Bite block

• US 4,495,945 A
• Filed: 03/29/1982
• Issued: 01/29/1985
• Est. Priority Date: 03/29/1982
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Kenneth B. Liegner
• Original Assignee: Kenneth B. Liegner
• Inventors: Liegner, Kenneth B.
• Primary Examiner(s): Recla, Henry J.
• Application Number:
  US06/362,524
• Time in Patent Office: 1,037 Days
• Field of Search: 128/200.26, 128/207.14, 128/207.15, 128/207.17, 128/136, 128/4, 128/10
• US Class Current: 128/200.26
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0493 with means for protecting the tube from damage caused by the patient's teeth, e.g. bite block

Abstract

Disclosure is made herein of a bite block which is usefully employed in conjunction with endoscopy, bronchoscopy, endotracheal intubation and like medical-surgical procedures.

Claims

1. A bite block which is useful in conjunction with endoscopy, bronchoscopy, endotracheal intubation and like procedures, which comprises;

(a) a "U" shaped plate having first and second ends, each end being at the terminus of a separate leg of the "U" joined by a bridging section, said plate comprising a plate body intermediate between and joining the first and second ends, said plate body being fabricated from a polymeric resin having sufficient strength to resist biting through but which is resilient enough that injury to the biter'"'"'s teeth and gums does not occur, said "U" shape plate having (1) an upper surface delineated by the ends and inner and outer marginal zones;

(2) a lower surface delineated by the ends and inner and outer marginal zones;

(3) an inner side delineated by the ends and upper and lower marginal zones; and

(4) an outer side delineated by the ends and upper and lower marginal zones;

the inner side joining at its upper marginal zone with the inner marginal zone of the upper surface and at its lower marginal zone with the inner marginal zone of the lower surface;

the outer side joining at its upper marginal zone with the outer marginal one of the upper surface and at its lower marginal zone with the outer marginal zone of the lower surface;

(b) a ridge on the outer side of the plate body, positioned between the upper and the lower marginal zones of the outer side at the bridging section of the "U" and extending outwardly from the outer side to a ridge terminus;

(c) an upper flange on and projecting upwardly from the ridge terminus, providing an open space between the upper flange, the upper marginal zone of the outer side and the upper side of the ridge, said space being of a size and configuration to receive the labium superiori oris of a human in sealing engagement with said flange, outer side and ridge;

(d) a lower flange on and projecting downwardly from the ridge terminus, providing an open space between the lower flange, the lower marginal zone of the outer side and the lower side of the ridge, said space being of a size and configuration to receive the labium inferiori oris of a human in sealing engagement with said lower flange, outer side and ridge;

(e) an open bore traversing the plate and ridge at the bridging section of the "U", communicating between the inner side of the plate and the ridge terminus, said bore being of a dimension to pass an endoscope, a bronchoscope, an endotracheal tube or the like therethrough;

(f) said plate body further having

(1) a groove in the upper surface extending from said first end to said second end and between the inner and the outer marginal zones of the upper surface adapted by size and configuration to receive therein the upper teeth (or, in the absence of teeth, the associated gums) of a human being; and

(2) a groove in the lower surface extending from said first end to said second end and between the inner and the outer marginal zones of the lower surface, adapted by size and configuration to receive therein the lower teeth (or in the absence of teeth, the associated gums) of a human being;

whereby when the plate is inserted into the vestibulum oris of a human being, the upper teeth or gums will be received in the upper surface groove and held apart by the plate body from the lower teeth or gums which are received in the lower surface groove;

said groove in the upper surface and said groove in the lower surface each defining a smooth inside surface and subtending an acute angle in relation to each other, the apex of said angle being directed toward the first and second ends of the "U";

(g) at least one additional open bore traversing the plate and ridge adjacent to the bridging section of the "U", communicating between the inner side of the plate and the ridge terminus, said additional bore being of a dimension to pass an endotracheal tube, oropharyngeal or orogastric tube;

said bite block being of a size and configuration permitting insertion of the "U" shaped plate component into the vertibulum oris of a human as described above and whereby the ridge and flange components sealingly engage the labium oris so that the oral cavity is restricted to communication to the exterior through the bore and optional bores.

2. The block of claim 1 having at least two additional bores as described in (g).