Combination illuminator and lip and cheek expander

An illuminating lip and cheek expanding device comprising a lip expander including a pair of lip engaging members to engage opposite corners of the mouth. At least one of the lip engaging members includes a fiber optic bundle having a light outlet end located at the periphery of the mouth and facing inwardly toward the teeth of the mouth to be illuminated. The fiber optic bundle also has a light inlet end connected to the light outlet end and adapted to be connected to a light source, so that light from said source may be conveyed through said fiber optic bundle and onto the teeth.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
The present invention relates to illuminating devices and more particularly 
for devices used to illuminate a dental patient's mouth for examination 
and/or operative purposes. 
It is very difficult to properly illuminate the interior of a dental 
patient's mouth due to the fact that (1) the oral cavity must be 
illuminated through a relatively restricted opening (i.e. the lips) and 
(2) the dentist must work in close proximity to the mouth, thus normally 
blocking light from entering the oral cavity. However, proper illumination 
is absolutely essential for the many delicate operations and procedures 
for dental treatment and oral surgery. Previous oral illumination devices 
are unsatisfactory. 
Most typically, the oral cavity is illuminated using a focused light 
mounted approximately two to three feet above the dental chair and 
arranged to direct light onto and into the mouth. The amount of light 
entering the oral cavity using such an arrangement is somewhat limited due 
to the fact that the light source is remote from the patient's mouth. 
Additionally, the dentist or oral surgeon must often position himself 
between the light and the patient to properly view the mouth and, 
accordingly, blocks light from entering the mouth. 
It is also well known to incorporate illumination means, particularly fiber 
optic illumination means, on handheld dental instruments. Typically, one 
or two fiber optic strands extend longitudinally of the instrument and 
have a light outlet end arranged to direct light at the action end of the 
instrument in "headlight" fashion. However, such an arrangement directs 
light only on a limited area and does not provide illumination for the 
entire oral cavity. Additionally, the presence of the illumination means, 
typically as an add-on feature, on the instrument interferes with the 
comfortable and proper use of the instrument. 
Although several devices have been specifically designed for illuminating 
an interior portion of the oral cavity, these devices typically extend far 
into the cavity, interfering with the proper movement of the many 
treatment and surgical instruments required for examination and/or 
operative treatment. (see U.S. Pat. No. 3,616,792 entitled ILLUMINATING 
SURGICAL SPECULA and issued Nov. 2, 1971, to Pleet; U.S. Pat. No. 
1,998,374 entitled DENTAL SPECULUM and issued Apr. 16, 1935, to Lowry; and 
French Pat. No. 674,647.) Additionally, these devices do not adequately 
illuminate the teeth and surrounding area. 
Although a wide variety of lip and cheek expanders, and other mouth 
spreaders, have been developed, these devices typically do not include 
illumination means to effect proper lighting of the oral cavity, 
particularly the teeth and surrounding area. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
The aforementioned problems are solved by the present invention wherein a 
combination illuminator and lip and cheek expander is provided including 
an illumination means located at the periphery of the oral cavity on lip 
expanders engaging the corners of the patient's mouth. Neither the 
expander, nor the illumination means mounted thereon, penetrates any 
further than the immediate lip region so that the interior of the oral 
cavity immediately adjacent the lip periphery and inwardly thereof is 
properly illuminated without the device interfering with the movement of 
instruments within the cavity. Further, while illuminating the oral 
cavity, the present device engages the opposite corners of the mouth to 
expand both the lips and cheeks and thus assist in holding the patient's 
mouth in an open position. The present device not only does not interfere 
with the insertion of other instruments into the patient's mouth, but 
actually enlarges the opening through which instruments must be inserted. 
More particularly, the present device comprises a lip expander including a 
pair of lip engaging members to engage opposite corners of a mouth to 
spread the lips and cheeks and hold the mouth in an open position. At 
least one of the lip engaging members includes inwardly facing fiber optic 
light transmitting means having light outlet means located in the plane of 
the lips at the periphery of the mouth. A light inlet means is connected 
to the light outlet means and adapted to be connected to a light source to 
convey light from the source to the light outlet means and into the 
patient's mouth. 
