Mandibular manipulator and related methods

A mandibular manipulator for manipulating a patient's mandible in a precise way, the mandibular manipulator comprising:

• a connecting frame comprising:
• a first sliding incisor pull;
• a second sliding incisor pull;
• a first rotational member associated with the first sliding incisor pull;
• and
• a second rotational member associated with the second sliding incisor pull, the connecting frame enabling the first sliding incisor pull and the second sliding incisor pull to be moved independently of one another with respect to the connecting frame by the first rotational member and the second rotational member, wherein each of the sliding incisor pulls comprises an associatable sliding member for interaction with the connecting frame at a slot and a cradle member associated with the sliding incisor pulls shaped to engage the patient's teeth and/or gums for manipulation of the mandible, and further wherein each rotational member is associated with the connecting frame at an aperture, and comprises a member or portion in physical contact with the associated sliding incisor pull at an interface therewith so as to change rotational motion of the rotational member to linear motion of the sliding incisor pulls and thus adjust each respective sliding incisor pull with respect to the connecting frame and the patient's mandible and thus manipulate the mandible in a longitudinal and vertical manner with respect to the patient's mouth;
• and
• a third rotational member for sagittal movement of the mandible, wherein the third rotational member creating the sagittal movement is held in place by an over-center fork retainer, and wherein the third rotational member is constrained in axial motion by flanges on the third rotational member fitting to each side of the fork.

A mandibular manipulator for manipulating a patient's mandible in a precise way, the mandibular manipulator comprising:

• a connecting frame comprising:
• a first sliding incisor pull;
• a second sliding incisor pull;
• a first rotational member associated with the first sliding incisor pull;
• and
• a second rotational member associated with the second sliding incisor pull, the connecting frame enabling the first sliding incisor pull and the second sliding incisor pull to be moved independently of one another with respect to the connecting frame by the first rotational member and the second rotational member, wherein each of the sliding incisor pulls comprises an associatable sliding member for interaction with the connecting frame at a slot and a cradle member associated with the sliding incisor pulls shaped to engage the patient's teeth and/or gums for manipulation of the mandible, and further wherein each rotational member is associated with the connecting frame at an aperture, and comprises a member or portion in physical contact with the associated sliding incisor pull at an interface therewith so as to change rotational motion of the rotational member to linear motion of the sliding incisor pulls and thus adjust each respective sliding incisor pull with respect to the connecting frame and the patient's mandible and thus manipulate the mandible in a longitudinal and vertical manner with respect to the patient's mouth, wherein the first and second rotating members creating linear motion of the incisor pulls are locked in placed by a threaded screw with truncated cone to expand the rotating member and grip its bearing surface.

A mandibular manipulator for manipulating a patient's mandible in a precise way, the mandibular manipulator comprising:

• a connecting frame comprising:
• a first sliding incisor pull;
• a second sliding incisor pull;
• a first rotational member associated with the first sliding incisor pull;
• and
• a second rotational member associated with the second sliding incisor pull, the connecting frame enabling the first sliding incisor pull and the second sliding incisor pull to be moved independently of one another with respect to the connecting frame by the first rotational member and the second rotational member, wherein each of the sliding incisor pulls comprises an associatable sliding member for interaction with the connecting frame at a slot and a cradle member associated with the sliding incisor pulls shaped to engage the patient's teeth and/or gums for manipulation of the mandible, and further wherein each rotational member is associated with the connecting frame at an aperture, and comprises a member or portion in physical contact with the associated sliding incisor pull at an interface therewith so as to change rotational motion of the rotational member to linear motion of the sliding incisor pulls and thus adjust each respective sliding incisor pull with respect to the connecting frame and the patient's mandible and thus manipulate the mandible in a longitudinal and vertical manner with respect to the patient's mouth, wherein the rotating members having a flange and creating linear motion of the incisor bites are locked in place by a threaded screw having a shoulder to produce a squeezing action between said shoulder and flange on the rotating member.

A mandibular manipulator comprising:

• a frame comprising:
• a first sliding incisor pull having a first cradle for receiving at least one of a subject's upper teeth and the subject's upper gums;
• a second sliding incisor pull having a second cradle for receiving at least one of the subject's lower teeth and the subject's lower gums;
• at least one rotational member associated with the first sliding incisor pull, the first rotational member configured for converting rotational motion of the rotational member to linear motion of the first sliding incisor pull;
• and
• a second rotational member associated with the second sliding incisor pull, the first rotational member configured for converting rotational motion of the rotational member to linear motion of the first sliding incisor pull, wherein the frame enables the first sliding incisor pull and the second sliding incisor pull to be moved independently of one another with respect to the frame by the first rotational member and the second rotational member to manipulate the subject's mandible in a longitudinal manner and a vertical manner, wherein each rotational member has a slip resistant surface adapted for grabbing.

A method of forming a mandibular manipulator, the method comprising:

• slidably coupling a first incisor pull configured for linear movement in along a first axis of direction to a connecting frame;
• coupling a first rotational member to the connecting frame for moving the first incisor pull along the first axis of direction;
• positioning a cradle member of the first incisor pull for receiving a portion of a patient's teeth and/or gums spaced from the connecting from to provide space for the patient's lip;
• slidably coupling a second incisor pull configured for linear movement in along a second axis of direction perpendicular to the first axis of direction to the connecting frame;
• coupling a second rotational member to the connecting frame for moving the second incisor pull along the second axis of direction;
• and
• coupling a third rotational member for converting rotational motion of the third rotational member to linear motion between a first portion of the frame and a second portion of the frame such that movement of the first portion of the frame relative to the second portion of the frame moves the first sliding incisor pull relative to the second sliding incisor pull in order to manipulate the subject's mandible in a third lateral direction.