RU2849776C1 - Device for assessing the correct position of the user's tongue - Google Patents

Abstract

FIELD: medical technology.

SUBSTANCE: device for assessing the correct position of the user's tongue comprises an intraoral screen for placement in the user's oral cavity and blocking the interdental spaces, and a channel for connecting at one end to the intraoral screen and at the other end to a pressure gauge. The channel is designed to allow fluid communication between the internal volume of the oral cavity and the pressure gauge for measuring the negative pressure created in the oral cavity as a result of swallowing. The processing unit of the device's electronic module evaluates the correct position of the tongue by comparing the pressure data measured by the pressure gauge with the set pressure. The device contains a tube for connecting the first end to the channel and the second end for a sealed position in the Donders space between the user's tongue and palate. The second end of the tube has a balloon for placement in the Donders space and for sealing the space so that the pressure gauge recognises the vacuum pressure in the Donders space and sends data about this recognition to the processing unit to assess the correct position of the tongue.

EFFECT: determination of the position of the tongue based on the measurement of the vacuum pressure in the user's oral cavity.

15 cl, 4 dwg

Description

AREA OF TECHNOLOGY

The present invention relates to intraoral devices, in particular to the field of vacuum-activated intraoral devices, and more particularly to intraoral devices that facilitate the creation of a vacuum pressure in the oral cavity and the measurement thereof based on the movement of the tongue caused by swallowing.

Similarly, the device of the present invention relates to measuring the pressure in the nasopharyngeal cavity during inhalation.

PRIOR ART

In medicine, maintaining the tongue in the correct position is essential to prevent, for example, noisy breathing, such as snoring, which occurs during sleep when breathing through the mouth and the tongue partially obstructs the airway. For this reason, it is essential to maintain the tongue in a forward position, ensuring a clear airway and unobstructed breathing.

Furthermore, in addition to the discomfort caused by snoring during sleep, airway obstruction can be a source of health problems caused by the interruption of airflow to the lungs, better known as sleep apnea. This reduces the amount of oxygen carried by the blood to the brain, disrupting sleep patterns and leading to chronic fatigue, the accumulation of which can be detrimental to health.

For this reason, many people should correct or eliminate these incorrect tongue positions inside the mouth, avoiding the possible breathing problems they can cause.

There are many state of the art documents that mention devices designed to position the tongue correctly.

One example of the cited documents is patent US5373859, which describes a tongue-retaining and snoring-reducing device comprising a housing enclosing a flexible vacuum reservoir and a rigid flange that completely surrounds the housing and contacts the user's face along the entire perimeter of the mouth. The reservoir's opening adheres to the tongue and retains it due to the negative pressure generated by the device.

Document US4169473 also relates to the current state of the art and describes a device that is to be placed in the mouth of a user for the purpose of preventing snoring and/or bruxism, which is made in the form of a molded body having a portion located outside and a portion located inside the oral cavity of the user, with arches that come into contact with the teeth, and a rearward opening central socket for interaction with the anterior portion of the tongue with its forced placement in the anterior portion of the mouth, due to which the size of the airway is increased for unobstructed breathing.

Document WO 2018076088 also relates to the current state of the art and describes an intraoral device for creating a sensation of contact between teeth, which is to be applied to the upper and/or lower palate of the user and which comprises a contact means intended to engage with at least one section of one to four posterior teeth, in order to create a sensation of contact for the user due to contact between the contact means itself and at least one section of the opposite dental area.

Document ES1067430 also relates to the current state of the art and describes an intraoral device for preventing snoring and/or apnea, which consists of a main body that includes, at its posterior portion, a flexible tongue retaining rib that prevents it from moving backwards and thereby prevents the user from snoring.

As can be seen, in the current state of the art, there are many intraoral devices designed to position the tongue within the oral cavity in such a way as to ensure that there is no obstruction in the user's airway, preventing the tongue from being involved in harmful processes such as snoring or apnea.

However, it has been found that none of the existing systems offer a means for correcting the position of the tongue based on measuring the vacuum pressure in the oral cavity created during swallowing, while based on said measured vacuum pressure, a study and/or monitoring of the position of the tongue can be carried out in order to help the user in learning to correct an inadequate position of the tongue, and at the same time help the health care professional understand the position occupied by the tongue and evaluate alternative correction options.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In order to fill the gap identified in the current art, the present invention provides a device for determining the position of the tongue based on measuring the vacuum pressure in the oral cavity of the user, wherein said negative pressure is created by the movement of the tongue during swallowing, for providing information based on said negative pressure, for example in the form of a warning to the user or medical personnel about whether the correct position of the tongue has been achieved.

