NOZZLE

Abstract: A nozzle intended for saliva suction extraction is designed as a tube (1) which is bevelled in at least one end (2), the tube being insertable with its other end (3) in a mounting (4) in communication with a suction pump. In order to eliminate noise and to avoid the risk that the bevelled end of the tube be sucked fast, for example, against the cheeck of a patient, the tube (1) according to the invention is provided, in its outer surface, with a lateral opening (5, 7) which is located in the proximity of the bevelled end (2). In the circumferential direction of the tube (1), the lateral opening is located centred on a longitudinal line on the outer surface of the tube, this line departing from a point on the edge (6) of the bevelled end opening of the tube which is located most proximal to the centre of the tube. Furthermore, the lateral opening (5, 7) is located such that it may be masked by the mounting (4) if this end of the tube is inserted in the mounting.

Description: NOZZLE TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a nozzle intended for saliva suction extraction, the nozzle being designed as a tube which, at ■ least at its one end, is bevelled and is insertable in a mounting 5 connected to a suction pump. BACKGROUND ART Employment of nozzles of this type in dental surgeries is stea¬ dily increasing. In such instances, the nozzle may be used both by the dentist or by the dental nurse, and the nozzle can suck up sal- 10 iva, water mist from turbine-driven drills, and heavier materials such as, for example, amalgam lumps and the like. In order to permit the suction of such heavy objects as amalgam lumps, the nozzle must be connected to a very powerful suction pump whose suction capacity cannot normally be regulated and which must, therefore, be dimen- 15 sioned so as to cater for maximally unfavourable working con¬ ditions. As a result, the suction force in the nozzle is con¬ siderable, which may lead to discomfort and irritation both for the dentist and for the patient. Thus, it is not uncommon that the air flowing into the nozzle may cause powerful noise which is parti- 20 cularly irritating if the patient's cheek is caused to vibrate by the inrushing air. Given the strong suction force from the nozzle, there is also an imminent risk that the nozzle be sucked fast to the patient's tongue or cheek, so that the nozzle is thereby blocked and the suc¬ tion capacity will be cut-out. It speaks for itself that this may be uncomfortable for the patient and irritating for the dentist or the dental nurse. PROBLEM STRUCTURE Thus, the object of the present invention is to realise a noz¬ zle of the type mentioned by way of introduction, the nozzle being designed in such a manner as to improve the degree of noise comfort during dental treatment, at the same time as the risk that the noz- zle be sucked fast is eliminated. SOLUTION This object is attained according to the present invention if the nozzle intimated by way of introduction is characterised in that it has an opening in its outer surface which is located in the prox- imity of the bevelled end of the nozzle. In one preferred embodiment of the present invention, the open¬ ing in the circumferential direction is located approximatel cen- ■ tred in relation to a longitudinal line on the outer surface of the tube, the line departing from a point most proximal to the centre of the tube on the edge of the bevelled end opening of the tube. As a result of these constructional features, the considerable advantage will be afforded that the nozzle may, with its side facing away from the opening, be used to move aside the cheek of the pati¬ ent during treatment, without the risk of becoming blocked. The subject matter of the present invention is further suitably characterised in that the opening is located so close to the bevel¬ led end opening of the nozzle that it may be masked by the mounting if this end of the nozzle is inserted therein. As a result of these constructional features, the advantage will be afforded that the nozzle, if it is bevelled at both ends, is reversible so that, in one position in the mounting, the lateral opening is masked, while the lateral opening is exposed when the op¬ posite end of the nozzle is inserted in the mounting. Further advantages will be attained if the subject matter of the present invention is given any one or more of the characterising features as disclosed in claims 4 and 5. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWING The nature of the present invention and its aspects will be more readily understood from the following brief description of the accompanying Drawing, and discussion relating thereto. In the accompanying Drawing: Fig. 1 shows a first embodiment of the nozzle according to the present invention, inserted in a mounting shown by broken lines; Fig. 2 shows the nozzle of Fig. 1 turned 90° through its long¬ itudinal axis; and Fig. 3 shows a modified embodiment of the nozzle seen from the same direction as the nozzle of Fig. 2. DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring to the Drawing, it is apparent from Fig. 1 that the nozzle according to the present invention is in the form of a sub- stantially cylindrical tube 1 which has at least its one end 2, but preferably also its other end 3, bevelled in relation to the long¬ itudinal axis of the tube. In practice, the angle of bevel may ■ amount to approximately 45°, but may, naturally, deviate from this figure in either direction as desired. In practice, the tube 1 is manufactured of a plastic material and may have an outer diameter of the order of magnitude of from 9 to 16 mm, while its material thickness may suitably be about 1 mm. The total length of the nozzle may amount to from 10 to 18 cm. It is further apparent from the Drawing that the nozzle has, at its one end adjacent the bevelled end 2, an opening 5 which, in the illustrated embodiment, is a V-shaped recess which is cut straight through the wall of the tube in a direction which is at right angles to the longitudinal axis of the tube. Naturally, the opening 5, as seen in Fig. 1, may have a cross-section which differs from the dis- closed V-shape, and may, thus, be approximately U-shaped, rec¬ tangular or even undercut in its form. Irrespective of the configuration of the opening 5, it is easy to realise the opening by moving, simultaneously with the cut¬ ting of the tube at its one bevelled end, a recessing knife together with the cutting knife in a direction which is at right angles to the longitudinal axis of the tube so that the opening is thereby cut through the body material of the tube. If, in this operation, the recessing knife has an edge which, in the direction of movement of the knife, is spiculated most proximal the centre line of the tube, that portion of the wall of the tube which is cut away will be fol¬ ded outwardly from the tube so as to avoid the presence of foreign matter or "burrs" interiorly in the tube. It will be apparent from Fig. 2 how the recess 5 cut out from the tube transversely of its longitudinal direction will be len¬ ticular, seen in a direction which deviates 90° about the long¬ itudinal direction of the tube as compared with that applicable in Fig. 1. In the circumferential direction, the recess or opening 5 is to be located at that edge portion 6 of the bevelled end opening 2 which is located most proximal the centre point of the tube 1. This design should be symmetrical, so that the opening 5 is approximately centred about a line running longitudinally in the tube and de¬ parting from a point on the edge portion 6 which is located most proximally the centre point of the tube. In the longitudinal direction, the opening 5 is placed in such a manner that the distance to the edge portion 6 is so slight that the opening 5 may be masked by the mounting 4 if that end of the nozzle provided with the opening is inserted in the mounting. As a result, a nozzle which is bevelled in both ends but which is pro¬ vided with the opening 5 in only one end may be optionally reversed in the mounting so that the opening 5 is either exposed or con- cealed. According to the invention, it is, naturally also possible to provide the tube 1 with openings 5 in both ends and, in such a case, it is absolutely necessary that the openings 5 be placed such that they can be masked by the mounting 4. If only one opening 5 is provided, it is, of course, also pos¬ sible to displace this opening away from the bevelled opening 2, so that it may, in principle, be located at any given position along the tube 1. Practical experiments have shown that the free area in the ope- ning 5 may not be so great that the flow pattern about the bevelled end 2 of the nozzle is affected to any appreciable degree. At the same time, it naturally applies that the opening 5 must be so large that, for example, the cheek of the patient cannot be sucked fast to the bevelled opening 2 even if this were to be located very close to the cheek. A suitable adaptation of the area of the opening 5 is at¬ tained if the area is selected at a value in the range of from 15 to 4055 of the inner area of the tube proper. As has been intimated above, that side of the nozzle facing aw¬ ay from the opening 5 may be employed, for example, to move aside the cheek of a patient. In order, in such an instance, that the op¬ ening 5 is not blocked or sucked fast against the cheek, the extent of the tube in the circumferential direction and, naturally, also the radial depth of the opening 5 are of