Abstract: A disposable saliva ejector which has a formable hollow tube (40) with a tip (42) on the end with openings for drawing in saliva. The tube has a beveled hole (46) near the top through which single-integral instruments such as a scaler or a rotary instrument such as a polishing brush may be cleaned of debris and the hole may be varied in size by bending outwardly or inwardly. A finger over the hole also may vary suction within the tube for manual volume control. The tip includes a guard (48) of a flat and resilient material preventing tissue aspiration into openings in the tip. Waste materials are trapped inside the tube with teeth (58), fingers (6) or shelves (62) that project inwardly. Debris may also be trapped by a loop (66) or S-shaped bend (68) in the tube itself. The ejector is disposed of after use on singular patient.

Abstract: A method of preventing a back flow of oral contaminants in a low volume suction line of a dental saliva ejector is described. This method consists of the single step of placing a vacuum release aperture through a tubular sidewall of a saliva ejector tip. The aperture is spaced from a mouthpiece of the saliva ejector tip such that when the mouthpiece is inserted into a patient's mouth, the patient's mouth will not block the aperture.

Abstract: A suction device is disclosed comprising a molded plastic handle having a suction bore therethrough and a spigot for connection to the hospital suction source. The device further comprises a probe having a suction passage therethrough and terminating in a suction tip. At its proximal end the probe is formed with a male thread which threadedly engages in internal threads provided at an enlarged entrance portion of the handle. The proximal end of the probe terminates in an end member which fits within a reception bore located between the front bore and the suction bore of the handle. The dimensions of the end member are such that there is an annular space between the reception bore and the end member and this space connects through an opening through the suction bore. The handle has a controllable suction port whereby the suction at the tip can be controlled. This port opens into the annular space downstream of the connection between the opening and the suction bore.

Abstract: An instrument for discharging water from the mouth during a dental treatment, has an ovoid, smooth-surface, edge free hollow water collection body with a front surface facing outwardly of the mouth and a rear surface facing toward the throat inlet of the mouth. Two rows of orifices are provided on the rear surface and alternately on the rear and front surfaces for receiving a water mixture from the patient's mouth. A mounting tube projects from the front surface and at at an angle to the axis of the body for connection to a water discharge tube for drawing water from the body.

Abstract: A filtering suction nozzle particularly adapted for use in connection with a dental or medical suction system. The nozzle is suited for use as a high speed suction tip and/or a saliva ejector formed of an elongate tube defining a fluid flow path therethrough. Filtering means are arranged within the tube in the flow path of any fluid passing therethrough, and coupling means are arranged at one end of the tube to connect the tube to a suction line from a suction source. The tube may be formed with flexible pleats to facilitate bending. According to the method of the invention, filtering means are arranged in the flow path of any existing suction nozzles to thereby reduce debris collection in the suction system and minimize possible patient infection from previously collected debris.

Abstract: A device for irrigating the teeth and bucal tissues comprises a flexible laminar adaptor for placement between the lips and teeth. The adaptor is provided with irrigation nozzles connected to a water supply, and an outlet connected to a drain. The entire mouth is irrigated, as the teeth are not enclosed.

Abstract: A dental appliance for attachment to an aspirator operated by power vacuum means wherein the aspirator projecting into the mouth of a patient to evacuate fluid and debris therefrom is provided with a generally cup shaped double-walled receptacle providing a container to receive drippings of excess fluids or debris not caught by the tube portion projected into the mouth of the patient, power vacuum means associated therewith to provide passage of the same through openings in a lowermost wall of the container into tubular means associated therewith projecting upwardly of the receptacle and communicating with the vacuum means.

Abstract: A device for aspirating fluids from a body cavity or hollow organ. The device includes an elongated tube having a proximal opening adapted to be coupled to a suctioning device. The elongated tube also has a portion spaced from the proximal opening to be positioned in the cavity or organ. The portion is convolved about a central axis and has at least one aspirating port facing inwardly of the convolved portion for spacing the at least one aspirating port from the walls of the cavity or organ.

