An immobilization system, especially for use on the human head and neck area, is described in various embodiments. The system may include a bite block immobilization system having a bite block with a dental interface releasably engageable with a plurality of teeth of a patient, and a retention mask. The dental interface releasably engages the teeth of a patient and allows very highly accurate repositioning during multiple procedures. In some embodiments, the bite block may have an integral bite block airway passage, allowing a patient to have unobstructed breathing both during molding of the retention mask and during subsequent use of the system, and may include a tongue diverter, that may, by way of example only and not to limitation, be used to divert the tongue away from a therapeutic radiation beam. Steps for utilizing the system are further described.

A method is disclosed of making a customized intraoral positioning device to be positioned within a patient's mouth for radiation therapy planning and treatment of a head and/or neck of the patient, the method comprising: receiving a prescribed treatment plan using the customized intraoral positioning device, wherein the treatment plan includes a prescribed incisor separation and/or tongue position of the patient for intended treatment; creating impressions of the patient's upper and lower arches of the patient's mouth; introducing a registration device into the patient's mouth to position the upper and lower arches at the prescribed incisor separation, so as to enable a model of the patient's upper and lower arches to be registered; creating models of the patients upper and lower arches based upon the impressions of the patient's upper and lower arches; digitizing the models of the patient's upper and lower arches; assembling the models of the patient's upper and lower arches on registration device; and digitizing the assembly of the models on the registration device so as to obtain a relationship between the upper and lower arches at the prescribed incisor separation.

An apparatus for mandibular advancement of an oral appliance for use in the treatment of sleep apnea, snoring, and other conditions. The apparatus for mandibular advancement of an oral appliance generally includes a first appliance portion comprising a gear assembly having a drive gear, wherein rotation of the drive gear linearly displaces links. The appliance also has a second appliance portion with a link-engaging members, wherein the links exert a force on the link-engaging members when they are linearly displaced, and wherein the force causes the second appliance portion to be displaced relative to the first appliance portion.

A system and method for forming a sterile dental pack is disclosed. The method includes preparing a first wrap and a second wrap; arranging a plurality of dental disposable supplies on the first wrap; and wrapping the plurality of dental disposable supplies within the first wrap and the second wrap to form an airtight container. Also disclosed is a sterile dental pack dispensing system. The sterile dental pack dispensing system may include a storage container with an opening, the storage container being configured to store a wrapped sterile dental pack; an output configured to receive the wrapped sterile dental pack from the storage container; and a fiber optic indicator configured to cause the wrapped sterile dental pack to move from the storage container to the output through the opening.

A system and method for forming a sterile dental pack is disclosed. The method includes preparing a first wrap and a second wrap; arranging a plurality of dental disposable supplies on the first wrap; and wrapping the plurality of dental disposable supplies within the first wrap and the second wrap to form an airtight container. Also disclosed is a sterile dental pack dispensing system. The sterile dental pack dispensing system may include a storage container with an opening, the storage container being configured to store a wrapped sterile dental pack; an output configured to receive the wrapped sterile dental pack from the storage container; and a fiber optic indicator configured to cause the wrapped sterile dental pack to move from the storage container to the output through the opening.

A mouth appliance for maintaining effective airflow in a user's airway comprises a frame formed to engage the user's upper and lower teeth to retain the frame in a selected position in the user's mouth in accord with the user's natural bite. A tongue depressor is mounted to the frame and formed to extend to a rear portion of the user's throat and to exert pressure directly on the tongue in the area of the user's soft palate, thereby facilitating comfort and ease in occasional swallowing, while providing airflow effectiveness to prevent the user from snoring and experiencing sleep apnea.

A mouth appliance for maintaining effective airflow in a user's airway comprises a frame formed to engage the user's upper and lower teeth to retain the frame in a selected position in the user's mouth in accord with the user's natural bite. A tongue depressor is mounted to the frame and formed to extend to a rear portion of the user's throat and to exert pressure directly on the tongue in the area of the user's soft palate, thereby facilitating comfort and ease in occasional swallowing, while providing airflow effectiveness to prevent the user from snoring and experiencing sleep apnea.

A laryngoscope is described for inserting into a mouth of a patient having a tongue, the laryngoscope comprising a handle and an elongate blade detachably fixed to the handle in a plane angularly disposed with respect to the longitudinal axis of the handle. The blade includes a stationary portion and a movable portion having a surface for engaging the tongue of the patient, the movable portion mounted to the stationary portion of the blade for rotation about an axis substantially along the longitudinal axis of the blade. An operating member is manipulated by user for rotating the movable portion of the blade, wherein laryngoscopy of the patient by manipulation of the handle includes at least a rotating motion of the movable portion of the blade.

A laryngoscope is described for inserting into a mouth of a patient having a tongue, the laryngoscope comprising a handle and an elongate blade detachably fixed to the handle in a plane angularly disposed with respect to the longitudinal axis of the handle. The blade includes a stationary portion and a movable portion having a surface for engaging the tongue of the patient, the movable portion mounted to the stationary portion of the blade for rotation about an axis substantially along the longitudinal axis of the blade. An operating member is manipulated by user for rotating the movable portion of the blade, wherein laryngoscopy of the patient by manipulation of the handle includes at least a rotating motion of the movable portion of the blade.

An oropharyngeal airway for use during diagnostic and surgical procedures, comprising a body with a proximal and a distal end. The distal end is sized for insertion through a protective bite block disposed in a patient's mouth. Both sides of the distal end are tapered to a curved distal edge. A flange is transversely opposed at the proximal end, preventing the proximal end from moving through the protective bite block and into the patient's mouth. An elliptically-arched channel in the shape of a lingual contour extends from the proximal end to the distal end. The channel includes a pair of tapered upstanding walls that guide the passage of a surgical instrument through the space between them. The oropharyngeal airway can be constructed of recyclable or biodegradable materials and is compatible with protective bite blocks of all sizes.