It should be obvious to a person skilled in the art that, in the context of the present invention, negative pressure in the oral cavity refers to a pressure that is lower than the pressure measured outside said oral cavity, which typically corresponds to, but is not limited to, the atmospheric pressure at which the user uses said device.

Negative pressure in the oral cavity is created by swallowing and, in order to prevent air from leaking into the oral cavity through the interdental spaces by reducing the vacuum pressure, the device according to the present invention has an intraoral shield, preferably made of a flexible material suitable for non-invasive intraoral use by the user, which, as already mentioned, helps the user maintain negative pressure after the swallowing movement.

In addition to the intraoral shield, said device comprises a channel whose first end can be connected to a connecting end located on the intraoral shield, and whose second end can be connected to a pressure meter, which, in turn, can be connected to the base of said device. Thus, when the device is used by the user, said intraoral shield is positioned between the inner portion of the lips and the anterior portion of the user's teeth so as to block the interdental spaces, and said channel provides fluid communication between the oral cavity and the pressure meter so that the negative pressure created in the oral cavity during swallowing can be measured by said pressure meter.

Preferably, the channel should have a saliva trap with a membrane made of a leak-proof and preferably flexible material such as GORE-TEX®, which will prevent saliva from entering the channel itself and subsequently coming into contact with the pressure gauge.

Connected to the base is an electronic module, which contains a data processing unit capable of receiving/calculating/determining data on the position of the tongue based on the measurement of the vacuum pressure in the oral cavity. The electronic module contains a wireless communication device, such as a Bluetooth card, or a data port, which can be connected to the base and connected to said electronic module, prepared for transmitting data on the pressure in the oral cavity and/or receiving data or information from/to any external terminal, such as a computer, smartphone, tablet, etc.

As described above, a device is provided that helps seal the oral cavity to measure the negative pressure created during swallowing, for example, when swallowing saliva, and by measuring said negative pressure, it is possible to determine whether the position of the tongue is correct, and if this is not the case, the device can generate signals, transmit data to an external terminal to help teach the correct position of the tongue in order to form habits that prevent the tongue from blocking the airway.

For example, a negative pressure of 15 mbar in the oral cavity would indicate that the tongue is in the correct position, occupying the entire oral cavity without any existing volume. Consequently, the tongue is fully adjacent to the palate.

The ideal negative pressure at which the tongue is considered to be in the correct position can be set within a certain range or can be set by medical personnel for a specific user and their specific condition.

Thus, with the help of the said device, it is possible to monitor the pressure in the oral cavity and/or its changes indicating the position of the tongue, and the said device can also be configured to monitor the time during which the negative pressure is maintained in the user's oral cavity.

In a preferred embodiment, said device comprises a means for measuring the vacuum pressure created during swallowing in the air chamber formed between the back of the tongue and the palate, better known as the Donders space, wherein said means comprises a flexible tube or cannula which can be connected at its first end to a channel and/or to a pressure meter, and at its second end, opposite the first end, is open to the atmosphere so that in the operating state of the device the second end of the tube is located in the Donders space, due to which the pressure sensor determines the air pressure in said Donders space and transmits the data of said recognition to the processing unit for subsequent processing of such data.

A specialist in this field should be aware that Donders' space is a hypothetical space formed in relation to the hard palate behind the lip closure and before it, between the dorsum of the tongue and the soft palate. This space generates negative pressure, capable of exerting a force of up to 0.3 kg, which creates a suction effect. This space contains air bubbles, which, when compressed, facilitate the opening of the lumen for the passage of food toward the pharynx.

Alternatively, a balloon is located at the other end of the tube. This balloon is designed to be positioned within the Donders space during operation of the device and to form a hermetically or airtight seal around the space to prevent pressure leakage during measurement, making the measurement much more accurate. Furthermore, this balloon ensures consistent pressure readings regardless of the tongue's muscular pressure.

Preferably, said balloon is made of a flexible, soft to the touch, tear-resistant and biocompatible polymer material.

