US2603870A - Saliva ejector - Google Patents

Description

July 22, 1952 Y I E. H. NOIRDZIN j 6 3,

SALIVA EJECTOR Fi-ld I Jan. 19, 1951;

5]] 5225715? Hardin ALMZM ATTORNEY INVENTOR Patented July 22, 1952 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE:

SALIVA EJECTOR Elling Harald Nordin, Enkoping, Sweden Application January 19, 1951, Serial No. 206,803 In Sweden September 7, 1950 2 Claims.

My invention relates to a saliva ejector of the type to be placed in a patients mouth during a dental operation.

Amongst the objects of the invention are to provide a saliva ejector combined with a tongue protector which also functions as a mirror or reflector; to provide a device of this character which can be manufactured at low cost and without soldering or similar operations; to provide a device of this character which can be used in all positions required and for grown-ups as well as children; to devise the ejector tube so as to eliminate projecting parts that might disturb the operator; and to provide a saliva ejector which will prevent the soft tissue in the mouth from being drawn into the ejector tube.

I attain these objects by the improved device illustrated by way of example in the accompanying drawing in which:

Fig. 1 is an elevational side view of the device according to the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the same device;

Fig. 3 is a side view of a tongue protector for molars;

Fig. 4 is a side view of a tongue protector for bicuspids;

Fig. 5 is a side view of a tongue protector for front teeth of children; and

Fig. 6 is a sectional side elevation of one end of the ejector tube with attaching means for a tongue projector.

Referring to the drawing, the saliva ejector comprises an ejector tube l, a tongue protector 4 and a member 5 to be resiliently applied against the patients chin. The ejector tube consists of a straight portion I along which the member 5 is adjustable by means of a screw 5a, an s-shaped upper portion 2 to which anyone of diiferent tongue protectors may be attached, and a lower portion 3 connected to the drain tube 6 of the vacuum system (not shown) which is a part of standard dental units. The lower portion 3 is bent inwardly below the upper tube portion 2 so as to have the drain tube suitably balanced with respect to the point of support of the upper tube portion on the jaw. As a result thereof, the weight of the drain tube will maintain the ejector tube in a position close to the patients chin so as not to incormmode the operator. The S-shaped portion 2 has a bend I which, when the ejector is placed in the patients mouth, rests on the lower front teeth. The member 5 is also adjustable horizontally in different angular positions.

As will be seen from Fig. 2, the tongue protongue protector, and at the end of the tube there is provided a helical spring l0 resting against a plug l0a.

In order to attach a tongue protector 4 to the tube portion 2, a projection II on the lower side of the protector is introduced through the slot 9, thereby compressing the spring I 0 by the nose I4 so that the projection II can enter the tube. A recessed portion l2 then engages the left hand edge [3 of the slot 9 so as to retain the protector 4 in position under the action of the spring I0. It will be understood that the shape and size of the parts ll, l2 and [4 are identical for diiferent tongue protectors to be used in connection with a certain ejector tube.

In order to remove the tongue protector from the tube, it is only necessary to pull or push the protector to the right, as viewed in Fig. 6, against the pressure of the spring [0 so as to disengage the recess l2 from the edge l3.

The plug lOa is preferably shaped such as to be removable from the tube together with the spring upon being turned.

The tongue protectors are preferably given highly polished front and back surfaces which act as mirrors or reflectors. In contrast to saliva ejectors in which tongue protectors are permanently secured to the ejector tube such as by soldering, it is possible in an ejector according to this invention in a simple manner to replace a tongue protector when its surface has become chafed or fretted. Since no soldering or welding is required in a device according to the invention, the cost of manufacture is reduced and. no finishing operation is necessary. Further, non-corroding materials may be. used which would give rise to troubles in soldering and which are highly desirable from a. hygienic point of view. Since the tongue protector is readily detachable, the device may be used merely for the purpose of ejecting saliva.

As will be seen from the drawing, the portion of the ejector tube placed within the patients mouth forms part of a circle. The balancing of the entire tube on the lower front teeth renders possible self-adjustment of the tube in accordance with the depth of the mouth bottom without causing nausea in any position. Due to the fact that the suction ports 8 are placed on the upper side of the rearmost ascending portion of the tube, the soft tissue in the mouth will be prevented from being drawn into the ports, while air will be drawn into the tube through the ports located at a higher level, thus facilitating the ejection of tough saliva.

It should be understood that I do not wish to 7 limit the invention to the specific embodiment shown and described.

What I claim is:

1. A saliva ejector comprising an ejector tube having a curved first portion to be placed in a patients mouth and a straight second portion depending from said first portion, a tongue protector, means detachably connecting said tongue protector to said first tube portion, and a member adjustable on said second tube portion and adapted to be applied against thepatients chin,

4 the end of said second tube portion below said member being bent inwards in the direction of said first tube portion.

2. A saliva ejector comprising an ejector tube having a curved first portion to be placed in a patients mouth and a second portion depending from said first portion, a tongue protector, a projection on said protector, said first tube portion having a slot receiving the projection on the protector, and means retaining said projection in said slot todetachably secure the protector to said first tube portion.

ELLING I-IARALD NORDIN.

REFERENCES CITED Brown Oct. 24, 1 9 16

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