These and other objects, advantages, and features of the invention will be 
more fully understood and appreciated by reference to the written 
specification and the appended drawings.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
A combination illuminator and lip and cheek expander 10 (FIG. 1) 
constructed in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention 
comprises lip and cheek expander 12, including a pair of opposed lip 
engaging members 14a and 14b, fiber optic assembly 16, including outlet 
pieces 18a and 18b mounted on members 14a and 14b, respectively, and 
covers 20a and 20b securing the outlet pieces in place on the expander. 
Device 10 is mounted within mouth 22 (FIGS. 1 and 2), and more 
particularly on the corners of the upper and lower lips 24 and 26, to 
illuminate oral cavity 28 including teeth 30. Fiber optic assembly 16 
includes light inlet end 32, which is adapted to be connected to light 
source 34 to convey light from the source through assembly 16 and into 
cavity 28. 
Lip and cheek expander 12 (FIG. 3) includes two lip engaging members 14a 
and 14b flexingly joined by connecting bar 15. Preferably, expander 12 is 
integrally molded of a resilient, plastic material so that bar 15, when 
flexed, resiliently urges members 14a and 14b away from one another. 
Further, the material of which expander 12 is fabricated should be capable 
of withstanding relatively high temperatures so that the expander may be 
autoclaved. 
Lip engaging members 14a and 14b are generally identical to one another 
with the exception that member 14b is the mirror image of member 14a. 
Accordingly, only member 14a will be described in detail, with the 
description of member 14b being the logical, equivalent extension thereof. 
Member 14a (FIGS. 4, 5, and 6) generally includes outer U-shaped flange 
36, inner U-shaped flange 38, and intermediate bite portion 40 
interconnecting the outer flange 36 and the inner flange 38. Molded 
integrally with the outer flange 36 is a light outlet receiving extension 
37 having a channel 42 comprising the semi-cylindrical portion 42a, flared 
portion 42b, and fan-shaped portion 42c. Extension 37 also defines opposed 
grooves 44a and 44b extending the full length of channel 42 (FIGS. 4 and 
8) which receive the ribs 66a and 66b, respectively, to said in centering 
cover 20a on extension 37 and flange 36. 
Inner flange 38 is a U-shaped arcuate member designed to comfortably fit 
against the interior of the lips and cheek to draw the cheek away from the 
teeth when expander 12 is in position in the mouth. The interior surface 
of flange 38 may be covered with a reflective coating to improve 
illumination of the mouth. Intermediate bite portion 40 is generally 
arcuate in shape, being concave outwardly, and includes upper portion 46 
and lower portion 48, which engage the upper and lower lips, respectively. 
Fiber optic assembly 16 includes a sheathed fiber optic bundle 50 (FIGS. 1 
and 2) and light outlet pieces 18a and 18b (FIG. 3). Bundle 50 (FIG. 1) is 
well-known to those skilled in the art and includes light inlet end 32 
adapted to be connected to light source 34. Proximate expander 12, bundle 
50 separates into two branches 50a and 50b leading to outlet pieces 18a 
and 18b, respectively. Branches 50a and 50b terminate in knurled push-fit 
couplings 52a and 52b, respectively, which may be readily installed on, 
and removed from, outlet pieces 18a and 18b. 
Light outlet pieces 18a and 18b (FIG. 3) are generally identical to one 
another with the exception that piece 18b is the mirror image of piece 
18a. Accordingly, only piece 18a will be described in detail, with the 
description of piece 18b being the logical, equivalent extension thereof. 
Piece 18a includes a generally cylindrical lower shaft portion 54, an 
intermediate flaring portion 56 extending upwardly therefrom, and an upper 
fan-shaped portion 58 extending from the flaring portion opposite the 
shaft. Fanshaped portion 58 flares out from the compact, cylindrical shape 
of bundle 50 and shaft 54 to effect broader illumination of the oral 
cavity. Portion 58 terminates in edge 59 positioned along lip intermediate 
bite portion 40 in the assembled expander (see FIG. 2). When assembled, 
shaft portion 54 fits within the semi-cylindrical channel portion 42a of 
channel 42, flared portion 56 within flared portion 42b, and fan-shaped 
portion 58 in fan-shaped portion 42c. Terminal edge 59 of fan-shaped 
portion 58 is located at the line 41 of the intermediate portion 40, (FIG. 