In another embodiment or indication for use, said device can be used to determine the pressure in the nasopharyngeal space (nasopharyngeal pressure (EPP - English: EpiPharyngeal Pressure)) by measuring the pressure in the nasal cavities of the user's nose during inhalation/exhalation, thus becoming a device for determining the nasopharyngeal pressure (nasopharyngeal pressure index (EPPI - English: EpiPharyngeal Pressure Index)), wherein the first end of the tube can be connected to a channel and/or a pressure meter, and the second end is open to the atmosphere and is intended for at least partial insertion into the user's nostril, wherein in the operating state of this device the second end is at least partially inserted into one of the nostrils, hermetically mating it with said nostril so that the pressure meter determines the pressure in the nasopharyngeal space during inhalation and sends the recognition data to the data processing unit for processing and analysis.

In a further embodiment, the above-mentioned device is mounted on a mask designed to simultaneously cover the wearer's mouth and nose, such as FFP2 and FFP3 masks or similar devices. Even more preferably, said tube can be connected to the mask in a suitable manner, for example, by passing through the mask via a hole provided therein. This can be convenient for measuring respiration during the use of these masks, which have become common during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Preferably, a plug is detachably connected to the second end of the tube, wherein said plug is designed to hermetically seal the nasopharyngeal cavity in such a way that, in the operating state of the device, said plug closes the nostril so that fluid communication between the pressure meter and the nostril and/or nasopharyngeal space is carried out only through said tube, which makes the measurement of inhalation pressure more accurate.

To avoid interfering with the measurement, the material from which the plug is made must seal the nostril without altering the shape of the tissue within it. Therefore, the material should be moldable, non-porous, and pleasant-to-the-touch polymers. As stated above, this connection is completely passive and does not alter the nostril in any way, as a soft sponge or similar material is used to ensure sealing without affecting the nasal tissue.

In this embodiment, the device, in addition to measuring and determining pressure in the nasopharyngeal space (NPS) located behind the nasal septum, measures inspiratory pressure/volume in each nostril and analyzes how the application of a nasal decongestant affects the user's ability to inhale/exhale air, as well as the effect of a mask covering the user's mouth and nose. In this regard, the device should first be applied to one nostril for measurement, and then applied to the other nostril for measurement. Later, after applying a dilator, decongestant, or other substance to the nostrils, or after donning the mask, the measurements can be repeated and compared to the initial measurements to analyze the effect.

The various embodiments of the described device consist of previously unknown innovative design features, which, together with its usefulness, provides a sufficient basis for obtaining the requested exclusive right privilege.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF GRAPHIC MATERIALS

In order to supplement the description provided in this document and to help make the features of the invention more understandable, a set of graphical materials is attached to the said description, which form an integral part thereof, in which, for the purpose of illustration, but not limitation, the following is presented:

Fig. 1 shows a general view of the device which is the object of the present invention.

Fig. 2 shows a view with a spatial explosion of the components of the said device.

Fig. 3 shows a detailed view of the components of the electronic board.

Fig. 4 shows an alternative embodiment of a device for measuring the vacuum pressure in the Donders space or the pressure in the nasopharyngeal space during inhalation.

List of positions in graphic materials:

1. Intraoral screen

2. Foundation

3. Channel

4. Pressure meter

5. Sealed membrane

6. Electronic module

7. Wireless communication device

8. Power supply

9. Data connection port

10. Body

1. Tube

2. The first end of the tube

3. The second end of the tube

4. Balloon

5. Plug

PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

In the following detailed description of preferred embodiments, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which illustrate specific preferred embodiments by which the present invention may be implemented. These embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to implement the present invention, and it should be understood that other embodiments may be employed by introducing logical, structural changes to the mechanical, electrical, and/or chemical components without departing from the scope of the invention. To avoid details that are not required by those skilled in the art to implement the invention according to this detailed description, the present description should not be understood in a limiting sense.

In particular, a device is described for determining and changing the position of the tongue based on measuring the vacuum pressure in the oral cavity created by the movement of the user's tongue during the swallowing phase, wherein said device comprises:

- intraoral screen 1, intended for placement in the oral cavity during use or work, sealing the interdental spaces;

- a base 2 that can be connected to the intraoral screen 1 by means of at least one channel 3, which is designed with the possibility, under the conditions of use or operation of the device, of providing communication through a fluid medium between the internal volume of the oral cavity and a pressure meter 4, which can be coupled with the base 2 and is intended to measure the vacuum pressure created during swallowing;

- and an electronic module 6, which can be coupled with the base 2, wherein said electronic module 6 exchanges data with the pressure meter 4 and contains a processing unit configured to obtain data on the position of the tongue based on measuring the vacuum pressure in the oral cavity.

Thus, a device is obtained that is capable of determining the position of the user's tongue based on the measurement of the internal pressure in his or her intraoral cavity, carried out using a pressure meter 4, and subsequent processing of the obtained data using an electronic module 6.

