Patent Description:
In dental treatment, a dental suction device, which is an essential device, is used to remove saliva, foreign substances, blood, etc. generated in a patient's oral cavity during the treatment process.

An example of such a dental suction device includes a suction module in which a replaceable suction tip inserted into the patient's oral cavity is installed. In typical dental treatment, a dental assistant is required to assist a dentist so that the suction tip is placed in an appropriate position in the patient's oral cavity while holding the suction module by hand.

However, due to the recent trend toward miniaturization of dental clinics, a one-person dental clinic where a dentist performs treatments alone without the help of dental assistants has become an issue in the dental industry.

Meanwhile, in order for a dentist to be able to perform dental treatment alone, the work of a dental assistant who operates the suction module is required to be replaced. In an effort to solve this, a dental suction assisting device disclosed in <CIT> has been proposed, and a description referring to <CIT> will be given in detail as follows.

The dental suction assisting device disclosed in <CIT> includes: a gripper for gripping a suction module inserted in a patient's oral cavity; an adjuster coupled to the gripper and adjusting the position of the suction module in the patient's oral cavity; and a support coupled to the adjuster to support the adjuster, wherein the adjuster includes a first adjuster coupled to the support and being plastically deformable, a second adjuster coupled to the first adjuster and driven by a hinge method, and a third adjuster coupled to the second adjuster and driven by a ball bearing method, wherein the first adjuster includes a rigid portion, which is a rigid coil structure having a first end connected to an upper end of the support, and a flexible portion, which is a flexible coil structure having a first end coupled to a second end of the rigid portion and a second end coupled to the second adjuster.

However, according to <CIT>, there is a financial problem in that a dentist needs to purchase expensive equipment (suction module) in order to perform dental treatment without an assistant, and the dentist needs to perform the treatment while simultaneously holding the suction module, which is cumbersome.

The <CIT> discloses a dental appliance in the form of a bite block for use during dental surgical operations. Integrally in the bite block is formed at least one aperture serving as an evacuation nozzle for a combined saliva and filling debris aspirator. In one of these apertures is inserted a suction nozzle associated with an aspiration device.

The <CIT> discloses an intraoral device including a flexible body having an upper front flap including evacuation holes and a upper edge; an upper rear flap forming an upper pocket with the upper front flap and including intemal channels and a upper edge separated from the upper edge of the upper front flap to form an upper pocket opening, the intemal channels terminating in grooves along the upper edge; a lower front flap including evacuation holes and a lower edge; a lower rear flap forming a lower pocket with the lower front flap and including intemal channels and a lower edge separated from the lower edge of the lower front flap to form an lower pocket opening, the intemal channels terminating in grooves along the lower edge.

An objective of the present disclosure is to provide a dental suction assisting device that allows a dentist to perform dental treatment without an assistant.

In order to achieve the above objective, according to one aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a dental suction assisting device, including: an upper molar seat located at an upper portion of a body made of a soft material, and having anti-separation protrusions arranged at a regular interval and a space for allowing seating of upper molars; a lower molar seat located at a lower portion of the body, and having anti-separation protrusions arranged at a regular interval and a space for allowing seating of lower molars; a fastening portion having an insertion hole and a through-hole formed between the upper molar seat and the lower molar seat, and protruding outward from a side of the insertion hole so as to allow fastening of a suction tube; a suction port formed at a position opposite to the fastening portion, having a first suction hole formed therein to be connected to the through-hole, and protruding outward so as to allow secretions including saliva secreted into an oral cavity to be sucked through the suction tube; a leg formed at each of opposite sides of the lower molar seat, and configured such that the respective legs are brought into intimate contact with opposite side surfaces of the lower molars, the leg having partitions arranged at a regular interval; and a wing extending from a side of the leg, and seated between the lower molars and skin in the oral cavity. The wing includes a second protrusion formed in the same direction as the partitions; and a third protrusion formed at a corner of the wing, wherein a gap may be formed between the second protrusion and the third protrusion, and the secretions may be sucked through the gap.

Furthermore, the dental suction assisting device may further include: a support formed in a partition shape at each of opposite sides of the upper molar seat, and configured such that the respective supports are brought into intimate contact with opposite side surfaces of the upper molars thereby allowing the body to be fixed in place to the upper molars.

