Prior art

The current date is April 26, 2026.

USPTO Database Search for US12167948

A direct search for US patent 12167948 using the USPTO's Patent Public Search tool confirms its existence and allows access to its full record. For this analysis, the authoritative patent text provided in the prompt is used to identify the cited prior art.

Most Relevant Prior Art for US12167948

The following patents are identified as among the most relevant prior art for US patent 12167948, based on their titles reflecting key features of the claimed invention and their pre-dating the priority date of US12167948 (May 10, 2019). These references were cited by the examiner during prosecution.

1. US20140162209A1

• Full Citation: US20140162209A1 - Intraoral dental suction and isolation system.
• Publication/Filing Dates:
  • Priority Date: 2012-12-07
  • Publication Date: 2014-06-12
• Brief Description: This patent application describes an intraoral system designed for dental suction and isolation. Its title directly aligns with the stated purpose of US12167948, indicating a focus on comprehensive fluid management and isolation within the oral cavity during dental procedures.
• Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102):
  • Claim 1: This reference potentially anticipates the broad concept of a mouthpiece combining a main body, suction connector, and cheek retractor for suction and isolation. The "intraoral dental suction and isolation system" likely includes a structure with walls defining an interior space for fluid evacuation. The novelty in Claim 1 of US12167948, concerning the "intervening wall that includes a span protruding from the one or more edges of the first wall, wherein the span is defined by a ridged edge that includes a plurality of ridges extending different distances at least partially across the distance between the first wall and the second wall," would need careful comparison to this reference's detailed disclosure.
  • Claim 20: Similar to Claim 1, the general structure for suction and isolation could be anticipated. The specific "open-meshed configuration" created by unconnected ridged edges of the first wall for fluid suction would require detailed comparison.
  • Claim 23: The core components of a main body and suction connector for isolation and suction are likely present. The specific configuration of the ridged walls forming an open mesh and the presence of a neck (rather than a full cheek retractor) would be points of distinction.

2. US9788924B2

• Full Citation: US9788924B2 - Intraoral device with bridge.
• Publication/Filing Dates:
  • Priority Date: 2012-12-07
  • Publication Date: 2017-10-17
• Brief Description: This granted patent describes an intraoral device that incorporates a "bridge" structure. The presence of a "bridge structure" (136) is a specific feature detailed in the description and some embodiments of US12167948, designed to prevent wall collapse during suction (FIG. 5). This suggests a close structural and functional relationship.
• Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102):
  • Claim 1: The presence of a "bridge structure" in this prior art strongly suggests it might anticipate the "at least one connector that connects the first wall to the second wall" as broadly claimed in dependent claim 14 of US12167948, or the "bridge structure" mentioned in dependent claim 19. If the bridge in US9788924B2 also features ridged edges or similar structures as the intervening wall of Claim 1, it could be highly anticipatory.
  • Claim 20: If the "bridge" in US9788924B2 contributes to an "open-meshed configuration" between the walls for fluid suction, it could potentially anticipate this aspect. The specific details of the ridges and their "unconnected" nature would be critical for distinction.
  • Claim 23: The general intraoral device with a bridge feature would be relevant. The detailed structure of the ridged intervening walls and the neck portion would be key to differentiating anticipation.

3. US20140212839A1

• Full Citation: US20140212839A1 - Intraoral device with stability bar.
• Publication/Filing Dates:
  • Priority Date: 2012-12-07
  • Publication Date: 2014-07-31
• Brief Description: This patent application is titled "Intraoral device with stability bar," directly mentioning a "stability bar." A "stability bar" (143) is also a specific structural component disclosed and claimed in US12167948, extending along the longitudinal axis of the main body portion (FIG. 5). This indicates a close functional and structural overlap.
• Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102):
  • Claim 1: The inclusion of a "stability bar" in this reference could anticipate the general concept of structural reinforcement within an intraoral device's main body. If this stability bar also functions as a connector or has features related to the ridged intervening walls, it could be highly relevant.
  • Claim 20: Similar to Claim 1, the presence of a stability bar supporting walls during suction could be relevant. The specific "open-meshed configuration" and unconnected ridged edges would need close scrutiny against the disclosure of US20140212839A1.
  • Claim 23: The stability bar would be a relevant feature in an intraoral device with a neck. The specifics of how the stability bar interacts with the walls and the ridged intervening walls would determine the extent of anticipation.

4. US5037298A

• Full Citation: US5037298A - Apparatus and improved process for removing saliva while retracting cheeks and lips.
• Publication/Filing Dates:
  • Priority Date: 1985-11-25
  • Publication Date: 1991-08-06
• Brief Description: This patent describes an apparatus and method for saliva removal and cheek/lip retraction. These are fundamental functions of the dental mouthpiece described in US12167948, highlighting a broader historical context for the invention's purpose.
• Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102):
  • Claim 1, 20, 23: This patent likely anticipates the broader functional aspects of "suction" (saliva removal) and "cheek retractor portion" (retracting cheeks and lips). However, it is less likely to anticipate the specific structural details, such as the two walls defining an interior space, the intervening walls with ridged edges, or the open-meshed configuration, as described in independent claims of US12167948. It provides foundational context but is less likely to be a direct structural anticipation for the specific novel features of US12167948.

Note: A full 35 U.S.C. § 102 anticipation analysis would require a detailed claim-by-claim comparison of US12167948 against the complete disclosure (specification and drawings) of each cited prior art reference. This summary provides a high-level assessment based on the titles and broad descriptions of the cited patents.