Patent · US Expired

Intraoral device and method of using the same

US6575746B2 · kind B2 · utility

41Cited by
26References
17Claims
0Family size

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateNov 15, 2001
Grant dateJun 10, 2003
Priority date
Expiry dateNov 15, 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 illuminating the interior cavity of a patient's mouth during a medical procedure. 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 within 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.