Gum massaging device and method for massaging gum

A gum massaging device includes a sheet member closely attachable to a gum, a gum-condition sensor disposed on the sheet member, and a massaging element disposed on the sheet member at a position corresponding to a position at which the gum-condition sensor is disposed, the massaging element operating in accordance with a detection result from the gum-condition sensor. The gum-condition sensor detects, for example, a color tone of a portion of the gum adjacent to the gum-condition sensor. The massaging element provides, for example, a pinching massage to a portion of the gum adjacent to the massaging element.

CROSS REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to Japanese Patent Application No. 2014-017121, filed on Jan. 31, 2014, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND

1. Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to a gum massaging device and a method for massaging a gum.

2. Description of the Related Art

Various devices for massaging the gums (referred to as “gum massaging devices”, below) have been developed (see, for example, Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2011-24863 and Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2012-125405). A gum massaging device described in Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2011-24863 includes a tooth brush-like member through which an electric current is caused to pass. A gum massaging device described in Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2012-125405 includes a mouthpiece-like member, which covers the teeth and the gums and which is caused to vibrate.

The tooth brush-like member of the gum massaging device described in Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2011-24863 is applied to a portion of a user at which he/she wants to receive a massage. Alternatively, the mouthpiece-like member of the gum massaging device described in Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2012-125405 is put into the user's mouth. Thus, the technologies described in Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2011-24863 and Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2012-125405 (hereinafter referred to as “existing technologies”) provide massages to the gums and improves the blood circulation of the gums.

However, the existing technologies are not suitable for effectively improving the conditions of the gums.

SUMMARY

One non-limiting and exemplary embodiment provides a gum massaging device capable of further effectively improving the conditions of the gums.

In one general aspect, the techniques disclosed here feature a gum massaging device that includes a sheet member attachable to a gum, a gum-condition sensor disposed on the sheet member, and a massaging element disposed on the sheet member, the massaging element operating in accordance with a detection result from the gum-condition sensor.

The disclosed gum massaging device is capable of further effectively improving the conditions of the gums.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Knowledge Forming Basis of the Present Disclosure

The strength of a massage that a gum massaging device is to provide to the gum (the strength of a stimulus and the number of cycles of massage) differs depending on the conditions of the gums. For example, a portion having a poor blood circulation requires an active massage. On the other hand, providing an excessive massage to a portion having a good blood circulation should be avoided. Thus, to effectively improve the gum conditions each portion of the gums may receive a massage with an appropriate strength that is neither too low nor too high.

The gum conditions, however, are usually uneven and thus massaging the entirety of the gums with an appropriate strength is difficult. Moreover, even in the case where each portion is individually massaged, appropriately determining which portion of the gums is to receive a massage to what degree is difficult. In other words, existing technologies have difficulty in effectively improving the gum conditions.

Referring now to the drawings, embodiments of the disclosure are described in detail below.

First Embodiment

A first embodiment of the disclosure is an example of a basic form of the disclosure.

FIG. 1illustrates an example of the configuration of a gum massaging device100according to this embodiment.

InFIG. 1, the gum massaging device100includes a sheet member210, first to Mth (multiple) gum-condition sensors2201to220M, and First to Nth (Multiple) Massaging elements2301to230N.

The sheet member210is a member that can be closely attached to the gums.

The first to Mth gum-condition sensors2201to220Mare disposed on the sheet member210. Each of the first to Mth gum-condition sensors2201to220Mdetects the conditions of a portion of the gum adjacent to the gum-condition sensor.

The first to Nth massaging elements2301to230Nare disposed on the sheet member210at positions corresponding to the positions at which the respective first to Mth gum-condition sensors2201to220Mare disposed. Each of the first to Nth massaging elements2301to230Nprovides a massage to a portion of the gum adjacent to the massaging element. Each of the first to Nth massaging elements2301to230Noperate in accordance with detection results from the one or more corresponding gum-condition sensors included in gum-condition sensors2201to220M.

The gum massaging device100is capable of providing a massage to each portion of the gum to a degree appropriate for the conditions of the portion of the gum and thus capable of effectively improving the gum conditions.

The gum massaging device100may have one gum-condition sensor220on the sheet member210instead of multiple gum-condition sensors220. The gum massaging device100may have one massaging element230instead of multiple massaging elements230.

Second Embodiment

A second embodiment of the disclosure is an example of a specific form when the disclosure is applied to a member that can be fitted into an upper or lower oral vestibule (a space between the inner side of the cheeks and the corresponding gum).

Appearance and Configuration of Gum Massaging Device

Firstly, the appearance and the configuration of a gum massaging device100according to the embodiment will be described.

Appearance of Gum Massaging Device

FIG. 2illustrates the appearance of the gum massaging device100according to the embodiment.

As illustrated inFIG. 2, the gum massaging device100includes a sheet device200and a controlling unit300.

The sheet device200is a sheet-like device having such a three-dimensional shape as to be fitted into an upper or lower oral vestibule.

The base material of the sheet device200is a sheet member having elasticity, flexibility, and resilience. At least part of the sheet device200is closely attached to the gum in the state where the sheet device200is fitted into the oral vestibule. More specifically, the sheet device200includes a body201and an edge portion202at the edge of the body201. The body201is a portion that is closely attached to the gum. The edge portion202is a portion that is closely attached to a deep portion of the oral vestibule (a portion at the border between an inner side of the cheeks and the gum).

FIG. 3illustrates the state where the sheet device200is attached to the upper gum500. If vertically inverted, the sheet device200is also attachable to the lower gum. The sheet device200is also attachable to the inner side of the gum (the side facing the tongue).

The body201of the sheet device200can keep closely attached to the gum500with the effects of the pressure from the inner side of the cheeks, the resilience of the sheet device200, and the surface tension between the sheet device200and the gum. For securing sufficient adherence, a biocompatible adhesive such as spirit gum, a silicone adhesive, or a latex adhesive may additionally be used. The sheet device200could be selected from among multiple sizes and shape patterns in accordance with various sizes and shapes of the gum500.

On the surface of the sheet member that is closely attached to the gum, multiple gum-condition sensors and multiple massaging elements (seeFIG. 5) are disposed. The sheet member serves as the base member. The configuration of the sheet device200on which the multiple gum-condition sensors and the multiple massaging elements are arranged will be described in detail below.

Examples usable as the sheet member include a sheet member formed of a cured product of an energy-ray curable composition containing an acryloyl group-terminated urethane polymer and an acrylic monomer (see Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2013-168575).

The controlling unit300is a unit protected by a housing made of a material such as plastics. The controlling unit300has a function of controlling the operations of gum-condition sensors220and the massaging elements230, which are described below. The controlling unit300is connected to the sheet device200with a cable400.

Although not illustrated, the cable400includes signal lines that connect the controlling unit300to the gum-condition sensors220and the massaging elements230. The cable400may have, for example, such a length that the controlling unit300can be held in a pocket of the user's cloth.

Unit by which Sheet Device is Controlled

In this embodiment, the operation of the sheet device200is controlled per section into which the sheet device200is divided, each section having sides of several millimeters to several centimeters. Hereinbelow, each section of the sheet device200or each unit by which the sheet device200is controlled is called a “block”.

FIG. 4illustrates an example of the arrangement of blocks in the sheet device200.FIG. 4corresponds toFIG. 2.

As illustrated inFIG. 4, the sheet device200has multiple blocks550corresponding to sections into which the entire gum area is divided. The blocks550are sectional areas each obtained by equally dividing, for example, the sheet device200into ten sections in the lateral direction and into two sections in the longitudinal direction. The edge portion202may or may not be divided into blocks. Starting or stopping providing a massage or the strength of the massage can be individually controlled, for example, per block550in the sheet device200.

