Tongue retention system

Abstract

A tongue retaining system is disclosed herein generally having, in one variation, a two-part system. A covering can be sized to fit at least partially over or upon a tongue of a patient, where the covering has an engagement mechanism positioned thereon. A retaining device, sized to fit within a mouth of the patient, may be positioned upon the teeth and have a corresponding engagement mechanism positioned thereon tor temporarily coupling with the engagement mechanism on the covering. Such a system can be used to maintain or hold a natural position of the tongue within the mouth of the patient to maintain patency of the airway passages.

1 . A tongue retaining system, comprising:
 a covering sized to lit at least partially over or upon a tongue of a patient, the covering having a first engagement mechanism positioned thereon; and   a retaining device sized to tit within a mouth of the patient, the retaining device having a second engagement mechanism thereon for coupling with the first engagement mechanism such that a position of the tongue is maintained within the mouth of the patient.