US2253143A - Dental aspirator - Google Patents

Description

Aug. 19,v 1941. H, R SEGEL 2,253,143

DENTAL ASPIRATOR Filed Aug. 5, 1940 Patented ug. 19, 1941 `UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE DENTAL ASPIRATR Harry P. Siegel, Brooklyn, N. Y. Application August 3, 1940, Serial No. 350,315

1 Claim.

This invention relates to improvements in dental aspirators and is designed to be used as an instrument for removing and trapping secretions of the mouth, blood and other debris resulting from dental Work.

An object of the invention is to provide an aspirator adapted to be readily attached to commonly employed dental equipment known as an air cut-off, and to thereby be capable of manipulation with one hand of 'a dentist while his other hand is free to handle other instruments.

Another object of the invention is to provide means for detaching the suction nozzle of the aspirator for purposes of sterilization, and for the substitution of nozzles differing in size of apertures therethrough, or in length and shape, and without disturbing the integrity of the necessary tight joint rbetween such nozzles and cooperating parts of the device.

A further object of the inventionresides in means for adjusting the angle of presentation of the suction nozzle for greater convenience in reaching certain parts of the mouth of a patient while still maintaining the tight joint.

Other advantageous features and objects of the invention are hereinafter set forth.

Heretofore saliva ejectors, or other forms of dental equipment utilized for removing secretions of the mouth during the work of preparing cavities in the teeth for filling, have been largely dependent upon connection with running water in order to obtain the desired suction. Such devices are wasteful, and not only too clumsy but impractical for the purpose set forth herein.

This invention is also useful in mouth or nose surgery, or,other minor forms of surgical operations where it is similarly desirable to promote better vision by the removal of accumulations of blood in the working area during the operation, and particularly with respect to coagulation tending to seriously interfere with the work of the surgeon. The device is effective with respect to the remo-val of the apex of a broken root of a tooth, solids in suspension in the saliva, or other forms of debris that may occur, such as bone splinters resulting from an extraction. Furthermore cavities in the teeth under treatmentmay be conveniently dried and debris removed therefrom without the shock to a patient that frequently happens when a jet of air is directed into a sensitive cavity, and also with less danger of infection.

The invention consists of a special cap for attachment to a glass jar, or other suitable receptacle, having a suction nozzle and an injection nozzle together with an exhaust pipe, all forming component parts of said cap, and symmetrically arranged in transverse alignment so as not to interfere with the line of vision of the operator, the nozzles being positioned diametri cally opposite but pointed in a similar direction. The rear end of the injection nozzle extends beyond the periphery of the cap and is adapted to be engaged by and secured to a fitting carried by the air cut-olf, and which latter may thus be employed as a handle for manipulating the device.

In the drawing illustrating a suitable ernbodi` ment of the invention,

Figure 1 is a side elevation, on a reduced scale,V

of my improved dental aspirator shownattached to a dental air cut-off fixture.

Figure 2 is a detail plan view of the `bayonet slide'for attaching the suction nozzle of vthe device` 1 Figure 3 `is a central vertical section of the device of Figure 1 with the air cut-off shown broken away, and,

Figure 4 is a rear elevation with the jar omitted, and the injection nozzle shown `in cross section.

Referring now in detail to the drawing, Il)r designates a cap or body member having an annular depending skirt portion II which is internally threaded, as at I2, for engagement with external threads I3 ofthe neck I4 of a jar I5, the latter being preferably made of amber glass, or which may otherwise be made of clear glass` with a frosted finish, with a view in either case to hiding from the patient any objectionable exposure of the contents resulting from the use of the device. A gasket I5 beneath the top wall of the member I0 provides for a tight joint between the same and the top of the neck I4 of the jar when the engaging threads are tightened.

The body member I0 is a casting and includes a projection I5 extending upwardly fro-m and partly across the ilat top of member I0. The rear wall I'l of the projection I6 is flattened and substantially flush with the outer surface of skirt II. The forward wall I8 is provided with an opening I8' for the insertion therein of one end of an air exhaust pipe I9, which may be secured in place `by` solder to obtain an air-tight joint. Pipe I9 is C-shaped, curving upwardly and rearwardly over the projection I to provide a suitable hook by means of which the device may be conveniently suspended beneath a dental table whennot in use. vIt will be noted that the open discharge end 20 of the pipeV I9 is directed 2 toward the rear of the device and therefore away from the face of the patient, to permit the inoffensive escape of any unpleasant odors emanating from the contents of the jar.

Projection I5 is bored from the rear Wall inwardly, asat 2|, for the reception of the shank 22 of an air injection nozzle 23 having a shoulder 24 adapted to engage the rear wall |1, for determining the proper position of the nozzle within the opening 2|. Solder is employed to effect a tight joint between engaging surfaces. Forward of the shank 22 the nozzle is reduced in diameter, as at 25, to provide clearance circumferentially thereof within the opening 2|. The inner end of the nozzle is tapered to a blunt point.

Y At its other end, and beyond the shoulder 24 there is provided an extension ZBterminating in a head 21 forming a shoulder 28 for a purpose which will presently appear.

The forward end of opening 2| is frustoconical in shape, as shown at' 2|', the annular walls thereof being substantially parallel with those of the tapered end of nozzle 23, but spaced therefrom. -Nozzle 23 is hollow to provide a passageway 30 the walls o f which taper rearwardly through the projection 26 and the head 21. `The opposite pointed end of the nozzle is pierced by a relatively small opening 3l communicating withrthe passageway 3D., An opening 32 in the top wall of member lI0 provides a port for the passage of air from the jar I5 .into opening 2|, and through another port 33 leading to the opening I8' and pipe [9, and thence to atmosphere through the-open` end A2|) of pipel9.-

A suction inletpipe 34' extends through an `opening in the top wall of member lil in alignment `with and opposite the forward'end of theV projectionl, vand is secured by solder, as indi cated at 34', to prevent any leakage'of air into the jar around the pipe. The lower end of pipe been strung thereon. This is easily accomplished by moving the slide a sufficient distance along pipe 34 to uncover its forward end.