importance. Naturally, as¬ pects relating to strength of materials come into play here, since too deep a recess 5 would, of course, weaken the end of the nozzle in an unacceptable manner. In practice, it has proved that the ra- dial depth of the opening 5 as shown in Fig. 1 should lie in the ra¬ nge of between 15 and 40% of the diameter of the tube. This design also imparts a suitable extent to the opening 5 in the circu - • ferential direction of the tube. DESCRIPTION OF MODIFIED EMBODIMENT Fig. 3 shows a modified embodiment of the present invention, the modification residing in the fact that the opening 5 has been replaced by two openings 7 located approximately side-by-side along a circumferential line of the tube. Concerning the placing of these openings 7, reference is made to that disclosed above relating to the opening 5. Even though Fig. 3 merely illustrates the employment of two op¬ enings, a larger number may, naturally, also be employed, in which case these may be placed both along lines in the circumferential di¬ rection of the tube and in the longitudinal direction of the tube. Of course, several rows of such openings 7 may be provided. The to¬ tal area of these openings should amount to between 15 and 40% of the inner area of the tube. Naturally, it applies to all embodiments of the subject matter of the present invention that its edges may not be sharp, this re- lating to both the edges of the openings 5 and 7 and to the bevelled end openings. As regards the profile of the end opening 2, this may be planar or straight, as shown on the Drawing. However, it may also be pro¬ vided with a toothed, waved or curved profile. In this latter case, it is merely necessary to ensure that the design is of single cur- vature so that it may be manufactured by means of a knife which is movable transversely of the longitudinal axis of the tube and em¬ ployed for cutting the individual tubes from a longer, continuous, extruded tube body. It should further be pointed out that the knife or cutting tool employed for making the lateral opening 5 need not move at right angles to the longitudinal axis of the tube, it being sufficient that the movement of the knife be approximately transversely di¬ rected in relation to the longitudinal axis if the longitudinal axis of the opening or recess 5 is permitted to make an angle with the longitudinal axis of the tube. Finally, it is not necessary that cutting of the tube be ef¬ fected simultaneously with creation of the opening 5. Instead, these two operations may advantageously be effected at different points in time, int. al. to reduce material stresses in the tube during the cutting operations. Naturally, neither do the two knives employed need to move in mutually parallel paths, these paths instead may make an angle - even a right angle - with one another, and their di¬ rections of movement may run counter to each other. The invention should not be considered as restricted to that described above and shown on the Drawing, many modifications being conceivable without departing from the spirit and scope of the ap¬ pended claims.

Claims: WHAT WE CLAIM AND DESIRE TO SECURE BY LETTERS PATENT IS: 1. A nozzle for saliva suction extraction, designed as a tube (1) bevelled in at least its one end (2), the tube being insertable in a mounting (4) connected to a suction pump, characterised in that the tube (1) has an opening (5, 7) in its outer surface, the opening being located in the proximity of the bevelled end (2, 3). 2. The nozzle as claimed in claim 1, characterised in that the opening (5, 7) is, in the circumferential direction of the tube (1), located approximately centred in relation to a longitudinal line on the outer surface of the tube, this line departing from a point on the edge (6) of the bevelled end opening (2, 3) located most prox¬ imal the centre of the tube. 3. The nozzle as claimed in claim 1 or 2, characterised in ■ that the opening (5, 7) is located so close to the bevelled end ope¬ ning (2, 3) that it may be masked by the mounting (4) if the nozzle cooperates with said mounting with this end. 4. The nozzle as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the through-flow area of the opening (5, 7) amounts to approximately 15-40% of the inner area of the tube. 5. The nozzle as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the opening (5, 7) is in the form of a V- shaped or U-shaped recess which, in a direction at right angles to the longitudinal axis of the tube (1), is cut through a portion of the outer surface of the tube, the radial depth of this recess being from 15 to 40% of the diameter of the tube.

Inventors: LASSING GOERAN, LASSING, GOERAN
Applicants: LASSING GOERAN, LASSING, GOERAN
Application year: 1986
Main classification: A61C17
IPC codes: A61C17