A METHOD FOR THE PRODUCTION OF A SUCTION HOSE FOR SALIVA EJECTION AND A SUCTION HOSE FOR SALIVA EJECTION

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for the production or manufacture of a suction hose (3) as well as a suction hose (3) for saliva ejection, which suction hose (3) is preformed to an arcuate hose member (14) with two shanks (15, 16) and built-in elastic properties for generating return or resetting forces (K).

Description: A method for the production of a suction hose for saliva ejection and a suction hose for saliva ejection. The present invention relates to a method for the production of a suction hose for saliva ejection, which suction hose is adapted to be located in an ejecting or suction position in the mouth of a patient and to be re- tained in this position by bringing it to engage the chin of the patient. The invention also relates to a suction hose for saliva ejection. Suction hoses for saliva ejection are often manufac¬ tured as a straight hose of polyvinyl chloride material (PVC-material) with one or more metallic forming wires. These wires can be bent for bending the straight hose to any suitable shape for adapting said hose to the patient. The forming wire/wires enables/enable the suction hose to maintain its bent shape. Since said suction hoses consist of PVC- as well as metallic material, they are difficult to destruct in a non-polluting manner, particularly since the PVC-material is regarded as a biological danger. The object of the present invention is to eliminate this problem and provide a method for the production of suction hoses which are entirely recoverable. This is arrived at according to the invention by providing the initially defined method with the characterizing features of subsequent claim 1. The invention also relates to a suction hose having substantially the characterizing features of subsequent claim 16 or 29. Since the suction hose of claim 16 is manufactured with a pre-bent shape, no forming wires are required and thus, the suction hose can be made of a single material which is entirely recoverable. Furthermore, the suction hose is from the beginning given an advantageous shape and elasticity. Since the suction hose of claim 29 and a suction body mounted on said suction hose cling to each other, it is ensured that said suction body, after mounting on the suction hose, can not loosen completely therefrom and glide down into the throat of the patient. The invention will be further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein fig. 1 with a side view and partly in section illust¬ rates a mold device for carrying through the method of the invention and produce a suction hose for saliva ejec¬ tion; fig. 2 with a side view illustrates a suction hose produced in the mold device of fig. 1; fig. 3 with a side view illustrates a suction hose according to fig. 2 during use on a patient; fig. 4 with a side view illustrates a suction hose with a suction body of different shape than the one illust¬ rated in fig. 3; fig. 5 is a section V-V through the suction body of fig. 4; fig. 6 with a side view illustrates a suction hose with an associated suction body of another appearance than the suction bodies in the preceding figs.; and fig. 7 illustrates the suction hose and suction body of fig. 6 with the suction body mounted on the suction hose. In fig. 1 there is illustrated a molding tool 1 with a cavity 2 for the production of a suction hose 3 for a saliva ejector 4. A nozzle 5 can be connected to the mol- ding tool 1 so that said nozzle communicates with the cavity 2. The nozzle 5 has a passage 6 for liquid poly¬ mer material 7, preferably polyethylene material, which is pressurized towards the cavity 2. The nozzle 5 further comprises a gas conduit 8 for the supply of nitrogen gas 9 or another suitable gas at high pressure from a contai¬ ner 10. The method for manufacturing the suction or ejector hose 3 is initiated by simultaneously feeding or injec¬ ting the polymer material 7 and the nitrogen gas 9 into the cavity 2 so that the nitrogen gas 9 pushes the poly- mer material 7 against the cavity walls, so that said material forms a thin-walled suction hose 3. This gas- -assist injection molding is already known and is there¬ fore not described in detail here; it should be mentioned however, that there is a return conduit 11 for nitrogen gas from the cavity 2 to the gas container 10 and schemati¬ cally illustrated stop valves 12, 13 are mounted in said conduits 8, 11. The cavity 2 is designed to produce a suction hose 3 having an arcuate hose member 14 and two shanks 15, 16 protruding from opposite sides thereof. Thus, the cavity 2 is designed for producing a "preformed" arcuate hose member 14, which is bent in more than 180°, preferably 220-260°. Furthermore, the cavity 2 is preferably desig¬ ned so that the distance A between the shanks 15, 16 is 15-35 mm and that one shank 15 includes an S-shaped member 17 through which it is transformed into the arcuate hose member 14 while the other shank 16 has no such S-shaped member. The cavity 2 is also designed so that the shank 16 is