Intermaxillary fixation device for immobilising the maxilla and mandible of a patient during operative or post-operative processes

Abstract

Surgical intermaxillary fixation device that reduces operating time, reduces the risk of the surgeon being accidentally injured by a sharp instrument, and reduces morbidity in the patient. It consists of a clamp or clip made of titanium, surgical steel or other biocompatible material, whose free ends are positioned in the interdental space. One end of the clamp is positioned in the maxillary interdental space and the other end in the mandibular interdental space, so that when it is installed it fixes or blocks the maxilla with the mandible so that the patient cannot move or open same, achieving the objective of intermaxillary fixation. This clamp or device is operated and manipulated by means of pincers to install it and remove it easily from the teeth.

Description

[0001] INTEGRATED AXILAR FIXATION OR BLOCKING DEVICE, WHICH ALLOWS THE IMMOBILIZATION OF A PATIENT'S MAXILLA AND MANDIBLE DURING OPERATIVE OR POSTOPERATIVE PROCESSES

[0002] PRIOR ART

[0003] Intermaxillary locking is primarily performed to fix bone fragments of the mandible for intraoperative and postoperative purposes, as well as for temporary immobilization during the recovery of mandibular bones after surgery, or when required for specific treatments, such as jaw fractures or facial deformities. Furthermore, intermaxillary fixation is a surgical treatment widely used in facial trauma, orthognathic surgery, and other treatments, and aims to stabilize dental occlusion. This maneuver is not without its difficulties, as it is laborious, takes up surgical time, causes damage to bone, periodontal, and dental tissue, and is associated with discomfort for the patient, such as pain or difficulty with oral hygiene, among others.

[0004] In the state of the art it is possible to observe that the technique to immobilize the jaw is strongly oriented to devices that need the wall of the teeth or the mandibular bone for their installation, these being composed of hooks that are glued, or tied to the upper and lower teeth or screwed to the bone tissue and on these hooks, subsequently, metallic bands are attached that tie or link the upper teeth to the i

[0005] SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26) lower jaws, creating a sort of lock with which the jaws are fixed, preventing their mobility.

[0006] US10070944B1 describes a resin reimplantation / MMF device with a dental arch bar including an elongated flexible splint and a plurality of spaced apart attachment members. The flexible splint includes an inwardly facing side surface and an outwardly facing side surface. The flexible splint includes a curable component that cures from a moldable state to a rigid state in less than one minute after activation. Each of the attachment members is partially embedded in the flexible splint, each of the attachment members having a protrusion portion extending outwardly from the outwardly facing side surface of the flexible splint.

[0007] Document W02020264301A1 describes a dental fixation device for jaw immobilization comprising a plurality of dental bands, placed around one or more teeth, a dental brace fixed to an external face of the dental band and at least one accessory for connecting two or more dental bands and providing fixation of the maxilla / mandible complex. Intermaxillary fixation devices can be easily applied to a tooth or a plurality of teeth, and do not require bonding to the gums and / or penetration into the bone.GB2122091A describes an apparatus for the orthodontic treatment of teeth for the correction of malocclusion comprising a facebow for attachment to one of the upper or lower dental arches of a patient, said facebow comprising an inner bow for attachment to the dental arch, an outer bow adapted when in use to be located externally of the patient for the application of traction thereto, and first attachment means projecting forwardly to enable additional traction to be applied between said attachment means and the other of said upper and lower dental arches, thereby effecting intermaxillary traction.

[0008] US8662889B2 describes a dental arch bar system including upper and lower dental arch bars having movable cross arms and ligature connectors. Fasteners secure the cross arms to the maxilla and mandible of a subject. Ligatures are secured around the upper and lower ligature connectors to achieve intermaxillary fixation. Also described is a method of using the arch bar system to achieve intermaxillary fixation by securing the arch bars against opposing dental arches with the upper and lower arch bar ligature connectors generally aligned. In some embodiments, a single dental arch bar is used and one or more ligature connectors (such as screws) are directly attached to the bone of the opposing jaw. Ligatures are then secured to the arch bar ligature connectors and to the opposing ligature connectors.EP2231055B1 describes a medical apparatus for intermaxillary fixation or stabilization having a bar with a first fastening loop, a second fastening loop, and a plurality of hooks, wherein the bar is an arched bar and the first fastening loop and the second fastening loop are located distally of each other. Another apparatus has a bar having a first fastening loop assembly, a second fastening loop assembly, and a plurality of hooks, wherein the bar is an arcuate bar and the first fastening loop assembly and the second fastening loop assembly are movably coupled to the bar. The bar may also have one or more additional fixation loop assemblies located between the first and second fixation loop assemblies. Each of the fixation loop assemblies may have a support, a fixation loop, a stem, and a fixation screw.The fixation loops can receive a screw to fix the arch bar to a mandible, a maxilla and / or a prosthetic device.

