NEW DENTAL SUCTION-MIRROR TOOL

Abstract

The invention provides a disposable dental mirror tool combined with a dental suction device which can be an integral part of the tool or may be inserted into the tool, enabling simultaneously viewing the patient's mouth and cleaning debris formed during dental procedures.

Claims

1. A dental suction-mirror tool comprising a mirror frame with a disposable mirror, characterised in that said tool is capable of being attached onto a dental suction tube at an angle of about 40-60 relative to the mirror plane.

2. The tool according to claim 1, wherein the angle is 50.

3. The tool according to claim 1, wherein the disposable mirror is an adhesive anti-fog mirror suitable to be attached to the mirror frame.

4. The tool according to claim 3, wherein the mirror is made of a highly reflective thermoplastic polymer.

5. The tool according to claim 4, wherein the polymer is glycol-modified polyethylene terephthalate (PETG).

6. The tool according to claim 1, wherein the dental suction tube is any standard dental suction tube used in dentistry.

7. The tool according to claim 1, wherein the dental suction tube is an integral part of the tool, and together with the tool comprises a single unit.

8. The tool according to claim 6, wherein the dental suction tube is capable of being inserted into said tool when needed.

9. The tool according to any one of claims 1-8, wherein the dental suction tube is used as a handle.

10. The tool according to any one of claims 1-8, wherein said tool further comprises a handle.

11. The tool according to any one of claims 1-10, wherein said tool is disposable.

12. The tool according to any one of claims 1-11, wherein said tool is suitable for use by one hand.

13. Use of the dental suction-mirror tool of claim 1 for simultaneous viewing in the patient's mouth and cleaning debris formed during dental procedures.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0014] The present invention will be understood and appreciated more fully from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the appended figures.

[0015] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the dental suction-mirror tool.

[0016] FIG. 2 is a top view of the dental suction-mirror tool.

[0017] FIG. 3 is a front view of the dental suction-mirror tool.

[0018] FIG. 4 is a schematic perspective view of the dental suction-mirror tool with a handle.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0019] In the following description, various aspects of the invention will be described. For purposes of explanation, specific configurations and details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the invention. However, it will also be apparent to one skilled in the art that the invention may be practiced without the specific details presented herein. Furthermore, well-known features may be omitted or simplified in order not to obscure the invention.

[0020] The present invention relates to a dental suction-mirror tool comprising a mirror frame with a disposable mirror, characterised in that said tool is capable of being attached onto a dental suction tube at an angle of about 40-60 relative to the mirror plane. The dental suction tube can be any standard dental suction tube used during the dental procedures. It can be either an integral part of the dental suction-mirror tool, or inserted into said tool when needed.

[0021] The dental mirror tool of the invention is hand-held, means suitably sized, weighted and configured to be held in a dentist's hand during use, and to be manipulated by only one hand during the dental procedure. In fact, the dental mirror tool of the invention replaces the pair of tools, namely the mirror and the suction tube, which are used by any dentist today. This makes possible for a dentist to work without employing an assistant, who at the same time might be able to prepare the next step of the treatment independently. That would significantly reduce valuable time of the dental procedures. In addition, simultaneous use of the mirror and suction tool combined in one single instrument allows a dentist cleaning the debris formed during the dental procedure effectively and comfortably for a patient. This is because the dentist, who sees the treated area, knows exactly where and at which angle, the tool should be held and when the suction should be applied.

[0022] Thus, it is the object of the present invention to combine the dental mirror and suction tube in a single, one-hand-held instrument to allow a dentist to simultaneously view and clean the treated area without changing dental tools or interrupting the dental procedure.

[0023] Reference is now made to FIGS. 1-3 showing the perspective, top and front views of the new dental suction-mirror tool of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, disposable mirror 2 can be attached to mirror frame 1 via the bottom side of the mirror, which is adhesive. Mirror frame 1 is essentially round or oval and has a specifically designed, bent shape for the reasons explained below. Mirror frame 1 forms a direct support structure for disposable mirror 2. Any disposable dental suction tube 3 (not shown), which is available in the dentist's office, can be easily inserted into said mirror frame 1 at an angle of about 40-60 relative to the mirror plane. Suction tube 3 may serve as a handle for the dental suction-mirror tool.

[0024] As shown in FIG. 2, due to the very special design of the tool, disposable suction tube 3 can be inserted into mirror frame 1 only at specific angle 5 between the mirror plane and the longitudinal axis of the tube. Rotating the suction tube with the dental suction-mirror tool on it makes it possible to rotate the mirror in the patient's mouth in order to attain the required view. Angle 5 provides a free flow zone 6 for the liquid removed via suction tube 3, and therefore constitutes one of the major aspects of the present invention. According to the empirical calculations of the flow rate in the free flow zone 6 of the dental mirror tool, optimal liquid flow via suction tube 3 occurs when angle 5 is about 40-60, preferably 50, relative to the mirror plane. The term optimal means that the debris created during the dental procedure is effectively removed from the mirror head.

[0025] Disposable suction tube 3 has standard size and dimensions as most of the similar suction tubes used in dentistry, and hence, determines the size and dimensions of the mirror head and mirror frame 1. For example, for size 5 disposable suction mirror tool, the diameter of the suction tube is 8 mm. The tube can be easily inserted in the mirror frame and allows an effective suction of the liquid from the mirror, as described above.

[0026] Reference is now made to FIG. 4 showing the dental suction-mirror tool with a handle. This particular dental mirror tool comprises mirror frame 1, disposable mirror 2, optional suction tube 3 (not shown, but inserted inside the handle), and handle 4. Bended mirror frame 1 can be easily attached to, and detached from handle 4. Alternatively, both parts may constitute a disposable single continuous unit or piece of plastic or other material.

[0027] Optional handle 4 is used to manipulate the mirror. It may have any suitable geometrical shape and can be straight or curved. The handle may be flexible, smooth or contoured, and should be long enough to easily manipulate the mirror with one hand. A skilled artisan, given the benefits of the disclosure, will be able to select materials, geometries and dimensions for the handle suitable for an intended use. Disposable suction tube 3 is inserted and passed through handle 4. Since mirror frame 1 is bent at angle 5, the suction tube will be positioned at this very specific angle, and the suction will be optimal, as described above.

[0028] Disposable mirror 2 is a round or oval sticker having a reflective side and an adhesive side with the attached double-side adhesive tape used to stick the disposable mirror to the mirror frame for use in a dental procedure. In a further aspect of the invention, disposable mirror 2 is made of glycol-modified polyethylene terephthalate (PETG), which is a clear and highly reflective thermoplastic polymer. The PETG mirrors are anti-fog, lightweight, biocompatible, flexible, impact resistant and commercially available, for example under trade names Plaskolite, MirroPlast, Vivak and Soectar. These mirrors have adhesive back with the double-side adhesive tape and custom masking on front and back. One of the main virtues of the PETG products is that they are fully recyclable. Upon completion of the dental procedure, the dental mirror tool can be easily disposed.

[0029] In another aspect, the present invention relates to the use of the new dental mirror tool for simultaneous viewing in the patient's mouth and cleaning debris formed during dental procedures. The new tool can be used virtually in any dentist office or clinics and in any dental environment.

[0030] While certain features of the invention have been illustrated and described herein, many modifications, substitutions, changes, and equivalents will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art. For example, a dentist can hold more than one tool during the dental procedure. It means that the new dental suction mirror tool can be adapted for use by two hands, by three hands, by four hands or even by an assistant, if needed. It is, therefore, to be understood that the appended claims are intended to cover all such modifications and changes as fall within the true spirit of the invention.