In this embodiment, the sheet device200is assumed to have L blocks550having a substantially uniform area. In addition, one gum-condition sensor220and four massaging elements230are provided to each block550.

Configuration of Sheet Device

FIG. 5illustrates an example of the configuration of the sheet device200.FIG. 5illustrates the main portion of the entire sheet device200.

InFIG. 5, the sheet device200has a configuration in which a gum-condition sensor220and massaging elements230are embedded in the sheet member210.

In this embodiment, as illustrated inFIG. 5, each block550has one gum-condition sensor220arranged at the center of the block550and four massaging elements230arranged so as to surround the gum-condition sensor220. The blocks that are controlled are formed over the range including the body201and the edge portion202of the sheet device200(seeFIG. 4).

The gum-condition sensor220detects the condition of a portion of the gum adjacent to the gum-condition sensor220in the state where the sheet device200is attached to the gum. The gum-condition sensor220detects the gum conditions including at least one of the color tone, the tension, the temperature, the blood pressure, the blood flow, and the water content of the gum.

In this embodiment, the gum-condition sensor220is a color tone sensor unit that detects the color tone of a portion of the gum adjacent to the sensor unit. The gum-condition sensor220serving as a color tone sensor unit includes, for example, a light-emitting device221, which emits white light, and color tone sensors222, which receive light that has been emitted by the light-emitting device221and reflected off the gum.

A light-emitting surface of the light-emitting device221and light-receiving surfaces of the color tone sensors222are exposed from the surface of the sheet member210that is closely attached to the gum (the upper surface inFIG. 5, hereinafter referred to as an “inner surface”). Preferably, the light-receiving surfaces of the color tone sensors222may be located inward from the inner surface of the sheet member210. For example, the color tone sensor222is located so that the light receiving surface is positioned approximately 100 micrometers away from the gum in the state where the inner surface of the sheet member210is closely attached to the gum.

Examples usable as the light-emitting device221include an organic light emitting diode (LED) formed by printing using a polymer described in Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2009-48837. In addition, examples usable as the color tone sensors222include color tone sensors described in “Trend in Research on Organic Imaging Devices” written by Satoshi AIHARA and Misao KUBOTA, in NHK Science & Technology Research Laboratories R&D No. 132, issued by NHK Science & Technology Research Laboratories, in March 2012, pp. 4 to 11.

Each massaging element230provides at least one of a pinching massage and electrical stimulation to a portion of the gum adjacent to the massaging element230in the state where the sheet device200is attached to the gum. In this embodiment, each massaging element230serves as a massaging element that provides a pinching massage to the gum.

Here, the pinching massage is a massage for contracting the gum surface in the direction parallel to the gum surface. The contraction of the gum surface causes a pressure, which pushes the blood in the pressed portion of the gum aside to the surrounding portion of the gum. In short, the pinching massage is similar to a massage of lightly pressing the gum with fingertips.

The massaging elements230that provide a pinching massage may be formed using, for example, piezoelectric elements. Examples usable as the massaging elements230serving as piezoelectric elements include a piezoelectric element described in Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 3-236289. In this case, operation surfaces of the massaging elements230are exposed from the inner surface of the sheet member210. The massaging elements230provide a pinching massage in such a manner that a pair of adjacent massaging elements synchronously cause the gum to be contracted and shifted in accordance with the voltage. Here, a pair of piezoelectric elements that contract the gum may be regarded as one massaging element230.

In this embodiment, the gum massaging device100sequentially provides a pinching massage from one portion to another portion over the gum surface in a predetermined direction. This operation similarly functions as a massage of putting and sliding fingertips over the gum.

Functional Configuration of Gum Massaging Device

FIG. 6illustrates an example of the functional configuration of the gum massaging device100.

InFIG. 6, the gum massaging device100includes first to Mth gum-condition sensors2201to220Mand first to Nth massaging elements2301to230N, disposed in the sheet device200, and an information storage310and an operation determining unit320, disposed in the controlling unit300.