[0009] Unlike prior art, the present invention does not require drilling into or intervening in the jawbone to place an element onto which tying or fixation means, such as wires, elastics, or clamps, are hooked. The great advantage it presents is that it does not cause damage to bone, periodontal, or dental tissue, making it more comfortable for the patient, as it does not cause pain due to not having to drill into the bone, nor does it hinder oral hygiene. The device of the invention is simple, reduces surgical time, reduces sharps accidents since it does not require wires or ties, and generates less morbidity for the patient.

[0010] BR EV EDE SC RI PC IONDE THE FIGURES

[0011] Figure 1: represents a plan view of the intermaxillary fixation device of the invention where a body and its tips can be seen.

[0012] Figure 2: represents a microscopic view illustrating the intermaxillary fixation device in its passive state with its tips closed before being placed in the interdental space of the maxilla and mandible and before its body is squeezed with a tool to open its tips.

[0013] Figure 3: Ilometric view with device installed in the interdental spaces of the maxilla and mandible with its tips closed achieving intermaxillary blockage.

[0014] Figure 4: represents an elevation view of the device of the invention illustrating a given size.

[0015] Figure 5: represents an elevation view of the device of the invention that illustrates another specific size.

[0016] Figure 6: represents an elevation view of the device of the invention illustrating another specific size. Figure 7: represents an elevation view of the device of the invention illustrating another specific size.

[0017] Figure 8: represents an elevation view of the device of the invention that illustrates another specific size.

[0018] Figure 9: represents an elevation view of the device of the invention that illustrates another specific size.

[0019] Figure 10: represents an illustration of a kit with different sizes of devices available to the specialist for adaptation to different jaw sizes or tooth heights.

[0020] OF SC RI PC IONDE THE INVENTION

[0021] The invention consists of a surgical intermaxillary blocking device that is made up of a clamp or clip composed of a single piece consisting of a solid wire or bar that extends from a first free end called the tip.This extends to a bending point close to 90° where the body of this clamp or clip begins from where it projects to a second bending point where it bends again close to 90° to project backwards in the direction from the first end to a third bending point from which, at least one circumference is generated, by means of a complete turn of the wire or solid bar to a fourth bending point from which it advances to a fifth bending point close to 90°, from which, it projects to a sixth bending point close to 90° from where the second end of the wire projects generating a second free end or tip and thus completing the clip or hook that makes up the device of the invention.

[0022] Strictly speaking, at least one complete turn of the wire or bar that constitutes the rear end of the device of the invention, forms a torsion spring that allows, by tightening the points just behind the bends close to 90°, the free ends or tips of the device to open so that they are positioned in the interdental space, where one free end is located in the upper jaw and the other free end in the mandible, so that once both ends of the device are located in the free space between teeth in each jaw, pressure is no longer exerted on the body of the clamps, causing the free ends to close or come together and thus force the closure, achieving intermaxillary blockage.

[0023] The ends of the device can have different lengths from the tip to their respective bends close to 90°, thus providing more or less torque depending on how far each end is from the torsion spring area. Similarly, the distance between ends can increase or decrease depending on the intermaxillary distance. Figures 4 through 9 illustrate different lengths and openings between the ends of the device.

[0024] The wire or bar is sufficiently elastic so that, when tightened in the area where the torsion spring is formed, it does not easily bend and can be repositioned if necessary. To this end, the wire or bar that makes up the device of the invention is made of titanium, surgical steel, or another biocompatible material with sufficient elasticity for such purposes, although the use of plastic or polymeric materials that could perform the function is not ruled out.

