Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
206 words
A lip and cheek expander and tongue retractor for holding open a patient's mouth and stabilizing his tongue therein so as to facilitate dental and medical procedures, said expander-retractor comprising: a. first and second arc-shaped shells, each of said shells having a trough-shaped cross-section including first and second side walls; and b. a spring element having two ends, one of each of said ends secured to said first and second shells respectively, said element disposed in a plane which is (i) substantially transverse to those planes defined by said side walls and is (ii) upon insertion into the oral cavity, substantially co-planer with the plane of the patient's tongue, said spring element including a lingual arch adapted for tongue engagement, said spring element further having a resilient torque which is directed radially outward with respect to the radius of curvature of said arc-shaped shells, whereby the lips and cheeks of a patient are engaged within the troughs of said shells and the tongue of said patient is engaged within said rake-like lingual arch such that, through the torque action of said spring element, the tongue is stabilized in a retracted position while the lips and cheeks are biased laterally outward with respect to the dental area.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
206 words
A lip and cheek expander and tongue retractor for holding open a patient's mouth and stabilizing his tongue therein so as to facilitate dental and medical procedures, said expander-retractor comprising: a. first and second arc-shaped shells, each of said shells having a trough-shaped cross-section including first and second side walls; and b. a spring element having two ends, one of each of said ends secured to said first and second shells respectively, said element disposed in a plane which is (i) substantially transverse to those planes defined by said side walls and is (ii) upon insertion into the oral cavity, substantially co-planer with the plane of the patient's tongue, said spring element including a lingual arch adapted for tongue engagement, said spring element further having a resilient torque which is directed radially outward with respect to the radius of curvature of said arc-shaped shells, whereby the lips and cheeks of a patient are engaged within the troughs of said shells and the tongue of said patient is engaged within said rake-like lingual arch such that, through the torque action of said spring element, the tongue is stabilized in a retracted position while the lips and cheeks are biased laterally outward with respect to the dental area.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
31 words
The retractor as defined in claim 1 in which said spring element includes a plurality of coiled loops having diameters which are suitable to gripping and adjustment by a round-beak pliers.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
18 words
The expander-retractor as recited in claim 2 in which said spring element is formed of non-corrosive metal wire.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
39 words
The retractor as recited in claim 3 in which said lingual arch comprises a segment of said metal wire formed in the shape of the letter "C" including a downward loop to retract the tongue in a rake-like manner.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
27 words
The expander-retractor as recited in claim 3 in which said lingual arch comprises a segment of said metal wire formed in the shape of the letter "W".
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
15 words
The expander-retractor as recited in claim 3 in which said metal is non-corrosive stainless steel.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
16 words
The expander-retractor as recited in claim 3 in which said plurality of coils comprises two coils.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
21 words
The retractor as recited in claim 7 in which said arc-shaped shells are formed of an acrylic or vinyl type plastic.