The information storage310holds a block information table610and a control rule table620in advance. The block information table610is a table that specifies which gum-condition sensor220and which massaging element230are allocated to each block550and in which pattern the massaging element230is to be operated for massaging. The control rule table620is a table that specifies to what extent the gum massaging device100is to provide a massage in accordance with the gum conditions.

FIG. 7illustrates an example of the block information table610.

As illustrated inFIG. 7, the block information table610specifies, in association with an identification611of each block, an identification612of one gum-condition sensor220disposed in the corresponding block550and identifications613of four massaging elements230. The block information table610also specifies, in association with the identification611of each block, a pattern in which the four corresponding massaging elements230are to be operated (hereinafter referred to as an “operation pattern”).

For example, the area of the gum over which the first gum-condition sensor2201can detect the gum conditions and the area of the gum to which the first to fourth massaging elements2301to2304, disposed around the first gum-condition sensor2201, can provide a massage coincide with each other. Thus, controlling per block the operation of the corresponding massaging elements230on the basis of the detection results of the corresponding gum-condition sensor220enables massaging of the corresponding portion of the gum with a strength appropriate for the gum conditions of the portion.

FIG. 8illustrates an example of an operation pattern614(seeFIG. 7) specified in the block information table510.FIG. 8illustrates an operation in four adjacent blocks500.

The four massaging elements230disposed in each block550are sequentially switched from one to another clockwise to provide a pinching massage to the gum as indicated with arrows551inFIG. 8. The area of the gum to which each of the four massaging elements230provides a pinching massage (hereinafter referred to as a “massage area”) shifts clockwise in each block. Such an operation pattern, such as the one in which the massaging elements230sequentially provide a pinching massage clockwise five cycles, is specified in the block information table610.

Such a shift of the massage area similarly functions as a massage of, for example, putting fingertips on the gum and sliding the fingertips over the gum clockwise in a small area. Thus, the massaging device100can separately provide a massage to each block550by operating the corresponding massaging elements230in accordance with the block information table610, thereby facilitating the blood circulation and improving the gum conditions.

The direction in which and the speed at which the massage area is shifted (that is, an operation pattern) may be the same throughout the blocks550or may differ between the blocks550. The voltage applied to the massaging elements230during a pinching massage may be the same throughout the blocks550or may differ between the blocks550or between portions in each block550.

In the following description, an operation of shifting the massage area within one block at a predetermined speed in accordance with the operation pattern614specified in the block information table510is defined as one massage operation unit (cycle).

FIG. 9illustrates an example of the control rule table620.

As illustrated inFIG. 9, the control rule table620specifies the identification622and the content623of the massage pattern in association with the gum color level621.

The gum color level621is a category of the color tones of the gum in accordance with different blood flow levels. The massage pattern represents an operation pattern of the massaging element230associated with a massage with a predetermined strength. Specifically, the massage pattern is information that specifies how many cycles (including zero cycle) the block is operated.

For example, the gum color level621of “slight muddiness” is associated with the massage pattern identification622of “II” and the massage pattern content623of “normal massage (two cycles of massage)”.

Such a massage pattern specifies, in an operation pattern614(seeFIG. 7) specified in the block information table610, that four massaging elements230allocated to a block550are operated two cycles. This massage pattern corresponds to a massage with a relatively low strength. This is because the blood circulation condition of the gum associated with the gum color level621of “slight muddiness” is relatively favorable and requires a light massage.

In addition, the gum color level621of “discoloration” is associated with the massage pattern identification622of “IV” and the massage pattern content623of “strong massage (five cycles of massage)”.

Such a massage pattern specifies, in the operation pattern614(seeFIG. 7) specified in the block information table610, that four massaging elements230allocated to the block550are operated five cycles. This massage pattern corresponds to a massage with a relatively high strength. This is because the blood circulation condition of the gum associated with the gum color level621of “discoloration” is relatively unfavorable and requires a strong massage.

