EP-4734816-A1 - IMPROVEMENTS IN ENDOSCOPIC BITE BLOCKS

Abstract

An endoscopic bite block including a body with a bite barrier portion to be located between the upper and lower teeth of a patient when the bite block is in a fitted position, the body having a passage therethrough for insertion of an endoscope, the passage extending between an opening at a first end of the body and an opening at a second end of the body, and in the fitted position of the bite block, the first end is located behind the teeth of the patient and the second end is located in front of the teeth of the patient; and a retaining means configurable between a fitting position or configuration, which facilitates fitting of the bite block into the fitted position, and a retaining position or configuration, which facilitates retainment of the bite block in the fitted position.

Inventors

• BASKA, KANAG
• BASKA, MEENAKSHI

Assignees

• Baska, Kanag
• Baska, Meenakshi

Dates

Publication Date

20260506

Application Date

20240506

Claims (20)

1. 1 . An endoscopic bite block including: a body with a bite barrier portion to be located between the upper and lower teeth of a patient when the bite block is in a fitted position, the body having a passage therethrough for insertion of an endoscope, the passage extending between an opening at a first end of the body and an opening at a second end of the body, and in the fitted position of the bite block, the first end is located behind the teeth of the patient and the second end is located in front of the teeth of the patient; and a retaining means configurable between a fitting position or configuration, which facilitates fitting of the bite block into the fitted position, and a retaining position or configuration, which facilitates retainment of the bite block in the fitted position.
2. 2. An endoscopic bite block as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the retaining means is a retaining member that is coupled to the body such that it can rotate with respect to the body, between fitting and retaining positions.
3. 3. An endoscopic bite block as claimed in claim 2, wherein the retaining member provides an anchor portion at the first end of the body.
4. 4. An endoscopic bite block as claimed in claim 3, wherein the anchor portion is in the form of an elongate element.
5. 5. An endoscopic bite block as claimed in claim 4, wherein the elongate element has two ends which each extend laterally with respect to the direction from the first end to the second end of the body, in generally opposite directions.
6. 6. An endoscopic bite block as claimed in claim 5, wherein the ends of the elongate element are curved in a direction away from the body.
7. 7. An endoscopic bite block as claimed in claim 5 or 6, wherein the ends of the elongate element provide tab portions.
8. 8. An endoscopic bite block as claimed in any one claims 2 to 7, wherein the passage includes a partition therein and/or end closure, the partition and/or end closure having an expandable opening for receiving the endoscope therethrough, so as to provide a substantial seal around the endoscope when inserted.
9. 9. An endoscopic bite block as claimed in any one of claims 2 to 8, wherein the passage includes a partition therein and/or end closure, the partition and/or end closure configured to be openable to allow for insertion of the endoscope through the passage, and also configured to close once the endoscope is removed.
10. 10. An endoscopic bite block as claimed in claim 9, wherein the partition and/or end closure provides a substantially seal around the endoscope when inserted.
11. 1 1. An endoscopic bite block as claimed in any one of claims 2 to 10, wherein the passage is substantially cylindrical.
12. 12. An endoscopic bite block as claimed in claim 1 1 , wherein the retaining member includes a substantially tubular portion, the tubular portion fitted concentrically within the passage such that it can rotate therewithin.
13. 13. An endoscopic bite block as claimed in claim 12, wherein an inner wall surface of the passage and an outer wall surface of the tubular portion have cooperating formations thereon that prohibit over-rotation of the retaining member beyond the fitting and retaining positions.
14. 14. An endoscopic bite block as claimed in any one of claim 2 to 13, wherein the body further includes a wall portion configured to be located between the teeth and lips of the patient, when the bite block is in the fitted position.
15. 15. An endoscopic bite block as claimed in claim 14, wherein the wall portion is shaped to provide a sealing effect with respect to the mouth opening of the patient.
16. 16. An endoscopic bite block as claimed in claim 14 or 15, wherein, with respect to the direction from the first end of the body to the second end of the body, the wall portion extends laterally from the bite barrier portion at the second end of the body.
17. 17. An endoscopic bite block as claimed in claim 16, wherein the wall portion is substantially U or C-shaped, providing opposing arms, the arms extending initially laterally from the bite barrier portion at the second end of the body and then in the direction of the first end of the body.
18. 18. An endoscopic bite block as claimed in claim 17, wherein one of the arms includes an aperture therein.
19. 19. An endoscopic bite block as claimed in claim 18, wherein the wall portion includes main faces that are solid apart from the aperture.
20. 20. An endoscopic bite block as claimed in claim 18 or 19, including a connector at the aperture.

