Patent · US Expired

Intraoral device

US6338627B2 · kind B2 · utility

42Cited by
30References
7Claims
0Family size

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateFeb 5, 2001
Grant dateJan 15, 2002
Priority date
Expiry dateFeb 5, 2021

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
  • CPC primaryA61B1/07
  • WIPO fieldMedical technology
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

The present invention involves an intraoral illumination device and method for illumiinating the interior cavity of a patient's mouth during a medical proceduire. The illumination device includes a bite block adapted to be engaged by a patient's teeth for resting the patient's jaw during the medical procedure and fixing the bite block with the patient's mouth. An arcuate light dispersion piece is connected to the bite block so that, in use, the light dispersion piece is orientated in a rear, central part of the oral cavity of the patient's mouth so that dispersed light can be transmitted outward from the rear, central part of the oral cavity. A tongue and cheek retractor is adapted to retract and protect the patient's tongue and adjacent cheek tissue during the medical procedure. Multiple fluid evacuation channels are carried by the device and are adapted to communicate with the interior cavity of the patient's mouth for removing fluids from the oral cavity during the medical procedure.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.