Patent ID: 6059723
Filing Date: 2000-05-09
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
A fiberoptically illuminated tongue depressor comprising:an elongate and substantially flat blade that is selectively engaged with an interior portion of a person's mouth, said blade having an interior composed exclusively of a continuously solid, one-piece light conducting material and an outer surface composed of a light projecting material;an elongate fiberoptic conductor having a first end that is interconnected to a standard fiberoptic light source and a second end from which light from the fiberoptic light source is emitted; andan optical inlet unitarily connected to said blade, said second end of said fiberoptic conductor being communicably, releasably, intimately and directly connected coupled to said optical inlet such that one of said conductor and said inlet is plugged into the other of said conductor and said inlet to deliver light from said light source through said inlet to said blade, whereby light is transmitted intrinsically, both longitudinally and laterally through said light conducting solid material of said blade to said outer surface of said blade, such that said outer surface projects light into and illuminates the person's mouth.