Device for maintaining jaw opening

Abstract

The invention relates to a device for maintaining the jaw opening, comprising a first arm (1) attached at one end to a first threaded ring (4) with a first projection (11), a second arm (2) attached at one end to a second threaded ring (5) with a second projection (12), a tilting mouthpiece (6) attached to each arm (1, 2) at the other end, a threaded link (7) where the threaded rings (4, 5) are located, a pin (3) that attaches the arms (1, 2) together in a central area, a wheel (8), solidly attached to the threaded link (7), located between the two threaded rings (4, 5), a ruler (9) with a calibrated slot (10), wherein the first projection (11) is solidly attached to the ruler (9) and the second projection (12) is fixed to the ruler (9) with the ability to slide along the calibrated slot (10).

Description

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to a jaw device intended to be placed in the mouth of a user to maintain the mouth in half opening and maximum opening positions for a specific time period.

[0002] Its main, although not exclusive, application is focused on performing magnetic resonance imaging tests to study the temporomandibular joints.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] The study of intrinsic temporomandibular joint dysfunctions is performed by means of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). These tests consist of performing a dynamic study of progressive mouth opening that requires maintaining the mouth in various positions, from a closed position to half and maximum opening positions.

[0004] The tests are performed in motion, such that functionality is visible. The means used in the prior art to carry out jaw opening consist of inserting an element not specific for said technique into the patient's mouth, such that the mouth is maintained open in certain positions. Not only is this method uncomfortable for the patient, but it is not reproducible either, so it does not provide any interest from a medical point of view.

[0005] In the prior art, a series of devices are known for performing jaw opening exercises.

[0006] Document US2010011916 describes a device focused on jaw opening rehabilitation that exerts pressure on the jaw. More specifically, it consists of a scissor-type device with two arms connected to one another by a pivot located in a central area, which allows them to oscillate between them in such a way that, when compressed by one end of the arms, the opposite ends exert a pressure in the opposite direction, forcing the patient's jaw to open. A calibrated ruler allows the opening angle reached to be measured. However, this device does not allow the maintenance of jaw opening, so it cannot be used to perform measurements in magnetic resonance imaging tests.

[0007] WO2007137295 describes a jaw stretching device including a base arm, a lever arm and a piston arm. The lever arm is articulated to the base arm at one end and to the piston arm at the other end. The piston arm passes through the base arm along a channel. The base arm and piston arm incorporate a mouthpiece at the non-articulated end. The opening angle between the base arm and the lever arm is directly related to the mouthpiece separation distance, which measures the jaw opening.

[0008] US2016101315A1 provides a jaw exerciser for providing passive motion therapy to treat dental trismus. The jaw exerciser has a user-adjustable distance between the upper jaw support and the lower jaw support. The jaw exerciser includes a shaft, upper and lower jaw support frames including, respectively, upper and lower jaw supports, a distance adjuster which may be in the form of a jack screw for manually adjusting the distance between the upper and lower jaw supports, and a retaining screw. The jack screw may be received by the lower jaw support frame and engage the upper jaw support frame. Removable bite pads may optionally be provided for installing on the jaw supports.DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] The present invention describes a device made of a material biocompatible with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and reusable for different individuals, which allows a user to keep the jaw open in certain positions in a calibrated manner not only at half and full jaw openings, but in the entire continuous range of positions, from closed mouth to maximum jaw opening, this process being essential during diagnosis by magnetic resonance imaging of intrinsic temporomandibular joint dysfunctions.

[0010] The device comprises a first arm attached at one end to a first threaded ring incorporating a first projection and a second arm attached at one end to a second threaded ring incorporating a second projection.

[0011] At the opposite end, the device comprises a mouthpiece attached to each of the arms. The mouthpieces are intended to be placed in a patient's mouth. These mouthpieces are tilting mouthpieces to respect the anatomy of the dental arches at the mouth opening.

[0012] In addition, the device also comprises a threaded link where the threaded rings are located and a wheel, solidly attached to the threaded link, located between the threaded rings. In this way, the movement of the wheel involves the relative movement of the rings along the link, which results in movement between the mouthpieces.

[0013] This movement allows the separation between the mouthpieces to be maintained at a certain distance. For measuring the opening, the device includes a ruler comprising a calibrated slot wherein the first projection of the first arm is solidly attached to the ruler, while the second projection of the second arm is fixed to the ruler with the ability to slide along the calibrated slot.

[0014] In one embodiment, the second projection is U-shaped and comprises two lugs, one on each arm of the U shape, intended to be housed in the calibrated slot.

