Abstract

A saliva collector comprises a reservoir and a flow path from an inlet to an outlet on the reservoir. A heating element is disposed along the flow path. The heating element applies heat to force bubbles and foam present in the air aspirated from a patient's oral cavity to collapse. The collapsed bubbles and foam evaporate or drain into the reservoir bottom as liquid saliva.

IPC Classes  ?

• A61C 17/06 - Saliva removersAccessories therefor

Abstract

An oral device for temporary placement in a patient's oral cavity includes upper and lower jaw braces and a tongue-engaging member. The upper and lower jaw braces are connected so that the lower jaw brace is advanced in an anterior direction relative to the upper jaw brace when the upper and lower jaw braces are closed together. A partial vacuum is drawn in the oral cavity and the vacuum and lower jaw displacement together control the position of the tongue in order to clear the patient's airway to reduce sleep apnea or treat other conditions.

IPC Classes  ?

• A61F 5/56 - Devices for preventing snoring

Abstract

An oral device for improving airway patency comprises a base adapted to be held between a patient's upper and lower teeth and a tongue-engaging member. The tongue-engaging member engages the tongue and displaces the tongue anteriorly when the base is held between the patient's teeth. A vacuum is applied through the base and the tongue-engaging member in order to draw the soft palate against a posterior region of the tongue in order to stabilize the soft palate and open or clear the patient's airway.

IPC Classes  ?

• A61F 5/56 - Devices for preventing snoring

Abstract

An oral device for temporary placement in a patient's oral cavity includes a base and a tongue pocket. Partial vacuums are separately drawn through vertically oriented, tooth facing ports on the base and the tongue pocket in order to advance and control the position of the tongue in order to clear the patient's airway to reduce sleep apnea or treat other conditions. The oral device may also or instead of the vertically oriented, tooth facing ports on the base include a tongue-engaging member. A partial vacuum can be drawn through the tongue-engaging member in order to advance and control the position of the tongue in order to clear the patient's airway to reduce sleep apnea or treat other conditions.

IPC Classes  ?

• A61F 5/56 - Devices for preventing snoring
• A61C 19/06 - Implements for therapeutic treatment

Abstract

A saliva collector comprises a reservoir, a bubble barrier, and a membrane, where the bubble barrier and membrane are arranged in tandem on a flow path from an inlet to an outlet on the reservoir. Air aspirated from a patient's oral cavity enters the reservoir through the inlet, passes through the bubble barrier to remove foam and bubbles, passes through the membrane to remove entrained liquid saliva, and passes out through the outlet.

IPC Classes  ?

• A61B 10/00 - Instruments for taking body samples for diagnostic purposesOther methods or instruments for diagnosis, e.g. for vaccination diagnosis, sex determination or ovulation-period determinationThroat striking implements
• A61B 5/00 - Measuring for diagnostic purposes Identification of persons
• A61M 1/00 - Suction or pumping devices for medical purposesDevices for carrying-off, for treatment of, or for carrying-over, body-liquidsDrainage systems

Abstract

An oral appliance is sized by obtaining a scaled image of a patient's dental arch. Dimensions of the arch are marked on a screen image, and the processor chooses an oral appliance having a best fit for a particular patient.

IPC Classes  ?

• A61C 19/04 - Measuring instruments specially adapted for dentistry
• A61C 19/05 - Measuring instruments specially adapted for dentistry for determining occlusion
• A61F 5/56 - Devices for preventing snoring
• A61C 5/14 - Lip or mouth protectors
• A61C 13/34 - Making or working of models, e.g. preliminary castings, trial denturesDowel pins

Abstract

Systems for maintaining a vacuum in a patient's oral cavity comprises an oral device, a vacuum control system, and an assembly including first and second tubes for connecting the vacuum control system to the oral device. The oral device has an internal plenum, and a vacuum is drawn in the plenum by a vacuum pump connected by a first tube of the tubular assembly. The vacuum is maintained by an air source which is connected to the plenum by the second tube of the tubular assembly. By maintaining a constant circulating air bleed through the oral device and the connecting tubes, saliva may be removed from the system and collected in a saliva trap located before the vacuum pump.

IPC Classes  ?

• A61J 19/00 - Devices for receiving spittle, e.g. spittoons

Abstract

Systems for sizing oral appliances comprise both a width measuring template or tool for determining the distance between opposed molars and an arch sizing tool for determining the size and shape of the patient's dental arch. Based on this information, individual appliances can be selected from an inventory of such appliances, where the selected appliance would best fit the patient.

IPC Classes  ?

• A61C 13/00 - Dental prosthesesMaking same

Abstract

An oral device for improving airway patency comprises a base adapted to be held between a patient's upper and lower teeth and a tongue-engaging member. The tongue- engaging member engages the tongue and displaces the tongue anteriorly when the base is held between the patient's teeth. A vacuum is applied through the base and the tongue- engaging member in order to draw the soft palate against a posterior region of the tongue in order to stabilize the soft palate and open or clear the patient's airway.

IPC Classes  ?

• A61F 5/56 - Devices for preventing snoring

Abstract

An oral device for improving airway patency comprises a tongue constraint and a negative pressure source. The tongue constraint engages the patient's tongue to maintain a clear region below the palate in an oral cavity. By applying a negative pressure in the clear region, an airway behind the soft palate or tongue of the patient can be maintained. The tongue constraint is usually connected to an anchor. The anchor may be held between the patient's teeth or may engage the inferior surface of the palate. Another oral device for improving airway patency comprises a lateral tongue structure and a negative pressure source.

IPC Classes  ?

• A61C 5/14 - Lip or mouth protectors