CN1742687B - Illuminated suction tool with disposable tip - Google Patents

Abstract

A dental suction tool has a disposable hygienic plastic suction tip to prevent cross contamination from one patient to the next. In addition, a light source such as a fiber optic bundle with or without a ring light is provided within the dental suction tool to provide light to the end of the disposable plastic suction tip. Illumination from the ring light or directly from the fiber optic bundle is transmitted along the length of the suction tip during dental procedures and is radiated out the end thereof during dental procedures to illuminate the oral cavity.

Description

Illuminated suction tool with single-use tip

Background of the invention

The present invention relates to a suction implement and, more particularly, to a suction implement with a disposable tip which also provides illumination of a patient's oral cavity.

The present invention is modified to add another function to currently commonly adopted evacuation systems for suctioning. The concept of suctioning in the dental office comes from the old fashioned spittoon. This spittoon was subsequently replaced by a free-flowing spittoon, later by a flushing tank, and finally by a suction tip, aspiration tip, or vacuum tip, which have interchangeable terms, This varies from user to user and depends on the size of the opening in the device.

Dentists use these dental suction tools as part of some routine dental procedures to remove fluid and other foreign matter that develops in a patient's mouth. A typical dental suction tool has a suction tip connected to a vacuum source by a relatively long piece of tubing. The dental suction tool is configured so that it hangs on the corner of the patient's mouth or is handled by the dentist to suction the oral cavity.

Due to the increasing incidence of infectious diseases such as hepatitis and non-acquired immune syndrome, great care must be taken to prevent the transmission of microorganisms (viruses or bacteria) from one patient to the next. With conventional suction devices, at least the tip of the suction device must be sterilized after each use on a patient. When using a suction device, it is removed from the patient's mouth in order to remove water, saliva and blood from the mouth. Suck out in mouth. Infectious diseases can be passed from one patient to the next if not cleaned and disinfected. At the same time, the presence of this potentially contaminating material at the ends and throughout the lines of the vacuum suction system encourages the growth of potential bacteria. To further mitigate this possibility of cross-contamination from one patient to the next, the suction tip must be frequently disinfected.

It is also required to provide light in the oral cavity to allow the dentist to perform necessary dental work. Most dental work units have overhead lighting systems with mirrored surfaces that help focus the light into the patient's mouth. However, dentists tend to stand in the path of the light, which greatly reduces the effectiveness of erecting the light source. One of the main problems in the practice of dentistry is that the dentist must often spend a lot of time adjusting the direction of the erection lighting.

Various dental tools with light sources have been proposed to assist the dentist in various dental procedures. For example, a typical dental drill may have a fiber optic bundle to transmit light from the light source to the end of the dental drill so that the dentist can direct the light to the area where the drilling is to be performed. Representative of this technique are those disclosed in US Patent No. 4,507,085 (Mosimann) and US Patent No. 5,088,924 (Woodward).

The dental syringe tip handpiece is also provided with a light source to illuminate the area where air and/or water is to be sprayed. Representative of these devices is the disclosure of US Patent No. 4,619,612 (Weber), which shows a fiber optic bundle encased in a metal syringe tip assembly. A light bulb is installed in the handle as a light source. The syringe tip used in the disclosure of the Weber patent is a metal, non-disposable syringe tip that must be autoclaved before use on the next patient.

These previous attempts to use light in conjunction with the suction tip consisted in using fiber optic bundles tangential and parallel to the suction tip. The optical conduit of the fiber optic bundle is secured to the suction tip along the length of the suction tip with a set of clips. However, this structure is not quite satisfactory for some reasons.

The fiber optic bundle mounted on the suction tip must still be sterilized before being used on the next patient. Fiber optic bundles are not well suited for heat sterilization, and frequent replacement of these fiber optic bundles is expensive and inconvenient, which is not feasible. Moreover, the position where the clip is mounted on the suction tip must be cleaned, which is troublesome and time-consuming. Another problem with the construction of this optical fiber bundle is that the light is off the center of the suction tip so that the light transmitted into the patient's oral cavity still casts a shadow of the suction tip itself, which is not without harm.

