Pain relief apparatus positionable behind teeth

Abstract

A pain relief apparatus includes a first pod and an attachment mechanism. The first pod is formed from a first biocompatible material and has a space defined therein for retaining a fluid. The first pod is configured to be selectively positioned within a mouth of a patient. The first biocompatible material is semi-compliant. The attachment mechanism is operably coupled at a first end of the first pod and made from a second biocompatible material. The attachment mechanism is configured to selectively retain the first pod within the mouth of the patient. The fluid is only partially freezable within the first pod allowing the first pod to remain semi-compliant to facilitate positioning within the mouth.

Description

PAIN RELIEF APPARATUS POSITIONABLE BEHIND TEETHCROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] This application claims the benefit of and priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 661,100, filed on June 18, 2024, the entire contents of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference.TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] This disclosure relates generally to pain relief devices. In particular, to an apparatus positionable behind the teeth of a user to ease pain within his / her mouth and / or to alleviate head pain.BACKGROUND

[0003] To alleviate pain within the mouth, solutions available to patients are primarily medicaments, ointments, and / or devices such as external cold compresses and ice packs. Since the compress or pack is applied externally, it mainly affects the outer tissues of the face and jaw. At best, these devices provide limited relief to the internal source of pain, and at worst, they can cause intense discomfort and tissue damage to those with sensitive skin. In general, mouth pain can originate from various sources which are located internally such as dental issues or inflammation of the gums, and these sources are often unsusceptible to external cold therapy.

[0004] As a result, these devices may provide some soothing effect, however, they often fail to effectively target the specific area of discomfort inside the mouth. This lack of direct targetingcan diminish the overall effectiveness of cold compresses for providing lasting relief from mouth pain, thus leading to ongoing discomfort and inconvenience.SUMMARY

[0005] An aspect of this disclosure provides a pain relief apparatus including a first pod and an attachment mechanism. The first is formed from a first biocompatible material and has a space defined therein for retaining a fluid. The first pod is configured to be selectively positioned within a mouth of a patient. The first biocompatible material is semi-compliant. The attachment mechanism is operably coupled at a first end of the first pod and made from a second biocompatible material. The attachment mechanism is configured to selectively retain the first pod within the mouth of the patient. The fluid is only partially freezable within the first pod allowing the first pod to remain semi-compliant to facilitate positioning within the mouth.

[0006] In an aspect of the present disclosure, the attachment mechanism may be biasable against a portion of the patient’s mouth and / or the patient’s chin to facilitate retainment of the first pod therein.

[0007] In another aspect of the present disclosure, the pain relief apparatus may further include a second pod made from the first, second or a different biocompatible material. In other aspects of the present disclosure, the second pod may be attached at a second end of the attachment mechanism.

[0008] In yet another aspect of the present disclosure, the attachment mechanism may be made from a biocompatible material having a spring-bias. In other aspects of the present disclosure, when the apparatus is in situ, the first pod may be held in opposing bias against the second pod by the attachment mechanism.

[0009] In a further aspect of the present disclosure, at least one of the first biocompatible material or the second biocompatible material may be silicone.

[0010] In an aspect of the present disclosure, the fluid may be water.

[0011] In another aspect of the present disclosure, the attachment mechanism may include a hinge. In other aspects of the present disclosure, the attachment mechanism may selectively fold about the hinge to facilitate storage and handling.

[0012] In yet another aspect of the present disclosure, the attachment mechanism may be a living hinge.

[0013] In a further aspect of the present disclosure, the attachment mechanism may be configured to telescope from a first length to one or more second lengths.

[0014] In an aspect of the present disclosure, the attachment mechanism may be formed from a flexible material.

[0015] In another aspect of the present disclosure, the first pod may be insertable behind the back tooth of a jaw of the patient.

[0016] In yet another aspect of the present disclosure, the attachment mechanism may be coiled to create a spring bias therein.

