Patent Publication Number: US-2016242885-A1

Title: A bite block

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims priority to U.S. provisional patent application No. 61/879,457, entitled “A Bite Block,” and filed on Sep. 18, 2013, the content of which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Implementations of the present invention relate to bite blocks and methods of use. 
     Bite blocks are used to prevent an animal from closing its mouth, for example, while a user is accessing the animal&#39;s mouth. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY 
     According to various implementations, a bite block for an animal includes a thumb receiving portion and a bite receiving portion. The thumb receiving portion defines a hole that has a diameter that is configured for receiving a human thumb. The bite receiving portion includes an upper surface and a lower surface. The upper surface defines an upper trough configured for receiving one or more maxillary teeth of an animal, and the lower surface defines a lower trough configured for receiving one or more mandibular teeth of the animal. Each of the upper and lower troughs extends between a front surface and a back surface. The front surface and the back surface extend between the upper and lower surfaces. In addition, a longitudinal axis extends between the thumb receiving portion and the bite receiving portion. 
     According to one implementation, a central axis extends through the hole and is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. In addition, in one implementation, the upper trough defines at least one upper protrusion that extends upwardly from a central depth of the upper trough, and the lower trough defines at least one lower protrusion that extends downwardly from a central depth of the lower trough. Furthermore, the bite receiving portion defines a concave surface disposed between the upper and the lower surfaces and is configured for allowing a tongue of the animal to rest in a substantially natural position. 
     According to this implementation, the bite block allows a user to position the bite receiving portion between the animal&#39;s teeth and thread his or her thumb through the hole in the thumb receiving portion, which extends outside of the animal&#39;s mouth, while holding the animal&#39;s jaw with his or her fingers. This allows the user to stabilize the bite block in the animal&#39;s mouth and the animal&#39;s jaw simultaneously, providing safe access into the animal&#39;s mouth with the user&#39;s other hand or for another user. 
     According to other various implementation, a bite block for an animal includes a digit receiving portion configured for receiving a human digit therethrough, a maxillary teeth receiving portion configured for receiving one or more maxillary teeth of an animal, a mandibular teeth receiving portion configured for receiving one or more mandibular teeth of the animal, and a lingual surface configured for being disposed adjacent the animal&#39;s tongue. The maxillary teeth receiving portion and the mandibular teeth receiving portions are opposite each other relative to a longitudinal axis that extends between these portions and through the digit receiving portion and the lingual surface. In addition, the digit receiving portion is configured for being disposed outside of the animal&#39;s mouth when the maxillary teeth receiving portion and the mandibular teeth receiving portion are engaged in the animal&#39;s teeth. 
     The maxillary teeth receiving portion may comprise a concave trough surface that faces upward toward the one or more maxillary teeth of the animal, and the mandibular teeth receiving portion may comprise a concave trough surface that faces downward toward the one or more mandibular teeth of the animal. A plane bisecting the concave trough surface of the maxillary teeth receiving portion and the concave trough surface of the mandibular teeth receiving portion. may be substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. In addition, the digit receiving portion may define a ring having a central axis extending therethrough, and the central axis of the ring may be disposed between about 60 and about 120 degrees from the longitudinal axis. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  illustrates a perspective view of a bite block according to one implementation. 
         FIG. 2  illustrates an end view of the bite block shown in  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3  illustrates a side view of the bite block shown in  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 4  illustrates a top view of the bite block shown in  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 5  illustrates a user using the bite block shown in  FIG. 1  in an animal&#39;s mouth. 
         FIG. 6A  illustrates a top view of a bite block according to an alternative implementation. 
         FIG. 6B  illustrates a side view of the bite block in  FIG. 6A . 
         FIG. 7  illustrates a perspective view of a bite block according to another implementation that defines a channel for receiving a syringe. 
         FIG. 8  illustrates a cut-away view of the bite block shown in  FIG. 7 . 
         FIG. 9A  illustrates a perspective view of a bite block according to another implementation that includes a guard between the bite receiving portion and the thumb receiving portion. 
         FIG. 9B  illustrates an end view of the bite block shown in  FIG. 9A . 
         FIG. 9C  illustrates a side view of the bite block shown in  FIG. 9A . 
         FIG. 9D  illustrates a top view of the bite block shown in  FIG. 9A . 
         FIG. 9E  illustrates a top view of a bite block according to an alternative implementation. 
         FIG. 10A  illustrates a perspective view of a bite block according to an alternative implementation. 
