US4041937A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Medical implement
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1976-08-23
•
Granted: 1977-08-16
•
Expires: 1996-08-23
Abstract
Abstract A tongue blade having a pressure pad for firmly depressing and holding a patient's tongue. The blade includes an attachable bite guard for protecting the patient's teeth and for maintaining a clear air passageway through the patient's mouth. A depth guide prevents overinsertion of the blade. In a modified embodiment the pressure pad is premoistened with an antiseptic solution.
Inventors
- 👤 Marcellina Diaz
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 02:45
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B13/00; A61B1/00; A61B1/24
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
100 words
A medical implement in the form of a tongue blade suitable for use in rendering first aid assistance to seizure patients comprising a planar blade body having pressure pad means secured at one end thereof for contacting the patient's tongue to hold same firmly in place, mouthpiece means attached to the blade body being located for registration with the confronting upper and lower teeth of the patient for providing protective cushioned tooth impact, said mouthpiece further having depth guide means extending transversely from the blade body for contacting the periphery of the mouth to prevent overinsertion of the tongue blade.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
100 words
A medical implement in the form of a tongue blade suitable for use in rendering first aid assistance to seizure patients comprising a planar blade body having pressure pad means secured at one end thereof for contacting the patient's tongue to hold same firmly in place, mouthpiece means attached to the blade body being located for registration with the confronting upper and lower teeth of the patient for providing protective cushioned tooth impact, said mouthpiece further having depth guide means extending transversely from the blade body for contacting the periphery of the mouth to prevent overinsertion of the tongue blade.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
41 words
A medical implement as claimed in claim 1 wherein the blade body has a tapered nose portion of reduced width dimension and terminates in a flared rounded head, said configuration facilitating the securement of the pressure pad to the blade body.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
25 words
A medical implement as claimed in claim 2 includes plural layers of cushioning material surrounding the nose portion and fastening means for securing same thereto.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
27 words
A medical implement as claimed in claim 2 wherein the pressure pad includes premoistened cotton swab surrounding the nose portion and fastening means for securing same thereto.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
33 words
A medical instrument as claimed in claim 2 wherein the mouthpiece has a slotted passageway therethrough and the blade body has conforming recesses for receiving the mouthpiece to effect a snap fitting assembly.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
18 words
A medical instrument as claimed in claim 5 wherein the mouthpiece is fabricated of a soft pliable material.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
49 words
A medical implement as claimed in claim 1 wherein the mouthpiece includes a bite guard having a height dimension greater than the thickness of the blade body and being adapted to maintain a displacement between the upper and lower front teeth to provide an air passageway through the mouth.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
28 words
A medical implement as claimed in claim 7 wherein the depth guide means includes two wing sections, said wing sections being adapted for abutment against the patient's mouth.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
20 words
A medical implement as claimed in claim 8 wherein said wing sections are provided with a plurality of breathing apertures.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
23 words
A medical implement as claimed in claim 7 further including a finger gripping portion for increasing frictional resistance and providing a firm grasp.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1980-08-15 | 1981-02-14 | 1981-08-16 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1984-08-15 | 1985-02-14 | 1985-08-16 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1988-08-15 | 1989-02-14 | 1989-08-16 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |