Abstract: A multi-use tongue depressor fabricated using the same materials and dimensions as commercially available ones. The tongue depressor depresses, retracts, move, shifts or sweeps a patient's tongue during a healthcare provider's examination of the patient's oral cavity in such a way as to maximize visibility of a target pathology inside the patient's oral cavity, the tongue depressor is adapted to conduct distance, depth and position measurements in the patient's oral cavity so as to assist health care providers in the identification and treatment of oral pathologies.

Abstract: Illumination devices for impinging light on tissue, for example within a body cavity of a patient, to induce various biological effects are disclosed. Biological effects may include at least one of inactivating and/or inhibiting growth of one or more pathogens, upregulating a local immune response, increasing endogenous stores of nitric oxide, releasing nitric oxide from endogenous stores, and inducing an anti-inflammatory effect. Wavelengths of light are selected based on intended biological effects for one or more of targeted tissue types and targeted pathogens. Light treatments may provide multiple pathogenic biological effects, either with light of a single wavelength or with light having multiple wavelengths. Devices for light treatments are disclosed that provide light doses for inducing biological effects on various targeted pathogens and tissues with increased efficacy and reduced cytotoxicity.

Abstract: Illumination devices for impinging light on tissue, for example within a body cavity of a patient, to induce various biological effects are disclosed. Biological effects may include at least one of inactivating and/or inhibiting growth of one or more pathogens, upregulating a local immune response, increasing endogenous stores of nitric oxide, releasing nitric oxide from endogenous stores, and inducing an anti-inflammatory effect. Wavelengths of light are selected based on intended biological effects for one or more of targeted tissue types and targeted pathogens. Light treatments may provide multiple pathogenic biological effects, either with light of a single wavelength or with light having multiple wavelengths. Devices for light treatments are disclosed that provide light doses for inducing biological effects on various targeted pathogens and tissues with increased efficacy and reduced cytotoxicity.

Abstract: Lighting accessories that can be installed in existing luminaire assemblies, as reflectors, are disclosed. The accessories are configured for placement above or on the side of a light bulb, where they can reflect a portion of the light produced by the bulb, thereby redirecting light to a useful area, increasing total light output, and reducing energy consumption. For example, a light reflector disclosed herein may comprise a substantially planar body having at least one substantially straight edge and at least two curved edges and a clamp affixed to a portion of the substantially planar body distal to the at least one substantially straight edge.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a tongue depressor with a light. The present invention relates to a tongue depressor designed to be utilized when the clinician is positioned behind the head of the patient, for example, during anesthesia in surgery where insertion or removal of an airway device into the patient is necessary. The depressor comprises an anatomical bend, gripping surface for holding the depressor, a tissue grabbing surface, and a barrel end at the distal end of the grabbing and moving tissue, such as the tongue.

Abstract: A laryngoscope for use in viewing the vocal cords of a patient in performance of an endotracheal intubation. The laryngoscope includes a handle to be gripped by a medical professional in performing the endotracheal intubation; a blade portion extending from the handle to lift the patient's tongue and mandible for viewing the vocal cords and aid in the insertion of an endotracheal tube; a power source; and a black light source powered by the power source and carried by the blade portion to prompt the visible effects of fluorescence and phosphorescence with respect to the patient's vocal cords for viewing the vocal cords and passing of the endotracheal tube there between during endotracheal intubation.

Abstract: A laryngoscope blade for use in viewing the vocal cords of a patient in performance of an endotracheal intubation includes a laryngoscope blade portion connectable to a laryngoscope handle to lift the patient's tongue and mandible for viewing the vocal cords and aid in the insertion of an endotracheal tube; and a black light source carried by the blade portion to prompt the visible effects of fluorescence and phosphorescence with respect to the patient's vocal cords for viewing the vocal cords and passing of the endotracheal tube there between during endotracheal intubation.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention include an insertion aid device with a handle, a tongue depressor, a tracheal suction catheter guide, and a guide with a recess formed by a pair of prongs. The guide may be configured to accommodate the cross-sectional shape of a tracheal suction catheter, a nasogastric tube, or an orogastric tube. The tracheal suction catheter guide may include a connection port configured to couple to an in-line suction catheter. A light source may be included with the insertion aid device.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a safe surgical mouth gag (MG) having a substantially planar frame larger than the maximal mouth aperture which is defined by at least two cross members, i.e., a longitudinal maxillary cross member and a mandibular cross member and by at least one rod connecting said maxillary and said mandibular cross members; and modules maneuverably interconnected to the same. The modules are selected from a tongue blade approximately perpendicular to the frames' plane, which is vertically displaceable with respect to said mandibular cross member; a retaining member within which said tongue blade shaft is slidably displaceable; retraction elements for urging the cheeks away from the oral cavity; abutment members for contacting the upper teeth or upper maxilla; and at least one light auxiliary located adjacent to oral cavity, adapted to illuminate the same effectively.

Abstract: A tongue depressor includes a handle that can be grasped and held within a user's hand. An elongated implement is connected to a distal end of the handle and protrudes forwardly therefrom. A light source is situated to an interior of the handle and is proximally adjoined to the implement. The light source faces outwardly from the handle and emits light along a length of the implement. A power supply source is coupled to the light source. The light source is adaptable between on and off modes. A base member includes a grooved portion extending through a top surface thereof that receives and stores the handle therein. A recessed depression is formed adjacent to the grooved portion. A rack is positional into the recessed depression and is provided with notches that receive and support new implements therein.

