A New Model of Salivary Pacemaker—A Proof of Concept and First Clinical Use
Cristian Funieru,
Dan Ștefan Tudose,
Bogdan Dobrică,
Mihai Săndulescu,
Ion Alexandru Popovici,
Emil Ioan Slușanschi,
Sorin Mihai Croitoru,
Daniela Vrînceanu,
Bogdan Bănică,
Mihnea Ioan Nicolescu
Affiliations
Cristian Funieru
Preventive Dentistry Department, Faculty of Dentistry, Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 4 Eforiei, 050037 Bucharest, Romania
Dan Ștefan Tudose
Computer Science and Engineering Department, Faculty of Automatic Control and Computer Science, Politehnica University of Bucharest, 313 Splaiul Independenţei, 060042 Bucharest, Romania
Bogdan Dobrică
NanoSAE Research Centre, Faculty of Physics, University of Bucharest, 405 Atomiştilor, 077125 Bucharest-Măgurele, Romania
Mihai Săndulescu
Department of Implant Prosthetic Therapy, Faculty of Dentistry, Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 17-23 Plevnei, 010221 Bucharest, Romania
Ion Alexandru Popovici
Department of Implant Prosthetic Therapy, Faculty of Dentistry, Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 17-23 Plevnei, 010221 Bucharest, Romania
Emil Ioan Slușanschi
Computer Science and Engineering Department, Faculty of Automatic Control and Computer Science, Politehnica University of Bucharest, 313 Splaiul Independenţei, 060042 Bucharest, Romania
Sorin Mihai Croitoru
Department of Machine Tools and Manufacturing Systems, Faculty of Industrial Engineering and Robotics, Politehnica University of Bucharest, 313 Splaiul Independenţei, 060042 Bucharest, Romania
Daniela Vrînceanu
ENT Department, Faculty of Medicine, Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 169 Splaiul Independenței, 050098 Bucharest, Romania
Bogdan Bănică
Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Department, University Emergency Hospital Bucharest, 169 Splaiul Independenţei, 050098 Bucharest, Romania
Mihnea Ioan Nicolescu
Histology Division, Faculty of Dentistry, Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 8 Eroii Sanitari, 050474 Bucharest, Romania
Background and Objectives: Saliva is of utmost importance for maintaining oral health. Management of saliva flow rate deficiency recently includes salivary neuro-electrostimulation. The aim of this paper is to present a new model of salivary pacemaker—the MICROSAL device (MD), an intelligent, miniaturized, and implant-supported oral device used for salivary stimulation. Materials and Methods: This report presents the development, calibration, and first clinical tests which involved the MD. The novel features of this device are the pH sensor and the fact that it communicates with the patient’s smartphone, where oral wetness and pH are graphically exposed. Saliva samples were taken before and after the MD was used on a 68-year-old patient suffering from post-irradiation xerostomia, and albumin and total protein were analyzed. Results: The device uses up to 3 V and time intervals of 2 s seconds for stimulation. The total volume of all saliva samples collected during the clinical trial was almost seven times higher after the device was used. Albumin decreased from a maximum of 0.15 g/dL to 0.04 g/dL, and total proteins from 0.65 g/dL to 0.21 g/dL, after salivary stimulation. Conclusions: The MD increased saliva secretion of the patient, and we are confident it will be a good solution for future management of salivary gland hypofunction.
