Patent ID: 8534278

Claim:
A detachably connectable bite block assembly comprising: (a) an oral-nasal cannula configured to collect exhaled breath for capnographic monitoring and to deliver oxygen, said oral-nasal cannula comprising: an oxygen delivery bore in fluid connection with at least one delivery opening and an oxygen supply tube, and an exhaled breath collection bore in fluid connection with an oral prong, at least one nasal prong and a breath collection tube; and (b) a bite block comprising: a hollow tubular portion configured for insertion into a subject's mouth, said hollow tubular portion is configured to engage, on an outer portion thereof, said oxygen supply tube and thereby to detachably connect said bite block with said oral-nasal cannula, such that when said oxygen supply tube is engaged on said hollow tubular portion a valve is configured to open and thus to direct a majority of the oxygen to an oral cavity of the subject, and when said oxygen supply tube is disassembled from said hollow tubular portion the valve is configured to close and thus to direct oxygen flow to said oral-nasal cannula; and a main body portion from which said hollow tubular portion extends, said main body portion comprising a longitudinal groove configured to detachably accommodate said oral prong of said oral-nasal cannula, said groove comprising a transverse surface located below an inner surface of said hollow tubular portion such that oral breath exhaled through said hollow tubular portion is directed towards said groove for collection by said oral prong.