WO2022094259A1

WO2022094259A1 - A suction tip with enhanced internal geometry

Info

Publication number: WO2022094259A1
Application number: PCT/US2021/057324
Authority: WO
Inventors: Sorin T. Teich
Original assignee: Medical University Of South Carolina
Priority date: 2020-10-30
Filing date: 2021-10-29
Publication date: 2022-05-05

Abstract

The present invention provides a suction tip with enhanced internal geometry with improved suctioning capability. In one embodiment, the suction tip is configured to minimize the spread of aerosols, spatters, and decrease the noise level of the device during suctioning.

Description

TITLE

A Suction Tip with Enhanced Internal Geometry

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/107,870 filed October 30, 2020, the contents of which are incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Suction devices for clearing the surgical field are among the most commonly used tools of every dentist and surgeon because a better view of the surgical field is essential. Suction tips are critical to the medical industry to remove blood, tissue, saliva, and other debris generated during the procedures. Further, suction devices are critical in reducing contamination rate between the medical staff and patients as they are able to capture a significant amount of infectious waste in the form of airborne fluids, or aerosols, and solid debris. It is especially important that this waste be captured and evacuated during dental procedures to provide patient comfort and control the biological contamination of the operatory and the well-known health risks associated therewith such as spread of airborne microorganisms, including viruses, as well as other pathogens.

Further, given the necessity of utilizing the suction near the patient and the clinicians head, a quieter suction tip would increase the comfort and quality of care delivered. High Volume Evacuator (HVE) suction may produce disturbingly loud noise, which acts as a non-negligible stressor. Especially, in emergency situations with heavy bleeding, this loud noise has been described as an impeding factor in the medical decision-making process. According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) occupational noise standard repeated noise exposure at levels equal to or exceeding the permissible exposure limit (PEL) of 90 dB time-weighted average may cause hearing loss (United States Department of Labor OSHA. Occupational noise exposure. Occupational Health and Environmental Control). For OSHA, noise dose is determined as 90 dB criterion for the PEL. An eight-hour average exposure of 90 dBA is equivalent to a 100% dose. For every increase of 5 dB above the PEL, the allowable time is reduced by half; for example, 95 dBA is allowed for 4 hours and 100 dBA for 2 hours, respectively. The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) recommends an exposure level of 85 dB for an 8-hour period ((NIOSH) TNIfOSaH, 1998, Occupational Noise Exposure; Jadid, K. et al. ,2011, Pediatric Dentistry 33(4):342-7). The prevalence of noise-induced hearing loss in dental personnel has been reported to range from 7% to 16% in the literature (Dube, K.J et al.,

2011, Noise and Health 13(54):348; Engdahl, B. et al., 2010, Scandinavian journal of work, environment & health 250-257; Krishnamurti, S., 2009, International journal of environmental research and public health 6(3) : 889-899), with dentists being exposed to noise as loud as 120dB for brief periods of time (Choosong, T. et al., 2011, Safety and Health at work 2(4) : 348-54). Other authors report similar peaking noise patterns in dental practices and dental schools, although the average exposure over time seems to be below the OSHA or NIOSH thresholds (Al-Dujaili, M. et al., 2014, NZ Dent J 110(3): 105-8; Khaimook, W. et al., 2014, Workplace Health & Safety 62(9):357-60; Singh, S. et al.,

2012, Journal of Clinical and Experimental dentistry 4(3):el41). In addition, there are reports of inner ear damage in patients due to suction noises during operations in the head area (Friedrich, M. et al., 2018, Surgery Research and Practice 2018).