Furthermore, the dental suction assisting device may further include fixing protrusions arranged at a regular interval on an inner circumferential surface of the insertion hole so that the suction tube is inserted into the fastening portion even if a diameter of the suction tube varies, wherein at least two fixing protrusions may be formed on the inner circumferential surface of the insertion hole.

Furthermore, the dental suction assisting device may further include a second suction hole formed between the through-hole and the first suction hole perpendicularly to the through-hole, and passing through toward the lower molar seat, wherein a sum of inner diameters of the first suction hole and the second suction hole may fall within a range of <NUM> to <NUM> times an inner diameter of the suction tube.

Furthermore, the partitions may include a first partition, a second partition, a third partition, and a fourth partition that are arranged at a regular interval on the leg, and the leg may further include: a first dividing portion located between the first partition and the second partition; a second dividing portion located between the second partition and the third partition; and a third dividing portion located between the third partition and a reference protrusion.

Furthermore, the third dividing portion may have first protrusions arranged at a regular interval, wherein when the secretions are sucked into the second suction hole, the secretions may be sucked through a gap formed between the first protrusions.

Furthermore, the dental suction assisting device may further include patterns formed at a regular interval on a lower end of the leg, with a predetermined gap formed at a point brought into intimate contact with the skin in the oral cavity, and configured to maximize suction efficiency when suction takes place from the fastening portion.

According to the embodiment of the present disclosure, there is an advantage in that it is possible for a dentist to efficiently perform suction by fixing the suction assisting device between the upper and lower molars of the patient and by connecting the suction tube to the fastening portion, and in that it is possible for the dentist to perform dental treatment while simultaneously performing suction without the help of a dental assistant.

In addition, according to the embodiment of the present disclosure, the suction assisting device is configured to allow suction in a state in which the suction assisting device is inserted into the oral cavity of the patient while being held in hand of the dentist and then a suction device is inserted into the suction assisting device, and thus there is an advantage in that it is possible for the dentist to perform dental treatment without having to hold a separate suction device.

<FIG> and <FIG> are perspective views illustrating a dental suction assisting device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;
<FIG> is a sectional view illustrating the dental suction assisting device according to the embodiment of the present disclosure; and
<FIG> is a rear view illustrating the dental suction assisting device according to the embodiment of the present disclosure.

As illustrated in <FIG>, a dental suction assisting device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is made of a soft material, and includes a body <NUM> and a leg <NUM>, and the body <NUM> and the leg <NUM> may be integrally configured.

The body <NUM> may include an upper molar seat <NUM> located at an upper portion thereof and having a space for allowing seating of upper molars, and a lower molar seat <NUM> located at a lower portion thereof and having a space for allowing seating of lower molars.

The upper molar seat <NUM> may be configured such that the space for allowing seating of the upper molars is provided, and anti-separation protrusions are arranged at a regular interval so that the molars are fixed in place to the upper molar seat <NUM>.

In addition, the upper molar seat <NUM> may further include a support <NUM> formed in a partition shape at each of opposite sides thereof and configured to be brought into intimate contact with side surfaces of the upper molars. The respective supports <NUM> may be brought into intimate contact with opposite side surfaces of the molars, thereby allowing the body <NUM> to be fixed in place to the molars.

The lower molar seat <NUM> may be configured such that the space for allowing seating of the lower molars is provided, and anti-separation protrusions are arranged at a regular interval so that the molars are fixed in place to the lower molar seat <NUM>.

In addition, the leg <NUM> may be formed on each of opposite sides of the lower molar seat <NUM>, so that the same effect as the support <NUM> of the upper molar seat <NUM> may be expected.

An insertion hole <NUM> and a through-hole <NUM> may be formed between the upper molar seat <NUM> and the lower molar seat <NUM>. A fastening portion <NUM> may be formed at a first side (e.g., the left side in <FIG>) of the body <NUM>, and a suction port <NUM> may be formed at a second side (e.g., the right side in <FIG>) of the body <NUM>.

In addition, the insertion hole <NUM> may be formed inside the fastening portion <NUM>, a first suction hole <NUM> may be formed inside the suction port <NUM>, and the through-hole <NUM> may be formed between the insertion hole <NUM> and the first suction hole <NUM>. The insertion hole <NUM>, the through-hole <NUM>, and the first suction hole <NUM> may be configured to be connected to each other, thereby forming a shape that passes through the fastening portion <NUM> and the suction port <NUM>.