The completely new principle developed here is to transmit the light to the working area via the transparent plastic that is also used as the suction tip in the dental suction unit to transmit the light source. Since the light is coaxial with respect to the suction tip, this minimizes shadows in the mouth and reduces the dentist's reliance on their erected working lighting, which often needs to be adjusted.

It is suggested that the present invention be used in conjunction with a light source coupled to the tip of an air or water syringe, which will provide sufficient light in the patient's mouth to eliminate the need for erecting task lighting and the time consuming constant adjustment of such task lighting.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a single use suction tip as part of a dental suction implement whereby each patient is provided with a clean, uncontaminated suction tip.

The present invention is characterized in that the suction tip portion of the dental suction tool is made of disposable plastic.

The advantage of the present invention is that since each patient is provided with a brand new, clean and uncontaminated suction tip exclusively for that patient, this eliminates patient complications caused by improper cleaning or disinfection of the suction tip. cross-contamination.

Another object of the present invention is to provide means for correct alignment of the suction tip within a dental suction implement.

Another feature of the invention is to provide at least one beveled portion along the outer wall surface of the suction tip at one end of the suction tip to allow proper alignment of the suction tip within the dental suction implement. Another method is to provide at least one recess on the suction tip for engaging with a keyed part in the dental suction tool for proper alignment of the suction tip in the dental suction tool.

Another advantage of the present invention is that the correct alignment of the suction tip within the dental suction tool can be performed by the dentist.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a useful light source that can be delivered into the mouth of a patient when the dentist uses a dental suction tool.

Another feature of the invention is that a light source is provided at one end of the suction tip on the adapter (which holds the suction tip within the dental implement). Light from the light source is directed into one end of the suction tip and transmitted along its length. Light is emitted from the suction tip at the other end of the suction tip and may be used to illuminate the patient's oral cavity.

Another advantage of the present invention is that the dentist can illuminate the oral cavity with the same tool that the dentist uses to suction fluid and other foreign matter from the patient's oral cavity. Since the dentist can see exactly what he is treating in the mouth, any dental procedure can be performed more easily, safely and effectively.

Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will appear through the following detailed description.

Summary of the invention

The dental suction implement has a single-use sanitary plastic suction tip to prevent cross-contamination from one patient to the next. The suction tip is formed as a generally cylindrical hollow tube and is made of disposable plastic. One end of the suction tip has at least one beveled portion along the outer wall surface of the suction tip for proper alignment of the suction tip within the dental suction implement. Alternatively, the suction tip has at least one recess at one end for engaging with a key set in the dental suction tool for proper alignment of the suction tip within the dental suction tool .

Additionally, a light source such as a fiber optic bundle with or without a ring light is provided within the dental suction tool to provide light to the end of the disposable plastic suction tip. Illumination from the ring light or directly from the fiber optic bundle is transmitted along the length of the suction tip to radiate from the end thereof to illuminate the oral cavity during dental procedures.

Brief description of the drawings

Figure 1 is an exploded isometric view of the dental suction tool of the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a dental suction tool with a suction valve in an open state according to the present invention.

Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the dental suction tool with the suction valve in the closed state according to the present invention.

Figure 4 is an exploded isometric view of a dental suction tool according to a variation of the present invention.

Fig. 5 is an isometric exploded view of a modified suction tip of the present invention.

Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view of a dental suction tool of the modification shown in Fig. 4 with the suction valve in the open state.

Figure 7 is an end view of another variant of the suction tip of the present invention.

Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view of another variant of the dental suction tool with the suction valve in the open state.

Figure 9 is an exploded isometric view of a suction tip and its corresponding keying member in accordance with a variant of the present invention.

Figure 10 is an end view of yet another variant of the suction tip of the present invention.

Figure 11 is a cross-sectional view of yet another modified dental suction tool with the suction valve in the open state.

Figure 12 is an exploded isometric view of another variation of the dental suction tool of the present invention.

13 is an end view of the valve body of the modified dental suction tool taken along line 13-13 in FIG. 12. FIG.

14 is an end view of the valve body of the modified dental suction tool taken along line 14-14 in FIG. 12. FIG.

Figure 15 is a cross-sectional view of the modified dental suction tool of Figure 12 prior to installation of the suction tip on the tip sleeve.

Figure 16 is a cross-sectional view of the modified dental suction tool of Figure 12 after the suction tip is mounted on the tip sleeve.

FIG. 17 is an isometric view of a suction tip for a modified dental suction tool of FIG. 12. FIG.

18 is an isometric view of a modified suction tip for the modified dental suction tool of FIG. 12. FIG.

FIG. 19 is a cross-sectional view of another modified suction tip for the modified dental suction tool of FIG. 12. FIG.

Fig. 20 is a cross-sectional view of the modified suction tip in Fig. 19 used in the modified dental suction tool in Fig. 12;

Detailed description of the preferred embodiment

The dental suction implement of the present invention is shown at 10 in FIG. 1 . The dental suction tool 10 has a valve cover 20 , a valve body 40 , a rod 50 and a lighting assembly 20 . The suction tip 80 is housed in the valve body 40, and the entire dental suction tool 10 is connected to a vacuum source and a power source (not shown).

The valve cover 20 has an externally threaded cover section 22, preferably configured as a hollow cylinder. On diametrically opposite sides of the threaded cap segment 22 are provided cylindrical openings 24 each having a diameter sufficient to receive a rotating cylinder 60 therethrough when the dental suction tool 10 is assembled. Behind the threaded cover section 22 there is a cover top 26 and a cover extension 30 . The cover extension 30 has an annular groove 32 to receive a fitting base 38 . The fitting base 38 is connected to tubing (not shown) from a source of electrical power and vacuum suction typically located remote from the dentist's chair.

The valve body 40 has a generally hollow threaded body portion 42 with a set of internal threads 46 that mate with the threaded cover section 22 of the valve cover 20 when the valve cover 20 is assembled with the valve body 40 . The valve body 40 has a cylindrical opening 44 on one side thereof and another cylindrical opening (not shown) on the opposite side of the threaded valve body portion 42 . These two cylinder openings receive the rotating cylinder 60 when the dental suction tool 10 is combined.

Rotating cylinder 60 is generally cylindrical with a cylindrical passage 62 along its diameter therethrough. Each end of the rotating cylinder 60 has a shape corresponding to the fixing recess on the fixing pin on the rod 50. One end of the rotating cylinder 60 has an annular groove 66 for receiving the sealing ring 67 , and the other end of the rotating cylinder 60 has another annular groove 64 for receiving the sealing ring 65 .

The rod 50 may have any suitable shape, generally U-shaped as shown. The rod 50 has a first side arm 51 with a first fixed joint 53 mounted thereon, which cooperates with an associated first fixed recess (not shown) on the rotating cylinder 60, and with a second The second side arm 52 of a fixed joint (not shown) which cooperates with an associated second fixed recess 63 on the rotating cylinder 60 . The first side arm 51 and the second side arm 52 are each connected by a transverse member 56 such that each arm moves with the other to rotate the rotating cylinder 60 as the rod 50 moves.

The dental suction tool 10 also has an illumination assembly 70 that includes a ring light 72 at one end of a fiber optic bundle 74 that extends the length of the dental suction tool 10 . Near and slightly away from ring light 72 is a pair of alignment cylinders 78 which assist in correct alignment of light assembly 70 within dental suction tool 10 when all components of dental suction tool 10 are assembled into their working condition. alignment.

The valve body 40 has a suction tip passage 48 leading to the end of a conical top section 43 into which a single use suction tip 80 is inserted. The suction tip 80 can have a wide variety of configurations, as will be further described herein.

FIG. 2 shows a cross-section of the dental suction tool 10 in an assembled state, wherein the lever 50 is set to open the rotating cylinder 60 so that the vacuum source provides suction to the suction tip 80 . The valve body 40 has an annular light chamber 45 that receives an annular light 72 and an alignment cylinder 78 . When the suction tip 80 is inserted into the suction tip passage 48 of the valve body 40 , the end of the suction tip 80 abuts the ring light 72 . The suction end 80 is reliably clamped in the valve body 40 by one or more sealing rings 49 , and the sealing ring is installed in the valve body along the passage 48 of the suction end. A new suction tip 80 can be inserted into the valve body 40 for a new patient by simply pulling out the suction tip 80, thereby keeping the suction tool clean and hygienic and eliminating any possible cross-contamination between patients.

Activation of power to the lighting assembly 70 causes light to be transmitted through the fiber optic bundle 74 into the ring light 72 . Light emanating from ring light 72 travels along the length of suction tip 80 out its end and into the patient's mouth.

In the embodiment of the invention shown in Figure 2, the suction tip 80 is a double extrusion. The inner layer is the fiber optic bundle tube 86 which transmits light from the ring light 72 along the fiber optic bundle tube 86 out its end and into the patient's mouth. The outer layer is a plastic layer 84 which can be transparent or opaque as desired. In this preferred embodiment, the plastic layer 84 should be a clear, light transmitting plastic, which also allows the light from the ring light 72 to be transmitted along the length of the plastic layer 84 .

When the lever 50 is rotated by approximately 90° as shown in FIG. 3 , the rotating cylinder 60 is likewise rotated by approximately 90°. This causes cylindrical passage 62 to no longer align with cylindrical passage 79 and no longer provides suction to suction tip 80 . However, light from ring light 72 will continue to travel along the length of suction tip 80 into the patient's mouth as long as power is supplied to fiber optic bundle 74 . This allows the dental suction tool 10 to be used as a light source even when suction is not required for a particular dental procedure.

4-6 show a variation of the dental suction tool 10 of the present invention. The same reference numerals have been used here to identify the same components from Figs. 1-3 as in Figs. 4-6.

In FIGS. 4 and 6 , a terminal insert 90 has been added in front of the ring light 72 within the rear cavity 45 . As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 , tip insert 90 has tapered upper and lower portions on its inner bore to correspond with tapered portions 82 on diametrically opposite sides of the outer wall surface of suction tip 80 . In the preferred embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 5, a beveled portion 82 is formed on the outer wall surface of the suction tip 80. As shown in FIG. When the suction tip 80 is inserted into the valve body 40, the beveled portion 82 aligns with the beveled upper and lower portions on the tip insert 90 to properly align the suction tip 80 within the valve body 40. .

7, 8 and 9 show another variant of the dental suction tool 10 according to the invention. The same reference numerals are used here to identify the same components from FIGS. 1-3 as in FIGS. 7 and 8 .

In Figures 7, 8 and 9, a key 96 has been added in front of the ring light 72 within the valve body 40. This key 96 acts as an alignment member when inserting the suction tip 180 into the valve body 40 .

As shown in FIGS. 7 and 9 , the suction tip 180 has a plurality of recesses 182 arranged equidistantly around the suction tip 180 on its outer wall surface. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention shown in FIGS. 7 and 9 , the recess 182 is formed on the outer wall surface of the suction tip 180 . As the suction tip 180 is pushed into the valve body 40 , one of the recesses 182 aligns with the key 96 to align the suction tip 180 within the valve body 40 . Due to the slight curvature of the suction tip 180 itself, when several recesses 182 are used around the suction tip 180, the dentist can orient the suction tip 180 in several directions so that the dentist can position the suction tip 180 in any desired direction. Use the suction tip 180 in this state.

Figure 8 also shows another embodiment of the suction tip 180 which eliminates the optical fiber layer within the suction tip. In this embodiment, a light transmissive clear plastic is used for the suction tip 180 . When the ring light 72 is turned on, the light emitted by it will be transmitted through the body of the suction tip 180 to be emitted from the end thereof. This embodiment simplifies the manufacture of the suction tip 180 and reduces the cost.

10 and 11 show another variant of the dental suction tool 10 according to the invention. The same reference numerals are used here to identify the same components from FIGS. 1-3 as in FIGS. 9 and 10 .

The embodiment of the invention shown in FIGS. 9 and 10 also employs the addition of a key 96 in front of the ring light 72 in the rear cavity 45 . This key 96 serves as an alignment device when inserting the suction tip 280 into the valve body 40 .

The suction tip 280 also eliminates the fiber optic layer within the suction tip. In this embodiment, the suction tip 280 is constructed from two extruded layers of plastic, an outer layer 284 of opaque material and an inner layer 286 of light transmitting transparent plastic. The suction tip 280 has a number of recesses 282 arranged equidistantly around the suction tip 280 on its outer wall surface. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention shown in FIGS. 9 and 10 , the recess 282 is formed on the outer wall surface of the suction tip 280 . When the ring light 72 is turned on, the light emitted by it passes through the inner layer 286 of the suction tip 280 and exits the end thereof. The opaque outer layer 284 prevents the loss of light passing through the sides of the suction tip 280 thereby increasing the intensity of light emitted from the end of the suction tip 280 . It is also within the scope of the invention that instead of a double extruded opaque outer layer, the outer surface of the inner layer be coated with an opaque material to minimize light loss through the outer surface of the suction tip 280.

Another embodiment of the dental suction tool of the present invention is shown generally at 300 in FIG. 12 . The dental suction tool 300 has a valve body 320 , a tip holder 340 , a rotating cylinder 350 and several fiber optic bundles 312 . The suction tip 380 is mounted on the tip holder 340, and the entire dental suction tool 300 is connected to a vacuum source and a power source (not shown).

The valve body 320 has a main body portion 321 with a suction line connection 316 integral therewith. The main body portion 321 and the suction line adapter 316 have a passageway 318 therethrough so that a vacuum source can be routed to the suction tip 380 . The main body portion 321 is provided with an optical fiber bundle channel 326, in which the optical fiber bundle 312 is located, on which the valve body upper cover 322 is mounted on the interlocking shoulder assembly as shown in FIG. 15 by any suitable fixing mechanism. The bottom of the main body portion 321 also has a number of fiber optic bundle channels (not shown, but similar to channel 326) in which the fiber optic bundle 312 is located, and the channels are covered with a valve body lower cover 324, which is also secured by any suitable fixing mechanism. The interlocking shoulder assembly is clamped in place as shown in FIG. 15 . The optical fiber bundle 312 extends through the main body portion 321 and ends in the main body portion 321 where the main body portion 321 connects with the main body portion extension 329 . This allows the light emitted from the fiber optic bundle 312 to interact with the end of the suction tip 380 as described herein below. As an alternative to using the fiber optic bundle 312, any suitable light delivery conduit may be used; as long as the intensity of light delivered through the light delivery conduit to the suction tip and thus into the patient's mouth is sufficient to provide the desired amount of illumination, As few as one light delivery conduit can be used.

On each of the diametrically opposite sides of the valve body 320 is provided an opening 321 of sufficient diameter to receive the rotating cylinder 350 therethrough when the dental suction tool 300 is assembled. The rotating cylinder 350 has a cylinder 354 with a passageway 356 therethrough, and is held in place within the valve body 320 by sealing rings 355 and 357 . The rotating cylinder 350 also has a cap 352 , the user can pinch the cap to rotate the rotating cylinder 350 to open and close the passage 356 relative to the passage 318 to control the suction effect on the suction tip 380 .

At one end of the main body portion 321 is provided a main body portion extension 329 which has a hollow cylinder. The body portion extension 329 surrounds the sleeve extension 330 which is press-fit in the recess of the body portion 321 . A terminal sleeve 332 is disposed on the sleeve extension 330 . Tip sleeve 332 preferably has a cone to receive the end of suction tip 380 as described herein below. Sleeve extension 330 also has an internal passage 331 to align with passage 318 . A groove 334 for receiving a sealing ring 349 is provided near the junction of the main body extension 330 and the main body 321 .

Also provided is a tip holder 340, which is preferably a tapered member. The wide end of the tip holder 340 has an inner circumferential shoulder 342 to cooperate with a sealing ring 349 to hold the tip holder 340 in place when it is assembled with the valve body 320 .

The tip holder 340 has a suction tip passage 348, the outlet of which is located at the end of the tip holder 340, into which a single use suction tip 380 is inserted.

Some details of one of the preferred embodiments of the suction tip 380 are shown in FIG. 17 . Suction tip 380 is a generally cylindrical hollow member having a beveled portion 382 at one end thereof. At the opposite end of the suction tip 380 are provided a number of fingers 384 . In this preferred embodiment of the invention there are shown four slits 388 equally spaced around the circumference of the suction tip 380 . The maximum depth of the slot 388 should not exceed the axial length of the tip holder 340 (to maintain a vacuum within the suction tip 380), but the minimum depth of the slot 388 should not be less than 0,125". The slot 388 A number of fingers 384 are produced at the end of suction tip 380. The end of each finger 384 is provided with an internal shoulder 386 sized to fit the tip sleeve on sleeve extension 330. 332 interactions.

15 and 16 show a combined dental suction tool 300 . The sealing ring 349 is in the groove 334 . The end holder 340 fits over the sleeve extension 330 and is locked in place by the shoulder 342 interacting with the sealing ring 349 . Insert the end of the suction tip 380 with the fingers 384 into the tip holder 340 and push it in until the fingers 384 spread apart and catch on the tip sleeve 332 in the sleeve extension 330 . The shoulder 386 in the finger 384 interacts with the tip sleeve 332 to prevent the suction tip 380 from easily coming out of the tip holder 340, but the flexibility of the suction tip 380 is sufficient to make the suction tip 380 necessary. It can be removed by hand and replaced with a new suction tip 380.

When the suction tip 380 is inserted into the suction tip passage 348 of the tip holder 340 and pushed onto the tip sleeve 332, the suction tip 380 end is close to the end of the optical fiber bundle 312. end, so that the light emitted from the fiber optic bundle 312 can be transmitted into the suction tip 380 . As long as the suction tip 380 is easily pulled out, a new suction tip 380 can be inserted into the tip holder 340 for a new patient, thereby maintaining a clean and hygienic suction tool and eliminating the need for a new patient. possible cross-contamination.

Activation of the power source transmits light through the fiber optic bundle 312 . The light emitted from the fiber optic bundle 312 travels along the suction tip 380 and exits the end thereof into the patient's oral cavity.

Another variation can be made to this embodiment. As shown in FIG. 18, the suction tip 380 may be formed with a single slit 388 instead of the four slits 388 shown in FIG. In this single slit 388 embodiment, the plastic is still flexible enough to allow the open end of the suction tip 380 to expand around the tip sleeve 332 and hold it in place. As long as at least one slot 388 is used, the suction tip 380 can do this. More than one slit may also be used.

19 and 20 show another variant of a suction tip 380 according to the invention. In this embodiment, the shoulder 386 is omitted and an internal groove 392 is used instead. As the suction tip 380 is pushed onto the tip sleeve 332, the tip sleeve 332 fits into the inner groove 392 to hold the suction tip 380 in place. One or more slots 388 are therefore required, such as the two diametrically opposed slots 388 shown in FIGS. 19 and 20 . Additionally, a vacuum release hole 394 may be provided at the closed end of the slit 388 . A seal 396 may also be incorporated into tip holder 340 to provide additional clamping pressure on suction tip 380 .

In the preferred embodiment of this variant, a light-transmitting transparent plastic is used for the suction tip 380 . Suitable materials that may be employed are acrylic, cellulose, and other light-conducting plastics.

The invention has been described with respect to several specific embodiments thereof, however, these embodiments should be considered as illustrative rather than restrictive. Various improvements and additions will be apparent to those skilled in the art. It is therefore intended that the invention not be limited by the foregoing description, but only be limited by the following claims.

Claims (4)

1. A suction tip for use in a dental suction tool, consisting of plastic formed into a generally cylindrical hollow tube, one end of the suction tip having at least one recess formed in the surface of the outer wall of the suction tip , while the suction tip is correctly aligned within the dental suction tool, wherein the suction tip is constructed of two plastic extruded layers, where the outer layer is made of an opaque material and the inner layer is a light-transmitting transparent plastic production. 2. The suction tip of claim 1, wherein the outer layer is a coating applied to the inner layer. 3. A suction tip for use in a dental suction tool, consisting of plastic formed into a generally cylindrical hollow tube, one end of the suction tip having at least one bevel formed on the surface of the outer wall of the suction tip chipped portion to allow correct alignment of the suction tip within the dental suction tool, wherein the suction tip is constructed of two plastic extruded layers, the outer layer is made of an opaque material and the inner layer is made of light-transmitting Made of clear plastic. 4. The suction tip of claim 3, wherein the outer layer is a coating applied to the inner layer.

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