intraoral frenum insertion device

Abstract

To provide an intraoral frenulum insertion instrument with improved versatility.SOLUTION: An intraoral frenulum insertion instrument 10 has: a surface 11; a reverse surface 12 opposite the surface 11 in a thickness direction; and a planar shape with one direction orthogonal to the thickness direction as a longitudinal direction. A first bifurcated insertion part 20 has a part which is positioned at one end part in a longitudinal direction of the intraoral frenulum insertion instrument 10 is bifurcated. A second bifurcated insertion part 30 has a part which is positioned at the other end in the longitudinal direction of the intraoral frenulum insertion instrument 10 and has a bifurcated part. A middle part 40 connects the first bifurcated insertion part 20 and the second bifurcated insertion part 30. A dimension W1 in the width direction of the first bifurcated insertion part 20 is formed larger than a dimension W2 in the width direction of the second bifurcated insertion part 30.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an intraoral frenulum insertion device that can be inserted into the frenulum in the oral cavity. [Background technology]

[0002] In the human oral cavity, the tongue and the floor of the lower jaw are connected by a membrane-like tissue called the lingual frenulum. This lingual frenulum can congenitally extend from the tip of the tongue to the gums, in which case the range of motion of the tongue is severely restricted by the lingual frenulum. This condition is called ankyloglossia. Ankyloglossia can be cured by surgery to remove the lingual frenulum.

[0003] As disclosed in Patent Document 1, an intraoral frenulum insertion device that lifts the patient's tongue toward the upper jaw is known as a device to assist in lingual frenulum removal surgery.

[0004] This intraoral frenulum insertion device has a planar shape with one longitudinal direction and a bifurcated insertion portion at one longitudinal end. The doctor inserts the intraoral frenulum insertion device into the patient's lingual frenulum so that the bifurcated insertion portion holds the lingual frenulum between them, then lifts the tongue with the intraoral frenulum insertion device and performs lingual frenulum resection in that state. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Registered Utility Model No. 3224615 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] In the configuration of the conventional intraoral frenulum insertion device described above, it was necessary to use different intraoral frenulum insertion devices with bifurcated insertion portions of different sizes depending on whether the patient was an infant or an adult, or depending on the size of the tongue or lingual frenulum.

[0007] Furthermore, conventional intraoral frenulum insertion devices have not been designed to be used in surgery to remove oral frenulum other than the lingual frenulum, such as the upper lip frenulum. For this reason, it has traditionally been necessary to manufacture a separate device to lift the upper lip during surgery to remove the upper lip frenulum. For these reasons, conventional intraoral frenulum insertion devices lack versatility.

[0008] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide an intraoral frenulum insertion device that is more versatile. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] The present invention The first perspective The intraoral frenulum insertion device according to the present invention is An intraoral frenulum insertion device having a planar shape with a front surface and a back surface opposite to the front surface in a thickness direction, the planar shape having a longitudinal direction perpendicular to the thickness direction, a first bifurcated insertion portion located at one end in the longitudinal direction and having a bifurcated portion; a second bifurcated insertion portion located at the other end in the longitudinal direction and having a bifurcated portion; an intermediate portion connecting the first bifurcated insertion portion and the second bifurcated insertion portion; and The first bifurcated insertion portion has a width dimension perpendicular to the longitudinal direction and the thickness direction that is larger than the width dimension of the second bifurcated insertion portion. And, The first bifurcated insertion portion is a spoon shape in which a longitudinal section parallel to the longitudinal direction and the thickness direction is convexly curved in a direction from the front surface to the back surface, and a transverse section parallel to the width direction and the thickness direction is also convexly curved in a direction from the front surface to the back surface; It has.

[0011] An intraoral frenulum insertion device according to a second aspect of the present invention comprises: An intraoral frenulum insertion device having a planar shape with a front surface and a back surface opposite to the front surface in a thickness direction, the planar shape having a longitudinal direction perpendicular to the thickness direction, a first bifurcated insertion portion located at one end in the longitudinal direction and having a bifurcated portion; a second bifurcated insertion portion located at the other end in the longitudinal direction and having a bifurcated portion; an intermediate portion connecting the first bifurcated insertion portion and the second bifurcated insertion portion; and The first bifurcated insertion portion has a width dimension perpendicular to the longitudinal direction and the thickness direction that is larger than the width dimension of the second bifurcated insertion portion, On the back surface of the first bifurcated insertion portion, a bottomed groove portion extending in the longitudinal direction from a base of the forked portion of the first bifurcated insertion portion toward the intermediate portion; is formed R .

[0012] An intraoral frenulum insertion device according to a third aspect of the present invention comprises: An intraoral frenulum insertion device having a planar shape with a front surface and a back surface opposite to the front surface in a thickness direction, the planar shape having a longitudinal direction perpendicular to the thickness direction, a first bifurcated insertion portion located at one end in the longitudinal direction and having a bifurcated portion; a second bifurcated insertion portion located at the other end in the longitudinal direction and having a bifurcated portion; an intermediate portion connecting the first bifurcated insertion portion and the second bifurcated insertion portion; and The first bifurcated insertion portion has a width dimension perpendicular to the longitudinal direction and the thickness direction that is larger than the width dimension of the second bifurcated insertion portion, the first bifurcated insertion portion has a pair of first insertion pieces that constitute the bifurcated portion, and a first cut extends in the longitudinal direction between one of the first insertion pieces and the other of the first insertion pieces to separate them in the width direction, At least one of the pair of first insertion pieces is provided with a first depth indication scale that indicates a length in the longitudinal direction along the first cut, A first width indication scale indicating the length in the width direction is provided in a portion of the first bifurcated insertion portion that is closer to the middle portion than the first notch in the longitudinal direction. R .

[0013] The width of the first cut at an end farther from the intermediate portion may be smaller than the width of the first cut at an end closer to the intermediate portion.

[0014] the second bifurcated insertion portion has a pair of second insertion pieces that constitute the bifurcated portion, and a second cut extends in the longitudinal direction between one of the second insertion pieces and the other of the second insertion pieces to separate them in the width direction, At least one of the pair of second insertion pieces is provided with a second depth indication scale that indicates a length in the longitudinal direction along the second cut, A second width indication scale indicating the length in the width direction may be provided on a portion of the second bifurcated insertion portion that is closer to the intermediate portion than the second notch in the longitudinal direction. An intraoral frenulum insertion device according to a fourth aspect of the present invention comprises: An intraoral frenulum insertion device having a planar shape with a front surface and a back surface opposite to the front surface in a thickness direction, the planar shape having a longitudinal direction perpendicular to the thickness direction, a first bifurcated insertion portion located at one end in the longitudinal direction and having a bifurcated portion; a second bifurcated insertion portion located at the other end in the longitudinal direction and having a bifurcated portion; an intermediate portion connecting the first bifurcated insertion portion and the second bifurcated insertion portion; and The first bifurcated insertion portion has a width dimension perpendicular to the longitudinal direction and the thickness direction that is larger than the width dimension of the second bifurcated insertion portion, the second bifurcated insertion portion has a pair of second insertion pieces that constitute the bifurcated portion, and a second cut extends in the longitudinal direction between one of the second insertion pieces and the other of the second insertion pieces to separate them in the width direction, At least one of the pair of second insertion pieces is provided with a second depth indication scale that indicates a length in the longitudinal direction along the second cut, A second width indication scale indicating the length in the width direction is provided on the second bifurcated insertion portion at a portion closer to the intermediate portion than the second notch in the longitudinal direction.

[0015] The width of the second cut at an end farther from the intermediate portion may be smaller than the width of the second cut at an end closer to the intermediate portion.

[0016] A protrusion may be formed on the rear surface of the intermediate portion.

[0017] At least the first bifurcated insertion portion and the second bifurcated insertion portion may be formed from a material that is transparent to visible light. [Effects of the Invention]

[0018] According to the intraoral frenulum insertion device of the present invention, both the first bifurcated insertion portion and the second bifurcated insertion portion can be used for insertion into the intraoral frenulum. Furthermore, because the widthwise dimension of the first bifurcated insertion portion is larger than the widthwise dimension of the second bifurcated insertion portion, the first bifurcated insertion portion and the second bifurcated insertion portion can be used for insertion into the lingual frenulum and the upper lip frenulum, respectively, or the first bifurcated insertion portion can be used for insertion into the intraoral frenulum of an adult and the second bifurcated insertion portion can be used for insertion into the intraoral frenulum of an infant. This enhances the versatility of the intraoral frenulum insertion device. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0019] [Figure 1] 1A is a bottom view of the intraoral frenum insertion device according to the first embodiment, FIG. 1B is a plan view of the intraoral frenum insertion device, and FIG. 1C is a left side view of the intraoral frenum insertion device. [Figure 2] 1A: A photograph illustrating one usage mode of the intraoral frenum insertion device according to the first embodiment. 1B: A photograph illustrating another usage mode of the same intraoral frenum insertion device. [Figure 3] 1A is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of a first bifurcated insertion portion of an intraoral frenulum insertion device according to a first embodiment, taken along a line parallel to the longitudinal and thickness directions; and FIG. 1B is a transverse cross-sectional view of the first bifurcated insertion portion of the same device, taken along a line parallel to the width and thickness directions. [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is a bottom view of the intraoral frenulum insertion device according to the second embodiment. [Figure 5] 10A to 10C are conceptual diagrams illustrating a method for manufacturing an intraoral frenum insertion device according to a second embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 11 is a bottom view of an intraoral frenulum insertion device according to a third embodiment. [Figure 7] 10A: An enlarged plan view of a first bifurcated insertion portion according to the fourth embodiment. FIG. 10B: An enlarged plan view of a second bifurcated insertion portion according to the fourth embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0020] Hereinafter, an intraoral frenulum insertion device according to an embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings, in which the same or corresponding parts are designated by the same reference numerals.