         FIG. 10B  illustrates an end view of the bite block shown in  FIG. 10A . 
         FIG. 10C  illustrates a side view of the bite block shown in  FIG. 10A . 
         FIG. 10D  illustrates a top view of the bite block shown in  FIG. 10A . 
         FIG. 10E  illustrates a top view of a bite block according to an alternative implementation. 
         FIG. 11  illustrates a perspective view of a bite block according to an alternative implementation. 
         FIG. 12  illustrates a perspective view of a bite block according to an alternative implementation. 
     
    
    
     DETEAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Various implementations of an example bite block are described below. The bite block allows a user safer access to an animal&#39;s teeth by holding the animal&#39;s jaw open and allowing the user to stabilize the bite block and the animal&#39;s jaw simultaneously with one hand. 
       FIGS. 1-5  illustrate an example bite block according to one implementation. The bite block  10  includes a thumb receiving portion  14  and a bite receiving portion  16 . The thumb receiving portion  14  defines a hole  15  that has a diameter that is configured for receiving a thumb of a user  52 . The bite receiving portion  14  includes an upper surface  18  and a lower surface  20 . The upper surface  18  defines an upper trough  22  configured for receiving one or more maxillary teeth  26  of an animal  12 , and the lower surface  20  defines a lower trough  24  configured for receiving one or more mandibular teeth  28  of the animal  12 . Each of the upper  22  and lower troughs  24  extends between a front surface  30  and a back surface  32 . The front surface  30  and the back surface  32  extend between the upper  18  and lower surfaces  20 . In addition, a longitudinal axis B-B extends between the thumb receiving portion  14  and the bite receiving portion  16 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 6A , the upper trough  22  may define at least one upper protrusion  34  that extends upwardly from a central depth  38  of the upper trough  22 , and the lower trough  24  defines at least one lower protrusion  36  that extends downwardly from a central depth  40  of the lower trough  24 . The upper  34  and lower protrusions may include a smooth V-shaped ridge, as shown in  FIG. 6B , a rounded V-shaped ridge, a saw-tooth like surface, or a combination thereof (not shown). These protrusions  34 ,  36  anatomically engage indentations in the animal&#39;s molars, which may provide additional stability to the bite block  10 . However, in other implementations, such as shown in  FIGS. 1 through 4 and 7 through 10E , these protrusions  34 ,  36  may not be included. 
     In addition, as shown in  FIG. 3 , the bite receiving portion  16  defines a concave surface  42  disposed between the upper  18  and the lower surfaces  20  that is configured for allowing a tongue  54  of the animal  12  to rest in a substantially natural position. The concave surface  42  has a radius of curvature between about 1.2 inches and about 1.5 inches. In a particular implementation, the radius of curvature is about 1.42 inches. This concave surface  42  reduces and optionally eliminates gagging while the bite block  10  is being used. In addition, the upper surface  18  defines a first substantially rounded upper peak  48   a  and a second substantially rounded upper peak  48   b  that are disposed on each side of the upper trough  22 . The lower surface  20  defines a first substantially rounded lower peak  50   a  and a second substantially rounded lower peak  50   b  that are disposed on each side of the lower trough  24 . The substantially rounded peaks  48   a,    48   b,    50   a,    50   b  provide a smooth surface against which the animal&#39;s  12  gums and lips may rest during use of the bite block  10  to reduce discomfort to the animal. 
     As shown shown in  FIG. 3 , the first upper peak  48   a  and the first lower peak  50   a  are adjacent an inner portion  44  of the thumb receiving portion  14  and extend above and below, respectively, a portion of the hole  15 . The second upper  48   b  and second lower  50   b  substantially rounded peaks are adjacent the concave surface  42 , forming an upper and lower end, respectively, of the concave surface  42 . 
       FIGS. 2 through 4  illustrate various dimensions of the bite block  10 . For example, a diameter of the hole  15  is between about 1 inch and about 1.2 inches, which is sufficient to receive a human digit, such as a thumb, therethrough. In a particular implementation, the diameter is about 1.13 inches. A depth of the bite receiving portion  16  extends between the front surface  30  and the back surface  32  and is between about 1 inch and about 1.5 inches. In a particular implementation, the depth is about 1.25 inches. The depth of the inner portion  44  of the thumb receiving portion  14  as measured in the direction of the central axis A-A is substantially the same depth as the depth of the bite receiving portion  16 . However, a depth of an outer portion  46  of the thumb receiving portion  14 , which is opposite the inner portion  46  relative to the central axis A-A, is between about 0.4 inches and about 0.7 inches. In a particular implementation, the depth is about 0.55 inches. In various implementations, a ratio of the depth of the outer portion  46  of the thumb receiving portion  14  and the depth of the bite receiving portion  16  is about 1:2. 
