Systems and methods employing a bite block insert for positioning and stabilizing external instruments deployed within the body

• US 20020162555A1
• Filed: 12/14/2001
• Published: 11/07/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 03/26/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Mederi Therapeutics, Inc. (Respiratory Technology Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Curon Medical, Inc.
• Inventors: Gaiser, John W., Utley, David S., West, Scott
• Granted Patent: US 7,160,270 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 128/206.29
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00154 using guiding arrangements for insertion
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/1485 having a short rigid shaft for accessing the inner body through natural openings
• 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 2025/024 having a clip or clamp system
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/02 Holding devices, e.g. on the body
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 29/02 Dilators made of swellable material balloon catheters for angioplasty A61M25/104
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 128/06 Intravenous injection support
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 128/26 Cannula supporters

Abstract

Systems and methods are provided for positioning and stabilizing an external instrument during insertion of the instrument through the oral cavity (e.g., insertion of a catheter through the oral cavity and into the esophagus or cardia for treatment of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)). The systems and methods provide a gripping tool for association with a bite block, capable of selectively moving between an open position in which the instrument may be inserted or removed, and a closed position in which the external instrument is held in a fixed position.

Claims

1. An apparatus comprising

a bite block, and

first and second gripping jaws carried by the bite block, the jaws capable of selectively moving between an open spaced-apart position and a closed-adjacently spaced position.

2. An apparatus as in claim 1

wherein the jaws posses a resilient plastic memory.

3. An apparatus as in claim 2

wherein the resilient memory plastic memory biases the jaws toward the closed position.

4. An apparatus as in claim 2

wherein the resilient plastic memory biases the jaws toward the open position.

5. An apparatus as in claim 1

wherein the jaws are positioned, in the closed position, to hold an external instrument.

6. An apparatus as in claim 1

wherein the jaws are positioned, in the open position, to permit removal, insertion, or alteration of the position of an external instrument.

7. An apparatus as in claim 1

wherein the jaws are selectively removable from the bite block.

8. An apparatus as in claim 1

wherein the jaws are integral with the bite block.

9. An apparatus comprising

a bite block,

first and second gripping jaws carried by the bite block, and

an actuator mechanism capable of selectively moving the jaws between an open spaced-apart position and a closed adjacently-spaced position.

10. An apparatus as in claim 9

wherein the actuator mechanism comprises a cam surface.

11. An apparatus as in claim 9

wherein the actuator mechanism comprises a cam mechanism.

12. An apparatus as in claim 9

wherein the actuator mechanism comprises a squeeze clamp.

13. An apparatus as in claim 9

wherein at least one of the jaws and the actuator mechanism possess a resilient plastic memory.

14. An apparatus as in claim 13

wherein the resilient plastic memory biases the jaws toward the closed position.

15. An apparatus as in claim 13

wherein the resilient plastic memory biases the jaws toward the open position.

16. An apparatus as in claim 9

wherein the jaws are positioned, in the closed position, to hold an external instrument.

17. An apparatus as in claim 9

wherein the jaws are positioned, in the open position, to permit removal, insertion, or alteration of the position of an external instrument.

18. An apparatus as in claim 9

wherein at least one of the jaws and the actuator mechanism are selectively removable from the bite block.

19. An apparatus as in claim 9

wherein the at least one of the jaws and the actuator mechanism are integral with the bite block.

20. A gripping apparatus for association with a bite block comprising

first and second gripping jaws carried by the bite block, the jaws capable of selectively moving between an open, spaced-apart position and a closed, adjacently-spaced position.

21. An apparatus as in claim 20

wherein the jaws possess a resilient plastic memory.

22. An apparatus as in claim 21

wherein the resilient plastic memory biases the jaws toward the closed position.

23. An apparatus as in claim 21

wherein the resilient plastic memory biases the jaws toward the open position.

24. An apparatus as in claim 20

wherein the jaws are positioned, in the closed position, to hold an external instrument.

25. An apparatus as in claim 20

wherein the jaws are positioned, in the open position, to permit removal, insertion, or alteration of the position of an external instrument.

26. An apparatus as in claim 20

wherein the jaws are selectively removable from the bite block.

27. An apparatus as in claim 20

wherein the jaws are integral with the bite block.

29. An apparatus as in claim 28

wherein the actuator mechanism comprises a cam surface.

30. An apparatus as in claim 28

wherein the actuator mechanism comprises a cam mechanism.

31. An apparatus as in claim 28

wherein the actuator mechanism comprises a squeeze clamp.

32. An apparatus as in claim 28

wherein at least one of the jaws and the actuator mechanism possess a resilient plastic memory.

33. An apparatus as in claim 32

wherein the resilient plastic memory biases the jaws toward the closed position.

34. An apparatus as in claim 32

wherein the resilient plastic memory biases the jaws toward the open position.

35. An apparatus as in claim 28

wherein the jaws are positioned, in the closed position, to hold an external instrument.

36. An apparatus as in claim 28

wherein the jaws are positioned, in the open position, to permit removal, insertion, or alteration of the position of an external instrument.

37. An apparatus as in claim 28

wherein at least one of the jaws and the actuator mechanism are selectively removable from the bite block.

38. An apparatus as in claim 28

wherein the at least one of the jaws and the actuator mechanism are integral with the bite block.

40. A tool as in claim 39

wherein the tool is selectively removable from the bite block.

41. A tool as in claim 39

wherein the tool is integral with the bite block.

42. A tool as in claim 39

wherein the element includes a resilient plastic memory.

43. A tool as in claim 42

wherein the resilient plastic memory biases the element toward the open position.

44. A tool as in claim 42

wherein the resilient plastic memory biases the element toward the closed position.

28. A gripping apparatus for association with a bite block comprising

first and second gripping jaws carried by the bite block, and

an actuator mechanism capable of selectively moving the jaws between an open, spaced-apart position and a closed, adjacently-spaced position.

39. A gripping tool for association with a bite block comprising

an element selectively movable between an open condition accommodating passage of an external instrument through the bite block and a closed condition gripping an exterior instrument in the bite block.

45. A method of utilizing a bite block incorporating a gripping tool comprising

first and second gripping jaws carried by the bite block, and

an actuator mechanism capable of selectively moving the jaws between an open, spaced-apart position and a closed, adjacently-spaced position

comprising the steps of

inserting the bite block into an individual'"'"'s mouth,

moving the jaws to the open position,

inserting an external instrument,

positioning the external instrument as desired,

moving the jaws to the closed position,

performing a desired procedure,

moving the jaws to the open position,

removing the external instrument, and

removing the bite block from the individual'"'"'s mouth.

46. A method of utilizing a bite block incorporating a gripping tool comprising

first and second gripping jaws carried by the bite block, and

an actuator mechanism capable of selectively moving the jaws between an open spaced-apart position and a closed adjacently-spaced position

comprising the steps of

inserting the bite block into an individual'"'"'s mouth,

moving the jaws to the open position,

inserting an external instrument,

positioning the external instrument as desired,

moving the jaws to the closed position,

performing a desired procedure,

moving the jaws to the open position,

altering the position of the external instrument,

moving the jaws to the closed position,

performing another desired procedure,

moving the jaws to the open position,

removing the external instrument, and

removing the bite block from the individual'"'"'s mouth.