Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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iLLUMiNATED SUCTION TOOL viITH A DISPOSABLE TiP
i
2 Background of the Invention
3 This invention relates to a suction tool, and more particu-
4 larly to suction tool with a disposable tip that also provides
illumination to the oral cavity of the patient.
6 The present invention was developed to add further function
7 to the widely accepted evacuation systezas currently used for
8 suction or aspiration. The concept of suction or aspiration in
9 the dental office has its roots in the old fashioned spittoon.
l0 The spittoon was later replaced ray the gravity flow cuspidor,
il then by the flush cup and finally by the suction tip/aspirator
12 tip/vacuum tip which are interchangeable terms varying by the
13 user. and based an tie size of the aperture in the device.
14 These dental
suc~ion instruments
are used bV
dentists to
remove fluids end ether foreign objec~s that zccrue in the
16 patient's oral
cav'ty during
typ:Lcal dental
procedures.
The
17 conventional dental suction tool coirprises a suction tip
i8 connected by a long tubing to a vacuum source. The dental
19 suction tool can be configured to hang in the corner of the
patient's mouth
or is manipulated
by the dentist
to suction the
21. oral cavity.
22 With the rising incidence of communicable diseases such
as
23 ~ hepatitis and acquired immune deficiency syndrome. extreme care
,
24 must be taken to prevent the transmission of germs (viral or
bac-
teria) from one
patient to the
r.~ext. With
the conventional
26 suction devices, it is necessary t:o sterilize at least the tip
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wo m4~oss rcritrs
~.1' of the suction device after each patient use. During t~ use of
2 the suction device, water, saliva, and blood from the patient's
3 mouth is drawn into the tip for removal from the oral cavity.
4 If cleaning and sterilization is not effected, it would be very
easy to transfer infection from one patient to the next. Also,
6 latent bacterial growth can be promoted in both the tip and the
7 entire vacuum suction system lines because of the existence of
8 this potentially contaminating material. To further mitigate
9 this possibility of cross-contamination from one patient to the
next, the routine sterilization o:E suction tips is desirable.
11 It is desirable to also supply light into the oral cavity
12 to assist the dentist in performing necessary dental arocedures.
13 Most dental operatories have an cwerhead task lighting system
14 with reflective surfaces that helF~ conce~:trate the 1=ght on the
patient's mouth. I~owever, the de;atist w=11 ofter_ stand in~ the
16 path of the light which mi~=mites the effectiv=n~ss of the
17 overhead light. One of the major nuisances and ~rus=rations in
18 -the practice of dentistry is the ~~onstant need for the dentist
19 to spend time adjusting the direction of this overhead lighting.
Various dental tools have been provided with a light source
21 to assist the dentist during various dental activities. For
22 example, a typical dental drill will include a fiberoptic bundle
23 that transmits light froon a light s~~urce to the end of the dental
24 drill which allows the dentist to provide light directly to the -
area in which the drilling is occurring. Representative of this
26 technology are the disclosures shown in U.S. Patent No. 4,507,085
2
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wu ~u47o6s Yc: i iu~yruusswr
._
,L (Mosimann) and U.S. Patent No. 5,, 085,924 (Woodward) .
2 Dental syringe tip handpiecea have also been provided with
3 a light source to illuminate the area into which the air and/or
4 water are to be sprayed. Representative of these devices is the
disclosure of U:S. Patent No. 4,. 619, 612 (Weber) which shows a
6 fiberoptic bundle disposed down the center of a metal syringe tip
7 assembly. A light bulb. acts as the light source and is disposed
8 in the interior of the handpiece. ?he syringe tip used in the
9 disclosure of the Weber patent is a metal, non-disposable syringe
tip which must be autoclaved prior to use on the next patient.
11 Previous attempts to use ligr~t in conjunction with a suction
12 tip were done by running a f iberoptic bundle tangent and parallel
13 to the suction tip. The opticeil condui~ for the fiberoptic
14 bundle was fixed to the suction tip by a series o. clamps along
~ the length of the suction tip. :3owever, the resLl is from this
16 configuration were less than desirab?e fo= several reasons.