substantially straight and that the shank 15 forms a straight member in connection with said S-shaped mem¬ ber 17. Also, two extended portions 18, 19 can be located at the beginning and at the end of the cavity 2 for re¬ ceiving such rough and defective reject portions 20 and 21 which are often formed at this type of injection mol- ding processes and which must be removed after removal of the suction hose 3 from the cavity 2. During the manufacture, the shape, wall thickness and polymer material are selected so that the arcuate hose member 14 gets elastic properties which permit said me - ber 14 to spring back when it is expanded by increasing the distance between the shanks 15, 16 (e.g. from the dis¬ tance A to the distance B between said shanks 15, 16) . The return or resetting force K thus obtained, is used for locating the saliva ejector 4 in a suction position S in the mouth 22 of a patient 23 so that a suction or ejec¬ tor body 24 is situated in the mouth or oral cavity 22 at the root of the tongue while the S-shaped member 17 of the shank 15 engages the chin 25 of the patient 23. Said elastic properties are selected preferably so that the magnitude of the return force K is limited in order not to discomfort the patient 23 due to unpleasant pres- sure in the mouth 22 and/or against the chin 25. One shank 15 of the suction hose 3 may include a co- nically tapering end portion 26 for enabling connection of said suction hose 3 to unequally sized coupling por¬ tions 27 on suction means 28, e.g. hoses, for sucking out saliva from the suction hose 3. When using a particular suction or ejector body 24 it should be mentioned that said body has a passage 29 into which the shank 16 can be inserted. The shank 16 may include one or another suitable number of hook portions 30 and the suction body 24 may have a recess 31 for each hook portion 30, whereby the recess 31 is larger than the hook portion 30 so that said hook portion 30 is re¬ ceived with clearance in said recess 31. Hereby, the suc¬ tion body 24 will be somewhat pivotable relative to the shank 16 when said suction body 24 is mounted thereon. The suction body 24 illustrated in fig. 4 is at the top provided with an upwardly directed flange 32. As is shown in fig. 5, the flange 32 is thinner than the mem¬ bers of the suction body 24 located beneath said flange 32. The flange 32 is adapted to define a barrier between the patient's tongue and the point of treatment and since it is thinner than other parts of the suction body 24, it does not need much space in the mouth. The suction body 24 of figs. 4 and 5 has in a manner known per se a fore suction passage 33 which communicates with a rear suction passage 34. This is in turn connected to the suction hose 3 which in fig. 4 is illustrated with dashed and dotted lines. Fig. 6 illustrates a hose 3 with a suction body 24 attached thereto. This suction body consists of, in cont- rast to the suction bodies described above, a tube piece with lateral apertures 35, a completely or partly closed front member 36 and an open rear member 37. This suction body 24 is connected with the suction hose 3 through at least one retaining means 38 which permits relocation or displacement of the suction body 24 from an unassembled position A (see fig. 6) for assembly or mounting in a suction position B (see fig. 7) on a connecting member 39 of the suction hose 3. The retaining means 38 can be a flexible band of the same or similar material as the suction hose 3 and/or the suction body 24. Furthermore, the retaining means 38 may at an outer end be provided with the suction body 24 and at an inner end be mounted on the suction hose 3 ad¬ jacent the connecting member 39, so that the suction body 24 can be mounted on the suction hose 3 in its suc¬ tion position B by threading said body 24 onto said con¬ necting member 39 until the hook portion 30 of the suc¬ tion hose 3 snaps into the recess 31 in the suction body 24. Through this latter embodiment, the suction hose 3 and the suction body 24 can be manufactured unassembled relative to each other but attached to each other. Here¬ by, the suction hose and associated suction body are held together during packing of the members and storing and use thereof, while it at the same time is ensured that the suction body does not loosen completely from the suc¬ tion hose so that said body can glide down into the throat of the patient during dental treatment. The method or object according to the invention de- scribed above, may vary within the scope of the following claims. It should be mentioned that it is not necessary to connect a suction body 24 to the suction hose 3, but the shank 16 of said hose can be designed so that it per¬ mits effective suction of saliva. Additionally, it should be mentioned that the suction hose 3 may be manufactured of only one material without forming wires which main- tain its bent shape. Also, the suction hose 3 may con¬ sist of another thermoplastic material than polyethylene. The suction hose 3 can be used for other purposes within the area of medical technique than for saliva ejec¬ tion.

