Oral cavity fixing device for head and neck tumor radiotherapy

Abstract

The utility model discloses an oral cavity fixing device for head and neck tumor radiotherapy, and relates to the technical field of medical instruments. Comprising an upper tooth socket and a lower tooth socket, and a tongue depressor is arranged on the lower tooth socket; the front ends of the upper tooth socket and the lower tooth socket are rotationally connected; a sliding block is arranged between the upper tooth socket and the lower tooth socket in a sliding manner; a clamping mechanism for driving the sliding block to move is arranged on the lower tooth socket in a sliding manner; a plurality of clamping grooves for limiting the clamping mechanism are formed in the lower tooth socket; the oral cavity fixing device is also provided with a mouth moistening mechanism; a clamping groove, a sliding block and a clamping mechanism are matched, the opening angle of the upper tooth socket and the lower tooth socket can be adjusted and fixed, and the consistency of the opening angle of the oral cavity of the same patient during radiotherapy each time is ensured; the mouth moistening mechanism achieves autonomous control of the patient, relieves the symptom of dry mouth, and avoids the situation that the patient coughs autonomously when dry mouth is hard to tolerate, and consequently the positioning accuracy is affected. According to the utility model, the fixation of the oral cavity during radiotherapy of the head and neck is effectively ensured, the accuracy of radiotherapy is improved, and the smooth proceeding of radiotherapy is ensured.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of medical device technology, and in particular to an oral fixation device for radiotherapy of head and neck tumors. Background Technology

[0002] Radiation therapy uses radiation to treat diseases. The principle is that the energy produced by appropriate amounts of radiation can damage the chromosomes of cells, causing them to stop growing and thus eliminating rapidly dividing and growing cancer cells. Radiation therapy is most commonly used as a direct or adjuvant treatment for cancer. Radiation therapy usually requires positioning. Positioning involves adjusting the patient's body posture to accurately target the tumor, ensuring that the radiation accurately reaches the clinical target area during each treatment session. To reduce acute and late-stage radiation damage to the patient's oral cavity, many simple oral fixation devices (such as corks, bottle caps, tongue depressors, etc.) can, to some extent, push surrounding normal tissue away from the target area (i.e., the planned irradiation area), reducing the radiation dose to normal tissue and the occurrence of adverse reactions. Patients undergoing head and neck radiation therapy often experience complications such as dry mouth and oral ulcers. The duration of a single head and neck radiation therapy session varies from a few minutes to an hour. When a single treatment session is long, patients may experience unbearable dry mouth and involuntary coughing, affecting the accuracy of positioning.

[0003] Chinese utility model patent CN210331404U discloses a head tumor radiotherapy mouthpiece, relating to the field of medical devices. This head tumor radiotherapy mouthpiece includes an upper dental sleeve and a lower dental sleeve. The bottom of the upper dental sleeve has an upper threaded sleeve, and the top of the lower dental sleeve has a lower threaded sleeve. The threads of the upper and lower threaded sleeves are in opposite directions, and a double-ended stud connects the upper and lower threaded sleeves. The distance between the upper and lower dental sleeves can be adjusted by the upper threaded sleeve, lower threaded sleeve, and double-ended stud, allowing the radiotherapy mouthpiece to fit different patients and improve patient comfort. However, this utility model has the following two problems when used for oral fixation:

[0004] 1. This utility model is difficult to operate. While it can be adapted to different patients, the threaded adjustment method makes it difficult to record the opening size. Patients must insert the radiotherapy mouthpiece with their mouths wide open during subsequent radiotherapy sessions and store it properly after each session to prevent the threads from rotating. Otherwise, inconsistencies in positioning during each radiotherapy session can easily occur, affecting the accuracy of the radiation position. The requirements for radiotherapy positioning and the radiotherapy mouthpiece are too high, making it difficult to operate in practice.

[0005] 2. This invention cannot prevent patients from experiencing dry mouth and coughing. Coughing can easily affect the accuracy of positioning, impact treatment effectiveness, and harm the health of normal body parts. Summary of the Invention

[0006] This invention provides an oral fixation device for radiotherapy of head and neck tumors, aiming to solve the problems of existing head tumor radiotherapy mouthpieces being difficult to operate and unable to solve dry mouth and cough, thereby improving the accuracy of radiotherapy positioning and ensuring the radiotherapy effect as much as possible.