17 The fiberoptic bundles that were attached tc the suction
18 tips still needed to be sterilized before being used on the next
19 patient. Fiberoptic bundles are not particularly amenable to the
heat of sterilization and the expense and inconvenience of
21 frequent replacement of these fibe.roptic bundles can be prohibi-
22 tive. It is also necessary to clean up the areas on the suction
23 tip at which the clamps are ati:ached and this can be quite
24 cumbersome and time consuming. Another problem with this ,
fiberoptic bundle configuration i:~ that the light is positioned
26 off-center from the suction tip so that the light being transm3t-
3
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WO 99147068 PCT/tJS98/05508
1 ted into the oral cavity of the patient still casts shat~~ws from
' 2 the suction tip, itself, which can do more harm than good.
3 The novel concept developed herein is to transmit light to
4 the field of operation by transmitting a light source through a
transparent plastic material which simultaneously serves as the
6 suction tip of the dental suction device. The fact that the
7 light is centered relative to the suction tip minimizes any
8 shadows in the oral cavity and reduces the need for the dentist
9 to rely on his overhead task li~3hting, which is constantly in
need of adjustment.
11 It is proposed that the use of the present invention in
12 conjunction with the light source that is cougled to the
13 air/water syringe t=p will provide su~ficient light in the
14 p~tier~t's oral cavity to obviate the nee3 for the overhead task
lighting and elir:ipate the time spent constantly adjustinc this
16 task lighting.
17 It is an object of the pz~esent
invention to provide a
18 disposable suction tip as part of the dental suctiontool so that
19 each patient can receive a clean and uncontaminatedsuction tip.
2D It is a feature of the present invention thatthe suction
_
21 tip portion of a dental suction tool is made from a disposable
22 ' plastic material.
23 It is an advantage of the present invention that cross-
24 contamination between patients due to improperly cleaned or
sterilized suction tips is eliminated because each patient is
26 provided with a new, clean and uncontaminated suction tip that
4
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WO 99J4'1068 PCTNS98J05508
.
'1 is only used on that patient.
2 It is a further object of the present invention to provide
3 means for properly aligning the suction tip in the dental suction
4 tool.
It is a further feature of t:he present invention to provide
6 at one end of the suction tip at least one beveled section along
7 an outer wall surface of the suction tip so that the suction tip
8 can be properly aligned in the dental suction tool. Alterna-
9 tively, one end of the suction tip is provided with at least one
recess that is adapted to cooperate With a keying element in the
11 dental suction tool to properly align the suction tip in the
12 dental suction tool.
13 It is ~ further advantage c~f the present invention that a
14 dentist will be able to properly align the suction ~ ti.p in the
dental suction tool.
16 It is a further object of tire present invention to provide
17 a useful source of light that ca,n be transmitted into the oral
18 cavity of the patient whenever the dentist is using a dental
19 suction tool.
It is a further feature of the present invention to provide
21 a light source at one end of the suction tip on the interior of
22 the adaptor that holds the suction, tip in the dental tool. Light
23 from the light source is directed into one end of the suction tip
24 and carried along the length thereof. At the opposite end of the .
suction tip, the light radiates from the suction tip and can be
2fi used to illuminate the.oral cavity of the patient.
5
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1
1 ' It is a further advantage of the present inventio~.~chat a
2 dentist will be able to illuminate the oral cavity using the snare
3 instrument that he is. using to suction liquids and other foreign
4 matter from the oral cavity of t:he patient. Any dental proce-
dures that require use of the dental suction tool will be more
6 easily, safely and effectively carried out because the dentist
7 will be able to see exactly where in the oral cavity he is
8 working.
9 Other objects, features and advantages of the present
invention will become apparent from a consideration 'of the
11 following detailed description.
12
13 Summary of the Invention
14 A dental suction tool has a disposable sanitary plastic
suction tip to prsvent cross contamination from one patient to
16 the next. The suction tip is foi:ned as a generally cylindrical
17 hollow tubing and made of dispos«ble plastic material. One end
18 of the suction tip has at least one bevel ed secti on along an
19 outer wall surface of the suction tip so that the suction tip can
be properly aligned in the dental. suction tool. Alternatively,
21 one end of the suction tip has at least one recess that is
22 adapted to cooperate with a keying element in the dental suction
23 tool to properly align the suction tip in the dental suction
24 tool.
Additionally, a light source such as a fiberoptic bundle
26 with or without a ring light is provided on the interior of the
6
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74904-12D
dental suction tool to provide light to the end of the
plastic disposable suction tip. Illumination from the ring
light or directly from the fiberoptic bundle is transmitted
along the length of the suction tip and is emitted from the
end thereof to illuminate the oral cavity during dental
procedures.
'According to a broad aspect of the invention,
there is provided a suction tip for use in a dental suction
tool comprising a material capable of transmitting light
along the length thereof and forml~d as a generally
cylindrical hollow tubing, a first end of the suction tool
having at least one axial slot therein so that the suction
tip can be secured in the dental ;suction tool.
According to another bread aspect of the
invention, there is provided a sucaion tip for use in a
dental suction tool comprising a material capable of
transmitting light~along the lengi:h thereof and formed as a
generally cylindrical hollow tubing, a first end of the
suction tool having a plurality oj: axial slots therein
forming a plurality of flexible fingers so that the suction
tip can be secured in the dental auction tool.
According to a further broad aspect of the
invention, there is provided a suction tip for use in a
dental suction tool comprising a elastic material formed as
a generally cylindrical hollow tutting, one end of the
suction tip having at least one beveled section formed in an
outer wall surface of the suction tip so that the suction
tip can be properly aligned in the dental suction tool.
According to yet another broad aspect of the
invention, there is provided a suction tip for use in a
dental suction tool comprising a plastic material formed as
7
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74904-12D
a generall y cylindrical hollow tubing, one end of the
suction tip having at least one recess formed in an outer
wall surface of the suction tip so that the suction tip can
be properly aligned in the dental suction tool.
According to yet a further broad aspect of the
invention, there is provided a suction tip for use in a
dental suction tool comprising a :plastic material formed as
a generally cylindrical hollow tubing, one end of the
suction tip having at least one recess formed in an outer
wall surface of the suction tip s~~ that the suction tip can
be properly aligned in the dental suction tool, the suction
tip further comprising an inner l,~yer of light transmitting
material and an outer layer of op,3que material.
According to still a further broad aspect of the
invention there is provided a suction tip for use in a
dental suction tool comprising a elastic material formed as
a generally cylindrical hollow tubing, one end of the
suction tip having at least one bf~veled section formed in an
outer wall surface of the suction tip so that the suction
tip can be properly aligned in thE~ dental suction tool, the
suction tip further comprising an inner layer of light
transmitting material and an oute:_ layer of opaque material.
Brief Description oi: the Drawings
Figure 1 shows an isometric exploded view of the
dental suction tool of the present: invention.
Figure 2 is a cross sectional view of one
embodiment of the dental suction tool of the present
invention with the suction valve in the open position.
7a
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i
74904-12 D
Figure 3 is a cross seta Tonal view of the dental
suction tool of the present invention with the suction valve
in the closed position.
Figure 4 shows an isometric exploded view of a
modified dental suction tool of the present invention.
Figure 5 shows an isometric view of a modified
suction tip of the present invention.
Figure 6 is a cross sectional view of the modified
dental suction tool shown in Figure 4 with the suction valve
in the open position.
Figure 7 shows an end view of another modified
suction tip of the present invention.
7b
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WO 99147068 PCTIUS98J05508
( _
1 Figure 8 is a cross sectional view of another modified
' 2 dental suction tool with the suction valve in the open position.
3 Figure 9 is an isometric exploded view of a modified suction
4 tip and its corresponding key eleanent of the present invention.
~ Figure 10 shows an end vi~aw of still another modified
6 suction tip of. the present invention.