[0021] [First embodiment] Figures 1(A)-(C) show an intraoral frenum insertion device 10 according to a first embodiment. As shown in Figure 1(C), the intraoral frenum insertion device 10 according to this embodiment has a front surface 11 and a back surface 12 on the opposite side of the thickness direction from the front surface 11. As shown in Figures 1(A) and 1(B), the intraoral frenum insertion device 10 as a whole has a planar shape with its longitudinal direction perpendicular to the thickness direction.

[0022] 1(A)-(C) also show a right-handed XYZ Cartesian coordinate system in which the Z axis is parallel to the thickness direction and the Y axis is parallel to the longitudinal direction. The direction from back surface 12 toward front surface 11 is the positive direction of the Z axis. The direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction and the thickness direction, i.e., the direction parallel to the X axis, is defined as the width direction of intraoral frenum insertion device 10.

[0023] As shown in FIG. 1(B), the intraoral frenulum insertion device 10 has a first bifurcated insertion portion 20 located at one end in the longitudinal direction, specifically the end in the positive direction of the Y axis, a second bifurcated insertion portion 30 located at the other end in the longitudinal direction, specifically the end in the negative direction of the Y axis, and an intermediate portion 40 connecting the first bifurcated insertion portion 20 and the second bifurcated insertion portion 30.

[0024] The intermediate portion 40 is formed in a flat plate shape. Each of the first bifurcated insertion portion 20 and the second bifurcated insertion portion 30 has a bifurcated portion.

[0025] Specifically, the first bifurcated insertion portion 20 has a pair of first insertion pieces 21 and 22 that form a bifurcated portion in the positive Y-axis direction. A first notch 23 is formed between one first insertion piece 21 and the other first insertion piece 22, separating the first insertion piece 21 and the other first insertion piece 22 in the width direction, i.e., the X-axis direction. The first notch 23 extends from the end of the first bifurcated insertion portion 20 in the positive Y-axis direction toward the intermediate portion 40 in the longitudinal direction, i.e., the Y-axis direction.

[0026] Similarly, the second bifurcated insertion portion 30 has a pair of second insertion pieces 31 and 32 that form a bifurcated portion in the negative Y-axis direction. A second notch 33 is formed between one second insertion piece 31 and the other second insertion piece 32, separating the two pieces 31 and 32 in the width direction, i.e., the X-axis direction. The second notch 33 extends in the longitudinal direction, i.e., the Y-axis direction, from the end of the second bifurcated insertion portion 30 in the negative Y-axis direction toward the middle portion 40.

[0027] In the intraoral frenulum insertion device 10 according to this embodiment, the first bifurcated insertion portion 20, the second bifurcated insertion portion 30, and the intermediate portion 40 are all formed from a resin that is transparent to visible light. Here, "transparent" includes the concept of what is commonly referred to as translucency.

[0028] Specifically, the total light transmittance of the intraoral frenulum insertion device 10 as defined in JIS K 7361-1 is preferably 30% or more, more preferably 50% or more, more preferably 70% or more, and even more preferably 90% or more.

[0029] The intraoral frenulum insertion device 10 according to this embodiment is most characterized in that both the first bifurcated insertion portion 20 and the second bifurcated insertion portion 30 can be used for insertion into the intraoral frenulum.

[0030] Furthermore, the widthwise dimension W1 of the first bifurcated insertion portion 20, i.e., the dimension in the X-axis direction, is larger than the widthwise dimension W2 of the second bifurcated insertion portion 30. Therefore, the first bifurcated insertion portion 20 and the second bifurcated insertion portion 30 can be used selectively depending on the application.

[0031] Below, as an example of how to use the first bifurcated insertion portion 20 and the second bifurcated insertion portion 30, an embodiment will be described in which the first bifurcated insertion portion 20 is used for insertion into the lingual frenulum and the second bifurcated insertion portion 30 is used for insertion into the upper lip frenulum.

[0032] 2(A) shows the first bifurcated insertion portion 20 being used to insert into the lingual frenulum 81. While holding the intermediate portion 40 and the second bifurcated insertion portion 30 (not shown) in their hands, the user inserts the first bifurcated insertion portion 20 into the lingual frenulum 81 so that the patient's lingual frenulum 81 is positioned between one first insertion piece 21 and the other first insertion piece 22.

[0033] The term "user" as used herein specifically refers to dentists and other doctors who perform intraoral frenulum excision surgery, as well as assistants and other people who support the excision surgery.

