WO2004054465A2

WO2004054465A2 - Suction cap for aspiration instruments for medical/dental use

Info

Publication number: WO2004054465A2
Application number: PCT/IB2003/005929
Authority: WO
Inventors: Daniele Piantini
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2002-12-13
Filing date: 2003-12-15
Publication date: 2004-07-01
Anticipated expiration: 2005-06-13
Also published as: WO2004054465A3; AU2003289665A1; ITAR20020043A1; AU2003289665A8

Abstract

A suction cap for suction instruments for medical/dental use of the type comprising a cannula communicating with a suction machine, comprising a stem (1, 7) for connection to the cannula, having slits (4) formed on a terminal portion (1a) thereof, and a substantially cap-shaped head (2) extending from the end of the stem (1, 7) around the terminal portion to delimit a chamber (3) communicating with the outside through windows (5) formed on the head (2) and through a rear opening (3a).

Description

TITLE

SUCTION CAP FOR SUCTION INSTRUMENTS FOR MEDICAL/DENTAL USE

DESCRIPTION Field of the invention The present invention relates in general to the field of medical/dental instruments and, more particularly, concerns a suction cap for suction instruments for. medical/dental use. Background art In surgical practice there is a well known need for sucking up liquids (saliva, blood, water, etc.) or small fragments of organic particles, for example fragments of teeth deriving from the action of a tool on a tooth or inorganic residues due to tool consumption, which would otherwise tend to accumulate in the operatory field and constitute an obstacle for the surgeon. This need is present also in the dental sector, in which, among others, the accumulation of liquids and residues in the oral cavity is also highly bothersome for the patient. Currently the aspiration of the various liquids and fragments that collect in the operatory field, and particularly in the oral cavity, during an intervention is carried out by means of a cannula provided with an opening at its end, to which there is applied a suction nozzle formed with a series of holes. The end of the cannula equipped with the suction nozzle is positioned by the operator at the point of the operatory field in which he wishes to exercise the suction action. The cannula is connected to a suction machine by means of a tube of appropriate length.

The cannulas of the conventional type have the drawback of generating a depression of considerable intensity at their terminal openings. Consequently, when the end of the cannula is brought close to soft tissues, these can become sucked into the openings, where they tend to get caught and swell inside them, thus giving rise to problems when the cannula has to be removed, thus reducing the capacity of sucking up the liquids and residues present and creating a not negligible discomfort for the patient, quite apart from the risk of possible local tissue lacerations. Summary of the invention

The object of the present invention is to provide a suction cap for suction instruments for medical/dental use capable of exercising an efficient suction action on the liquids and residues present in the operating field and, more particularly, in the oral cavity without giving rise to the undesired effects that are associated with the suction cannulas of the conventional type.

This object is attained by the suction cap of which the essential features are set forth in claim 1 attached hereto.

The suction cap in accordance with the invention comprises a tubular stem for connection to the cannula, with a terminal portion formed with slits, and a substantially cap-shaped head extending from the end of the stem around its terminal portion to delimit a chamber, on which there are situated passage openings facing said chamber being formed on said head.

Brief description of the drawings

Other features and advantages of the suction cap in accordance with the present invention will become apparent from the description set forth below of a specific embodiments thereof, which are given by way of non- limiting example, made with reference to the following drawing, in which:

- Figure 1 is a perspective view of a suction cap in accordance with the present invention; - Figure 2 is a side elevation of the suction cap of Figure 1 ;

- Figure 3 is an axial section through the suction cap of Figure 1 ;

- Figures 4, 5 and 6 are, respectively, a perspective view, a side elevation and an axial section of a variation of the suction cap in accordance with the invention.

