# US 7,607,917 B2 · Cheek and lip retractor

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- Number: US 7,607,917 B2
- Document ID: US7607917B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 11/572,184
- Filed: 2005-07-15
- Published: 2008-04-24
- Granted: 2009-10-27
- Earliest claimed: 2004-07-16
- Assignees: Cefla Societá Cooperativa
- Inventors: Tommaso Virnicchi; Eros Nanni
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US7607917B2

## CPC

- A61B 1/24: for the mouth, i.e. stomatoscopes, e.g. with tongue depressors; Instruments for opening or keeping open the mouth
- A61B 1/00096: {Optical elements}
- A61B 1/0684: {using light emitting diodes [LED]}
- A61C 5/90: Oral protectors for use during treatment, e.g. lip or mouth protectors (A61C5/82 takes precedence)
- A61B 17/02: for holding wounds open, e.g. retractors; Tractors
- A61C 1/088: {Illuminating devices or attachments (for examination of the mouth A61B1/24 and A61B1/06)}
- A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D)
- A61C: DENTISTRY; APPARATUS OR METHODS FOR ORAL OR DENTAL HYGIENE (non-driven toothbrushes A46B; {tongue scrapers A61B17/24;} preparations for dentistry A61K6/00; preparations for cleaning the teeth or mouth A61K8/00, A61Q11/00)

## Abstract

A cheek and lip retractor is defined by a supporting member supporting a pair of retracting elements to be inserted at least partially in a patient's mouth, with a light source housed in the supporting member. An optical device for the transmission of the light emitted from the light source inside the mouth extends along the supporting member and/or along the retracting elements.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A cheek and lip retractor comprising:
retracting means for at least partially inserting in a patient's mouth;
supporting means for releasably retaining and supporting said retracting means, said supporting means including a seat portion; and
an illuminating device for illuminating the patient's mouth, said illuminating device including a light source fixed to said supporting means and mounted in said seat portion of said supporting means for emitting light and an optical means extending wholly along said retracting means, said supporting means or both said retracting and supporting means, for transmitting said emitted light so as to illuminate said inside of said patient's mouth,
wherein said retracting means is releasably coupled to said seat portion of said support means.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

A cheek and lip retractor according to claim 1, wherein said optical means extends from said light source along a path which when in use inside the patient's mouth, diffuses the light emitted from light source inside the mouth.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

A cheek and lip retractor according to claim 2, wherein said retracting means comprises a polymeric transparent material shaped to said optical means and said optical means includes an external surface equipped with protrusions for diffusing the light emitted from said light source inside the mouth.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

A cheek and lip retractor according to claim 1, wherein the illuminating device comprises, electrical supply and control means said supply means being carried by said supporting means.

### Claim 5 (depends on 4)

A cheek and lip retractor according to claim 4, wherein said supply and control means comprise a battery; an electric supply circuit being apt to electrically connect the light source to the battery and extending wholly along supporting means.

### Claim 6 (depends on 5)

A cheek and lip retractor according to claim 5, wherein battery is a rechargeable battery.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

A cheek and lip retractor according to claim 1, wherein said light source comprises at least one LED.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

A cheek and lip retractor according to claim 1, wherein said supporting means comprise an elongate supporting member with two free ends, shaped so that each of them defines a respective seat for a relative said light source; said retracting means comprising two retracting elements, each of which is connected to a relative free end.