7 Figure 11 is a cross sectional view of still another
8 modified dental suction tool with the suction valve in the open
9 position. .
Figure 12 is an isometric exploded view of another modified
11 dental suction tool of the presenv invention.
12 Figure 13 is an end view of t:he valve body of the modified
13 dental suction tool taken along l:Lne 13-13 of Figure 12.
14 Figure 14' is an end view of the valve body of the modified
dental suction tool taken al ong l~.ne 14-I4 of Figure 12 .
16 Figure 15 is a doss section. view of the modified denta~
17 suet=on tool of Figure 12 before tr.e suction tip is mounted onto
18~ the tip bushing.
19 Figure 16 is a cross section view of the modified dental
suction tool of
Figure 12 with
the suction tip
mounted onto
the
21 tip bushing.
22 - Figure 17 is an isometric viE:w of the suction tip used in
23 the modified dental
suction tool
of Figure 12.
24 Figure 18 is an isometric view of a modified suction tip
used in the modified
dental suctio:l
tool of Figure
12.
8
i
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WO 99147068 PCTNS98/05508
I'.
.1 Figure l9 is a cross sectional view of another modified
2 suction tip used in the modified dental suction tool of Figure
3 12.
4 Figure 20 is a cross sectional.view of the modified suction
tin of Figure 19 used in the modified dental suction tool of
6 Figure 12.
7
8 De ai 1 d Dears in _ien o ~~ r f r d Emhedimen -s
9 The dental suction tool of t:he present invention is shown
generally at 10 in Figure 1. The dental suction tool 10
11 comprises a valve cap 20, a valve body 40, a lever 50 and a light
12 assembly 70. A suction tip 80 i~; mounted in the valve body 40
13 and the entire dental suction tool 10 is connected to a source
14 0~ vacuum and elect=ical power (n~~t shown).
The valve can 20 comprises an externally threaded cap
16 section 22, preferably configured <is a hollow cylinder. On each
17 of the diametrically opposite side's of the threaded cap section
i8 22, a cylinder aperture 24 is provided of sufficient diameter to
19 receive the rotating cylinder 60 therethrough when the dental
2o suction tool 10 is assembled. Tcward the rear of the threaded
21 cap section 22, there is provided a cap top 26 and a cap
22 ~ extension 30. The cap extension ..0 is provided with an annular
23 groove 32 to receive the tubing connector base 38. The tubing
24 connector base 38 is attached to the tubing (not shown) that runs
from the power supply and the va~~uum suction supply typically
26 provided at a remote location from the dentist's chair.
9
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1 The valve body 40 includes a generally hollow threaded body
2 section 42 with a set of internal. threads 46 that cooperate and
3 receive the threaded cap section .?2 of the valve cap 20 when the
4 valve cap 20 is assembled with they valve body 40. The valve body
40 has a cylinder aperture 44 on its one side and another
cylinder aperture (not shown) on the, opposite side of the
7 threaded body section 42. These cylinder apertures receive the
8 rotating cylinder 60 when the dental suction tool 10 is assem-
9 bled. _
The rotating cylinder 60 i:c a generally cylindrical body
11 with a cylinder passageway 62 diametrically therethrough. Each
12 end o~ the rotating cylinder 60 has'a fastening recess shaped to
13 correspond to the fastening pins cn the lever 50. One end of the
14 rotating cylinder 60 has an annular groove 66 that receives an
O ring ~ 67 and the other end of i:he rotating cylinde_ 60 has a
16 like ar_nula~ groove 64 that rece~.ves an 0 ring 65.
17 The lever 50 can be cf any suitable configuration such as
18 the generally U-shaped configuration shown. The lever 50 has a
19 first side arm 51 with a first i:astening connector 53 mounted
thereon that fits in the associated first fastening recess (not
21 shown) on the rotating cylinder 60 and a second side arm 52 with
22 ~ a second fastening connector (:not shown) that fits in the
23 ,associated second fastening recess 63, on the rotating cylinder
24 60. Each of the first side arm 51 and the second side arm 52 are
connected by the cross piece 56 s~~ that each arm moves with the
26 other to rotate the rotating cylinder 60 upon movement of the
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.. (-,
1 lever 50.
2 The dental suction tool 10 also includes a light assembly
3 70 comprising a light 'ring 72 at cane end of a fiberoptic bundle
4 74 that extends the length of the dental suction tool 10.
Adj acent~ but slightly separated from the light ring 72 is an
6 alignment cylinder 78 which assists in properly aligning the
7 light assembly 70 on the interior of the dental suction tool 10
8 when all of the elements of the: dental suction tool IO are
9 assembled together into its working state.
The valve body 40 includes a ruction tip passageway 48 which
il opens at the e_~_d of the conical end section 43 in which is
12 inserted the d=spo.sable suction tip 80. 'she suction tip 80 may
13 have a number or configurations as will be further explained
14 herein.
Figure 2 stows =n cross section the dental suction foci IO
16 in an assembled condition with the lever 50 set so brat the
17 rotating cylinder 60 is open to allow the vacuum source to
18 provide suction to the suction tin 80. =he valve body 40 r~as a
19 light ring cavity 95 that receivE=s the light ring 72 and the
alignment cylinder 78. When the suction tip 80 is inserted into
21 the suction tip passageway 48 of 'theva~ve body 40, the end of
22 the suction tip 80 abuts the light
ring 72. The suction
tip 80
23 is held securely inside the valve b~~dy40 by means of one or more
24 O rings 49 provi ded therein along le:gth of the suction tig
the .
passageway 48. 3y simply pulling the suction tip 80, a new
~~ut
26 suction tip 80
can be inserted
into the valve
body 40 for each
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1 new patient thereby maintaining a clean and sanitary suction tool
2 and the elimination of any possible cross contamination between
3 patients.
4 Activation of the power su;~ply to the light assembly 70
transmits light through the fibe:roptic bundle 74 and into the
6 light ring 72. The light emitting from the light ring 72 is
7 transmitted along the length of 'the suction tip 80 and out the
8 end thereof into the patient's ox'al cavity.
9 In the embodiment of the in~rention shown in Figure 2, the
suction tip 80 is a bi-layered extrusion. The inner layer is a
11 fiberoptic tubing 86 which will transmit the light from the light
12 ,ring 72 along the length of the fiberoptic tubing 86 and out its
13 end into the patient's mouth. The outer layer is plastic layer
14 84 which car_ be cl ear or opaque as desired. In the , preferred
embodiment, the plastic lave= .34 should be a clear light-
16 transmitting plastic material wnic~n can Glso transmit light from
17 the light ring 72 along the length of the plastic layer 84.
18 When the lever SO is rotated approximately 90° as shown in
19 Figure 3, the rotating cylinder 60 likewise rotates approximately
90°. This disassociates the cylinder passageway 62 from the
21 alignment cylinder passageway ?9 and no suction will be provided
22 ~ to the suction tip 80. However, light from the light ring 72
23 will continue to be transmitted along the length of the suction
24 tip 80 and into the patient's oral cavity as long as power is '
supplied to the fiberoptic bundle 74. This allows the dental
26 suction tool 10 to function as a light source even when suction
12
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1 is not required for a particular dental procedure.
2 Figures 4-6 show a modification of the dental suction tool
3 10 of the present invention. Like reference numerals are used
4 to identify the elements from Figures 1-3 that are the same in
Figure 4-6.
6 In Figures 4 and 6, a tip insertion block 90 is added to the
7 rear cavity 45 in front of the light ring 72. As shown in
8 Figures 5 and 6, the tip insertion block 90 has beveled top and
9 .bottom portions on its internal bore that correspond to the
beveled sections 82 on diametrically opposed sides in the outer
il wall surface of the suction tip 80. In the preferred embodiment
12 of the present invention as shown in Figure 5, the beveled
13 sections 82 are formed in the outer wall surface of the suction
14 ~ tip 80. Pw the suction tip 80 i.s inserted into the valve body
40', the beveled sections 82 align w=th the~beve'_ed top and bottom
16 portions on the interior of the tip insertion block 90 and effect
17 the proper alignment of the~suction tip 80 in the salve body 40.