In a preferred embodiment, the intraoral screen 1 comprises at least one connecting end 1A to which a channel 3 can be connected, which, when the device is used, provides fluid communication between the internal volume of the oral cavity and the pressure meter 4, which measures the pressure after the user's swallowing process, for example, when swallowing saliva.

Preferably, the pressure gauge 4 is a manometer. Those skilled in the art will understand that the term "pressure gauge 4" includes all oral pressure sensing devices that may be applicable in the context of this invention.

In a preferred embodiment, the intraoral shield 1 will be made of a hydrophobic elastic polymer material, preferably silicone for intraoral use, which will ensure adaptability to the morphology of the user's oral cavity and, thus, seal the oral cavity and prevent air from entering it when creating a vacuum during swallowing.

The preferred position of the intraoral screen 1 during operation will be its location between the inner part of the lips and the anterior part of the teeth of the user's oral cavity.

Furthermore, the electronic module 6 comprises a wireless communication means 7, capable of transmitting to an external terminal, based on the measurement of the vacuum pressure in the oral cavity, data on the position of the tongue and/or receiving information from said external terminal. Thus, information can be exchanged between the device, which is the object of the present invention, and said external terminal.

In another preferred embodiment, the device comprises a data connection port 9, which is configured to be coupled with a base 2, which is configured to be connected to an electronic module 6, and wherein the data connection port 9 is configured to transmit data on the position of the tongue, obtained by measuring the vacuum pressure in the oral cavity, to an external terminal, and/or to receive information from said terminal. As a result, information is also exchanged directly through a direct connection between the data connection port 9 and the external terminal.

As mentioned previously, the electronic module 6 comprises a data processing unit configured to obtain data on the tongue position based on the measurement of the vacuum pressure in the oral cavity. Thus, at a predetermined vacuum pressure set as a reference, for example, 15 mbar (millibar), the processing unit determines whether the tongue position is correct based on the measurement of the vacuum pressure created in the oral cavity, obtained using the pressure meter 4 and/or also based on the period of time during which said negative pressure is maintained.

The processing unit can monitor the tongue position, as well as the time during which the negative pressure is maintained, by continuously measuring it using pressure meter 4. For example, if the reference vacuum pressure is 15 mbar and the measured pressure is 10 mbar, this may not be sufficient to correctly position the tongue, and/or it is also possible that, upon reaching the reference pressure, said negative pressure was maintained for a shorter time than necessary.

In accordance with the last two embodiments, the device comprises both a wireless communication means and a direct communication means for communicating with external devices, successfully exchanging with external terminals data on the pressure measured in the oral cavity, which facilitates the processing and interpretation of said data.

In a preferred embodiment, the electronic module 6 comprises an alarm means configured to issue a warning signal, wherein the processing unit of the electronic module 6 is configured to determine, based on the position of the tongue determined by measuring the negative pressure in the oral cavity, an incorrect position of the tongue and to transmit the warning signal using the alarm means.

This signaling means may be a speaker for emitting an acoustic signal, and/or an LED indicator for emitting a visual signal, and/or a vibration mechanism, such as in smartphones, for emitting a vibration signal to alert the user of an incorrect position of the tongue within the oral cavity.

The device comprises a power supply means 8, which can be coupled to the base 2 and is configured to supply power to the electronic module 6 and/or the pressure measuring means 4. Preferably, the power supply means 8 should consist of a rechargeable battery, detachable from the base 2, such as, for example, a rechargeable battery similar to the battery of AirPods® from Apple®, or rechargeable batteries of similar devices.

Similarly, in non-illustrated alternative embodiments, the device of the present invention comprises additional pressure gauges 4 intended to be coupled with one or more channels 3 or with other similar channels (not shown), which are distributed over the intraoral screen 1. The purpose of these additional pressure gauges 4 is to measure the vacuum pressure in the intraoral chambers, for example, at various points in the intraoral cavity. These additional pressure gauges 4 are coupled with additional channels 3, which are correspondingly distributed over the intraoral screen 1, and are not necessarily located on the base 2, although said additional pressure gauges 4 must have the ability to exchange data with the electronic module 6 using a suitable means for transmitting to the latter the vacuum pressure measurements taken at different points by each of said additional pressure gauges 4.

As shown in Fig. 1, in a preferred embodiment, said device comprises a housing 10 configured to be mated with a base 2 and configured to protect an electronic module 6 and/or a pressure gauge 4 and/or a communication port 9 for transmitting data and/or a power supply means 8, wherein said housing 10 comprises at least one opening for access to the communication port 9 for transmitting data so that said housing 10 protects said components from external influences.

