Magnetic devices, systems, and methods placed in or on a tongue
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A magnetic system comprising:
- a first magnetic structure sized and configured for placement in or on a tongue; and
a second magnetic structure sized and configure for placement in or on a pharyngeal wall,wherein at least one of the first and second magnetic structures include magnetic materials that are sized, configured, and arranged thereon to maintain a substantially mutually repelling orientation between the first and second magnetic structures during a native range of movement of the tongue relative to the pharyngeal wall during at least one of swallowing, drinking or speech, wherein each of the magnetic materials includes a top surface and an opposite bottom surface, and wherein the top surfaces of each of the magnetic materials are disposed in an arrangement having a curved shape.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Magnetic structures develop a magnetic force between a tongue and a posterior pharyngeal wall to stabilize an orientation of the tongue. The magnetic structures include magnetic materials that are sized, configured, and arranged on at least one of the first and second magnetic structures, to maintain a substantially mutually repelling orientation between the first and second magnetic structures during a native range of movement of the tongue relative to the pharyngeal wall, i.e., during swallowing and/or drinking/and or speech.
47 Citations
14 Claims
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1. A magnetic system comprising:
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a first magnetic structure sized and configured for placement in or on a tongue; and a second magnetic structure sized and configure for placement in or on a pharyngeal wall, wherein at least one of the first and second magnetic structures include magnetic materials that are sized, configured, and arranged thereon to maintain a substantially mutually repelling orientation between the first and second magnetic structures during a native range of movement of the tongue relative to the pharyngeal wall during at least one of swallowing, drinking or speech, wherein each of the magnetic materials includes a top surface and an opposite bottom surface, and wherein the top surfaces of each of the magnetic materials are disposed in an arrangement having a curved shape. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3)
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4. A method comprising:
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providing a magnetic system comprising; a first magnetic structure sized and configured for placement in or on a tongue, a second magnetic structure sized and configure for placement in or on a pharyngeal wall, wherein at least one of the first and second magnetic structures include magnetic materials that are sized, configured, and arranged thereon to maintain a substantially mutually repelling orientation between the first and second magnetic structures during a native range of movement of the tongue relative to the pharyngeal wall during swallowing and/or drinking/and or speech; and placing the first magnetic structure in or on a tongue and placing the second magnetic structure in or on a pharyngeal wall.
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5. A magnetic structure comprising:
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a carrier sized and configured for placement in or on tissue, the carrier defining a top surface and a bottom surface, the top and bottom surfaces having curved configurations disposed generally parallel to each other, and a magnetic material carried by the carrier, wherein the magnetic material is generally disposed in a curvilinear plane between the top and bottom surfaces. - View Dependent Claims (6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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Specification