18 Figures 7, 8 and 9 show another modification of the dental
19 suction tool 10 of the present: invention. Like reference
numerals arm used to identify the elements from Figures 1-3 that
21 are the same in Figure 7 and 8.
22 In Figures 7, 8 and 9, a key 96 is added to the interior of
23 the valve body 40 in front of the light ring 72. This key 96
24 will act as an alignment device when the suction tip 180 is
inserted into the valve body 40.
13
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1 As shown in Figures 7 and 51, the suction tip 180 has a
2 plurality of recesses 182 that are positioned around the
3 circumference of the Suction tip 180 in the outer wall surface
4 thereof in equally spaced locations. In the preferred embe'aiment
of the present invention as shown in Figures 7 and 9, the
6 recesses 182 are formed in the outer wall surface of the suction
? tip 180. When the suction tip lEtO is inserted into the valve
8 body 40, one of the recesses 182: aligns with the key 96 and
effects the. proper alignment of the: suction tip 180 in the valve
body 90. Since the suction tip 180 has a slight bend therein,
11 by providing a p:~urality of recesses 182 around the circumference
12 of the suction t_p 180, a dentist a:a'y orient the suction tip 180
13 in a number of directions to perau.t the suction tip 180 to be
14 u;.ilized in any desired manner by the dentist.
Figure 8 a=so shows ancther i~nbodiment of the suct=on tip
16 180 which eliminates the fiberopt:i.c layer on the ins_cs ef the
17 suction tip. Ir this embodiment, a clear plastic mater_al that
18 is light transm.=ting is used for the suction tip 180. When the
19 light ring 72 is activated, light emitting therefrom will travel
2.0 through the body of the suction ti;p 180 and be emitted from the
21 end thereof. This embodiment simplifies the manufacturing of the
22 suction tip 180 and lowers its cost.
23 Figures 10 and 11 show still another modification of the
24 dental suction tool 10 of the present invention. Like reference
numerals are used to identify the elements from Figures 3-3 that
26 are the same in Figures 9 and Figure 10.
14
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i The embodiment of the invention shown in Figures 9 and 10
2 also use the key 96 that is added t:o the rear cavity 45 in front
3 of the light ring 72. This key 96 will act as an alignment
4 device when the suction tip 280 is inserted into the valve body
40.
6 The suction tip 280 also elinu:nates the fiberoptic layer on
7 the inside of the suction tip. In. this embodiment, the suction
8 tip 280 is comprised of two extruded layers of plastic material,
9 an outer layer 284 of opaque material and an inner layer 286 of
l0 clear plastic material that is light transmitting. The suction
il tip 280 has a plurality of rece:~ses 282 that are positioned
12 around the circumference of the suction tip 280 in the outer wall
13 surface thereof in equally spaced locations. In the preferred
14 embodiment of the present invention as shown in "figures 9 and 10,
the recesses 282 are formed in t:he cuter wall surface of the
16 suction tip 280. When the light ring 72 is activated,' light
17 e.~nitting therefrom will travel through the inner ,aye= 280 of the
18 suction tip 280 and be emitted from the end trereof. T?:e outer
19 layer 284 being opaque will prevent light loss through the
lateral sides of the suction tip 280 so that the light intensity
21 emitted from the end of the sucaion tip 280 is increased.
22 ~ Alternatively, instead of using ail opaque outer layer that has
23 been coextruded, it is also within the scope of the invention to
24 ,apply a coating of opaque materiato the outer surface of the
inner layer to minimize the loss of light through the outer
26 surface of the suction tip 280.
