Dentistry – Apparatus – Having suction orifice
Reexamination Certificate
2000-11-14
2001-10-30
Wilson, John J. (Department: 3732)
Dentistry
Apparatus
Having suction orifice
C433S138000, C600S238000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06309218
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to dental suction devices and more particularly pertains to a new apparatus for applying suction adjacent to a tooth for removing saliva from the operative area.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Various dental procedures require that the tooth being operated upon be maintained in a relatively dry condition during procedures such as adhesive composite restorations and applications of occusal sealants. The surfaces of the operative tooth must be isolated from moisture (e.g., saliva) so that the bonding of such adhesives or sealers are not negatively affected by the moisture. Dental dams have been used to isolate an individual tooth or a plurality of teeth from moisture, but can be difficult or painful to use on teeth that have not completely erupted from the gum of the patient. Unfortunately, dental sealants are preferably applied to a tooth prior to the complete eruption of the tooth for the most effective protection of the tooth, and this makes use of the dental dam for applications of these protective sealants difficult.
Known prior art includes U.S. Pat. No. 5,800,173 to Heasley, which proposes an absorbent roll holder that does not actively remove saliva absorbed by the absorbent rolls, so repeated removal and replacement of the absorbent rolls may be necessary, especially during the performance of lengthy dental procedures (such as when used on multiple quadrants of the mouth), and thus interferes with the normal continuity of the procedure. Further, since the Heasley teaching contemplates removal and replacement of the absorbent rolls while the holder is in the mouth of the patient and during the procedure, the Heasley disclosure recommends that the absorbent roll mounting shafts have their free ends directed anteriorly in the mouth of the patient to reduce the possibility of the absorbent roll accidentally entering the throat of the patient during removal and replacement. Following this recommendation makes it difficult, if not impossible, for example, to use the Heasley device for applying a sealant to a partially erupted rearmost tooth (e.g., the first or second adult molar). Clamping of the Heasley device on a partially erupted first or second adult molar is not possible in order to direct the roll mounting shafts in an anterior direction as is recommended, and a patient will not have an erupted tooth located posterior of the partially erupted first or second adult molar.
No known dental device permits the isolation of a partially erupted rearmost tooth without imposing pain or discomfort on the patient. However, the partially erupted stage of the development of the first and second molars is the most effective time for applying dental sealants to the molars of children to prevent decay, and therefore the avoidance of discomfort in the patient is important.
The apparatus for applying suction adjacent to a tooth according to the present invention substantially departs from the conventional concepts and designs of the prior art.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known types of dental suction devices now present in the prior art, the present invention provides a new apparatus for applying suction adjacent to a tooth wherein the same can be utilized for removing saliva from the operative area.
The device of the present invention generally comprises a bow member for extending about a portion of a tooth of a patient. The bow member is substantially U-shaped with a central axis. The bow member includes a transverse portion for extending above a portion of the arcuate line of teeth, and the transverse portion extends transverse to the central axis of the bow member. The bow member also includes a pair of side portions each being for extending adjacent to lateral surfaces of the tooth. The side portions extend substantially parallel to the central axis of the bow member, with each of the side portions having a root end connected to the transverse portion and a free end opposite the root end. The side portions of the bow member are resiliently flexible to permit spreading of the side portions. The device includes a pair of suction pads each being adapted for positioning adjacent to one of the lateral sides of the anchor tooth and the focus tooth. Each of the suction pads is mounted adjacent to a lower surface of one of the side portions of the bow member. Each of the suction pads has a proximal and a distal end, with a bore being formed in the proximal end of each of the suction pads and extending toward the distal end of the suction pad. The device also includes a pair of suction conduits each being adapted for suctioning fluid from one of the suction pads. Each of the suction conduits extends into one of the suction pads through the bore in the suction pad. Each of the suction conduits has a lumen that extends along the length of the suction conduit. Each of the suction conduits has a plurality of apertures through the suction conduit for permitting fluid communication between the lumen and an exterior of the suction conduit.
There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are additional features of the invention that will be described hereinafter and which will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto.
In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and to the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.
As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception, upon which this disclosure is based, may readily be utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures, methods and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present invention. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention.
Objects of the invention, along with the various features of novelty which characterize the invention, are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this disclosure. For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages and the specific objects attained by its uses, reference should be made to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which there are illustrated preferred embodiments of the invention.
REFERENCES:
patent: D. 244377 (1977-05-01), Sturdivant
patent: 1010146 (1911-11-01), Ivory
patent: 1742080 (1929-12-01), Jones
patent: 2644234 (1953-07-01), Scott
patent: 2791030 (1957-05-01), Tofflemire
patent: 2811777 (1957-11-01), Tofflemire
patent: 2844873 (1958-07-01), Bober
patent: 2885783 (1959-05-01), Golden
patent: 3101543 (1963-08-01), Baughan
patent: 5071347 (1991-12-01), Mcguire
patent: 5203699 (1993-04-01), Mcguire
patent: 5800173 (1998-09-01), Heasley
Bumgarner Melba
Wilson John J.
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