Patent Application
20190350805
The present invention relates to a bite bar device with two arm components extending therefrom for positioning user's mouth and arms to facilitate physical poses for release of “feelgood” hormones to help alleviate depression.
Depression is ubiquitous and can have devastating effects on individuals, families and society. It is also widespread, 1 out of 4 Americans in their 40's and 50's use antidepressants, and a staggering 1 in 10 Americans identify themselves as depressed.
Many patients fail pharmacologic treatment or suffer side effects of medications intended to improve patient's lives. The antidepressant market is a billion-dollar industry and is based on “soft science” with an extremely dangerous side effect profile. The number one side effect of most antidepressants is suicide. There is a need for a more holistic and natural approach to treat depression.
In a TED talk from March 2014 Amy Cuddy, the speaker, discussed how dopamine release leads to universal physical responses and that physical poses lead to dopamine release and improved mood. (See link—https://www.ted.com/talks/amy_cuddy_your_body_language_shapes_who_you_are)
As a survival mechanism, in the presence of something good, the brain releases four main ‘feelgood’ chemicals—endorphins, oxytocin, serotonin, and dopamine—and in the presence of danger, the ‘bad feeling’ chemical—cortisol—comes in.
Endorphins are natural pain and stress fighters. Endorphins are among the brain chemicals known as neurotransmitters, which function to transmit electrical signals within the nervous system. At least 20 types of endorphins have been demonstrated in humans.
Oxytocin is a peptide hormone and neuropeptide. Oxytocin is normally produced by the paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus and released by the posterior pituitary. It plays a role in social bonding, sexual reproduction in both sexes, and during and after childbirth.
Serotonin or 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) is a monoamine neurotransmitter. Biochemically derived from tryptophan, serotonin is primarily found in the gastrointestinal tract (GI tract), platelets, and the central nervous system (CNS) of animals, including humans. It is popularly thought to be a contributor to feelings of well-being and happiness.
Dopamine is produced in several areas of the brain, including the substantia nigra and the ventral tegmental area. It is a neuro-hormone that is released by the hypothalamus. Its action is as a hormone that is an inhibitor of prolactin release from the anterior lobe of the pituitary. Dopamine also functions as a neurotransmitter in the brain. The brain includes several distinct dopamine pathways, one of which plays a major role in reward-motivated behavior.
Dopamine is the chemical that mediates pleasure in the brain and is responsible for reward seeking behavior. It is released during pleasurable situations and stimulates one to seek out the pleasurable activity or occupation.
The present invention, nicknamed H.O.P.E. for Holistic Option for Promoting Euphoria, was invented as a convenient, safe and accessible life hacking device to help individuals who struggle with depression.
Known prior inventions that induce smiling are costly and usually painful to the user. Both U.S. Pat. Nos. 9,737,377 and 5,556,357 disclose mouth guards.
In an Amour Bite Mouthpiece study from Nov. 3, 2011 it was shown that a mouthpiece significantly lowered an athlete's cortisol levels after exercise. (See www.bitetech.com/category/research). This research actually supports the assertion that the bite guard component does indeed release beneficial hormones to the user.
U.S. Patent Publication No. 2015/0238810 discloses a smile stick which is a device having a center bite bar section.
There are no known references that disclose a device that has a mouthpiece and an arm component extending therefrom for positioning and holding the user's arm in a victory pose for releasing “feelgood” hormones.
None of the currently available products provide a device consisting of a bite bar in combination with two arm components that extend to the user's arm length to each thumb. Each arm component accommodates each of the user's outstretched arms.
The device provides inspiration and relieves stress through the combination of two postures that lead to dopamine release and possibly other “feel good hormones”. The combination of poses is believed to lead to the same release of other “feel good hormones” such as endorphins, oxytocin and serotonin or alternatively provide a synergistic effect. It is known that physical poses lead to dopamine release and improved mood.
The invention device is intended to be a convenient, safe and accessible mood-altering device to help individuals who struggle with depression without the need for prescription medicines and without any adverse side effects. It is expected that the device will effect lives in a positive way.
Specifically, the device facilitates the user to hold their arms in a victory pose (the arm component) while forcing their faces into a smile (the bite bar component). The user places the bite bar component in their mouth with arms extended using the attached arm components which are preferably attached by adjustable toggles to each of the user's thumbs.
In various embodiments, variations in size of the bite bar as well as variations in materials are used.
The bite bar can be sanitized or can include a sanitary cover which can be removed and replaced or cleaned.
The invention is a safe and accessible device to help individuals in their journey towards happiness.
In the present invention, these purposes, as well as others which will be apparent, are achieved generally by providing a mouth and arm device for hormone release comprising a bite bar 1 for placement in a user's mouth. The bite bar 1 has a central portion and a left side and a right side. The bite bar itself can vary in size and shape. Preferably the shape is either cylindrical or flat. The size varies depending on the individual but is preferably 3 to 8 inches, although other sizes are included in the scope of the invention.
There are two attachment portions 2. A first attachment portion is on the left side of the bite bar 1 and a second attachment portion is on the right side of the bite bar 1.
There are two arm components 6 for positioning the user's arm in a physical pose. The first arm component is connected to the first attachment portion on the left side of the bite bar 1 and a second arm component is connected to the second attachment portion on the right side of the bite bar 1.
In preferred embodiments the attachment portion 2 is a loop 3 and/or a hook 4.
Two thumb components 5 are attached to the first and second arm components. The thumb components are secured on a user's thumb to facilitate the “V” victory pose.