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1 Another embodiment of the dental suction tool of the present
2 invention is shown generally at 300 in Figure 12. The dental
3 suction tool 300 comprises a val~;re body 320, a tip holder 340,
4 a rotating cylinder 350 and a plurality of fiberoptic bundles
312. A suction tip 380 is mounted in the tip holder 340 and the
6 entire dental suction tool 300 is ~~onnected to a source of vacuum
7 and electrical power (not shown).
8 The valve body 320 comprises a main section 321 including
9 a suction line connector 316 integrally formed therewith. The
l0 main section 321 and the suction line connector 316 have a
11 passageway 318 extending theret}arough so that the source of
12 vacuum can be provided to the suct:lon tip 380. On the top of the
13 main section 321 are a plurality of fiberoptic bundle channels
14 326 in which are seated the fibe~roptic bLndles 312 and a tcp
valve body cover 322 is place, therewer by any suitable
16 fastening means, such as the inter_ocking saoulder assembly shown
17 in Figure 15. The bottom of they main sectior_ 321 also has a
18 plurality of fiberoptic bundle ch~:nnels (not shown, but similar
19 to channels 326) which also seat t:he fiberoptic bundles 312 and
are covered by the bottom valve body covet 324 which is also held
21 in place by any suitable fastening means, such as the interlock-
22 ~ ing shoulder assembly shown in Figi:~re 15. The fiberoptic bundles
23 ,312 extend through the main section 321 and terminate on the
24 interior of the main section 321 a.t the point in which the main
section 321 joins to the main section extension 329. This allows
26 the light emitting from the end of the fiberoptic bundles 312 to
16
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a ~
1 1~ interact with the end of the suction tip 380 as will be explained
2 further herein. As an alternative to the use of fiberoptic
3 bundles 312, any sui table light transmitting conduits may be
4 used; as few as one light transmitting conduit can be used as
long as the intensity of the light transmitted through the light
transmitting conduit to the suction tip and from.there into the
7 patient's oral cavity is sufficient to provide the desired amount
8 of illumination.
9 On each of the diametrically opposite sides of the valve
body 320, an aperture 327 is provided of sufficient diameter to
11 receive the rotating cylinder 350 therethrough when the dental
12 suction tool 300 is assembled. The =otating cylinder 354
13 comprises a cylinder body 354 hawing a passageway 356 there-
14 through and the rotating cylinder 3.50 is held in place insi3e the
valve body 320 by means o~~0 ring 355 and 0 ring 357. The
16 rotating cylinder 350 also has a c:ylinaer cep 352 which can be
17 gripped by tae user to effect rotation c. the rotting cylinder
18 350 to open and close the passageway 356 relative to the
19 passageway 318 to control the suction provided to the suction tip
380.
21 At one end of the main section 321 there is a main section
22 ~ . extension 329 that comprises a ho,Llow cylindrical body. This
23 main section extension 329 surrounds a bushing extension 330
24 which is press fit into a recess in the main section 321. The '
bushing extension 330 has a tip bushing 332 thereon. The tip
26 bushing 332 preferably has a circiunferential conical shape to
17
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1 receive the end of the suction tip 380 as will be explained
2 herein. The bushing extension 330 also has an internal passage-
3 way 331 aligned With the passageway 318. At the approximate
4 junction of the main section extension 330 with the main section
321, there is provided a groove 334 which receives an 0 ring 349_
6 Also provided is a tip holder 340 which is preferably a
7 conically-shaped member. The wide end of the tip holder 340 has
8 an interior circumferential shouldec 342 that cooperates with the
9 0 ring 349 to hold the tip holder 340 in place when it is
to assembled onto the valve body 320.
11 The tip holder 340 includes a suction tip passageway 3d8
12 which opens at the end of the tip .holder 340 and in which is
13 inserted the disposable suction tip 380.
14 The details of one of the preferred e_Tnbodiments of t~.e
sucticn tip,380 are shown in Figure 17. The suction tip 380 ~s
16 a generally cylindrical hollow member having at one end a beveled
17 section 382. At the opposite end ~~f the suction tip 380, There
18 are provided a plurality of finders 384: In the preferred
19 embodiment of the present invention, four slots 388 are sho~r~n
equally spaced around the circumfe:cence of the suction tip 380.
