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US 6,632,095 B2Granted
Tongue lifter
OwnerBruce P. Ryaninventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A tongue lifting tool and method for using such tool are provided. The tool has a tongue holder for supporting a patient's tongue and a holding portion coupled to the tongue holder.
Claims21
A tongue lifting tool comprising:
- a tongue holder for cradling and lifting a patient's tongue in a patient's mouth, the tongue holder comprising a first surface for cradling the underside of the tongue and a second surface opposite the first surface;
- and
- a holding portion of sufficient length to extend outside of the patient's mouth while the tongue holder cradles the patient's tongue, the holding portion allowing for manipulation of the tongue holder from a location outside the patient's mouth, the holding portion comprising a portion adjacent a section of the tongue holder second surface and extending transversely from the section of the tongue holder second surface.
A tongue lifting tool comprising:
- a cradle comprising a first cradling surface for cradling and lifting the underside of a patient's tongue and a second surface opposite the first cradling surface;
- a holding portion comprising a portion adjacent to a section of the cradle second surface and extending transversely from the section of the cradle second surface, wherein the holding portion is rigidly coupled to the cradle and wherein the holding portion is of sufficient length for extending outside of a patient's mouth when the cradle is cradling the patient's tongue.
A method for teaching the placement of a patient's tongue for making a sound, the method comprising:
- providing a tongue lifting tool comprising a tongue holder having a cradling and lifting surface and a second surface opposite the cradling surface and a handle comprising a portion adjacent to a section of the tongue holder second surface and extending transversely from the section of the tongue holder second surface;
- positioning the tongue holder in a patient's mouth with the handle extending outside of the patient's mouth;
- cradling the underside of the patient's tongue in the tongue holder;
- and
- manipulating the handle to move the tongue to the appropriate position.
2 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.