Enhanced Intra-oral Device for Optimized Oral Tissue Protection during Radiation Treatment
Legal Citation
Summary of the Inventive Concept
An advanced intra-oral device that provides improved protection of oral tissues during radiation treatment through adjustable dental arch members, tongue-deviating paddle with sensor, built-in cooling system, and real-time radiation level monitoring.
Background and Problem Solved
The original patent disclosed an intra-oral device for protecting oral tissues during radiation treatment. However, the device had limitations in terms of adjustability, comfort, and real-time monitoring. The new inventive concept addresses these limitations by introducing advanced features that enhance the device's performance and patient comfort.
Detailed Description of the Inventive Concept
The enhanced intra-oral device comprises a dental arch assembly with adjustable upper and lower dental arch members, allowing for personalized fitting and optimal positioning. The device also features a tongue-deviating paddle equipped with a sensor that detects tongue movement and adjusts the paddle's position accordingly, ensuring effective protection of oral tissues. Additionally, the device incorporates a built-in cooling system to reduce patient discomfort during prolonged radiation treatment sessions. A sensor for detecting radiation levels and a controller for adjusting the device's position and configuration in response to changes in radiation levels further enhance the device's performance. The inventive concept also includes a method for customizing the intra-oral device using digital modeling and a virtual reality simulator for training healthcare professionals.
Novelty and Inventive Step
The new claims introduce novel features such as adjustable dental arch members, a sensor-equipped tongue-deviating paddle, a built-in cooling system, and real-time radiation level monitoring. These advancements provide a significant improvement over the original patent, addressing the limitations of adjustability, comfort, and real-time monitoring.
Alternative Embodiments and Variations
Alternative embodiments of the inventive concept could include different materials or designs for the dental arch assembly, varying sensor types for the tongue-deviating paddle, and alternative cooling systems. Additionally, the device could be adapted for use in other medical treatments requiring oral tissue protection.
Potential Commercial Applications and Market
The enhanced intra-oral device has significant commercial potential in the radiation oncology market, particularly in hospitals and cancer treatment centers. The device's advanced features and improved patient comfort could lead to increased adoption and market share.
Section 103 Obviousness Analysis (PHOSITA)
Field of Art
Medical Device Design for Radiation Treatment Protection, specifically intra-oral protective devices for head and neck cancer treatments. Requires expertise in dental prosthetics, medical device engineering, radiation oncology, and biomechanical design
Person of Ordinary Skill (PHOSITA) Profile
A biomedical engineer or medical device designer with advanced degrees, experience in dental and radiation treatment technologies, familiar with adaptive medical device design principles, and capable of iterative technological improvements
Obviousness Rationale
A PHOSITA would recognize that the source patent's fundamental intra-oral radiation protection device provides a clear technological foundation for incremental improvements. The PTD's variations represent predictable engineering extensions that address known limitations in the original design, such as personalization, patient comfort, and real-time monitoring. These modifications would be considered obvious improvements using standard design techniques and available sensor technologies.
Obvious Combinations & Variations
Original Patent Information
| Patent Number | US 11,857,802 |
|---|---|
| Title | Intra-oral device for protecting oral tissues during radiation treatment |
| Assignee(s) | GrayDuck Stents, LLC |