21 While the maximum depth of the slots 388 should not exceed the
22 ~ axial length of the tip holder 3~.~0 (in order to maintain the
23 vacuum inside the suction tip 380), the minimum depth of the
24 slots 388 should not be less than 0.125". The slots 388 create
a plurality of fingers 384 at the end of the suction tip 380.
26 The end of each finger 384 is provided with an interior shoulder
18
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CA 02494978 1998-03-19
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'1 386 of the appropriate size to interact with the tip bushing 332
2 on the bushing extension 330.
3 Figures 15 and, l6 show the assembly of the dental suction
4 tool 300. The 0 ring 349 is mounted into the groove 334. The
tip holder 340 is positioned over the bushing extension 330 and
6, is snapped into place by means o!= the shoulder 342 interacting
7 with the O ring 349. The end of the suction tip 380 having the
8 fingers 384 is inserted into tr~e tip holder 340 and pushed
9_ therein until the fingers 384 sp=vead out and hook over the tip
1~~ bushing 332 on the bushing extens:lon 330. The shoulders 386 on
11 the interior of the fingers 384 interact with the tip bushing 332
12 to prevent tze suction tip 380 frona simply falling out o~ the tip
13 holder 340, but the suction tip 3F90 is flexible enough to allow
14~ the suction tip 380 to be manually removed and replaced with a
new suction tip 380 when needed.
16 When~the suction tip 380 is inserted into the suction tip
17 passageway 348 of the tip holder 340 and pushed onto the tip
18 bushing 332, the end of the suction tip 380 is positioned
19 adjacent the ends of the fiberopt:ic bundles 312 so that light
emitting from the ends of the f:iberoptic bundles 312 can be
21 transmitted into the suction tip 3F~0.. By simply pulling out the
22 ' suction tip 380, a new suction tip 380 can be inserted into the
23 tip holder 340 for each new patient thereby maintaining a clean
24 and sanitary suction tool and then elimination of any possible
cross contamination between patients.
19
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1 Activation of the power supply transmits light through the
2 fiberoptic bundles 312. The light emitting from the fiberoptic
3 bundles 312 is transmitted along '.he length of the suction tip
4 380 and out the end thereof into t:he patient's oral cavity.
Other modifications can be wade to this embodiment. As
6 shown in Figure 18, the suction tip 380 can be made with a single
7 slot 388 instead of the four slots 388 shown in Figure 17. In
8 this single slot 388 embodiment, there is still enough flexibil-
9 ity in the plastic material so that the open end of the suction
tip 380 can expand around the ti~~ bushing 332 and be held in
11 place. As long as at least one slot 388 is used, the suction tip ,
12 380 is functional. More than one slot may also be used.
13 Figures 19 and 20 show another modification of the suction
14 tip 380 of the present invention. In this embodiment, the
-15 shoulder 386 is omitted and an internal groove 392 is used ir. its
i6 place. When the suction tip 380 is pushed onto the tip bushing
17 332, the tip bushing 332 sets into the internal groove 392 to
18 hold the suction tip 380 in place. One or more slots 388 are
19 required, such as the two diametri;.ally opposed slots 388 shown
in Figures 19 and 20. Additionally,. a vacuum relief aperture 394
21 can be provided at the closed end of the slot 388. Also, to
22 ~ provide additional gripping pressure on the suction tip 380, an
23 0 ring 396 can be included in the tip holder 390.
24 In the preferred embodiment of this modification, a clear '
plastic material that is light transmitting is used for the
26 suction tip 380. Suitable materials that can be used are
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1 acrylics, cellulosics and other light conducting plashcs.
2 While the invention has been illustrated with respect to
3 several specific embodiments ther~sof, these embodiments should
4 be considered as illustrative rai=her than limiting. Various
modifications and additions may be made a_~d will be apparent to
6 those skilled in the art. Accordingly, the invention should not
7 be limited by the foregoing description, but rather should be
8 defined only by the following claims.
21