[0007] To achieve the above objectives, the technical approach adopted by this utility model to solve its technical problem is as follows:

[0008] Design an oral fixation device for head and neck tumor radiotherapy. By rotating the front ends of the upper and lower dental braces together and using a slider with a locking mechanism, the opening angle of the upper and lower dental braces can be adjusted and fixed. By setting a mouth-lubricating mechanism, patients can control the spraying of a mist of liquid when they have a dry mouth, thereby relieving the symptoms of dry mouth and avoiding coughing.

[0009] To achieve the above objectives, the technical solution adopted by this utility model to solve its technical problem is as follows:

[0010] An oral fixation device for radiotherapy of head and neck tumors includes an upper dental brace and a lower dental brace, wherein a tongue depressor is provided on the lower dental brace;

[0011] The front ends of the upper and lower dental braces are rotatably connected;

[0012] A slider is provided between the upper and lower dental braces;

[0013] The lower dental brace is equipped with a clamping mechanism for driving the slider to move.

[0014] Furthermore, the clamping mechanism includes a clamping sleeve and a movable clamping block;

[0015] The clamping sleeve is connected to the slider;

[0016] The movable locking block is slidably sleeved inside the locking sleeve, and a compression spring is provided between the movable locking block and the locking sleeve.

[0017] Furthermore, the lower dental brace has multiple slots for limiting the movement of the movable locking block.

[0018] Furthermore, the oral fixation device is also provided with a mouth-warming mechanism, which is connected to the clamping sleeve.

[0019] Furthermore, the moistening mechanism includes a nozzle, a conduit, and a flexible water bag;

[0020] The two ends of the conduit are detachably connected to the nozzle and the flexible water bag, respectively.

[0021] Furthermore, the tongue depressor has holes.

[0022] The beneficial effects of this utility model are as follows: Compared with the prior art, the improvement of this utility model lies in that...

[0023] 1. This utility model uses a torsion spring to movably connect the upper and lower braces. A groove is made on the lower brace, and a locking mechanism can push the slider to adjust the angle between the upper and lower braces. By engaging the movable blocks in different grooves, the opening angle of the upper and lower braces can be adjusted and fixed. Compared with adjusting the distance between the upper and lower braces by threads, this utility model can record the opening angle, ensuring that the patient's mouth opens at the same angle during each radiotherapy session. This improves the consistency and accuracy of positioning and ensures that the radiation accurately irradiates the clinical target area during each radiotherapy session.

[0024] 2. This utility model incorporates a mouth-moistening mechanism and places a flexible water bag in the patient's hand, allowing the patient to control the mechanism independently. When the patient feels dry mouth, they can squeeze the flexible water bag to control the nozzle to spray a mist of liquid, relieving the symptoms of dry mouth and preventing the patient from coughing involuntarily when their mouth is unbearably dry. This avoids head and neck displacement caused by coughing, which is beneficial for the smooth progress of radiotherapy, helps improve the accuracy of radiotherapy, and reduces complications. It is especially suitable for patients with severe dry mouth who are undergoing radiotherapy with a long single treatment duration. Attached Figure Description

[0025] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of this utility model, the accompanying drawings used in the embodiments will be briefly described below.

[0026] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the overall structure as seen from the front in Embodiment 1 of this utility model;

[0027] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the overall structure in rear view according to Embodiment 1 of this utility model;

[0028] Figure 3 yes Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the middle slider;

[0029] Figure 4 This is a cross-sectional schematic diagram of the slider engaging in the groove in Embodiment 1;

[0030] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the overall structure in Embodiment 2 of this utility model;

[0031] Figure 6 yes Figure 5 Schematic diagram of the middle slider and nozzle;

[0032] In the picture:

[0033] 1. Braces; 11. T-plate;

[0034] 2. Lower braces;

[0035] 3. Tongue depressor; 31. Hole;

[0036] 4. Torsion spring;

[0037] 5. Slide groove; 51. Slot;

[0038] 6. Slider; 61. Clamping mechanism; 611. Clamping sleeve; 612. Movable latch; 613. Compression spring; 614. Operating lever;

[0039] 7. Wetting mechanism; 71. Nozzle; 72. Conduit; 73. Flexible water bag. Detailed Implementation

[0040] The technical solutions in the embodiments of this utility model will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments, not all embodiments. Example 1