In addition, the device comprises at least one removable membrane 5, preferably made of a sealed material such as GoreTex®, located inside the channel 3 and configured to prevent the flow of liquids through said channel 3, which may come into contact with the pressure gauge 4 and/or the electronic module 6, causing a deterioration in their performance or malfunction.

As shown in Fig. 4, in an alternative embodiment, said device comprises a tube (30) that can be connected or configured to be connected with a first end (31) to the channel (3) and/or the pressure meter (4), and also comprises a second end (32) opposite the first end (31), wherein said second end is open to the atmosphere so that in the operating state of the device, the second end (32) of the tube (30) is located hermetically in the Donders space between the tongue and the palate of the user, providing fluid communication between said Donders space and the pressure meter (4) so that the pressure meter (4) recognizes the pressure, which is typically the vacuum pressure in said space, and sends data about this recognition to the processing unit for interpretation.

As shown in Fig. 4, a cylinder (33) is connected to the second end (32) of the tube (30), either permanently or detachably, and is designed to be placed in the Donders space and to seal said space during operation of the device to prevent pressure leaks that may affect measurements taken using the device.

To prevent irritation of the parts of the oral cavity with which it comes into contact, the balloon (33) is preferably made of a pleasant to the touch, tear-resistant and biocompatible flexible polymer material.

In addition, the present invention can measure/evaluate the suction pressure in the nasopharyngeal space of the user's nose.

For this purpose, in the working state of the device, the second end (32) of the tube (30) is designed with the possibility of at least partial insertion into one of the nasal cavities of the user with a sealed position therein so that the pressure meter (4) records changes in pressure in the nasopharyngeal space (negative changes during inhalation, positive changes during exhalation) during the entry and exit of air through the free nasal cavity, and sends such recognition data to the processing unit for subsequent interpretation.

As shown in Fig. 4, a plug (34) is installed at the second end (32) of the tube (30), which is designed to close off the nasal cavity, into which the second end (32) is inserted in such a way that, in the working state of the device, the plug (34) closes off the nasal cavity so that communication by fluid medium between the pressure gauge (4) and the free nasal cavity passing through the nasopharyngeal space is carried out only through the tube (30).

It is important to take into account that the specified biological functional system also includes the nose, which is distinguished by the fact that it is located between the valves (the velopharyngeal sphincter) and the entrance to the nose.

Adjacent to this valve is the nasopharynx; this space is divided by the nasal septum into two channels—the nasal cavities—the external openings of which form two nasal pits. Thus, from the nasal pit to the nasopharyngeal space directly adjacent to the valve, there are two distinct functional spaces. This fact is used in the invention to determine the pressure and/or, alternatively, the flow rate of inhaled air.

The left and right halves of the nose can be used separately as a channel for measuring pressure in the nasopharyngeal space, which is located next to both halves of the nose, behind the septum.

If the valve is closed on one side and the half of the nose behind it is perceived as a pressure-conducting channel, a line can be connected via fluid to a pressure gauge (4) at the midpoint of the closed nose. This pressure line measures the pressure existing at the nasal end of the nasopharyngeal space.

Therefore, if the oral cavity is closed at the top and the valve on the side of the nose connected to the measuring tube (30) is also closed, that is, the second end (32) of the tube (30) is hermetically connected to the nasal cavity, the inhaled air must enter the pressure meter exclusively through the tube (30).

A mask (not shown) may be used as part of the device and is designed to simultaneously cover the mouth and nose of the user, with the tube (30) being attached to the mask by a suitable means.

The pressure difference between the environment and the nasopharyngeal space, that is, the posterior end of both sides of the nose, will be proportional to the resistance of the nasal side, according to Ohm's law for linear flow. In this sense, it is assumed that at rest, the subject creates a constant airflow for breathing. When breathing at normal intensity and frequency, with greater hydraulic resistance from the nasal membranes through which the airflow passes, a greater pressure difference is required.

This can be determined by measuring the amplitude of the pressure in the nasopharyngeal space, which should increase with the nasal flow resistance, assuming a constant flow during breathing at rest.

Carrying out this measurement successively on each side of the nose gives a result useful for diagnostic purposes, obtained in a short time by successively measuring the difference in pressure in both nasal pits, determining the pressure in the nasopharyngeal space.

