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 Title: |
US5373859:
Tongue positioning device
[ Derwent Title ]
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| Country: |
US United States of America
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| Inventor: |
Forney, LeRoy S.; Philadelphia, PA 19103
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| Assignee: |
None
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| Published / Filed: |
1994-12-20
/ 1993-04-19
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| Application Number: |
US1993000049182
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| IPC Code: |
Advanced:
A61B 17/28;
A61F 5/56;
IPC-7:
A61C 5/14;
A61F 5/37;
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| ECLA Code: |
A61F5/56B; K61B17/30S;
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| U.S. Class: |
Current:
128/846;
128/860;
Original:
128/846;
128/860;
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| Field of Search: |
128/848,859-862,62 A
604/181,77
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| Priority Number: |
| 1993-04-19 |
US1993000049182 |
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| Abstract: |
A device is provided to retain the tongue in a normal or extended position without undue discomfort for an extended period of time by holding the tongue securely in a housing by means of vacuum created within the device. The housing may then be positioned by holding it with the fingers or, in another embodiment, by an integral flange which rests against the face and permits self-application. The device uses a housing that is designed to form a seal with the tongue at its proximal portion, and diverging walls within the housing to limit other areas of contact with the tongue. The device also preferably uses an opening that is arcuate shaped and includes a soft conformable extension portion. Certain embodiments of the device disclosed are particularly adapted to control snoring by preventing the tongue from blocking the airway. Embodiments using a separate tongue receiver connected to a remote control unit that may include a vacuum supply are also disclosed.
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| Attorney, Agent or Firm: |
Woodcock Washburn Kurtz Mackiewicz & Norris ;
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| Primary / Asst. Examiners: |
Brown, Michael A.;
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| Maintenance Status: |
E1 Expired Check current status
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| INPADOC Legal Status: |
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Family Legal Status Report
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| Designated Country: |
CA EP JP
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| Family: |
Show 2 known family members
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First Claim:
Show all 22 claims |
What is claimed is:
1. Apparatus for restraining a tongue, comprising a housing connected to a vacuum source, the housing having an opening for receiving the tongue, the opening having walls diverging away from the opening, wherein a cross-section of the housing at a point distal from the opening is larger than the opening, whereby upon application of a vacuum to the housing, a sealing engagement is formed between the tongue and the housing only in a region surrounding the opening.
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| Background / Summary: |
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| Drawing Descriptions: |
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| Description: |
Show description
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| Forward References: |
Show 63 U.S. patent(s) that reference this one
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