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 Title: |
US5465734:
Adjustable tongue positioning device and method
[ Derwent Title ]
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| Country: |
US United States of America
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| Inventor: |
Alvarez, Ramiro M.; Fremont, CA
Lea, Susan J.; Berkeley, CA
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| Assignee: |
Snorex, Inc., Reno, NV
other patents from SNOREX, INC. (715923) (approx. 2)
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| Published / Filed: |
1995-11-14
/ 1994-04-05
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| Application Number: |
US1994000223332
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| IPC Code: |
Advanced:
A61F 5/56;
IPC-7:
A61F 5/56;
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| ECLA Code: |
A61F5/56B;
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| U.S. Class: |
Current:
128/848;
128/860;
Original:
128/848;
128/860;
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| Field of Search: |
128/848,859,860,861,862
433/006
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| Priority Number: |
| 1994-04-05 |
US1994000223332 |
| 1994-01-12 |
US1994000180262 |
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| Abstract: |
An apparatus is provided for positioning a user's tongue to bring the tongue forward, to decrease obstructions in the user's airway and reduce snoring. The apparatus comprises a tongue sleeve which is configured to retain the forward extent of the user's tongue. In preferred embodiments, the tongue sleeve has narrowed inner dimensions at a point along the length of the sleeve. This narrowing acts strength the suction when the user's tongue is positioned within the sleeve. Preferably, the narrowing portions comprise an annular constricted portion. The tongue sleeve has one or more airways which may either comprise complete tubes or air channels formed in the tongue sleeve. A number of airways may be provided. In one embodiment, the airway comprises a tube configured to connect with a positive airway pressure supply means to maintain the patency of the user's upper respiratory tract. A shield means which serves to position the tongue sleeve with respect to the user's mouth is attached by attachment means to the tongue sleeve. The shield means is restrained by the user's lips. In a preferred embodiment, the attachment means is adjustable and may comprise a series of notches along the tongue sleeve which are adapted to receive the shield means. Typically, the attachment means in conjunction with the shield means moves the user's tongue forward from 1 to 4 centimeters. The shield means may also comprise a shelf which receives the user's lips or the user's lips and teeth. In some embodiments, the shelf has extensions to accommodate the user's dental arch. Preferably, an elastomeric, moldable or conformable material is attached to the shelf.
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| Primary / Asst. Examiners: |
Hafer, Robert A.; O'Neill, Michael
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| Maintenance Status: |
E2 Expired Check current status
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| INPADOC Legal Status: |
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Family Legal Status Report
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| Parent Case: |
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
This application is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 08/180,262, filed Jan. 12, 1994, and entitled Adjustable Anti-Snoring Device, that was expressly abandoned on 25 May 1995.
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| Designated Country: |
AM AP AT BB BG BR BY CA CH CN CZ DE DK EE EP ES FI GB GE HU JP KE KG KP KR KZ LK LR LT LU LV MD MG MN MW MX NL NO NZ
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| Family: |
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First Claim:
Show all 33 claims |
What is claimed is:
1. In a tongue positioning apparatus, the combination comprising
- a) a tongue sleeve having a top surface, configured for reception and retention of the forward extent of the user's tongue, and configured to be retained by the user's mouth,
- b) an airway on the tongue sleeve having an outlet positioned on the top surface of the tongue sleeve and an inlet, wherein the inlet communicates from the exterior of the user's mouth to the outlet in the interior of the user's mouth when the apparatus is retained by the user's mouth,
- 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, and
- d) an attachment means for attaching the shield means to said tongue sleeve 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 tongue sleeve, whereby snoring is reduced as the tongue is brought forward, out of the mouth, and forward movement of the shield means will move the tongue so as to provide lessened airway obstruction.
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| Background / Summary: |
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| Drawing Descriptions: |
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| Description: |
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| Forward References: |
Show 36 U.S. patent(s) that reference this one
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