WO1997006747A1 - Nozzle for dental suction apparatus - Google Patents

Nozzle for dental suction apparatus Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO1997006747A1
WO1997006747A1 PCT/GB1996/001967 GB9601967W WO9706747A1 WO 1997006747 A1 WO1997006747 A1 WO 1997006747A1 GB 9601967 W GB9601967 W GB 9601967W WO 9706747 A1 WO9706747 A1 WO 9706747A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
nozzle
suction
tube
connector
suction apparatus
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/GB1996/001967
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Petrus Johannes Smal
Original Assignee
Harwill Industries (Pty.) Limited
Dummett, Thomas, Ian, Peter
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Harwill Industries (Pty.) Limited, Dummett, Thomas, Ian, Peter filed Critical Harwill Industries (Pty.) Limited
Priority to AU67468/96A priority Critical patent/AU6746896A/en
Publication of WO1997006747A1 publication Critical patent/WO1997006747A1/en

Links

Classifications

    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61C—DENTISTRY; APPARATUS OR METHODS FOR ORAL OR DENTAL HYGIENE
    • A61C17/00—Devices for cleaning, polishing, rinsing or drying teeth, teeth cavities or prostheses; Saliva removers; Dental appliances for receiving spittle
    • A61C17/06—Saliva removers; Accessories therefor
    • A61C17/08—Aspiration nozzles

