Bite block assembly adapted for adjustable mounting and holding of oral airways and method of using same

• US 4,112,936 A
• Filed: 09/27/1976
• Issued: 09/12/1978
• Est. Priority Date: 09/27/1976
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Paul H. Blachly
• Original Assignee: Paul H. Blachly
• Inventors: Blachly, Paul H.
• Primary Examiner(s): Michell, Robert W.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Recla, Henry J.
• Application Number:
  US05/726,944
• Time in Patent Office: 715 Days
• Field of Search: 128/136, 128/208, 128/147, 128/145.5, 128/145.8, 128/351, 128/12
• US Class Current: 128/861
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0488 Mouthpieces; Means for guiding, securing or introducing the tubes guiding or introducing with laryngoscopes A61B1/267; holding devices on the body A61M25/02
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0493 with means for protecting the tube from damage caused by the patient's teeth, e.g. bite block
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0495 with tongue depressors

Abstract

A bite block and airway assembly comprising a generally U-shaped resilient block having upper and lower teeth or gum-engaging surfaces and having an aperture formed centrally through the block between such surfaces and communicating between the interior and exterior of the block for matingly receiving and frictionally holding a tongue depressor type oral airway tube. The frictional engagement of the block with the airway tube provides slidable adjustability with respect to the depth of insertion of the tube while firmly holding the tube in any of a plurality of slidably adjustable positions. The tube-engaging aperture formed in the block is of oval shape for matingly and adjustably engaging any of a number of different types of airway tubes having different cross-sectional configurations. The device is usable as an oral protective device in electro-convulsive therapy or, alternatively, as an oral filler for the administration of gaseous anesthetic to edentulous patients.

Claims

1. A bite block and airway assembly for inserting between the teeth of a patient for absorbing the force of mandibular contractions comprising:

(a) a monolithic block of resilient material formed in a U-shaped such that the exterior of the block is generally convex and the interior of the block is generally concave;

(b) respective upwardly and downwardly facing teeth-engaging surfaces vertically spaced from one another extending longitudinally along each of the two sides of the U-shaped block wherein said respective upwardly and downwardly facing teeth-engaging surfaces tilt toward one another in transverse cross section, tending to converge in a direction toward the exterior of said block, so as to define wedge-shaped resilient material means therebetween for effectively resisting and withstanding the force of said mandibular contractions and directing said force against the wedge-shaped means in a direction toward the interior of the block to retain the block against outward dislodgment from the teeth;

(c) means defining an aperture formed through a central portion of the U-shaped block which joins the two sides thereof together, said aperture extending between the exterior and interior of said block between the levels of said upwardly and downwardly facing teeth-engaging surfaces; and

(d) preformed, elongate, arcuate-shaped airway means slidably inserted through said aperture for conducting gas between the exterior and interior of said block while depressing the tongue of said patient, said airway means and aperture having mating surface means for frictionally and slidably engaging one another in any of a plurality of positions along the length of said airway means so as to permit slidable adjustment of said airway means with respect to said block.

2. A bite block and airway assembly for inserting between the teeth of a patient for absorbing the force of mandibular contractions comprising:

(a) a monolithic block of resilient material formed in a U-shape such that the exterior of the block is generally convex and the interior of the block is generally concave;

(b) respective upwardly and downwardly facing teeth-engaging surfaces vertically spaced from one another extending longitudinally along each of the two sides of the U-shaped block, said respective upwardly and downwardly facing teeth-engaging surfaces tilting toward one another in transverse cross section tending to converge in a direction toward the exterior of said block, so as to define wedge-shaped resilient material means therebetween for effectively resisting and withstanding the force of said mandibular contractions and directing said force against the wedge-shaped means in a direction toward the interior of the block to retain the block against outward dislodgment from the teeth; and

(c) means defining an aperture formed through a central portion of the U-shaped block which joins the two sides thereof together, said aperture extending between the exterior and interior of said block between the levels of said upwardly and downwardly facing teeth-engaging surfaces.