US3822694A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method of monitoring mandibular positions and movements
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1972-10-24
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Granted: 1974-07-09
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Expires: 1992-10-24
Abstract
Abstract A method of monitoring mandibular movements whereby a permanent magnet is secured to the mandible and one or more fluxgate magnetometers are located relative to the permanent magnet so as to sense changes in magnetic field which result from mandibular movement. The outputs of the fluxgate magnetometers are linearized, if necessary, and then recorded to provide an indication of mandibular movement in one or more planes. The output from the magnetometers may be differentiated by associated electronics to provide an indication of velocity and/or acceleration of the mandible during closure.
Inventors
- 👤 G Mills
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 09:14
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B5/00; A61B5/103; A61B5/11; A61B5/1113; A61B5/1114; A61B5/1126; A61B5/1127; A61C; A61C19/00; A61C19/04; A61C19/045; A61B5/45; A61B5/4528; A61B5/68; A61B5/6801; A61B5/6813; A61B5/6814; A61B5/682
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
76 words
A method of monitoring mandibular position and movement comprising the steps of: a. securing a source of magnetic field to the mandible; b. locating a magnetic field measuring device providing a signal proportional to the magnetic flux level at the field measuring device in proximity to the source of magnetic field; and c. monitoring the position of the source of the magnetic field by the signal output of the magnetic field measuring device during mandibular movement.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
76 words
A method of monitoring mandibular position and movement comprising the steps of: a. securing a source of magnetic field to the mandible; b. locating a magnetic field measuring device providing a signal proportional to the magnetic flux level at the field measuring device in proximity to the source of magnetic field; and c. monitoring the position of the source of the magnetic field by the signal output of the magnetic field measuring device during mandibular movement.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method recited in claim 1 wherein the step of securing a source of magnetic field to the mandible comprises the step of securing a permanent magnet to the mandible.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
38 words
The method recited in claim 2 wherein the step of locating a magnetic field measuring device in proximity to the source of magnetic field comprises the step of locating a fluxgate magnetometer in proximity to the permanent magnet.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
97 words
The method recited in claim 3 wherein the step of locating a magnetic field measuring device in proximity to the source of magnetic field comprises the steps of locating a first magnetic field measuring device to measure changes in the magnetic flux in a vertical plane relative to the source of magnetic field to monitor vertical position and movement of the manDible and locating a second magnetic field measuring device to measure changes in the magnetic flux in a horizontal plane relative to the source of magnetic field to monitor anterior-posterior position and movement of the mandible.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
57 words
The method of claim 4 wherein one or more third magnetic field measuring devices are located in proximity to the source of magnetic field to measure changes in the magnetic flux in a plane perpendicular to the vertical and horizontal planes relative to the source of magnetic field to monitor lateral position and movement of the mandible.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
81 words
A method of monitoring mandibular position and movement comprising the steps of: a. securing a permanent magnet to the mandible; b. locating a first magnetic field measuring device to measure changes in the magnetic flux in a vertical plane relative to the source of magnetic field; c. locating a second magnetic field measuring device to measure changes in the magnetic flux in a horizontal plane; and d. monitoring the outputs of the first and second field measuring devices during mandibular movement.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
81 words
A method of monitoring mandibular position and movement comprising the steps of: a. securing a permanent magnet to the mandible; b. locating a first magnetic field measuring device to measure changes in the magnetic flux in a vertical plane relative to the source of magnetic field; c. locating a second magnetic field measuring device to measure changes in the magnetic flux in a horizontal plane; and d. monitoring the outputs of the first and second field measuring devices during mandibular movement.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
74 words
The method recited in claim 6 wherein the step of monitoring the outputs of the first and second field measuring devices comprises the steps of linearizing the output of the first field measuring device and recording the linearized output as an indicia of mandibular movement in one axis and linearizing the output of the second field measuring device and recording the linearized output as an indicia of mandibular movement in a second perpendicular axis.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method recited in claim 7 wherein the linearized output of one of the field measuring devices is differentiated twice so as to produce a signal indicative of the acceleration of the mandible.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
57 words
The method of claim 6 wherein one or more third magnetic field measuring devices are located in proximity to the source of magnetic field to measure changes in the magnetic flux in a plane perpendicular to the vertical and horizontal planes relative to the source of magnetic field to monitor lateral position and movement of the mandible.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-07-08 | 1978-01-07 | 1978-07-09 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-07-08 | 1982-01-07 | 1982-07-09 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-07-08 | 1986-01-07 | 1986-07-09 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |