Oral phlegm extraction system and method of using same
View Patent ↗Described are oral phlegm extraction systems having a mouth insertion apparatus, a misting apparatus, and a suction apparatus. The mouth insertion apparatus includes a bite platform with at least one suction aperture positioned on a proximal end of the platform and directed toward an entrance to the patient's throat. A tongue positioner may also be included with at least one suction aperture positioned on a proximal end of the tongue positioner and directed toward an entrance to the patient's throat. The mouth insertion apparatus is also shaped to direct a flow of moist gas toward the entrance to the patient's throat.
1 . An oral phlegm extraction system comprising:
a mouth insertion apparatus comprising:
a platform shaped to engage with a patient's teeth when worn and comprising at least one platform suction aperture positioned on a proximal end of the platform and directed toward an entrance to a patient's throat;
a tongue positioner joined to the platform, wherein the tongue positioner comprises:
at least one tongue positioner suction aperture positioned on a proximal end of the tongue positioner and directed toward the entrance to the patient's throat; and
a region shaped to direct a moist gas stream toward the entrance to the patient's throat;
a hollow interior region in open communication with the at least one platform suction aperture and the at least one tongue positioner suction aperture;
a misting apparatus comprising:
a nozzle coupled to a distal end of the platform that is programmable to control at least one of frequency, duration, or content of the moist gas stream that is introduced into the patient's throat and a patient's mouth;
wherein the nozzle is positioned so that the moist gas stream flows out of the nozzle and is directed toward the shaped region of the tongue positioner; and
a suction apparatus comprising:
a vacuum pump coupled to the distal end of the platform and in open communication with the hollow interior region to remove substances collected from the patient's throat and the patient's mouth.
2 . The oral phlegm extraction system of claim 1 , wherein the platform further comprises
an upper platform surface and a lower platform surface, and
a plurality of nubs positioned on at least one of the upper platform surface or the lower platform surface.
3 . The oral phlegm extraction system of claim 2 , wherein the platform further comprises a first plurality of suction apertures positioned on at least one of the upper platform surface or the lower platform surface.
4 . The oral phlegm extraction system of claim 3 , wherein the tongue positioner further comprises
an upper tongue positioner surface and a lower tongue positioner surface, and
a second plurality of suction apertures positioned on at least one of the upper tongue positioner surface or the lower tongue positioner surface.
5 . The oral phlegm extraction system of claim 4 , wherein the at least one platform suction aperture and the at least one tongue positioner suction aperture are larger than the first plurality of suction apertures and the second plurality of suction apertures.
6 . The oral phlegm extraction system of claim 1 , wherein a patient's tongue is positionable above or below the tongue positioner.
7 . The oral phlegm extraction system of claim 1 , further comprising a head positioning apparatus that utilizes at least one strap to immobilize a patient's head in a position that balances collection of the substances from the patient's throat and the patient's mouth with application of the moist gas stream to desired locations in the patient's throat and the patient's mouth.
8 . The oral phlegm extraction system of claim 7 , further comprising upper torso straps and leg supports.
9 . The oral phlegm extraction system of claim 8 , wherein the mouth insertion apparatus is positioned within the patient's mouth at an angle relative to a vertical axis within a range of +25 to −25 degrees.
10 . An oral phlegm extraction system comprising:
a mouth insertion apparatus comprising:
a platform shaped to engage with a patient's teeth when worn and comprising at least one platform suction aperture positioned on a proximal end of the platform and directed toward an entrance to a patient's throat;
a tongue positioner joined to the platform, wherein the tongue positioner comprises a region shaped to direct a moist gas stream toward the entrance to the patient's throat;
a hollow interior region in open communication with the at least one platform suction aperture;
a misting apparatus comprising:
a nozzle coupled to a distal end of the platform that is programmable to control at least one of frequency, duration, or content of the moist gas stream that is introduced into the patient's throat and a patient's mouth;
wherein the nozzle is positioned so that the moist gas stream flows out of the nozzle and is directed toward the shaped region of the tongue positioner; and
a suction apparatus comprising:
a vacuum pump coupled to the distal end of the platform and in open communication with the hollow interior region to remove substances collected from the patient's throat and the patient's mouth; and
a head positioning apparatus that utilizes at least one strap to immobilize a patient's head in a position that balances collection of the substances from the patient's throat and the patient's mouth with application of the moist gas stream to desired locations in the patient's throat and the patient's mouth.
11 . The oral phlegm extraction system of claim 10 , wherein the platform further comprises
an upper platform surface and a lower platform surface, and
a plurality of nubs positioned on at least one of the upper platform surface or the lower platform surface.
12 . The oral phlegm extraction system of claim 11 , wherein the platform further comprises a first plurality of suction apertures positioned on at least one of the upper platform surface or the lower platform surface.
13 . The oral phlegm extraction system of claim 12 , wherein the tongue positioner further comprises
an upper tongue positioner surface and a lower tongue positioner surface, and
a second plurality of suction apertures positioned on at least one of the upper tongue positioner surface or the lower tongue positioner surface.
14 . The oral phlegm extraction system of claim 13 , wherein the at least one platform suction aperture is larger than the first plurality of suction apertures and the second plurality of suction apertures.
15 . The oral phlegm extraction system of claim 10 , wherein the mouth insertion apparatus is positioned within the patient's mouth at an angle relative to a vertical axis within a range of +25 to −25 degrees.