Suction device

Abstract

The invention relates to a suction device for intraoral use, comprising a suction line and a tongue protection, said suction line being bent substantially U-shaped, which are configured by a molded part, in particular integrally with one another. The suction tube comprises a connection which points mesially for a suction hose. In the course of the suction tube the connection is adjoined by an upper U-leg, a mesial U-central portion and a lower U-leg, said legs extending distally from the U-central portion. The lower U-leg comprises suction openings and is surrounded by a suction sponge which covers the suction openings. The suction tube terminates at the distal end of the lower U-leg in an end suction opening which is covered by the suction sponge.

Claims

1. A suction device for intraoral use comprising a suction line and a tongue protection, the suction line being bent substantially U-shaped, wherein the suction line, as a suction tube (18), and the tongue protection (16) are configured integrally with one another as a molded part (12), wherein the suction tube (18) comprises a connection (14) for a suction hose (84), which connection (14)) points mesially, wherein the connection (14) is adjoined by an upper U-leg (20), a mesial, U-central portion (22) and a lower U-leg (24), said U-legs extending away from the U-central portion (22) in a distally horizontal direction, wherein the lower U-leg (24) comprises suction openings and is surrounded by a suction sponge (80) extending around the lower U-leg (24) and covering the suction openings, and wherein the suction tube (18) at the distal end of the lower U-leg (24) terminates in an end suction opening (26) which is covered by the suction sponge (80).

2. The suction device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the molded part (12) is produced from plastic in a molding process comprising injection-molding or in an additive process comprising rapid prototyping.

3. The suction device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the suction sponge (80) extends to the upper U-leg (20) and abuts and pushes against the upper U-leg (20) and partially surrounds the upper U-leg (20).

4. The suction device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the suction sponge (80) comprises a greater width than the molded part (12), and/or wherein the height of the molded part (12) is larger than a diameter of the suction sponge.

5. The suction device as claimed in claim 4, wherein the suction sponge (80) comprises a width at least three times the width of the molded part (12).

6. The suction device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the tongue protection (16) extends adjacent to and above the upper leg (20) of the suction tube (18), and wherein the molded part (12) forms a tongue-friendly fillet at a transition between the suction tube (18) and the tongue protection (16).

7. The suction device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the suction openings (28, 30, 32, 34) are distributed around on a periphery of the lower U-leg (24) of the suction tube (18), of which at least one of the suction openings points to the bottom thereof, and wherein the upper U-leg (20) is free from suction openings (28, 30, 32, 34).

8. The suction device as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least one suction opening is adjacent to the central portion (22) and comprises a smaller cross-sectional area than a more distal suction opening of the suction openings.

9. The suction device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the end suction opening (26) extends over the distal front face of the suction line.

10. The suction device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the suction line tapers at the distal end of the lower U-leg (24) in a nozzle-shaped manner at the end.

11. The suction device as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least one suction opening which is configured at the lower U-leg (24) points to the upper U-leg (20).

12. The suction device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the suction sponge (80) extends substantially over the entire length of the lower U-leg (24) extending over at least 70% of the entire length, and surrounds the lower U-leg (24) and comprises a substantially trapezoidal cross-section.

13. The suction device as claimed in claim 1, wherein a retaining mandrel (40, 42) is configured at the lower U-leg (24) of the suction line and points in the mesial direction and engages the suction sponge (80) from the inside, and/or wherein a retaining mandrel (40, 42) is provided at the upper U-leg (20) which mandrel points to the lower U-leg (24) and is oriented mesially and engages the suction sponge (80) from the outside.

14. The suction device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the tongue protection (16) extends over substantially the total length extending over more than 70% of the length, of the upper U-leg (20) and runs therefrom to the top opposite the lower U-leg.

15. The suction device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the suction line is connected to a suction hose at the distal end of the upper U-leg (20) without adhesive.

16. The suction device as claimed in claim 15, wherein the suction hose comprises a stiffening element that extends therein comprising a wire which is bent to extend starting from the suction line along the alveolar ridge (86) distal to the rearmost molar (88) over the alveolar ridge (86) to the vestibular side, and guides the suction hose over this course to the extraoral side.

17. The suction device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the molded part (12) comprises at least two parts which fix the suction hose in a clamping manner when they are joined on top of one another.