The gum color level621of “lesion” corresponds to the gum condition in which the gum should not receive a massage, as in the case where the gum has an inflammation. Thus, the gum color level621of “lesion” is associated with the massage pattern identification622of “V” and the massage pattern content623of “no massage”. This is to prevent the gum condition from deteriorating with a massaging stimulus.

The control rule table620may be prepared for each block. Specifically, individual control rule tables620containing different contents may be prepared for different portions of the gum.

The operation determining unit320illustrated inFIG. 6is connected to the first to Mth gum-condition sensors2201to220Mand the first to Nth massaging elements2301to230Nusing a cable400(seeFIG. 2), which connects the controlling unit300and the sheet device200together, and signal lines (not illustrated) embedded in the sheet device200.

In other words, the operation determining unit320is capable of controlling the operations of the first to Mth gum-condition sensors2201to220Mby transmitting control signals to the first to Mth gum-condition sensors2201to220Mand capable of receiving detection values output from the first to Mth gum-condition sensors2201to220M. The operation determining unit320is also capable of controlling the operations of the first to Nth massaging elements2301to230Nby transmitting control signals to the first to Nth massaging elements2301to230N.

The operation determining unit320acquires the gum condition (gum color level) corresponding to each block550on the basis of the detection results (gum color tone) input from the corresponding gum-condition sensor220. The operation determining unit320then refers to the block information table610(seeFIG. 7) and the control rule table620(seeFIG. 9) and determines the operations of the massaging elements230on the basis of the acquired gum conditions.

Specifically, the operation determining unit320determines the operations of the massaging elements230so that the block550corresponding to a portion of the gum having a lower blood circulation provides a massage with a higher strength.

Although not illustrated, the controlling unit300includes, for example, a central processing unit (CPU), a storage medium such as a read only memory (ROM) in which a control program is stored, and an operation memory such as a random access memory (RAM). In this case, the function of each portion of the controlling unit300is implemented by the CPU executing the control program.

Although not illustrated, the controlling unit300includes a power source unit and an operation unit such as a key switch. The power source unit supplies power to operate the CPU and the sheet device200. The operation unit receives various instructions including an instruction of starting a massage from a user.

The gum massaging device100having such a configuration is capable of providing a massage with a strength appropriate for the condition of each portion of the gum.

Operation of Gum Massaging Device

Now, the operation of the gum massaging device100is described.

FIG. 10is a flowchart illustrating an example of the operation of the gum massaging device100.

The gum massaging device100starts the following processing when a user instructs the gum massaging device100to start the operation in the state where the sheet device200is attached to the user's gum.

In Step S1100, the first to Mth gum-condition sensors2201to220Mdetect the gum conditions (color tone) before providing a massage and output the detection results to the operation determining unit320. The operation determining unit320determines the gum color level for each gum-condition sensor220on the basis of the input detection result from the corresponding gum-condition sensor220. To determine the gum color level, the operation determining unit320refers to, for example, the table that is stored in the information storage310in advance and in which the gum color tone and the gum color level are associated with each other.

In Step S1200, the operation determining unit320determines a massage pattern for each block550on the basis of an initial detection value for the block550. Then, the massaging elements230in each block550are started to operate in the corresponding operation pattern614(seeFIG. 7).

In Step S1300, the operation determining unit320selects one of blocks550that are providing a massage. The operation determining unit320handles a process up to a transition of operations after Step S1800, which is described below, as one processing cycle. This cycle is a concept different from one cycle of the above-described operation pattern.

In Step S1400, the operation determining unit320determines whether the selected block550has satisfied a completion condition.

The completion condition here represents that a massage specified by the massage pattern determined in Step1200has been finished. For example, in the case where a massage pattern content of “normal massage (two cycles of massage)” is determined, the completion condition is that two cycles of the corresponding operation pattern have been finished.

