Buccal device for radiotherapy

Abstract

The utility model discloses a mouth holding device for radiotherapy, which relates to the field of medical instruments and comprises a bite block playing a supporting role, and the shape of the bite block is an arc matched with the distribution shape of teeth; positioning grooves are formed in the upper surface and the lower surface of the biting block; two low-temperature thermoplastic plates are respectively connected with the positioning grooves through positioning connecting structures; a vent hole is formed in the biting block and penetrates through the inner side and the outer side of the biting block. Individualized manufacturing can be carried out according to the shapes and distribution positions of teeth of a patient, it is ensured that the positions of the teeth of the patient are the same when the teeth bite the oral device every time, and therefore the situation that the positions of internal and external organs of the oral cavity are different during radiotherapy is avoided, the distance between the upper jaw and the lower jaw is enlarged, and the purposes of accurate radiotherapy position and radiotherapy side effect relieving are achieved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of medical devices, and in particular to a mouthpiece for radiotherapy. Background Technology

[0002] Radiotherapy is a common and highly effective treatment for head and neck tumors. During radiotherapy, organs in the oral cavity and temporomandibular joint are irradiated to varying degrees, especially tumors of the oral and maxillofacial region. To avoid high doses of radiation to the tongue, oral mucosa, and mandible, a mouthpiece is used before radiotherapy to separate the upper and lower teeth, increasing the distance between the upper and lower jaws. This reduces the radiation dose to the oral mucosa, tongue, and mandible, thus minimizing adverse reactions.

[0003] During radiotherapy, commonly used mouthpieces are made of wood or plastic. However, wood or plastic mouthpieces cannot ensure that the teeth occlusion position is the same every time, which can lead to differences in the position of oral organs. Furthermore, when positioning the patient's head and neck, even using a prepared positioning membrane can still result in positional errors such as rotation. Therefore, a new mouthpiece is needed. Utility Model Content

[0004] The purpose of this invention is to address the aforementioned problems by providing a mouthpiece for radiotherapy. Through steps such as heating, biting, and cooling molding, it can be individually manufactured according to the shape and distribution of the patient's teeth, ensuring that the patient's teeth bite in the same way each time. This avoids differences in the position of oral organs during radiotherapy and reduces positional errors of head and neck organs, thereby improving treatment accuracy and reducing the side effects of radiotherapy.

[0005] The technical solution adopted by this utility model is as follows: a mouthpiece for radiotherapy includes a bite block that provides support. The bite block is arc-shaped to match the distribution shape of the teeth. Positioning grooves are provided on the upper and lower surfaces of the bite block. Two low-temperature thermoplastic plates are respectively connected to the positioning grooves through a positioning connection structure. A vent hole is provided on the bite block, which penetrates the inner and outer sides of the bite block.

[0006] Furthermore, the positioning connection structure includes positioning posts disposed on the side wall of the positioning groove and positioning holes disposed on the side wall of the low-temperature thermoplastic plate, wherein the distribution and size of the positioning holes match those of the positioning posts.

[0007] Furthermore, the positioning connection structure also includes a connection hole at the bottom of the positioning groove and a connection post on one end face of the low-temperature thermoplastic plate, with the distribution and size of the connection hole and the connection post matching.

[0008] Furthermore, the center of the vent is located on the mid-plane of the bite block.

[0009] Furthermore, a tongue depressor is fixed to the inner wall of the bite block.

[0010] Furthermore, the mid-plane of the tongue depressor coincides with the mid-plane of the bite block.

[0011] Furthermore, a positioning block is provided on the front end face of the biting block.

[0012] Furthermore, the center surface of the positioning block coincides with the center surface of the biting block, and the vent hole passes through the positioning block.

[0013] In summary, due to the adoption of the above technical solution, the beneficial effects of this utility model are:

[0014] This invention utilizes a bite block fitted with a low-temperature thermoplastic plate, on which the shape and relative distribution of teeth are imprinted. This allows for individualized manufacturing based on the shape and distribution of the patient's teeth, ensuring consistent occlusion each time and thus avoiding discrepancies in the position of oral organs during radiotherapy, thereby reducing the side effects of radiotherapy. During treatment, a positioning block is used in conjunction with a prepared positioning membrane to locate the patient's head and neck, reducing positional errors and improving the precision of tumor treatment. Attached Figure Description

[0015] This utility model will be described by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

