Mandibular occlusal inhibitor

Abstract

A device for maintaining a patient's mouth in an open position during a medical procedure is provided. The device includes a cylindrical body configured to be received in the patient's mouth. A flange extending from an edge of the body is configured to engage the face of the patient, and preferably, the device includes a retainer for retaining the body in the patient's mouth.

1 . A mouth positioning device, comprising: 
 a generally cylindrical body configured to be received in a patient's mouth, the body having an outer surface comprising a plurality of surface irregularities to provide a gripping portion to be engaged by the patient's teeth;    a flange extending outwardly from a top edge of the body configured to engage the face of the patient; and    a retainer configured to retain the body in the patient's mouth.    
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the retainer comprises one of an adhesive strip and a loop of flexible material configured to form a strap extending around the patient's head.  
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the body is formed of radiolucent material.  
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the surface irregularities comprise a plurality of ridges.  
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the body comprises an orifice extending through the thickness of the body to provide an aperture for inserting an item into the patient's mouth when the body is inserted in the patient's mouth.  
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the body comprises first and second halves wherein a gap separates the first half from the second half.  
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 6  comprising a resilient arm connecting the first half with the second half such that the two halves can be displaced relative to one another.  
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the body is resiliently deformable such that the body can be flexed inwardly when being inserted into the mouth of the patient.  
     
     
         9 . The device of  claim 1  comprising a loop attached to the body and substantially co-planar with the flange.  
     
     
         10 . A mouth positioning device, comprising: 
 a generally cylindrical body configured to be received in a patient's mouth wherein the body is formed of a radiolucent material;    a pair of wings extending outwardly from a top edge of the body configured to engage the face of the patient; and    a retainer configured to retain the body in the patient's mouth.    
     
     
         11 . The device of  claim 10  wherein the retainer comprises one of an adhesive strip and a loop of flexible material configured to form a strap extending around the patient's head.  
     
     
         12 . The device of  claim 10  wherein the body comprises an outer surface having surface irregularities configured to be engaged by teeth of the patient.  
     
     
         13 . The device of  claim 12  wherein the surface irregularities comprise a plurality of ridges.  
     
     
         14 . The device of  claim 10  wherein the body comprises an orifice extending through the thickness of the body to provide an aperture for inserting an item into the patient's mouth when the body is inserted in the patient's mouth.  
     
     
         15 . The device of  claim 10  wherein the body comprises first and second halves wherein a gap separates the first half from the second half.  
     
     
         16 . The device of  claim 15  comprising a resilient arm connecting the first half with the second half such that the two halves can be displaced relative to one another.  
     
     
         17 . The device of  claim 10  wherein the body is resiliently deformable such that the body can be flexed inwardly when being inserted into the mouth of the patient.  
     
     
         18 . The device of  claim 1  comprising a loop attached to the body and substantially co-planar with the flange.  
     
     
         19 . The device of  claim 18  comprising a second loop attached to the body and substantially co-planar with the flange.  
     
     
         20 . The device of  claim 10  wherein the body has a thickness that is greater than the thickness of the wings.