Patent Application
20150050616
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to the field of dentistry and more particularly to dental safety device that prevents objects crowns, teeth, instruments, fillings and less bacteria from being swallowed or aspirated (bacteria from entering the body) during dental procedures.
2. Description of the Problem
Typically dentists perform procedures on patients with the patient seated in a reclining chair with the chair reclined backward at a steep angle or with the patient totally prone. During the procedure, the patient's mouth is open while the dentists inserts instruments, drills, crowns, filling material, gauze and numerous other items into the patient's mouth necessary to perform the procedure. Given the position of the patient, there is a constant danger that some item such as a crown will be dropped or otherwise become loose in the mouth and enter the throat area either causing the patient to swallow it, or worse yet, entering the lungs, larynx.
It would be advantageous to have a dental safety device that can prevent a loose object from entering the throat, lungs and body in prevention of gagging, swallowing or aspiration—without hampering breathing, causing gagging or in any way interfering with the dentist or causing discomfort to the patient.
The present invention relates to a dental safety device that prevents any loose object from entering a patient's throat during a dental procedure. The present invention includes an approximately oval (any shape may be used that covers the throat and allows for extension and patient comfort) piece of gauze-like breathable fabric that is equipped with side extensions attached to elastic loops or an elastic band. In use, the device is placed flat in the mouth behind the area where the dentist is working. The extensions exit the mouth on either side and wrap backward. The device is held in place by the elastic loops or elastic band. The nature of the fabric allows easy breathing, and the device is comfortable for the patient to wear. At the end of the procedure, the device is easily removed and discarded. A second embodiment is a substantially rectangular piece of gauze-like material that is tied to the teeth. This embodiment can be used to partially or totally cover an area of the mouth or throat.
Several drawings and illustrations are now presented to illustrate features of the present invention:
Illustrations have been presented to aid in understanding the present invention. The scope of the present invention is not limited to what is shown in the figures.
As previously stated, a first embodiment of the present invention includes an approximately oval piece of gauze-like breathable fabric that is equipped with side extensions attached to elastic loops or an elastic band. While oval is the preferred shape, any other convenient shape may be used. In use, the device is placed flat in the mouth behind the area where the dentist is working. The extensions exit the mouth on either side and wrap backward. The device is held in place by the elastic loops or elastic band either around the ears or around the head.
Any breathable fabric may be used for to construct the device, and breathable fabric may be combined with non-breathable parts in regions of the device where breathing is not important. Since it will become somewhat moist during use, the fabric should not be adversely affected by moisture. The preferred fabric is the gauze-like material used to make surgical masks; however, any similar material may be used It is important that the device does not cause difficulty in breathing and not cause the patient to gag.
Turning to
This configuration causes the entire throat area to be protected. Optional seams may be used to hold the parts together. The parts may be sewed, wired, tied, connected by adhesive or kept together by any other means. Alternative embodiments may be made as a single complete piece.
An ultra thin wire similar to ribbon wire can surrounded by a cotton fabric to shape the fabric. During the procedure the patient may close the mouth, and the fabric will moisten; the wire helps it retain it's shape and be reshaped without causing discomfort to the patient. The device may be made totally of breathable material, or a combination of breathable and non-breathable materials; it may be cotton, or a blend of cotton and other fabrics, especially synthetic fabrics known in the art. Synthetic fabrics include numerous polymer substances such as polyesters and others known in the art.
The device can be manufactured in larger or smaller sizes so as to fit different individuals and children as well as adults.
An alternate embodiment of the device may contain pleats 7 that allow extending the device to fit a particular patient's mouth. In this way, the device can be used with many different patients. It can also be made in different sizes, for example, smaller sizes for children.
Other shapes besides elliptical may be used such as an octagon or half moon, round or even rectangle could achieve the same or similar effect. Any shape of any material breathable or non (nitrile) (may be all one fabric or a combination of many) that can be extended across the back or the mouth, anterior to the throat and attached to the patient with either smaller floss like loops around certain teeth of elastic larger loops to extend around the patients ears or with a head band is within the scope of the present invention.
The devices of the present invention can be discarded after use.
Several descriptions and illustrations have been presented to aid in understanding the present invention. One with skill in the art will realize that numerous changes and variations may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. Each of these changes and variations is within the scope of the present invention.