[0034] Next, the user lifts the intermediate section 40 held in their hand and the second bifurcated insertion section 30 (not shown) toward the patient's upper jaw. As a result, the patient's tongue 82 is lifted by the first bifurcated insertion section 20, and the lingual frenulum 81 is clearly visible in a stretched state. This makes it easy for the user to perform surgery to remove the lingual frenulum 81. According to this embodiment, treatment of ankyloglossia is supported in this manner.

[0035] Furthermore, as described above, because the first bifurcated insertion portion 20 is transparent to visible light, the user can clearly view the underside of the patient's tongue 82 through the first insertion pieces 21 and 22 during surgery to remove the lingual frenulum 81. In other words, the user can clearly view the relationship between the lingual frenulum 81 and other tissues, specifically, the position of the lingual frenulum 81 relative to the tongue 82, the course of blood vessels at the base of the lingual frenulum 81, etc. This also contributes to improving the ease of surgery to remove the lingual frenulum 81.

[0036] 2(B) shows the second bifurcated insertion portion 30 being used to insert into the frenulum 91. While holding the intermediate portion 40 and the first bifurcated insertion portion 20 (not shown) in their hands, the user inserts the second bifurcated insertion portion 30 into the frenulum 91 of the patient so that the frenulum 91 of the patient's upper lip is positioned between one second insertion piece 31 and the other second insertion piece 32.

[0037] Next, the user lifts the intermediate section 40 and the first bifurcated insertion section 20 (not shown) held in their hand toward the patient's nose. As a result, the patient's upper lip 92 is lifted by the second bifurcated insertion section 30, and the upper frenulum 91 is clearly visible in a stretched state. This makes it easy for the user to perform surgery to remove the upper frenulum 91. According to this embodiment, treatment of ankylosing upper lip is supported in this manner.

[0038] Furthermore, as described above, because the second bifurcated insertion portion 30 is transparent to visible light, the user can clearly see the underside of the patient's upper lip 92 through the second insertion pieces 31 and 32 during surgery to remove the upper frenulum 91. In other words, the user can clearly see the relationship between the upper frenulum 91 and other tissues, specifically, the position of the upper frenulum 91 relative to the upper lip 92, the course of blood vessels at the base of the upper frenulum 91, etc. This also contributes to improving the ease of surgery to remove the upper frenulum 91.

[0039] The above describes an embodiment in which the first bifurcated insertion portion 20, which has a relatively large width dimension W1, is used for insertion into the lingual frenulum 81, while the second bifurcated insertion portion 30, which has a relatively small width dimension W2, is used for insertion into the upper lip frenulum 91.

[0040] The manner in which the first bifurcated insertion portion 20 and the second bifurcated insertion portion 30 are used is not limited to the above embodiment. Although not shown, it is also possible to use the first bifurcated insertion portion 20, which has a relatively large width dimension W1, for insertion into the intraoral frenulum of an adult, and the second bifurcated insertion portion 30, which has a relatively small width dimension W2, for insertion into the intraoral frenulum of an infant.

[0041] That is, the intraoral frenulum insertion device 10 according to this embodiment can be used for both lingual and upper labial frenulum, and can be used for both adults and infants. In this way, the provision of the first bifurcated insertion portion 20 and the second bifurcated insertion portion 30 increases the versatility of the intraoral frenulum insertion device 10.

[0042] Note that "enhancing the versatility of the intraoral frenulum insertion device 10" means expanding the possible uses of a single intraoral frenulum insertion device 10, and does not limit the reuse of the same intraoral frenulum insertion device 10 for all of the above-mentioned uses. In other words, those skilled in the art will understand that the intraoral frenulum insertion device 10 according to this embodiment can be reused after being autoclaved or otherwise cleaned, or can be discarded after a single use.

[0043] The detailed configuration of the intraoral frenulum insertion device 10 according to this embodiment will be described below.

[0044] 1(A)-(C), the second bifurcated insertion portion 30 is formed flat. Because the second bifurcated insertion portion 30 is formed flat and more compact than the first bifurcated insertion portion 20, when the second bifurcated insertion portion 30 is used for insertion into the intraoral frenulum, it has the advantage of being less likely to induce a gag reflex or other discomfort in the patient.

[0045] Furthermore, the widthwise dimension W2 of the second bifurcated insertion portion 30 is equal to or approximately equal to the widthwise dimension of the intermediate portion 40. This provides the advantage that when using the first bifurcated insertion portion 20 to insert into the frenulum, the user can easily hold the second bifurcated insertion portion 30 and the intermediate portion 40 in their hands.

[0046] On the other hand, the first bifurcated insertion portion 20 has a shape curved like a spoon (hereinafter referred to as the spoon shape). Therefore, when the first bifurcated insertion portion 20 is used for insertion into the intraoral frenulum, there is an advantage that the tongue 82, upper lip 92, etc. connected to the intraoral frenulum can be stably held by the first bifurcated insertion portion 20. The spoon shape of the first bifurcated insertion portion 20 will be specifically described below.

