Hinged therapeutic mouthpiece

Abstract

This invention relates to devices for insertion into the mouth for the application of heat or cold to oral tissue to provide a therapeutic effect. The device 10 includes an upper member 11 substantially conforming to a contour of an upper gum line, a lower member 12 substantially conforming to a contour of a lower gum line, a first hinge member 13, and a second hinge member 14, wherein at least one hinge member 13, 14 is configured to exert a compressive force to maintain the upper member 11 substantially in contact with an upper gum and the lower member 12 substantially in contact with a lower gum.

1 . A device for applying heat or cold to a patient's oral tissue by circulation of a heating or cooling medium through the device, the device comprising an upper member substantially conforming to a contour of an upper gum line, a lower member substantially conforming to a contour of a lower gum line, a first hinge member configured to provide a compressive force, a second hinge member configured to provide a compressive force, and an outer wall enclosing a lumen, wherein the first hinge member joins a first end of the upper member to a first end of the lower member, wherein the second hinge member joins a second end of the upper member to a second end of the lower member, wherein the lumen is interrupted at a single point on a cross section of the lumen by a septum, and wherein an ingress and an egress configured for introducing a heating or cooling medium into the lumen are provided on either side of the septum, and wherein, when the apparatus is inserted into a patient's mouth, the compressive force maintains the upper member substantially in contact with an upper gum and the lower member substantially in contact with a lower gum over a range of relative motion of the upper gum and lower gum. 
   
   
       2 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the ingress is configured for connection to a supply of warm or cold tap water, and wherein the egress is configured for connection to a drain. 
   
   
       3 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein each of said first hinge and said second hinge has an “E” shape. 
   
   
       4 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising a heating or cooling source comprising a reservoir configured to contain a heating or cooling medium. 
   
   
       5 . The device of  claim 4 , further comprising a cooling jacket. 
   
   
       6 . The device of  claim 4 , further comprising a resistive heating coil. 
   
   
       7 . The device of  claim 4 , further comprising a thermostat. 
   
   
       8 . The device of  claim 4 , further comprising a pump. 
   
   
       9 . The device of  claim 4 , further comprising a supply line connecting the reservoir to the ingress, and a discharge line from the egress back to the reservoir. 
   
   
       10 . A device for applying heat or cold to a patient's oral tissue by circulation of a medium through the device, the device comprising an upper member substantially conforming to a contour of an upper gum line hinged to a lower member substantially conforming to a contour of a lower gum line so that rotation of said upper member towards said lower member about said hinge provides a compression force between said upper and lower member, and an outer wall enclosing a lumen, wherein the lumen is interrupted at a single point on a cross section of the lumen by a septum, and wherein an ingress and an egress configured configured for introducing a medium into the lumen are provided on either side of the septum. 
   
   
       11 . The device of  claim 10 , wherein the ingress is configured for connection to a supply of warm or cold tap water, and wherein the egress is configured for connection to a drain. 
   
   
       12 . The device of  claim 10 , wherein said hinge has an “E” shape. 
   
   
       13 . The device of  claim 10 , wherein the hinge has a “C” shape. 
   
   
       14 . The device of  claim 10 , further comprising a heating or cooling source comprising a reservoir configured to contain a heating or cooling medium. 
   
   
       15 . The device of  claim 14 , further comprising a cooling jacket. 
   
   
       16 . The device of  claim 14 , further comprising a resistive heating coil. 
   
   
       17 . The device of  claim 14 , further comprising a thermostat. 
   
   
       18 . The device of  claim 14 , further comprising a pump. 
   
   
       19 . The device of  claim 14 , further comprising a supply line connecting the reservoir to the ingress, and a discharge line from the egress back to the reservoir.