Surgery – Body protecting or restraining devices for patients or infants – Head or face protector
Reexamination Certificate
2000-05-25
2001-07-10
Brown, Michael A. (Department: 3764)
Surgery
Body protecting or restraining devices for patients or infants
Head or face protector
C128S861000, C128S200260
Reexamination Certificate
active
06257238
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to apparatus for use in conducting gastrointestinal endoscopy and particularly to a bite block.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy (also known as upper endoscopy, upper GI endoscopy, esophago-gastro-duodenoscopy [EGD], or panendoscopy) is a procedure employed by a physician to examine the lining of the upper part of a patient's gastrointestinal tract. Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy is usually used to investigate symptoms of persistent upper abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, difficulty in swallowing, or bleeding in the upper gastrointestinal tract.
To perform gastrointestinal endoscopy, a physician inserts a thin, flexible tube with a lens, fiber optic view transmission path and light source (an endoscope) into the patient's gastrointestinal tract through the patient's mouth. The physician may be able to observe inflammation, ulcers, or tumors of the esophagus, stomach or duodenum. In addition, certain conditions may be treated. By inserting a variety of instruments through a lumen in the endoscope, a physician may stretch narrowed areas, remove polyps, retrieve swallowed objects, or treat bleeding.
A patient prepares for an endoscopy by fasting to clear the gastrointestinal tract. The physician may spray a local anesthetic into the patient's throat before the test and intravenous or other medication may be given to help the patient relax. A bite block may be placed in the patient's mouth to keep the patient's jaws open. A prior art bite block
10
is illustrated in FIG.
1
. The bite block
10
comprises a tubular body
12
, having a proximal end
14
and a distal end
16
. A channel
18
extends through the tubular body
12
. The endoscope (not shown) or other instruments may be inserted through this channel into the patient's throat. A shield
20
at the proximal end
14
of the bite block
10
has left and right lateral wings
22
,
24
respectively, which shield a part of the patient's lips and extend onto the patient's left and right cheeks. Each wing
22
,
24
has a tab or clip
26
,
28
. An elastic band (not shown) may be attached to the clips
26
,
28
and passed around the patient's head to secure the bite block. In the usual case, the endoscope or other instrument is then partially coated with a sterile, bio-compatible lubricant, for example, petroleum jelly, to aide in inserting the endoscope into the throat.
Although a upper gastrointestinal endoscopy is a widely used procedure, it is sometimes difficult to insert the endoscope. Because of the medication given to the patient to relax the patient's muscles, the patient's tongue will sometimes relax into the back of the patient's mouth, sometimes covering or entering the channel
18
of the bite block
10
and blocking the patient's throat. Moreover, manually applying lubricant to the exterior of an endoscope may present difficulties in handling and sterilizing the endoscope or the lubricant. Finally, it is sometimes desirable to insert and additional cannula or device past the bite block and into the back of the throat, while isolating the additional cannula or device (e.g., a needle, suction tube, oxygen supply line or other such device) from the endoscope. There remains a need, therefore, for additional improvements in the instrumentation used for gastrointestinal endoscopy.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
I have invented a bite block for upper gastrointestinal endoscopy having a tubular body with a proximal end and a distal end and defining a channel open at the proximal and distal ends, a shield connected to the tubular body at the proximal end, and a tongue depressor connected to the tubular body at the distal end. The tongue depressor comprises a plate connected to a bottom side of the distal end of the tubular body and is curved downwardly.
In another aspect of my invention, the bite block has a chamber open to the channel in the bite block. A viscous bio-compatible lubricant in said chamber can contact and coat the end of an endoscope or other instrument when the instrument is inserted through the bite block. A removable tab can be pulled away from an opening into the chamber to expose the lubricant after the bite block has been placed in a patient's mouth.
In yet another aspect of my invention, a lumen extends from the proximal end to the distal end of the tubular body, through the wall of the tubular body. An additional cannula, needle or other device may be inserted through the lumen past the bite block and into the back of the throat, while isolating the additional device from the endoscope. The lumen may also be used to deliver oxygen during the endoscopic procedure. This can be particularly helpful for a patient who does not breathe through the nose. Additional oxygen may relieve discomfort caused by the presence of the bite block and endoscope in the mouth and throat of the patient.
These and other features and advantages of the present invention will be apparent to one skilled in the art from the following detailed description, connection with the accompanying drawings.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4270531 (1981-06-01), Blachly
patent: 4495945 (1985-01-01), Liegner
patent: 5174284 (1992-12-01), Jackson
patent: 5413095 (1995-05-01), Weaver
patent: 5533523 (1996-07-01), Bass
patent: 5590643 (1997-01-01), Flam
patent: 5682904 (1997-11-01), Stinnett
Brown Michael A.
Merkling John R.
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