Abstract: [Problem] To provide a masticatory-function evaluation and management system capable of quickly counting “fine particles having been not crushed and ground finely” and quickly quantifying masticatory efficiency using photographic data of an artificial food mass in a stretched state, and capable of managing the masticatory efficiency quantified using such an artificial food mass for masticatory function evaluation along the time series. [Solution] When image data of an artificial food mass, in a stretched state, for masticatory function evaluation is received, the image data being transmitted from a user terminal, the number of fine particles having a spherical shape is counted from among all fine particles present in the image data, and masticatory efficiency is calculated on the basis of the number of the fine particles having the spherical shape.

Abstract: An imaging device for capturing an image of an imaging object that is an artificial food mass, in which a light-transmissive microparticle is contained in a base material having a property of blocking infrared light, includes imaging means for capturing the image of the imaging object from one side; and an infrared light source that emits infrared light on the imaging object from the other side of the imaging object. The imaging means includes visible-light removing means for not receiving visible light. The imaging means captures the image of the imaging object while the infrared light source emits the infrared light on the imaging object. The device can accurately count the number of “microparticles not finely crushed or ground” by a computer or the like.

Abstract: An imaging device for capturing an image of an imaging object that is an artificial food mass, in which a light-transmissive microparticle is contained in a base material having a property of blocking infrared light, includes imaging means for capturing the image of the imaging object from one side; and an infrared light source that emits infrared light on the imaging object from the other side of the imaging object. The imaging means includes visible-light removing means for not receiving visible light. The imaging means captures the image of the imaging object while the infrared light source emits the infrared light on the imaging object. The device can accurately count the number of “microparticles not finely crushed or ground” by a computer or the like.

Abstract: The present invention provides a evaluating system of masticatory efficiency comprising a first step of allowing a human subject to masticate an artificial food material containing microparticles that are finely crushed and ground by mastication and keep a spherical shape unless they are masticated; a second step of enlarging the artificial food material having been thus masticated by applying pressure to a thickness equal to the diameter of the microparticles while sandwiching the artificial food material between two preparation sheets; and a third step of counting microparticles keeping the spherical shape that remain in the artificial food material having been enlarged between the two preparation sheets by applying pressure. By using this evaluating system in the invention, the masticatory efficiency can be evaluated well in precise and at short time without using a solvent and expensive instruments.

Abstract: The present invention provides a evaluating system of masticatory efficiency comprising, a first step of allowing a human subject to masticate an artificial food material containing microparticles that are finely crushed and ground by mastication and keep a spherical shape unless they are masticated; a second step of enlarging the artificial food material having been thus masticated by applying pressure to a thickness equal to the diameter of the microparticles while sandwiching the artificial food material between two preparation sheets; and a third step of counting microparticles keeping the spherical shape that remain in the artificial food material having been enlarged between the two preparation sheets by applying pressure. By using this evaluating system in the invention, the masticatory efficiency can be evaluated well in precise and at short time without using a solvent and expensive instruments.