6). Piece 18a is fabricated from well-known fiber optic components, 
preferably a plurality of fiber optic strands. The bundled strands have a 
generally compact, circular cross section at shaft 54 and are spread out, 
or arranged, into a fan shape at end portion 58. Each strand of a given 
cross section conveys or transmits approximately the same amount of light 
as another strand having a similarly sized cross section. Consequently, 
piece 18a provides generally uniform distribution along the length of edge 
59. Preferably metal sheath 61 is secured about shaft 54 and supports 
resilient O-ring 60, which aids in the securement of push-fit coupling 52a 
and shaft 54. 
Covers 20a and 20b (FIGS. 3 and 7) are generally identical to one another 
with the exeption that cover 20b is the mirror image of cover 20a. 
Accordingly, only cover 20a will be described in detail, with the 
description of cover 20b being the logical, equivalent extension thereof. 
Cover 20a includes a top portion 61 having an inside surface 62 which is 
curvilinearly shaped to closely overlay portions 56 and 58 of outlet piece 
18a. Projection 64 extends from portion 61 and defines semi-cylindrical 
channel 68 and ribs 66a and 66b for receiving grooves 44a and 44b of 
extension 37 (FIGS. 4, 7, and 8). Cover 62 terminates in its opposite 
sides 70a and 70b in ribs 71a and 71b, respectively, which extend from the 
edges of rear surface 62 to engage grooves 43 in the surfaces of the outer 
flange 36 and extension 37. 
Assembly and Operation 
Assembly of device 10 begins by positioning outlet piece 18a within channel 
42 on lip engaging member 14a. Shaft portion 54 is located in 
semi-cylindrical portion 42a, flared portion 56 in flared portion 42b, and 
fan-shaped portion 58 in fan-shaped portion 42c. When outlet piece 18a is 
properly positioned, terminal edge 59 is located on portion 40 at line 41 
(FIG. 6) intermediate upper and lower portions 46 and 48 and also 
intermediate inner flange 38 and outer flange 36. Further, edge 59 faces 
inwardly toward those portions of the mouth to be illuminated. Cover 20a 
is then positioned over outlet piece 18a with ridges or ribs 66a and 66b 
located in grooves 44a and 44b, respectively, and channel 68 receiving 
shaft portion 54 (FIG. 8). When properly positioned, rear surface 62 lies 
over fan-shaped end 58 and ridges or ribs 71a and 71b engage the surfaces 
of outer flange 36 and extension 37 along their entire lengths. Cover 20a 
is then secured to lip engaging member 14a , using epoxy adhesive, or any 
other suitable fastening means. To complete assembly, outlet piece 18b and 
cover 20b are secured to lip engaging member 14b in an analogous manner. 
When device 10 is to be used to illuminate mouth 22 (FIGS. 1 and 2), fiber 
optic bundle 50, and more particularly branches 50a and 50b are connected 
to outlet pieces 18a and 18b, respectively, by securing push-fit 
connections 52a and 52b over shafts 54 and O-rings 60. Lip engaging 
members 14a and 14b are flexed toward one another by flexing the 
connecting bar 15; and inner flanges 38 are then tucked into patient's 
mouth 22 so that members 14a and 14b engage opposite corners of the mouth. 
Device 10 is then released so that lip engaging members 14a and 14b are 
biased away from one another by connecting bar 15 and into engagement with 
the opposite corners of the mouth. Inner flanges 38 engage the inside of 
lips 24 and 26 of cheeks 44 to pull the cheeks away from teeth 30. 
Intermediate portions 40 engage the opposite corners of mouth 22 to spread 
lips 24 and cheeks 44 as well as holding the mouth open. Upper and lower 
lips 24 and 26 are engaged by upper and lower portions 46 and 48 of each 
lip engaging member 14a and 14b to force the lips apart. Outer flanges 36 
engage the exterior surfaces of lips 24 and 26 to said in positioning 
device 10. 
