Methods, devices, systems, assemblies, and kits for tissue retraction in an oral cavity

Abstract

Provided herein is a retraction device for retracting soft tissue from the dental surfaces in the oral cavity of a patient. The retraction device is comprised of a topology conformable structure, where the topology conformable structure is adaptable to be delivered to the oral cavity in a constrained shape. The device can then undergo a conformation change in the oral cavity, where the device transforms into its unconstrained shape. The unconstrained shape of the device creates a useable working field in the oral cavity. The useable working field can provide increased accessibility to and/or visibility within the oral cavity. Also provided herein are methods for using the device and kits.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A soft tissue retraction device comprising:
 a right posterior end;   a left posterior end positioned opposite the right posterior end;   an upper frame having an upper anterior end, the upper frame extending from the upper anterior end to the right posterior end and to the left posterior end;   a lower frame that is interconnected with the upper frame at the right posterior end and the left posterior end, the lower frame having a lower anterior end and extending from the lower anterior end to the right posterior end and to the left posterior end;   a cross member including:
 a first lateral extension interconnected with the lower frame and the upper frame at the left posterior end, and 
 a second lateral extension interconnected with the lower frame and the upper frame at the right posterior end; and 
   a tongue retractor attached to the first lateral extension and the second lateral extension,   wherein each of the first lateral extension and the second lateral extension is posteriorly curved between the left posterior end and right posterior end.   
     
     
         2 . The soft tissue retraction device of  claim 1 , wherein the upper frame and the lower frame generally coincide with an arch shape. 
     
     
         3 . The soft tissue retraction device of  claim 2 , wherein:
 the upper frame is positionable around an outer surface of an upper dental arch; and   the lower frame is positionable around an outer surface of a lower dental arch.   
     
     
         4 . The soft tissue retraction device of  claim 1 , further comprising a lip rest that extends from the upper anterior end and configured to protrude an upper lip away from teeth of an upper dental arch of a patient. 
     
     
         5 . The soft tissue retraction device of  claim 1 , wherein the upper frame and the lower frame include two or more radii of curvature between the right posterior end and the left posterior end. 
     
     
         6 . The soft tissue retraction device of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the upper frame, the lower frame, the cross member, and the tongue retractor is a single piece; and   the upper frame, the lower frame, the cross member, and the tongue retractor are comprised of a plastic material.   
     
     
         7 . The soft tissue retraction device of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the upper frame and the lower frame are configurable in a constrained shape and in an unconstrained shape;   in the unconstrained shape, the upper anterior end of the upper frame and lower anterior end of the lower frame are positioned a first distance from one another;   in the constrained shape, the upper anterior end of the upper frame and lower anterior end of the lower frame are a second distance from one another, the second distance being less than the first distance;   in the unconstrained shape, the upper frame and the lower frame create an working field in a mouth of a patient around teeth of the patient; and   in the constrained shape, the upper frame and the lower frame are inwardly collapsed to narrow a height between the upper anterior end and the lower anterior end to facilitate insertion into a mouth of the patient.   
     
     
         8 . The soft tissue retraction device of  claim 7 , wherein the upper frame and the lower frame are sized and configured to reside substantially entirely within the mouth when configured in the unconstrained shape. 
     
     
         9 . The soft tissue retraction device of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the tongue retractor is configured to limit movement of a tongue of a patient; and   the tongue retractor includes a membrane that extends toward the upper anterior end to create a space configured to receive the tongue.   
     
     
         10 . The soft tissue retraction device of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the tongue retractor comprises a polymer structure and a membrane connected to the polymer structure; and   the membrane is configured to deflect a tongue from a working space.   
     
     
         11 . The soft tissue retraction device of  claim 1 , wherein each of the first lateral extension and the second lateral extension is posteriorly curved to extend posteriorly behind the left posterior end and the right posterior end. 
     
     
         12 . The soft tissue retraction device of  claim 11 , wherein each of the first lateral extension and the second lateral extension are configured to extend posteriorly behind posterior teeth in a mouth and configured to permit engagement of occlusal tooth surfaces of the posterior teeth. 
     