Detailed description of the preferred embodiments Referring to Figures 1, 2 and 3, the reference number 1 indicates a tubular stem closed at one end by a head 2 that is substantially cap-shaped and, more particularly, has an ogival shape and extends outside stem 1 for a certain length thereof to define, together with said stem, a chamber 3 having a rearward opening 3a. Longitudinal slits 4 are formed on terminal portion la of stem 1 to place the interior of stem 1 into communication with chamber 3. Windows 5 extend substantially facing slits 4 are formed on head 2. Windows 5 in the longitudinal direction of head 2 and place chamber 3 in communication with the outside. Advantageously, windows 5 and slits 4 are arranged in an equispaced manner on the respective surfaces of stem 1 and head 2 and have the shape of a slot .

Stem 1 is designed to engage in a suction cannula 9, shown schematically, connected in a known way to a conventional suction machine by a tube, neither of which is shown in the figure. Stem 1 is provided with a circumferential rib 6 extending inside chamber 3 acting as an abutment for the end of the cannula.

The external diameter of stem 1 and of terminal opening 3a of head 2 are such that, once the cannula has been engaged with stem 1, there still remains sufficient unobstructed passage space between the outer surface of stem 1 and the inner wall of head 2.

The operation and the advantage of the suction cap in accordance with the invention are clear from the foregoing. In fact, the presence of chamber 3 preserves the tissues with which head 2 of the cap comes into contact from direct suction, thus avoiding the straining of the tissue and the risk of its being torn or removed. The presence of a rear air intake through opening 3a makes it possible to control the depression inside chamber 3, maintaining it at a constant value and generating a dragging flow for the material sucked up through window 5, which facilitates its conveyance towards slits 4.

In the embodiment shown in Figures 4, 5 and 6, where the same components of the suction cap are indicated by the same reference numbers used in Figures 1, 2 and 3, the only significant difference consists in that the stem, in this case indicated by the reference number 7, is shaped in such a way that the cannula engages with it internally rather than externally. In this case the outer diameter of stem 7 is smaller than the inner diameter of head 2 at its terminal opening 3a by such an amount to assure a sufficient passage for the dragging suction flow.

In the present embodiment of the invention provision has been made for connecting the cannula to stem 1 or 7 by means of a pressure fit. But it is clear that any other type of connection, either reversible or irreversible, could be employed as an alternative.

It is also clear that, even though the ogival shape of head 2 is to be considered preferred, any other shape could be employed, always provided that it is suitable for the intended purpose . The shape and the number of the slits and the windows could also vary as a function of the shape of the head or other specific requirements.

Similarly, once again as a function of the shape of head 2, its terminal opening 3a could be positioned and shaped in a manner different from what is shown on the drawing .

The suction cap in accordance with the present invention is provided with a view to being made as a single piece of plastic material. It is clear, moreover, that the alternative in which the stem with slit 4 is constituted by the end of the cannula itself, and in which the cannula is suitable for being fixed to head 2 in any known manner, is to be considered as forming part of the concept of the present invention.

These and other variantions and/or modifications, which can be brought to the suction cap in accordance with the present invention, are intended to be within the scope of the invention as defined by the following claims.

Claims

1. A suction cap for suction instruments for medical/dental use of the type comprising a cannula communicating with a suction machine, characterized in that it comprises a stem (1, 7) for connection to the cannula, having slits (4) formed on a terminal portion (la) thereof, and a substantially cap-shaped head (2) extending from the end of said stem (1, 7) around said terminal portion to delimit a chamber (3) communicating with the outside through windows (5) formed on said head (2) and through a rear opening (3a) .

2. A suction cap in accordance with claim 1, wherein said head (2) has a substantially ogival shape and said windows (5) extend longitudinally thereon.

3. A suction cap in accordance with claim 1 or claim 2, wherein said windows (5) and said slits (4) are substantially shaped in the manner of a slot.

4. A suction cap in accordance with any one of the preceding claims, wherein said stem (1) is suitable for becoming engaged within said cannula, the external diameter of said stem and the internal diameter of said head (2) being such as to conserve some clear passage also after the connection to said cannula.

5. A suction cap in accordance with claims 1, 2 or 3, wherein said stem (7) has a diameter suitable for receiving the end of said cannula within it and engaging with it .