WO2016161121A1

WO2016161121A1 - Systems and methods for the diagnosis and treatment of speech impairment

Info

Publication number: WO2016161121A1
Application number: PCT/US2016/025275
Authority: WO
Inventors: Daniel Perry SMITH
Original assignee: Smartpalate International, Llc
Priority date: 2015-03-31
Filing date: 2016-03-31
Publication date: 2016-10-06

Abstract

The present invention provides a moldable and wireless speech & tongue pressure visualization sensor expands the use of electropalatography in speech, accent, and other fields related to tongue placement and movement in the mouth by providing an on-the-spot application that measures both placement and pressure.

Description

SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR THE DIAGNOSIS AND

TREATMENT OF SPEECH IMPAIRMENT

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to United States Patent Application No. 62/141 ,030, filed March 31 , 2015, entitled "SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR THE DIAGNOSIS ANDTREATMENT OF SPEECH IMPAIRMENT," of which is incorporated herein by reference as it is set forth in its entirety.

Field of the Invention

[0001 ] The moldable and wireless speech & tongue pressure visualization sensor expands the use of electropalatography in speech, accent, and other fields related to tongue placement and movement in the mouth by providing an on- the-spot application that measures both placement and pressure.

Background

[0002] Current electropalatography devices consist of an electronic sensor sheet attached to a customized acrylic mouthpiece created by vacuum-forming the material over a stone dental impression of an individual's upper palate.

[0003] Palate contact data in the current version is transmitted through mini USB to a processor unit where it is synced with audio input and transmitted to a computer through a standard USB connection.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0004] The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding of the disclosed embodiments. In the drawings:

[0005] Figure 1 is a block diagram of an exemplary computing system for use in accordance with herein described systems and methods; [0006] Figure 1 is an illustration of a sensor sheet and how it would be attached to the roof of the mouth using an adhesive wafer and a tool for proper insertion and alignment.

[0007] Figure 2 is an illustration of an embodiment of the sensor shape adhered to the roof of a mouth.

[0008] Figure 3 illustrates inserting sensor prototype with alignment tool.

[0009] Figure 4 is an illustration of a sensor, controller, and computer.

[0010] Figure 5 illustrates an embodiment of the present invention.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[001 1 ] The present invention provides a system and method for providing a new design for creating an on-the-spot solution for using electropalatography by reducing the time to availability from 3 weeks to 5 minutes. The present invention may implement a scanned matrix solution capable of measuring tongue pressure in addition to contact. The present invention may eliminate the shipping time and costs associated with submitting a dental impression. The present invention may eliminate the labor costs associated with individual customization of mouthpieces. The present invention may transmit information to computer via wireless technology.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0012] The present invention includes new sensors that may consist of a thin sheet of sensor equipped material that map shape to an individual's upper palate to provide real-time feedback of tongue placement and movement during speech or other activities. The sensor is shaped to conform to average upper palates for children, teens, and adults and in some embodiments includes options to customize the size by trimming the sensor in pre-marked areas.

[0013] The sensors may utilize either scanned matrix sensor technology, force sensitive resistors, or a combination of the two. A mouthpiece may include at least 126 sensors which measure both tongue contact and pressure. A mouthpiece may be held in place using adhesive material including adhesive wafers, creams, or other materials.

[0014] Palate data may be transmitted through a ribbon circuit or insulated wire from the mouthpiece to a controller unit. The controller unit may collect data input and transmits the data via wireless connection to a computer, mobile, or handheld device. The controller unit may be worn around the neck, attached to a lapel, or other similar manner.

[0015] Software may receive palate data and displays the data in real-time as well as syncs audio recordings to palate contact for review. In an embodiment, an alignment tool is used to properly insert and alignment the mouthpiece so that sensor points are centered front and back and side to side on the palate.

[0016] The present invention may eliminate the need for dental impression used to make previous smart mouth pieces and the need for a customized mouthpiece. The present invention may allow for a reduction in manual labor and the elimination of shipping associated with customization. The present invention provides an improved design of sensor shape to conform to a variety of mouth shapes and sizes.

[0018] The present invention comprises a sensor insertion tool for consistent

alignment in mouth, as illustrated in Figure 1 . Similarly, the present invention may provide force-sensing resistors, as illustrated in Figure 1 .

[0019] The present invention may provide a speech sensor device, comprising at least one adhesive sensor having a top portion and a bottom portion and suitable for adhering to at least a portion of the upper palate; and at least one sensor sheet, formed to substantially conform to the underside of ones of the at least one adhesive sensor bottom portion, having attached thereto at least one communication means for communicating signals created by the at least one sensor to a remote device; wherein the communication means may be at least partially embedded in the at least one sensor sheet.

[0020] Those of skill in the art will appreciate that the herein described systems and methods are susceptible to various modifications and alternative constructions. There is no intention to limit the scope of the invention to the specific constructions described herein. Rather, the herein described systems and methods are intended to cover all modifications, alternative constructions, and equivalents falling within the scope and spirit of the invention and its equivalents.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1 . A speech sensor device, comprising:

at least one adhesive sensor having a top portion and a bottom portion and suitable for adhering to at least a portion of the upper palate; and

at least one sensor sheet, formed to substantially conform to the underside of ones of the at least one adhesive sensor bottom portion, having attached thereto at least one communication means for communicating signals created by the at least one sensor to a remote device;

wherein the communication means may be at least partailly embedded in the at least one sensor sheet.