Patent ID: 8226581
Filing Date: 2012-07-24
Classification: A61B,A61C

Abstract:
1. A patient bite force measuring device, comprising: a handle having first and second ends and at least one side wall extending therebetween, said handle defining an interior space; a measurement shaft fixedly attached to said handle first end and extending outwardly therefrom and having a distal end relative to said handle; a test plate mounted adjacent said distal end of said measurement shaft; a flexible reservoir positioned inside said measurement shaft in operative communication with said test plate and containing a generally incompressible fluid, said reservoir configured to experience a pressure change when said test plate bears against said reservoir; wherein said incompressible fluid is hydraulic fluid; an elongate channel in fluid communication with said reservoir and extending linearly in said interior space of said handle; a plunger shaft having one end operatively positioned in said channel and configured for relative movement therein when a pressure of said fluid is increased or decreased; wherein: a compression spring positioned adjacent said opening and being operatively connected to said plunger shaft, said spring being compressed when said plunger shaft is moved outwardly through said opening, said spring being normally biased to urge said plunger shaft inwardly relative to said handle; and wherein: