Abstract:
Devices and methods for assisting weight control where the device is inserted into the mouth of a patient between opposing rear molar teeth. The inserted devices cause an increase in resistance to chewing, which then slows eating by the person. The devices can include elastic bands, magnets, shock absorbers, combinations, thereof and sensors for detecting strength and frequency of chewing.

Description:
This invention claims the benefit of priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/684,926 filed Aug. 20, 2012. 
    
    
     FIELD OF INVENTION 
     This invention relates to weight loss, and in particular to devices and methods of providing a device for assisting weight control where the device is inserted into the mouth of a patient between opposing molar teeth which causes an increase in resistance which increases work for chewing, which then slows eating by the person. 
     BACKGROUND AND PRIOR ART 
     Obesity is a major health risk factor in the world, and in particular in the United States. U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, National Center for Health Statistics estimates this to be about 35.7 per cent of the US population. Obesity can lead to hypertension, diabetes, heart attacks, osteoarthritis amongst various medical conditions. 
     A study from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Research Triangle Institute (RTI International) released in July 2009 estimated that obesity and obesity-related health conditions cost almost ten percent of annual medical spending in the US, totaling $147 billion in 2008. This is a condition which requires significant intervention at a national and an individual level. 
     Numerous ways exist to address this condition such as diet, weight loss drugs, psychotherapy, exercise, change in life style and surgery. Various types of medications used for this process include phenteramine, amphetamine and FDA approved lorcaserin. 
     A common surgical procedure can include gastric bypass and gastric banding. These medications and surgical procedures can have long term effects and complications. 
     A medical condition called giant cell arteritis can lead to decreased blood flow to the muscles for chewing. This condition leads to fatigue while trying to chew similar to as any muscle would if it did not get enough blood supply. This condition invariably leads to weight loss. 
     Various types of elaborate systems have also been proposed over the years. See for example, U.S. Published Patent Application 2010/0109876 to Schmid-Schonbein et al. which describes elaborate devices, systems and methods to control caloric intake where sensors can be attached to a patient&#39;s teeth and personalized feedback can occur. However, this device and system requires computers where feedback which only instructs the patient to eat slower, and does not physically restrict their chewing. 
     Thus, the need exists for solutions to the above problems with the prior art. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     A primary objective of the present invention is to provide an oral device and method that increases the work and energy in chewing and consequently an obstacle to prolonged mastication. 
     A secondary objective of the present invention is to provide a device and method for assisting weight control where the device is inserted into the mouth of a patient between opposing molar teeth which causes an increase in resistance to increase resistance to chewing, which then slows eating by the person. 
     The present invention provides devices, and methods to control the rate as well as total calorie consumption at a meal, and consequently body weight of a user, by encouraging the user to chew slower and for longer periods of time, adjusting a time interval between bites, which in essence lowers caloric intake. 
     The present invention assists in retraining of eating habits towards a lifetime of controlled calorie consumption. Over time, the user&#39;s consumption patterns or eating habits are altered, resulting in a desired outcome such as weight loss. 
     A mouth insertion device for assisting in weight control, can include an elastic band adaptable to be mounted in a back of the mouth between an upper jaw and lower jaw, the elastic insert for increasing resistance of the upper jaw and the lower jaw during chewing action. 
     The device can further include an upper strap attached to an upper molar, and a lower strap attached to a lower molar, with the elastic band attached to the both the upper strap and the lower strap. 
     The device can further include a second elastic band adaptable to be mounted in a back of the mouth between an upper jaw and lower jaw, a second upper strap attached to a second upper molar, a second lower strap attached to a second lower molar, with the second elastic band attached to the both the second upper strap and the second lower strap. 
     The device can further include a first magnet attached to the upper molar strap, and a second magnet attached to the lower molar strap, the first magnet and the second magnet having identical poles so that the first magnet and the second magnet having opposing forces to one another. 
     The device can further include a shock absorber having an upper end attached to the upper molar strap, and a second end attached to a second lower molar strap, the second molar strap being attached to a second molar tooth. The shock absorber can include a telescoping piston. 
     The device can include the combination of a first magnet attached to the upper molar strap, a second magnet attached to the lower molar strap, the first magnet and the second magnet having identical poles so that the first magnet and the second magnet having opposing forces to one another, and a shock absorber having an upper end attached to the upper molar strap, and a second end attached to a second lower molar strap, the second molar strap being attached to a second molar tooth. 
     The device can include sensors for detecting strength and chewing frequency data and for remotely transmitting the data to a remote location. 
     Methods of mounting and using the devices are included. 
     Further objects and advantages of this invention will be apparent from the following detailed description of the presently preferred embodiments which are illustrated schematically in the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
         FIG. 1  is a lower perspective view of an elastic band and molar straps embodiment. 
         FIG. 2  is a side view of the elastic band and molar straps embodiment of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3  is an upper perspective view of the elastic band and molar straps embodiment of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 4A  is a perspective view of the band and straps of the preceding embodiment installed in an open mouth. 
         FIG. 4B  is a perspective view of the installed band and straps of  FIG. 4A  in a closed mouth. 
         FIG. 5  is a side perspective view of a magnet and elastic band embodiment. 
         FIG. 6  is another side perspective view of a magnet and elastic band embodiment. 
         FIG. 7A  is a front perspective view of the magnet and band embodiment of  FIGS. 5-6  installed with mouth in an open position. 
         FIG. 7B  is another front view of the installed magnet and band embodiment of  FIG. 7A  with mouth in a closed position. 
         FIG. 7C  is a side view of the magnet and band embodiment installed in a mouth of  FIG. 7A  in an open position. 
         FIG. 7D  is a side view of the magnet and band embodiment installed in a mouth of  FIG. 7B  in a closed position. 
         FIG. 8  is a perspective view of another embodiment of a shock absorber with elastic band and molar straps embodiment. 
         FIG. 9  is a side view of the shock absorber with elastic band and molar straps embodiment of  FIG. 8 . 
         FIG. 10  is another perspective view of the shock absorber with elastic band and molar straps embodiment of  FIG. 8 . 
         FIG. 11  is a side view of the shock absorber with elastic band and straps installed in a mouth. 
         FIG. 11A  is an enlarged view of the installed shock absorber and elastic band of  FIG. 11 . 
         FIG. 11B  is a perspective view of the installed shock absorber and elastic band of  FIG. 11  in an open mouth. 
         FIG. 11C  is a perspective view of the installed shock absorber and elastic band of  FIG. 11  in a closed mouth. 
         FIG. 12  is a top view of a band with sensors for sensing strength and frequency of the mastication of a chewer. 
         FIG. 13  is a side view of the band with sensors of  FIG. 12 . 
         FIG. 14  a bottom view of the band with sensors of  FIG. 12 . 
         FIG. 15A  is a perspective view of an installed hybrid embodiment of magnets, elastic band, shock absorber and sensors installed in an open mouth. 
         FIG. 15B  is another perspective view of the installed hybrid embodiment of  FIG. 15A  in a closed mouth. 
         FIG. 15C  is a side view of the installed hybrid embodiment of  FIG. 15A  in an open mouth. 
         FIG. 15D  is a side view of the installed hybrid embodiment of  FIG. 15B  in a closed mouth. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Before explaining the disclosed embodiments of the present invention in detail it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its applications to the details of the particular arrangements shown since the invention is capable of other embodiments. Also, the terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation. 
     A listing of components will now be described.
       1 . Mouth     2 . upper molar     6 . lower molar     10 . elastic band embodiment     12 . upper molar strap     14 . elastic band     16 . lower molar strap     20 . magnet and elastic band embodiment     22 . upper molar strap     23 . upper magnet     25 . upper housing for upper magnet     24 . elastic band     26 . lower molar strap     27 . lower magnet     29 . lower housing for lower magnet     30 . shock absorber and elastic band embodiment     32 . upper molar strap     34 . elastic band     36 . lower molar strap     38 . shock absorber with piston     39 . second lower molar strap     40 . strap with mastication sensor embodiment     42 . strap     44 . strength sensor     46 . frequency sensor     50 . hybrid embodiment   

     The novel oral device increases the work and energy in chewing and consequently is an obstacle to prolonged mastication. The invention can have similar results to stapling or banding the stomach and lead to decreased eating. With the invention, prolonged chewing would cause jaw muscle fatigue and satiation. 
     Elastic Band Embodiment 
       FIG. 1  is a lower perspective view of an elastic band  14  and molar straps  12 ,  16  embodiment  10 .  FIG. 2  is a side view of the elastic band  14  and molar straps  12 ,  16  embodiment  10  of  FIG. 1 .  FIG. 3  is an upper perspective view of the elastic band  14  and molar straps  12 ,  16  embodiment  10  of  FIG. 1 .  FIG. 4A  is a perspective view of the band  14  and straps  12 ,  16  of the preceding embodiment  10  installed in an open mouth  1 .  FIG. 4B  is a perspective view of the installed band  14  and straps  12 ,  16  of  FIG. 4A  in a closed mouth  1 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1-4B , the upper molar strap  12  can be strapped about an upper left molar tooth  2  with the lower molar strap  16  strapped to a lower left molar tooth  6 . A second set embodiment  10  can be similarly mounted to an upper right molar tooth and a lower left molar tooth. The straps  12 ,  16  can be formed from material such as plastic, elastomer, and the like for tightly being attached and anchored to each molar tooth. The elastic band  14  can be similar to a rubber band used with orthodontic braces having an elasticity when stretched which causes the band to retract back to its&#39; original unstretched position. 
     The elastic band  14  increases resistance of opening the mouth  1  during chewing. With the installed elastic band  14 , there is an increased resistance every time the mouth would be opened during chewing. 
     Magnet and Elastic Band Embodiment 
       FIG. 5  is a side perspective view of a magnet  23 ,  27  and elastic band  24  embodiment  20 .  FIG. 6  is another side perspective view of a magnet  23 ,  27  and elastic band  24  embodiment  20 .  FIG. 7A  is a front perspective view of the magnet  23 ,  27  and band  24  embodiment  20  of  FIGS. 5-6  installed with mouth  1  in an open position.  FIG. 7B  is another front view of the installed magnet  23 ,  27  and band  24  embodiment  20  of  FIG. 7A  with mouth  1  in a closed position.  FIG. 7C  is a side view of the magnet  23 ,  27  and band  24  embodiment  20  installed in a mouth  1  of  FIG. 7A  in an open position.  FIG. 7D  is a side view of the magnet  23 ,  27  and band  24  embodiment  20  installed in a mouth  1  of  FIG. 7B  in a closed position. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 5-7D , an upper molar strap  22  with a first magnet  23  can be strapped about an upper left molar  2  and a lower molar strap  26  with a second magnet  27  having a similar pole as the first magnet can be strapped about a lower left molar  6 . An identical similar pole magnets and elastic band embodiment  20  can be mounted to an upper right molar and a lower right molar, respectively. An elastic band  24  can have ends attached to the upper molar strap  22  and lower molar strap  26 . An upper housing  25  attached to the upper molar strap  22  can have a first magnet  23  mounted in a lower side. A lower housing  29  attached to the lower molar strap  26  can have a second magnet  27  with a similar pole to the first magnet  23  mounted in an upper side. The first and second magnets  23 ,  27  can both be positive so as to cause opposing forces therebetween. 
     The magnets  23 ,  27  can be such as those shown and described in U.S. Published Patent Applications: 2003/0075186 to Florman and 2003/0059737 to Hall, which are both incorporated by reference. 
     Replaceable magnets having similar poles  23 ,  27  can be inserted on the housings  25 ,  29  for variable levels of resistance. The replaceable magnets  23 ,  27  can offer different levels of resistance. The elastic band  24  can also offer an extra level of resistance and can also limit the mouth opening between the lower jaw and the upper jaw to add further work during chewing. 
     Additionally, small replaceable batteries inside the respective housings  25 ,  29  can be attached to the magnets  23 ,  27  to further increase and adjust the opposing forces of the similar pole magnets  23 ,  27 . The magnets can include ferromagnets or electromagnets with an inserted battery. The strength of the magnet can be electronically controlled with signals from outside as well as switched on and off as needed for meals and kept off otherwise. The magnets can also be recharged that can be recharged remotely by induction, and the like, without having to remove the batteries from their respective housings. 
     Shock Absorber and Elastic Band 
       FIG. 8  is a perspective view of another embodiment  30  of a shock absorber  38  with elastic band  34  and molar straps  32 ,  36 ,  39  embodiment  30 .  FIG. 9  is a side view of the shock absorber  38  with elastic band  34  and molar straps  32 ,  36 ,  39  embodiment  30  of  FIG. 8 .  FIG. 10  is another perspective view of the shock absorber  38  with elastic band  34  and molar straps  32 ,  36 ,  39  embodiment  30  of  FIG. 8 .  FIG. 11  is a side view of the shock absorber  38  with elastic band  34  and straps  32 ,  36 ,  39  installed in a mouth  1 .  FIG. 11A  is an enlarged view of the installed shock absorber  38  and elastic band  34  of  FIG. 11 .  FIG. 11B  is a perspective view of the installed shock absorber  38  and elastic band  34  of  FIG. 11  in an open mouth  1 .  FIG. 11C  is a perspective view of the installed shock absorber  38  and elastic band  34  of  FIG. 11  in a closed mouth  1 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 8-11C , a first shock absorber and elastic band embodiment  30  can include an upper molar strap  32  can be strapped to an upper left molar  2  and a lower molar strap  36  can be attached to a lower left molar  6 . A second shock absorber and elastic band embodiment  30  can be similarly attached to an upper right molar and a lower right molar. An elastic band  34  can have ends attached to the upper molar strap  32  and the lower molar strap  36 . A shock absorber  38  having one side with a piston which telescoping inserts in and out of a second side can be attached to the upper molar strap  32  and to a second lower molar strap  39 . The second lower strap can be attached to a second lower molar  9  behind the first lower molar  6 . The combination of the elastic band  34  and shock absorber with piston  38  can offer different levels of resistance, and can also limit the mouth opening between the lower jaw and the upper jaw to add further work during chewing. 
     Mastication Strap Sensor Embodiment 
       FIG. 12  is a top view of a band embodiment  40  with sensors  44 ,  46  for sensing strength and frequency (similar to a pedometer) of the mastication of a chewer.  FIG. 13  is a side view of the band  40  with sensors  44 ,  46  of  FIG. 12 .  FIG. 14  a bottom view of the band  40  with sensors  44 ,  46  of  FIG. 12 . A strap  42  can have a sensor for sensing strength  44  and frequency  46  of a chewer. The strap  42  can be strapped about a molar tooth adjacent to either the upper and lower molar teeth which the resistance devices of the preceding figures are mounted to. 
     Hybrid with Elastic Band, Magnets and Shock Absorber 
       FIG. 15A  is a perspective view of an installed hybrid embodiment  50  of magnet embodiment  20 , elastic band embodiment  10 , shock absorber embodiment  30  and sensors  40  installed in an open mouth  1 .  FIG. 15B  is another perspective view of the installed hybrid embodiment  50  of  FIG. 15A  in a closed mouth  1 .  FIG. 15C  is a side view of the installed hybrid embodiment  50  of  FIG. 15A  in an open mouth  1 .  FIG. 15D  is a side view of the installed hybrid embodiment  50  of  FIG. 15B  in a closed mouth  1 . The hybrid embodiment  50  can combine an elastic band embodiment  10 , magnet embodiment  20  and shock absorber embodiment  30  together with sensor embodiment  40 . The combination of the elastic band embodiment  10 , magnet embodiment  20  and shock absorber embodiment  30  can offer different levels of resistance, and can also limit the mouth opening between the lower jaw and the upper jaw to add further work during chewing. 
     The strength sensor  44  and frequency sensors  46  can send data remotely and wirelessly to a receiver such as a smart phone and the like, such as but not limited to an IPHONE®, GALAXY®, BLACKBERRY®, and the like. Collected data can be displayed to show the chewing strength and frequency when using and not using the installed embodiments. The collected data can be used by professionals such as by the orthodontist to adjust resistance with the embodiments. The collected data can be used to determine the amount of increased energy required to compress the device for chewing. Sensors  44 ,  46  can provide information about strength of the chewing muscles, the number of times the person has chewed and other relevant data for helping with weight loss. 
     The embodiments can be used with or without partial dentures with the device fitting behind the molars. This method of installation can avoid surgery as these devices can be removed like mouth guards and dentures. 
     The novel invention allows for minimal surgical intervention which is important. The convenient reversibility of the procedure is important for the safety of the subject. There is concern for safety of the procedure in people having oral disease such as gingivitis, arthritis of the temporomandibular joint, avascular necrosis of the jaw and other unhealthy conditions of the jaw. 
     With the invention there may be need for regular monitoring of the device by the dentists. The importance of hygiene of the device can be emphasized for safety. 
     The use of the device can be attached to partial dentures and does not require a surgical procedure. A removable device attached to partial dentures can be more hygienic. There would be less risk as there would not be need for anesthesia as required during the procedures for implanted devices. A possible disadvantage of these type of devices would be to give the person the option of removing the device during meals or forgetting to insert the device while eating. This would interfere with the weight loss. 
     While the invention has been described, disclosed, illustrated and shown in various terms of certain embodiments or modifications which it has presumed in practice, the scope of the invention is not intended to be, nor should it be deemed to be, limited thereby and such other modifications or embodiments as may be suggested by the teachings herein are particularly reserved especially as they fall within the breadth and scope of the claims here appended.