A rodent mouth opener and method of use thereof

Abstract

The application discloses a rodent mouth opener and a use method thereof, and the mouth opener comprises a sleeve, a sleeve rod, a locking nut, a U-shaped spring, a tooth buckle and a jaw pad. The sleeve, the sleeve rod and the locking nut constitute an oval mouth opener of the rodent mouth opener, the sleeve and the sleeve rod are connected into a whole through the locking nut, and the sleeve rod is convenient to adjust the mouth opener through expansion and contraction in the sleeve. The tooth buckle is connected to the middle part of the sleeve, the tooth buckle is matched with upper and lower front teeth of the rodent, and the tooth buckle is used for sleeving the front teeth of the rodent. The tooth buckle is provided with the jaw pad, the jaw pad prevents the mouth of the rodent from being hurt by being pressed, the middle part of the sleeve rod is connected with the U-shaped spring, the U-shaped spring provides elastic force to open the corners of the mouth of the rodent, and the U-shaped spring can assist in adjusting the opening degree. The application adopts a symmetrical structure design, is fixed firmly, avoids multiple adjustment of fixation and opening degrees of experimental animals caused by loosening or left-right shaking, and can adjust multiple structures to match rodent animals with different opening degrees for experiments.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention belongs to the field of animal medical experimental auxiliary equipment technology, specifically relating to a rodent mouth opener and its usage method. Background Technology

[0002] In oral medicine, many disease research experiments require manipulation within the mouths of rodents, such as rabbits, rats, and mice. Mice are the preferred animal model for human oral diseases. Taking mice as an example, experiments in the intraoral and maxillofacial regions require opening the animal's mouth. Traditional methods often use simple ropes or homemade wire loops; currently commercially available mouth openers can only open and fix the mouse's front and back teeth or upper and lower jaws. Existing mouth openers still have some drawbacks and can cause considerable inconvenience to researchers:

[0003] First, traditional mouth-opening methods and equipment are too simple, and the space for opening the mouse's mouth is relatively small, limiting the operating field of vision and operating space; while commercial mouth-opening devices require two or more mouth-opening devices to open the mouse's mouth and open the mouth angle, further limiting the operating space.

[0004] Second, during the experiment, the mouse's head moved from side to side, and the mouth opening may loosen or move, with the opening area varying in size, which forced the experiment to be stopped and required multiple adjustments to the opening degree of the experimental animal; while commercially available mouth openers have a certain weight and are mostly asymmetrical in design, which can easily cause the mouse's head to tilt during use.

[0005] Third, traditional and commercially available mouth-opening methods still have certain shortcomings in terms of adjusting the size of the mouth opening, which can easily cause additional injuries to experimental animals, such as tearing of the corners of their mouths. Summary of the Invention

[0006] In order to solve or at least partially solve the above-mentioned technical problems, the present invention provides a rodent mouth opener and its method of use, which can adjust the structure to match rodents with different mouth opening sizes, and can also open the corners of the rodent's mouth.

[0007] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention adopts the following technical solution:

[0008] A rodent mouth opening device, comprising:

[0009] A first expander and a second expander, both used to expand and widen the upper and lower jaws of a rodent;

[0010] A first connector and a second connector;

[0011] The ends of the first expanding member and the second expanding member on the same side are telescopically engaged with the first connecting member, and the ends on the other same side are telescopically engaged with the second connecting member, for adjusting the expanding size of the first expanding member and the second expanding member;

[0012] Both the first expanding member and the second expanding member include an arc portion and two straight portions, and the two straight portions are connected to the two ends of the arc portion;

[0013] Side expanding members are connected to both the first connecting member and the second connecting member, and the side expanding members are used to cooperate with the first expanding member and the second expanding member to expand and widen the corners of the mouth of the rodent. The side expanding member can be perpendicularly connected to the first connecting member and the second connecting member, or connected at 30°, 45°, or 60°. The first expanding member, the second expanding member, and the side expanding member can be in the shapes of U-shaped, semi-circular, semi-elliptical, trapezoidal, etc. The first connecting member and the second connecting member can be electric push rods; hydraulic rods; or a sleeve and a rod fixed by a tightening nut; or there are multiple adjustment holes on the rod and one fixing hole on the sleeve and then fixed by a pin.

[0014] Optionally, the above-mentioned rodent mouth opener further includes two tooth fasteners for inserting the upper and lower front teeth of the rodent into them.

[0015] Optionally, for the above-mentioned rodent mouth opener, the two tooth fasteners are respectively connected to the arc portions of the first expanding member and the second expanding member. The first expanding member and the second expanding member are used to expand and widen the upper and lower jaws of the rodent, and the two side expanding members are used to expand and widen the corners of the mouth.

[0016] Optionally, for the above-mentioned rodent mouth opener, the tooth fastener is a grid plate. The grid plate can be a single square frame, a "day" character type, a "mesh" character type, etc.