[0016] Figure 1 This is a three-dimensional structural diagram of the mouthpiece disclosed in this utility model;

[0017] Figure 2 This is a cross-sectional structural diagram of the mouthpiece disclosed in this utility model;

[0018] Markings in the diagram: 1-Biting block; 11-Positioning groove; 12-Positioning post; 13-Connecting hole; 14-Ventilation hole; 2-Low temperature thermoplastic plate; 21-Positioning hole; 22-Connecting post; 3-Positioning block; 4-Tongue depressor. Detailed Implementation

[0019] In the description of this specification, it should be noted that if terms such as "center," "upper," "lower," "left," "right," "vertical," "horizontal," "inner," or "outer" appear to 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 is in use, they are only for the convenience of describing this specification and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or component referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore should not be construed as a limitation of this specification.

[0020] Furthermore, the use of terms such as "horizontal" or "vertical" in this specification does not imply that the component must be absolutely horizontal or suspended, but rather that it can be slightly tilted. For example, "horizontal" simply means that its direction is more horizontal relative to "vertical," and does not mean that the structure must be completely horizontal, but can be slightly tilted.

[0021] In the description of this specification, it should also be noted that, unless otherwise expressly specified and limited, the terms “set up,” “install,” “connect,” and “link” should be interpreted broadly. For example, a link can be a fixed link, a detachable link, or an integral link; it can be a mechanical link or an electrical link; it can be a direct link or an indirect link through an intermediate medium; it can be a connection within two components.

[0022] Example 1

[0023] like Figures 1-2 As shown, a mouthpiece for radiotherapy includes a bite block 1 that provides support. The bite block 1 is made of a hard, high-temperature resistant material. The shape of the bite block 1 is an arc that matches the distribution of teeth, allowing the patient's upper and lower teeth to bite onto the upper and lower surfaces of the bite block 1 respectively. Positioning grooves 11 are provided on both the upper and lower surfaces of the bite block 1. The shape of the positioning grooves 11 matches the shape of the bite block 1, and the positioning grooves 11 have only two sidewalls (front and back) to ensure that the patient's teeth can engage with the bottom of the positioning grooves 11. Two low-temperature thermoplastic plates 2 are connected to the positioning grooves 11 via positioning connection structures. That is, the low-temperature thermoplastic plates 2 are installed inside the positioning grooves 11 via positioning connection structures, and one end face of the low-temperature thermoplastic plates 2 can be in contact with the bottom of the positioning grooves 11. A vent 14 is provided on the bite block 1, which penetrates the inner and outer sides of the bite block 1 for gas exchange between the patient's oral cavity and the external environment.

[0024] Specifically, before installing the low-temperature thermoplastic plate 2, it is first heated to soften it. Then, the softened plate is installed in the positioning groove 11 using a positioning connection structure, thus completing the installation. During use, the mouthpiece is heated to soften the thermoplastic plate, then placed in the patient's mouth, and the patient bites down on the positioning groove 11 on the bite block 1. The softened thermoplastic plate 2 will imprint the shape and relative distribution of the patient's teeth. As the temperature of the thermoplastic plate 2 gradually decreases, it gradually solidifies, completing the tooth imprint and further completing the fabrication of the mouthpiece. Each time the patient undergoes radiotherapy, the fixed mouthpiece can be used for positioning, serving as an auxiliary treatment. This allows for individualized fabrication based on the shape and distribution of the patient's teeth, ensuring consistent occlusion each time and avoiding differences in the position of oral organs during radiotherapy, thereby reducing the side effects of radiotherapy.

[0025] Example 2

[0026] Based on Example 1, further feasible implementation methods are proposed.

[0027] In one feasible implementation, the positioning connection structure includes a positioning post 12 disposed on the side wall of the positioning groove 11 and a positioning hole 21 disposed on the upper side wall of the low-temperature thermoplastic plate 2. The axial direction of the positioning post 12 is perpendicular to the depth direction of the positioning groove 11. After the low-temperature thermoplastic plate 2 is installed, the axial direction of the positioning hole 21 is also perpendicular to the depth direction of the positioning groove 11. The distribution and size of the positioning hole 21 and the positioning post 12 are matched, that is, the positioning post 12 can be inserted into the positioning hole 21.

