Oral device and method for the use thereof

Abstract

An oral device includes an intraoral bolus simulator comprising an exterior surface and having an interior volume Tillable with a fluid. An extraoral user interface extends from the bolus simulator, and can be used to locate or position the intraoral bolus simulator. In various embodiments, the fluid may be a gas or a liquid, or combinations thereof. In other embodiments, an oral device includes an extraoral handle, a shield connected to the handle, a tether extending from the shield, and a bolus simulator connected to the tether.

1 - 73 . (canceled) 
     
     
         74 . An oral device comprising:
 an extraoral handle;   an intraoral bolus simulator comprising an exterior surface; and   a tether having a first end coupled to said intraoral bolus simulator and a second end releasably coupled to said extraoral handle, wherein said tether is moveable from an assembled configuration wherein said second end is coupled to said extraoral handle and a released configuration wherein said second end is detached from said extraoral handle.   
     
     
         75 . The oral device of  claim 74  wherein said extraoral handle defines a longitudinal axis, and wherein said tether extends along said longitudinal axis between said extraoral handle and said intraoral bolus simulator when said tether is in said assembled configuration. 
     
     
         76 . The oral device of  claim 75  wherein said tether comprises a shield extending transverse to said longitudinal axis. 
     
     
         77 . The oral device of  claim 74  wherein said shield is fixedly coupled to said tether and is moveable with said tether relative to said extraoral handle when said tether is in said released configuration. 
     
     
         78 . The oral device of  claim 74  wherein said shield is releasably coupled to said tether. 
     
     
         79 . The oral device of  claim 74  wherein said handle comprises a first attachment component and said tether comprises a second attachment component, wherein said first and second attachment components are releasably engaged when said tether is in said assembled configuration. 
     
     
         80 . The oral device of  claim 79  wherein said first attachment component comprises a catch member. 
     
     
         81 . The oral device of  claim 80  wherein said second attachment member comprises a hook member. 
     
     
         82 . The oral device of  claim 81  wherein said handle comprises an actuator coupled to said catch member, wherein said actuator is moveable between an engaged position, wherein said catch member is engaged with said hook member, and a release position, wherein said catch member is disengaged from said hook member. 
     
     
         83 . The oral device of  claim 82  wherein said actuator comprises a button. 
     
     
         84 . The oral device of  claim 83  wherein said actuator comprises a return spring biasing said actuator to said engaged position. 
     
     
         85 . The oral device of  claim 82  wherein said catch member comprises a first catch member and said hook member comprises a first hook member, and further comprising a second catch member spaced from said first catch member and a second hook member spaced from said first hook member, wherein said first and second catch members are moveable relative to each other when said actuator is moveable between said engaged position and said release position. 
     
     
         86 . The oral device of  claim 74  wherein said intraoral bolus comprises an interior volume Tillable with a fluid. 
     
     
         87 . The oral device of  claim 74  wherein said exterior surface is coated with a pharmaceutical agent. 
     
     
         88 . The oral device of  claim 74  wherein said tether is flexible. 
     
     
         89 . The oral device of  claim 74  wherein said bolus simulator comprises an end-of-life feature. 
     
     
         90 . The oral device of  claim 89  wherein said end of life feature comprises a taste feature. 
     
     
         91 . The oral device of  claim 91  wherein said end of life feature comprises a tactile feature. 
     
     
         92 . The oral device of  claim 74  wherein said intraoral bolus simulator is deformable between various shapes. 
     
     
         93 . A method of reconfiguring an oral device comprising:
 providing an extraoral handle, a first intraoral bolus simulator comprising an exterior surface, and a first tether having a first end coupled to said first intraoral bolus simulator and a second end releasably coupled to said extraoral handle;   releasing said second end of said first tether from said handle and disengaging said first tether and said first intraoral bolus from said handle;   positioning a second intraoral bolus simulator and second tether adjacent said handle, wherein said second intraoral bolus simulator comprises an exterior surface, and wherein said second tether comprises a first end coupled to said second intraoral bolus simulator and a second end; and   engaging said second end of said second tether with said handle.   
     
     
         94 . The method of  claim 93  wherein said first tether comprises a first shield and second tether comprises a second shield. 
     
     
         95 . The method of  claim 93  wherein said releasing said second end of said first tether from said handle comprises actuating an actuator coupled to said handle, and wherein said engaging said second end of said second tether with said handle comprise releasing said actuator.