[0025] DESCRIPTION OF THE DESPERATED MODEL

[0026] The intermaxillary fixation device is made up of a clamp or clip (1) composed of a single piece consisting of a wire or solid bar that starts from a first free end (2) to a bending point (3) of approximately 90° segment that we call tip, from where it projects to a second bending point (4) where it bends again at approximately 90°, to from this point continue its path away from the first free end (2) to a third bending point (5), with an inclination less than 90°, oriented towards a longitudinal central axis of the device, from which, at least one circumference is generated, by means of a complete turn of the wire or solid bar, whereby a torsion spring (10) is formed, from where the path continues to a fourth bending point (6) from which it advances to a fifth bending point (7) of approximately 90°, from which,It projects and intersects with the segment formed between the first and second bending points (3, 4), until reaching a sixth bending point (8), until forming a segment called the body of the clamp or clip, where the wire is turned 90° and from this point (8) it projects as a straight segment that reaches a second free end or second tip (9), in a position separated from the first free end (2) of the wire, generating the end of the path of the wire or bar and thus completing the clamp or clip that makes up the device of the invention.

[0027] With reference to figure 4, it is possible to observe a surgical clamp (11) positioned in the body and prior to exerting pressure in the area of ​​the torsion spring (10), facing each free end or tip (2) and (9) in the interdental space of the teeth of the upper jaw (12) and mandible (13) respectively. The torsion spring (10) allows by tightening the points just behind the bends (7) and (4) of approximately 90°, so that the free ends or tips of the device open and position and introduce into this interdental space of the maxilla and mandible. Once both tips of the device are located and inserted into the interdental space in each jaw, pressure is released from the body of the device (7) and (4), causing the free ends or tips (2) and (9) to close or come together, thus forcing the closure of the jaw, achieving intermaxillary blocking, as illustrated in Figure 3.

[0028] Figures 4 to 9 illustrate different preferred embodiments of the invention, but are not limited to these. Figure 2, for example, illustrates that the first free end (2) has a distance (d1) to the first fold (3) that is greater than the distance (d2) as illustrated in Figure 5. This difference in the length (d1) and (d2) of the free ends (2) and (9) of Figures 4 and 5, respectively, allows greater or lesser pressure to be exerted on each jaw as required. Likewise, the opening (y1) of the device in Figure 4 is smaller than the opening (y2) in Figure 5. This allows the device to be placed on different jaw sizes or tooth heights, for which the specialist will choose the appropriate device configuration according to the patient's requirements. Figures 6 to 9 illustrate different lengths and openings between the ends of the device.All the size configurations from the different lengths of the free ends (2) and (9), as well as the openings between them, make up a kit of devices as illustrated in figure 10. These variations are based on the fact that the size of the teeth is different and the dental spaces also differ from each other.

Claims

R E I V I N D I CA C I O N E S 1. Surgical device for intermaxillary fixation or blocking that allows immobilizing both jaws and reduces sharp accidents, CHARACTERIZED in that it is made up of a clamp or clip (1) composed of a single piece consisting of a wire or solid bar that starts from a first free end called tip (2) to a body that begins at a bending point (3) less than 90 °, from where it projects to a second bending point (4) where it bends again less than 90 °, to from this point continue its journey away from the first free end (2) to a third bending point (5), with an inclination less than 90 °, oriented towards a longitudinal central axis of the device, from which, at least one circumference is generated, by means of a complete turn of the wire or solid bar, with which a torsion spring (10) is formed,from where the path continues to a fourth bending point (6) from which it advances to a fifth bending point (7), from which it projects and intersects with the segment formed between the first and second bending points (3, 4), until reaching a sixth bending point (8), until forming a segment called the body of the clamp or clip, where the wire is rotated 90° and from this point (8) it is projected as a straight segment that reaches a second free end or second tip (9), in a position separated from the first free end (2) of the wire, generating the end of the path of the wire or bar and thus completing said clamp or clip.

2. Surgical device for intermaxillary fixation or blocking according to claim 1, CHARACTERIZED in that said free ends or tips (2) and (9) comprise different lengths up to their respective bending points (3) and (8).

3. Surgical device for intermaxillary fixation or blocking according to claim 1, CHARACTERIZED in that said free ends or tips (2) and (9) comprise different openings between them.

4. Surgical device for intermaxillary fixation or blocking according to claim 1, CHARACTERIZED in that said wire or bar is made of titanium, or other biocompatible material.

5. Surgical device for intermaxillary fixation or blocking according to claim 1, CHARACTERIZED in that said wire or bar is made of surgical steel.

6. Surgical device for intermaxillary fixation or blocking according to claim 1, CHARACTERIZED in that said wire or bar is made of plastic or polymeric materials.

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