Patent ID: 9649462
Date: 2017-05-16
CPC Classifications: A61M

Claim:
1. An anchoring device for seating an airway tube against edentulous gums during operation and collapsing into a storable configuration while nonoperational, the device comprising: an upper brace defined by a substantially U-shaped upper channel having a substantially smooth, pliable surface, the upper brace further defined by an upper front section, an upper rear section, and a pair of upper sides; a lower brace disposed oppositely the upper brace, the lower brace defined by a substantially U-shaped lower channel having a substantially smooth, pliable surface, the lower brace further defined by a lower front section, a lower rear section, and a pair of lower sides; wherein there is an unobstructed and uniform open space between the upper brace and the lower brace; an ovular platform defined by a slightly curved planar surface, the platform disposed to extend from a front of a mouth to a back of the mouth; a connector defined by a substantially flexible composition, the connector disposed to join the upper brace and the lower brace at the respective upper and lower sides; and a resiliently bowable lock strip defined by a substantially flexible composition, wherein the resiliently bowable lock strip supports the upper and lower braces, maintains the anchoring device in an operational configuration, allows jaw movement, and accommodates various jaw sizes and shapes without requiring adjustment, wherein the lock strip is configured to reside inside the mouth during use, the lock strip being comprised of silicone and further defined by a locking end and an integrated end, the integrated end disposed to join the upper brace or the lower brace at the respective upper or lower sides, the locking end configured to detachably join the upper brace or the lower brace at the respective upper or lower sides, wherein the anchoring device is operational when the locking end is attached to the upper brace or the lower brace, wherein the anchoring device is substantially flat and nonoperational when the locking end is detached from the upper brace or the lower brace.