SINGLE-PIECE SUCTION MIRROR

Abstract

A dental suction mirror for suctioning liquids and particles from an oral cavity includes a tubular hollow main body having inner and outer surfaces, a longitudinal axis, a connection opening for a tube, and a suction opening. The inner surface has a mirror that can be observed at least in some regions through the suction opening, and has a mirror surface and a rear side. The main body is configured as a single piece and includes, in its inner surface in the suction opening region, a mirror receptacle configured as a recess and in which the mirror is held in a locking manner. A method for producing a suction mirror includes at least manufacturing a base body with a mirror-accommodating portion and inserting the mirror by pressing it into the mirror-accommodating portion such that an elastic upper retaining shoulder is pressed outwards and contacts an upper face thereof.

Claims

1. A dental mirror suction device for suctioning liquids and particles from an oral cavity of a patient, the dental mirror suction device comprising: a tubular hollow base body having an inner surface, an outer surface, a longitudinal axis, a connection opening for a hose, and a suction opening, wherein the inner surface has a mirror, which is viewable at least in some portions through the suction opening, with a mirror surface and a mirror back, wherein the base body has a single-piece configuration and has in the inner surface, in the region of the suction opening, a mirror-accommodating portion, which is configured as a depression and in which the mirror is positively retained.

2. The dental mirror suction device according to claim 1, wherein the mirror-accommodating portion, starting from an underside of the base body, narrows in the direction towards the suction opening, and an inner wall of the mirror-accommodating portion forms a retaining shoulder contacting an upper face of the mirror and retaining the mirror in the mirror-accommodating portion.

3. The dental mirror suction device according to claim 2, wherein the retaining shoulder contacts the upper face over the entire circumference.

4. The dental mirror suction device according to claim 1, wherein the mirror is formed in a circular manner.

5. The dental mirror suction device according to claim 1, wherein the mirror is retained without adhesive.

6. The dental mirror suction device according to claim 1, wherein the base body is made from plastic.

7. A method for producing a dental mirror suction device for suctioning liquids and particles from an oral cavity of a patient, with a hollow base body having an outer surface, an inner surface, a longitudinal axis and a suction port, wherein the inner surface has a mirror viewable in at least some portions through the suction port, the method including the following steps: manufacturing a base body with a mirror-accommodating portion, which is configured as a depression and has a substantially peripherally extending, elastic upper retaining shoulder, for the mirror, and inserting the mirror from above by pressing it into the mirror-accommodating portion in such a way that the upper retaining shoulder, due to its elasticity, is first pressed outwards by the mirror and then contacts an upper face of the mirror and retains the mirror in the mirror-accommodating portion.

8. The method according to claim 7, wherein the mirror is configured in a manner tapering conically in cross section, wherein the cross section decreases from the mirror surface in the direction towards the back of the mirror.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0023] The disclosure is explained further with reference to the following Figures. They merely show exemplary embodiments; the disclosure is not supposed to be limited thereto.

[0024] In the Figures:

[0025] FIG. 1: shows a mirror suction device according to the disclosure from above,

[0026] FIG. 2: shows the mirror suction device according to the disclosure of FIG. 1 from the side,

[0027] FIG. 3: shows the mirror suction device according to the disclosure of FIG. 1 in a longitudinal section, and

[0028] FIG. 4: shows an enlargement of the region A from FIG. 3.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0029] As is apparent, in particular, from FIGS. 1 to 3, a mirror suction device 10 according to the disclosure 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 the latter is easier to guide towards the site to be treated.

[0030] 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.

[0031] According to the disclosure, a mirror 22, which is viewable at least in some portions through the suction opening 20, is disposed within the base body 12 in the region of the suction opening 20. Accordingly, a visible mirror surface 24 faces towards the suction opening 20. Preferably, the mirror 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; however, it may be disposed in some portions in front of the suction opening 20. The suctioned air is guided over the mirror surface 24, whereby fogging of the mirror surface 24 is effectively prevented.

[0032] The mirror suction device 10 has 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.

[0033] 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.

[0034] FIGS. 3 and 4 show a mirror-accommodating portion 48 into which the mirror 22 is inserted in the assembled state. An inner wall 30 of the opening 28 surrounds the mirror 22 and abuts against an outer wall of the mirror 22 at least in some portions. The opening 28 narrows starting from an underside 42 of the base body in the direction towards the suction opening 20 and forms a retaining shoulder 40.

[0035] In cross section, the mirror 22 may also be configured to be approximately trape-zoidal zoidal at least in some portions, so that its diameter increases at least in some portions, starting from the mirror surface 24 in the direction towards an underside of the base body 42. This shape simplifies the insertion or snap-in attachment in the mirror-accommodating portion 48. In this case, the retaining shoulder 40 rests against the outer circumference, which narrows in the direction towards the mirror surface 24.

[0036] In an enlarged illustration of the region A from FIG. 4, FIG. 4 illustrates that the upper retaining shoulder 40 surrounds the entire outer wall 36 of the mirror 22 and seals a space next to and below the mirror 22. The seal is improved by means of a bias of the upper retaining shoulder 40. This means that the mirror 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. Advantageously, the back of the mirror has a smaller diameter in cross section than the outermost diameter of the mirror-accommodating portion 48 in the region of the retaining shoulder 40.

[0037] The disclosure 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.