Retracting devices
The present invention relates to a retracting device for retracting at least a portion of a user's mouth. The retracting device includes formations, which may be inter-engaging and/or non-inter-engaging with other dental tools or apparatus. The formations are adapted for repeatably positioning a subject's mouth with respect to a light system, and/or an imaging film, and/or a dental tray.
1 . A retracting device for retracting at least a portion of a user's mouth comprises:
at least two channel retainers, each comprising a framework having an elastomeric material disposed therein to form a race, an inside side wall, an outside side wall; and
at least one resilient member attached to the framework of two adjacent channel retainers.
2 . The retracting device of claim 1 wherein at least one of said resilient members is integrally molded to the framework of the two adjacent channel retainers.
3 . The retracting device of claim 1 further comprises at least one formation comprising wing-like members.
4 . The retracting device of claim 3 wherein each of said wing-like members is adapted to fit into a formation in an apparatus comprising a an output port, a light guide, a light source, an imaging device or an examination device.
5 . The retracting device of claim 1 wherein at least one of said resilient members comprises two portions, having a substantially rounded corss-section, connected by a pad.
6 . The retracting device of claim 1 wherein the elastomeric material is selected from a group consisting of natural rubber, synthetic rubber, elastic foam or combinations thereof.
7 . The retracting device of claim 1 wherein said retracting device comprises at least one pad attached to at least one resilient member.
8 . The retracting device of claim 1 further comprising a tongue retainer, wherein the tongue retainer is attached to at least one of the channel retainers.
9 . The retracting device of claim 1 wherein said device comprises at least four channel retainers or flanges, each comprising a race, an inside side wall, and an outside side wall, and four resilient members, each being integrally molded or attached to two outside side walls of two adjacent channel retainers.
10 . The retracting device of claim 9 further comprises a tongue retainer attached to two of the channel retainers by at least one secondary resilient member.
11 . The retracting device of claim 1 wherein at least one of said resilient members comprises at least one formation, said formation comprises a u-shaped channel adapted to accommodate at least one set of a subject's teeth.
12 . The retracting device of claim 11 wherein said at least one u-shaped channel supports said at least one channel retainers in substantially fixed spatial relation with respect to one another.
13 . The retracting device of claim 2 wherein said wing-like members are adapted to fit into at least one formation in a light guide, said light guide comprising at least one second formation adapted to be fitted into a light system.
14 . The retracting device of claim 1 wherein at least one of said resilient members comprises at least one formation, said formation is adapted for accommodating an imaging film or sensor during imaging.
15 . The retracting device of claim 14 wherein said formation comprises a film holder adapted to locate an imaging film, or an imaging sensor.
16 . The retracting device of claim 15 wherein said imaging film, or imaging sensor is integrally formed with the holder.
17 . The retracting device of claim 3 wherein at least one of said wing-like members comprises extended portions.
18 . The retracting device of claim 3 wherein at least one of said wing-like members is adapted to be coupled to a target acting as a visual alignment mechanism for the imaging system.
19 . The retracting device of claim 17 wherein at least one of said extended portions extends outward and toward the back of the retracting device.
20 . The retracting device of claim 18 wherein said wing-like members are adapted to enable the imaging system to be aligned on either side of a subject's head.
21 . The retracting device of claim 1 further comprises at least one formation comprising a tab for facilitating insertion and removal of the device.
22 . The retracting device of claim 1 wherein at least one of said resilient members comprises at least two portions having corresponding formations that inter-engage when apposed.
23 . The retracting device of claim 1 wherein at least one of said resilient members comprises an adjustable mechanism.
24 . A retracting device comprises:
at least four channel retainers or flanges;
at least four resilient members, each of said resilient member is attached to two adjacent channel retainers; and
an adjustable mechanism for adjusting the length of the resilient member.
25 . The retracting device of claim 24 wherein at least one of said resilient members comprises at least two portions having corresponding formations that inter-engage when apposed.
26 . The retracting device of claim 24 wherein said adjustable mechanism comprises a permanent locking mechanism.
27 . The retracting device of claim 24 wherein said device further comprises a tongue retainer attached to two of the channel retainers by at least one secondary resilient member.
