Taste bud shield and method of using same
First Claim
1. A taste bud shield for preventing contact between food stuff and taste buds on a tongue comprising:
- a form fitting sheath having an inner and outer surface extending from the apex to the root of the tongue completely covering the dorsal surface to at least the terminal sulcus, the ventral surface to at least the frenulum, and the side surfaces, the inner surface of the sheath directly overlaying the fungiform, foliate and circumvallate papillae;
a sheath fastener on either side and extending outwardly from the outer surface of the sheath adjacent the molars; and
a mating fastener adapted to be affixed to at least one molar on either side of the sheath and adjacent the sheath fasteners for removably coupling with same to anchor the sheath within the oral cavity.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A taste bud shield for preventing contact between food stuff and taste buds on a tongue including a form fitting protective sheath extending the apex to the root of the tongue completely covering the dorsal surface to at least the terminal sulcus, the ventral surface to at least the frenulum, and the side surfaces. The sheath has an inner and outer surface, the inner surface of the sheath directly overlaying the fungiform, foliate and circumvallate papillae, and at least one sheath fastener on either side and extending outwardly from the outer surface of the sheath adjacent the molars. A programmable mating fastener is affixed to at least one molar on either side of the sheath and adjacent the sheath fasteners for removably coupling with same for a predetermined period of time.
37 Citations
21 Claims
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1. A taste bud shield for preventing contact between food stuff and taste buds on a tongue comprising:
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a form fitting sheath having an inner and outer surface extending from the apex to the root of the tongue completely covering the dorsal surface to at least the terminal sulcus, the ventral surface to at least the frenulum, and the side surfaces, the inner surface of the sheath directly overlaying the fungiform, foliate and circumvallate papillae;
a sheath fastener on either side and extending outwardly from the outer surface of the sheath adjacent the molars; and
a mating fastener adapted to be affixed to at least one molar on either side of the sheath and adjacent the sheath fasteners for removably coupling with same to anchor the sheath within the oral cavity. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A taste bud shield for preventing contact between food stuff and taste buds on a tongue comprising:
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a form fitting flexible impermeable bio-compatible protective sheath having an inner and outer surface extending the apex to the root of the tongue completely covering the dorsal surface to at least the terminal sulcus, the ventral surface to at least the frenulum, and the side surfaces, the inner surface of the sheath directly overlaying the fungiform, foliate and circumvallate papillae;
at least one sheath fastener on either side and extending outwardly from the outer surface of the sheath adjacent the molars; and
at least one mating fastener adapted to be affixed to at least one molar on either side of the sheath adjacent the sheath fasteners and having a programmable locking mechanism to couple with the sheath fasteners and anchor the taste bud shield within the oral cavity for a predetermined period of time. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16)
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17. A method of preventing contact between food stuff and taste buds on a tongue comprising the steps of:
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affixing mating fasteners to at least one molar on either side of the lower jaw;
inserting a tongue into a form fitting protective sheath extending from the apex to the root of the tongue completely covering the dorsal surface to at least the terminal sulcus, the ventral surface to at least the frenulum, and the side surfaces, the sheath having an inner and outer surface, the inner surface of the sheath directly overlaying the fungiform, foliate and circumvallate papillae, the sheath having at least one sheath fastener on either side and extending outwardly from its outer surface adjacent the mating fasteners; and
coupling the corresponding mating and sheath fasteners to one another to anchor the protective sheath within the oral cavity. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20)
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21. A method of preventing contact between food stuff and taste buds on a tongue comprising the steps of:
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affixing programmable mating fasteners to at least one molar on either side of the lower jaw;
inserting a tongue into a form fitting protective sheath extending from the apex to the root of the tongue completely covering the dorsal surface to at least the terminal sulcus, the ventral surface to at least the frenulum, and the side surfaces, the sheath having an inner and outer surface, the inner surface of the sheath directly overlaying the fungiform, foliate and circumvallate papillae, the sheath having at least one sheath fastener on either side and extending outwardly from its outer surface adjacent the mating fasteners;
programming the mating fasteners to couple with the sheath fasteners for a predetermined period of time; and
coupling the corresponding mating and sheath fasteners to one another to anchor the protective sheath within the oral cavity for the predetermined period of time.
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Specification