Herbert Robinson

US Patent:

D3575330, Apr 18, 1995

Filed:

Mar 3, 1993

Appl. No.:

D/012271

Inventors:

Herbert L. Robinson - Pompton Plains NJ

Assignee:

Scientific Medical Programs, Inc. - Fairfield NJ

US Classification:

D24136

US Patent:

53180097, Jun 7, 1994

Filed:

Mar 3, 1993

Appl. No.:

8/025649

Inventors:

Herbert L. Robinson - Pompton Plains NJ

Assignee:

Scientific Medical Programs, Inc. - Fairfield NJ

International Classification:

A61B 106

US Classification:

128 16

Abstract:

The illuminated tongue depressor includes a handle having a battery-operated light source and a depressor blade selectively coupled with or uncoupled from the handle for discard and replacement. The blade includes a length extending longitudinally between a proximal end and a distal end and laterally between opposite sides, and includes upper and lower surfaces, a peripheral edge between the upper and lower surfaces defining a relatively thin blade thickness, a root adjacent the proximal end of the blade, a tip at the distal end of the blade, and a light conducting material between the upper and lower surfaces and extending along the blade from the root to at least a portion of the peripheral edge at the tip of the blade. A light directing configuration formed on the distal end directs the light transmitted by the light conducting material toward the area to be examined and includes an elevated portion at the tip and a support leg on both sides thereof for contacting the patient's tongue during use to maintain the elevated portion above the portion of the tongue immediately in front of the tip. The handle includes a movable arm and associated contact forming a switch which is automatically closed energizing the light source when the blade is moved into a coupled position, and automatically opened deenergizing the light source when the blade is moved to an uncoupled position.