The Scandible™ Jaw Motion Tracking System allows clinicians to precisely and efficiently measure jaw movements in 3 dimensions. This system addresses a need for informed diagnostics and assessment in the therapy and diagnoses of temporomandibular disorders and trismus, whilst complying to busy medical workflows. The Scandible™ is positioned as a mid-range offering, designed with efficient manufacturing in mind, ensuring profit margins and industry buy-in.
Trismus presents in 72% of oral cancer patients post-treatment, and temporomandibular disorders affect between 5% and 12% of the population.
Gondivkar et al., 2021; Matheson et al., 2023
project overview
the project
This medical design project was conducted in collaboration with the Herston Biofabrication Institute (HBI), with valued input from the Maxillofacial Surgical unit at the Royal Brisbane + Women’s Hospital (RBWH). Whilst this project brief began with a focus on the physical therapies of trismus, research revealed that there is a profound lacking in the current diagnostics and assessment of jaw motion. Thus, the project was refocused to tackle this core aspect of therapy and address the following question: “how can we enhance how the jaw is measured in a clinical setting, to ensure patients are receiving the best care they can?”
This page reports key findings of the research and presents the final design outcome. Technical details, process documentation, and the full research report can be found at the bottom of this page.
the solution
The final design solution is the Scandible™ Jaw Motion Tracking System. An industry-first device that is not revolutionary in its technology, but profound in its execution. This simple, intuitive, and empowering device is a needs-based and reality-grounded solution that considers profit margins, available technologies, clinical requirements, and patient needs in mind. It is the natural progression in elevating jaw-related therapies, and is the first to market.
the research + design process
To dig deeper into the issues surrounding the therapy of trismus and temporomandibular disorders (TMDs), a literature review was conducted in parallel with primary research in the form of expert clinician interviews and an online survey of speech therapists and patients. The findings framed a set of design implications that guided concept iterations through sketching, model-making, CAD design, prototyping, and user testing phases.
digging deeper: issues & Findings
prevailing issues
There is a pressing need for more sophisticated diagnostic tools for jaw-related conditions. Whilst jaw-related conditions are prevalent in society and their therapies hinge upon feedback from ongoing jaw movement measurements, there is a severe lack in jaw measuring devices. It is ideal to record measurements of the patient’s maximal interincisal opening (MIO) and their jaw’s lateral excursion (sideways movement). Furthermore, as the goal is restore key functions for living like chewing or talking, the ability to track the movement pathway of the jaw is also desired to inform the efficacy of the therapy in restoring quality of life.
Currently, clinicians only measure MIO as they do not have access to any devices that can accurately measure lateral movement or track movement pathways. Current methods are using measuring cards or simply using finger-widths to gauge MIO. Whilst this is an effective method to measure MIO in most patients, it is not effective for edentulous (without teeth) patients or those with a MIO of >15mm, who are often those in most need of measuring incremental improvements.
key research findings
The primary research that was conducted included expert interviews with maxillofacial surgeons and speech therapists at the RBWH, an online survey with speech pathologists from Queensland hospitals and private practices, and an online survey with patients that have undergone jaw-related therapies.
No current handheld jaw tracking devices
These revealed that there are not handheld jaw diagnostics devices – the only devices being large unsuited devices that are specialised for optimising custom dentures for patient’s occlusion. As such, these devices are over-complex, cumbersome, and high-cost so are not used by clinicians to advise therapies.
Major barriers to acquisition are time, cleaning, cost
A medical device must improve patient outcomes but must also effortless fit with the daily workflows of practitioners. If usage is onerous, cleaning is logistically difficult, and the cost of acquisition and upkeep is high, chances are the devices won’t be bought or even if it is, left in the desk.
Surgeons seek accuracy, speechies seek ease of use
Whilst of course accuracy and ease of use is important to both clinical users, surgeons are more focused on the accuracy of the device and device components, while speech therapists are more concerned with how easy it fits in with their workflow with the patient.