[0047] 3(A) shows a longitudinal cross section parallel to the longitudinal direction and thickness direction of the first bifurcated insertion portion 20. As shown in FIG. 3(A), the longitudinal cross section of the spoon-shaped first bifurcated insertion portion 20 is convexly curved in a direction from the front surface 11 that contacts the tongue 82, upper lip 92, etc. toward the back surface 12, i.e., in the negative direction of the Z axis. Therefore, when the first bifurcated insertion portion 20 is inserted into the intraoral frenulum, it is easy to stabilize the positions of the patient's tongue 82, upper lip 92, etc. in the Y axis direction, and it is easy for the user to perform the operation of lifting the tongue 82, upper lip 92, etc.

[0048] 3(B) shows a cross section parallel to the width and thickness directions of the first bifurcated insertion portion 20. As shown in FIG. 3(B), the cross section of the spoon-shaped first bifurcated insertion portion 20 is also convexly curved in the direction from the front surface 11 that comes into contact with the tongue 82, upper lip 92, etc., toward the back surface 12. Therefore, when the first bifurcated insertion portion 20 is inserted into the intraoral frenulum, it is easy to stabilize the positions of the patient's tongue 82, upper lip 92, etc. in the X-axis direction.

[0049] 3(B), a bottomed groove 24 is formed on the back surface 12 of the first bifurcated insertion portion 20. A first notch 23 is located at the apex of a convexly curved portion in the cross section of the first bifurcated insertion portion 20, and the first notch 23 and the bottomed groove 24 are continuous.

[0050] As shown in FIG. 1(A), the bottomed groove portion 24 extends longitudinally from the base of the forked portion toward the middle portion 40 on the back surface 12 of the spoon-shaped portion of the first bifurcated insertion portion 20.

[0051] This bottomed groove 24 can be used to position the tip of a dental vacuum during intraoral frenulum removal surgery. Specifically, with the tip of the dental vacuum placed against the bottomed groove 24, intraoral frenulum removal surgery can be performed while using the dental vacuum to suck up saliva and blood that accumulate in the oral cavity, or smoke that is produced when using a laser scalpel.

[0052] In addition, this bottomed groove portion 24 can also be used, for example, when the depth dimension of the intraoral frenulum to be excised is large, to insert the first bifurcated insertion portion 20 into the oral cavity while aligning the already excised root portion of the intraoral frenulum along the bottomed groove portion 24.

[0053] The above describes the use of the intraoral frenum insertion device 10 according to this embodiment as an aid in surgery to remove an intraoral frenulum, but the use of the intraoral frenum insertion device 10 according to this embodiment is not limited to this.

[0054] The intraoral frenulum insertion device 10 according to this embodiment can also be used as an auxiliary device for lifting exercises, such as lifting the tongue 82 or upper lip 92, to prevent adhesions from forming at the excised area after intraoral frenulum removal surgery. In this case, the bottomed groove 24 can be used to insert the first bifurcated insertion portion 20 into the oral cavity while aligning the excised area with the bottomed groove 24. However, it goes without saying that the second bifurcated insertion portion 30 can also be used as an auxiliary device for lifting exercises.

[0055] Furthermore, the intraoral frenulum insertion device 10 according to this embodiment can also be used as an auxiliary cleaning device for supporting the tongue 82 from the underside when cleaning the surface of the tongue 82. In this case, the spoon shape of the first bifurcated insertion portion 20 serves to stably hold the tongue 82 during cleaning. However, it goes without saying that the second bifurcated insertion portion 30 can also be used as an auxiliary cleaning device.

[0056] Furthermore, the intraoral frenulum insertion device 10 according to this embodiment can be used for surgeries or diagnoses other than intraoral frenulum removal surgery. For example, by using the intraoral frenulum insertion device 10 according to this embodiment to elevate the tongue 82, the floor of the mouth can be kept clearly visible. This allows doctors to easily perform surgeries to remove tumors, cysts, etc. from the floor of the mouth, examine the floor of the mouth, etc. Similarly, the intraoral frenulum insertion device 10 according to this embodiment can also be used for surgeries, examinations, etc. on the maxillary gums, etc.

[0057] [Second embodiment] The intraoral frenum insertion device 10 according to the first embodiment described above may also have the function of a ruler. Specific examples of this will be described below.

[0058] 4, in this embodiment, first depth indication scales 25, 26 are provided along the first notch 23 on each of the pair of first insertion pieces 21, 22 of the first bifurcated insertion portion 20. The first depth indication scales 25, 26 each represent the length in the longitudinal direction, i.e., the Y-axis direction, specifically, the depth of the first notch 23.

