# US 12,004,763 B2 · Tongue elevator device > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 12,004,763 B2 - Document ID: US12004763B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 17/344,427 - Filed: 2021-06-10 - Published: 2021-09-30 - Granted: 2024-06-11 - Earliest claimed: 2018-09-26 - Applicants: Daniel L. Wohl - Inventors: Daniel L. Wohl - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US12004763B2 ## CPC - A61B 17/24: for use in the oral cavity, larynx, bronchial passages or nose (for medical inspection of cavities or tubes in the body A61B1/00); Tongue scrapers - A61B 1/24: for the mouth, i.e. stomatoscopes, e.g. with tongue depressors; Instruments for opening or keeping open the mouth - A61B 5/4552: {Evaluating soft tissue within the mouth, e.g. gums or tongue} - A61B 13/00: Instruments for depressing the tongue (combined with illuminating and viewing instruments A61B1/24; combined with saliva removers A61C17/10) - A61B 17/02: for holding wounds open, e.g. retractors; Tractors - A61B 2017/00424: {ergonomic, e.g. fitting in fist} - A61B 2017/00814: {Surgery of the tongue, e.g. glossoplasty} - A61B 2090/061: {for measuring dimensions, e.g. length} - A61B 2090/062: {penetration depth} - A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D) ## Abstract A tongue elevator device having a handle portion, an elongated neck portion and a manipulator end portion. The handle preferably has an oblong main body having a relatively thin flat portion and a relatively thick transversely-extending end portion for secure and comfortable gripping between the fingers and thumb of the user. The elongated neck portion extends distally from the flat portion of the handle portion, and may be provided with measuring indicia to visually illustrate distances from the manipulator end portion of the device. The manipulator end portion has a concave distal edge, which may be formed angularly or arcuately, and a central recess or slot is provided in the concave distal edge to receive the frenulum tissue. A concave thumb recess may be disposed on the handle portion. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A tongue elevator device comprising a handle portion having edges and corners, a neck portion and a manipulating end portion, said neck portion connecting said handle portion to said manipulating end portion; said handle portion being oblong, non-rectangular and widest in a transverse direction, said handle portion having rounded edges and corners, and said handle portion being wider than said neck portion and said manipulating end portion; and said manipulating end portion comprising a distal concave edge and a frenulum recess centrally disposed on said distal concave edge, wherein said distal concave edge comprises two laterally opposing ends, wherein a lateral width of said manipulating end portion is widest at said two laterally opposing ends. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1, wherein said neck portion and said manipulating end portion are not co-planar and said manipulating end portion extends downwardly from said neck portion. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1, further comprising measuring indicia located on said neck portion. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1, wherein said handle portion comprises a flat portion and a transversely extending, proximal end portion, said proximal end portion being thicker than said flat portion. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The device of claim 4, wherein said proximal end portion is arcuate. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1, wherein said distal concave edge is angular with linear segments. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1, wherein said distal concave edge is arcuate with curved segments. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1, wherein said manipulating end portion is joined to said neck portion at a transition zone. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The device of claim 8, wherein said transition zone is angular. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The device of claim 9, wherein said transition zone comprises an angle between 15 and 25 degrees. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The device of claim 10, wherein said angle is approximately 20 degrees. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1, further comprising a concave thumb recess disposed on said handle portion. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1, further comprising measuring indicia located on said neck portion and on said manipulating end portion. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1, wherein lateral widths of each of said two laterally opposing ends taper towards said frenulum recess. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The device of claim 14, wherein said distal concave edge is arcuate from each of said two laterally opposing ends to said frenulum recess. ### Claim 16 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1, wherein the lateral width of said manipulating end portion increases towards said distal concave edge. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The device of claim 16, wherein said manipulating end portion is generally planar. ### Claim 18 A tongue elevator device comprising a handle portion, a neck portion and a manipulating end portion, said neck portion connecting said handle portion to said manipulating end portion; said handle portion being oblong, non-rectangular and widest in a transverse direction, said handle portion having rounded edges and corners, and said handle portion being wider than said neck portion and said manipulating end portion; said manipulating end portion comprising a distal concave edge and a frenulum recess centrally disposed on said distal concave edge, wherein said distal concave edge comprises two laterally opposing ends, wherein a lateral width of said manipulating end portion is widest at said two laterally opposing ends; wherein said neck portion and said manipulating end portion are not co-planar and said manipulating end portion extends downwardly from said neck portion, and wherein said manipulating end portion is joined to said neck portion at a transition zone; wherein said handle portion comprises a flat portion and a transversely extending, arcuate, proximal end portion, said proximal end portion being thicker than said flat portion; and further comprising a concave thumb recess disposed on said handle portion. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The device of claim 18, wherein said distal concave edge is angular with linear segments. ### Claim 20 (depends on 18) The device of claim 18, wherein said distal concave edge is arcuate with curved segments.