Definitions

  • This invention relates to a nozzle for dental suction apparatus.
  • the dental equipment used by dental practitioners such as dentists includes suction apparatus which is operated while the dentist is working on the open mouth of a patient.
  • the suction apparatus is used to suction saliva, tooth fragments and the like out of the patient's mouth.
  • the suction apparatus is normally terminated at the patient end in a flexible tube that can be bent into a C or U shape for retention in the mouth of the patient.
  • the tube is normally held in the bent shape by the inclusion of wire within the tube.
  • the suction opening of the tube is often blocked by contact with the soft tissue in the patient's mouth. This is because the suction aperture of the tube is forward facing and the mass of the suction tube is in fact supported by the end of the suction tube. For this reason, the rim of the aperture tends to make suction contact with the soft tissue of the patient's mouth, drawing the tissue partly into the tube and blocking the tube. Manual manipulation of the tube end in the patient's mouth is then required to relocate the tube if the suction efficiency of the suction apparatus is to be restored.
  • the present invention provides a nozzle for dental suction apparatus, which nozzle comprises a connector, one end of which is adapted for connection to the dental suction apparatus and the other end of which is in fluid communication with at least one header tube that extends at an angle to the connector, the nozzle being adapted for location in the mouth of a dental patient.
  • connection and header tube are preferably constituted by separate portions of the suction nozzle.
  • the connector is constituted by an elongated tube that is connected at its one end to a single, elongated header tube intermediate ends of the header tube.
  • the suction nozzle in this embodiment, is T-shaped, with the connector constituting the stem of the T and the header tube constituting the bar of the T.
  • the header tube is preferably formed with a suction aperture at each end (on either side of the point of connection with the connector) . It will be appreciated, however, that a plurality of suction apertures may be provided along the length of the header tube.
  • the suction apertures are preferably formed with deep grooves that extend substantially axially into the free ends of the header tube, thereby to form a foraminous grille at each suction aperture.
  • the entire suction nozzle is preferably integrally moulded in injection moulded plastics.
  • Figure 1 is a side elevation of a conventional dental suction nozzle
  • Figure 2 is an isometric view of a suction nozzle according to the invention.
  • the suction tube 12 illustrated in Figure 1 is a conventional suction tube for use in the mouth of a dental patient.
  • the tube 12 includes a wire (that is located within the tube) so that the tube 12 will retain the shape it is bent into during use. This enables the dentist or dentist's assistant to shape the tube 12 into a C or U shape for retention of the tube 12 in the mouth of the patient.
  • the suction tube 12 is used without a suction head or nozzle of any kind.
  • the aperture tends to make suction contact with the soft tissue in the patient's mouth, bearing in mind that the suction aperture of the tube is normally placed inside the lower teeth or between the lower teeth and lower lip of the patient (where a substantial amount of soft tissue occurs) .
  • a small amount of tissue is easily sucked into the suction aperture, thereby blocking the aperture and reducing the effectiveness of the suction apparatus altogether.
  • a build-up of saliva then occurs in the patient's mouth. It will be appreciated that this can lead to severe discomfort for the patient .
  • the conventional suction nozzle illustrated in Figure 1 consists of a small plastics suction terminal that is merely press-fitted to the patient end of a plastics suction tube 12 of conventional dental suction apparatus.
  • the suction nozzle 10 is discarded after use on a single patient and a new suction nozzle 10 is fitted to the end of the suction tube 12.
  • the suction nozzle 10 is conventionally made from injection moulded plastics and the free end thereof it is grooved at 14 is an attempt to prevent blockage of the suction aperture.
  • the grooves 14 in the suction nozzle 10 are intended to permit the passage of a small amount of saliva even if the front of the aperture in the suction tube is closed.
  • the suction nozzle 100 of the invention provides a T-shaped suction head.
  • the nozzle 100 of the invention provides a pair of suction apertures that face transversely to the free end of the suction tube 12.
  • the suction nozzle 100 of the invention comprises a connector portion or connector 102 that is essentially an elongated tube.
  • the free end of the connector 102 is formed with an internally ribbed connector aperture 104 that is dimensioned to be a press fit on conventional suction tubes 12 (as described with reference to Figure 1) .
  • the connector 102 is connected intermediate the ends of a single elongated tube constituting a header tube 106.
  • the connector 102 and header tube 106 are integrally moulded to provide a T-shaped suction nozzle 100.
  • the free ends of the header tube 106 are each formed with a suction aperture 108 and the ends of the header tube 106 in the vicinity of each aperture 108 are formed with deep axial grooves 110.
  • the grooves 110 provide a foraminous grille adjacent each end of the header tube 106 to avoid total blockage by soft tissue obstruction of the suction apertures 108.
  • the suction nozzle 100 is secured to the end of a conventional suction tube 12 of dental suction apparatus. This is done merely by pressing the suction nozzle 100 onto the end of the tube. After use on a single patient, the nozzle 100 can be removed and discarded.
  • the tube is now bent into a hook shape for insertion into and retention in the patient's mouth and the suction nozzle 100 is placed in position within the patient's mouth.
  • the suction nozzle 100 and the tube 12 are supported, in the patient's mouth, by a support base 112 of the nozzle 100.
  • the support base is located directly opposite the point of entry of the connector 102 into the header tube.
  • the suction apertures 108 of the nozzle of the invention face sideways, that is transversely to the longitudinal axis of the tube 12, in the mouth of the patient. Being orientated transversely within the patient's mouth, there is less of a tendency for the suction apertures 108 to become obstructed by contact with soft tissue.
  • the suction nozzle 100 of the invention can be used in a conventional manner by being placed on the floor of a patient's mouth (between the lower teeth and the tongue) .
  • the shape of the suction tube 100 lends itself to use as a separator within the mouth of the patient to keep the tongue or cheek of the patient away from the teeth being treated. In this manner it can be used to substitute for the cotton wool wads normally used by a dentist to serve as separators.
  • the suction nozzle 100 of the invention could also be used in a number of situations where such separators would be used.

Abstract

This invention provides a disposable plastics nozzle for dental suction apparatus that is adapted for location in the mouth of the patient. The nozzle (100) includes a connector (102) that can be connected to the patient end of the suction tube of conventional dental suction apparatus. The connector is integrally moulded with a header tube (106) that extends at an angle to the connector (102). The header tube (106) is formed with a suction aperture (108) at each end. The nozzle (100) is T-shaped for better location in the mouth of the patient.