[0017] Further details and aspects of the present disclosure are described in more detail below with reference to the appended drawings.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0018] The foregoing and other features of this disclosure will become more fully apparent from the following description and appended claims, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Understanding that these drawings depict only several embodiments in accordance withthe disclosure and are, therefore, not to be considered limiting of its scope, the disclosure will be described with additional specificity and detail through use of the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0019] FIG. 1A is a top view of a pain relief apparatus in accordance with aspects of this disclosure positionable proximate a pain site of a patient, e.g., teeth, gums, roof of mouth, etc.;

[0020] FIG. IB is a top view of another exemplary pain relief apparatus in accordance with other aspects of this disclosure positionable proximate the pain site of the patient, e.g., teeth, gums, roof of mouth, etc.;

[0021] FIG. 2 is a top view showing the pain relief apparatus of FIG. 1A positioned in situ, e.g., on a jaw of the patient, in accordance with aspects of this disclosure; and

[0022] FIG. 3 is an internal, side view showing the pain relief apparatus of FIG. 1 A within the mouth of the patient and held in place around a chin of the patient, in accordance with aspects of this disclosure.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0023] In the following detailed description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof. In the drawings, similar symbols typically identify similar components, unless context dictates otherwise. The illustrative embodiments described in the detailed description, drawings, and claims are not meant to be limiting. Other embodiments may be utilized, and other changes may be made, without departing from the spirit or scope of the subject matter presented herein. It will be readily understood that the aspects of the present disclosure, as generally described herein, and illustrated in the Figures, can be arranged, substituted, combined,separated, and designed in a wide variety of different configurations, all of which are explicitly contemplated herein.

[0024] Referring to FIGS. 1A and IB, a pain relief apparatus 100 is shown. The apparatus 100 may be used to soothe pain at a pain site within the mouth of a user or patient 130, or to relieve head or facial pain experienced by a user or patient 130. The apparatus 100 generally includes at least one pod 110, a fluid 112, and an attachment mechanism 120. Pod 110 defines a hollow space therein configured to receive and house the fluid 112. In aspects, the hollow space within pod 110 may house an ice pack, such as a reusable ice pack, a flavored pack, a medicament, or the like, or any combinations thereof. As best shown in FIG. 1A, attachment mechanism 120 is integrally associated with each pod 110a and 110b and is biased to retain apparatus 100 in place within the mouth. Attachment mechanism 120 may be selectively integrable with one or both pods 110a, 110b to facilitate positioning, accommodate differently sized patient mouths, e.g., adult v. child, and facilitate cleaning and loading of the fluid 112 within pods 110a, 110b. Generally, in use, the fluid 112 within the apparatus 100 may be frozen or cooled prior to placement in situ and then pod 110 may be positioned within the mouth to soothe a pain site in need of alleviation. In aspects, the pod 110 may be positioned to relieve head pain experienced by patient 130, e.g., headaches, migraines, or the like.

[0025] Pods 110a, 110b may be formed from a biocompatible material, for example, a silicone or a polymer, such that the biocompatible material does not trigger an adverse response within the patient 130. The biocompatible material may be flexible or otherwise malleable such that pods 110a, 110b may conform to an area of the mouth in which pod 110 is placed. Pods 110a, 110b may be sized to fit proximate the pain site, e.g., behind a back tooth 136 of patient 130, as will be described in greater detail regarding FIGS. 2 and 3.

[0026] Fluid 1 12 may be capable of being partially or fully frozen. For example, fluid 112 may be water, or a mixture containing water. In aspects, fluid 112 may be a medicament, or may be flavored. Attachment mechanism 120 may be formed from or coated with a biocompatible material such as silicone or polymer to avoid adverse patient response. Depending upon the configuration of apparatus 100, attachment mechanism 120 may be flexible to facilitate positioning and retainment in some aspects and rigid in others. Attachment mechanism 120 may be made from a material of any width or thickness capable of operably connecting with one or both pods 110a, 110b without undue obtrusion into the mouth of patient 130.

[0027] Referring back to FIG. 1A, pod 110a and pod 110b may be filled with fluid 112, and may each be connected to respective ends of attachment mechanism 120. As mentioned above, attachment mechanism 120 may be formed from a flexible or spring-biased material or may be formed from the same material as pods 110a, 110b. Attachment mechanism 120 may also be stretched beyond an initial length to institute a natural bias to facilitate positioning and retainment of each pod 110a, 110b. For example, as shown, attachment mechanism 120 may be a thin, coiled cord of silicone. Prior to insertion into the mouth of patient 130, attachment mechanism 120 may be tightly coiled, however, in use, attachment mechanism 120 may stretch around the teeth of a patient 130 such that pod 110a and pod 110b are held on either side of the mouth in an opposing biasing manner. In aspects, as shown in FIG. 3, attachment mechanism 120 may exit the mouth of patient 130 and wrap around a chin of patient 130 to be held in place. The attachment mechanism may be selectively adjustable to secure and maintain the pods 1 10a, 110b in place. For example, the patient may selectively twist one pod, e.g., pod 110a, relative to the other pod, e.g., pod 110b, to adjust the size and / or tension therebetween depending upon patient need.

