Back to results
US 6,743,017 B2Granted
Mandibular occlusal inhibitor
AssigneeThe Children's Hospital of Philadelphia
InventorKathleen A. O'Neill
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A device for maintaining a patient's mouth in an open position during a medical procedure is provided. The device includes a cylindrical body configured to be received in the patient's mouth. A flange extending from an edge of the body is configured to engage the face of the patient, and preferably, the device includes a retainer for retaining the body in the patient's mouth.
Claims19
A mouth positioning device, comprising:
- a generally cylindrical bite block configured to be received between a patient's teeth, comprising a first half and a second half and a gap separating the first half from the second half, wherein one end of the bite block terminates in a bottom edge configured to be received within the patient's mouth behind the patient's teeth and a second end of the bite block terminates in a top edge to be positioned in front of the patient's teeth, wherein a thickness of the bite block is the distance between the top and bottom edges of the bite block;
- a bridge connecting the first half and the second half of the bite block, wherein the bridge is flexible to allow the first half to be displaced inwardly toward the second half upon application of an inward force, and wherein the bridge has a thickness that is less than the thickness of the bite block;
- and
- first and second flanges extending outwardly from the top edge of the bite block and configured to engage the patient's face, wherein an edge of the first flange terminates in a first terminal edge spaced away from the bite block and an edge of the second flange terminates in a second terminal edge spaced away from the bite block
- wherein the distance between the first and second terminal edges is greater than the thickness of the bite block.
2 more elements
A mouth positioning device, comprising:
- a bite block configured to be received between a patient's teeth, comprising first and second halves and a gap separating the first half from the second half, wherein the bite block has a thickness;
- a bridge connecting the first half and the second half of the bite block, wherein the bridge is flexible to allow the first half to be displaced inwardly toward the second half upon application of an inward force, and wherein the bridge has a thickness that is less than the thickness of the bite block;
- a first flange extending outwardly from a top edge of the second half of the bite block and configured to engage the patient's face;
- a second flange extending outwardly from a top edge of the first half of the bite block and configured to engage the patient's face;
- and
- a retainer configured to retain the bite block in the patient's mouth.
3 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.