Enhanced Intra-oral Device for Optimized Oral Tissue Protection during Radiation Treatment

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.

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.

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.

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 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.

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.