# US 2014/0194928 A1 · Oral stimulatory device for soothing gums

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- Number: US 2014/0194928 A1
- Document ID: US20140194928A1
- Status: Published application
- Kind: A1
- Application number: 13/906,300
- Filed: 2013-05-30
- Published: 2014-07-10
- Earliest claimed: 2007-09-05
- Assignees: Lifefactory, Inc.
- Applicants: LifeFactory, Inc.
- Inventors: Pamela Wong Marcus; Daren Edward Joy
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20140194928A1

## CPC

- A61J 17/02: Teething rings
- A61J 17/001: {Baby-comforters}
- A61J 17/1012: {Emitting light}
- A61J 17/1115: {Straps, cords or chains}
- A61J 2205/20: Colour codes
- A61J: CONTAINERS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR MEDICAL OR PHARMACEUTICAL PURPOSES; DEVICES OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR BRINGING PHARMACEUTICAL PRODUCTS INTO PARTICULAR PHYSICAL OR ADMINISTERING FORMS; DEVICES FOR ADMINISTERING FOOD OR MEDICINES ORALLY; BABY COMFORTERS; DEVICES FOR RECEIVING SPITTLE

## Abstract

An oral stimulatory device is configured for soothing gums, for instance, the gums of a teething infant. Accordingly, in one embodiment, the oral stimulatory device includes a tubular body. In certain embodiments, the tubular body is configured for being at least partially positioned in an oral cavity of a user, such as an infant, and is adapted for being deformed. Although the oral stimulatory device may be fabricated from any suitable material, in certain embodiments, the tubular body of the oral stimulatory device is fabricated from a material comprising silicone. In certain embodiments, the oral stimulatory device includes at least one stimulatory element, for example, a plurality of stimulatory elements, which elements may be adapted for soothing the gums of an infant when positioned in an oral cavity (e.g., mouth) of the infant.

## Claims

### Claim 1

An oral stimulatory device comprising:
a single tubular body configured for being at least partially positioned within an oral cavity of a user and capable of being deformed;
wherein a surface of the tubular body comprises a plurality of differently shaped stimulatory elements unevenly spaced along the tubular body and adapted for soothing gums when positioned within the oral cavity.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The device of claim 1 wherein the tubular body is fabricated from a material comprising silicone.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The device of claim 1 wherein the tubular body is fabricated from a material with a durometer in the range of about 20 to about 100.

### Claim 4 (depends on 3)

The device of claim 3 wherein the durometer is chosen such that the tubular body has a flexibility to strengthen muscles of an infant.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The device of claim 1 wherein the tubular body is configured to be deformed from an initial non-deformed shape to a deformed shape upon the application of a force to the tubular body, and resuming the initial non-deformed shape upon the removal of the force.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The device of claim 1 further comprising a shield coupled to the tubular body, wherein the shield is configured to engage an outside portion of the mouth.

### Claim 7 (depends on 6)

The device of claim 6 wherein the device is a pacifier.

### Claim 8 (depends on 6)

The device of claim 6 further comprising a handle coupled to the shield.

### Claim 9 (depends on 1)

The device of claim 1 further comprising a handle coupled to the tubular body.

### Claim 10 (depends on 1)

The device of claim 1 wherein the surface of the tubular body is concave, convex, or uniform.

### Claim 11 (depends on 1)

The device of claim 1 wherein the tubular body further comprises a bulb configuration at a distal portion of the tubular body.

### Claim 12 (depends on 1)

The device of claim 1 wherein the tubular body is toroidal.

### Claim 13 (depends on 1)

The device of claim 1 wherein the tubular body comprises a shape selected from circular, square, rectangular, and elliptical.

### Claim 14 (depends on 1)

The device of claim 1 wherein the plurality of stimulatory elements comprise a configuration selected from the group consisting of nubs, bumps, ridges, circles, squares, triangles, ellipses, and raised letters.

### Claim 15 (depends on 1)

The device of claim 1 wherein the tubular body further comprises at least one of a noise making element, a light element, and a vibratory element.

### Claim 16 (depends on 1)

The device of claim 1 wherein the tubular body comprises one or more identifying colors.

### Claim 17 (depends on 16)

The device of claim 16 wherein the color changes when exposed to an environmental stimulus.

### Claim 18 (depends on 1)

The device of claim 1 wherein the tubular body comprises a solid cross-section.

### Claim 19 (depends on 1)

The device of claim 1 wherein the tubular body comprises a lumen.