Preferably, the thumb components are toggles or buttons and are used to adjust the length of the first and second arm components to conform to the arm length of the user. This feature enables the device to be a one size fits all.
In preferred embodiments, the arm component 6 is a string that is double stranded. Other components are also part of the invention as long as they attach to the bite bar and extend the length of the user's arm to facilitate the arm poses.
All components of the device are made of materials selected from the group consisting of nylon, rubber, elastic, plastic, foam, synthetic and cotton.
The invention also includes a cover 7 for the bite bar 1. This cover can be removed and cleaned or sanitized.
The invention also includes a related method to release hormones in a user to alleviate depression comprising the steps of using the invention device described above. The user places the bite bar 1 in their mouth and places each of the thumb components 5 in the users left thumb and right thumb respectively. The user than extends the first and second arm components 6 from the first and second attachment portions 2 the full length of the user's arm such that the user extends their arms overhead and apart to make a V shape arm posture.
The user simultaneously bites down securely on the bite bar 1 creating a smile mouth posture. Together, the V shape arm posture and the smile mouth posture release hormones from the user's brain including dopamine to make the user feel happier.
The invention device provides inspiration and relieves stress through the combination of two postures that lead to dopamine release; specifically, the first pose is facilitating the user to hold their arms in a victory pose while forcing their faces into a smile. The second pose is the act of smiling.
Other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will be apparent when the detailed description of the preferred embodiments of the invention are considered with reference to the drawings, which should be construed in an illustrative and not limiting sense.
As used in the invention herein, the following numbers refer to the representative structures as illustrated in the drawings:
The invention consists of a mouth and arm device made of a bite bar 1 having a central portion and a left and right side. When in use the bite bar is placed in the user's mouth between their teeth. The user bites down on the bar with their teeth and is held in place by the user's jaws. This posture causes the users facial muscles to form a smile.
Two attachment portions 2 are on the bite bar. A first attachment portion 2 is on the right side of the bite bar 1 and a second attachment portion is on the left side of the bite bar 1.
These attachment portions 2 are paired with and secured to two arm components 6 that extend to the user's arm length. Each arm component 6 accommodates the user's outstretched arms. A first arm component is connected to the first attachment portion on the left side of the bite bar. A second arm component is connected to the second attachment portion on the right side of the bite bar.
Arm components 2 include a variety of materials that can attach to the bite bar and extend the length of the user's arm. Such materials include wire, string, rubber resistance bands, tubing and the like, attached and extending from the bite bar 1. A preferred arm component is a light-weight string that is double stranded and preferably made of nylon, although other materials are within the scope of the invention.
More specifically as shown in
In a preferred embodiment the attachment portions 2 each have a circular loop 3 and a curved open hook 4. In alternate embodiments, only the loop 3 or hook 4 is present.
In other embodiments, the arm components can be attached directly to the bite bar without an attachment component. For example, the arm component 6 can be attached directly to the bite bar itself.
The entire device is preferably one integral unit consisting of the bite bar 1 with two adjustable arm components 6 on either end.
The bite bar 1 can be covered with a plastic cover 7 for user comfort and cleanliness.
The hook is preferably a curved open hook and is used to secure the thumb toggles 5 on the device when not in use. The arm component 2 is also secured and wrapped on the bite bar 1 when not in use. It allows for the device to be compact and convenient when not in use.
The device is preferably made of plastic, but other materials safe for use in humans including rubber or synthetic materials can be used to make the device.
All components of the invention, the bite bar 1, the attachment portions 2, the arm components 6 and the thumb components 5 can be made from material selected from the group consisting of nylon, rubber, elastic, plastic, foam, synthetic and cotton.
The dimensions of the device, when in the closed position are approximately the size of a large pen and can vary depending on the user. Preferably 3 to 8 inches long, most preferably 4 to 7, and ¼ inch to 2 inches thick although other dimensions are within the scope of the invention.
The invention also provides a method to release hormones in a user to combat depression.
The method steps include providing a mouth and thumb device comprising a bite bar 1; two attachments components 2 connected on either side of the bite bar with a loop 3 and a hook 4; and two arm component 6 attached to the attachment components, where the arm components each have a thumb toggle 5.
To use the device, the user places the bite bar 1 in the user's mouth and extends the arm component 6 the length of the user's arm, which in turn stretches the arm component.
The user bites down on the bite bar 1 and extends the arm components 6 to secure the toggles 5 on each thumb of the users. The user than raises their arms over head and apart to make a V shape posture, the first pose, such that the device is secure in the user's mouth and hands and releases hormones from the user's brain including dopamine to make the user feel happier. The bite bar is constructed such that it makes the user simile when they bite down on it, creating the second pose.
Preferably the user holds this position for a minimum of two minutes. They can rest and repeat for as often as they desire.
When fully extended, H.O.P.E the invention device will be in the user's mouth will have the bite bar in their mouth, and extended arms holding the string portion. The outstretched arms emphasize the victory pose.
Variations in the invention include the size of bite bar and materials used.
A bite bar that can be sanitized or has a sanitary cover is a possible variation.
The foregoing description of various and preferred embodiments of the present invention has been provided for purposes of illustration only, and it is understood that numerous modifications, variations and alterations may be made without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention as set forth in the following claims.
This application claims the benefit of U.S. provisional application Ser. No. 62/673,882 filed May 19, 2018 which is incorporated herein in its entirety by reference.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 62673882 | May 2018 | US |
