Intra-oral device for protecting oral tissues during radiation treatment
US9504537B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 24, 2012 |
| Grant date | Nov 29, 2016 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 24, 2032 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T29/52
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
An intra-oral device for positioning oral tissues during medical treatment, for example, radiation treatment. The device includes upper and lower dental arch members configured to engage the maxillary and mandibular teeth or edentulous arch(es) of a patient, respectively. The upper and lower dental arch members are operatively coupled to provide a dental arch assembly. A protective element to displace or depress a patient's tongue is secured at a suitable working position with respect to the dental arch assembly. In an embodiment, provision is made for three-dimensional spatial adjustment of the protective element to a desired location, at least during initial fitting and assembly. The device is then secured to allow consistent repetition of the oral tissue positioning from treatment to treatment. The protective element may be configured to engage the tongue of a patient so that the tongue may be selectively positioned for treatment and/or diagnostic procedures.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.