Researchers at MIT’s Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory (CSAIL) and Aarhus University have unveiled MouthIO, a customizable intraoral interface. This technology will transform how we interact with digital systems and monitor health from within the oral cavity. MouthIO integrates various sensors and actuators to provide an accessible, low-cost method for fabricating oral devices.
The device comprises three main components:
- 3D-Printed Brace: This custom-fit component ensures the device stays securely within the mouth.
- Flexible PCB with Circuits: The PCB houses the core electronics, including batteries, microcontrollers, and sensors.
- Waterproof PCB Housing: Waterproofness ensures safety and durability, protecting the electronics from moisture and other potential damages.
All parts contacting the oral cavity are made of biocompatible materials, ensuring the device’s safety for extended use.
MouthIO’s versatility shines through its wide range of applications:
- Beverage Consumption Monitoring: The device can detect high temperatures to prevent burns from hot beverages. The feature accommodates people with oral hypoesthesia, which causes numbness in the mouth.
- Health Monitoring: It can monitor conditions like bruxism (teeth grinding) through an accelerometer.
- Assistive Technology: Capacitive touchpads allow users with motor impairments to navigate web pages and more through tongue taps.
To make each MouthIO mouthpiece, users take a 3D scan of their teeth and 3D print the model in clear dental resin. The DIY method costs about $15, and patients can also use professional scanners provided by their orthodontists and dentists. Thus far, studies indicate MouthIO is highly comfortable and socially acceptable, in part because of its brace. The brace’s open-bite design enhances comfort by leaving the tips of the teeth uncovered, avoiding speech impediments.
By providing critical health data and enabling new forms of control, especially for individuals with disabilities, MouthIO aims to make a profound impact. Its blend of durability and versatility makes it a revolutionary tool in personal health and assistive technology. As research continues, MouthIO will become vital in digital interactions and well-being.
Works Cited
Jiang, Yijing, et al. MouthIO: Fabricating Customizable Oral User Interfaces with Integrated Sensing and Actuation. Oct. 2024, pp. 1–16, https://doi.org/10.1145/3654777.3676443. Accessed 4 Nov. 2024.
Shipps, Alex. “Interactive Mouthpiece Opens New Opportunities for Health Data, Assistive Technology, and Hands-Free Interactions.” MIT News | Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Oct. 2024, news.mit.edu/2024/interactive-mouthpiece-mouthio-1028.