Abstract:
A dental device is provided with a mouth prop for selectively retaining a patient&#39;s mouth in an open position while holding the distal end of a suction tube at a desirable location within the patient&#39;s mouth for removing fluid and debris. The mouth prop may be provided with a hinge to permit the mouth prop to move between open and compressed positions. The mouth prop may be provided with bump-stops to permit movement of the hinge without crimping the suction tube. Different apertures are provided for coupling the suction tube with the mouth prop., in a variety of positions.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     Various dental procedures require polishing, drilling, grinding and other such procedures that produce residue and/or particulate. Water is used to rinse the areas of the patient&#39;s mouth and to cool areas that are being drilled or ground. As the fluid washes away the residue and particles, it typically pools within the patient&#39;s mouth. Suction tubes have long been used to remove such particulate from a patient&#39;s mouth. The common suction tube is provided with a first, distal end having a nozzle, and an opposite end that is coupled to a suction device. Oftentimes, a dental assistant or the patient must hold the suction tube in position within the patient&#39;s mouth while the dentist or hygienist perform various procedures. Other times, the water and particulate is allowed to pool within the patient&#39;s mouth for a brief period of time while work is being performed on the patient&#39;s teeth. Then the work stops, while the patient or dental hygienist positions the suction tube in the mouth to remove the fluid and particulate. This stop-and-start method of performing the dental procedures is cumbersome and time consuming. In instances where the patient or the hygienist may hold the suction tube in the mouth while work is being performed, the suction tube frequently, but unintentionally, interferes with the work being performed. Moreover, the distal end of the suction tube oftentimes comes into contact with the patient&#39;s cheek or tongue, which prevents the flow of liquid and debris into the suction tube. 
     Oftentimes, dental procedures can take a considerable amount of time. During the procedures the patients must keep their mouths open to enable the dentist to perform the work. This can become difficult and can tire the patient&#39;s jaw muscles rapidly, especially where the patient is elderly. Accordingly, as the procedures continue, the patient becomes more and more uncomfortable, while the patient&#39;s mouth moves closer and closer to a closed position. 
     Accordingly, what is needed is a new device that holds a suction tube at the optimum location within the patient&#39;s mouth, far from the area on which the dentist is working. Such a device should also serve as a mouth prop to position the patient&#39;s mouth in an open, but comfortable position, reducing strain on the patient&#39;s jaw muscles. Large and/or rigid mouth props may produce their own strain on a patient&#39;s mouth. Such mouth props can also be intimidating, as the patient feels as the mouth prop is forcing the patient&#39;s mouth into a particular position. Accordingly, a novel dental device should provide a level of deformable resiliency in order to increase patient comfort. However, such a deformable nature cannot crimp or otherwise obstruct the airway of the suction tube. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the Detailed Description. This Summary is not intended to identify key aspects or essential aspects of the claimed subject matter. Moreover, this Summary is not intended for use as an aid in determining the scope of the claimed subject matter. 
     An oral suction device is provided for the removal of fluid and debris from a patient&#39;s mouth. The device is provided with a mouth prop that may be positioned within the individual&#39;s mouth between an upper and lower arcade of teeth on one side of the arcades (right or left) as shown in  FIG. 4 . The mouth prop is generally provided with a first wing member and a second wing member that are each formed to have opposite first and second end portions. The first end portions of the first and second wing members are coupled with one another so that the two wing members are disposed at an angle with respect to one another. An elongated suction tube is provided with a first end portion that is placed in communication with a source of suction. A second end portion of the tube is coupled within an aperture formed at least partially within the mouth prop. 
     In use, the mouth prop is positioned on one side between the patient&#39;s upper and lower arcades of teeth, with the second end portion of the tube extending from the aperture in the mouth prop to a convenient location within the patient&#39;s mouth for evacuating fluid and debris. 
     In one embodiment of the device, the tube is slideably positionable within the aperture to selectively locate the second end portion of the tube within the patient&#39;s mouth. The tube may also be provided to be flexible and deformable into nearly any usable shape. The aperture may be formed within the mouth prop to have a closed peripheral edge portion so that lateral movement or removal of the tube is prevented. In another embodiment, the aperture may be in communication with a sidewall of the mouth prop to permit selective insertion and removal of the tube. 
     In one embodiment, a hinge may be positioned closely adjacent the first end portions of the first and second wing members so that the second end portions of the first and second wing members may be selectively compressed toward one another. Bump-stops may be provided to prevent compression or kinking of the tube when the first and second wing members are compressed toward one another. 
     It is therefore a principal object of the present invention to provide a device for the removal of liquid and debris from a patient&#39;s mouth. 
     A further object of the present invention is to provide a device that simultaneously props a patient&#39;s mouth open while assisting in the removal of fluid and debris from the patient&#39;s mouth. 
     Still another object of the present invention is to provide a deformably resilient mouth prop that may be selectively used to hold a suction tube. 
     Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a hinged mouth prop for supporting a suction tube within a patient&#39;s mouth. 