[0059] Furthermore, a first width indication scale 27 is provided on the first bifurcated insertion portion 20 at a portion closer to the intermediate portion 40 in the longitudinal direction than the first notch 23. The first width indication scale 27 indicates the length in the width direction, i.e., the X-axis direction.

[0060] Similarly, in the second bifurcated insertion portion 30, second depth indication scales 34, 35 are provided along the second notch 33 on each of the pair of second insertion pieces 31, 32. The second depth indication scales 34, 35 each indicate the length in the longitudinal direction, i.e., the Y-axis direction, specifically, the depth of the second notch 33.

[0061] Additionally, a second width indication scale 36 is provided on the second bifurcated insertion portion 30 at a portion closer to the intermediate portion 40 in the longitudinal direction than the second notch 33. The second width indication scale 36 indicates the length in the width direction, i.e., the X-axis direction.

[0062] With the intraoral frenulum insertion device 10 according to this embodiment, during intraoral frenulum resection surgery, the user can measure the depth of the incision into the intraoral frenulum using the first depth indicator scales 25 and 26 or the second depth indicator scales 34 and 35. The measurement results can be used, for example, to determine whether the resection surgery was performed appropriately.

[0063] Furthermore, as described above, because the first bifurcated insertion portion 20 and the second bifurcated insertion portion 30 are transparent to visible light, during intraoral frenulum resection surgery, the user can measure the width of the resected portion, i.e., the dimension in the X-axis direction, using the first width display scale 27 or the second width display scale 36 while the first bifurcated insertion portion 20 or the second bifurcated insertion portion 30 is still inserted into the intraoral frenulum. The measurement results can also be used to determine, for example, whether the resection surgery was performed appropriately.

[0064] Furthermore, the first depth indicator scales 25 and 26 or the second depth indicator scales 34 and 35 can also be used to measure the dimension of the intraoral frenulum in the Y-axis direction before intraoral frenulum excision surgery. The measurement results can be used to determine, for example, whether or not excision surgery is necessary.

[0065] Furthermore, when an image is acquired in which the first bifurcated insertion portion 20 or the second bifurcated insertion portion 30 is inserted into the intraoral frenulum, a scale is added to the image using the first depth indication scales 25, 26, the first width indication scale 27, the second depth indication scales 34, 35, or the second width indication scale 36. This makes it possible to clearly indicate the size of the intraoral frenulum displayed in the image. Such images can be useful, for example, for clinical research.

[0066] A method for manufacturing the intraoral frenulum insertion device 10 according to this embodiment will be described below with reference to FIG.

[0067] The intraoral frenulum insertion device 10 according to this embodiment is obtained by joining together, in the thickness direction, a first part 10A and a second part 10B, both of which are made of a material transparent to visible light. The second part 10B forms the surface 11 of the intraoral frenulum insertion device 10 that comes into contact with the tongue 82, upper lip 92, etc. The first part 10A forms the back surface 12 of the intraoral frenulum insertion device 10, which is on the opposite side of the thickness direction from the surface 11.

[0068] First, first part 10A is produced. On front surface 13 of first part 10A opposite back surface 12 in the thickness direction (hereinafter referred to as first intermediate surface), the above-mentioned first depth indication markings 25, 26, first width indication markings 27, second depth indication markings 34, 35, and second width indication markings 36 (hereinafter referred to as a group of marks) are printed using ink.

[0069] Next, a structure is formed in which second part 10B is bonded to first part 10A. As a result, first intermediate surface 13 of first part 10A, on which the scale group is printed, is covered with back surface 14 (hereinafter referred to as second intermediate surface) of second part 10B, which is on the opposite side to front surface 11 in the thickness direction.

[0070] In this way, the ink representing the scale group is sandwiched between first part 10A and second part 10B, and therefore the ink representing the scale group does not need to be exposed on either front surface 11 or back surface 12. Therefore, even if intraoral frenulum insertion device 10 is subjected to autoclaving or other cleaning processes, the ink representing the scale group is not easily erased.

[0071] Nevertheless, since both first part 10A and second part 10B are made of a material that is transparent to visible light, the scale group can be seen from both back surface 12 and front surface 11 of intraoral frenulum insertion device 10.

[0072] The structure in which second part 10B is bonded to first part 10A can be formed, for example, by insert molding. That is, first part 10A is set in a mold as an insert, and then resin is filled around the insert in the mold, thereby obtaining the structure in which second part 10B is bonded to first part 10A.

[0073] [Third embodiment] Figure 6 shows an intraoral frenulum insertion device 10 according to a third embodiment. As shown in Figure 6, the intraoral frenulum insertion device 10 according to this embodiment further has multiple protrusions 41, 42 formed on the back surface 12 of the intermediate section 40. The protrusions 41, 42 are aligned in the longitudinal direction at the center in the width direction of the intermediate section 40. Each of the protrusions 41, 42 is formed into a smoothly curved shape overall.

