Patent ID: 6053168
Filing Date: 2000-04-25
Classification: A61F

Abstract:
An oral device for placing and maintaining a user's tongue in a desired position in contact with both the hard and soft palate of the user, comprising:a single U-shaped upper tooth engagement member dimensioned and configured to cooperate closely with the outside surfaces of the user's upper teeth such that the tongue is maintained in the desired position wherein the tongue is in contact with both the hard and soft palate of the mouth when the mouth is closed over said oral device;a single U-shaped lower tooth engagement member dimensioned and configured to cooperate closely with the outside surfaces of the user's lower teeth, wherein said lower tooth engagement member is joined to said upper tooth engagement member and aligned with said upper tooth engagement member such that the user can close his mouth when said oral device is worn in the mouth, and the user's upper teeth will be received in close cooperation within said U-shaped upper tooth engagement member and the user's lower teeth will be received in close cooperation with said U-shaped lower tooth engagement member proximate the user's upper teeth; anda substantially planar tongue lift platform extending horizontally and rearwardly into the user's mouth, said tongue lift platform being attached around an inner portion of said single U-shaped upper tooth engaging member, wherein said tongue lift platform is located at a level immediately above said U-shaped lower tooth engaging member, thus holding the tongue in the desired position wherein the tongue is in contact with both the hard and soft palate of the mouth, and preventing the user from breathing through the mouth.