Dental instrument assemblies (e.g., mouth pieces, bite blocks, vacuum dental mirrors, illuminated dental mirrors, illuminated dental wedges, trans-illumination dental instrument, illuminated dental bite blocks, etc.) are provided. The dental instrument assemblies may be adapted to be periodically sterilized. The dental instrument assemblies may include a magnetically energetic fiber optic coupler. The magnetically energetic fiber optic coupler may be configured to allow dental instrument adapter to rotate with respect to an associated fiber optic cable that is removably connected to the magnetically energetic fiber optic coupler. The dental instrument assemblies may include a fiber optic material that is encapsulated.

Dental instrument assemblies (e.g., mouth pieces, bite blocks, vacuum dental mirrors, illuminated dental mirrors, illuminated dental wedges, trans-illumination dental instrument, illuminated dental bite blocks, etc.) are provided. The dental instrument assemblies may be adapted to be periodically sterilized. The dental instrument assemblies may include a magnetically energetic fiber optic coupler. The magnetically energetic fiber optic coupler may be configured to allow dental instrument adapter to rotate with respect to an associated fiber optic cable that is removably connected to the magnetically energetic fiber optic coupler. The dental instrument assemblies may include a fiber optic material that is encapsulated.

An intra-oral device for positioning oral tissues during medical treatment, for example, radiation treatment. The device includes upper and lower dental arch members configured to engage the maxillary and mandibular teeth or edentulous arch(es) of a patient, respectively. Moldable material is maintained within channels formed in the dental arch members by partially extruding the material through keyways formed in the arch members during the bite mold process. The upper and lower dental arch members are operatively coupled to provide a dental arch assembly. A protective element to displace or depress a patients tongue is secured at a suitable working position with respect to the dental arch assembly via a threaded strut adjustably coupled between the protective element and a support structure disposed between the dental arch members.

An intra-oral device for positioning oral tissues during medical treatment, for example, radiation treatment. The device includes upper and lower dental arch members configured to engage the maxillary and mandibular teeth or edentulous arch(es) of a patient, respectively. Moldable material is maintained within channels formed in the dental arch members by partially extruding the material through keyways formed in the arch members during the bite mold process. The upper and lower dental arch members are operatively coupled to provide a dental arch assembly. A protective element to displace or depress a patients tongue is secured at a suitable working position with respect to the dental arch assembly via a threaded strut adjustably coupled between the protective element and a support structure disposed between the dental arch members.

The invention relates to a device for immobilizing the head of a patient in an installation for carrying out radiotherapy, wherein the device comprises a thermoplastic mask, shaped according to the contour of the patient's head, and a mouthpiece, wherein the mouthpiece has a central part from which a spout protrudes in the direction of the mouth and from which a holding structure protrudes in the direction away from the mouth, wherein an air channel is provided which extends through the mouthpiece from the mouth-side end of the spout to the side of the central part in the direction away from the mouth, and wherein a region of the mask is shaped according to the contour of the holding structure. The invention further relates to a method for producing such a device, to the use of such a device for immobilizing the head of a patient in an installation for carrying out radiotherapy, and to an installation for carrying out radiotherapy which, in order to immobilize the head of a patient, comprises such a device.

The invention relates to a method and a system for evaluating reliability of results in a visual reaction test taken by a user. Method steps with following phases are repeated several times: A visual test stimulus with a recognisable value is shown to the user, at a stimulus time-point; The user reports when she recognises the stimulus value, at a reporting time-point; A variable and relatively short delay time is inserted between the visual stimuli; Reaction times between the stimulus time-points and the reporting time-points are recorded; Step times are calculated as a sum of the delay time and reaction time for each step. Correlation between step times and delay times or correlation between reaction times and delay times is compared with predefined correlation values for reliability and thereby the level of reliability of the results is determined.

A medical device for exposing and holding open an operating area in the region of the oral cavity of a patient, preferably a laryngo-pharyngoscope retractor, the device having a holding structure that is fixable in the head region of the patient for mounting medical instruments and tools and a spatula that is insertable into the oral cavity for fixing the tongue or other parts in the operating area and that includes a spatula blade and a handle region, characterized in that the spatula includes two or more mutually adjacent adjustment elements that are movable relative to one another.

A medical device for exposing and holding open an operating area in the region of the oral cavity of a patient, preferably a laryngo-pharyngoscope retractor, the device having a holding structure that is fixable in the head region of the patient for mounting medical instruments and tools and a spatula that is insertable into the oral cavity for fixing the tongue or other parts in the operating area and that includes a spatula blade and a handle region, characterized in that the spatula includes two or more mutually adjacent adjustment elements that are movable relative to one another.

Dental retraction and isolation devices disclosed herein simultaneously isolate at least a portion of a maxillary dental arch and at least a portion of an opposing mandibular dental arch, along with the gingivae near the gumline, while gently retracting a patient's tongue, cheek and lips. All procedures in operative dentistry and fixed prosthodontics can be performed using these devices, but they are particularly useful where access to the gingiva is necessary or desirable, where a dry field is crucial for bonding success, and/or where occlusion and masticatory movement in a dry field are advantageous. The devices can be deployed in seconds and stay in place without clamps, ligatures or wedges, and because the devices are fabricated from soft, pliable materials, they reduce tissue damage and conform to oral surfaces.

Dental retraction and isolation devices disclosed herein simultaneously isolate at least a portion of a maxillary dental arch and at least a portion of an opposing mandibular dental arch, along with the gingivae near the gumline, while gently retracting a patient's tongue, cheek and lips. All procedures in operative dentistry and fixed prosthodontics can be performed using these devices, but they are particularly useful where access to the gingiva is necessary or desirable, where a dry field is crucial for bonding success, and/or where occlusion and masticatory movement in a dry field are advantageous. The devices can be deployed in seconds and stay in place without clamps, ligatures or wedges, and because the devices are fabricated from soft, pliable materials, they reduce tissue damage and conform to oral surfaces.