In addition, fixing protrusions 151a may be arranged at a regular interval on an inner circumferential surface of the insertion hole <NUM> formed inside the fastening portion <NUM> so that a suction tube <NUM> provided externally is inserted into the fastening portion <NUM>, and the fixing protrusions 151a may function to fix the suction tube <NUM> to the fastening portion <NUM>.

Here, the insertion hole <NUM> may be provided to allow insertion of the suction tube <NUM>, and the insertion hole <NUM> and the through-hole <NUM> may have different diameters (e.g., a structure in which there is a height difference between the insertion hole <NUM> and the through-hole <NUM>) so that the suction tube <NUM> is prevented from being inserted into the through-hole <NUM> to prevent a second suction hole <NUM> which will be described later from being closed from the suction tube <NUM>, thereby facilitating efficient suction.

The fixing protrusions 151a are formed in the same size and thickness at a regular interval in the insertion hole <NUM>, but is not limited thereto, and may be provided in different sizes and thicknesses.

The suction tube <NUM> may be configured to be fixed through the fixing protrusions 151a. A separate connector <NUM> may be installed at an end of the suction tube <NUM> to prevent the suction tube <NUM> from being separated from the fastening portion <NUM>, and the connector <NUM> may be inserted into the through-hole <NUM>.

The second suction hole <NUM> may be additionally formed between the through-hole <NUM> and the first suction hole <NUM> extending in a straight line.

The second suction hole <NUM> may be formed between the through-hole <NUM> and the first suction hole <NUM> so as to be perpendicular to the through-hole <NUM> and the first suction hole <NUM>, may pass through toward the lower molar seat <NUM>, and may allow secretions sucked from the lower molar seat <NUM> to be discharged through the through-hole <NUM> and the fastening portion <NUM>. That is, secretions sucked into the first suction hole <NUM> and the second suction hole <NUM> may be discharged through the fastening portion <NUM>.

The sum of the inner diameters of the first suction hole <NUM> and the second suction hole <NUM> may be similar to the inner diameter of the suction tube <NUM>, thereby maximizing the effect of suction. In the present disclosure, the sum of the inner diameters of the first suction hole <NUM> and the second suction hole <NUM> may fall within a range of <NUM> to <NUM> times the inner diameter of the suction tube <NUM>. If the sum of the inner diameters of the first suction hole <NUM> and the second suction hole <NUM> is less than or exceeds the above-described range, the effect of suction is insufficient, and thus there is a concern that the effect of using the suction assisting device <NUM> may be deteriorated.

Meanwhile, the respective legs <NUM> may be configured to be formed at the lower portion of the body <NUM>, more specifically, at the opposite sides of the lower portion of the body <NUM> so as to be respectively brought into intimate contact with opposite side surfaces of the lower molars seated on the lower molar seat <NUM>.

Each of the legs <NUM> may be divided by partitions <NUM> arranged at a regular interval. In detail, the partitions <NUM> may include a first partition <NUM>, a second partition <NUM>, a third partition <NUM>, and the fourth partition <NUM> that are arranged at a regular interval on the leg <NUM>. The leg <NUM> may further include a first dividing portion <NUM> located between the first partition <NUM> and the second partition <NUM>, a second dividing portion <NUM> located between the second partition <NUM> and the third partition <NUM>, and a third dividing portion <NUM> located between the third partition <NUM> and a wing <NUM> which will be described later.

The second suction hole <NUM> may be configured to pass through the lower molar seat <NUM> located in the third dividing portion <NUM> so as to suck secretions, and the third dividing portion <NUM> may be configured with first protrusions <NUM> arranged at a regular interval.

The first protrusions <NUM> may be configured with a predetermined gap formed therebetween so that secretions are efficiently sucked into the second suction hole <NUM> through the gap.

The first dividing portion <NUM> and the second dividing portion <NUM> may be configured to be brought into intimate contact with side surfaces of the lower molars without having separate protrusions, and may have the effect of improving the function of fixing the suction assisting device <NUM> to the molars and maintaining airtightness of the third partition <NUM>.

The leg <NUM> may further include patterns <NUM> formed at a regular interval on a lower end thereof, with a predetermined gap formed at a point brought into intimate contact with the skin in the oral cavity, so that when suction takes place from the fastening portion <NUM>, secretions are sucked through the gap, thereby maximizing suction efficiency. Although it is illustrated that the patterns <NUM> are formed on the lower end of the leg <NUM> at positions only on lower ends of the first dividing portion <NUM>, the second dividing portion <NUM>, and the third dividing portion <NUM>, a pattern <NUM> may also be formed on a lower end of the wing <NUM> formed near the third dividing portion <NUM>.

