Multifunctional Oral Stent for Radiotherapy Tongue Deviation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current intraoral stents for radiotherapy in oral cancer treatment lack multifunctionality, requiring separate devices for tongue deviation, radiation shielding, and salivary protection, which can complicate patient management and treatment efficacy.

Innovation Solution

A customizable oral stent comprising two arcuate pieces fitting over the upper and lower jaws, with integrated features such as a reservoir for medication or saliva substitutes, a separator for gap creation, and a fin or flap-shaped tongue deviation septum to position the tongue away from the radiation field.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple separate devices are used for tongue deviation, radiation shielding, and salivary protection, then each function can be performed adequately, but device complexity and patient management difficulty increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefunctional completenessVSAvoidnumber of devices

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines tongue deviation, radiation shielding, and salivary protection functions into a single integrated oral stent device. The stent includes a tongue deviation component, radiation shielding material, and reservoir for salivary substitutes, all unified in one structure that fits the patient's oral cavity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The oral stent is designed as a multifunctional device that simultaneously performs tongue deviation, radiation shielding, and salivary protection. This universal device replaces multiple separate appliances, simplifying patient management while maintaining all necessary therapeutic functions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Measurement precision

If custom oral stents are designed to provide stability and deflect the tongue, then treatment precision improves, but difficulty in choosing and adhering to the appropriate device increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetreatment precisionVSAvoiddevice selection and adherence

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

By designing a universal stent that incorporates all necessary functions (tongue deviation, shielding, salivary protection), the patent eliminates the need for patients and clinicians to navigate multiple device options. The single multifunctional device simplifies selection while maintaining precise treatment capabilities.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The integration of multiple functions into one stent design removes the complexity of choosing between separate devices. Patients adhere to a single appliance that handles all therapeutic requirements, improving compliance while preserving treatment precision through customized design.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Reliability

If radiotherapy is administered to treat oral cancer, then cancer control is achieved, but severe side effects such as dry mouth, pain, and difficulty swallowing occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecancer control efficacyVSAvoidradiation side effects

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent converts the harmful effect of radiation on salivary glands by providing a reservoir that delivers salivary substitutes directly to affected areas. The radiation-induced dry mouth is counteracted by the integrated hydration system, turning a treatment side effect into a managed condition.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Solution Approach 2:

The stent provides protective functions before and during radiation treatment by shielding healthy tissues and providing salivary substitutes in advance. This preemptive protection cushions patients against the full brunt of radiation side effects while maintaining cancer control efficacy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

4Object-affected harmful factors

If the tongue is positioned away from the radiation field, then radiation exposure to healthy tissues is reduced, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveradiation exposure to healthy tissuesVSAvoidstent structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The tongue deviation function is merged with the oral stent structure itself, using the stent's physical form to guide and position the tongue away from the radiation field. This integration achieves radiation protection without adding separate complex positioning mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The stent is designed with specific local features (such as contours and protrusions) that interact with the tongue to achieve deviation. These localized structural qualities accomplish the tongue positioning function without requiring complex overall device architecture.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentUS12310812B1Multifunctional oral appliance

Publication Date: 2025.05.27 KING SAUD UNIVERSITY

AI summary

A method and device using a multifunctional oral appliance is provided with the capabilities of protecting healthy tissue during a radiotherapy treatment for oral cancers. The multi-functional oral appliance includes a reservoir for holding medications, moisturizing liquids, and other drugs required during treatment. The multi-functional oral appliance also includes a separate element for positioning of the tongue during a radiotherapy treatment.