Description

Title : Nozzle for Dental Suction Apparatus
This invention relates to a nozzle for dental suction apparatus.
Background to the invention
The dental equipment used by dental practitioners such as dentists includes suction apparatus which is operated while the dentist is working on the open mouth of a patient. The suction apparatus is used to suction saliva, tooth fragments and the like out of the patient's mouth. The suction apparatus is normally terminated at the patient end in a flexible tube that can be bent into a C or U shape for retention in the mouth of the patient. The tube is normally held in the bent shape by the inclusion of wire within the tube.
The suction opening of the tube is often blocked by contact with the soft tissue in the patient's mouth. This is because the suction aperture of the tube is forward facing and the mass of the suction tube is in fact supported by the end of the suction tube. For this reason, the rim of the aperture tends to make suction contact with the soft tissue of the patient's mouth, drawing the tissue partly into the tube and blocking the tube. Manual manipulation of the tube end in the patient's mouth is then required to relocate the tube if the suction efficiency of the suction apparatus is to be restored.
In order to overcome this problem, it has been proposed in the past, to use a small plastics suction nozzle that fits over the end of the suction tube. However, this suction nozzle fails to address the problem adequately since it still provides a forward facing aperture.
It is an object of this invention to address this problem. Summary of the invention
Accordingly, the present invention provides a nozzle for dental suction apparatus, which nozzle comprises a connector, one end of which is adapted for connection to the dental suction apparatus and the other end of which is in fluid communication with at least one header tube that extends at an angle to the connector, the nozzle being adapted for location in the mouth of a dental patient.
The connection and header tube are preferably constituted by separate portions of the suction nozzle.
In the preferred form of this embodiment of the invention, the connector is constituted by an elongated tube that is connected at its one end to a single, elongated header tube intermediate ends of the header tube. Most conveniently, the suction nozzle, in this embodiment, is T-shaped, with the connector constituting the stem of the T and the header tube constituting the bar of the T.
The header tube is preferably formed with a suction aperture at each end (on either side of the point of connection with the connector) . It will be appreciated, however, that a plurality of suction apertures may be provided along the length of the header tube.
The suction apertures are preferably formed with deep grooves that extend substantially axially into the free ends of the header tube, thereby to form a foraminous grille at each suction aperture.
The entire suction nozzle is preferably integrally moulded in injection moulded plastics. Brief description of the drawings
A preferred embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of illustration only with respect to the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a side elevation of a conventional dental suction nozzle; and Figure 2 is an isometric view of a suction nozzle according to the invention.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT:
The suction tube 12 illustrated in Figure 1 is a conventional suction tube for use in the mouth of a dental patient. The tube 12 includes a wire (that is located within the tube) so that the tube 12 will retain the shape it is bent into during use. This enables the dentist or dentist's assistant to shape the tube 12 into a C or U shape for retention of the tube 12 in the mouth of the patient.
Often the suction tube 12 is used without a suction head or nozzle of any kind. However, in view of the fact that the suction aperture at the end of the suction tube 1'2 faces forward, the aperture tends to make suction contact with the soft tissue in the patient's mouth, bearing in mind that the suction aperture of the tube is normally placed inside the lower teeth or between the lower teeth and lower lip of the patient (where a substantial amount of soft tissue occurs) . A small amount of tissue is easily sucked into the suction aperture, thereby blocking the aperture and reducing the effectiveness of the suction apparatus altogether. A build-up of saliva then occurs in the patient's mouth. It will be appreciated that this can lead to severe discomfort for the patient .
To overcome this problem, the use of disposable suction nozzles 10 has found favour with dentists.
The conventional suction nozzle illustrated in Figure 1 consists of a small plastics suction terminal that is merely press-fitted to the patient end of a plastics suction tube 12 of conventional dental suction apparatus. In normal practice, the suction nozzle 10 is discarded after use on a single patient and a new suction nozzle 10 is fitted to the end of the suction tube 12.
The suction nozzle 10 is conventionally made from injection moulded plastics and the free end thereof it is grooved at 14 is an attempt to prevent blockage of the suction aperture. The grooves 14 in the suction nozzle 10 are intended to permit the passage of a small amount of saliva even if the front of the aperture in the suction tube is closed.
In order to provide even better salvia clearance, the suction nozzle 100 of the invention provides a T-shaped suction head. Instead of the simple, forward facing aperture of the prior art nozzle 10, the nozzle 100 of the invention provides a pair of suction apertures that face transversely to the free end of the suction tube 12.
Referring more specifically to Figure 2, the suction nozzle 100 of the invention comprises a connector portion or connector 102 that is essentially an elongated tube. The free end of the connector 102 is formed with an internally ribbed connector aperture 104 that is dimensioned to be a press fit on conventional suction tubes 12 (as described with reference to Figure 1) .
The connector 102 is connected intermediate the ends of a single elongated tube constituting a header tube 106. The connector 102 and header tube 106 are integrally moulded to provide a T-shaped suction nozzle 100.
The free ends of the header tube 106 are each formed with a suction aperture 108 and the ends of the header tube 106 in the vicinity of each aperture 108 are formed with deep axial grooves 110. The grooves 110 provide a foraminous grille adjacent each end of the header tube 106 to avoid total blockage by soft tissue obstruction of the suction apertures 108.
In use, the suction nozzle 100 is secured to the end of a conventional suction tube 12 of dental suction apparatus. This is done merely by pressing the suction nozzle 100 onto the end of the tube. After use on a single patient, the nozzle 100 can be removed and discarded.
The tube is now bent into a hook shape for insertion into and retention in the patient's mouth and the suction nozzle 100 is placed in position within the patient's mouth.
The suction nozzle 100 and the tube 12 are supported, in the patient's mouth, by a support base 112 of the nozzle 100. The support base is located directly opposite the point of entry of the connector 102 into the header tube. Unlike the prior art suction nozzle, in which the forward facing aperture on the free end of the nozzle supports the nozzle and the tube- 12, the suction apertures 108 of the nozzle of the invention face sideways, that is transversely to the longitudinal axis of the tube 12, in the mouth of the patient. Being orientated transversely within the patient's mouth, there is less of a tendency for the suction apertures 108 to become obstructed by contact with soft tissue.
The suction nozzle 100 of the invention can be used in a conventional manner by being placed on the floor of a patient's mouth (between the lower teeth and the tongue) . However, the shape of the suction tube 100 lends itself to use as a separator within the mouth of the patient to keep the tongue or cheek of the patient away from the teeth being treated. In this manner it can be used to substitute for the cotton wool wads normally used by a dentist to serve as separators. To this end, therefore, the suction nozzle 100 of the invention could also be used in a number of situations where such separators would be used.
Due to the transverse orientation of the suction apertures 108 and the fact that two suction apertures 108 are provided, there is substantially less chance of blockage of the dental suction apparatus and better saliva clearance.

