Patent ID: 6474990
Filing Date: 2002-11-05
Classification: A61C

Abstract:
A vacuum line socket and dental saliva ejector tube assembly, comprising in combination:a. a dental saliva ejector tube having a first end for being inserted into a patient's mouth and having an opposing second end, the dental saliva ejector tube including a sidewall; b. a vacuum line socket having first and second opposing ends and a central passage extending therebetween, the first end including a port for being coupled to a source of a vacuum, and the second end including a central bore forming a socket for receiving the second end of the dental saliva ejector tube; c. a lever secured to said vacuum line socket, said lever including a first end, the first end of said lever being selectively movable toward the sidewall of said dental saliva ejector tube for retaining said dental saliva ejector tube within said vacuum line socket, and the first end of said lever being selectively movable away from the sidewall of said dental saliva ejector tube for allowing said dental saliva ejector tube to be inserted within, or released from, the second end of said vacuum line socket, the first end of said lever including a sharpened tip for selectively engaging the sidewall of said dental saliva ejector tube, said lever being pivotally secured to said vacuum line socket about a pivot axis, said lever including a second end opposite the first end thereof, wherein movement of the second end of said lever toward said dental saliva ejector tube rotates the first end of said lever away from said dental saliva ejector tube.