[0041] refer to Figure 1-4 This utility model provides an oral fixation device for head and neck tumor radiotherapy, including an upper dental brace 1 and a lower dental brace 2. The front ends of the upper dental brace 1 and the lower dental brace 2, near the root of the tongue, are rotatably connected by a torsion spring 4. The lower dental brace 2 is provided with a tongue depressor 3 to restrict the movement of the tongue. The lower dental brace 2 has a sliding groove 5, and multiple slots 51 extending through the sliding groove 5 along its thickness direction are formed in the sliding groove 5. A slider 6 is slidably connected between the upper dental brace 1 and the lower dental brace 2. The rear end of the slider 6 is connected to a locking mechanism 61. When the slider 6 slides to an appropriate position in the sliding groove 5, the locking mechanism 61 is engaged with the slot 51 to limit the slider 6. Preferably, the slots 51 can be marked with different numbers for differentiation, which is a conventional design and is not shown in the figure. Correspondingly, a T-shaped plate 11 is connected to the upper dental brace 1. The T-shaped plate 11 is used to connect the torsion spring 4 and limit the upper part of the slider 6. The slider 6 slides within the groove 5, which can adjust the opening angle of the upper brace 1 and the lower brace 2.

[0042] The clamping mechanism 61 includes a clamping sleeve 611, a movable locking block 612, and a compression spring 613. The movable locking block 612 is slidably sleeved on the lower end of the clamping sleeve 611, and the compression spring 613 is provided between the movable locking block 612 and the clamping sleeve 611. An operating rod 614 is provided at the rear end of the movable locking block 612. In the initial state, the slider 6 and the clamping mechanism 61 are located at the rear end of the oral cavity, that is, near the incisors, and the upper brace 1 and the lower brace 2 are nearly closed. When the operating rod 614 is pulled upward, the compression spring 613 is compressed, and the movable locking block 612 disengages from the slot 51. At this time, the clamping sleeve 611 is pushed, which drives the slider 6 to slide along the groove 5. When it slides to the appropriate position, the operating rod 614 is released, the movable locking block 612 is locked by the slot 51, and the slider 6 is fixed between the upper brace 1 and the lower brace 2.

[0043] The movable locking block 612 is engaged in the slot 51 at an appropriate position and recorded. During subsequent radiotherapy, the sliding locking block 612 is engaged in the same slot 51 to ensure that the angle of the patient's mouth opening is the same each time. When patients undergo multiple radiotherapy sessions for the head and neck, it is necessary to maintain the same position each time. For this purpose, the patient needs to hold this utility model in their mouth to open their mouth at a certain angle, so as to avoid the movement of the teeth and tongue during radiotherapy causing movement of the head and neck bones and muscles. However, the angle of mouth opening varies from patient to patient. Therefore, the slider 6 is used to adjust the opening angle so that this utility model can be suitable for different patients.

[0044] Patients undergoing head and neck radiotherapy often experience oral ulcers and dry mouth. When the radiotherapy process is long, severe dry mouth may cause uncontrollable coughing, which in turn may cause changes in the patient's body position. Therefore, this utility model also includes a mouth moistening mechanism 7, which keeps the patient's mouth moist by spraying the mouth, thereby ensuring the normal progress of radiotherapy.

[0045] The upper dental brace 1, lower dental brace 2, tongue depressor 3, and slider 6 of this utility model are preferably made of medical hard plastic material that is resistant to high-temperature sterilization. Example 2

[0046] Based on Embodiment 1, in order to enable patient self-control and activate the mouth moistening mechanism 7 when dry mouth occurs, thereby improving patient comfort and ensuring the smooth progress of radiotherapy, Embodiment 2 provides a preferred solution for the mouth moistening mechanism 7.

[0047] refer to Figure 5-6 The spraying mechanism includes a nozzle 71, a conduit 72, and a flexible water bag 73. The nozzle 71 is mounted on a clamping sleeve 611. A connecting pipe is provided at the rear end of the nozzle 71. One end of the conduit 72 is detachably connected to the connecting pipe, and the other end is detachably connected to the flexible water bag 73. The nozzle 71 is preferably a bidirectional atomizing nozzle that produces fine mist and has a slow spray speed, capable of spraying mist-like liquid in both upward and downward directions.