Abstract: A tongue stabilizer includes a tongue-engaging plate that is held on a laryngoscope blade by pressure sensitive adhesive, with a foam strip in-between to compensate for any irregularities between the tongue-engaging plate and the laryngoscope blade. The tongue-engaging plate is cup shape to cradle the tongue to prevent the tongue from interfering with the visibility and process of intubation. A protective strip can be used to cover the adhesive.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an accessory apparatus for use with conventional tongue depressors. The apparatus comprises a platform, a lens/guard piece wherein said lens/guard has a diameter larger than an average adult's open mouth, and a hinge unit for attachment of said lens/guard to said platform. The apparatus may further comprise a light source and a USB camera.

Abstract: Described are dental implements useful for inspecting tooth surfaces for abnormalities such as caries or plaque. Preferred implements of the invention include light emitting diodes mounted on an implement body having a mirror for insertion into a user's mouth. Such implements also have on-board batteries mounted in chambers in the implement handle, and a switch for energizing and de-energizing the LED with the battery. Also described are methods for examining tooth surfaces for abnormal conditions indicative of plaque involving illuminating surfaces with radiation at a wavelength in the range of 390-450 nm wherein the radiation is effective to cause detectable fluorescence emissions from bacterial metabolites known to be associated with plaque-containing surfaces, and detecting the emissions.

Abstract: An illuminated examination mirror having a neck and angled head with a mirror that is at least partially encircled by light emitting surfaces which direct light to a common point above the surface of the mirror, thereby concentrating the available light for examination. The illuminated examination mirror may be manufactured as a head assembly which may be connected or integrated into a source of illumination, such as a battery powered or fixed illumination source.

Abstract: The present invention contemplates a new device for adjustably attaching a tongue blade to an endoscope. In general, the device secures a tongue blade holder to the body of an endoscope and permits adjustment of the angle of the tongue blade with respect to the light source of the endoscope. Typically, the device has a clamp for receiving an endoscope body near the juncture of the handle and the light source of the endoscope. The clamp has a fastener for securing the clamp to the outer surface of the endoscope body and may be adapted for use with endoscopes somewhat larger or smaller in cross section than the clamp opening. The clamp has an attached tongue blade holder pivotably attached to the clamp and securable at an angle relative to the endoscope light source. The device also has several surfaces for the display of graphics.

Abstract: An illuminated examination mirror having a neck and angled head with a mirror that is at least partially encircled by light emitting surfaces which direct light to a common point above the surface of the mirror, thereby concentrating the available light for examination. The illuminated examination mirror may be manufactured as a head assembly which may be connected or integrated into a source of illumination, such as a battery powered or fixed illumination source.

Abstract: A tongue depressor and throat viewing assembly which includes a disposable flat blade for depressing the tongue of a subject in order to expose his larynx for inspection so that its condition can be diagnosed. Attachable to the trailing end of the blade is a light source and throat viewer unit which projects a light beam to illuminate the exposed larynx and to obtain a digital image thereof which is conveyed to an external computer monitor station. At this station, the image is exhibited on a screen, and is stored in a database for future use.

Abstract: A fiberoptically illuminated appliance is disclosed. The appliance includes a light source and an elongate fiberoptic cable, which is operably engaged to the light source and which conducts light from the light source therethrough. A translucent appliance is operated in a conventional manner to perform a primary predetermined function, which function is exclusive of lighting. The appliance includes a continuous light conducting pathway that is uninterrupted by air and a light-emitting surface formed on the periphery of the appliance and communicably connected to the light-conducting pathway. The cable and the appliance are communicably interengaged. Light is directed from the cable through the continuous light-conducting pathway to the light-emitting surface, from which surface light is projected to illuminate the primary predetermined function.

Abstract: A fiberoptically illuminated medical appliance, and in particular, an illuminated tongue depressor includes a light conducting blade, at least a portion of which is light projecting. The blade includes a light inlet that is operably engaged with the outlet of an optical fiber. The opposite inlet end of the optical fiber is operably interengaged with a fiberoptic illuminator.

Abstract: A disposable tongue retractor having a tapered elongated body with downwardly curving hook ends.

Abstract: A portable hand-held transluminating wand is disclosed which includes a hand grip portion containing the power source and an illumination source at a narrow terminating end. The illumination source is enclosed by a slide-on transparent cover which is shaped to permit insertion into a patient's mouth and placement against the roof of the mouth without discomfort. The translucent cover is tinted red to selectively provide light of a desired bandwidth beneficial to translumination of human tissue. The cover is clear in the region to be placed in contact with the roof of the mouth so that the light emitted in this region is not diffused but remains directed toward the roof of the mouth to facilitate translumination and frosted elsewhere to inhibit light leakage from the patient's mouth when closed about the device. The wand is constructed with a multi-position switch which permits the illumination source to be turned off and on through levels of illumination.

Abstract: An apparatus for and a method of removing smoke and vaporized tissue from a patient's mouth and controlling a patient's tongue through use of a hollow tongue blade coupled to a pneumatic evacuation device which can be used in conjunction with a pharyngeal handpiece during laser applications.