Abstract: A dental appliance for attachment to an aspirator operated by power vacuum means wherein the tube projecting into the mouth of a patient to evacuate fluid and debris therefrom is provided with openings of preferably funnel shape disposed in spaced relation about the circumference of the tube and positioned adjacent to a generally cup shaped receptacle secured or integral with the tube to catch drippings therefrom of excess fluids or debris not caught by the tube portion projected into the mouth of the patient to prevent splashing therefrom.

Abstract: An oral evacuation device and method is adapted for use in conjunction with a dam frame and a dam sheet, which overlie an operating area of the patient's mouth on which a selected procedure is to be performed. The oral evacuation device includes a hollow evacuation tube, having a first end shaped to communicate with a source of suction, and a second end which is flexible and has perforations along its length through which materials, such as saliva, debris, and the like are aspirated. The perforated end of the evacuation tube is threaded through two mating apertures in the dam sheet to form a flexible loop on the bottom side of the dam sheet. In use, the shape and orientation of the evacuation tube is adjusted to conform comfortably with the shape and oriientation of the patient's mouth, and extends into a rearward, lower portion of the patient's mouth in which saliva collects.

Abstract: An oral screening tool for use in dentistry consists of an elastic sheet pressed on three sides by an elastic two-way aspirating frame fitted to a central exhaust which includes at least one aspirator for local suction purpose. The sheet is centrally held by the tooth and, owing to its elastic nature, forms a cavity for the collection of liquids. Use of a flexible frame allows adjustment of its shape, access to the oral cavity and does not hinder breathing. The tool can be handled by a single operator and automatically performs liquid elimination.

Abstract: A dental aspirator tube comprises a tubular handle having a tip at one end for insertion into a patient's mouth and which is adapted to be connected at its other end via a length of flexible tubing to suction equipment. The tip is formed by a bent tube which is securely fixed to the tubular handle. The flexible tubing is detachably connected to the handle via a tapered or graduated connector section. The tip handle and connector are preferably formed as an integral plastics structure.

Abstract: A suction device such as a dental aspirator comprises a plastic tube (10) with a plurality of suction orifices (21). In accordance with the invention, at least one portion of the tube is provided with ridges and intermediate grooves (20). A plurality of small suction orifices (21) are made at least at the bottoms of the grooves, these orifices lying protected against clogging by the mucous membrane in the patient's oral cavity. The ridges and grooves comprise bellows-like folds with sides (16, 17) of different extension, so that the narrower sides (16) can be snapped in under the wide sides (17) when compressing the bellows-like portion.

Abstract: A self-stabilizing intra-oral saliva evacuator insertable astride the mandibular and maxillary arches to hold the oral cavity open and to maintain the upper and lower molars dry and isolated from contact with the lingual and buccal tissues so long as the evacuator is in place. The semi resilient tempered main body is supported solely by the teeth and a major portion thereof is embraced by flexible tubing connected to evacuating facilities and is provided with strategically located orifices to remove saliva and maintain a particularly copious flow of ambient drying air over the adjacent dental surfaces. The two-part main body, though a permanent assembly, can be readily adjusted to accommodate a range of different oral cavity configurations.

Abstract: The invention relates to a tracheal suction catheter comprising a flexible tube whose outermost portion has a side bend forming a knee on the tube, an aperture being provided in the tube wall adjacent the knee.The object of the invention is to provide a construction reducing as much as possible the risk of the catheter being clamped to the mucosa, and according to the invention this is achieved by the tube wall immediately around said aperture being sunk with respect to the cylindrical surface of the tube. Suction from the mucosa is thus spread over a greater area, and the aperture itself is spaced from the mucosa ensuring that the mucosa is not damaged, neither during insertion nor during suction.

Abstract: A variable diameter aspirating tip adapted to be connected at the end of a suction hose which comprises a conduit section having connected to one end a nozzle formed of a flexible material which defines an orifice capable of expanding between a minimal diameter and a maximal diameter. An expander, slidably disposed within the flexible nozzle, is connected to an actuator. The expander is normally proportioned so as to have a diameter greater than the minimal diameter of the orifice. By effecting relative displacement between the expander and the nozzle, the size or diameter of this orifice is varied accordingly.