Dentistry – Veterinary dentistry
Reexamination Certificate
2000-01-10
2001-03-06
Smith, Jeffrey A. (Department: 3732)
Dentistry
Veterinary dentistry
C433S140000, C600S238000, C600S243000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06196837
ABSTRACT:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
Not applicable
BACKGROUND
1. Field of Invention
This invention is a large animal dentistry tool to provide access to the animal's teeth
2. Description of Prior Art
Horses teeth edges will sharpen in the lateral grinding process of eating. These sharp edges need to be filed smooth or the animal may abrade the soft tissue of its mouth with these sharp edges.
People have in the past inserted solid objects between the animals molars preventing the animal from closing its mouth and providing access to the opposing molars as in U.S. Pat. No. 1,130,346, Frank Swales 1914.
The problem with solid objects is that the animal will chew on the object in its worry of the situation. This can strain the animals jaw muscles as well as crack or chip its teeth.
In U.S. Pat. No. 4,450,831 Louis D. Jeffery 1982 we have the problem of the solid mouthpiece and the additional problem of difficulty removing the speculum if the animal should panic which is not uncommon.
People have also tried other methods to hold open the mouth as in U.S. Pat. No. 5,704,901 Jack Meister 1996, U.S. Pat. No. 442,180 James Halfpenny 1890, U.S. Pat. No. 5,718,665 Clay Stubbs 1997 and U.S. Pat. No. 477,838 Charles Elliot 1892. In each of these devices the tool operates on the animals incisor teeth, holding the jaw very forcefully open with no give or take. Horses being by nature, claustrophobic, can be terrified by this rigid confinement and are subject to panic in this situation. Then there is the difficulty of trying to remove the tool and control a 1,000 lb panicking animal.
SUMMARY
In accordance with the present invention a large animal speculum comprising of a rod-like body with an arcuate end continuing to and terminating in a pliable mouth-piece.
OBJECTS AND ADVANTAGES
Accordingly several objects and advantages of my speculum are: The mouthpiece being pliable will not damage the jaw muscles or chip the teeth. The animal is less likely to panic as it understands there is something in its mouth. The mouthpiece being pliable is less confining to the animal If the animal should panic the tool is very easy to remove. The added benefit being that the animal entertains and distracts itself by chewing on the mouthpiece while this unpleasant but necessary job is performed.
(a) the speculum is easy to get the animal to accept as the mouthpiece being pliable is gentle. Solid mouthpieces are uncomfortable and disquieting to the animal.
(b) the pliable mouthpiece creates a distraction for the animal as the animal will chew on the mouthpiece and relieve stress. Previous speculums afford no distraction
(c) removing the speculum is extremely easy as it is provided with a quick release snap. Previous speculums have been hard to remove.
(d) the animal cannot chip or crack its teeth as with solid mouthpieces
(e) the animal cannot damage its jaw muscles.
(f) the mouthpiece is replaceable as it wears.
(g) this speculum is an excellent trailing tool for young animals unaccustomed to having their mouth held open.
(h) the mouthpiece can be replaced with varying sizes and shapes to accommodate ponies or foals.
(i) the animal understands why it cannot close its mouth making panicking less likely.
(j) the mouthpiece can be different widths as to how far open the mouth need be.
(k) the body is corrosion resistant.
(l) the handle is oval for ease in grasping and eliminating any sharp edges that could harm human or
(m) the mouthpiece can be flavored to add distraction for the animal.
(n) the body can be made in various sizes to accommodate different size animals.
Further objects and advantages are to provide a means to hold open an animal's mouth in a gentle fashion so as to avoid any damage to the animal itself if the animal should panic the tool can easily be removed. Also providing a distraction and stress release for the animal in the form of chewing. Still further objects and advantages will become apparent from a consideration of the ensuing description and drawings.
REFERENCES:
patent: 1130346 (1915-03-01), Swales
patent: 4450831 (1984-05-01), Jeffrey
LandOfFree
Pliable mouthpiece large animal speculum does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Pliable mouthpiece large animal speculum, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Pliable mouthpiece large animal speculum will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2456722