Thus, there is a clinical need in the art for a new suction tip that would increase the suction flow rate, minimize the spread of aerosols, spatters and provide a quieter suction. The present invention meets this need.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect, the present invention provides a suction tip comprising a proximal end; a distal end; and a lumen therebetween, wherein the lumen comprises an interior surface having at least one raised spiral flow guide. In one embodiment, the distal end is connected to a pump device through a suction line. In one embodiment, the proximal end is positioned within a body cavity of a subject and is configured to do the suctioning operation. In one embodiment, the proximal end comprises at least one selected from the group consisting of a flat tip, a rounded tip, or a pointed tip. In one embodiment, the suction tip further comprises at least one opening near the proximal end, configured to regulate and maintain suction even when the proximal end of the suction tip is occluded. In one embodiment, the suction tip is disposable. In one embodiment, the suction tip is sterilized after each use. In one embodiment, the suction tip is configured to reduce noise generation during a suctioning procedure. In one embodiment, the suction tip is configured to capture one selected from the group consisting of: fluids, solids, aerosols, spatters, and combinations thereof during a suctioning procedure. In one embodiment, the at least one raised spiral flow guide has a helical structure. In one embodiment, the at least one raised spiral flow guide has a height that stay the same from the proximal end to the distal end of the lumen. In one embodiment, the at least one raised spiral flow guide has a height that varies from the proximal end to the distal end of the lumen. In one embodiment, the at least two raised spiral flow guides have a distance between them that stays the same from the proximal end to the distal end of the lumen. In one embodiment, the at least two raised spiral flow guides have a distance between them that varies from the proximal end to the distal end of the lumen. In one embodiment, the cross-section of at least one raised spiral flow guide has an angle ranging between 1 to 179 degrees relative to the interior surface. In one embodiment, the angle of the at least one raised spiral flow guide stays the same from the proximal end to the distal end of the lumen. In one embodiment, the angle of the at least one raised spiral flow guide varies from the proximal end to the distal end of the lumen. In one embodiment, the raised spiral flow guides have a design selected from the group consisting of: continuous, intermittent, or interrupted. In one embodiment, the at least one raised spiral flow guide is present in portions of the length of the lumen. In one embodiment, the suction tip comprises two raised spiral flow guides. In one embodiment, the suction tip comprises three raised spiral flow guides. In one embodiment, the at least one raised spiral flow guide comprises at least 25% of one single revolution. In one embodiment, the at least one raised spiral flow guide comprises at least 50% of one single revolution.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The following detailed description of invention will be better understood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings. It should be understood, however, that the invention is not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities of the embodiments shown in the drawings.

Fig. 1 depicts a perspective view of an exemplary suction tip of the present invention.

Fig. 2 depicts a front view of the internal geometry of an exemplary suction tip of the present invention.

Fig. 3 depicts a side view of an exemplary suction tip of the present invention.

Fig. 4 depicts a front view of the internal geometry of an exemplary suction tip of the present invention.

Fig. 5 depicts a side view of an exemplary suction tip of the present invention.

Fig. 6 depicts a perspective view of the internal geometry of an exemplary suction tip of the present invention.

Fig. 7 depicts a cross sectional view of the internal geometry of an exemplary suction tip of the present invention.

Fig. 8 depicts a perspective view of the internal geometry of an exemplary suction tip of the present invention.

Fig. 9 depicts a perspective view of an exemplary suction tip of the present invention having a pointed tip. Fig. 10 is a chart depicting the noise generated by representative designs of the present invention in comparison with the suction tips currently known in the art.

Fig. 11 is a chart depicting the noise emission level of the enhanced suction tips of the present invention with different number of openings and threads.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

It is to be understood that the figures and descriptions of the present invention have been simplified to illustrate elements that are relevant for a clear understanding of the present invention, while eliminating, for the purpose of clarity many other elements found in the field of HVE power suction tips. Those of ordinary skill in the art may recognize that other elements and/or steps are desirable and/or required in implementing the present invention. However, because such elements and steps are well known in the art, and because they do not facilitate a better understanding of the present invention, a discussion of such elements and steps is not provided herein. The disclosure herein is directed to all such variations and modifications to such elements and methods known to those skilled in the art.

Definitions

Unless defined elsewhere, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. Although any methods and materials similar or equivalent to those described herein can be used in the practice or testing of the present invention, the preferred methods and materials are described.

As used herein, each of the following terms has the meaning associated with it in this section.

The articles “a” and “an” are used herein to refer to one or to more than one (i.e., to at least one) of the grammatical object of the article. By way of example, “an element” means one element or more than one element. “About” as used herein when referring to a measurable value such as an amount, a temporal duration, and the like, is meant to encompass variations of ±20%, ±10%, ±5%, ±1%, and ±0.1% from the specified value, as such variations are appropriate.

Throughout this disclosure, various aspects of the invention can be presented in a range format. It should be understood that the description in range format is merely for convenience and brevity and should not be construed as an inflexible limitation on the scope of the invention. Accordingly, the description of a range should be considered to have specifically disclosed all the possible subranges as well as individual numerical values within that range. For example, description of a range such as from 1 to 6 should be considered to have specifically disclosed subranges such as from 1 to 3, from 1 to 4, from 1 to 5, from 2 to 4, from 2 to 6, from 3 to 6, etc., as well as individual numbers within that range, for example, 1, 2, 2.7, 3, 4, 5, 5.3, 6, and any whole and partial increments there between. This applies regardless of the breadth of the range.

