The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Sep. 21, 1999
Filed:
Aug. 06, 1997
John H Staehlin, Lutherville, MD (US);
Jack Light, Rockville, MD (US);
Warren O'Reilly, Ellicott City, MD (US);
Dan Buck, Hanover, MD (US);
John Knight, Ellicott City, MD (US);
Mike Robinson, Severna Park, MD (US);
Erick Figueroa, Crofton, MD (US);
Forest Platt, Columbia, MD (US);
Phil Atkinson, Baltimore, MD (US);
Volunteers for Medical Engineering, Baltimore, MD (US);
Abstract
A method for determining muscle strength of elements of the musculature used in speech and swallowing. In particular, a tool is equipped with at least one pressure sensor. A person inserts the tool into the person's mouth and utters sounds of speech or swallows. While uttering sounds of speech or swallowing, portions of the oral musculature contact and exert force on the sensor. A representation of this force is displayed at a visual display device as an indication of muscle strength and position.