[0048] In practical use, the flexible water bag 73 can be placed in the patient's hand. When the patient feels dry mouth or oral pain, they can squeeze the flexible water bag 73 to spray liquid from the nozzle 71. Preferably, to achieve good oral hydration and a certain analgesic effect, the flexible water bag 73 is preferably filled with ice-cold water. Of course, the flexible water bag 73 can be replaced with other items such as syringes or collapsible water bottles, as long as they can hold liquid and the patient can control the liquid to be sprayed through the nozzle 71.

[0049] In order to better moisten the tongue and prevent patients from coughing due to dry tongue during radiotherapy, which would affect their posture, the tongue depressor 3 is provided with holes 31. The holes 31 can also increase the friction between the tongue and the tongue depressor 3, and better fix the patient's tongue.

[0050] The following describes the method of using an oral fixation device for head and neck tumor radiotherapy, taking oral fixation during head and neck radiotherapy as an example.

[0051] Step 1: The patient removes earrings, hair clips, and other items, puts on a thin patient gown, and lies flat on the radiotherapy bed in a comfortable position.

[0052] Step 2: Place the upper and lower dental braces 1 into the patient's mouth and secure them firmly against the patient's teeth. Pull up the operating lever 614 to disengage the movable block 612 from the slot 51. Then push the clamping sleeve 611 forward to allow the slider 6 to slide within the groove 5. Once it reaches the appropriate position, release the operating lever 614 to allow the movable block 612 to engage with the corresponding slot 51, opening the patient's mouth to a suitable angle. Record the slot 51 number to ensure that the slider 6 is placed in the same position during each subsequent radiotherapy session.

[0053] Step 3: After softening the thermoplastic positioning film with an opening in the oral cavity, cover it over the patient's head and neck. After properly connecting the catheter 72 and the nozzle 71, press the thermoplastic positioning film to make it fit tightly against the patient's head and neck, and wait for the thermoplastic positioning film to set.

[0054] Step 4: The radiotherapy technician fills the flexible water bag 73 with an appropriate amount of chilled boiled water, connects the catheter 72 to the flexible water bag 73, and places the flexible water bag 73 into the patient's hand.

[0055] Step 5: The radiotherapy technician starts the machine to perform radiotherapy on the patient. During the treatment, if the patient feels thirsty, he / she can squeeze the flexible water bag 73 to make the nozzle 71 spray out a mist of liquid.

[0056] Step 6: After the radiotherapy is completed, the radiotherapy technician disconnects the connection between the catheter 72 and the flexible water bag 73, removes the thermoplastic positioning film and this utility model, records the number of the slot 51, and properly stores the thermoplastic positioning film and this utility model for continued use in the next radiotherapy to ensure the consistency of the radiotherapy position.

[0057] It should be understood that the above detailed description of the embodiments of the present invention provided in the accompanying drawings is not intended to limit the scope of the claimed invention, but merely to illustrate selected embodiments of the invention. All other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art based on the embodiments of the present invention without inventive effort are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. An oral fixation device for radiotherapy of head and neck tumors, comprising an upper dental brace (1) and a lower dental brace (2), wherein a tongue depressor (3) is provided on the lower dental brace (2); Its features are: The front ends of the upper dental brace (1) and the lower dental brace (2) are rotatably connected; A slider (6) is provided between the upper brace (1) and the lower brace (2); The lower dental brace (2) is slidably provided with a clamping mechanism (61) for driving the slider (6) to move. The clamping mechanism (61) includes a clamping sleeve (611) and a movable clamping block (612). The clamping sleeve (611) is connected to the slider (6); The movable locking block (612) is slidably sleeved inside the locking sleeve (611), and a compression spring (613) is provided between the movable locking block (612) and the locking sleeve (611). The oral fixation device is also provided with a mouth-warming mechanism (7), which is connected to the clamping sleeve (611); The lubrication mechanism includes a nozzle (71), a conduit (72), and a flexible water bag (73). The two ends of the conduit (72) are detachably connected to the nozzle (71) and the flexible water bag (73), respectively.

2. The oral fixation device for head and neck tumor radiotherapy according to claim 1, characterized in that: The lower dental brace (2) has multiple slots (51) for limiting the movement of the movable locking block (612).

3. The oral fixation device for head and neck tumor radiotherapy according to claim 1, characterized in that: The tongue depressor (3) has a hole (31).

Images