Claims

CLAIMS :
1. A nozzle for dental suction apparatus that is adapted for location in the mouth of a patient, the nozzle comprising a connector, one end of which is adapted for connection to the dental suction apparatus and the other end of which is in fluid communication with at least one header tube that extends at an angle to the connector and that is formed with at least one suction aperture.
2. A nozzle for dental suction apparatus according to claim 1, in which the connector and header tube are constituted by separate portions of the suction nozzle.
3. A nozzle for dental suction apparatus according to claim
2 in which the connector is constituted by an elongated tube that is connected at its one end to a single, elongated header tube intermediate ends of the header tube.
4. A nozzle for dental suction apparatus according to claim
3 that is T-shaped, with the connector constituting the- stem of the T and the header tube constituting the bar of the T.
5. A nozzle for dental suction apparatus according to claim
4 in which the header tube is formed with a suction aperture at each end of the header tube and on either side of the point of connection with the connector.
6. A nozzle for dental suction apparatus according to claim
5 in which the rim of each suction aperture is formed with grooves that extend substantially axially into the free ends of the header tube, thereby to form a foraminous grille at each suction aperture.
7. A nozzle for dental suction apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims in which the header tube is formed with a plurality of suction apertures.
8. A nozzle for dental suction apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims that is integrally moulded in plastics.
PCT/GB1996/001967 1995-08-14 1996-08-12 Nozzle for dental suction apparatus WO1997006747A1 (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AU67468/96A AU6746896A (en) 1995-08-14 1996-08-12 Nozzle for dental suction apparatus

