Bite Block Needle Alignment System for Dental Anesthesia
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for administering a nerve block to the inferior alveolar nerve in dental procedures face challenges due to anatomical variations and jaw movement, leading to inaccurate placement of the anesthetic needle, which can result in insufficient numbing or unnecessary numbing of other oral cavity areas, and patient discomfort.
Innovation Solution
A dental apparatus comprising a bite block with inclined surfaces and a support plate that includes a needle guide and tongue depressor, which is positioned to align the needle guide with the mandibular foramen, allowing for precise placement of the anesthetic needle while minimizing jaw movement and patient discomfort.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If manual localization methods (Gow-Gates technique) are used to locate the needle tip, then the procedure can be performed without additional devices, but the placement accuracy is inconsistent and produces insufficient numbing or unnecessary numbing of other areas
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a bite block as an intermediary device that mediates between the dentist and the patient's jaw. The bite block contains a positioning mechanism with a positioning surface that contacts the mandible and a guide surface that guides the needle. This intermediary structure provides consistent anatomical reference points, eliminating the need for complex manual localization techniques while achieving accurate and consistent needle placement at the mandibular foramen.
2Measurement precision
If the patient's jaw is allowed to move freely, then the patient is more comfortable, but accurate needle placement becomes difficult to maintain
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary anti-action by using the bite block to counteract jaw movement before needle insertion. The bite block's positioning surface contacts the mandible and the guide surface is configured to prevent lateral movement of the jaw during the procedure. This preliminary constraint eliminates the harmful effect of jaw movement, creating a stable platform for accurate needle placement without causing patient discomfort.
3Measurement precision
If the needle is inserted perpendicular to the mandible, then the anesthetic can be delivered most directly to the inferior alveolar nerve, but the patient's mouth must be stretched which causes patient distress and movement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by providing different functional surfaces at different locations of the bite block. The positioning surface is located to contact the mandible at a specific location, while the guide surface is configured at an angle that allows the needle to enter at an optimized angle. This localized optimization at the needle insertion site enables accurate delivery of anesthetic to the inferior alveolar nerve while avoiding the need to stretch the patient's mouth, as the bite block's anatomy naturally positions the needle at the correct angle.
Data Source
AI summary
A bite block with inclined surfaces fits between a patient's upper and lower jaws to hold them apart and fixes the bite block position relative to the jaws. A support plate slides relative to the bite block to position a needle guide on the support plate along an axis of the support plate. A position stop on the support plate contacts the anterior border of the Ramus of the patient's mandible to position the needle guide along the axis. A syringe needle is guided by the needle guide to a predetermined location to administer anesthetic, preferably to the inferior alveolar nerve as it enters the mandible. The needle guide is inclined to avoid gaging and a tongue depressor attached to the support plate positions the patient's tongue.