Combined saliva ejector, tongue retractor and throat protector
US4259067A · kind A · utility
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 6, 1979 |
| Grant date | Mar 31, 1981 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 6, 1999 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61C17/08
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A dental device for isolating a region of the mouth in which dental operations are to be performed includes a frame to retain the device in the mouth in substantially vertical orientation between the inside of the lower teeth and the patient's tongue. The frame includes a palatal member that engages the roof of the mouth and a lingual member connected to the palatal member to engage the mouth generally at the mouth floor. The palatal and lingual members are resiliently biased in a direction away from each other so that upon placement of the device in the mouth the device is in compressive engagement between the mouth floor and roof. The lingual member has a first portion disposed generally above the mandibular occlusal plane and extending outward to engage the lower teeth and a second portion extending generally downward below the mandibular occlusal plane. A shield member is affixed to the second portion and is sized to shield the tongue from the lower teeth. The tongue pressing against the shield member serves to stabilize the device in the mouth against lateral displacement with the second portion of the lingual member retained against the inside of the gums below the teeth.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.