Bite block assembly adapted for adjustable mounting and holding of oral airways and method of using same

Claim 1

A bite block and airway assembly for inserting between the teeth of a patient for absorbing the force of mandibular contractions comprising: (a) a monolithic block of resilient material formed in a U-shaped such that the exterior of the block is generally convex and the interior of the block is generally concave; (b) respective upwardly and downwardly facing teeth-engaging surfaces vertically spaced from one another extending longitudinally along each of the two sides of the U-shaped block wherein said respective upwardly and downwardly facing teeth-engaging surfaces tilt toward one another in transverse cross section, tending to converge in a direction toward the exterior of said block, so as to define wedge-shaped resilient material means therebetween for effectively resisting and withstanding the force of said mandibular contractions and directing said force against the wedge-shaped means in a direction toward the interior of the block to retain the block against outward dislodgment from the teeth; (c) means defining an aperture formed through a central portion of the U-shaped block which joins the two sides thereof together, said aperture extending between the exterior and interior of said block between the levels of said upwardly and downwardly facing teeth-engaging surfaces; and (d) preformed, elongate, arcuate-shaped airway means slidably inserted through said aperture for conducting gas between the exterior and interior of said block while depressing the tongue of said patient, said airway means and aperture having mating surface means for frictionally and slidably engaging one another in any of a plurality of positions along the length of said airway means so as to permit slidable adjustment of said airway means with respect to said block.