Surgery – Body rests – supports or positioners for therapeutic purpose
Patent
1995-07-26
1996-10-08
Brown, Michael A.
Surgery
Body rests, supports or positioners for therapeutic purpose
128861, 433 69, A61G 1500, A61C 514
Patent
active
055621058
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates generally to joint exercising apparatus and more particularly to jaw exercising apparatus for use in exercising the jaws of patients who suffer from Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) problems. The apparatus is also useable for toning jaw muscles. The present invention is also useable to prevent scarring to the TMJ following radiation to the head and neck of a patient.
TMJ problems are relatively common in the general population. Epidemiological studies have provided evidence that anywhere from 3 to 18% of the population developed symptoms characteristic of temporomandibular joint disorders at some time in their lives.
1. Description of the Prior Art
It is known from the prior art that continuous passive motion (CPM) can be used to manage joint disorders including the temporomandibular joint. Joint motion provides cartilage nutrition, stimulates regeneration of articular cartilage and reduces pain and edema. Motion is extremely important to normal joint physiology. Motion permits maintenance of healthy articular cartilage by allowing nutrients in the synovial fluid to diffuse through the surface. It has been shown that motion is also extremely important in the prevention of adhesions in the joint following injury or surgery. Motion has also been shown to reduce pain and edema in a joint that has undergone surgery or trauma. Gradual mobilization exercises have been used to help regain normal range of motion in patients with myalgia and myositis of the masticatory muscles. Specifically exercising the TMJ is beneficial: edema and to increase the range of motion; with jaw fractures or orthognathic surgery, to increase the range of motion and reduce pain and edema; opening; clenching of teeth) to the joint, to reduce pain, edema, encourage cartilage nutrition and restore normal range of motion; range of motion; and teeth) which may result in a period of decreased jaw opening. mechanical and electro mechanical, relatively complex bulky devices which were expensive and frequently required individual adjustment of the device to fit a person's mouth, thus limiting use of such exercisers to non-routine TMJ problems.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
An object of the present invention is to provide a fluid motion device (FMD), that is a passive motion device, that provides controlled motion to the temporomandibular joint as well as the surrounding soft tissues, muscles, tendons and ligaments.
Another object is to provide such a device which uses an hydraulic mechanism which permits gentle gradual control of jaw movement and enables biofeedback to insure that the temporomandibular joint movement is controlled by the patient within a predetermined limited range of movement.
A further object of the present invention is to provide a safe simple method for toning jaw muscles, exercising small joints and to provide a simple, inexpensive fluid motion device (FMD) for use in exercising small joints (such as fingers, toes and the TMJ) and for toning jaw muscles that can be used readily by a user, patient, practitioner or physical therapist at home, or, in a medical or dental office and in a variety of other situations, and wherein the method and apparatus prevents the user or patient from being injured by utilization of the method and apparatus.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a simple, inexpensive light weight passive motion device that can be used by most users or patients without requiring individual adjustments. The jaw exerciser could be sold by prescription; the hand exerciser and jaw muscle toner could be sold over the counter, possibly without prescription, for finger exercisers for patients suffering from arthritis and other small joint problems or for use by persons who wish to enhance jaw muscle tone.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a side schematic view in elevation, showing an apparatus of the present invention for use in connection with TMJ, and the positioning of the apparatus in the mouth of a user or patien
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patent: 3315672 (1967-04-01), Cunningham
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patent: 3997157 (1976-12-01), Meyer
patent: 4928710 (1990-05-01), Campbell
patent: 4932867 (1990-06-01), Ueno
Israel Howard
Syrop Steven
Brown Michael A.
Israel Howard
Meyers Edward C.
Syrop Steven B.
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