[0028] It should be noted that since the low-temperature thermoplastic board 2 is in a softened state when it is installed, the presence of the positioning post 12 will not interfere with the installation of the low-temperature thermoplastic board 2 into the positioning groove 11.

[0029] In this embodiment, the positioning post 12 and the positioning hole 21 can be used to position the low-temperature thermoplastic plate 2, and the low-temperature thermoplastic plate 2 will not fall out of the positioning groove 11.

[0030] In one feasible implementation, the positioning connection structure further includes a connecting hole 13 at the bottom of the positioning groove 11 and a connecting post 22 on one end face of the low temperature thermoplastic plate 2. The axis of the connecting hole 13 is parallel to the depth direction of the positioning groove 11. The distribution and size of the connecting hole 13 and the connecting post 22 are matched. By inserting the connecting post 22 into the connecting hole 13, the stability of the positioning connection structure installed in the positioning groove 11 is further increased.

[0031] In one feasible implementation, the center of the vent 14 is located on the mid-surface of the bite block 1. This design is ergonomic and avoids the oral cavity wall from blocking the vent 14, thus ensuring the stability of gas flow exchange between the patient's oral cavity and the outside.

[0032] In one feasible implementation, a tongue depressor 4 is fixed on the inner wall of the bite block 1. The tongue depressor 4 is used to press down the patient's tongue to fix the position of the tongue.

[0033] In one feasible implementation, the middle surface of the tongue depressor 4 coincides with the middle surface of the bite block 1, which is also ergonomically adapted.

[0034] Example 3

[0035] Based on any one of the implementation methods in Examples 1-2, further specific implementation methods that can be implemented are proposed.

[0036] In one feasible implementation, a positioning block 3 is provided on the front end face of the bite block 1. The positioning block 3 is used to position the base of the positioning film covering the patient's face. That is, when preparing the positioning film, the patient holds the mouthpiece in their mouth, and the positioning film covers the patient's face. Using the positioning block 3 as a mold, after the positioning film is cured, it will form a positioning groove that matches the size of the positioning block 3. Thus, in the subsequent radiotherapy process, the positioning groove on the positioning film can match the positioning block 3 to achieve positioning of the patient's head and neck, and reduce the positional error of the head and neck, thereby improving the accuracy of tumor treatment.

[0037] In one feasible implementation, the center surface of the positioning block 3 coincides with the center surface of the biting block 1, which can improve the positioning accuracy; the vent 14 passes through the positioning block 3, so as to avoid the positioning block 3 blocking the vent 14 and ensure smooth ventilation.

[0038] This invention is not limited to the specific embodiments described above. This invention extends to any new feature or combination disclosed in this specification, as well as any new method or process step or combination disclosed herein.

Claims

1. A mouthpiece for radiotherapy, characterised in that: The application relates to a bite block (1) which serves as a support and has an arc shape matching the tooth distribution shape; the upper surface and the lower surface of the bite block (1) are provided with positioning grooves (11); two low-temperature thermoplastic plates (2) are connected with the positioning grooves (11) through positioning connecting structures; and the bite block (1) is provided with air holes (14) penetrating the inner and outer sides of the bite block (1).

2. The mouthpiece of claim 1, wherein: The positioning connecting structure comprises positioning columns (12) arranged on the side walls of the positioning grooves (11) and positioning holes (21) arranged on the side walls of the low-temperature thermoplastic plates (2), and the positioning holes (21) and the positioning columns (12) are matched in distribution and size.

3. The mouthpiece of claim 2, wherein: The positioning connecting structure further comprises connecting holes (13) arranged on the bottoms of the positioning grooves (11) and connecting columns (22) arranged on one end surface of the low-temperature thermoplastic plates (2), and the connecting holes (13) and the connecting columns (22) are matched in distribution and size.

4. The mouthpiece of claim 1, wherein: The center of the air holes (14) is located on the median surface of the bite block (1).

5. The mouthpiece of claim 1, wherein: The inner side wall of the bite block (1) is fixed with a tongue depressor (4).

6. The mouthpiece of claim 5, wherein: The median surface of the tongue depressor (4) is coincident with the median surface of the bite block (1).

7. The mouthpiece according to any one of claims 1-6, characterized in that: The front end surface of the bite block (1) is provided with a positioning block (3).

8. The mouthpiece of claim 7, wherein: The median surface of the positioning block (3) is coincident with the median surface of the bite block (1), and the air holes (14) pass through the positioning block (3).

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