[0017] Optionally, for the above-mentioned rodent mouth opener, the first connecting member and the ends of the first expanding member and the second expanding member on the same side, the sleeve and the rod are telescopically engaged, and a threaded hole is opened on the side of the sleeve, and the tightening nut is threadedly engaged with the threaded hole for tightening and fixing;

[0018] The second connecting member and the ends of the first expanding member and the second expanding member on the other same side, the sleeve and the rod are telescopically engaged, and a threaded hole is opened on the side of the sleeve, and the tightening nut is threadedly engaged with the threaded hole for tightening and fixing.

[0019] Optionally, for the above-mentioned rodent mouth opener, the side expanding member is a U-shaped spring.

[0020] Optionally, for the above-mentioned rodent mouth opener, a soft jaw pad is connected to the horizontal grids of the grid plate. The soft jaw pad can be cotton cloth, sponge, rubber pad, silicone pad, etc.

[0021] Optionally, in the above-mentioned rodent mouth opening device, the first and second opening members are U-shaped; the first and second connecting members are generally straight, with a U-shaped side opening member vertically connected in the middle.

[0022] The above-mentioned method of using a rodent mouth opener involves first loosening the top nut, roughly adjusting the opening size, tightening the top nut, then inserting the animal's upper front teeth into the tooth clips on the first opening member, and then inserting the lower front teeth into the tooth clips on the second opening member. The first and second opening members initially open the animal's upper and lower jaws. Next, loosen the top nut again, further adjust the opening size to a suitable position, and rotate the first and second connecting members to adjust the side opening member to a suitable position, then tighten the adjusting nut.

[0023] The beneficial effects of this invention are:

[0024] 1. This invention features a symmetrical structural design, which makes it less likely to cause the rodent's head to move from side to side, and is easy to operate.

[0025] 2. The mouth opener of the present invention can adjust the mouth size of rodents in multiple ways. The tooth clips at the upper and lower front teeth can slightly adjust the mouth size of rodents. The U-shaped spring design can also adjust the mouth size. More importantly, the sleeve rod and tightening nut design can finely adjust the mouth size to prevent excessive opening and tearing of the corners of the rodent's mouth.

[0026] 3. The U-shaped spring of the present invention can open the mouth angle, realizing a multi-purpose mouth opener, widening the operating field of vision, and the smooth U-shaped design will not hurt the animal when opening the mouth angle of the rodent, making it safe to use.

[0027] 4. The rodent mouth opener of the present invention is easy to operate and provides a wide field of vision during use. Attached Figure Description

[0028] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of a rodent mouth opening device provided by the present invention;

[0029] Figure 2 This is a top view schematic diagram of a rodent mouth opening provided by the present invention;

[0030] Figure 3 This is a front view schematic diagram of a rodent mouth opening provided by the present invention;

[0031] Figure 4 This is a right-side view of the structure of a rodent mouth opening provided by the present invention;

[0032] Figure 5 This is a partially enlarged schematic diagram of the structure at the sleeve and rod.

[0033] In the diagram: 1. Sleeve; 2. Sleeve rod; 3. Tightening nut; 4. U-shaped spring; 5. Tooth clip; 6. Jaw pad. Detailed Implementation

[0034] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of the present invention clearer, the technical solutions of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present invention, and not all embodiments. The components of the embodiments of the present invention described and shown in the accompanying drawings can generally be arranged and designed in various different configurations.

[0035] It should be noted that similar labels and letters in the following figures indicate similar items. Therefore, once an item is defined in one figure, it does not need to be further defined and explained in subsequent figures.

[0036] In the description of this invention, it should be noted that the terms "center," "upper," "lower," "left," and "right," etc., indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings, or the orientation or positional relationship commonly used when the product of this invention is in use. They are used only for the convenience of describing the invention and for simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the opening or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, they should not be construed as limitations on the invention. Furthermore, the terms "first," "second," and "third," etc., are used only to distinguish descriptions and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance. In the description of this invention, unless otherwise stated, "a plurality of" means two or more.

[0037] In the description of this invention, it should be noted that, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "installation," "connection," "linking," etc., should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; they can refer to a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; and they can refer to the internal communication between two components. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this invention based on the specific circumstances.

[0038] Example 1

[0039] Combined with appendix Figure 1 , 2 A rodent mouth opening apparatus, comprising:

[0040] A first expander and a second expander, both used to expand and widen the upper and lower jaws of a rodent;

[0041] A first connector and a second connector;

[0042] The ends of the first and second expansion members on the same side are telescopically engaged with the first connecting member, and the ends on the other side are telescopically engaged with the second connecting member, in order to adjust the opening size of the first and second expansion members.

[0043] Both the first and second support members include an arc-shaped portion and two straight portions, with the two straight portions connected to the two ends of the arc-shaped portion;

[0044] Both the first connector and the second connector are connected to side-spreading members, which are used to cooperate with the first and second spreaders to open and enlarge the corners of the rodent's mouth.

[0045] The first and second support components are U-shaped sleeves 1, the first and second connecting components are sleeve rods 2, and the side support component is a U-shaped spring 4.