Claims: Claims : 1. Method for the production of a suction hose for saliva ejection, which suction hose (3) is adapted to be located in a suction position (S) in the mouth (22) of a patient (23) and to be retained in this position by bringing it to engage the chin (25) of the patient (23) , c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n that the suction hose (3) is manufactured through a gas-assisted injection mol¬ ding method known per se, whereby said suction hose (3) is formed with an arcuate hose member (14) with two shanks (15, 16) and that the arcuate hose member (14) during said manufacture is given such elastic properties that it springs back when it is expanded by increasing the distance (A) between said shanks (15, 16) . 2. Method according to claim 1, c h a r a c t e r i - z e d i n that the arcuate hose member (14) during said manufacture is given such elastic properties that the mag¬ nitude of its return or resetting force (K) is limited in order not to subject the patient (23) to unpleasant pres¬ sure in the mouth (22) and/or on the chin (25) . 3. Method according to claim 1 or 2, c h a r a c ¬ t e r i z e d i n that the arcuate hose member (14) during said manufacture is formed so that it is bent in more than 180° and preferably in 220-260°. 4. Method according to any preceding claim, c h a - r a c t e r i z e d i n that the suction hose (3) du¬ ring said manufacture is formed with a distance (A) of 15-35 mm between said shanks (15, 16) . 5. Method according to any preceding claim, c h a ¬ r a c t e r i z e d i n that the suction hose (3) du- ring said manufacture is provided with at least one hook portion (30) for attaching a suction body (24) to said suction hose (3) . 6. Method according to any preceding claim, c h a ¬ r a c t e r i z e d i n that the suction hose (3) du- ring said manufacture is provided with a conically tape- ring end portion (26) for connection of said suction hose (3) to suction means (28) with unequally sized coup¬ ling portions (27) , namely suction means (28) which are adapted for sucking out saliva from the suction hose (3) . 7. Method according to any preceding claim, c h a ¬ r a c t e r i z e d i n that the suction hose (3) du¬ ring said manufacture is provided with two outer reject or disposable portions (20, 21) in connection with its shanks (15, 16) , namely reject portions (20, 21) wherein irregularities in the material and/or defects conditio¬ ned by the manufacture appear and that said reject por¬ tions (20, 21) are removed after the manufacture. 8. Method according to any preceding claim, c h ¬ r a c t e r i z e d i n that the suction hose (3) du- ring said manufacture is formed of polymer material (7) without bendable forming wire or wires which is/are adapted to maintain the suction hose (3) in bent shape. 9. Method according to any preceding claim, c h a ¬ r a c t e r i z e d i n that the suction hose (3) du- ring said manufacture is formed of polymer material (7) in the form of polyethylene material. 10. Method according to any preceding claim, c h a ¬ r a c t e r i z e d i n that the suction hose (3) is manufactured with a suction body (24) attached thereto. 11. Method according to claim 10, c h a r a c t e ¬ r i z e d i n that the suction hose (3) is manufac¬ tured with the suction body (24) attached thereto through at least one retaining means (38) which permits reloca¬ tion or displacement of the suction body (24) from un- assembled positions (A; fig. 6) for assembly in a suction position (B; fig. 6) on a connecting member (39) of the suction hose (3) . 12. Method according to claim 10 or 11, c h a r a c ¬ t e r i z e d i n that the suction hose (3) is manufac- tured with the suction body (24) attached to the outer end of a retaining means (38) the inner end of which is attached to the suction hose (3) adjacent a connecting member (39) of said suction hose (3) through which the suction body (24) can be mounted in a suction position (B; fig. 6) . 13. Method for the production of a suction hose for saliva ejection and a suction body to be mounted on said suction hose, c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n that the suction hose (3) and the suction body (24) are manufactu¬ red attached to each other. 14. Method according to claim 13, c h a r a c t e - r i z e d i n that the suction hose (3) is manufactu¬ red with the suction body (24) unassembled therewith but attached thereto through at least one retaining means (38) which permits mounting of the suction body (24) in a suction position (B; fig. 6) on a connecting member (39) of the suction hose (3) . 15. Method according to claim 13 or 14, c h a r a c ¬ t e r i z e d i n that the suction hose (3) is manufac¬ tured with the suction body (24) attached to the outer end of a retaining means (38) the inner end of which is attached to the suction hose (3) adjacent a connecting member (39) of said suction hose (3) through which the suction body (24) can be mounted. 16. Suction hose for saliva ejection and adapted to be located in a suction position (S) in the mouth (22) of a patient (23) and to be retained in this position by bringing it to engage the chin (25) of the patient (23) , c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n that the suction hose (3) is manufactured through a gas-assisted injection mol¬ ding method known per se and comprises an arcuate hose member (14) with two shanks (15, 16) and that the arcuate hose member (14) during said manufacture has been given such elastic properties that it springs back when it is expanded by increasing the distance (A) between said shanks (15, 16) . 