Intra-oral cavity surgical device
AssigneesJanise E. Heck, George R. Schoedinger, III, John B. Weltmer
InventorJanise E. 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.
Claims18
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 sized and configured to fit inside the patient's mouth, said elongate pillow having at least an exterior portion of which is fibrous material and defining an interior and having material positioned in the interior that is at least one of porous and absorbent, said pillow 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 from separating from the pillow and thereby retaining the pillow as a monolithic structure.
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 prior to at least a portion of surgery with at least a portion of the pillow being intra-oral, said pillow being elongate and comprising fibrous material, 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 while in the oral cavity, 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.