     The depth of the thumb receiving portion  14  is sized to allow the user to bend his or her thumb in a direction toward the bite receiving portion  16  so the user can reach his or her fingers under the animal&#39;s jaw, as shown in  FIG. 5 . The depth of the bite receiving portion  16  is sized to ensure stability of the bite block  10  within the animal&#39;s mouth. In particular, if the depth of the bite receiving portion  16  is too short, the bite block  10  may be subject to tilting within the animal&#39;s mouth, which could lead to injury of the animal  12  or the user  52 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 4 , the central axis A-A is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis B-B. The distance between the central axis A-A of the hole  15  of the thumb receiving portion  14  and a plane C-C extending through the central depth  38  of the upper trough  22  and the central depth  40  of the lower trough  24  is between about 0.75 inches and about 1.25 inches. In a particular implementation, the distance is about 1 inch. By keeping the thumb receiving portion  14  relatively close to the bite receiving portion  16 , the user is able to reach his or her fingers under the animal&#39;s jaw while engaging his or her thumb through the thumb receiving portion  14 . 
     In addition, the height of the bite receiving portion  16  as measured from the second substantially rounded upper peak  48   b  to the second substantially rounded lower peak  50   b  is between about 1.7 inches and about 2 inches. In a particular implementation, the height is about 1.85 inches. Furthermore, the height of the upper trough  22  and the height of the lower trough  24  are between about 0.3 inches and about 0.45 inches. 
     The dimensions described above may be increased or decreased depending on the size or perceived strength of the animal with which the bite block  10  is to be used. In addition, these dimensions may be increased or decreased depending on the digit that the user  52  intends to insert through the hole  15 , the size of the user&#39;s hands, or the intended use of the bite block  10 . 
     For example, in the alternative implementation shown in  FIG. 6 , the central axis A-A is within about 30 degrees of being substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis B-B. This allows for an altered orientation for the user&#39;s hand when using the bite block  10 . 
     According to various implementations, the bite block  10  may be molded as one-piece for increased durability. The material for the bite block  10  may include rubber because it is sufficiently strong to resist cracking or puncture under pressure from the animal&#39;s jaw and teeth, but other materials may be used instead, such as silicone or elastomeric plastic. In addition, according to one implementation, the material may include a sterilizing agent that leaches out of the bite block  10  over time or with use. 
       FIG. 5  illustrates the bite block  10  being used with animal  12 , which in  FIG. 5  is a dog. The user  52  inserts the bite block  10  into one side of the animal&#39;s  12  mouth such that the thumb receiving portion  14  is disposed outside of the animal&#39;s mouth, one or more maxillary teeth  26  are engaged in the upper trough  22 , and one or more mandibular teeth  28  are engaged into the lower trough  24 . The user&#39;s thumb is thread through the hole  15  and one or more of his or her fingers are wrapped under the animal&#39;s jaw. The user  52  uses the hand that is opposite the side of the animal&#39;s mouth for which the bite block  10  is being used. For example, if the bite block  10  is being used on the right side of the animal&#39;s mouth, as shown in  FIG. 5 , the thumb on the user&#39;s left hand is thread through the hole, and the fingers on the user&#39;s left hand reach under the animal&#39;s jaw. The user  52  may need to bend his or her thumb to reach under the animal&#39;s jaw, and the depth of the outer portion  46  of the thumb receiving portion  14  is configured to allow the thumb to bend comfortably. 
     According to other implementations, the thumb receiving portion  14  may be configured for receiving any digit of the user  52 . 
     In certain implementations, the bite block can be further combined with a substance, such as drug or vitamin, desired to be transferred to the animal. The substance can be combined with the bite block  10  in any way for delivery to take place. For example, at least a portion of the bite block, such as the bite receiving portion  16 , can be configured such that it is able to deliver a substance, such as a drug or a vitamin to the animal, while the portion of the bite block  10  is disposed within the animal&#39;s mouth. 
     For example, the delivery can occur by having the substance impregnated into at least a portion of the bite block, such as the concave surface  32  or the bite receiving portion  16 , such that the substance dissolves away from the portion of the bite block when it is in contact with the animal&#39;s tongue, gums, or teeth. 
     In other implementations, the substance can be coated on the surface of the bite block or portion thereof. 
     In other implementations, the bite block or a portion thereof itself can be made from the substance, and can degrade while in use with the animal, such that at the end of the use of the bite block, the bite block or the portion thereof can be wholly or partially degraded. 
     In other implementations, the bite block or portion thereof can be configured to be porous, such that a substance, such as a drug or a vitamin can be released from the bite block to the animal, while the bite block is in use in the animal. 
     In other implementations, the bite block or portion thereof can be made such that when the bite block is brought into contact with a substance solution, the bite block or portion thereof can absorb the solution. For example, the bite block or portion thereof can be made from an absorbing material, such as a sponge like material. When this absorbing material with solution absorbed therein is brought into contact with the animal&#39;s mouth, transfer to the animal can occur, for example, through transfer of the animal&#39;s saliva. 
     The substance that can be transferred can also be any vitamin or multi-vitamin, mineral, supplement, anti-oxidant, fatty acid, prebiotics, probiotics, or other substance which can be given or formulated for an animal. Exemplary substances may include vitamins A, C, D, and E, botanicals, glucosamine-chondroitin, probiotics, and fish oil. 
     Examples of substances which can be transferred include veterinary drugs, such as neuroleptic drugs, sedatives, and antiemetics, such as Maropitant, Phenylbutazone, Acepromazine and chlorpromazine, analgesics, anti-inflammatories, pain drugs, such as Hydromorphone, Medetomidine, Mirtazapine, Ketamine, Meloxicam, Ketoprofen, Flunixin, Deracoxib , Carprofen, Dexamethasone, Robenacoxib, Metoclopramide Hydrochloride, Amantadine, and Buprenorphine, antiparasitics (such as for ticks, mites, lice, or other pests), such as Lufenuron, Amitraz, Nystatin, Ivermectin, Pyrantel Pamoate, Sentinel Flavor Tabs, Panacur, Nitenpyram, Milbemycin oxime, Nitroscanate, and Clamoxyquine, antidepressants and antianxieties, such as tricyclics, such as Amitryptyline, Diazepam, such as Clomipramine Hydrochloride, and Levetiracetam, blood pressure and cardiac medicines, such as Enalapril, Pimobendan, Amlodipine, Atenolol, and Benazepril, antibiotics, such as Enrofloxacin, Amoxicillin, Streptomycin, Synulox, Dichlorophene, Cefovecin, Clavaseptin, Clindamycin Hydrochloride, Clavulanic acid, Cephalosporin, Neomycin, Marbofloxacin, Cephalexin, Praziquantel, Pirlimycin, Metronidazole, Ofloxacin, Trimethopri, Tylosin, and Chloramphenicol, lubricants, such as for tears, antisedatives, such as Atipamezole, steroids, such as Boldenone and Prednisone, relaxants, such as Butorphanol, antiulcertative medications, such as Cimetidine and Sucralfate, decongestants and bronchodilators, such as Isoxsuprine, Theophylline, and Clenbuterol, and other drugs such as Cosequin, Cyproheptadine, Equine chorionic gonadotropin, Furosemide, Nitarsone, Omeprazole, Oxibendazole, Pentobarbital, Phenobarbital, Ponazuril, Propofol, Roxarsone, Selamectin, Thiostrepton, Thiabendazole, Triamcinolone acetonide, and Trilostane. 
     The substance can be formulated such that it can be delivered orally, either through dissolving in the mouth or through liquid transfer. Those of skill in the art can formulate the substance and combine various formulations with the bite block for delivery as described herein. 
       FIGS. 7 and 8  illustrate an alternative implementation of a bite block  65  that is similar to the bite block  10  described above in relation to  FIGS. 1 through 4  but further includes a channel  67  defined through a portion of the device  65  configured for receiving a portion of a syringe  60  there through and a strap for securing the bite block  65  adjacent the user&#39;s wrist. The channel  67  extends through the bite block  65  along an axis E that is transverse to the longitudinal axis B of the bite block  65 . In the implementation shown in  FIG. 8 , a first end  68  of the channel  67  is defined between the thumb receiving portion  14  and the upper peak  48   a  of the bite receiving portion  16 , and a second end  69  of the channel  67  is defined in the lower peak  50   b  of the bite receiving portion  16 . In addition, the channel  67  has a first diameter adjacent the first end  68  and a second, reduced diameter adjacent the second end  69 . For example, the first diameter of the first end  68  may be configured for receiving a barrel portion of the syringe  60  and the second diameter of the second end  69  may be configured for receiving a hub or needle portion of the syringe  60 . Alternatively, the first diameter may be configured for receiving the hub portion and the second diameter may be configured for receiving the needle portion there through. In certain implementations, the diameter of the channel  67  may taper from the first diameter to the second diameter gradually or abruptly along the length of the channel  67 . In other implementations (not shown), the diameter may be substantially the same through the channel  67 . The bite block  65  allows the user  52  to apply medicine or other liquids in the animal&#39;s mouth via the syringe  60  while using the bite block  65  to hold the animal&#39;s jaw open. 
