Mouthpiece and methods of use of same
AssigneeMerit Medical Systems, Inc.
InventorsDiana Anca, Faiz Bhora, Darla Gill, Trent Clegg, Jeremy W. Snow
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Various embodiments of mouthpieces for use during endoscopic procedures are disclosed herein. According to various embodiments, a mouthpiece may include a shield, a primary instrument channel, a bite block, an oxygen administration channel and a tongue depressor. The shield, bite block, oxygen administration channel and tongue depressor may be integrally formed.
Claims20
A mouthpiece configured to be inserted into a patient's mouth during a medical procedure, the mouthpiece comprising:
- a shield configured to contact at least a portion of the patient's face;
- a primary instrument channel at least partially defined by the shield;
- a bite block at least partially defining the primary instrument channel, the bite block configured to contact the patient's teeth and to maintain the patient's mouth in an open position during the medical procedure, the bite block comprising an oxygen administration channel that extends as a straight tube, such that contact between the bite block and the patient's teeth prevents contact between the oxygen administration channel and the patient's teeth;
- and
- a tongue depressor comprising a straight portion extending from a bottom of the bite block followed by a curved portion, wherein the oxygen administration channel extends parallel and adjacent to the straight portion of the tongue depressor;
- wherein the shield, the bite block, the oxygen administration channel, and the tongue depressor are integrally formed.
A mouthpiece configured to be inserted into a patient's mouth during a medical procedure, the mouthpiece comprising:
- a shield configured to contact at least a portion of the patient's face, the shield defining an aperture;
- a primary instrument channel at least partially defined by the shield;
- a bite block at least partially defining the primary instrument channel, the bite block configured to contact the patient's teeth and to maintain the patient's mouth in an open position during the medical procedure, the bite block comprising an oxygen administration channel that extends as a straight tube, wherein the oxygen administration channel is completely disposed outside of the primary instrument channel, such that contact between the bite block and the patient's teeth prevents contact between the oxygen administration channel and the patient's teeth;
- a tongue depressor comprising a straight portion extending from the bite block followed by a curved portion, wherein the oxygen administration channel extends parallel and adjacent to the straight portion of the tongue depressor;
- and
- wherein the shield, the bite block, the oxygen administration channel, and the tongue depressor are integrally formed.
A method for performing a medical procedure, comprising:
- inserting a mouthpiece into a patient's mouth;
- depressing a tongue of the patient with a curved portion of a tongue depressor of the mouthpiece;
- preventing contact between the patient's teeth and an oxygen administration channel with a bite block of the mouthpiece;
- administering oxygen through the oxygen administration channel at the back of the mouth;
- and
- passing one of a bronchoscope or an endoscope through a primary instrument channel at least partially defined by the bite block.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.