Bite Block Side Through-Holes for External Device Connection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing bite blocks are not properly configured for connection with external devices like overtubes or oxygen tubes, leading to complex opening surfaces that can catch soft tubes during endoscope procedures, compromising the smoothness of diagnosis.

Innovation Solution

A bite block design featuring a hollow oral cavity insert part with a flange-shaped plate and through holes or grooves on the side surface of the hollow outside part, allowing for a simple planar opening surface and facilitating connection with external devices such as overtubes and oxygen tubes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a connection structure with concavo-convex shape is provided in the bite block to connect with overtube, then the connection with external device is enabled, but the opening surface becomes complicated and soft tubes may be caught during endoscope diagnosis

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection capability with external deviceVSAvoidopening surface structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention divides the bite block into distinct functional zones: a simple planar opening surface for endoscope passage and a separate connection region with through-holes for external device attachment. This segmentation allows the opening surface to remain simple while still enabling connection functionality through the through-holes, resolving the contradiction between connection capability and surface simplicity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention moves the connection structure from the opening surface (2D plane) to the side surface of the bite block (3D space). By providing through-holes in the side surface rather than modifying the opening surface, the connection function is achieved without complicating the opening surface geometry, thus maintaining smooth passage for endoscope soft tubes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Adaptability or versatility

If an attachment mechanism for oxygen tube is provided in the bite block, then oxygen gas can be supplied to oral cavity, but the opening surface structure becomes complicated

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoxygen supply capabilityVSAvoidopening surface structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention separates the oxygen supply function from the opening surface by providing a dedicated through-hole in the side surface of the bite block. This segmentation allows the opening surface to remain simple and smooth while the oxygen tube connection is handled through the side surface opening, avoiding any complication to the opening surface structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Ease of operation

If the opening surface has a simple planar shape, then soft tubes are not caught during diagnosis, but connection with external devices becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesmoothness of endoscope procedureVSAvoidconnection capability with external device
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The invention relocates the connection interfaces from the opening surface (where they would complicate the planar shape) to the side surface of the bite block. By providing through-holes in the side surface, the invention enables external device connection without affecting the simplicity and smoothness of the opening surface, thus maintaining ease of endoscope operation while adding connection capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Data Source

PatentEP3468442B1Bite block and gas sensor kit
Publication Date: 2023.09.27 NIHON KOHDEN CORP
  • EP3468442B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3468442B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3468442B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A bite block includes a hollow oral cavity insert part, a plate and a hollow outside part. The hollow oral cavity insert part is in contact with an oral cavity of a subject at the time of attaching the bite block to the subject. The plate is formed in a flange shape extending from the oral cavity insert part. A hollow outside part includes an exposed portion which is exposed to an outside of the oral cavity at the time of attaching, and communicates with a hole of the oral cavity insert part. In the bite block, the hollow outside part includes at least one through hole with which an external device is attached to the bite block, on the exposed portion.