In the case where the completion condition of the selected block550is satisfied (YES in S1400), the processing of the operation determining unit320proceeds to Step S1500. In the case where the completion condition of the selected block550is not satisfied (NO in S1400), the processing of the operation determining unit320proceeds to Step S1600.

Here, the case where the completion condition is not satisfied is the state where the massage has not yet been completely provided, whereas the case where the completion condition is satisfied is the state where the massage has been fully provided but has not yet become excessive.

In Step S1500, the operation determining unit320stops the selected block550from providing the massage and the processing of the operation determining unit320proceeds to Step S1600.

In Step S1600, the operation determining unit320determines whether there is any block550that is providing a massage and that has not been selected in this cycle. In the case where there is any block550that is providing a massage and that has not been selected (YES in S1600), the processing of the operation determining unit320proceeds to Step S1700. In the case where there is no block550that is providing a massage and that has not been selected (NO in S1600), the processing of the operation determining unit320proceeds to Step S1800.

In Step S1700, the operation determining unit320selects one of the blocks550that are providing a massage and that have not been selected and the processing returns to Step S1400.

In Step S1800, the operation determining unit320determines whether there is any block550that is providing a massage. When there is any block550that is providing a massage (YES in S1800), the processing of the operation determining unit320returns to Step S1300. When there is no block550that is providing a massage (NO in S1800), the processing of the operation determining unit320is finished.

In this manner, the massaging device100is capable of providing a massage, block by block, for an appropriate length of time (number of cycles) corresponding to the gum condition.

Effects of Gum Massaging Device

As described above, the gum massaging device100according to the embodiment is capable of providing a massage with an appropriate strength to a portion of the gum that requires a massage, such as a portion having a poor blood circulation, without the user having to determine to which portion of the gum and how strong a massage is to be provided.

Thus, the gum massaging device100according to the embodiment is capable of enhancing the conditions of the entire gum in balance while a massage is prevented from becoming excessive even when the conditions of the entire gum vary from portion to portion. In short, the gum massaging device100according to the embodiment is capable of effectively improving the gum conditions.

The gum massaging device100according to the embodiment is also capable of massaging the gum without the user holding the device with his/her hands. Thus, the user can use the gum massaging device100while performing other operations. Furthermore, the use of the massaging device100according to the embodiment can prevent, for example, a massage from being biased in favor of the portion of the gum on the dominant-hand side.

Other Examples of Operation Pattern

The operation pattern of the massaging elements230is not limited to the example described above. In addition to the operation pattern illustrated inFIG. 8, the massaging device100may provide a massage, for example, in an operation pattern in which the massage area is rotationally shifted within a larger range.

In the operation pattern illustrated inFIG. 11, the massage areas are sequentially switched from one to another clockwise, as indicated with arrows552, among six massaging elements230located on the outer periphery of two vertically adjacent blocks500.

Such a shift of the massage area similarly functions as, for example, a massage in which fingertips slide over the gum clockwise in a large area while pinching the gum.

Such a massage over a large area may be provided to, for example, an area including the gum and a junction between the gum and the inner side of the cheeks (specifically, corresponding to an area stretching over the body201and the edge portion202of the sheet device200). In this case, the blood flow can be enhanced between the gum and the inner side of the cheeks.

The direction in which, the order in which, the speed at which, and the way how the massage areas are sequentially switched from one to another, the way how the massaging elements230are arranged, and other conditions are not limited to the examples illustrated inFIG. 8andFIG. 11. For example, the gum massaging device100may have massaging elements230arranged in a matrix and may alternate the area at which the corresponding massaging element230provides a pinching massage between adjacent areas in a checkered-pattern manner.

The arrangement of the blocks550, the blocks550that are to be controlled, and the arrangement or the number of the gum-condition sensors220and the massaging elements230in each block are not limited to the examples described above.

