The present invention relates to a swallowing (deglutition) exercise apparatus which is used for treating patients with swallowing disorder (dysphagia) or impaired saliva control.

Background of the Invention

Nutrition is one of the necessary factors for people to maintain their life. Foods taken in order that nutrition occurs should reach stomach and intestines from oral cavity safely. People swallow approximately 580 times a day. Swallowing process is controlled voluntarily in part. In other words, swallowing process starts and continues by one's own will. However, swallowing also comprises processes developing involuntarily, by reflexes as well. Swallowing usually takes place in 4 different phases. These are oral preparation (preparation in the mouth), oral (mouth), pharynx (pharyngeal) and esophagus (esophageal) phases. In oral preparation phase, food is taken into mouth and turned into bolus. Suction starts in babies. This phase takes longer in bigger children who can chew foods. Oral phase starts upon food is turned into bolus and pushed back. Transition time from mouth is 1-1,5 seconds. Pharynx phase is a process which takes place fast and by reflexes. This phase occurs upon the soft palate (velum) rises, forward and upward movement of the larynx, closure of some cartilage structures and vocal cords in order that the air way is protected. Transition time of the pharyngeal phase is a second. Upon the bolus passes through the cricopharyngeal area, the esophagus phase of swallowing starts. Bolus reaches up to the stomach in the esophagus phase. Transition of the bolus to the stomach takes place symmetrically. Transition time for esophagus varies between 8-20 seconds depending on consistency of bolus.

It is reported that approximately 9.44±0.33 million people apply to clinics because of dysphagia in America. Approximately 37% of applicants are diagnosed with dysphagia.

Today, various devices are used for treatment of swallowing disorders. These help to treat the disorder by triggering swallowing passively or actively. However, costs of the said devices are high due to the fact that the currently used devices have complex structures and a large number of electronic instruments.

The European patent document no. EP1787582 discloses a device and method which enables to measure swallowing movement occurring at the throat for example when a person swallows a drink such as beer. The said device essentially consists of a measurement part and an analysis part. The measurement part includes a pressure sensor, a small body electrode and a vibration pickup (microphone). The said pressure sensor, the body electrode and the vibration pickup are connected to an amplifier. The measurement part provides input to personal computer through an analog/digital converter of the analysis part. In the said invention, there is a tool for wearing the pressure sensor in order that the pressure sensor can be placed to the neck part. The tool for wearing the pressure sensor comprises: a sensor fixture made of a plastic material having a stand for the jaw and a sensor mounting part; an urethane foam which is fixed at the sensor mounting part; and a wearing band which is fixed at the sensor mounting part.

The United States patent document no. US2013/0338551 discloses a system for volitional swallowing process with a substitute sensory system. The said system comprises a band which is wrapped around the neck such that a vibrator corresponds over the larynx. The vibrator moves upon a button on an apparatus hold by an operator is activated and vibrates the larynx. The motion received from a piezo-electric sensor contained in the band is displayed on the feedback signal display screen.

The United States patent document no. US2008/0147141 discloses a method and apparatus for assisting deglutition. The said method and apparatus particularly enables to stimulate deglutition musculature in order to reduce effects of dysphagia. The inventive system comprises a control unit, a signal generator, an electrode array with at least one electrode, and a power source. In some embodiments, various equipments of the system are included inside a housing attachable to the body. The system is generally adapted to control swallowing muscles.

Summary of the Invention An objective of the present invention is to realize a swallowing exercise apparatus which is used treating of patients with swallowing disorder or impaired saliva control.

Another objective of the present invention is to realize an economic swallowing exercise apparatus which can be manufactured with a low cost.

A further objective of the present invention is to realize a swallowing exercise apparatus which has a quite simple structure with a non-complex structure. A still further objective of the present invention is to realize a swallowing exercise apparatus which enables to increase number of swallow by forcing a patient to swallow depending on his/her head movements.

Detailed Description of the Invention "A Swallowing Exercise Apparatus" realized to fulfil the objectives of the present invention is shown in the figures attached, in which:

Figure 1 is a front view of the inventive swallowing exercise apparatus.

Figure 2 is a side view of the inventive swallowing exercise apparatus when it is put on the patient's head.

Figure 3 is a rear view of a different embodiment of the inventive swallowing exercise apparatus.

Figure 4 is a front view of a different embodiment of the inventive swallowing exercise apparatus.