The measurement circuit is maintained constant by performing a top-seal maneuver, so that secondary air is expelled through the oral cavity toward the nasopharynx. Using a top-seal activator during measurements eliminates pressure in the nasopharynx caused by secondary airflow through the mouth into the throat.

Similarly, the present invention provides a connectable external terminal in communication with the device of the previous embodiments, which is configured to receive data on the position of the tongue obtained with the help of said device and/or data on the suction pressure in the nasopharyngeal space, and/or to determine which of the nasal pits provides the greatest resistance to the suction of air, as described above, wherein said external terminal comprises a processing means configured to determine whether the position of the tongue is correct based on the received data on the position of the tongue, and/or whether the suction pressure in the nasopharyngeal space and/or the aspiration resistance in each of the nasal pits is acceptable, and to generate, with the help of said external terminal, a warning signal for the user of the device of the previous embodiments.

The presence of a sufficient description of the essence of the present invention, as well as the methods for its implementation, allows us to omit further explanation of it for any person skilled in the art to understand its scope and the advantages that follow from it, with an indication that, within the framework of its essential features, it can be implemented in other embodiments that differ in detail from the variant presented as an example, and to which the requested protection also applies, provided that they do not change, distort or modify its basic principle.

Claims (15)

1. A device for assessing the correct position of a user's tongue, comprising an intraoral screen intended for placement in the oral cavity of the user and configured to block interdental spaces in said oral cavity, a channel configured to be connected at its first end to the intraoral screen and at its second end to a pressure meter, wherein said pressure meter is mated with a base, wherein the channel is configured to communicate via a fluid medium between the internal volume of the oral cavity and the pressure meter, and said pressure meter is configured to measure the negative pressure created in the oral cavity due to swallowing, and an electronic module mated with the base, wherein said electronic module is configured to exchange data with the pressure meter and contains a processing unit configured to assess the correct position of the tongue by comparing pressure data measured using the pressure meter and a specified pressure; characterized in that it comprises a tube configured to be connected with a first end to a channel and comprising a second end opposite the first end, wherein said second end is configured to be hermetically positioned in the Donders space between the tongue and the palate of the user, wherein at the second end of the tube there is a balloon configured to be positioned in the Donders space and hermetically seal said space so that the pressure gauge is configured to recognize the vacuum pressure in said Donders space and send data on this recognition to the processing unit for assessing the correct position of the tongue. 2. A device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the intraoral shield is made of a hydrophobic elastic polymeric material. 3. A device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the intraoral shield is designed to be placed in the oral cavity between the inside of the lips and the front of the teeth. 4. A device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the electronic module comprises a wireless communication means configured to transmit data on the vacuum pressure in the oral cavity to an external terminal and/or receive information from said external terminal. 5. A device according to any of the preceding paragraphs, comprising a communication port configured to be coupled with a base and connected to an electronic module, wherein said communication port is configured to transmit data on the vacuum pressure in the oral cavity to an external terminal and/or receive information from said external terminal. 6. A device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the electronic module comprises a signalling means configured to emit a warning signal, and wherein the processing unit of the electronic module is configured to determine, based on the position of the tongue determined by measuring the vacuum pressure, an incorrect position of the tongue and to transmit the warning signal using the signalling means. 7. A device according to any of the preceding claims, comprising a power supply means located in the base, configured to supply power to the electronic module and/or the pressure meter. 8. The device according to claim 7, wherein the power supply means comprises a rechargeable battery that can be disconnected from the base. 9. A device according to any of the preceding claims, comprising a housing configured to be mated with a base, configured to protect the electronic module and/or the pressure meter and/or the communication port and/or the power supply, wherein said housing comprises an opening for access to the communication port for data transmission. 10. A device according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising at least one membrane located within the channel and configured to prevent the passage of fluids through the channel. 11. The device according to the preceding paragraph, wherein said membrane is sealed and interchangeable. 12. A device according to any of the preceding claims, comprising one or more pressure meters coupled to one or more channels. 13. A device according to any of the preceding claims, in which the second end of the tube is further configured to be at least partially inserted into one of the nasal pits of the user's nose with a sealed position therein so that the pressure gauge detects the suction pressure in the nasopharyngeal space and sends the detection data to the processing unit. 14. The device according to the previous paragraph, comprising a mask configured to simultaneously cover the mouth and nose of the user, wherein the tube is configured to be mated with the mask. 15. The device according to claim 13 or 14, further comprising a plug located at the second end of the tube and configured to seal the nasal cavity in such a way that air into said cavity passes only through the tube.