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 bite block receivable between a patient's teeth and having a forward end;    a flange intersecting the forward end of the bite block, projecting outwardly from the forward end of the bite block, forming an enlarged surface operating as a stop to limit the depth of insertion of the bite block into the patient;    wherein the flange has first and second terminal edges spaced apart from the intersection of the flange and the bite block, and the bite block has a length projecting away from the intersection of the bite block and the flange, and the length of the bite block is less than the distance between the first and second terminal edges.    
   
   
       2 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the bite block comprises a plurality of serrations formed on an exterior surface of the bite block.  
   
   
       3 . The device of  claim 1  comprising a retainer configured to retain the bite block in the patient's mouth.  
   
   
       4 . The device of  claim 3  wherein the retainer comprises a pair of adhesive strips spaced apart from one another and connected to a surface of the flange to releasably engage the patient's face.  
   
   
       5 . The device of  claim 4  wherein the retainer comprises a loop of flexible material configured to form a strap extending around the patient's head.  
   
   
       6 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the bite block comprises first and second halves separated by a space and the bite block is radially deformable so that the first and second halves are displaceable toward one another.  
   
   
       7 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the bite block has a width, and the length of the bite block is less than the width of the bite block.  
   
   
       8 . A mouth positioning device, comprising: 
 a bite block receivable between a patient's teeth and having a forward end;    a flange intersecting the forward end of the bite block, projecting outwardly from the forward end of the bite block, forming an enlarged surface operating as a stop to limit the depth of insertion of the bite block into the patient;    wherein the bite block is configured so that the bite block is insertable into a patient's mouth between the patient's teeth without depressing the patient's tongue.    
   
   
       9 . The device of  claim 8  wherein the bite block is resiliently deformable radially such that the bite block is compressible prior to insertion into the patient whereby the bite block resiliently radially expands to bear against the teeth of the patient after insertion.  
   
   
       10 . The device of  claim 8  comprising a retainer for connecting the device to the patient while the bite block is disposed between the patient's teeth.  
   
   
       11 . The device of  claim 8  wherein the bite block comprises a first half and a second half and the first half is separated from the second half by a gap.  
   
   
       12 . The device of  claim 11  comprising a resiliently deformable bridge connecting the first half and the second half so that the first half can be displaced toward the second half.  
   
   
       13 . The device of  claim 12  wherein a connector connects the first half to the second half, and wherein the connector has a thickness and the gap between the first and second halves is wider than the thickness of the connector.  
   
   
       14 . The device of  claim 8  wherein the bite block comprises a plurality of serrations formed on an exterior surface of the bite block.  
   
   
       15 . The device of  claim 8  wherein the device comprises and aperture allowing access into the patient's mouth when the device is positioned within the patient's mouth.  
   
   
       16 . A method for using a mouth positioning device for a medical procedure, comprising the steps of: 
 providing a mouth positioning device comprising a bite block;    inserting the mouth positioning device into a patient so that the bite block is disposed between a patient's teeth, wherein the bite block is positioned to retain the mouth of the patient in an open position without depressing the tongue of the patient; and    performing a medical procedure on the patient while the mouth positioning device is disposed within the patient's mouth.    
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 16  wherein the bite block is resiliently deformable so that the bite block can be compressed radially inwardly, and the method comprises the step of compressing the bite block radially inwardly prior to inserting the bite block into the patient's mouth.  
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 16  wherein the bite block comprises first and second halves spaced apart from one another, and the method comprises the step of displacing the first half toward the second half to compress the bite block prior to inserting the bite block into the patient's mouth.  
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 16  wherein the bite block is formed of a radiolucent material and the medical procedure comprises taking an x-ray of the patient while the bite block is disposed within the patient's mouth.  
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 16  wherein the mouth positioning device comprises a retainer and the method comprises the step of retaining the mouth positioning device to the patient with the retainer.