Hinged therapeutic mouthpiece
OwnerGreg J. VanSkiver, Roxanne R. VanSkiverinventors
Life of this patent
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Abstract
This invention relates to devices for insertion into the mouth for the application of heat or cold to oral tissue to provide a therapeutic effect. The device 10 includes an upper member 11 substantially conforming to a contour of an upper gum line, a lower member 12 substantially conforming to a contour of a lower gum line, a first hinge member 13, and a second hinge member 14, wherein at least one hinge member 13, 14 is configured to exert a compressive force to maintain the upper member 11 substantially in contact with an upper gum and the lower member 12 substantially in contact with a lower gum.
Claims20
An apparatus for insertion into the oral cavity, the apparatus comprising an upper member substantially conforming to a contour of an upper gum line, a lower member substantially conforming to a contour of a lower gum line, a first hinge member configured to provide a compressive force, and a second hinge member configured to provide a compressive force, wherein the first hinge member joins a first end of the upper member to a first end of the lower member, wherein the second hinge member joins a second end of the upper member to a second end of the lower member, wherein when the apparatus is inserted into a patient's mouth, the compressive force maintains the upper member substantially in contact with an upper gum and the lower member substantially in contact with a lower gum over a range of relative motion of the upper gum and lower gum.
An apparatus for insertion into the oral cavity, the apparatus comprising an upper member substantially conforming to a contour of an upper gum line, a lower member substantially conforming to a contour of a lower gum line, a first hinge member, and a second hinge member, wherein at least one hinge member is configured to provide a compressive force.
An apparatus for insertion into the oral cavity, the apparatus comprising an upper member substantially conforming to a contour of an upper gum line hinged to a lower member substantially conforming to a contour of a lower gum line so that rotation of said upper member towards said lower member about said hinge provides a compression force between said upper and lower member.
A method of delivering a medicament to an oral tissue, the method comprising the steps of:
- providing an apparatus comprising an upper member substantially conforming to a contour of an upper gum, a lower member substantially conforming to a contour of a lower gum, a first hinge member, and a second hinge member, wherein the first hinge member joins a first end of the upper member to a first end of the lower member, wherein the second hinge member joins a second end of the upper member to a second end of the lower member, wherein the apparatus comprises a permeable outer wall enclosing a lumen, wherein the lumen is filled with a medicament or a medicament-containing substance;
- inserting the apparatus into an oral cavity;
- positioning the apparatus such that a compressive force is exerted by the first hinge member and the second hinge member such that the upper member is substantially maintained in contact with the upper gum and the lower member is substantially maintained in contact with the lower gum over a range of relative motion of the upper gum and lower gum;
- and
- solubilizing the medicament in a saliva in fluid communication with the apparatus and the oral tissue, such that the medicament is delivered to the oral tissue.
A method of delivering a medicament to an oral tissue, the method comprising the steps of:
- providing an apparatus comprising an upper member substantially conforming to a contour of an upper gum, a lower member substantially conforming to a contour of a lower gum, a first hinge member, and a second hinge member, wherein the first hinge member joins a first end of the upper member to a first end of the lower member, wherein the second hinge member joins a second end of the upper member to a second end of the lower member, wherein the apparatus comprises a medicament in a matrix which inhibits solubilization of the medicament;
- inserting the apparatus into an oral cavity;
- positioning the apparatus such that a compressive force is exerted by the first hinge member and the second hinge member such that the upper member is substantially maintained in contact with the upper gum and the lower member is substantially maintained in contact with the lower gum over a range of relative motion of the upper gum and lower gum;
- and
- solubilizing the medicament in a saliva in fluid communication with the matrix and the oral tissue, such that the medicament is delivered to the oral tissue.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.