The components illustrated in the figures are individually numbered, where the numbers refer to the following: 1. Swallowing exercise apparatus

2. Holder member

3. Pressure member

4. Connecting member

5. Electrode

The inventive swallowing exercise apparatus (1) essentially comprises:

at least one holder member (2) which has an elastic structure, and is put on a patient's head;

at least one pressure member (3) which is placed onto the hyoid bone and the holder member (2) such that it will support the front surface of the digastric muscle, and enables to apply pressure to the hyoid bone and the digastric muscle depending on the movement of the holder member (2) based upon its elastic structure as a result of the head's movement. The holder member (2) included in the inventive swallowing exercise apparatus (1) preferably has an elastic structure and a length-adjustable tube form. The holder member (2) is put on a patient's head and it enables the pressure member (3) to apply pressure to the hyoid bone and the digastric muscle by moving, preferably by stretching, as the patient's head moves due to its elastic structure. The pressure member (3) included in the inventive swallowing exercise apparatus

(1) is made of a material which has biocompatibility such as polyethylene, polyurethane, polytetrafluoroethylene, polyacetal, polymethylmethacrylate, polyethyleneterephthalate, silicone rubber, polysulfone and thus does not disturb user and has a tube form with a dimension preferably shorter than the holder member (2) and is placed onto the hyoid bone and the holder member (2) such that it will support the front surface of the digastric muscle. The pressure member (3) applies pressure to the hyoid bone and the digastric muscle when the holder member (2) stretches due to any reason such as the patient opens his/her mouth or changes position. Swallowing reflex is triggered by the effect created via the said pressure applied by means of the pressure member (3). The tension created by the said pressure member (3) also creates upward pressure onto the hyoid bone and this pressure increases the movement of the larynx moving upward by supporting it. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the inventive swallowing exercise apparatus (1) comprises two holder members (2) which are put on a patient's head, two pressure members (3) which are located on each holder member (2) and at least one connecting member (4) which interconnects the holder members (2) in order that the holder members (2) stand together as interconnected. In this embodiment of the invention, the holder members (2) interconnected by means of the connecting member (4) are put on a patient's head such that the pressure members (3) support the hyoid bone and the front surface of the digastric muscle. When the patient opens his/her mouth or moves his/her head, the holder members

(2) enable the pressure members (3) to apply pressure to the hyoid bone and the digastric muscle by stretching upon this movement. Swallowing reflex is triggered by the effect created via the said pressure applied by means of the pressure member (3). Swallowing reflex is triggered by the effect created via the said pressure applied by means of the pressure member (3). The tension created by the said pressure member (3) also creates upward pressure onto the hyoid bone and this pressure increases the movement of the larynx moving upward by supporting it.

In one embodiment of the invention, the pressure members (3) included in the inventive swallowing exercise apparatus (1) have a flexible structure and they are connected to an external pneumatic source. In this embodiment of the invention, the pressure members (3) apply pressure to the hyoid bone and the digastric muscle by stretching by means of the air pressure received from the external pneumatic source. In a particular derivative of this embodiment of the invention, the pressure member (3) has a cylinder shape standing in a depressed way inwards from its side walls when it does not apply pressure to the hyoid bone and the digastric muscle (Figure 4). When the pressure member (3) is connected to the pneumatic source, the compressed air received from the pneumatic source enables the side walls - which are depressed inwards - to apply pressure to the hyoid bone and the digastric muscle by stretching. In an alternative embodiment of the invention, there is at least one electrode (5) which can be connected to an external electric stimulation device on the pressure members (3) of the inventive swallowing exercise apparatus (1 ). In this described embodiment of the invention, the electrodes (5) located on the pressure members (3) stimulate the hyoid bone and the digastric muscle by means of the current received from the electric stimulation device (Figure 3).

In one derivative of an alternative embodiment of the invention, there is at least one vibration member on the pressure members (3). In this described embodiment of the invention, the vibration members (5) located on the pressure members (3) stimulate the hyoid bone and the digastric muscle by means of the vibrations created by them. In one derivative of an alternative embodiment of the invention the inventive swallowing exercise apparatus (1) comprises at least one pressure member (3) which has a flexible structure connectible to a pneumatic source and has at least one electrode (5) connectible to the stimulation device by an external power on thereof.

The inventive swallowing exercise apparatus (1) supports the hyoid bone by means of the pressure members (3) during swallowing and thus facilitates the role of the hyoid bone during swallowing.

The inventive swallowing exercise apparatus (1 ) continuously forces a person to swallow by means of the pressure applied to the hyoid and superhyoid bones by the pressure members (3) during swallowing.

The inventive swallowing exercise apparatus (1) increases the number of swallowing. The said swallowing exercise apparatus (1 ) also can be used as a good treatment option for treatment of saliva disorders. The inventive swallowing exercise apparatus (1) enables upper esophageal sphincter to relax for a longer time by means of the traction realized for laryngeal structures by thereof. It extends the time for airline closing and enables a safer transfer for the food from the pharynx to the esophagus. Within these basic concepts, it is possible to develop a great variety of embodiments of the inventive "Swallowing Exercise Apparatus (1)"; it cannot be limited to the examples disclosed herein and it is essentially according to the claims.