Suction Tip with Enhanced Geometry

The present invention provides an enhanced high-volume evacuation (HVE) power suction tip 100 configured to reduce noise and increase and optimize the flow rate or flow characteristics to improve capture of fluids, solids, aerosols, spatters, and combinations thereof. In one embodiment, suction tip 100 is configured to suction any fluid including but not limited to water, saliva, blood, etc. In one embodiment, suction tip 100 is configured to suction air or other debris in the air. In one embodiment, suction tip 100 is able to decrease the noise level of the HVE power suction device. In one embodiment, suction tip 100 may be used in any discipline utilizing suction. In one embodiment, the suction tip of the present invention is configured for use in any field utilizing suction including but not limited to dentistry, surgery, and any other medical application. Referring now to Fig. 1, a perspective view of an exemplary suction tip 100 is shown. Suction tip 100 comprises a proximal end 102, a distal end 104 and a hollow lumen 106 therebetween. Lumen 106 may have any appropriate cross section including but not limited to cylindrical. Distal end 104 is connected to a suction pump device through a suction line. In one embodiment, distal end 104 may be connected to the suction line through any attachment mechanism known to one skilled in the art including but not limited to luer lock, snap fit, etc. The pump creates a vacuum and an effective suction power to aspirate fluids, solids, and other particulate materials including but not limited to aerosols and spatter. In one embodiment, any vacuum pump known to one skilled in the art may be used including but not limited to manual pumps, electric pump, rotary pump, etc. Proximal end 102 is positioned within the body cavity of the subject and is used in suctioning operations such as, for example, to evacuate materials from a surgical field or aspirate water, saliva, and other particles from a subject’s mouth during dental procedures.

In one embodiment, suction tip 100 may further comprise at least one opening 105 near proximal end 102. In one embodiment, at least one opening 105 is configured to feed ambient air into lumen 106 and into the suction line. In one embodiment, at least one opening 105 is configured to regulate or maintain the suction, even when proximal end 102 of lumen 106 is completely occluded. In one embodiment, at least one opening 105 may have any appropriate shape including but not limited to circular, square, rectangular, and etc. In one embodiment, suction tip 100 may not have any openings 105 throughout the length of lumen 106.

Referring now to Fig. 2 and Fig. 3, a front view and a side view of the internal geometry of an exemplary suction tip 100 is shown. Lumen 106 comprises an interior surface 108, wherein interior surface 108 comprises at least one raised spiral flow guide 110. In one embodiment, at least one raised spiral flow guide 110 has a helical structure. In one embodiment, interior surface 108 may comprise three raised spiral flow guides 110, wherein the three raised spiral flow guides 110 have a 360 degree rotating spiral (1 revolution turn).

In one embodiment, at least one raised spiral flow guide 110 generates a rotational force rotating in a helical direction with respect to the flow direction of the air or fluid so that the flow of the air or fluid is sucked while rotating along lumen 106 of suction tip 100. When the fluid flow rotates, rapid suction is promoted. In one embodiment, at least one raised spiral flow guide 110 is configured to create a cyclone (tornado) effect that enhances the suction and minimizes the spread of aerosols as opposed to current devices having the fluid and air flow in an unmodified fashion. In one embodiment, suction tip 100 having at least one raised spiral flow guide 110 is configured to have a significantly quieter noise generation. In one embodiment, the noise generation may be at least 25% lower as compared to the current state of the art.

In one embodiment, the height of at least one raised spiral flow guide 110 may stay the same from proximal end 102 to distal end 104. In one embodiment, the height of at least one raised spiral flow guide 110 may vary throughout the length of lumen 106 from proximal end 102 to distal end 104. In one embodiment, the height of at least one raised spiral flow guide 110 may increase or decrease towards distal end 104. In one embodiment, the height of at least one raised spiral flow guide 110 may increase or decrease at any point based on the application.

In one embodiment, suction tip 100 may have one raised spiral flow guide 110 (Fig. 4). In one embodiment, suction 100 may have two raised spiral flow guides 110. In one embodiment, suction 100 may have three raised spiral flow guides 110. In one embodiment, suction 100 may have more than three raised spiral flow guides 110.

In one embodiment, the distance between at least two raised spiral flow guides 110 may stay the same from proximal end 102 to distal end 104. In one embodiment, the distance between at least two raised spiral flow guides 110 may vary throughout the length of lumen 106 from proximal end 102 to distal end 104. In one embodiment, the distance between at least two raised spiral flow guides 110 may increase or decrease towards distal end 104. In one embodiment, the distance between at least two raised spiral flow guides 110 may increase or decrease at any point based on the application. In one embodiment, at least two raised spiral flow guides 110 may have the same design including but not limited to height, angle, shape, etc., throughout the length of lumen 106. In one embodiment, at least two raised spiral flow guides 110 may have different designs including but not limited to height, angle, shape, etc., throughout the length of lumen 106. In one embodiment, at least two spiral flow guides 110 may be rotated around the same axis throughout the length of lumen 106. In one embodiment, at least two spiral flow guides 110 may be rotated around different axis throughout the length of the lumen 106.