28 . The retracting device of claim 27 wherein said tongue retainer comprises a framework having a suitable elastomeric material disposed within the framework.
29 . The retracting device of claim 24 further comprises at least one formation comprising wing-like members.
30 . The retracting device of claim 29 wherein each of said wing-like members is adapted to fit into a formation in an apparatus comprising a an output port, a light guide, a light source, an imaging device or an examination device.
31 . The retracting device of claim 27 wherein said tongue retainer comprises a framework having an elastomeric material disposed inside the framework.
32 . The retracting device of claim 1 wherein said device further comprises a voice alert mechanism embedded in at least one portion of the retracting device.
33 . The retracting device of claim 24 wherein said device further comprises a voice alert mechanism embedded in at least one portion of the retracting device.
34 . The retracting device of claim 24 wherein at least one of said resilient members comprises at least one formation adapted for holding an apparatus adapted for aspiration.
35 . A retracting device comprises:
at least two channel retainers, each retainer comprising a framework having disposed therein an elastomeric material defining a race, an inside side wall, an outside side wall; and
at least one formation comprising at least one u-shaped channel attached to the framework of at least one inside side wall of two adjacent channel retainers for repeatably positioning a subject's teeth with respect to a treatment composition.
36 . The retracting device of claim 35 further comprises formations for positioning the retracting device to a dental system comprising a light system, a light guide, an imaging system or combinations thereof.
37 . The retracting device of claim 35 wherein said u-shaped channel comprises a dental tray.
38 . The retracting device of claim 35 wherein said at least one formation comprises at least two u-shaped channels.
39 . A retracting device comprises:
at least two channel retainers, each retainer comprising a framework having disposed therein an elastomeric material defining a race, an inside side wall, an outside side wall;
at least one resilient member attached to the framework of at least one inside side wall of two adjacent channel retainers; and
at least one formation adapted for accommodating an imaging film or sensor during imaging.
40 . The retracting device of claim 39 wherein said formation is coupled to a passively held portion adapted for providing alignment to at least one dental feature.
41 . The retracting device of claim 40 further comprises an alignment formation coupled to an imaging device in a substantially fixed position with respect to the at least one dental feature.
42 . The retracting device of claim 39 wherein at least one formation comprises a film holder coupled to a passively held portion.
43 . The retracting device of claim 42 wherein said film holder is adapted to locate an imaging film, or an imaging sensor, for imaging the at least one dental feature.
44 . The retracting device of claim 42 wherein said imaging film, or imaging sensor is integrally formed with the holder.
45 . The retracting device of claim 39 wherein at least one formation comprises a wing-like member having extended portions.
46 . The retracting device of claim 39 wherein at least one formation comprises wing-like members adapted to be coupled to a target acting as a visual alignment mechanism for the imaging system.
47 . The retracting device of claim 45 wherein at least one of said extended portions extends outward and toward the back of the retracting device.
48 . The retracting device of claim 45 wherein said wing-like members are adapted to enable the imaging system to be aligned on either side of a subject's head.
49 . The retracting device of claim 1 further comprises at least one formation adapted for positioning an apparatus.
50 . The retracting device of claim 49 wherein said at least one formation comprises a clip.
51 . The retracting device of claim 49 wherein said apparatus comprises an air/gas aspirator, a suction tube or combinations thereof.
52 . A retracting device comprises:
at least two channel retainers or flanges;
at least two resilient members, each of said resilient member is attached to two adjacent channel retainers; and
a tongue retainer;
wherein said tongue retainer comprises a framework having disposed therein an elastomeric material.
53 . The retracting device of claim 52 wherein said elastomeric material is selected from a group consisting of natural rubber, synthetic rubber, elastic foam and combinations thereof.
54 . The retracting device of claim 52 wherein said channel retainers comprises a framework having disposed therein an elastomeric material.
55 . The retracting device of claim 52 wherein at least one of said resilient members comprises at least two portions having corresponding formations that inter-engage when apposed.
56 . The retracting device of claim 1 wherein at least one of said resilient members comprises an adjustable mechanism.