Surgery: light – thermal – and electrical application – Light – thermal – and electrical application – Thermal applicators
Reexamination Certificate
1999-06-22
2001-04-17
Nasser, Robert L. (Department: 3736)
Surgery: light, thermal, and electrical application
Light, thermal, and electrical application
Thermal applicators
C607S108000, C607S112000, C607S114000, C062S530000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06217606
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The invention comprises a reusable or disposable intra-oral ice pack for the reduction of swelling and the relief of pain resulting from dental surgery or trauma to the human mouth, palate, lips, cheeks or gums. It is made to fit any oral site such as the lingual, buccal, labial, palatal, gingival or mucosal areas of the mouth. The intra-oral ice pack is shaped to fit firmly against a portion of the upper or lower oral cavity for use during post-operative oral surgery or following trauma to the mouth.
The usual method of reducing swelling in the mouth area is the application of an ice pack, having water or some other liquid or semi-solid substance as its temperature storage medium, externally to the face, in the area adjacent the mouth, cheek or jaw. The patient is usually given an ice pack with instructions to hold the pack on the face with one or two hands following surgery. It is a major problem for the patient to comply because it interferes with the patient's use of his hands for other needed purposes.
The use of ice packs is common for the effective treatment of bleeding, pain and swelling in maxillofacial and oral surgery as well as traumatic injury. The application of ice to the affected area in the first hours after surgery or injury reduces swelling at the site, thereby reducing pain. Bleeding is also substantially minimized as local blood vessels are constricted by the application of cold locally to the affected site. To reduce swelling in the mouth, the current practice is to apply an ice pack externally to the face in the mouth, cheek or jaw region.
One type of internal cold pack has been suggested in U.S. Pat. No. 4,983,122 to Mitnick, however his device is a U-shaped mouthpiece, with thermal bags adapted to be attached where desired, and suffers from being too large and uncomfortable for the patient and not capable of reaching certain affected areas. In addition, his added bags are susceptible of coming loose from the base to which they are attached, which can be dangerous for the patient. In addition, Mitnick does not use or disclose a binder, which makes his device less flexible and thus uncomfortable for the patient.
Cold packs are generally comprised of a flexible envelope or enclosure enclosing water or a chemical gel which serves as a temperature storage medium. The enclosure is usually made of a thermoplastic film such as polyethylene or polypropylene containing a liquid or gel which has a low freezing point. Preferably, the gel maintains its gel-like consistency over a wide range of temperatures and is non-toxic. The envelope or ice pack containing the ingredients specified is put into a freezer or other chilling device for a short period of time to reach the desired consistency and temperature.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, several objects and advantages of the invention are as follows:
It is an object of this invention to provide a removable, disposable ice pack for the reduction of swelling and the treatment of pain following dental or oral surgery, trauma to the human mouth, palate, or gums.
It is another object of this invention to provide an ice pack which may be applied to the internal portions of the upper or lower oral cavities of the human mouth to reduce swelling and pain.
It is a further object of the invention to provide an ice pack which is shaped to fit and be retained in various portions of the mouth.
It is yet a further object of the invention to provide an ice pack for oral use which provides sterile cold directly and more efficiently to the site of the surgery.
Still a further object of the invention is to provide an intra-oral ice pack which also applies pressure on the surgical site which acts as a surgical dressing to minimize bleeding.
Another object of the invention is to provide an intra oral ice pack which frees the patient's hands allowing him or her to conduct other normal activities.
Still another object of the invention is to provide an intra-oral ice pack which is non-toxic, sterile and reusable, if desired.
Further objects and advantages will become apparent from a consideration of the following description and drawings.
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Farnoosh Alex A.
Portnoy Leonard L.
Nasser Robert L.
Sanford Astor
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