Patent ID: 7938644
Filing Date: 2011-05-10
Classification: A61C

Abstract:
1. A method for retracting a patient's tongue and shielding the patient's throat during an oral medical procedure, the method comprising: providing an oral shield, the oral shield comprising an absorbent, deformable shield body having a circumference, the shield body comprising an insertion end configured and arranged for insertion into a patient's mouth, the insertion end having an outer edge that comprises a convex region that extends an entire length of the outer edge of the insertion end, a handling end disposed opposite to the insertion end, the handling end having an outer edge that comprises a convex region that extends an entire length of the outer edge of the handling end, a first curved outer edge extending between the insertion end and the handling end, and a second curved outer edge extending between the insertion end and the handling end, wherein the second curved outer edge is disposed opposite to the first curved outer edge, wherein the first curved outer edge comprises a single concave region that is configured and arranged to conform to a floor of the patient's mouth, wherein the second curved outer edge comprises a convex region that is configured and arranged to conform to a roof of the patient's mouth, the convex region extending an entire length of the second curved outer edge, wherein the outer edge of the insertion end, the outer edge of the handling end, the first curved outer edge, and the second curved outer edge collectively form the entire circumference of the shield body; inserting the insertion end of the oral shield into a first side of the patient's mouth, between inner surfaces of the patient's teeth and the patient's tongue such that the handling end extends outwardly from the first side of the patient's mouth; and tucking the handling end of the oral shield between outer surfaces of the patient's teeth and an inner surface of the patient's cheek on a second side of the patient's mouth, opposite to the first side of the patient's mouth.