     Various implementations of the bite block may include a strap that can be used to secure the bite block adjacent the user&#39;s wrist. For example, the bite block  65  shown in  FIGS. 7 and 8  includes a strap  70 . The strap  70  has a first end  71  and a second end  72 . The first end  71  attaches to a first D-shaped ring  75   a  disposed adjacent the top surface  18  of the bite block  65 , and the second end  72  attaches to a second D-shaped ring  75   b  disposed adjacent the bottom surface  20  of the bite block  65 . The D-shaped rings  75   a,    75   b  are attached to the bite block by engaging one side of the rings  75   a,    75   b  into respective channels  77   a,    77   b  that extend between the front surface  30  and back surface  32  of the bite block  65 . Channel  77   a  is defined adjacent the upper rounded peak  48   a,  and channel  77   b  is defined adjacent the lower rounded peak  50   a . The channels  77   a,    77   b  are shown in the cut away view shown in  FIG. 8 . In the implementation shown in  FIGS. 7 and 8  in which the bite block  65  defines the syringe channel  67 , ring  75   a  may be disposed between the first end  68  of the channel  67  and the inner, upper rounded peak  48   a  of the bite receiving portion  16  to avoid having the strap  70  interfere with the user&#39;s ability to depress the plunger of the syringe  60  or maneuver the syringe  60  into the channel  67 . 
     In other implementations (not shown), the rings  75   a,    75   b  may be secured adjacent the bite block by other suitable mechanisms, such as molded into the bite block. In addition, the rings may be secured to alternative suitable surfaces of the bite block, or the straps may be secured to the bite block using alternative suitable mechanisms, such as setting the ends of the straps in the bite block during the molding processor or fastening them to the bite block using another suitable fastener, such as an adhesive. Furthermore, in certain implementations, clips or other suitable fastening mechanisms may be used instead of the rings to secure the straps adjacent the bite block. 
       FIGS. 9A through 9D  illustrate an alternative implementation of a bite block  80  that is similar to the bite block  10  described above in relation to  FIGS. 1 through 4  but further includes a guard plate  82  that extends radially outwardly from the longitudinal axis B and is disposed between the thumb receiving portion  14  and the bite receiving portion  16 . The guard plate  82  provides additional protection to the user&#39;s thumb or other digit extending through the thumb receiving portion  14  during use of the bite block  80 . In the implementation shown in  FIGS. 9A through 9D , the guard plate  82  has an elliptical shape, but in other implementations, the plate may be circular, rectangular, or other suitable shape. Furthermore, the guard plate  82  includes a first surface  83   a  that faces the thumb receiving portion  14  and a second surface  83   b  that faces the bite receiving portion  16 . The first surface  83   a  may be concave, as shown in  FIGS. 9A through 9D , convex (not shown), or substantially parallel to the axis C extending through the upper  38  and lower troughs  40 , respectively, of the bite receiving portion  16 , for example. Similarly, the second surface  83   b  may be convex, as shown in  FIGS. 9A through 9D , concave (not shown), or substantially parallel to the axis C. And, the surfaces  83   a,    83   b  may be substantially parallel to each other, form an hourglass shaped cross-section when both surfaces  83   a,    83   b  are concave relative to the respective ends of the bite block (not shown), or form a partially elliptical cross-section when both surfaces  83   a,    83   b  are convex relative to the respective ends of the bite block (not shown), according to other implementations. 
       FIG. 9E  illustrates a bite block that is similar to the bite block  65  shown in  FIGS. 9A through 9D  but the thumb receiving portion  14  is bent relative to the bite receiving portion  16 , similar to the implementation described above in relation to  FIG. 6 . 