[0015] In another embodiment, the calibrated slot is a through slot, and a pin attaches the two arms of the U shape of the second projection together, passing through the calibrated slot.DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0016] To complement the description that is being made and for the purpose of helping to better understand the features of the invention according to a preferred practical exemplary embodiment thereof, a set of drawings is attached as an integral part of said description in which the following is depicted in an illustrative and non-limiting manner: Figure 1 depicts a perspective view of the device of the invention. Figure 2 depicts a plan view of the device of Figure 1. Figure 3 depicts an elevation view of the device of Figure 1.

[0017] A list of the references that appear in the figures is shown below. 1. First arm. 2. Second arm. 3. Pin. 4. First threaded ring. 5. Second threaded ring. 6. Mouthpiece. 7. Threaded link. 8. Wheel. 9. Ruler. 10. Calibrated slot. 11. First projection. 12. Second projection. 13. Protrusions. PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

[0018] As depicted in the figures, the device for maintaining the jaw opening of the invention comprises a first arm (1) attached at one end to a first threaded ring (4) incorporating a first projection (11), and a second arm (2) attached at one end to a second threaded ring (5) incorporating a second projection (12).

[0019] The two arms (1, 2) are articulated in a central area through a pin (3), and at the other end, they incorporate a support for fixing a mouthpiece (6). This mouthpiece (6) is intended to be inserted into a patient's mouth, and to fix same, it incorporates a pair of protrusions (13) intended for the patient to place their teeth between them.

[0020] In the figures, the mouthpieces (6) have been depicted separated from the device for opening for the purpose of implying that they are disposable and replaceable elements, such that there are mouthpieces (6) of different sizes depending on the user's jaw.

[0021] The rings (4, 5) are inserted onto a threaded link (7), with the capacity to move where, solidly fixed, there is a wheel (8) housed between the two rings (4, 5).

[0022] Furthermore, each of the rings (4, 5) incorporates a U-shaped projection (11, 12) so that a ruler (9) can be housed in the openings of the two projections (11, 12).

[0023] The first projection (11) is solidly attached to the ruler (9).

[0024] However, the second projection (12) incorporates a protuberance at the end which is housed in a calibrated slot (10) incorporated in the ruler (9) and along which it has the ability to slide.

[0025] This protuberance may consist of a lug located on each side of the arms of the U shape of the second projection (12) or a pin that passes through the two arms of the U shape.

[0026] With this configuration, when the wheel (8) rotates, the threaded link (7) on which the second threaded ring (5) will move will rotate, causing the second arm (2) to pivot on the pin (3), resulting in the mouthpiece (6) fixed to the second arm (2) moving in relation to the mouthpiece (6) of the first arm (1).

[0027] The movement of the wheel (8) also causes the second projection (12) to move along the calibrated slot (10), measuring the separation distance of the mouthpieces (6) and, therefore, the opening of the mouth.

[0028] In this way, the use of the device of the invention to perform a magnetic resonance imaging test on a patient is as detailed below.

[0029] The patient opens their mouth a certain amount so that the mouthpieces (6) can be inserted and positions their teeth between the protrusions (13). This measurement will be taken at a half opening and at a full opening, to the limit allowed by the patient's condition. In the jaw opening, the wheel (8) is rotated until it adapts to the measurement of the jaw opening.

[0030] In this way, not only can the maximum opening of the user's mouth be measured, but the opening can be maintained to carry out magnetic resonance imaging for the necessary time simply by keeping the mouth positioned on the mouthpieces (6).

Claims

1. A device for maintaining the jaw opening, comprising: - a first arm (1) attached at one end to a first threaded ring (4) incorporating a first projection (11), - a second arm (2) attached at one end to a second threaded ring (5) incorporating a second projection (12), - a tilting mouthpiece (6) attached to each of the arms (1, 2) at the other end, - a threaded link (7) where the threaded rings (4, 5) are located, the device being characterised in that it comprises: - a pin (3) that attaches the two arms (1, 2) together in a central area, - a wheel (8), solidly attached to the threaded link (7), located between the two threaded rings (4, 5), - a ruler (9) comprising a calibrated slot (10), wherein: - the first projection (11) is solidly attached to the ruler (9), - the second projection (12) is fixed to the ruler (9) with the ability to slide along the calibrated slot (10).

2. The device according to claim 1, wherein the second projection (12) is U-shaped.

3. The device according to claim 2, wherein the second projection (12) comprises two lugs housed in the calibrated slot (10).

4. The device according to claim 2, wherein: - the calibrated slot (10) is a through slot, and - a pin attaches the two arms of the U shape of the second projection (12) together and passes through the calibrated slot (10).

Images