Abstract: An aspirating dental device. An elongated sleeve member extends along a dental instrument to define an airflow passage having an inlet, adjacent the working end of the dental instrument, and an outlet. A vacuum source is connected to the airflow passage to cause air to flow therethrough, drawing water and waste with it. The sleeve member can extend over the dental instrument to define the airflow passage between the exterior surface of the dental intrument and the interior surface of the sleeve member. In such case, the sleeve member can be cut to provide a hinged cover portion openable to permit access to the working end of the dental instrument, for example for installation or removal of a dental bur. Alternatively, the sleeve member can extend along and contact a portion of the exterior surface of the dental instrument to define the airflow passage therebetween. As another alternative, the sleeve member can be a tube extending along the dental instrument.

Abstract: A hollow U-shaped rubber dam device which eliminates the need for a dental assistant to handle a suction tube to maintain a dry field of work and prevent water from a dental drill from running uncontrollably over the patient by providing a structure which by itself maintains a dry field for dental work. The device is constructed so as to provide a suction path through the hollow interior for connection to the standard suction coupling of a dental stand, and to accept the standard dental suction tube fitting as an easily attachable and detachable part. The hollow interior suction path includes means for cleaning out and sterilizing the interior passages formed within a portion of the body of the device. The device is suitably made of radio-transparent material, such as molded plastic, and may remain in place while X-rays are taken without producing shadows on the exposed X-ray film.

Abstract: An elongate, generally cylindrical, hollow cotton roll for use with metal or plastic aspirators or suction tubes for keeping an area dry in medicine and dentistry. The roll has an inner layer of an open mesh fabric which receives the end of the aspirator, a layer of cotton or synthetic roving surrounding the fabric layer, and a layer of braided yarn surrounding the roving to retain same. Also disclosed is a machine for manufacturing such a cotton roll in a continuous length.

Abstract: Dental suction apparatus is a modular construction, made up of a plurality of modules joined fluid-tight side-by side. A main suction duct extends through all of the modules. At least two of the modules have connection for suction hoses each having a suction nozzle, holders being provided on the modules for holding the suction nozzles when not in use. At least one module has a filter chamber connected between a suction tube and the main suction duct. A removable filter unit in the filter chamber has a basket-shaped filter on a stem by means of which the filter can be removed through on opening closed by a hinged cover. A cap on the stem provides a seal for the filter chamber. Flow of air from the suction tube of each suction tube module to the main suction duct is controlled by a valve in the form of a bellows provided with a telescopic guide and with a control valve for controlling the expansion and contraction of the bellows by differential pressure.

Abstract: This invention relates to a dental drill which includes a built in fluid conveying tube to supply a fluid in the form of water which becomes a mist when it strikes a rotating burr.The drill also includes a built in suction apparatus which can aspirate fluid and air from the area around the burr during the course of the drilling operation. The burr is usually driven by means of an air turbine, but the aspirated fluid-air mixture can be made to pass transversely across the turbine becoming the driving force for rotating the burr.