       FIGS. 10A through 10D  illustrate an alternative implementation of a bite block  90  that is similar to the bite block  10  described above in relation to  FIGS. 1 through 4  but the plane extending through the upper  22  and lower troughs  24  is skewed at a non-perpendicular angle relative to the front  30  and back surfaces  32  of the bite block  90 . In particular, as shown in  FIG. 10D , the plane D extending through the upper  20  and lower troughs  24  is skewed at an angle Θ of about 15° relative to the front  30  and back surfaces  32 . However, in other implementations, the angle Θ of skew may be greater than or less than 15°. As shown in  FIG. 10D , the skew is oriented such that an edge of the inner, rounded upper peak  48   a  adjacent the front surface  30  of the bite block  90  is disposed closer to the thumb receiving portion  14  than the edge of the inner, rounded peak  48   a  adjacent the back surface of the bite block  90 . Similar, the edge of the outer, rounded peak  50   a  adjacent the back surface of the bite block  90  is disposed closer to the end  42  of the bite block  90  than the edge of the outer, rounded peak  50   b  adjacent the front surface  30  of the bite block  90 . This orientation allows for the bite block  90  to be positioned at a different angle in the animal&#39;s mouth than the bite blocks  10 ,  65 ,  80  described above in relation to  FIGS. 1 through 4, 7 and 8, and 9A-9B , respectively. 
     In other implementations (not shown), the skew may be oriented such that an edge of the inner, rounded upper peak  48   a  adjacent the back surface of the bite block  90  is disposed closer to the thumb receiving portion  14  than the edge of the inner, rounded peak  48   a  adjacent the front surface  30  of the bite block  90 , and the edge of the outer, rounded upper peak  50   a  adjacent the front surface  30  of the bite block  90  may be disposed closer to the thumb receiving portion  14  than the edge of the outer, rounded peak  50   a  adjacent the back surface of the bite block  90 . 
       FIG. 10E  illustrates a bite block that is similar to the bite block  80  shown in  FIGS. 10A through 10D  but the thumb receiving portion  14  is bent relative to the bite receiving portion  16 , similar to the implementation described above in relation to  FIG. 6 . 
     Furthermore, in other implementations, the rounded peaks  48   a,    48   b  and  50   a,    50   b  of any of the above-described implementations may have another type of cross-sectional shape as viewed from the front or back surface of the bite block, such as a triangular or trapezoidal-shaped cross-section. For example,  FIG. 11  illustrates a bite block  100  according to one implementation that includes peaks  148   a,    148   b,    150   a,    150   b  having a triangular, or wedge shaped, cross section. 
       FIG. 12  illustrates another implementation in which the bite block  120  includes a bite receiving portion  160  that is substantially triangularly, or wedge shaped as viewed from each end of the bite block  120 . In particular, an upper surface  161  of the bite receiving portion  160  extends at an acute angle from a lower surface  162  of the bite receiving portion  160  at a back portion  165  of the bite receiving portion  160 . A distal surface  163 , which is opposite the back portion  165 , extends between includes upper  161  and lower surface  162 . An upper trough  220  is defined along the length of the upper surface  161  (in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis B), and an upper trough  222  is defined along the length of the lower surface  162 . In addition, in one implementation, a distal trough  223  is defined along the length of the distal surface  163 . The wedge shaped bite block  120  provides additional flexibility as to the size of animal on which the bite block  120  may be used. For example, for animals with larger mouths, the back portion  165  may be disposed closer to the animal&#39;s jaw joint, but for animals with smaller mouths, the back portion  165  may be disposed further from the jaw joint to prevent overextension and provide more comfort to the animal. 
     The described methods, systems, and apparatus should not be construed as limiting in any way. Instead, the present disclosure is directed toward all novel and nonobvious features and aspects of the various disclosed implementations, alone and in various combinations and sub-combinations with one another. The disclosed methods, systems, and apparatus are not limited to any specific aspect, feature, or combination thereof, nor do the disclosed methods, systems, and apparatus require that any one or more specific advantages be present or problems be solved. 
     Although the operations of some of the disclosed methods are described in a particular, sequential order for convenient presentation, it should be understood that this manner of description encompasses rearrangement, unless a particular ordering is required by specific language set forth below. For example, operations described sequentially may in some cases be rearranged or performed concurrently. Moreover, for the sake of simplicity, the attached figures may not show the various ways in which the disclosed methods, systems, and apparatus can be used in conjunction with other systems, methods, and apparatus.