Example that Includes Salivary-Gland Massaging Function

The salivary glands are situated in the back of the oral vestibule. The salivary glands having a poor blood circulation may fail in normal salivation. Thus, the gum massaging device100may also have a salivary-gland massaging function in addition to a gum massaging function.

FIG. 12illustrates an example of the appearance of a gum massaging device including a salivary-gland massaging function.FIG. 12corresponds toFIG. 2.FIG. 12illustrates a sheet device200a.

As illustrated inFIG. 12, a sheet device200aincludes, for example, two wing portions203aextending leftward and rightward from the edge portion202. Each wing portion203acomes into contact with a mucous membrane near the corresponding salivary gland at the back of the oral vestibule in the state where the sheet device200ais attached to the gum.

At a portion of each wing portion203acorresponding to the salivary gland, one or more blocks551afor massaging the salivary gland (hereinafter referred to as “salivary-gland massaging block/blocks”) are disposed. In each salivary-gland massaging block551a, at least one massaging element230(salivary-gland massaging element) is disposed. In this case, the operation determining unit320controls the operation of the salivary-gland massaging blocks independently of other blocks550(seeFIG. 4).

As in the case of other blocks550, for example, one gum-condition sensor220and four massaging elements230are disposed in each salivary-gland massaging block551a. In this case, the gum-condition sensor220detects the color tone of the mucous membrane on the inner side of the cheek. The operation determining unit320determines the operation of the massaging elements230in each salivary gland block551aon the basis of the color tone of the mucous membrane detected by the corresponding gum-condition sensor220. The operation determining unit320may determine the same operation for the massaging elements230in adjacent salivary gland blocks551a.

Example Including Sterilization Function

The gum massaging device100may also have a function of sterilizing the oral cavity.

In this case, the gum massaging device100includes an electrically stimulating portion. The electrically stimulating portion applies a voltage of 1.5 V to the oral cavity to cause a weak current of approximately 2 mA to pass through the oral cavity through saliva in the state, for example, where the sheet device200is attached to the gum. Such passing of a current enables sterilization of the gum and other portions in the oral cavity using saliva.

Passing of a current from the electrically stimulating portion may affect the operations of the gum-condition sensor220and the massaging elements230. To prevent this effect, the gum massaging device100may operate the electrically stimulating portion, for example, after the completion of providing a massage.

Example of Using Relative Value of Color Tone

The gum massaging device100may determine the operation of each massaging element230on the basis of a relative value of the color tone, not an absolute value of the color tone. Specifically, the operation determining unit320compares the color tones detected in multiple blocks and determines that a stronger massage is to be provided to a portion having a poorer blood circulation than other portions. Thus, massages can be provided in consideration of differences in gum color between individuals.

Use of Other Gum Information

The massaging device100may determine the operation of each massaging element230on the basis of various types of information related to the gun-condition detected from the gum by the gum-condition sensor220, the information representing the necessity of a massage other than the color tone. Examples of the gum-condition-related information representing the necessity of a massage include the tension, the temperature, the blood pressure, the blood flow, and the water content of the gum. The strength of a massage that is to be provided to the gum in accordance with each detected value may be determined through, for example, experience and experiment.

Examples usable as the gum-condition sensor220that includes a blood flow sensor to detect the blood flow include a blood flow sensor described in “Wearable Laser Blood Flowmeter” written by Takanori KIYOKURA, Shinji MINO, and Junichi SHIMADA in NTT Technical Review November 2005, issued by Nippon Telegram and Telephone Corporation (NTT Microsystem Integration Laboratories), pp. 25 to 27. The blood flow sensor includes a laser diode and a phototransistor. Examples usable as the laser diode include an organic laser diode formed by printing using a polymer described in Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2009-48837. Examples usable as the phototransistor include an organic phototransistor formed by a polymeric thin film transistor described in Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2007-300112.

The massaging device100may determine the operation of each massaging element230on the basis of a combination of various types of information representing the gum conditions.