Here, the third dividing portion <NUM> may be located between the third dividing portion <NUM> and the reference protrusion 218a, and the first protrusions <NUM> may be arranged at a regular interval in the third dividing portion <NUM>. The reference protrusion 218a refers to a first protrusion <NUM> located on the boundary line between the leg <NUM> and the wing <NUM> when described with reference to <FIG>.

In the present disclosure, the first protrusion <NUM> and the reference protrusion 218a have the same protrusion shape, and the reference protrusion 218a is merely a name designed to set the position of the third dividing portion <NUM>. Therefore, it should be interpreted that the first protrusion <NUM> and the reference protrusion 218a have the same function and effect.

In addition, the leg <NUM> may further include the wing <NUM> extending from a side thereof, e.g., a point located on the right side (in <FIG>) of the third dividing portion <NUM>.

The wing <NUM> may be formed to extend from a side of each of the legs <NUM> formed at the opposite sides of the lower molar seat <NUM>, so that a pair of wings <NUM> are formed. The wings <NUM> may be seated between ends of lower molars and the skin in the oral cavity, and may function to suck secretions that accumulate in a patient's throat.

Each of the wings <NUM> may be configured such that protrusions formed inwards are arranged at a regular interval with a gap formed between the protrusions, and this will be described with reference to <FIG>.

In detail, the wing <NUM> may include a second protrusion <NUM> formed in the same direction as the partitions <NUM>, and a third protrusion <NUM> formed at a corner of the wing <NUM>.

In addition, a predetermined gap may be formed between the second protrusion <NUM> and the third protrusion <NUM> so that secretions are efficiently sucked through the gap.

In the present disclosure, although it is illustrated that one second protrusion <NUM> and two third protrusions <NUM> are formed, a protrusion may be additionally configured depending on the size of the suction assisting device <NUM>.

As described above, according to the embodiment of the present disclosure, there is an advantage in that it is possible for the dentist to efficiently perform suction by fixing the suction assisting device <NUM> between the upper and lower molars of the patient and by connecting the suction tube <NUM> to the fastening portion <NUM>, and in that it is possible for the dentist to perform dental treatment while simultaneously performing suction without the help of an assistant.

In addition, according to the embodiment of the present disclosure, the suction assisting device <NUM> is configured to allow suction in a state in which the suction assisting device <NUM> is fixed in the oral cavity of the patient while being held in hand of the dentist and then a suction device is inserted into the suction assisting device <NUM>, and thus there is an advantage in that it is possible for the dentist to perform dental treatment without having to hold a separate suction device.

Claim 1:
A dental suction assisting device (<NUM>), comprising:
an upper molar seat (<NUM>) located at an upper portion of a body (<NUM>) made of a soft material, and having anti-separation protrusions arranged at a regular interval and a space for allowing seating of upper molars;
a lower molar seat (<NUM>) located at a lower portion of the body (<NUM>), and having anti-separation protrusions arranged at a regular interval and a space for allowing seating of lower molars;
a fastening portion (<NUM>) having an insertion hole (<NUM>) and a through-hole (<NUM>) formed between the upper molar seat (<NUM>) and the lower molar seat (<NUM>), and protruding outward from a side of the insertion hole (<NUM>) so as to allow fastening of a suction tube (<NUM>);
a suction port (<NUM>) formed at a position opposite to the fastening portion (<NUM>), having a first suction hole (<NUM>) formed therein to be connected to the through-hole (<NUM>), and protruding outward so as to allow secretions including saliva secreted into an oral cavity to be sucked through the suction tube (<NUM>);
a leg (<NUM>) formed at each of opposite sides of the lower molar seat (<NUM>), and configured such that the respective legs (<NUM>) are brought into intimate contact with opposite side surfaces of the lower molars, the leg (<NUM>) having partitions (<NUM>) arranged at a regular interval; and
a wing (<NUM>) extending from a side of the leg (<NUM>), and seated between the lower molars and skin in the oral cavity, wherein the wing (<NUM>) comprises:
a second protrusion (<NUM>) formed in the same direction as the partitions (<NUM>); and
a third protrusion (<NUM>) formed at a corner of the wing (<NUM>); and
a gap is formed between the second protrusion (<NUM>) and the third protrusion (<NUM>), and the secretions are sucked through the gap.