Fundamental study on the development of a measuring device using an accelerometer

Abstract

It is important to clarify stomatognathic functions. To diagnose them, some measuring devices, such as MKG and the Gnatho-hexagraph, were developed. Such equipment, however, is not widely diffused, due to cost. The purpose of this fundamental study was to obtain information on position using an accelerometer. This system consists of a micro dual-axis accelerometer and a peripheral interface controller. Two-dimensional acceleration, velocity, and movement can be calculated by a computer. We examined the accuracy of this system using a laser measuring device. The result was as follows: The accuracy of the system was 0.03 (p-p values) using acceleration of gravity and a frequency of 72.5 Hz. In the present study, mandibular movements during chewing raisins were analyzed using this system. The new system demonstrated its value for analyzing mandibular movements.