Other Modified Examples

The degree to which the gum conditions change in response to massages with the same strength varies between individuals. The massaging element230may thus stop providing a massage when the degree to which the corresponding gum condition (for example, the color tone) has changed from the start of the massage arrives at a predetermined threshold. This configuration can prevent provision of an excessive massage regardless of the individual differences.

The sheet device200may be sized smaller or larger than the one illustrated inFIG. 3. The control unit300may be connected to a sheet device200attached to an upper gum and a sheet device200attached to a lower gum.

In the case where the sheet device200is highly water resistant, the user can use the gum massaging device100while holding water in his/her oral cavity. This configuration can prevent the temperature of the oral cavity from rising excessively high as a result of the massage provided by the massaging elements230.

Part or the entirety of the functions of the control unit300according to the above-described second embodiment may be included in an apparatus that has another function as a main purpose such as a mobile phone.

The above-described functions may be implemented by a network server. Specifically, the function of a portion of the gum massaging device100may be implemented by cloud computing. In this case, the operation determining unit needs to include at least a communication unit so as to transmit data of the gum condition to the server and obtain the time at which the massage is to be stopped.

The gum massaging device100may include, in each block, an operation determining unit320that performs operations for the corresponding block. In this case, the operation determining unit320may be, for example, a comparator that compares a signal output from the gum-condition sensor220with a predetermined threshold and outputs the comparison result as a control signal for the massaging element230.

The gum has a so-called “trigger point”. Thus, the gum massaging device100may provide a massage with the block located at such a trigger point. Then, changes in blood flow that occur after the massage may be measured by the sheet device200or another sheet device attached to a portion other than the gum to estimate the user's health.

A gum massaging device disclosed herein includes a sheet member attachable to a gum, a gum-condition sensor disposed on the sheet member, and a massaging element disposed on the sheet member, the massaging element operating in accordance with a detection result from the gum-condition sensor.

In the disclosed gum massaging device, the gum-condition sensor may detect information related to a condition of the gum, the condition including at least one of a color tone, a tension, a temperature, a blood pressure, a blood flow, and a water content. The massaging element may provide a massage to the gum, the massage including at least one of a pinching massage and electrical stimulation.

The disclosed gum massaging device may include a plurality of gum-condition sensors that includes the gum-condition sensor disposed on the sheet member and a plurality of massaging elements disposed on the sheet member, the massaging elements operating in accordance with detection results from the gum-condition sensors.

In the disclosed gum massaging device, the gum-condition sensors and the massaging elements may be disposed in a plurality of sections into which the sheet device is divided. The gum massaging device may further include an operation determining unit that, in operation, determines, section by section, an operation of at least one of the massaging elements disposed in each section on the basis of a detection result from at least one of the gum-condition sensors disposed in the section.

In the disclosed gum massaging device, the gum-condition sensor may detect information related to condition specifying a level of a blood circulation of the gum. The massaging element operates in such a manner that the massaging element provides a massage with a higher strength when the level of the blood circulation is lower.

In the disclosed gum massaging device, the operation determining unit may shift a region where each of the massaging elements included in one or more sections provides the massage.

In the disclosed gum massaging device, the sheet member may have such a three-dimensional shape as to be capable of being fitted into an upper or lower oral vestibule.

In the disclosed gum massaging device, the massaging element may stop providing the massage when a degree to which the detection result from the gum-condition sensor has changed from a start of the massage arrives at a predetermined threshold.

In the disclosed gum massaging device, the sheet member may be capable of being attached to the gum and a mucous membrane near a salivary gland. The gum massaging device may further include a salivary-gland massaging element disposed on the sheet member at a position near the salivary gland.

A method for massaging a gum disclosed herein includes operating a gum-condition sensor disposed on a sheet member attachable to the gum to detect information related to a condition of the gum and operating a massaging element, disposed on the sheet member, in accordance with a detection result from the gum-condition sensor.

The disclosure is usable as a gum massaging device and a method for massaging a gum that can effectively improve the gum condition.