Intra-oral cavity surgical device
AssigneeJanise E. Heck
InventorJanise Heck
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An intra-oral cavity device for preventing contact between upper and lower teeth of an anesthetized patient. The device includes an elongate pillow that when gripped between the teeth of a patient, prevents contact between the teeth and/or gums and thereby prevents damage to the teeth and/or gums. The pillow may be made of a fibrous, porous and/or absorbent material. The device is adapted for single use and thus disposal after use by a patient. A method of the use of performing surgery using such a device is also provided.
Claims23
an intra-oral cavity device for preventing contact between upper and lower teeth and/or gums of an anesthetized patient, said device comprising:
- an elongate pillow of porous material having at least one transverse dimension in the range of between about ⅜ inch and about 1 inch, and a length in the range of between about 1½ inches and about 3½ inches;
- and
- means cooperating with the porous material for preventing the porous material in the pillow from separating from the pillow and thereby retaining the pillow as a monolithic structure.
An intra-oral cavity device for preventing contact between upper and lower teeth and/or gums of an anesthetized patient, said device comprising:
- an elongate pillow at least an exterior portion of which is fibrous material and having at least one transverse dimension in the range of between about ⅜ inch and about 1 inch and a length in the range of between about 1½ inches and about 3½ inches;
- and
- means cooperating with the fibrous material for preventing the fibrous material in the pillow from separating from the pillow and thereby retaining the pillow as a monolithic structure.
An intra-oral cavity device for preventing contact between upper and lower teeth and/or gums of a surgical patient, said device comprising:
- an elongate pillow of porous material;
- means operating with the porous material for preventing the porous material in the pillow from separating from the pillow and thereby retaining the pillow as a monolithic structure;
- and
- a sensor carried by the pillow and operable for sensing a change in at least one condition in the oral cavity.
A surgical patient comprising:
- a person with an oral cavity;
- a pillow having an intra-oral portion thereof positioned in the oral cavity and an extra-oral portion, a portion of the pillow in the oral cavity being positioned between the gums holding the gums and/or teeth spaced apart, said pillow being elongate and comprises fibrous material and having a relaxed transverse dimension of at least about ⅜ inch;
- and
- means associated with the pillow for maintaining the pillow as a monolithic structure both inside and outside of the oral cavity.
A method of treating a surgical patient:
- preparing a patient for surgery, said patient having an oral cavity;
- placing at least one pillow in the oral cavity with at least a portion of the pillow being intra-oral, said pillow being elongate and comprising fibrous material, a portion of the intra-oral portion being positioned between a patient's gums to maintain teeth and/or gums in the oral cavity spaced apart during at least a portion of the surgery;
- performing surgery on the patient;
- and
- removing the pillow from the oral cavity.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.