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
ZA956749 1995-08-14
ZA95/6749 1995-08-14

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO1997006747A1 true WO1997006747A1 (en) 1997-02-27

Family

ID=25585258

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/GB1996/001967 WO1997006747A1 (en) 1995-08-14 1996-08-12 Nozzle for dental suction apparatus

Country Status (2)

Country Link
AU (1) AU6746896A (en)
WO (1) WO1997006747A1 (en)

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO1999047068A1 (en) * 1998-03-19 1999-09-23 Warren Davis Illuminated suction tool with a disposable tip

Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2529499A (en) * 1946-04-12 1950-11-14 Jankelson Bernard Saliva ejector
US2701916A (en) * 1953-10-13 1955-02-15 John P Jarboe Dental saliva ejector
US2811777A (en) * 1956-06-25 1957-11-05 Benjamin F Tofflemire Saliva-ejector attachment for a dental matrix band retainer
WO1995013031A1 (en) * 1993-11-08 1995-05-18 Folkoe Matts Saliva ejector comprising a number of stiff section members

Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2529499A (en) * 1946-04-12 1950-11-14 Jankelson Bernard Saliva ejector
US2701916A (en) * 1953-10-13 1955-02-15 John P Jarboe Dental saliva ejector
US2811777A (en) * 1956-06-25 1957-11-05 Benjamin F Tofflemire Saliva-ejector attachment for a dental matrix band retainer
WO1995013031A1 (en) * 1993-11-08 1995-05-18 Folkoe Matts Saliva ejector comprising a number of stiff section members

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO1999047068A1 (en) * 1998-03-19 1999-09-23 Warren Davis Illuminated suction tool with a disposable tip
EP1698300A1 (en) * 1998-03-19 2006-09-06 Warren Davis Illuminated suction tool with a disposable tip

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
AU6746896A (en) 1997-03-12

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US4828420A (en) Interdental tooth cleaning appliance
EP0770364B1 (en) Corrugated saliva ejector
US5460524A (en) Device and method for saliva suction with tongue retractor and bit handle
US5151028A (en) Triple passage orthodontic buccal tube
US5876201A (en) Dental device and methods
JP3758962B2 (en) Endoscope basket-type collection tool
US7066735B1 (en) Mouth block
US5727941A (en) Archwire buccal tube
US5232362A (en) Dental suction appliance
AU599685B2 (en) Interdental brush handle
WO2007061609A2 (en) Endoscopic bite block
CN108366851B (en) Improved oral cavity suction device
EP1477202A3 (en) Steerable syringe device
EP1402826A3 (en) Thrombus capture catheter
US6482007B2 (en) Dental wedge with handle
KR102061779B1 (en) Liquid suction device
EP2001395A2 (en) Methods, devices, systems and kits for isolating teeth
EP0475314A1 (en) Periodontal device
US6821118B2 (en) Saliva ejector
US5015184A (en) Evacuator tube tip guard
US20110229847A1 (en) Dental appliance with prop member and saliva ejector
US5101843A (en) Dental floss with holder used in fixed orthodontic appliance
US20080301893A1 (en) Dental Brush
US5983898A (en) Airway splint obturator
WO1997006747A1 (en) Nozzle for dental suction apparatus

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
AK Designated states

Kind code of ref document: A1

Designated state(s): AL AM AT AU AZ BB BG BR BY CA CH CN CZ DE DK EE ES FI GB GE HU IL IS JP KE KG KP KR KZ LK LR LS LT LU LV MD MG MK MN MW MX NO NZ PL PT RO RU SD SE SG SI SK TJ TM TR TT UA UG US UZ VN AM AZ BY KG KZ MD RU TJ TM

AL Designated countries for regional patents

Kind code of ref document: A1

Designated state(s): KE LS MW SD SZ UG AT BE CH DE DK ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LU MC NL PT SE BF BJ CF CG CI CM GA

121 Ep: the epo has been informed by wipo that ep was designated in this application
REG Reference to national code

Ref country code: DE

Ref legal event code: 8642

122 Ep: pct application non-entry in european phase