18. The suction device as claimed in claim 17, wherein the parts are connected to one another pivotally by a film hinge (52), wherein the film hinge (52) is configured below the lower U-leg (24).

19. The suction device as claimed in claim 17, wherein the parts (50, 76) are connected with one another by means of anchoring elements which fix the parts (50, 76) to one another in an engaged manner.

20. The suction device as claimed in claim 19, wherein in the region of the tongue protection (16), one part (50, 76) snaps into the other part and penetrates it to form a substantially flush surface.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION

(1) Further advantages, details and features may be taken from the following description of several exemplary embodiments of the invention in conjunction with the drawings, in which:

(2) FIG. 1 shows a perspective illustration of a part of the inventive intraoral suction device, namely the molded part in a first embodiment;

(3) FIG. 2 shows a part of the inventive molded part according to FIG. 1, namely one half of the molded part in the unfolded state;

(4) FIG. 3 shows the complete unfolded molded part according to FIG. 2;

(5) FIG. 4 shows a schematic sectional view from the mesial side through the position and arrangement of the inventive suction device in another embodiment in the mouth of a patient;

(6) FIG. 5 shows a further embodiment of an inventive molded part, illustrated in the mouth of a patient, when viewed from the oral side;

(7) FIG. 6 shows a section through the embodiment according to FIG. 5; and

(8) FIG. 7 shows a perspective illustration of a part of the inventive intraoral suction device, namely the molded part in another embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(9) In FIG. 1 a part of an embodiment of an inventive suction device 10 is illustrated, namely a molded part 12. The molded part 12 is fabricated preferably of hard plastic and can be produced by injection molding. The suction device 10 comprises, besides the molded part 12 having a tongue protection and a suction line, also a suction hose 84 which is inserted in a connection 14 which is configured in the molded part 12, as well as a suction sponge 80 which is not illustrated in FIG. 1 and surrounds the lower region of the molded part 12.

(10) The molded part 12 itself comprises a tongue protection 16 and a suction tube 18. The suction tube 18 extends from the connection 14 in the manner of a flat and vertically extending U. Accordingly, the molded part 12 and thus the suction tube 18 comprises an upper U-leg 20, a U central portion 22 and a lower U-leg 24.

(11) The suction device 10 is intended for intraoral arrangement. Accordingly, in use the molded part 12 is applied in the interior of the mouth of a patient laterally below the tongue. In this connection, the U central portion 22 extends to the front, i.e. mesially, and the connection 14 to the rear, i.e. distally.

(12) The lower U-leg 24 terminates in an end suction opening 26. Additionally, the lower U-leg 24 comprises further suction openings 28, 30, 32 and 34 some of which extend to the bottom, and some of which to the top.

(13) Close to the end suction opening 26 the suction tube 18 runs slightly conically. Additionally, this conical region of the lower U-leg 24 protrudes further distally than the end of the connection 14 for the suction hose 84.

(14) The molded part 12 additionally comprises two or more retaining mandrels 40 and 42. In the illustrated exemplary embodiment they are arranged such that they face one another laterally at the U-legs 20 and 24 and point towards one another. The retaining mandrels 40 and 42 serve as an extraction protection for the suction sponge 80 not illustrated herein which is pulled upon the lower U-leg 24.

(15) As is apparent from FIG. 1, the entire molded part 12 is rounded and configured mouth-friendly and in particular also in the region of the tongue protection 16. The end suction opening 26 which seems to be sharp-edged is surrounded completely by the soft and elastic suction sponge 80 such that there is no risk of injuries here either.

(16) The U-shaped central portion 22 extends mesially below the tongue and is rounded strongly such that there is no risk of injuries here either.

(17) The embodiment of the inventive suction device 10 according to FIG. 1 in a part 50 is apparent from FIG. 2.

(18) In this exemplary embodiment, the molded part 12 is separable, and in FIG. 2 only a part 50 is apparent. Both parts are connected with one another by means of a film hinge 52. The film hinge 52 extends directly adjacent at the bottom of the lower U-leg 24.

(19) Here, as in the further Figures, the same reference numbers refer to the same or corresponding parts and do not require description again.

(20) As is apparent, the suction tube 18 extends in a U-shaped manner up to the connection 14. The connection 14 has a larger internal diameter than the rest of the suction tube 18. The wall thickness of the hose corresponds to the diameter difference such that on the inside there is a substantially flush transition between the suction tube 18 and the suction hose 84 not illustrated.

