Abstract:
A hands-free dental suction assembly having a pad made of an foam material. A pair of slits in spaced parallel relation are cut through an interior portion of the pad. A suction tip is threaded through the slits to connect the suction tip to the pad.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims priority to Provisional Application U.S. Ser. No. 62/219,827 filed on Sep. 17, 2015, which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    This invention is directed to dental suction assembly, and more particularly to a hands-free dental suction assembly. 
         [0003]    Use of a suction device for performing dental procedures is well-known in the art. The use of a suction device is frequently used with an ultrasonic scaler or any procedure where a dry-field is needed continually. Often, suction is usually provided by a dental assistant. As a result, the process is labor intensive and costly. Also, unless a barrier is placed between the suction tip and the patient&#39;s cheek, cheek tissue may be sucked into the tip stopping suction and damaging tissue. Finally, most suction tips obstruct a technician&#39;s view during a procedure. Therefore, a need exists in the art for a device that addresses these deficiencies. 
         [0004]    Therefore, an objective of the present invention is to provide a dental suction assembly that can be used without hands. 
         [0005]    A further objective of the present invention is to provide a dental suction assembly that improves suction and reduces tissue damage. 
         [0006]    A still further objective is to provide a dental suction assembly that reduces the obstruction of a technician&#39;s view during a procedure. 
         [0007]    These and other objectives will be apparent to those skilled in the art based upon the following written description, drawings, and claims. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
         [0008]      FIG. 1  is a top plan view of a pad for a suction assembly; 
           [0009]      FIG. 2  is a top plan view of a pad for a suction assembly; 
           [0010]      FIG. 3  is a top plan view of a suction assembly; and 
           [0011]      FIG. 4  is an end sectional view of a pad with adhesive material and a cover tab. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0012]    Referring to the figures. a hands-free dental suction assembly  10  includes a pad  12  having a pair of parallel slits  14  and  16 . The pad  12  is of any type and preferably is made of a thin foam material having a generally triangular or egg shape and formed to comfortably cover the buccal mucosa of the cheek. As an example, the pad is made of a white foam such as one manufactured by Laminin Medical Products or an F-217®-3 manufactured by Foshan Osaka Export Co., Ltd. Alternatively, the pad is made of a three-ply co-extruded liner having a foam low density polyethylene (LDPE) core sandwiched between two layers of solid LDPE. The pad  10  has a first end  18  a second end  20 , and side edges  22 . 
         [0013]    Preferably, slits  14  and  16  are an inch apart and centered in the middle of the pad along line  24  that extends from the first end  18  to the second end  20 . Slit  16  is preferably ¼ inch from second end  20  and slits  14  and  16  are preferably ⅜ inch apart. The slits  14  and  16  preferably are ½ inch long. Alternatively, slit  16  is ⅜ inches from slit  16 . Further, the pad  12  is preferably 1 ⅜ inches wide between side edges  22  and is 1 ⅝ inches long from end  18  to end  22 . The size and shape of the pad  12  is important in order to keep suction tip in corner of the mouth while still providing comfort and minimizing obstruction. 
         [0014]    In an alternative embodiment, the pad  12  has an apex  17  at end  18  and angled or tapered edges  19  that extend from the apex  17  to side edges  22 . The bottom end  20  has a pair of outwardly extending convex edges  21  with a concave edge  23  that extends between convex edges  21 . 
         [0015]    Removably attached to the pad  12  is disposable and flexible SVE suction tip  26 . The suction tip is threaded through slits  14  and  16  so that the pad  12  is connected to the suction tip  26 . 
         [0016]    In operation, the suction tip  26  is bent until the suctioning end  28  is parallel to the suctioning tube  30  without kinking the tube  30 . The suction tip  26  is then threaded through slits  14  and  16  all the way to the end, of the suction tip  26 . The suction tip  26  is then connected to an evacuation system. 
         [0017]    With the patient&#39;s mouth open, the patient&#39;s cheek is pulled taught and assembly  10  is placed in the patient&#39;s mouth. The pad  12  is placed closest to the patient&#39;s cheek and is tucked between the patient&#39;s teeth and cheek. The tip or end  28  of the suction tip is placed as far back in the patient&#39;s mouth without causing discomfort. The patient turns their head toward the assembly  10  to help water pool at the suction tip  26  and be evacuated. The assembly  10  drapes at the corner of the patient&#39;s mouth and by closing their lips around the suction tube  30 , more water than needed may be evacuated. When finished, the pad  12  is torn from the suction tip  26  and discarded. 
         [0018]    In an alternative embodiment, the pad  12  is made of plastic. On one side is a latex free adhesive material  34  with a removable tab  36 . When placed in a patient&#39;s mouth, the side with the adhesive material  34  faces away from the patients cheek. The suction tip  26  is attached to the adhesive  34  after the tab  36  is removed by wrapping the adhesive material around the suction tip  26 . The assembly preferably is used by a dental professional for dental procedures such as regular prophylaxis, ultrasonic scaling, scaling and root planning, sealants, fillings, crown and bridge, veneers, and the like. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0019]    A hands-free dental suction assembly having a pair of parallel slits positioned between a first and a second end. A flexible suction top is connected to the pad by threading the tip through the slits. 
         [0020]    Alternatively, the assembly has an adhesive material on one side. The adhesive material is covered with a tab. The suction tip is attached to the adhesive material once the cover tab is removed.