End 32 of bundle 50 is then connected to light source 34, and the light 
source is actuated to introduce light into the bundle. Light is 
transmitted through bundle 50 and branches 50a and 50b to outlet pieces 
18a and 18b. Terminal edges 59 of fan-shaped portions 58 are located so as 
to be generally coplanar with lips 24 and 26. Consequently, device 10 
through outlet pieces 18a and 18b illuminates the entire oral cavity 28 
inwardly from lips 24 and 26. Further, because of the fan-shape of portion 
58, light is evenly distributed over a broader area than would be possible 
if the optic bundle 50 merely terminated in its compact, cylindrical 
shape. 
Alternative Embodiments 
Alternative device 110 (FIGS. 9, 10, and 11) includes lip engaging members 
114a and 114b slidably mounted on a common connecting bar 115. Fiber optic 
assembly 116 is mounted on lip engaging members 114a and 114b to provide 
illumination for oral cavity 128. 
Members 114a and 114b are generally indentical to one another with the 
exception that member 114b is the mirror image of member 114a. 
Consequently, only member 114a will be described in detail with the 
description of member 114b being the logical equivalent thereof. Member 
114a (FIG. 10) includes a downwardly depending arm 117 defining two pairs 
of clip apertures 121 and bore 119 at its lower end through which bar 115 
passes. It further includes outer flange 136, integrally connected to arm 
117, interior flange 138, and intermediate portion 140 including upper and 
lower portions 146 and 148 and interconnecting the outer flange 136 and 
the interior flange 138. Flanges 136, 138, and portion 140 are shaped 
similarly to their counterparts in embodiment 10, and consequently a 
detailed description is unnecessary. 
Optic assembly 116 includes branch bundle 150a (FIGS. 10 and 11) mounted on 
arm 117, and outlet piece 118a mounted on outer portion 136 and 
intermediate portion 140. Branch 150a is placed adjacent arm 117 and 
between pairs of clip apertures 121 so that spring clips 123 may be 
inserted into the arm through the clip apertures securing the branch in 
place. Outlet piece 118a is secured in position, preferably using epoxy 
glue or any other suitable adhesive, and arranged so that terminal edge 
159 of flared end 158 is located intermediate inner and outer flanges 136 
and 138 and intermediate upper and lower portions 146 and 148. Both of 
bundle branches 150a and 150b are connected through bundle 150 to light 
source 134 (FIG. 9). 
The operation of alternative device 110 is generally similar to that of 
device 10, and accordingly a detailed description is unnecessary. Suffice 
it to say that lip engaging members 114a and 114b are slid toward one 
another along bar 115 so that inner flanges 138 may be tucked underneath 
upper and lower lips 124 and 126 at opposite corners of mouth 122. Lip 
engaging members 114a and 114b are then urged outwardly along bar 115, 
expanding the patient's lips and cheeks and holding the patient's mouth in 
an open position. Because terminal edge 159 of outlet pieces 118a and 118b 
are generally coplanar with lips 124 and 126, alternative device 110 
illuminates oral cavity 128 including the area immediately inside lips 124 
and 126. 
Arm 214a of another alternative device 210 is shown in FIG. 12. The primary 
difference between device 210 and device 110 is that optic assembly 216 is 
partially embedded within the lip engaging members. Lip engaging member 
214a is generally identical to member 114a, with the exception that member 
214 does not include clip apertures. Bundle branch 250a enters arm 217 
through aperture 251a. That portion of branch 250a between aperture 251a 
and outlet piece 218a is totally encapsulated within the arm. Outlet piece 
218a is also partially encapsulated within outer portion 236 so that only 
terminal edge 259 of flared portion 258 extends out of intermediate 
portion 240. 
The operation of device 210 is generally similar to that of device 110, and 
accordingly a detailed description is unnecessary. Suffice it to say that 
lip engaging members 214a and 214b are positioned within the patient's 
mouth to spread the lips and cheeks and hold the mouth in an open 
position. Optic assembly 216 transmits light from a light source to 
terminal edge 259 of outlet piece 218a to distribute light evenly 
throughout the oral cavity. The fan shape of portion 258 provides a light 
distribution over a broader area than if outlet piece 218a terminated in a 
compact shape. 
It should be understood that the above description is intended to be that 
of preferred embodiments of the invention. Various changes and alterations 
might be made without departing from the spirit and broader aspects of the 
invention as set forth in the appended claims, which are to be interpreted 
in accordance with the principles of patent law, including the doctrine of 
equivalents.