In one embodiment, at least one raised spiral flow guide 110 may be continuous throughout the length of lumen 106 from proximal end 102 to distal end 104. In one embodiment, at least one raised spiral flow guide 110 may have an intermittent design throughout the length of lumen 106 from proximal end 102 to distal end 104. In one embodiment, at least one raised spiral flow guide 110 may have an interrupted design throughout the length of lumen 106 from proximal end 102 to distal end 104. In one embodiment, at least one raised spiral flow guide 110 may only be present in portions of the length of lumen 106.

In one embodiment, at least one raised spiral flow guide 110 may have an angle ranging between 1 to 179 degrees relative to interior surface 108. In one embodiment, at least one raised spiral flow guide 110 may have a constant angulation design throughout the length of lumen 106 from proximal end 102 to distal end 104. In one embodiment, at least one raised spiral flow guide 110 may have an angulation that vary throughout the length of lumen 106 from proximal end 102 to distal end 104.

In one embodiment, at least one raised spiral flow guide 110 may comprise any number of revolutions throughout the length of lumen 106. In one embodiment, at least one raised spiral flow guide 110 may have number of revolutions including but not limited to 0.25 revolution (90 degrees), 0.5 revolution (180 degrees) (as depicted in Fig. 4), 0.75 revolution (270 degrees), 1 revolution (360 degrees), etc. In one embodiment, at least one raised spiral flow guide 110 may comprise any percentage of a single revolution throughout the length of lumen 106. In one embodiment, at least one raised spiral flow guide 110 may have at least one revolution. In one embodiment, the at least one revolution may have a 0.25 revolution (90 degrees). In one embodiment, the at least one revolution may have a 0.5 revolution (180 degrees). In one embodiment, at least one raised spiral flow guide 110 may have two revolutions. In one embodiment, at least one raised spiral flow guide 110 may have three or more revolutions.

In one embodiment, suction tip 100 has a larger diameter at proximal end 102 than at distal end 104 (Fig. 5, Fig. 6). In one embodiment, suction tip 100 has a smaller diameter at proximal end 102 than at distal end 104. In one embodiment, suction tip 100 has the same diameter throughout its length from proximal end 102 to distal end 104 (Fig. 7 and Fig. 8).

In one embodiment, proximal end 102 may comprise a pointed tip (Fig. 9). This pointed tip allows for good directional placement and visualization of suction tip position by the user. In one embodiment, proximal end 102 may comprise a rounded tip. In one embodiment, proximal end 102 may have a flat tip (Fig. 7 and Fig. 8). In one embodiment, proximal end 102 may have a funnel shaped tip (Fig. 5 and Fig. 6). In one embodiment, proximal end 102 may have any other shapes known to one skilled in the art.

In one embodiment, the diameter of lumen 106 may be any diameter known to one skilled in the art including but not limited to any industry standard for dental tubing or any other tubing attachable to any applicable surgical instruments.

In one embodiment, suction tip 100 is disposable. In one embodiment, suction tip 100 is not disposable and may be sterilized using techniques known to one skilled in the art.

In one embodiment, suction tip 100 may be made from any material known to one skilled in the art including but not limited to metal, plastic, resin, etc. In one embodiment, suction tip 100 may be made from any combinations of materials including but not limited to metal, plastic, resin, etc.

EXPERIMENTAL EXAMPLES

The invention is further described in detail by reference to the following experimental examples. These examples are provided for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to be limiting unless otherwise specified. Thus, the invention should in no way be construed as being limited to the following examples, but rather, should be construed to encompass any and all variations which become evident as a result of the teaching provided herein.

Without further description, it is believed that one of ordinary skill in the art can, using the preceding description and the following illustrative examples, make and utilize the present invention and practice the claimed methods. The following working examples, therefore, specifically point out the preferred embodiments of the present invention, and are not to be construed as limiting in any way the remainder of the disclosure.

Example 1 : Enhanced Power Suction Disposable Tip

The device of this invention is an enhanced power suction disposable tip (known also as High-Volume Evacuation— HVE) envisioned for use in dentistry, but with potential applications in any field utilizing suction. The device differs from the current clinical standard, which is a simple plastic tube, by possessing an enhanced internal structure (geometry) that is able to decrease the noise level of the device, as well as increase or optimize the flow rate or flow characteristics to improve aerosols and spatter capture. The device of present invention has the familiar external configuration of the standard suction tip, with a modified internal geometry to achieve the above- mentioned goals. This design does not impact the current existing dental chair hardware or user operational experience. In an internal study of internally enhanced suction tubes three different designs were found to possess significantly less noise generation, in some cases, depending on the frequency range, around 25% lower as compared to the current state of the art (Fig. 10). All three of these suction tips exhibited some form of a raised spiral pattern as seen in Fig. 1 through Fig. 9.

Example 2: Comparison of Noise Generation of Enhanced Power Suction Tips Having Different Number of Threads and Openings

Noise emission of the enhanced suction tips of the present invention having different designs (0-2 openings (defined as 105 in the figures) and 0-3 threads (defined as 108 in the figures)), were compared with regular commercially available tips in the market having 0 or 1 openings (Fig. 11). The chart shown in Fig. 11 is labeled with a color and two following number, with the first one representing number of threads, the second one representing number of openings and the color representing the material color used. As shown in Fig. 11, the commercially available standard suction tips with and without openings emitted considerable noise, with the model having one opening producing the highest noise levels. Further, it was shown that the enhanced geometry tips of the present invention with no openings were significantly quieter even with only one single spiral thread.

The disclosures of each and every patent, patent application, and publication cited herein are hereby incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. While this invention has been disclosed with reference to specific embodiments, it is apparent that other embodiments and variations of this invention may be devised by others skilled in the art without departing from the true spirit and scope of the invention. The appended claims are intended to be construed to include all such embodiments and equivalent variations.

Claims

CLAIMS What is claimed is:

1. A suction tip comprising a proximal end; a distal end; and a lumen therebetween, wherein the lumen comprises an interior surface having at least one raised spiral flow guide.

2. The suction tip of claim 1, wherein the distal end is connected to a pump device through a suction line.

3. The suction tip of claim 1, wherein the proximal end is positioned within a body cavity of a subject and is configured to do the suctioning operation.

4. The suction tip of claim 1, wherein the proximal end comprises at least one selected from the group consisting of a flat tip, a rounded tip, or a pointed tip.

5. The suction tip of claim 1, wherein the suction tip further comprises at least one opening near the proximal end, configured to regulate and maintain suction even when the proximal end of the suction tip is occluded.

6. The suction tip of claim 1, wherein the suction tip is disposable.

7. The suction tip of claim 1, wherein the suction tip is sterilized after each use.

8. The suction tip of claim 1, wherein the suction tip is configured to reduce noise generation during a suctioning procedure.

9. The suction tip of claim 1, wherein the suction tip is configured to capture one selected from the group consisting of fluids, solids, aerosols, spatters, and combinations thereof during a suctioning procedure.

10. The suction tip of claim 1, wherein the at least one raised spiral flow guide has a helical structure.

11. The suction tip of claim 1, wherein the at least one raised spiral flow guide has a height that stays the same from the proximal end to the distal end of the lumen.

12. The suction tip of claim 1, wherein the at least one raised spiral flow guide has a height that varies from the proximal end to the distal end of the lumen.

13. The suction tip of claim 1, wherein the at least two raised spiral flow guides have a distance between them that stays the same from the proximal end to the distal end of the lumen.

14. The suction tip of claim 1, wherein the at least two raised spiral flow guides have a distance between them that varies from the proximal end to the distal end of the lumen.

15. The suction tip of claim 1, wherein the at least one raised spiral flow guide has an angle ranging between 1 to 179 degrees relative to the interior surface.

16. The suction tip of claim 15, wherein the angle of the at least one raised spiral flow guide stays the same from the proximal end to the distal end of the lumen.

17. The suction tip of claim 15, wherein the angle of the at least one raised spiral flow guide varies from the proximal end to the distal end of the lumen.

18. The suction tip of claim 1, wherein the at least one raised spiral flow guide has a design selected from the group consisting of: continuous, intermittent, or interrupted throughout the lumen.

19. The suction tip of claim 1, wherein the at least one raised spiral flow guide is present in portions of the length of the lumen.

20. The suction tip of claim 1, wherein the suction tip comprises two raised spiral flow guides.

21. The suction tip of claim 1, wherein the suction tip comprises three raised spiral flow guides.

22. The suction tip of claim 1, wherein the at least one raised spiral flow guide comprises at least 25% of one single revolution.

23. The suction tip of claim 1, wherein the at least one raised spiral flow guide comprises at least 50% of one single revolution.

- 15 -