[0046] The two U-shaped sleeves, two rods, and two tightening nuts constitute the elliptical mouth opener of this rodent mouth opener. The U-shaped sleeves have threaded holes on their sides. The sleeves and rods are connected as a whole by tightening nuts threaded into the threaded holes. The rods can be extended or retracted within the sleeves to easily adjust the opening size of the mouth opener. A tooth catch is connected to the middle of the sleeve, which engages with the upper and lower front teeth of the rodent to fit over them. A jaw pad is connected to the tooth catch to prevent injury to the rodent's mouth. A U-shaped spring is connected to the middle of the rod, providing elasticity to open the corners of the rodent's mouth and assisting in adjusting the opening size.

[0047] The tooth clips 5 are fixed to the middle of the sleeve 1. Both the upper and lower tooth clips 5 are U-shaped, which can slightly adjust the opening size and are used to hold the upper and lower front teeth of rodents. The jaw pad 6 can be made of soft rubber, which effectively avoids additional damage to experimental animals caused by the pressure of the mouth gag during surgery and improves the comfort of experimental animals.

[0048] The U-shaped spring 4 is located in the middle of the left and right sleeve rods 2. By adjusting the size of the "U"-shaped opening, its size can be further adjusted to match the mouth opening degree of the rodent. In addition, the "U"-shaped part extends into the rodent's oral cavity to open the mouth angle, widening the operating field of vision and realizing the multi-purpose of a mouth opener. The smooth U-shaped design will not injure the animal when opening the corners of the rodent's mouth, making it safe to use.

[0049] The sleeves 1 are two symmetrically arranged, one above the other. The sleeves 1 and the sleeve rod 2 are used together to connect the entire mouth opener into a whole. The sleeve rod 2 can be adjusted in size to precisely match the mouth opening degree of rodents by extending and retracting inside the sleeves 1 and tightening the nut 3.

[0050] Example 2

[0051] A method for using a rodent mouth opener: First, loosen the top nut to roughly adjust the opening size, then tighten the top nut. Next, insert the animal's upper front teeth into the tooth clips on the first opening member, and then insert the lower front teeth into the tooth clips on the second opening member. The first and second opening members initially open the animal's upper and lower jaws. Then, loosen the top nut again to further adjust the opening size to a suitable position, and rotate the first and second connecting members to adjust the side opening member to a suitable position, and tighten the adjusting nut.

[0052] The present invention and its embodiments have been described above. This description is not restrictive, and the accompanying drawings are only one embodiment of the present invention; the actual structure is not limited thereto. In conclusion, if those skilled in the art are inspired by this description and design similar structures and embodiments without departing from the spirit of the invention, such designs should fall within the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A rodent mouth opening, characterized in that, Comprising: A first spreading member and a second spreading member, both for spreading and enlarging the upper and lower jaws of a rodent; A first connecting member and a second connecting member; The ends on the same side of the first spreading member and the second spreading member are telescopically engaged with the first connecting member, and the ends on the other same side are telescopically engaged with the second connecting member, so as to adjust the spreading size of the first spreading member and the second spreading member; Both the first spreading member and the second spreading member include an arc portion and two straight portions, and the two straight portions are connected to the two ends of the arc portion; Side spreading members are connected to both the first connecting member and the second connecting member, and the side spreading members are used to cooperate with the first spreading member and the second spreading member to spread and enlarge the corners of the rodent's mouth; The first spreading member and the second spreading member are U-shaped sleeves, the first connecting member and the second connecting member are sleeve rods, and the side spreading members are U-shaped springs; The first connecting member is telescopically engaged with the sleeve and the sleeve rod at the end on the same side of the first spreading member and the second spreading member, and a threaded hole is formed on the side of the sleeve, and the tightening nut is threadedly engaged with the threaded hole for tightening and fixing; The second connecting member is telescopically engaged with the sleeve and the sleeve rod at the end on the other same side of the first spreading member and the second spreading member, and a threaded hole is formed on the side of the sleeve, and the tightening nut is threadedly engaged with the threaded hole for tightening and fixing; It further includes two tooth clasps for sleeving the teeth of the rodent therein. The two tooth clasps are respectively connected to the arc portions of the first spreading member and the second spreading member. The first spreading member and the second spreading member are used to spread and enlarge the upper and lower jaws of the rodent, and the two side spreading members are used to spread and enlarge the corners of the mouth; During use, first loosen the tightening nut, roughly adjust the opening size, tighten the tightening nut, then insert the upper front teeth of the animal into the tooth clasp on the first spreading member, and then insert the lower front teeth into the tooth clasp on the second spreading member. The first spreading member and the second spreading member initially spread the upper and lower jaws of the animal; loosen the tightening nut again, further adjust the opening size to a suitable position, and rotate the first connecting member and the second connecting member to adjust the side spreading members to a suitable position, and tighten the adjusting nut.

2. The rodent mouth opening device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The tooth clasp is a grid plate.

3. A rodent mouth opening device according to claim 2, characterized in that, Soft jaw pads are connected to the horizontal grids of the grid plate.

4. A rodent mouth opening device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first spreading member and the second spreading member are U-shaped; the first connecting member and the second connecting member are straight as a whole, and a U-shaped side spreading member is vertically connected in the middle.

5. A rodent mouth opening device according to claim 2, characterized in that, The grid plate is "mesh" shaped.

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