(21) Additionally, the connection 14 is provided with at least one rib which protrudes towards the inside and forms an anti-rotation mechanism for the suction hose 84.

(22) As is apparent from FIG. 2, several retaining collars 60, 62, 64, 66, 68 and 70 are provided as anchoring elements for fixing the parts 50 and 76 to each other which snap into a corresponding catch recess in the other part 76 of the molded part 12 illustrated in FIG. 3 and which fix the two parts on top of one another.

(23) An elevated embossing surface 74 is provided which may carry an inscription, for instance, and penetrates a corresponding recess in the other part, namely such that it is flush with the opposite side of the other part such that the tongue protection 16 comprises a smooth and flush surface altogether.

(24) The molded part 12 with the two parts 50 and 76 is apparent from FIG. 3 in the unfolded state. While the two parts 50 and 76 are rigid and allow for the desired mechanical strength, the film hinge 52 is made of the same plastic in a way known per se, but so thin that it forms a hinge function.

(25) In the exemplary embodiment illustrated the molded part 12 is made of one piece and may be produced accordingly in one piece as an injection-molded part.

(26) It is apparent from FIG. 4 how a suction sponge 80 surrounds the lower U-leg 24 of the molded part 12. In the exemplary embodiment illustrated, the suction sponge 80 is substantially trapezoidal, wherein it is to be understood that any other shapes are also possible. It extends up to the upper U-leg 20 from which a retaining mandrel 40 points towards the bottom. The retaining mandrel 40 engages the suction sponge 80 and fixes it against removal.

(27) As is apparent, the tongue protection 16 keeps a schematically illustrated tongue 82 of a patient away laterally.

(28) The illustration according to FIG. 4 is shown from distally to mesially, and a suction hose 84 is inserted in a connection 14 of the molded part 12. The suction hose 84 runs initially further to the distal side and is then bent towards the top such that the suction hose 84 above the alveolar ridge 86 may cross the alveolar ridge 86 distally at the rearmost molar 88. In the vestibular region the suction hose 84 is redirected towards the mesial side such that it may leave the mouth of the patient.

(29) The illustrated shape of the suction hose 84 is ensured by means of a shape-holding wire 90 which is illustrated as a shape-holding wire 90 in FIG. 5 but which is not illustrated in FIG. 4.

(30) It is further apparent from FIG. 5 that in another embodiment the suction sponge 80 may run substantially cylindrically. An end suction opening 26 of the suction tube 18 is covered by the suction sponge 80. In this embodiment, only at the upper U-leg 20 of the suction tube 18 retaining mandrels 40 are realized which engage the suction sponge 80 and fix it.

(31) In this embodiment the tongue protection 16 is slightly extended by a soft cap 92. It comprises substantially the same stiffness as the molded part 12 as for the rest, but has a softer surface appearance or finish which is perceived to be pleasant by the patient.

(32) By means of lands and grooves which are not illustrated the cap 92 is connected with the rest of the molded part 12 undetachably; the connection may be realized purposefully by injection molding in the injection mold.

(33) As is apparent, in this embodiment the suction tube 18 extends in a slightly tapered fashion to the end suction opening 26, i.e. with a decreasing internal diameter. Tapering is effected such that the flow rate is high at the end suction opening 26 which favors absorption of liquids at the lowest intraoral position in the mouth of the patient.

(34) It is apparent from FIG. 6 how the embodiment according to FIG. 5 is illustrated in a mesially/distally extending section. It is apparent that the suction sponge 80 has a substantially larger width than the molded part 12. The height of the molded part 12 including the tongue protection 16 is considerably larger than the diameter of the suction hose 84 such that a good suction effect is achieved on the one hand, and the tongue protection 16 keeps away the tongue of the patient from the treatment area on the other hand.

(35) FIG. 7 shows a slightly modified embodiment compared to the solution according to FIG. 1. Additional anchoring elements 86 and 88 are provided, namely at the U-shaped central portion 22 and at the upper U-leg 20, directly adjacent to the connection 14.

(36) They are configured in an elongated fashion and extend along the suction tube 18.

(37) In addition, numerous snap-fits 94 are arranged in a distributed fashion. Among others, two snap-fits 94 are provided adjacent to the connection 18. They keep the parts 50 and 76 pretensioned to one another in this area such that the suction hose 84 is held undetachably in the connection 18.