[0028] In aspects, apparatus 100’ may be foldable, retractable, or extendable. For example, turning to FIG. IB, an embodiment of apparatus 100’ may include a single pod 110 connected to an end of a rigid attachment mechanism 120, and may resemble a lollipop. In use, the patient 130 holds attachment mechanism 120 to direct the pod 110 to the pain site within the mouth. Apparatus 100’ may further include a hinge, e.g., a living hinge 122, disposed on attachment mechanism 120, such that when apparatus 100’ is not in use, attachment mechanism 120 may be folded at the living hinge 122 for more compact storage.

[0029] In aspects, attachment mechanism 120 may be telescoping, such that a length of attachment mechanism 120 may be controlled through extension or retraction thereof. Therefore, the length of attachment mechanism 120 may be adjusted depending upon the patient 130. In further aspects, the apparatus 100’ of FIG. IB may include a second pod (not shown) disposed at an opposite end of attachment mechanism 120. Patient 130 may grip attachment mechanism 120 to insert apparatus 100’ and position apparatus 100’ into the mouth. Attachment mechanism 120 may be formed from a shape-memory alloy material. The shape-memory alloy material may become adequately resilient to hold a shape with application of body heat from patient 130, keeping pressure on the pain site and eliminating the need to hold apparatus 100’ in place. Shapememory alloy material may also form part of pod 110 and / or second pod. Living hinge 122 may allow the patient 130 to fold attachment mechanism 120 and direct both pod 110 and second pod of apparatus 100’ into respective sides of the mouth of the patient 130. In this aspect, attachment mechanism 120 may be extendable or retractable as well. For example, attachment mechanism 120 may be widened or narrowed to fit the mouth of the patient 130.

[0030] In aspects, attachment mechanism 120 may be a loop of material (not shown) having both ends connected to pod 110. The loop of material may provide a handle for patient 130 to holdfor transporting the apparatus 100, for positioning apparatus 100 within the mouth, or for removing apparatus 100 from the mouth. Attachment mechanism 120 may be formed from silicone in this case as well, or, in aspects, attachment mechanism 120 may be formed from a cloth or woven material, or the like.

[0031] FIG. 2 shows a potential arrangement of the apparatus 100 of FIG. 1 A within the mouth of the patient 130. Pods 110a, 110b may be positioned anywhere along the gums of the patient 130 to relieve pain near teeth 134 of the patient 130. Pod 110a and pod 110b may each be seated behind or atop a particular tooth 134 of the patient 130, specifically, behind a back tooth 136 of a top jaw 132 of the patient 130. It is also contemplated that pods 110a, 110b may be placed along, atop, or behind teeth 134 of bottom jaw 138 (FIG. 3). Pods 110a, 110b may be malleable, and may conform to a space behind back teeth 136 to further aid in adapting the shape of pods 110a, 110b to the space behind back teeth 136. Pods 110a, 110b may be partially frozen, or may include a fluid 112 which freezes while still remaining pliant, such as a gel.

[0032] Pods 110a, 110b may be connected via attachment mechanism 120 in the form of a coiled cord of silicone. Once pod 110a is placed behind a first back tooth 136, attachment mechanism 120 may stretch around teeth 134 of top jaw 132, and pod 110b may be positioned behind a second back tooth 136. Tension within attachment mechanism 120 and friction between the teeth 134 and the attachment mechanism 120 aid in holding pods 110a, 110b in place.

[0033] FIG. 3 shows apparatus 100 within the mouth of the patient 130. Whether apparatus 100 is positioned on top jaw 132 or bottom jaw 138 of the patient 130, pressure may be applied between top jaw 132 and bottom jaw 138 of patient to hold apparatus 100 in place. In particular, apparatus 100 may be clamped between the upper jaw 132 and the lower jaw 138 of patient 130. Patient 130 may freeze apparatus 100 for a determined amount of time such that fluid 112 withinpods 110a, 11 Ob is at least partially frozen. At that point, pods 1 10a, 110b may be inserted behind back teeth 136, and attachment mechanism 120 may exit the mouth of the patient 130 to wrap around the chin of the patient 130 to hold the apparatus 100 in place. The attachment mechanism 120 provides an area for the patient 130 to hold the apparatus 100 without touching the interior of the mouth and also provides a means for removing the apparatus 100 from the mouth.

