.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1990-06-01 | 1990-12-01 | 1991-06-02 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1994-06-01 | 1994-12-01 | 1995-06-02 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1998-06-01 | 1998-12-01 | 1999-06-02 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |