Modified endoscopic bite blocks featuring flexible and movable components that adjust to involuntary jaw movements during endoscopic procedures.

During endoscopic procedures, a rigid bite block is used to keep the patient’s mouth open. However, most existing bite blocks are rigid and fail to adapt to the natural shape or movements of the mouth. As a result, the bite block can shift out of place during the procedure if the patient yawns or moves their tongue involuntarily, increasing the risk of trauma to the mouth, gums, palate, and teeth.

A bite block configured and manufactured with movable and flexible components that work together to adapt to a patient’s movements during an endoscopic procedure. These features enable the bite block to conform to involuntary jaw movements without becoming dislodged or causing trauma to the mouth.

The bite block has several configurations that contain at least one movable component and one flexible component, which combined work together to counteract any involuntary jaw movements made by the patient. Configurations include the use of elastic springs, elastic hinges, elastic strips, ridges, grooves, and tabs, as well as a head strap to keep the bite block from moving out of place. The bite block and its components can be manufactured using conventional plastic molding techniques such as injection molding and 3-D printing.

• Movable and flexible parts of the bite block work together to prevent injuries associated with involuntary mouth movements during an endoscopic procedure
• Different design modifications can easily be combined when manufacturing the bite block device
• The bite block can be manufactured using conventional plastic molding techniques