Tongue positioning device for medical procedures
First Claim
1. In a tongue positioning apparatus, the combination comprisinga) a tongue receptacle means having a top surface configured for reception and retention of forward extent of the user'"'"'s tongue, and to be retained by the user'"'"'s mouth,b) a tube configured to receive an elongated device useful in a medical procedure secured to said receptacle, said tube communicating with the interior of the user'"'"'s mouth and outside the patient'"'"'s mouth when the apparatus is positioned for use,c) a removable shield means shaped to be received and retained outwardly of the user'"'"'s lip having a shelf unitary with the shield means and extending at an angle from the shield which is configured to receive the user'"'"'s lips,d) attachment means for attaching the shield means to said receptacle means to permit positioning the shield means and the shelf relative to the tongue forward extent whereby the tongue may be comfortably positioned and retained in said receptacle means, whereby the tongue is brought forward, out of the mouth, and forward movement of the shield will move the tongue so as to allow improved access to the patient'"'"'s oropharynx with an elongated tube inserted through the tube, and(e) an extension on the top surface of the tongue receptacle means having a length sufficient to cover the user'"'"'s epiglottis when the apparatus is positioned on the user'"'"'s tongue.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A tongue positioning apparatus comprising a shield attached to a tongue receptacle for moving the user'"'"'s tongue forward to provide access to the user'"'"'s oropharynx during a medical procedure and a tube configured to receive an elongated device secured to the receptacle. The invention also comprises a method of performing a medical procedure including placing the tongue positioning apparatus on a patient'"'"'s tongue, introducing a device through the tube and performing a medical procedure. Preferably, the procedure may comprise administering a gaseous anesthetic, intubating the patient or performing an endoscopic operation.
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Citations
11 Claims
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1. In a tongue positioning apparatus, the combination comprising
a) a tongue receptacle means having a top surface configured for reception and retention of forward extent of the user'"'"'s tongue, and to be retained by the user'"'"'s mouth, b) a tube configured to receive an elongated device useful in a medical procedure secured to said receptacle, said tube communicating with the interior of the user'"'"'s mouth and outside the patient'"'"'s mouth when the apparatus is positioned for use, c) a removable shield means shaped to be received and retained outwardly of the user'"'"'s lip having a shelf unitary with the shield means and extending at an angle from the shield which is configured to receive the user'"'"'s lips, d) attachment means for attaching the shield means to said receptacle means to permit positioning the shield means and the shelf relative to the tongue forward extent whereby the tongue may be comfortably positioned and retained in said receptacle means, whereby the tongue is brought forward, out of the mouth, and forward movement of the shield will move the tongue so as to allow improved access to the patient'"'"'s oropharynx with an elongated tube inserted through the tube, and (e) an extension on the top surface of the tongue receptacle means having a length sufficient to cover the user'"'"'s epiglottis when the apparatus is positioned on the user'"'"'s tongue.
Specification