Description

IMPROVEMENTS IN ENDOSCOPIC BITE BLOCKS Field of the invention [0001 ] The present invention relates to the endoscopic bite blocks and related components for use during procedures wherein an endoscope, such as a gastroscope or bronchoscope, is inserted in the mouth of patient, and assemblies and methods including same. Background of the invention [0002] The reference in this specification to any prior publication (or information derived from it), or to any matter which is known, is not, and should not be taken as, an acknowledgement or admission or any form of suggestion that that prior publication (or information derived from it) or known matter forms part of the common general knowledge in the field of endeavour to which this specification relates. [0003] Endoscopes are used to provide imagery of internal body cavities and organs. They comprise cameras mounted at the end of elongate tubing that is inserted into a natural orifice or surgical opening. Captured image data is transmitted through wires in the tubing back to a real-time display or to computer storage for later viewing. There are variety of forms of endoscope, with the functionally and properties varying according to the site of insertion and clinical investigation required. In some cases, such as for a gastroscopy or bronchoscopy, endoscopes are inserted into the mouth. [0004] Patients undergoing endoscopic investigation via the mouth are usually anesthetised, and the endoscope is fed through a bite block placed between their teeth, to stop them inadvertently biting down on the endoscope. Biting the endoscope can cause damage to the patient’s teeth and also damage the endoscope. [0005] These bite blocks typically comprise a bite barrier portion that sits between the patient’s teeth, and a front frame that rests over the patient’s lips. To assist with secure fitting of the bite block, an elasticized strap is typically connected to the frame and extended around the patient’s head (see e.g. Figure 1 ). [0006] Endoscopic investigations via the mouth face several issues. Firstly, secure positioning of the bite block with the elasticized strap is sometimes not effective, allowing the bite block to move out from between the patient’s teeth. This leaves the endoscope exposed to damage if the patient bites down on it. Secondly, the nature of these procedures requires the mouth to be kept open. When the mouth is open, air is drawn in through the mouth when the patient inhales, rather than through the nose, due to the increased resistance in the nasal cavity. It will be appreciated that during these procedures there are significant airway obstructions in the oral cavity, such as the endoscope etc, which may be exacerbated by the position of the head and neck. Other factors may also contribute to obstruction, such as, for example, pre-existing sleep apnoea, where the tongue may fall toward the pharyngeal wall or palate, or the patient may have a large tongue. Such factors/obstructions can lead to reduced oxygen intake by the patient which is compounded by the already reduced tidal volume caused by the anaesthesia. As a result, there is an increased risk of hypoxia in patients undergoing these mouth entry endoscopic procedures. Summary of the invention [0007] According to one aspect, embodiments are disclosed of an endoscopic bite block including: a body with a bite barrier portion to be located between the upper and lower teeth of a patient when the bite block is in a fitted position, the body having a passage therethrough for insertion of an endoscope, the passage extending between an opening at a first end of the body and an opening at a second end of the body, and in the fitted position of the bite block, the first end is located behind the teeth of the patient and the second end is located in front of the teeth of the patient; and a retaining means configurable between a fitting position or configuration, which facilitates fitting of the bite block into the fitted position, and a retaining position or configuration, which facilitates retainment of the bite block in the fitted position. [0008] In certain embodiments, the retaining means is a retaining member that is coupled to the body such that it can rotate with respect to the body, between fitting and retaining positions. [0009] In certain embodiments, the retaining member provides an anchor portion at the first end of the body. [0010] In certain embodiments, the anchor portion is in the form of an elongate element. [0011 ] In certain embodiments, the elongate element has two ends which each extend laterally with respect to the direction from the first end to the second end of the body, in generally opposite directions. [0012] In certain embodiments, the ends of the elongate element are curved in a direction away from the body. [0013] In certain embodiments, the ends of the elongate element provide tab portions. [0014] In certain embodiments, the passage includes a partition therein and/or end clo