17. Suction hose according to claim 16, c h a r a c ¬ t e r i z e d i n that the arcuate hose member (14) has such elastic properties that the magnitude of its return or resetting force (K) is limited so that the suc¬ tion hose (3) does not subject the patient (23) to unplea¬ sant pressure in the mouth (22) and/or against the chin (25) . 18. Suction hose according to claim 16 or 17, c h a ¬ r a c t e r i z e d i n that the arcuate hose member (14) is bent in more than 180°, preferably in 220-260°. 19. Suction hose according to any of claims 16-18, c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n that said suction hose (3) during said manufacture is provided with a distance (A) of 15-35 mm between the shanks (15, 16) . 20. Suction hose according to any of claims 16-19, c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n that the arcuate hose member (14) is bent in more than 180°, preferably in 220-260°, and that the distance (A) between the shanks (15, 16) is 15-35 mm. 21. Suction hose according to any of claims 16-20, c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n that said suction hose (3) comprises at least one hook portion (30) for attaching a suction body (24) to said suction hose (3) . 22. Suction hose according to claim 21, c h a r a c ¬ t e r i z e d i n that its hook portion (30) can be snapped into a recess (31) in the suction body (24) and that said hook portion (30) is received in said recess (31) with such clearance that said suction hose (3) is somewhat pivotally engaged in said suction body (24) . 23. Suction hose according to any of claims 16-22, c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n that said suction hose (3) has a conically tapering end portion (26) for connec- tion thereof to suction means (28) with unequally large coupling portions (27), namely suction means (28) which are adapted for sucking out saliva from the suction hose (3) . 24. Suction hose according to any of claims 16-23, c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n that said suction hose (3) consists of polymer material (7) without bendable forming wire or forming wires which is/are adapted to maintain the suction hose (3) in bent shape. 25. Suction hose according to any of claims 16-24, c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n that said suction hose (3) consists of polymer material (7) in the shape of poly¬ ethylene material. 26. Suction hose according to any of claims 16-25, c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n that the suction hose (3) has a suction body (24) attached thereto. 27. Suction hose according to claim 26, c h a r a c ¬ t e r i z e d i n that the suction body (24) is con- nected with the suction hose (3) through at least one re¬ taining means (38) which permits relocation or displace¬ ment of the suction body (24) from unassembled positions (A; fig. 6) for assembly in a suction position (B; fig. 6) on a connecting member (39) of the suction hose (3) . 28. Suction hose according to claim 27, c h a r a c ¬ t e r i z e d i n that the suction body (24) is at¬ tached to the outer end of a retaining means (38) the inner end of which is attached to the suction hose (3) adjacent a connecting member (39) of said suction hose (3) through which the suction body (24) can be mounted in a suction position (B; fig. 6) . 29. Suction hose for saliva ejection and a suction body to be mounted on said suction hose, c h a r a c ¬ t e r i z e d i n that the suction hose (3) and the suction body (24) are attached to each other. 30. Suction hose according to claim 29, c h a r a c ¬ t e r i z e d i n that the suction body (24) is con¬ nected with the suction hose (3) through at least one re¬ taining means (38) which from unassembled positions (A; fig. 6) permits mounting of the suction body (24) in a suction position (B; fig. 6) on a connecting member (39) of the suction hose (3). 31. Suction hose according to claim 29 or 30, c h a ¬ r a c t e r i z e d i n that the suction body (24) is attached to the outer end of a retaining means (38) the inner end of which is attached to the suction hose (3) adjacent a connecting member (39) of said suction hose (3) through which the suction body (24) can be mounted in a suction position (B; fig. 6) . 32. Suction hose according to any of claims 16-31, c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n that the suction body (24) includes an upwardly directed flange (32) which is thinner than members or parts of the suction body (24) located beneath said flange (32) . 33. Suction hose according to any of claims 16-32, c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n that said suction hose (3) is used for other purposes within the area of medi¬ cal technigue than for saliva ejection.

Inventors: NORDSTROEM KAJ ARNE LENNART, NORDSTROEM, KAJ, ARNE, LENNART
Applicants: KANOR PLAST AB, NORDSTROEM KAJ ARNE LENNART, NORDSTROEM, KAJ, ARNE, LENNART
Application year: 1996
Main classification: A61C17
IPC codes: A61C17