Bite block for respiratory and diagnostic endoscopic equipment

Abstract

Certain embodiments are directed to a bite block device to protect patients oral cavity with interchangeable open or close configuration that allows placement after the insertion of scope or airway equipment. The equipment is made of one plastic material, embodied with functional plastic design components including living hinge, snap locks and interlocks.

1 . A bite block comprising
 a complementary first half component and second half component, each half component having a front portion configured to be inserted in the oral cavity of a subject during use, a back portion configured to be external to the subject during use, a hinge side with a hinge side interface surface, a lock side with a lock side interface surface, a concave interior surface positioned between the hinge side interface surface and the lock side interface surface, and an external surface;   the first half component and the second half component being connected by a hinge positioned on the hinge side of each component, the lock side of each half component comprising a portion of a complementary lock, wherein the complementary half components can be pivoted at the hinge to bring lock components in contact and the interior surfaces in apposition forming a closed bite block having an elliptical lumen from front to back.   
     
     
         2 . The bite block of  claim 1 , wherein the bite block is a one-piece construction. 
     
     
         3 . The bite block of  claim 2 , wherein the bite block is a plastic material. 
     
     
         4 . The bite block of  claim 1 , further comprising complementary interlocks positioned on the hinge side interface. 
     
     
         5 . The bite block of  claim 1 , further comprising a rubberized external surface configured to cushion and protect dentition from pressure damage during use. 
     
     
         6 . The bite block of  claim 1 , the back portion forms an external lip having a larger diameter relative to the front portion. 
     
     
         7 . The bite block of  claim 1 , wherein the bite block made from a material having a durometer measurement of from 10 to 80. 
     
     
         8 . The bite block of  claim 7 , wherein the material comprises at least one material selected from urethane, polyurethane, ethylene, polyethylene, thermoplastic elastomer, and/or silicone. 
     
     
         9 . The bite block of  claim 1  configured to be closed by manual approximation of the lock sides of each half of the bite block. 
     
     
         10 . The bite block of  claim 1  configured to be opened by manual separation of the lock sides of each half of the bite block. 
     
     
         11 . The bite block of  claim 1  configured to provide an audible click or snap sound when the device is appropriately engaged in the closed position. 
     
     
         12 . A method for protecting teeth and gums from clenching damage in a person requiring endotracheal tube administration, comprising the steps of inserting an endotracheal tube into a patient, once the endotracheal tube is appropriately inserted, surrounding a segment of the endotracheal tube using a bite block of  claim 1  in an open configuration and locking the bite block in position such that the endotracheal tube passes through the bite block; and deploying the bite block to the interior of the patient's mouth. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising unlocking the bite block during a procedure, adjusting or altering the endotracheal tube, and locking the bite block in position after adjusting or altering the endotracheal tube. 
     
     
         14 . A one-piece bite block comprising
 a complementary first half component and second half component, each half component having a lipped front portion configured to be inserted in the oral cavity of a subject during use, a lipped back portion configured to be external to the subject during use, a hinge side with a hinge side interface surface and a lock side with a lock side interface surface both interface having complementary interlocks configured to minimize translation of the first half component and the second half component with respect to each other during use, a concave interior surface positioned between the hinge side interface surface and the lock side interface surface, and an external surface;   the first and second half component being connected by a hinge positioned on the hinge side of each component, the lock side of each half component comprising a portion of a complementary lock configured to provide an audible click or snap sound when the device is appropriately engaged in the closed position, wherein the complementary half components can be pivoted at the hinge to bring lock components in contact and the interior surfaces in apposition forming a closed bite block having an elliptical lumen from front to back.