US 11826217

US Patent 11826217, titled "Dental mouthpiece," was issued on November 28, 2023, from an application filed on May 8, 2020 (Application number US16/870,745). The inventors are Thien Nguyen, Tam Thanh Pham, Ethan Nguyen, and Lauren Nguyen. The current assignee is Solmetex LLC.

Abstract:
A dental mouthpiece is disclosed, designed to attach to a high-suction dental adapter for hands-free suction and isolation during dental procedures. The mouthpiece typically comprises a main body portion, a cheek retractor portion, and a suction connector portion, often molded as a single piece. The main body features an anterior wall (inside the curve) and a posterior wall (outside the curve) that define an interior space. This space includes at least one connector linking the anterior and posterior walls. Additionally, there are anterior and posterior intervening walls, each extending partially between the main walls and featuring alternating crests and troughs.

Independent Claims Overview:

Independent Claim 1:
This claim describes a dental mouthpiece formed in a curve. It includes a main body portion with a first end and a second end, featuring an anterior wall (inner curve) and a posterior wall (outer curve) that define an interior space. An important element is at least one connector within this space, linking the anterior and posterior walls. The claim further specifies an anterior intervening wall that protrudes from and extends along an edge of the anterior wall, partially spanning the interior space. This anterior intervening wall has alternating crests and troughs that extend varying distances partially towards the posterior intervening wall. A posterior intervening wall also extends along an edge of the posterior wall, partially towards the anterior wall. The mouthpiece also includes a suction connector portion at the first end, which connects the interior space to a vacuum suction source, and a cheek retractor portion at the second end.

Independent Claim 17:
This claim defines a dental mouthpiece that includes a main body portion with a first end and a second end. This main body comprises an anterior wall and a posterior wall spaced apart, defining an interior space. At least one connector joins the anterior and posterior walls within this space. A key feature is at least one intervening wall that protrudes from and extends along an edge of either the anterior or posterior wall, partially spanning the interior space. This intervening wall has alternating crests and troughs that extend different distances partially across the interior space. The mouthpiece also includes a neck extending from the second end of the main body, where the neck's width is less than the main body's width at the first end. A suction connector portion is connected to the first end of the main body, configured to connect the interior space to a vacuum suction source. Lastly, a cheek retractor portion is connected to the neck, with the neck's width being less than the cheek retractor portion's width.

Litigation Information:
As of the fetched date (May 14, 2026), there is a US case filed in the Michigan Western District Court (case 1:24-cv-00954). Additionally, a PTAB case, IPR2025-01065, was filed but not instituted procedurally. There is no specific mention of cases filed in the CAFC 2026 dockets.