     A further object of the present invention is to provide a hinged mouth prop having one or more bump-stops to prevent compression of a suction tube supported between the opposing wings of the mouth prop. 
     Still another object of the present invention is to provide a device for positioning a suction tube within a patient&#39;s mouth that does not require the patient or a dental assistant to support or position the suction tube. 
     Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a combination mouth prop and suction device that is relatively simple to manufacture and use. 
     These and other objects of the present invention will be apparent after consideration of the Detailed Description and Figures herein. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Non-limiting and non-exhaustive embodiments of the present invention are described with reference to the following figures, wherein like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the various views unless otherwise specified. 
         FIG. 1  depicts a perspective view of one preferred embodiment of the oral suction device; 
         FIG. 2  depicts a side elevation view of the oral suction device depicted in  FIG. 1  as it could be positioned in an open position; 
         FIG. 3  depicts a side elevation view of the oral suction device depicted in  FIG. 1  as it could be positioned in a compressed position; 
         FIG. 4  depicts a side elevation view of one preferred embodiment of the oral suction device as it could be positioned on the left side within an individual&#39;s mouth; and 
         FIG. 5  depicts a perspective view of another preferred embodiment of the oral suction device. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Embodiments are described more fully below with reference to the accompanying figures, which form a part hereof and show, by way of illustration, specific exemplary embodiments. These embodiments are disclosed in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention. However, embodiments may be implemented in many different forms and should not be construed as being limited to the embodiments set forth herein. The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense in that the scope of the present invention is defined only by the appended claims. 
     The oral suction device  10  of the present invention is generally provided for the removal of fluids and debris from a patient&#39;s mouth. A mouth prop  12  is provided as a base component of the device  10  and is preferably shaped and sized to be positioned within the patient&#39;s mouth on one side between the upper and lower arcades of teeth, as depicted in  FIG. 4 . The mouth prop  12 , in a preferred embodiment, is provided with a first wing member  14 , having a long axis that extends between a first end portion  16  and a second end portion  18 . A second wing member  20  is provided in a manner similar to the first wing member  14  in that it too has a long axis extending between a first end portion  22  and a second end portion  24 . The first end portion  16  of the first wing member  14  is preferably coupled with the first end portion  22  of the second wing member  20  so that the long axes of the first wing member  14  and the second wing member  20  are angularly disposed with respect to one another, as depicted in  FIG. 1 . 
     The device  10  is further provided with an elongated suction tube  26 , having a first end portion  28  that is placed in communication with a source of suction, such as those commonly found in most dental offices, and a second end portion  30  that is coupled within an aperture  32  formed within the mouth prop  12 . In one preferred embodiment, depicted in  FIG. 1 , the aperture is positioned closely adjacent the first end portions  16  and  22  of the first and second wing members  14  and  20 . The aperture  32  is provided with a peripheral edge portion  34  that is shaped and sized to receive a diameter of the suction tube  26 . It may be desirable to removably couple the suction tube  26  within the aperture  32  to permit replacement and cleaning of the component parts. Similarly, it will be desirable to permit the suction tube  26  to be sized in a manner that permits the suction tube  26  to be selectively moved longitudinally in a sliding manner within the aperture  32  so that the second end portion  30  of the suction tube  26  may be selectively positioned with respect to the mouth prop  12 . This will permit selective positioning of the mouth prop  12  along the dental arcades while maintaining the ability to position the second end portion  30  of the suction tube  26  in a desirable location within the patient&#39;s mouth. 
     The device  10  depicted in  FIG. 1  shows the aperture  32  as being formed coaxially with a long axis of the mouth prop  12  and positioned laterally, such that the peripheral edge portion  34  remains closed. However, in an alternate embodiment, depicted in  FIG. 5 , the aperture  32  may be formed within the mouth prop  12  such that the peripheral edge portion  34  is open to a side portion  36  of the mouth prop  12 . This orientation will permit the suction tube  26  to be passed coaxially through the aperture  32  or transversely through the side portion  36  of the mouth prop  12 . Such an embodiment may be more practical where the second end portion  30  of the suction tube  26  is provided with a tip  38  that is larger in diameter than the suction tube  26 . In one embodiment, a channel  35  may be formed to place the aperture  32  in open communication with the side portion  36 . In such an instance, it may be desirable to provide the channel  35  with a width that is at least slightly more narrow than an outer diameter of the suction tube  26  so that the channel  35  resists the unintentional removal of the tube  26  from the aperture  32  through the side portion  36  of the mouth prop  12 . While it is contemplated that the suction tube  26  could be removably secured to the side portion  36  of the mouth prop  12  using some form of bracketry, such a structural arrangement will not be desirable due to potential interference with the patient&#39;s tongue or cheek wall. Such positioning of the suction tube  26  will clearly position it to one side of the upper and lower dental arcade, whereas the presently disclosed positioning retains the suction tube  26  substantially in line with the dental arcades. 
