Patent ID: 7335023

Claim:
A formable cushioned tubular fluid aspiration appliance, comprising: an elongate tubular element defining a flow passage and having a connection end and a distal end and having sufficient flexibility for bending thereof to a desired configuration, said connection end being adapted for connection to a conventional aspirator suction connection fitting, said distal end defining an opening of said flow passage through which fluid is aspirated; a flexible cushioning tip composed of soft easily deformable resilient material and having a tubular section being located about said distal end of said elongate tubular element and having sufficient wall thickness to present a cushioned aspirator surface for cushioning contact with body tissue of a patient, said tubular section of said flexible cushioning tip having a proximal end and a curved distal end and defining a flexible and easily deformable chamber wall section extending beyond said distal end of said elongate tubular element and defining an aspiration chamber beyond said distal end of said elongate tubular element; and said flexible cushioning tip defining a plurality of external aspiration relief channels extending longitudinally thereof from said proximal end to said curved distal end and gradually increasing in depth from a minimum depth at said proximal end to a maximum depth greater than said minimum depth at said curved distal end, said deformable chamber wall section defining a plurality of aspiration openings located within said external aspiration relief channels and establishing communication with said aspiration chamber and permitting vacuum induced aspiration of fluid into said aspiration chamber and through said flow passage of said elongate tubular element.