     
         13 . A soft tissue retraction device configured to create a working field in a mouth of a patient, the soft tissue retraction device comprising:
 a right posterior end;   a left posterior end opposite the right posterior end;   a lower frame including an anterior end, the lower frame extending from the anterior end to the right posterior end and to the left posterior end;   a tongue retractor configured to limit movement of a tongue of the patient; and   a cross member including:
 a first lateral extension interconnected with the lower frame at the left posterior end and with the tongue retractor, the first lateral extension extending towards the right posterior end and being posteriorly curved between the left posterior end and the tongue retractor to extend posterior to the left posterior end; and 
 a second lateral extension interconnected with the lower frame at the right posterior end and with the tongue retractor, the second lateral extension extending towards the left posterior end and being posteriorly curved between the right posterior end. 
   
     
     
         14 . The soft tissue retraction device of  claim 13 , further comprising an upper frame having an upper anterior end,
 wherein:
 the upper frame extends from the upper anterior end to the right posterior end and to the left posterior end; and 
 the lower frame is interconnected with the upper frame at the right posterior end and the left posterior end. 
   
     
     
         15 . The soft tissue retraction device of  claim 14 , wherein:
 the upper frame and the lower frame generally coincide with an arch shape;   an upper frame is positionable around an outer surface of an upper dental arch; and   a lower frame is positionable around an outer surface of a lower dental arch.   
     
     
         16 . The soft tissue retraction device of  claim 15 , wherein the upper frame and the lower frame include two or more radii of curvature between the right posterior end and the left posterior end. 
     
     
         17 . The soft tissue retraction device of  claim 13 , wherein:
 the tongue retractor comprises elongated structure with an upper end, a lower end, and a membrane;   the upper end and the lower end are comprised of a polymer structure;   the membrane is connected to the polymer structure; and   the membrane is configured to deflect the tongue from a working field.   
     
     
         18 . The soft tissue retraction device of  claim 13 , wherein each of the first lateral extension and the second lateral extension are configured to extend posteriorly behind posterior teeth in the mouth and configured to permit engagement of occlusal tooth surfaces of the posterior teeth. 
     
     
         19 . A soft tissue retraction device comprising:
 a lower arch frame including a lower anterior end, the lower arch frame extending from the lower anterior end to a right posterior end and from the lower anterior end to a left posterior end, and the lower arch frame including two or more radii of curvature between the right posterior end and the left posterior end;   an upper arch frame interconnected with the lower arch frame, the upper arch frame including an upper anterior end, extending from the upper anterior end to the right posterior end and from the upper anterior end to the left posterior end, and including two or more radii of curvature between the right posterior end and the left posterior end;   a tongue retractor including a polymer structure and a membrane connected to the polymer structure, the membrane being configured to deflect a tongue from a working field;   a first lateral extension interconnected with the lower arch frame, the upper arch frame, and the tongue retractor, the first lateral extension extending towards the right posterior end and being posteriorly curved between the left posterior end and the tongue retractor to extend posterior to the left posterior end; and   a second lateral extension interconnected with the lower arch frame, the upper arch frame, and the tongue retractor, the second lateral extension extending towards the left posterior end and being posteriorly curved between the right posterior end and the tongue retractor to extend posterior to the right posterior end.   
     
     
         20 . The soft tissue retraction device of  claim 19 , wherein:
 the upper arch frame and the lower arch frame are configurable in a constrained shape and in an unconstrained shape;   in the constrained shape:
 the upper anterior end and lower anterior end are a first distance from one another, and 
 the upper arch frame and the lower arch frame are inwardly collapsed to narrow a height between the upper anterior end and the lower anterior end to facilitate insertion into a mouth of a patient; 
   in the unconstrained shape:
 the upper anterior end and lower anterior end are positioned a second distance from one another, the second distance being greater than the first distance; 
 the upper frame is positionable around an outer surface of an upper dental arch; 
 the lower frame is positionable around an outer surface of a lower dental arch; and 
 the first and second lateral extensions are positionable behind posterior teeth in the mouth.