Patent ID: 9375541
Filing Date: 2016-06-28
CPC Classification: A61C,A61F,A61M

Claim Text:
1. A method for removing saliva from an air stream aspirated from a patient's oral cavity, said method comprising: drawing, with a vacuum source, the air stream from an oral appliance held at least partially in the patient's oral cavity with a bite structure of the oral appliance held between upper and lower teeth of the patient, wherein drawing the air stream from the oral appliance maintains a clear breathing passage of the patient and reduces a likelihood of obstructive sleep apnea; directing the air stream through a reservoir from an inlet, along a flow path, and to an outlet, wherein liquid saliva entrained in the air stream forms bubbles and foam; and separating the bubbles and foam from the air stream to provide a pre-treated air stream by passing the air stream through a bubble barrier before passing the pre-treated airstream out through the outlet to the vacuum source, thereby minimizing entry of the saliva into the vacuum source and reducing a likelihood of fouling of the vacuum source, wherein the bubble barrier comprises a mesh, and wherein the mesh is cylindrical with the flow path passing radially inwardly and upwardly from the cylinder and further axially outwardly towards the outlet so that the foam and bubbles coalesce and return to a liquid state, separate, and fall to a bottom of the reservoir.