コウクウナイ センサ ニヨル 6ジユウド ガクウンドウ ソクテイ ニ カンスル ケンキュウ

Many types of six-degree-of-freedom jaw tracking devices have been developed for analysis of functional jaw movement and adjustment of articulator. To improve handiness of the previous devices, we have developed a prototype jaw-tracking device that using a pair of small triaxial coils. The size of this jaw tracking device was relatively small, but still have to set a sensor unit around head with clutch system that attaches the sensor to dentition. If there is a jaw tracking device that using minimum sensor unit, it could be attached teeth directly without clutch system. The purposes of this study were to improve the prototype system that enables intra-oral device and verifies its utility. The extremely small triaxial sensor coils were developed for this device. Six fine ferrite core coils were employed for the new sensor units. Since this device is very small and can be used in the mouth, measurement of jaw movement can be done easily with minimal physical restriction of the patient. Jaw movement of a 38-year-old male subject without any sign and symptoms of temporomandibular disorders was measured with this newly developed device. Border jaw movement, mandibular rest position during different postures and external forces, jaw movement during yawning and sleeping were measured. The results of this study were as follows: 1. The size of the new sensor unit was 9.5mm (width), 9.5mm (height), 7.0mm (length) and the weight was 1.5 gram (without cable). 2. This sensor can be used with intra-oral setting. 3. This new jaw tracking device can measure jaw movements in any posture and any condition even during sleeping