[0074] According to this embodiment, the protrusions 41 and 42 not only serve to indicate to the user that the area where they are formed is the place to be held, but also serve as an anti-slip function. Even if the patient's saliva, other mucus, blood, etc. adheres to the middle portion 40 where it is to be held during intraoral frenulum resection surgery, the presence of the protrusions 41 and 42 prevents the user's hand from slipping.

[0075] Moreover, since the protrusions 41, 42 are formed on the rear surface 12, they do not come into contact with the patient's tongue 82, upper lip 92, etc. The configuration according to this embodiment is applicable to both the first and second embodiments described above.

[0076] [Fourth embodiment] 7(A) shows an enlarged view of the first bifurcated insertion portion 20 according to the fourth embodiment. As shown in FIG. 7(A), in this embodiment, the width of the end portion 23a of the first notch 23 that is farther from the intermediate portion 40 is smaller than the width of the end portion 23b of the first notch 23 that is closer to the intermediate portion 40.

[0077] Therefore, when the first bifurcated insertion portion 20 is inserted into the intraoral frenulum, the intraoral frenulum can be firmly clamped at the end portion 23a farther from the intermediate portion 40. Therefore, the position of the first bifurcated insertion portion 20 in the Y-axis and Z-axis directions is less likely to shift.

[0078] In order to clearly show the comparison with the first embodiment, the outline of the first bifurcated insertion portion 20 according to the first embodiment is shown by a broken line in FIG. 7(A).

[0079] 7(B) shows an enlarged view of the second bifurcated insertion portion 30 according to the fourth embodiment. As shown in FIG. 7(B), in this embodiment, the width of the end portion 33a of the second cutout 33 that is farther from the intermediate portion 40 is smaller than the width of the end portion 33b of the second cutout 33 that is closer to the intermediate portion 40.

[0080] Therefore, when the second bifurcated insertion portion 30 is inserted into the intraoral frenulum, the intraoral frenulum can be firmly clamped at the end portion 33a farther from the intermediate portion 40. Therefore, the position of the second bifurcated insertion portion 30 in the Y-axis and Z-axis directions is less likely to shift.

[0081] In order to clearly show the comparison with the first embodiment, the outline of the second bifurcated insertion portion 30 according to the first embodiment is shown by a broken line in Fig. 7(B). The configuration according to this embodiment is applicable to any of the first to third embodiments described above.

[0082] The first to fourth embodiments have been described above. The following modifications are also possible.

[0083] In the first embodiment, an example was described in which the intraoral frenulum insertion device 10 was inserted into the lingual frenulum 81 or the upper lip frenulum 91, but the use of the intraoral frenulum insertion device 10 is not limited to this. The intraoral frenulum insertion device 10 can be used for insertion into any frenulum within the oral cavity. In this specification, the intraoral frenulum is a concept that includes not only the lingual frenulum 81 and upper lip frenulum 91, but also any frenulum within the oral cavity, such as the buccal frenulum and lower lip frenulum.

[0084] In the first to fourth embodiments described above, an example was described in which the entire intraoral frenulum insertion device 10 was made of resin that is transparent to visible light, but the configuration of the intraoral frenulum insertion device 10 is not limited to this. The intraoral frenulum insertion device 10 may also be made of surgical stainless steel or other metals. Furthermore, a combination of multiple materials may be used, such as by making the first bifurcated insertion portion 20 and the second bifurcated insertion portion 30 out of resin that is transparent to visible light, and making the intermediate portion 40 connecting the first and second bifurcated insertion portions 20 and 30 out of metal. [Explanation of symbols]

[0085] 10...Intraoral frenulum insertion device, 10A...first part, 10B...Second part, 11...Surface, 12...Back side, 13...first intermediate surface, 14...second intermediate surface, 20...first bifurcated insertion portion, 21, 22...first insert piece, 23...First cut, 23a...the end farthest from the middle part, 23b...the end closest to the middle part, 24...Bottomed groove portion, 25, 26...First depth scale, 27...First width display scale, 30...second bifurcated insertion portion, 31, 32...second insert piece, 33...Second cut, 33a...the end farthest from the middle part, 33b...the end closer to the middle part, 34, 35...Second depth scale, 36...2nd width display scale, 40...middle section, 41,42...protrusion, 81...Lingual frenulum 82...tongue, 91...frenulum of upper lip, 92...upper lip.

Claims

1. An intraoral frenulum insertion device having a planar shape with a front surface and a back surface opposite to the front surface in a thickness direction, the planar shape having a longitudinal direction perpendicular to the thickness direction, a first bifurcated insertion portion located at one end in the longitudinal direction and having a bifurcated portion; a second bifurcated insertion portion located at the other end in the longitudinal direction and having a bifurcated portion; an intermediate portion connecting the first bifurcated insertion portion and the second bifurcated insertion portion; and a dimension of the first bifurcated insertion portion in a width direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction and the thickness direction is larger than a dimension of the second bifurcated insertion portion in the width direction, The first bifurcated insertion portion is a spoon shape in which a longitudinal section parallel to the longitudinal direction and the thickness direction is convexly curved in a direction from the front surface to the back surface, and a transverse section parallel to the width direction and the thickness direction is also convexly curved in a direction from the front surface to the back surface; having Intraoral frenulum insertion device.

2. An intraoral frenulum insertion device having a planar shape with a front surface and a back surface opposite to the front surface in a thickness direction, the planar shape having a longitudinal direction perpendicular to the thickness direction, a first bifurcated insertion portion located at one end in the longitudinal direction and having a bifurcated portion; a second bifurcated insertion portion located at the other end in the longitudinal direction and having a bifurcated portion; an intermediate portion connecting the first bifurcated insertion portion and the second bifurcated insertion portion; and a dimension of the first bifurcated insertion portion in a width direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction and the thickness direction is larger than a dimension of the second bifurcated insertion portion in the width direction, On the back surface of the first bifurcated insertion portion, a bottomed groove portion extending in the longitudinal direction from a base of the forked portion of the first bifurcated insertion portion toward the intermediate portion; is formed, Intraoral frenulum insertion device.

3. An intraoral frenulum insertion device having a planar shape with a front surface and a back surface opposite to the front surface in a thickness direction, the planar shape having a longitudinal direction perpendicular to the thickness direction, a first bifurcated insertion portion located at one end in the longitudinal direction and having a bifurcated portion; a second bifurcated insertion portion located at the other end in the longitudinal direction and having a bifurcated portion; an intermediate portion connecting the first bifurcated insertion portion and the second bifurcated insertion portion; and a dimension of the first bifurcated insertion portion in a width direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction and the thickness direction is larger than a dimension of the second bifurcated insertion portion in the width direction, the first bifurcated insertion portion has a pair of first insertion pieces that form the bifurcated portion, and a first cut extends in the longitudinal direction between one of the first insertion pieces and the other of the first insertion pieces to separate them in the width direction, At least one of the pair of first insertion pieces is provided with a first depth indication scale that indicates a length in the longitudinal direction along the first cut, a first width indication scale indicating a length in the width direction is provided in a portion of the first bifurcated insertion portion that is closer to the intermediate portion than the first notch in the longitudinal direction; Intraoral frenulum insertion device.

4. a width of an end of the first notch farther from the intermediate portion than a width of an end of the first notch closer to the intermediate portion; The intraoral frenulum insertion device of claim 3.

5. the second bifurcated insertion portion has a pair of second insertion pieces that form the bifurcated portion, and a second cut extends in the longitudinal direction between one of the second insertion pieces and the other of the second insertion pieces, separating the two pieces in the width direction; At least one of the pair of second insertion pieces is provided with a second depth indication scale that indicates a length in the longitudinal direction along the second cut, a second width indication scale indicating a length in the width direction is provided in a portion of the second bifurcated insertion portion closer to the intermediate portion than the second notch in the longitudinal direction; 5. The intraoral frenulum insertion device according to claim 3 or 4.

6. An intraoral frenulum insertion device having a planar shape with a front surface and a back surface opposite to the front surface in a thickness direction, the planar shape having a longitudinal direction perpendicular to the thickness direction, a first bifurcated insertion portion located at one end in the longitudinal direction and having a bifurcated portion; a second bifurcated insertion portion located at the other end in the longitudinal direction and having a bifurcated portion; an intermediate portion connecting the first bifurcated insertion portion and the second bifurcated insertion portion; and a dimension of the first bifurcated insertion portion in a width direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction and the thickness direction is larger than a dimension of the second bifurcated insertion portion in the width direction, the second bifurcated insertion portion has a pair of second insertion pieces that form the bifurcated portion, and a second cut extends in the longitudinal direction between one of the second insertion pieces and the other of the second insertion pieces, separating the two pieces in the width direction; At least one of the pair of second insertion pieces is provided with a second depth indication scale that indicates a length in the longitudinal direction along the second cut, a second width indication scale indicating a length in the width direction is provided in a portion of the second bifurcated insertion portion closer to the intermediate portion than the second notch in the longitudinal direction; Intraoral frenulum insertion device.

7. The width of the second notch at an end farther from the intermediate portion is smaller than the width of the second notch at an end closer to the intermediate portion.

7. The intraoral frenulum insertion device according to claim 5 or 6.

8. A protrusion is formed on the back surface of the intermediate portion. An intraoral frenulum insertion device according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

9. At least the first bifurcated insertion portion and the second bifurcated insertion portion are formed of a material that is transparent to visible light.

9. An intraoral frenulum insertion device according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

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