Disposable aspirator

Abstract

The invention relates to a dental mirror suction device (10) for suctioning liquids and particles from an oral cavity of a patient, with a tubular hollow base body (12) having an inner surface (14), an outer surface (16), a longitudinal axis (X-X), a connection opening (18) for a hose, and a suction opening (20). The inner surface (14) has a mirror-coated surface (24) which is viewable through the suction opening (20) and which is arranged such that the oral cavity is viewable at least in some portions. The mirror suction device (10) is configured as a disposable mirror suction device.

Claims

1. A dental mirror suction device (10) for suctioning liquids and particles from an oral cavity of a patient, with a tubular hollow base body (12) having an inner surface (14), an outer surface (16), a longitudinal axis (X-X), a connection opening (18) for a hose, and a suction opening (20), wherein the inner surface (14) has a mirror member (22) with a mirror-coated surface (24) which is viewable through the suction opening (20) and which is arranged such that the oral cavity is viewable at least in some portions, wherein the tubular hollow base body (12) has a mirror-accommodating portion 48 with a mirror opening (28); the mirror suction device (10) is configured as a disposable mirror suction device; the base body (12) consists of only a single part formed integrally and made of a single material; and wherein the mirror-coated surface (24) is comprised of a portion of the inner surface (14) that is substantially planar and is coated with a reflective material, wherein the reflective material is a vapor-coat with chromium, or a reflective paint; wherein the mirror opening is made of an elastic material and the mirror member (22) has a larger diameter than the mirror opening (28) such that the mirror member (22) is frictionally held in the tubular hollow base body (12).

2. The method in accordance with claim 1, wherein an inner wall (30) of the mirror opening (28) forms an upper support shoulder (40) which makes contact with an outer wall (36) of the mirror member (22).

3. The method in accordance with claim 2, wherein the upper support shoulder (40) is formed by a first base body part (32) and surrounds an entire outer circumference of the mirror member (22).

4. The method in accordance with claim 2, wherein the upper support shoulder (40) prevents the mirror member, from projecting upwards beyond a floor surface within the base body in the suction opening and from being released out of the base body.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) The invention is explained further with reference to the following figures. They merely show exemplary embodiments; the invention is not supposed to be limited thereto.

(2) In the Figures:

(3) FIG. 1: shows a mirror suction device according to the invention from above,

(4) FIG. 2: shows the mirror suction device according to the invention of FIG. 1 from the side,

(5) FIG. 3: shows the mirror suction device according to the invention of FIG. 1 in a longitudinal section,

(6) FIG. 4: shows an enlargement of the region A from FIG. 3,

(7) FIG. 5: shows a mirror in a side view,

(8) FIG. 6: shows a simplified illustration of the front region of the mirror suction device from below.

DESCRIPTION OF SPECIFIC EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

(9) As is apparent, in particular, from FIGS. 1 to 3, a mirror suction device 10 according to the invention has a hollow, tubular base body 12 with an inner surface 14 and an outer surface 16. Moreover, the base body 12 has a longitudinal axis X-X (see FIG. 1). The arc shape of the mirror suction device 10, which is recognizable particularly in FIGS. 2 and 3, is advantageous in that it is easier to guide towards the site to be treated.

(10) The base body 12 has a connection opening 18 for a hose, which is not shown, and a suction opening 20 for suctioning particles and liquids. The liquids or particles to be suctioned off are sucked through the connection opening 20 and carried away through the connection opening 18 via the hose.

(11) According to the invention, a mirror member 22, which is viewable through the suction opening 20, is disposed within the base body 12 in the region of the suction opening 20. Accordingly, the visible mirror surface 24 faces towards the suction opening 20. The mirror member 22 is disposed in its entirety within the base body 12, i.e. behind the suction opening 20 as viewed in the flowing direction of the air to be suctioned off. The suctioned air is guided over the mirror surface 24, whereby fogging of the mirror member surface 24 is effectively prevented.

(12) The mirror member 22 according to the invention is preferably formed from either a reflective metal disk or a plastic disk provided with a reflective film or another coating applied thereto. In particular, the coating can be produced by evaporation, preferably with chromium.

(13) The mirror suction device 10 may have additional openings 26 through which air is also suctioned. The additional openings 26 prevent a negative pressure within the base body 12 if the suction opening 20 is sealed by the tongue or cheek of the patient, for example. Three additional openings 26 are provided in the exemplary embodiment, however, only a single additional opening 26 or even more than three additional openings 26 are also conceivable.

(14) Profile members 38, which provide for a safe grip of the mirror suction device 10 and prevent the fingers of the attending dentist from slipping, are discernible on the outer surface 16 of the base body 12.

(15) FIGS. 3 and 6 show that the base body 12 is formed from a first base body part 32 and a second basic body part 34. The first base body part 32 has a mirror-accommodating portion 48 with an opening 28, in which the mirror member 22 is inserted in the assembled state. An inner wall 30 of the opening 28 surrounds the mirror member 22 and abuts against an outer wall 36 of the mirror member 22 at least in some portions. The opening 28 tapers starting from an underside 42 of the base body in the direction towards the suction opening 20. The opening 28, on the side thereof facing towards the underside 42 of the base body, has a diameter greater than the diameter of the mirror member 22. This is required for the mirror member 22 to be insertable into the mirror-accommodating portion 48.

(16) In cross section, the mirror member 22 is configured to be approximately trapezoidal at least in some portions (see FIG. 5), so that its diameter increases at least in some portions, starting from the mirror member surface 24 in the direction towards an underside of the base body 42. The mirror member 22 has a mirror back 46 facing away from the visible mirror surface 24. FIG. 5 shows an embodiment in which the mirror member 22 has a machine diameter in the vertical direction, about in the lower third. This shape simplifies the insertion or snap-in attachment in the mirror-accommodating portion 48. A lower retaining shoulder abuts against the lower region of the outer wall 36.

(17) In an enlarged illustration of the region A from FIG. 4, FIG. 4 illustrates that an upper retaining shoulder 40 surrounds the entire outer wall 36 of the mirror member 22 and seals a space next to and below the mirror member 22. The seal is improved by means of a bias of the upper retaining shoulder 40. This means that the mirror member 22, when it is inserted into the first base body part 32, is pressed against the upper retaining shoulder 40 and the latter is minimally compressed or elastically deformed.

(18) Furthermore, this variant of an embodiment is advantageous in that the mirror member 22 is embedded almost flush into a bottom surface 44.

(19) FIG. 6 shows the front area of the mirror suction device 10 with a view of the underside 42 of the base body. The second base body part 34 (hatched), which seals the opening 28, is visible.

(20) The invention is not limited to the exemplary embodiments described, but also includes all embodiments acting in an equivalent way. The above-described variant of an embodiment is to be understood only as an example, and not as limiting. It is also possible to combine the technical features shown in any technically meaningful manner.