A PRESSURE-DISTRIBUTION SENSOR (PDS), FOR EVALUATION OF LIP FUNCTIONS

The purpose of this study was to develop and to test a pressure-distri bution sensor (PDS) for evaluating lip functions. The PDS is fabricate d as a disposable cartridge and is based on the principle of optical-p ressure conversion used in tactile sensors cf robot arms. Its advantag es are in measuring sealing forces, contact area, and pressure-distrib ution patterns of the lips at maximum effort. We used the PDS to evalu ate pressure-distribution patterns of long-face subjects with extremel y large interlabial distances. The results suggest that the PDS is a u seful device for evaluating lip sealing functions and their changes af ter orthodontic therapy or orthognathic surgery.