US 12,458,293 B2
MRI-compatible jaw opening device for TMJ imaging
Donald Nixdorf, Minneapolis, MN (US); David Nascene, Minneapolis, MN (US); Viraj Rajanayagam, Minneapolis, MN (US); John William Bedford, Minneapolis, MN (US); Katelyn Fitzgerald, Minneapolis, MN (US); Holly Hayden, Minneapolis, MN (US); and Darren Seaney, Minneapolis, MN (US)
Assigned to REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA, Minneapolis, MN (US)
Filed by REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA, Minneapolis, MN (US)
Filed on Aug. 8, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/231,354.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/396,468, filed on Aug. 9, 2022.
Prior Publication US 2024/0050040 A1, Feb. 15, 2024
Int. Cl. A61B 5/05 (2021.01); A61B 5/00 (2006.01); A61B 5/055 (2006.01)
CPC A61B 5/70 (2013.01) [A61B 5/004 (2013.01); A61B 5/055 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
14. A method for controllably opening a jaw of a subject during an MRI scan, the steps of the method comprising:
inserting an apparatus into a mouth of the subject, wherein the apparatus comprises:
a curved track attached to a first end of a housing;
a first bite tray and a second bite tray coupled to the curved track, at least the second bite tray being slidably coupled to the curved track; and
an adjustment mechanism disposed within the housing and coupled to the second bite tray, the adjustment mechanism including an extended handle extending from a second end of the housing opposite the first end; and
moving the handle, thereby causing the second bite tray to controllably move along the curved track away from the first bite tray, and thereby controllably opening the jaw of the subject with rotational motion.