Bite block
AssigneeHaider Biologics LLC
InventorsThomas T. Haider, Gustavo R. Prado
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A bite block and methods of use thereof are disclosed. The bite block includes a body and a tube clamp attached thereto. The bite block may be configured to encompass a tube such as an endotracheal tube and another medical device such as a body temperature probe, and to protect the mouth of an intubated patient from clenching damage.
Claims20
A bite block comprising:
- a body comprising a posterior aspect, a first groove, a second groove, and an anterior portion;
- a first channel running through the body from an external side of the body to a mouth side of the body through the posterior aspect, the first channel being sized to accommodate an endotracheal tube therein;
- and
- a slit extending from the first channel to an outer surface of the body through the posterior aspect, such that the bite block can be deployed onto an endotracheal tube after the endotracheal tube is intubated into a person;
- wherein the posterior aspect has a length along the first channel at least as long as the width of the first groove along the first channel, and wherein the posterior aspect has a height at least two times the height of the first groove.
A method for protecting teeth and gums from clenching damage in a person requiring endotracheal tube administration, comprising the steps of
- surrounding a segment of an endotracheal tube using a bite block having a posterior aspect such that the endotracheal tube passes through the posterior aspect;
- and
- deploying the bite block to the interior of the person's mouth,
- wherein the posterior aspect distributes clenching force over an area of teeth, gums, teeth and gums, or palate of the person that is greater than an area of clenching contact between the person's upper and lower jaws and a bite block lacking a posterior aspect during intubation.
A device for the mouth of an intubated person, the device comprising a first groove configured to fit any adjacent subset of teeth of the person, a posterior body, and a channel through the posterior body configured to accommodate an endotracheal tube.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.