Substantial market size, and few competitors
Whilst initially focusing on surgeons and speech therapists, it was found that such a device would be of high value to dentists, orthodontists, and physiotherapists as well. This places the Scandible™ in a strong commercial position, with substantial market size and few competitors.
implications for design
The findings was then synthesised into 5 practical implications for design, to align ensuing design iterations. These were particularly important to focus the scope when it was time to switch from divergent to convergent thinking.
THE SOLUTION: SCANDIBLE™ JAW MOTION TRACKING SYSTEM
A quick overview
exploded view
design process
The design process undoubtedly undulated through convergent and divergent cycles along the process.
The diagram below depicts the simplified design process of the scanner (blue) and bite plates (tan) from the point of when the concept of a handheld scanner and bite plates were chosen.
My design process began with sketched iterations, curated and presented to HBI. Once a direction was decided, the concept was refined and implemented with sketching and foam models, then in CAD. From here, I bounced back and forth between CAD, quick FDM print prototypes, and sketching. This back and forth between sketching and CAD was essential to figure out how to harmonise the smooth surface-modelled exterior and the mechanical requirements of the 15-degree kickstand and rotator sensor bar.
early Concepts
These early sketches were put together to present to HBI & RBWH for decisions on project direction.
detail development sketching
These sketches show some of the sketches that were made throughout the concept development in CAD. Particular challenges were finding a form that was sleek, modern and minimalist, whilst being not only comfortable to hold in one hand but also incorporate a kickstand that hides seamlessly in the contour of the back face.
Computer aided design
After ergonomics were ascertained through foam modelling, surface modelling and lofts upon lofts were used to make the main form of the Scandible body. It was a particular fun challenge to marry up the kickstand dimensions so that the kickstand folded out to make contact with the table-surface whilst leaning the screen at 15 degrees and also sitting in seamlessly to the lofted back face of the Scandible. This was done with extensive use of sketches and formulas to figure out the geometries mathematically.
Throughout this entire process, it was crucial that I followed stable CAD workflows, with assembly-based modelling with the use of a master parent sketch that controlled each part. This meant that I could then make changes to the surface shape and overall dimensions without breaking the file. I was thankful of the healthy CAD workflow, when I decided to change the sensor bar diameter to accommodate stock Nd arc magnet diameters, and also when adjusting the LED screen to suit a stock LED screen sizes when it was decided to move away from custom touch screens. All modelling was done in Solidworks, and rendering in Keyshot to keep in line with industry standards.
3d-printed prototyping
USER TESTING
User testing was undertaken with all prototypes across a range of users to ensure comfortable ergonomics for any user.
hi-fidelity prototype
This SLA-printed hi-fidelity prototype was created to verify overall form and function, and to communicate the design project with relevant parties at HBI and the RBWH.
SOLVING AN INDUSTRY NEED: PRECISE, INSTANT, + RELIABLE JAW DIAGNOSTIC TESTS ON HAND.
The Scandible™ Jaw Tracking System solves the long-standing difficulty of measuring the jaw and its movements. This industry-first device allows clinicians to finally be able to precisely and easily record patient jaw movement patterns and track recovery to better inform their practice and increase patient outcomes.
A special thanks to HBI for choosing to work with me on this project to bring my final year of industrial design to a close, and to the QUT teaching staff – especially Raf, Anton, & Rob – for the guidance and valuable insights. I will take the collective skills and knowledge I’ve learned here forward in my career.
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Name
Research Report: Looking into the improvement of the therapy of TMJ issues by the implementation of an in-house SLS-printed device.
Motivated by positive change, aspiring for greatness, and valuing human connection, Alex is an optimistic realist with expertise in the construction, manufacturing, and skills training industries. With a blend of practical proficiency, strong interpersonal skills, and a passion for impactful, beautiful, yet grounded design, Alex has found this combination to be effective in his work at a design consultancy and freelancing since 2022.
