Endoscopic bite block with enhanced positions

Abstract

An endoscopic bite block comprising a tubular body having an upper outer surface and a lower outer surface; a front plate having an upper section and a lower section, said upper section being disposed outwardly relative to said lower section, to enable appropriate lip fitting; a teeth positioning region on at least one of said upper and lower outer surfaces; and a nasal gas channel selected from the group consisting of: a breath sampling prong and a gas delivery channel, wherein said teeth positioning region and the disposition of said sections of the front plate are configured to maintain said endoscopic bite block in a predetermined, upright position within a mouth of a subject, to enable a correct position of said nasal gas channel in relation to a nose of the subject.

1 . An endoscopic bite block, comprising:
 a tubular body having an upper outer surface and a lower outer surface;   a front plate having an upper section and a lower section, said upper section being disposed outwardly relative to said lower section, to enable appropriate lip fitting;   a teeth positioning region on at least one of said upper and lower outer surfaces; and   a nasal gas channel selected from the group consisting of: a breath sampling prong and a gas delivery channel,   wherein said teeth positioning region and the disposition of said sections of the front plate are configured to maintain said endoscopic bite block in a predetermined, upright position within a mouth of a subject, to enable a correct position of said nasal gas channel in relation to a nose of the subject.   
   
   
       2 . The endoscopic bite block according to  claim 1 , wherein said teeth positioning region on at least one of said upper and lower outer surfaces comprises a teeth positioning region on each of said upper and lower outer surfaces, said teeth positioning region of said upper outer surface being disposed outwardly relative to said teeth positioning region of said lower outer surface, to enhance the maintenance of said endoscopic bite block in the predetermined, upright position. 
   
   
       3 . The endoscopic bite block according to  claim 1 , wherein said teeth positioning region is curved to approximate the curve of the teeth in a human jaw. 
   
   
       4 . The endoscopic bite block according to  claim 1 , wherein said teeth positioning region is a groove in said tubular body. 
   
   
       5 . The endoscopic bite block according to  claim 2 , wherein said teeth positioning region of said upper outer surface is a lowered platform in said tubular body. 
   
   
       6 . The endoscopic bite block according to  claim 5 , wherein said teeth positioning region of said lower outer surface is a sloping stepped depression, set further back than said lowered platform of said upper outer surface. 
   
   
       7 . The endoscopic bite block according to  claim 1 , wherein said teeth positioning region comprises a soft material for increased comfort. 
   
   
       8 . The endoscopic bite block according to  claim 1 , wherein said teeth positioning region is at least partially made of a material which is softer or harder than its associated surface, to define a teeth gripping position. 
   
   
       9 . The endoscopic bite block according to  claim 1 , wherein said teeth positioning region has a texture which is different from a texture of its associated surface, to define a teeth gripping position. 
   
   
       10 . The endoscopic bite block according to  claim 1 , further comprising connecting points for attaching said endoscopic bite block to said subject, wherein said connecting points are located above a horizontal center line of said front plate, to overcome teeth-generated moment tilting said endoscopic bite block downwards. 
   
   
       11 . The endoscopic bite block according to  claim 10 , further comprising an attachment band configured for connection to said connecting points. 
   
   
       12 . The endoscopic bite block according to  claim 1 , wherein said tubular body further comprises an oral breath sampling channel. 
   
   
       13 . The endoscopic bite block according to  claim 12 , further comprising a breath collection tube in fluid connection with said oral breath sampling channel and protruding from said endoscopic bite block, for connection to a capnograph. 
   
   
       14 . The endoscopic bite block according to  claim 13 , wherein said breath collection tube is located in a right side of said endoscopic bite block, to enable breath collection when said subject is lying on his left side during an endoscopic procedure. 
   
   
       15 . The endoscopic bite block according to  claim 12 , wherein said oral breath sampling channel is jutting out of a roof of a central channel of said tubular body, and comprises an opening directed rearwards, to intercept part of an exhaled breath flow. 
   
   
       16 . The endoscopic bite block according to  claim 15 , wherein said oral breath sampling channel has a scoop configuration, to enhance the interception of the part of the exhaled breath flow. 
   
   
       17 . The endoscopic bite block according to  claim 15 , further comprising a penetrable curtain disposed at an outer end section of said tubular body and across the majority of an internal cross section of said tubular body, for substantially preventing flow of gases across said majority of said cross section, so as to enhance the interception of the part of the exhaled breath flow. 
   
   
       18 . The endoscopic bite block according to  claim 17 , wherein said penetrable curtain comprises flaps of material peripherally secured to said tubular body. 
   
   
       19 . The endoscopic bite block according to  claim 17 , wherein said penetrable curtain is constructed of a transparent material such that visibility into an oral cavity of the subject is maintained. 
   
   
       20 . The endoscopic bite block according to  claim 1 , further comprising a breath collection tube in fluid connection with said breath sampling prong and protruding from said endoscopic bite block, for connection to a capnograph. 
   
   
       21 . The endoscopic bite block according to  claim 20 , wherein said breath collection tube is located in a right side of said endoscopic bite block, to enable breath collection when said subject is lying on his left side during an endoscopic procedure. 
   
   
       22 . The endoscopic bite block according to  claim 1 , further comprising a gas delivery nipple in fluid connection with said gas delivery channel and protruding from said endoscopic bite block, for connection to a gas source. 
   
   
       23 . The endoscopic bite block according to  claim 22 , wherein said gas delivery nipple is located in a right side of said endoscopic bite block, to enable gas delivery when said subject is lying on his left side during an endoscopic procedure. 
   
   
       24 . The endoscopic bite block according to  claim 23 , wherein said tubular body further comprises an internal oral gas supply channel in fluid connection with said gas delivery nipple and said gas delivery channel.