It will now be apparent that when the nozzle 31 has been inserted in the end of pipe 34, and slide 38 has been moved forwardly, the pins 42 will enter the bayonet slots 4|, and the spring 4|] will be compressed between the rear wall 39 and shoulder 36, and upon partial rotation of the slide to the position shown in Figure 2, the parts will so vremain until such time as it is desired to remove the nozzle by reversing the described operation.

The Yforward end 31' of nozzle 31 is bent at an angle of approximately degrees, and is tapered to provide a reductionV in diameter at its extremity, and likewise a suitable reduction in the diameter of the opening therethrough.

In Figure 1 there is shown a portion of a dental fixture known as an air cut-off consisting of a hollow cylindrical handle `connected to arvalve 5| at its upper extremityhaving a control button 52 adapted Vto be depressed by the thumb to open thet valve Yand admit air under compression coming from a source of supply through a hose 53, such as a drum, not shown. Leading from Valve 5| in a plane at a Vright Y angle to the axis of the handle 58, is a nozzle 34 projects beyond the bottom of skirt Vso, as

to be comparatively remote from the port 32,

yet leaving ample clearance above accumulations in the jar |5,'a`nd is inclined at an angle to the axis vof the'jar as shown. Above the top wall of the body member the pipe 34 curves upwardly and forwardly into ,a plane that is slightly above the horizontal, anditerminates in an annulus 35 of greater diameter than the pipe to provide a shoulder 36. The upper end of pipe 34 is tapered internally to receive the externally taper-ed rear end of a detachable suction nozzle 31. Means are provided for coupling the nozzle 31 to the pipe 34 under tension so that the engaging tapered surfacesgwill be effective to form a substantially air-tight joint about which nozzle 31 may be rotated without disturbing the integrity of the joint. For this purpose a bayonet slide 38 is provided, and is mounted looselyon the forward end of ypipe 34 over thev annulus 35. Pipe 34 passes through an opening inthe rear Wall 39` ofV theslide 3,8, and which rear wall serves as an abutment for one endrof a -coil spring 43 within the slide 38, that' surrounds the adjacent 3 endY of pipe34. Slide 33 is provided with bayonet slots 4|" which are diametrically opposedV adja' centv its forward end, and adapted to engage similarly disposed pins 42 projecting radially V.from adjacent the rear endof the nozzler31. It

54 having a tapered end adapted to iit within the tapered end ofV passageway 39 within the extension 25. Nozzle 54 is Vthreaded for engagement with a nut 55, thus adjustable axially of the nozzle. Pivoted-to'the nut 55 at 55 is a spring clip 51 of looped formation, and having a bifurcated end 58.

The device of this invention may be readily attached to the dental cut-off by inserting the nozzle 54 in the tapered opening in the end of the extension 26, and then Vswinging the Yclip 51 about its pivot 55 in a counterclockwise direction which *will bring the bifurcated end 58 of the` clip'rinto engagement with the shoulder 28 of the head 21 at opposite sides of extension 26. Thus the engaging parts of the joint are held in position under tension, and Vatightunion is effected. By swinging the clip 51'in a clockwise direction the elements may be instantly disconnected. The functioning of the device is as follows: I After the connection has been establishedwith the.` air cutoifY and button 52 is depressed, air under an'available compression of from 20 to 40 pounds will pass through the valve 5|, nozzle 23, and out` through pipe I9, thus creating a t suction of air from within the jar' I5 through the port 32, as indicated by the arrows in Figure 3. Air thus displaced from the jar |5"will setup a iiow of air through the nozzle 31 and pipe 34 in the direction of the arrows, so thatV any fluids, dust,` or otherdebris within the eld of the opening at the tip of the end 31' will be drawn into Athe jar I5 Vand trapped therein.

`Nozzle 23 is capable of setting up a vacuum of lright position for the purpose intended, and

because nozzle 31 isrotatablefand in addition has the oilset end 31', itsangle of presentation to the different parts of the oral cavity may be infinitely varied at 'the`will'of the operator while the jar is held in the substantially upright p0-;

sition necessary to prevent any loss of its contents.

The device may thus be used as an instrument for removing secretions tending to obstruct the Vision of the operator, or other substances. The suction nozzle may be removed for sterilization, and the jar may be emptied when required.

The foregoing description is merely illustrative, and not intended as limiting the invention thereto, as various modifications Within the scope of the appended claim may be made without departing from the spirit of my invention.

I claim:

An aspirator unit comprising a receptacle and a cap rigidly secured thereto for one-hand 0peration, the cap having a generally radial projection molded thereon above the top of the cap, a fluid passage axially of said projection, a fluid pressure supply pipe attached to said projection and passage at the outer end thereof,

. ranged in the general plane of said supply and exhaust pipes and entering said receptacle through the top of said cap between an edge and the exhaust end of said projection, said suction inlet pipe being substantially rigidly secured to the top of said cap, said iiuid pressure supply pipe extending in the general direction of the axis of said receptacle but spaced therefrom an amount suiicient for the fingers to be conveniently placed between said pipe and receptacle, said pipe and its attachment to the receptacle being rigid enough for the pipe to serve as a support for the receptacle.

HARRY P. SIEGEL.

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