Surgery – Body protecting or restraining devices for patients or infants – Antisnoring device
Reexamination Certificate
2000-06-20
2001-07-17
Brown, Michael A. (Department: 3764)
Surgery
Body protecting or restraining devices for patients or infants
Antisnoring device
C128S859000, C027S027000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06260551
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to the field of embalming aids and appliances, in particular, an adjustable apparatus for the holding the jawbones of a deceased in a correct anatomical position during the embalming process and to provide a natural mouth closure appearance of the remains.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
When the relatives decide upon the funeral proceedings and determine that the body is to be exposed, it is the responsibility of the embalmer to make certain that the preservation of the appearance of the body of the deceased is as natural looking as possible. The traditional method used to accomplish this task consists of wiring the maxillary bone, that is the upper jawbone, to the mandible, the lower jawbone. The use of wiring methods is dependent upon the existence of bone structure that would support such use.
Another option is the use of a mandible suture. This method is used when the lower jaw tissue has undergone degeneration due to disease or trauma. A suture is inserted between the lower lip and gum and brought out at a point just behind the chin and then the needle is reinserted into the same hole and brought up behind the mandible through the floor of the mouth just beneath the tip of the tongue. The upper portion of the suture is then attached to the upper jaw to complete the suture. This method is difficult to use and has the added problem of distorting the appearance of the lips.
In cases where the deceased has died of the result of trauma resulting in disfigurement of the face or jaw or where the deceased has experienced substantial bone loss or disease, proper mouth closure is difficult if not impossible to obtain with current methods. There is not found in the prior art a reliable, easily insertable apparatus that permits adjustment to readily achieve a correct anatomical position and provides a natural mouth closure.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The invention is a post-mortem adjustable mouth closing apparatus for a cadaver. A first member that is permanently attached to the mandible of the cadaver is provided. A second member that is also permanently attached to the maxillary bone of the cadaver is similarly provided. The first member is adjustably engageable with the second member wherein the anatomical position of the two bones can be positioned substantially anatomically correct. Further, a substantially life-like mouth closure can be locked into position. The first and second members are attached to the respective bones of the cadaver by self-tapping screws.
Therefore, it is an aspect of the invention to provide a post-mortem adjustable mandibular/maxillary lock that is easily attached to a cadaver's jawbone.
Another aspect of the invention is to provide a post-mortem adjustable mandibular/maxillary lock that can provide a substantially natural and anatomically correct position of the mouth closure.
Still another aspect of the invention is to provide a post-mortem adjustable mandibular/maxillary lock that is easily adjustable.
It is an aspect of the invention is to provide a post-mortem adjustable mandibular/maxillary lock that can be screwed into position.
Another aspect of the invention is to provide a post-mortem adjustable mandibular/maxillary lock that can be inexpensively manufactured.
Finally, it is an aspect of the invention is to provide a post-mortem adjustable mandibular/maxillary lock that can be used on a cadaver that has suffered face trauma or jawbone degeneration or loss.
REFERENCES:
patent: 1870566 (1932-08-01), Heitritter
patent: 2172252 (1939-09-01), Moore
patent: 3103052 (1963-09-01), Rector
patent: 5443482 (1995-08-01), Stone
Brown Michael A.
Ritchie William B.
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