[0034] Once pods 110a, 110b are in position, patient 130 may press apparatus 100 between upper jaw 132 and lower jaw 138 to alleviate pain. This pain may be located at a site within the mouth of patient 130 or located elsewhere on the jaw or head of patient 130. For example, in aspects, placing apparatus 100 within the mouth may soothe a headache experienced by patient 130, or may reduce facial pain experienced by patient 130. When pods 110a, 110b are thawed, patient 130 may remove apparatus 100 from the mouth by way of attachment mechanism 120, and may clean and refreeze the apparatus 100 for future use. Thus, apparatus 100 may be reusable. In aspects, apparatus 100 may be disposable, or partially disposable. For example, pods 110a, 110b may be disposable, while attachment mechanism 120 is reusable, or attachment mechanism 120 may be reusable while pods 110a, 100b may be disposable. It is contemplated that apparatus 100 may also be applied to pain sites outside of the mouth, for example, on the face or head.

[0035] Certain aspects of the present disclosure may include some, all, or none of the above advantages and / or one or more other advantages readily apparent to those skilled in the art from the drawings, descriptions, and claims included herein. Moreover, while specific advantages have been enumerated above, the various aspects of the present disclosure may include all, some, or none of the enumerated advantages and / or other advantages not specifically enumerated above.

[0036] The aspects disclosed herein are examples of the disclosure and may be embodied in various forms. For instance, although certain aspects herein are described as separate aspects, each of the aspects herein may be combined with one or more of the other aspects herein.

[0037] Specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present disclosure in virtually any appropriately detailed structure. Like reference numerals may refer to similar or identical elements throughout the description of the figures.

[0038] The phrases “in an aspect,” “in aspects,” “in various aspects,” “in some aspects,” or “in other aspects” may each refer to one or more of the same or different example Aspects provided in the present disclosure. A phrase in the form “A or B” means “(A), (B), or (A and B).” A phrase in the form “at least one of A, B, or C” means “(A); (B); (C); (A and B); (A and C); (B and C); or (A, B, and C).”

[0039] It should be understood that the foregoing description is only illustrative of the present disclosure. Various alternatives and modifications can be devised by those skilled in the art without departing from the disclosure. Accordingly, the present disclosure is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications, and variances. The aspects described with reference to the attached drawing figures are presented only to demonstrate certain examples of the disclosure. Other elements, steps, methods, and techniques that are insubstantially different from those described above and / or in the appended claims are also intended to be within the scope of the disclosure.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. A pain relief apparatus, comprising: a first pod formed from a first biocompatible material having a space defined therein for retaining a fluid, the first pod configured to be selectively positioned within a mouth of a patient, the first biocompatible material being semi-compliant; an attachment mechanism operably coupled at a first end of the first pod and made from a second biocompatible material, the attachment mechanism configured to selectively retain the first pod within the mouth of the patient, wherein the fluid is only partially freezable within the first pod allowing the first pod to remain semi-compliant to facilitate positioning within the mouth.

2. The pain relief apparatus of claim 1, wherein the attachment mechanism is biasable against a portion of at least one of the patient’s mouth or the patient’s chin to facilitate retainment of the first pod therein.

3. The pain relief apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a second pod made from the first, second or a different biocompatible material, the second pod attached at a second end of the attachment mechanism.

4. The pain relief apparatus of claim 3, wherein the attachment mechanism is made from a biocompatible material having a spring-bias and wherein, when the apparatus is in situ, the first pod is held in opposing bias against the second pod by the attachment mechanism.

5. The pain relief apparatus of claim 1 , wherein at least one of the first biocompatible material or the second biocompatible material is silicone.

6. The pain relief apparatus of claim 1, wherein the fluid is water.

7. The pain relief apparatus of claim 1, wherein the attachment mechanism includes a hinge, wherein the attachment mechanism is selectively folding about the hinge to facilitate storage and handling.

8. The pain relief apparatus of claim 7, wherein the attachment mechanism is a living hinge.

9. The pain relief apparatus of claim 1, wherein the attachment mechanism is configured to telescope from a first length to one or more second lengths.

10. The pain relief apparatus of claim 1, wherein the attachment mechanism is formed from a flexible material.

11. The pain relief apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first pod is insertable behind the back tooth of a jaw of the patient.

12. The pain relief apparatus of claim 1, wherein the attachment mechanism is coiled to create a spring bias therein.

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