Innovex, Inc.

Therabite Corporation

Medical Products & Research

Reinier Beeuwkes, Iii

Thomas E Salisbury

Joseph B Stella

An exerciser is provided for application of an anatomically applied force to the jaw for pivoting of the jaw at its tempero-mandibular joint or to provide a motion to the jaw, or resistance to motion of the jaw which is beneficial in facial orthopedics. A structure is provided having curvilinear guide tracks which guide movement of a carriage according to the character of movement that is desired. The carriage is movable to thereby allow corresponding movement of a mandibular jaw member supported by the carriage relative to a maxillary jaw member supported by the exerciser body. Through suitable linkages, motion may be imparted to the carriage or resistance exerted against its motion by manual action, by a spring or by a motor. The linkage may provide for adjustment of mechanical advantage or range of motion through selection of slots or holes formed in parts of the linkage structure.

Jaw exerciser

A passive jaw exerciser is provided for application of an anatomically applied jaw moving force for pivoting of the jaw at its tempero-mandibular joint or to provide a motion to the jaw which is beneficial in facial orthopedics. A body structure is provided having guide tracks which guide movement of a carriage according to the character of movement that is desired. The carriage is movable by a lever operated push rod to thereby cause corresponding movement of a mandibular jaw piece supported by a carriage relative to a maxillary jaw piece supported by the exerciser body. The position of engagement between the lever and the push rod is adjustable through selection of any one of a number of spaced slots that are formed in parallel webs of the lever structure.

Passive jaw exerciser

A quick-release maxillo-mandibular splint for patient jaw stabilization which includes a plurality of interfitting maxillary and mandibular connector plates which are adapted to be anchored in immovable relation with selected teeth of the patient. Each of the connector plates defines one or more connector elements which may be of tubular form and which are capable of being disposed in interengaging, aligned relation. A locking element such as a locking archwire is positioned with end portions thereof extending through the aligned tubular connector elements of the connector plates to thus retain the connector plates in immovable assembly to thus retain the jaw of the patient in properly occluded, immovable relation with the maxillary dental arch. In the event of an emergency requiring release of the maxillo-mandibular splint, the locking archwire is simply and efficiently forced from the tubular connector elements of the connector plates to thus permit movement of the patient's jaw.

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Ardmore, PA, United States of America

Reinier Beeuwkes, Iii