Patent ID: 6270466
Filing Date: 2001-08-07
Classification: A61B,A61F,B22F,B29C,Y02P

Abstract:
An apparatus for sensing the occurrence of bruxism by a human user and signaling said user by acoustically coupling to said user's head, said apparatus comprising:a. a plurality of electrically conductive electrodes;b. means for pressing said plurality of electrodes against the external body skin of said user by positive pressure at a location on said user's body where said electrodes receive low-voltage muscle signals generated by bruxism muscles of said user that are active during the occurrence of bruxism;c. sense/amplification means for sensing the differential voltage between at least two of said electrodes and selectively amplifying the electrical signals generated by bruxism muscles, such signals termed ""bruxism activity signals"";d. a detector that generates a bruxism event signal when said bruxism activity signal satisfies pre-determined time and amplitude conditions; ande. acoustical output means for mechanically coupling an audio-band vibrational output signal that corresponds to said bruxism event signal to said user's head.