Abstract: A tongue attachment assembly includes a sheath designed for attachment to a patient's tongue using a vacuum. An accessory attachment feature comprising a groove located between a flange and the distal end of the body of the sheath. Vacuum can be drawn through a valve or an external vacuum source. The tongue attachment assembly can be adapted for any of a variety of applications by selecting an appropriate accessory and attaching the accessory to the sheath by the accessory attachment feature. Accessories can include a sleep apnea attachment, a gas delivery mask retention attachment, and the like. A tongue shape restoration device can be employed to restore the tongue from a shape that is deformed by the tongue attachment assembly to a natural shape. The tongue shape restoration device can be a pair of cantilevered arms, an orbital shaped device, or any other suitable component.

Abstract: An embracing attachment member or sheath and a maxilla attachment subassembly for retaining at least one of a patient's tongue and lip in a desired position. A sheath interlock member extends upward from a dorsal side of a sheath. A tongue receiving cavity is formed within the sheath for insertion and attachment to the patient's tongue. An interlock member is integrated into an accessory for attachment to the sheath interlock member. The accessory can be used to treat sleep apnea, restrain a patient's tongue in a desired position, restrain a patient's upper or lower lip in a desired position, and the like. The interlock design includes a wedge and a retention member that engages with the wedge. The retention member and wedge compress friction surfaces against one another, retaining the sheath interlock and the accessory interlock in a fixed position respective to one another.

Abstract: A device for treating sleep apnea, the device comprising a tongue attachment member and a maxilla attachment subassembly. The tongue attachment member is fabricated having a sheath interlock member extending upward from a dorsal side of a sheath. The sheath is shaped to conform to a surface of an individual's tongue. A tongue receiving cavity is formed within the sheath, the cavity comprising an opening provided at a proximal end for receiving the individual's tongue. The sheath is referenced having a dorsal side and a ventral side. A sheath interlock member extends outward from the dorsal side. The maxilla tray is shaped to conform to and removably engage with an individual's upper dental arch. A tray interlock member extends from an interlock side of the maxilla tray and is positioned to interlock with the sheath interlock member, whereby the system extends an individual's tongue forward to treat sleep apnea.