Prior art

To identify the most relevant prior art for US patent 11826217, I'll examine the patent citations listed within the patent document itself. The USPTO's public search tools are the authoritative source for this information.

Here's an analysis of the most relevant prior art cited in US11826217:

Most Relevant Prior Art for US11826217

The following prior art references are identified as being particularly relevant to the claims of US11826217, focusing on their potential to anticipate aspects under 35 U.S.C. § 102 (novelty).

1. US9788924B2

• Full Citation: US9788924B2 to Dryshield, Llc, titled "Intraoral device with bridge"
• Publication/Filing Date: Priority Date: 2012-12-07; Publication Date: 2017-10-17.
• Brief Description: This patent describes an intraoral device that includes a main body and a bridge structure within the main body. The bridge structure is designed to prevent collapse of the device during suction and facilitate fluid flow. The device also features a bite block and a suction connector.
• Potentially Anticipates:
  • Claims 1 & 17 (Bridge Structure): This patent directly teaches a "bridge structure that includes one or more protrusions... wherein the protrusions include spaced crests and troughs," as claimed in dependent claim 3 of US11826217. The concept of preventing collapse during suction through such a structure is also present. The main body portion, suction connector, and cheek retractor portions are common elements in intraoral devices. Therefore, the bridge structure as described in US9788924B2, particularly with its spaced crests and troughs, could potentially anticipate the bridge structure mentioned in dependent claim 3 of US11826217. The varying height and length of protrusions (claim 4) could also be argued as being inherent or obvious variations based on the teachings of US9788924B2.

2. US20140212841A1

• Full Citation: US20140212841A1 to Incept, Inc., titled "Intraoral device with detachable mouth prop"
• Publication/Filing Date: Priority Date: 2012-12-07; Publication Date: 2014-07-31.
• Brief Description: This application describes an intraoral device featuring a main body, a suction connector, a cheek retractor, and a detachable mouth prop (bite block). It highlights the importance of these components for isolation and fluid evacuation.
• Potentially Anticipates:
  • Claims 1 & 17 (Bite Block): While US11826217 claims an "integrated" bite block (claim 8), the concept of a bite block within an intraoral suction and isolation device is clearly disclosed in US20140212841A1. The functional benefit of crush-resistance during biting would be inherent to any effective bite block. An examiner might argue that integrating a detachable bite block is an obvious design choice, particularly if the prior art also discusses various attachment mechanisms or different configurations.

3. US20140162209A1

• Full Citation: US20140162209A1 to Incept Incorporated, titled "Intraoral dental suction and isolation system"
• Publication/Filing Date: Priority Date: 2012-12-07; Publication Date: 2014-06-12.
• Brief Description: This application details an intraoral dental suction and isolation system, emphasizing the combination of a main body, suction means, and cheek retraction. It discusses creating an isolated oral cavity for dental procedures.
• Potentially Anticipates:
  • Claims 1 & 17 (Overall System/Combination): This reference is significant for teaching the fundamental combination of a main body portion, suction connector portion, and cheek retractor portion for hands-free suction and isolation during dental procedures. While not going into the specific intervening wall details of US11826217, it lays a strong foundation for the overall system. The concept of an interior space for fluid evacuation is also implicitly taught.

4. WO2020231864A1

• Full Citation: WO2020231864A1 to Dryshield, Llc, titled "Dental mouthpiece"
• Publication/Filing Date: Priority Date: 2019-05-10; Publication Date: 2020-11-19.
• Brief Description: This international application discloses a dental mouthpiece, similar to US11826217, detailing a main body, cheek retractor, and suction connector, often molded as one piece. It explicitly mentions anterior and posterior walls defining an interior space, with intervening walls having alternating crests and troughs.
• Potentially Anticipates:
  • Claims 1 & 17 (Intervening Walls with Crests and Troughs): This reference appears to be a family member or closely related application, sharing the same priority date as US11826217. Therefore, it would likely disclose much of the same subject matter, including the specific features of the anterior and posterior intervening walls with "alternating crests and troughs that extend different distances partially across the interior space." If this document was indeed published before the filing date of US11826217 (May 8, 2020), or claims priority to an earlier application that discloses these features, it could be highly anticipatory. However, given it shares the same priority date (2019-05-10) and the publication date (2020-11-19) is after the filing date of US11826217 (2020-05-08), it's more likely a related application rather than anticipatory prior art under 35 U.S.C. § 102, but rather potentially relevant for obviousness type double patenting or a Section 103 analysis if the claims are not identical.

5. US8911232B2

• Full Citation: US8911232B2 to Incept, Inc., titled "Intraoral dental suction and isolation system"
• Publication/Filing Date: Priority Date: 2012-12-07; Publication Date: 2014-12-16.
• Brief Description: This patent also describes an intraoral dental suction and isolation system, focusing on the overall functionality of providing a hands-free environment for dental procedures. It broadly covers the components of such a system.
• Potentially Anticipates:
  • Claims 1 & 17 (Overall System/Combination): Similar to US20140162209A1, this patent reinforces the commonality of the core components (main body, suction, cheek retractor) in dental isolation systems. It strengthens the argument that the fundamental assembly of such a device for its stated purpose was known in the art prior to US11826217.

6. US5037298A

• Full Citation: US5037298A to Hickham John J, titled "Apparatus and improved process for removing saliva while retracting cheeks and lips"
• Publication/Filing Date: Filing Date: 1985-11-25; Publication Date: 1991-08-06.
• Brief Description: This patent describes an apparatus for removing saliva while simultaneously retracting cheeks and lips, emphasizing the combination of these functions for improved dental procedures.
• Potentially Anticipates:
  • Claims 1 & 17 (Cheek Retractor & Saliva Removal): This older patent highlights the combination of cheek retraction and saliva removal, which are core functions of US11826217. While the structural details of the "intervening walls with crests and troughs" are likely absent, the overarching purpose and some functional aspects of the cheek retractor portion and suction capabilities are anticipated by this prior art.

7. US6974321B2

• Full Citation: US6974321B2 to Innerlite, Inc., titled "Intraoral device"
• Publication/Filing Date: Priority Date: 1998-11-17; Publication Date: 2005-12-13.
• Brief Description: This patent describes an intraoral device, often related to illumination, but typically includes elements for maintaining an open oral cavity and managing fluids.
• Potentially Anticipates:
  • Claims 1 & 17 (General Intraoral Device): This patent represents a broad category of intraoral devices that provide various functions within the mouth. While specific structural elements like the detailed intervening walls might differ, it contributes to the understanding of the state of the art concerning devices placed in the mouth for dental work, incorporating features like suction and retraction.

8. US6672305B2

• Full Citation: US6672305B2 to Parker Medical Limited Partnership, titled "Shallow throat orotracheal intubation guide"
• Publication/Filing Date: Priority Date: 2001-02-26; Publication Date: 2004-01-06.
• Brief Description: This patent describes a guide for intubation, which involves a device placed in the oral cavity to manage the airway. Such devices often incorporate features to retract tissues and provide conduits for passage.
• Potentially Anticipates:
  • Claims 1 & 17 (Oral Airway Management/Tissue Retraction): While not a dental mouthpiece for suction in the same vein as US11826217, this patent is relevant for its teachings on managing the oral cavity and retracting soft tissues. The principles of creating an open space and directing flow could be considered in an obviousness analysis, particularly concerning the general shape and function of a device meant to occupy and manipulate structures within the mouth.