     In a preferred embodiment, the first wing member  14  and the second wing member  20  will be provided with outward faces  40  and  42 , respectively, that are positioned to face away from one another. The outward faces  40  and  42  should be pre-shaped to have channels that are generally shaped and sized to releasably receive at least a portion of a patient&#39;s upper or lower arcades of teeth on one side. While it is contemplated that the outward faces  40  and  42  could be specifically shaped to receive specific teeth, and position the mouth prop  12  in a specific location within the patient&#39;s mouth. A smooth open channel, such as that exhibited by the outward faces  40  and  42  in  FIG. 1  will provide a greater versatility in positioning the mouth prop  12  as well as receiving a wide range of differently sized and shaped dental arcades from different patients. 
     It is contemplated that nearly any type of suction tube  26  may be utilized with the present invention. However, it is contemplated that it may be desirable to form the suction tube  26  from a generally flexible material so that the tube may be shaped during use, to accommodate the different needs presented by a wide array of different patient mouths, without substantially restricting an open passageway extending through the suction tube  26 . If may also be desirable to construct the suction tube  26  in a manner that permits the suction tube  26  to be manipulated into a desired shape and retain that same shape. In such an instance, it is contemplated that one or more thin wires may be formed within a length of the suction tube  26  to provide such flexibility and memory. Various known polymers may also be used to form the suction tube  26  to have the same desired characteristics. 
     In one preferred embodiment, the second end portions  18  and  24  of the first wing member  14  and the second wing member  20  are disposed in a spaced-apart relationship with one another and an open cavity  44  is formed between the first wing member  14  and the second wing member  20 . It is contemplated that the mouth prop  12  could be formed from nearly any material desired, including various polymers, metals, and the like. However, selection of a deformably resilient material will allow the second end portions  18  and  24  of the first wing member  14  and the second wing member  20  to be manually compressed toward one another, such as depicted in  FIGS. 2 and 3 . This will permit the patient to bite down onto the mouth prop  12 , providing the patient with a certain degree of comfort and control over the degree to which the patient&#39;s mouth is propped open. This may further provide the patient with the mental benefit of not feeling as though their jaw is being forced into a confined position. However, it is preferable to shape and size the mouth prop  12  so that when it is in a fully compressed position, such as that depicted in  FIG. 4 , that the upper and lower dental arcades remain sufficiently spaced apart to permit the dentist to continue working. 
     Various materials choices for construction of the mouth prop  12  may be limited due to the need to sterilize the device  10 , extend the life of the device  10 , or provide a desirable degree of rigidity. In such an instance, the available materials may not provide a sufficient resiliency to permit the first wing member  14  and the second wing member  20  to be easily compressed toward one another by the patient&#39;s jaw. Accordingly, a hinge  46  may be provided closely adjacent the first end portions  16  and  22  of the first wing member  14  and the second wing member  20  so that they may be more easily compressed toward one another. Many different types of hinges are contemplated for use with the device  10 . However, a living hinge, such as that depicted in  FIG. 1  may provide a desirable level of durability, longevity, and ease of sterilization. As depicted in  FIGS. 2 and 3 , the hinge  46  may be easily shaped and sized in a manner that permits movement of the first wing member  14  and the second wing member  20  with respect to one another while maintaining resilient memory to return the mouth prop  12  to an open position. 
     In those embodiments where the first wing member  14  and the second wing member  20  are capable of being manually compressed toward one another, it will be desirable to protect the suction tube  26  from becoming compressed in a manner that restricts the flow through the suction tube  26 . Accordingly, in one preferred embodiment, one or more bump-stops  48  may be selectively located within the open cavity  44  so that, as the second end portions  18  and  24  of the first wing member  14  and the second wing member  20  are compressed toward one another, a gap  50  is provided between the first wing member  14  and the second wing member  20  that is sized according to the dimensions of the suction tube  26  so that the suction tube  26  will be substantially uncompressed when the first wing member  14  and the second wing member  20  are moved into a fully compressed position. The size and positioning of the bump-stop  48  may depend upon the position of the suction tube  26  with respect to the mouth prop  12 . For example,  FIG. 1  depicts pairs of spaced apart bump-stops  48  that permit the suction tube  26  to extend coaxially along a length of the mouth prop  12  and rest between the bump-stops  48  when the mouth prop  12  is in a fully compressed position, such as depicted in  FIG. 3 . However, a single bump-stop  48  may be positioned intermediate the sides of the mouth prop  12  where the suction tube  26  is positioned closer to one side of the mouth prop  12 , such as depicted in  FIG. 5 . It is contemplated that bump-stops  48  may be positioned on opposing wing members to engage one another when the mouth prop  12  is moved into a fully compressed position. However, it is contemplated that the bump-stops  48  may be positioned to engage nearly any structure along the mouth prop  12  and retain their intended usability. 
     Although the invention has been described in language that is specific to methodological steps, it is to be understood that the invention defined in the appended claims is not necessarily limited to the specific steps described. Rather, the specific aspects and steps are described as forms of implementing the claimed invention. Since many embodiments of the invention can be practiced without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, the invention resides in the claims hereinafter appended.