Single-piece suction mirror

Abstract

The invention relates to a dental suction mirror (10) for suctioning liquids and par- ticles from an oral cavity of a patient, comprising a tubular hollow main body (12) having an inner surface (14), an outer surface (16), a longitudinal axis (X-X), a connection opening (18) for a tube and a suction opening (20), wherein the inner surface (14) has a mirror (22) that can be observed at least in some regions through the suction opening (20), said mirror having a mirror surface (24) and a mirror rear side. The main body (12) is designed as a single piece and comprises in its inner surface (14) in the region of the suction opening (20) a mirror recepta- cle (48) which is designed as a recess and in which the mirror (22) is held in a positively locking manner. The invention further relates to an advantageous meth- od for producing a suction mirror (10).

Description

Single-Piece Suction Mirror The present invention relates to a dental mirror suction device for suctioning liq- uids and particles from an oral cavity of a patient, with a hollow base body having an outer surface, an inner surface, a longitudinal axis, a connection opening, and a suction opening, wherein the inner surface has a mirror viewable through the suc- tion port and the base body is formed from a first base body part and a second base body part that are firmly connected to each other. The invention further re- lates to a method for producing such a mirror suction device. Dental treatments often require that emerging liquids or dissolved particles, such as saliva, spray water and blood, be suctioned off during treatment. Also, water, for example for cleaning or after using a multi-function syringe, may accrue, which has to be suctioned off. Usually, suction devices are used for this purpose, which are generally formed from a tubular body of plastic, to whose end a hose is at- tached, which in turn is connected to a pump. The distracting liquids and solids are carried away through the hose. A suction device is often not guided and held by the attending dentist or dental surgeon himself but by an assistant, because the attending dentist has to hold a drilling tool with the one hand and a mirror with the other, with which he is able to inspect the area to be treated. The above-described procedure is disadvantageous in that the two people have to stand or sit very close to each other, around the ar- ea to be treated. Particularly if the interventions are rather difficult or demanding with regard to fine-motor skills, this may be perceived as distracting by the attend- ing physician. A medical mirror suction device in which the inner surface has a mirror-coated sur- face which is visible through the suction opening is known from DE 102006048463 A1. The reflective coating according to the invention enables the user to use the medical mirror suction device both as a mirror suction device for removing liquids and particles and, simultaneously, as a mirror. Using such a mirror suction device, it is now possible for them to carry out the treatment without an assisting person. many frants and a commence of the commence of the commence of the commence of the commence of the commence of the commence of the commence of the commence of the commence of the commence of the commence of the commence of Thus, the mirror suction device is simultaneously used as a suction device and as a mirror. The basic concept of the combination is very good in principle; however, the prac- tical implementation of the concept or the production of such a mirror suction de- vice have proven extremely difficult. The mirror has to be firmly fitted; it must not become detached, and also should not be allowed to move during treatment be- cause the view is affected thereby. In addition, no bumps or gaps may be present, if possible, because they have a negative effect on the development of noise. For example, the base body of the mirror suction device may be formed from two longitudinal halves, which are welded together and retain the mirror in a groove. However, satisfactorily welding the longitudinal halves together in a gap-free man- ner is hardly possible; either a shadow gap is formed or excess material is pro- duced during the welding process, which must then be removed. The shadow gap is unsightly, and liquids and bacteria may collect in it; the removal of the excess material is time-consuming and results in visible changes to the surface of the base body. Furthermore, the two longitudinal halves have to be extremely exactly manufactured in order to ensure an attractive, in particular gap-free and / or excess- free appearance after assembly or welding. They are troublesome particularly be- cause the attending dentist feels any bump, groove or burr in the longitudinal ex- tent of the mirror suction device with his fingers. In particular, only the smallest length tolerances of the two halves are acceptable in the longitudinal direction; other than that, the two halves must not be disposed with even a minimal offset relative to one another in the longitudinal direction. The object of the present invention is to provide a mirror suction device that has a mirror surface with a sufficiently high quality in the region of the suction opening. In this case, the mirror suction device is supposed to be cost-effective to produce and have an attractive exterior. The disadvantages of the prior art are to be avoid- ed; in particular, the mirror suction device is supposed to have no, or only insub- stantial, gaps on its outside. Further, it is an object of the invention to propose a method for producing a mirror suction device with the aforementioned advantages. ೂ ಗಲ್ಲಿಸುತ್ತುವು ಕ್ಷಮಿಸಿ ಎಂದು ಸುದ್ದಿ ಮುಂದು ಮತ್ತು ಮತ್ತು ಮುಂದು ಮಾಡಿದ್ದಾರೆ. ಅದ್ಯಾಗಿ ಮುಂದು ಮುಂದು ಮುಂದು ಮುಂದು ಮುಂದು ಮುಂದು ಮುಂದು ಮುಂದು ಮುಂದು ಮುಂದು ಮುಂದು ಮುಂದು ಮುಂದು ಮುಂದು ಮುಂದು ಮುಂದು ಮುಂದು ಮುಂದು ಮುಂದು ಮುಂದು ಮುಂದು ಮುಂದು ಮುಂದು ಮು والمرافعة بعقواهم وهيم وهيد ومداع والمناز والمنازي والمنازي والمنازي المرازي والمرازي والمرازي والمرازي المرازي According to the invention, the object is achieved with a mirror suction device as described herein. A production method according to the invention is also specified herein. Accordingly, the mirror is formed from only a single base body. According to the invention, the base body is manufactured in a single process step, preferably by the injection-molding method. A mirror-accommodating portion is configured as a depression or recess, into which the mirror is quickly and simply pressed from above in a second process step, sub- sequent to the production of the base body. Accordingly, the mirror-accommodating portion has an undercut formed by an upper retaining shoulder. Accordingly, the mirror-accommodating portion or the retaining shoulder is configured to be elastic, so that it is able to move back when the mirror is pressed in, and the mirror can be snapped into the mirror-accommodating portion. In order to facilitate the insertion of the mirror, it is preferably configured to have a conical cross section. Starting from the mirror surface, its diameter decreases in the direction towards the back of the mirror. After being inserted, the mirror is firmly secured in the mirror suction device, which is advantageous because the base body and the mirror can be treated as a unit in practical operation. The mirror and mirror suction device may be sterilized together. In this context, the term "firmly" means that the mirror is retained in a loss-proof manner; it cannot be detached without destroying the mirror suction device or the mirror. An essential insight is that an attractive outward appearance of the base body is obtained when one of the two first base body parts is as large as possible and the other base body part is as small as possible and the smaller base body part extends in the longitudinal direction of the mirror suction device only to a small extent. Thus, the distracting groove or distracting burr produced by the connecting surfaces be- tween the base body parts is relatively short. Advantageously, the mirror is circular, but may also be oval or have other suitable shapes. The following is based on the customary circular shape of the mirror. Advantageously, the material surrounding the mirror and retaining it is soft or elas- tic, so that it is able to compensate for expanded material as it may be produced during sterilization. Undesired tensions in the area of the mirror that are capable of destroying the mirror and / or the base body are thus effectively avoided. Alterna- tively or additionally, the mirror may be retained in a groove that is sufficiently deep in the lateral direction to compensate for thermal expansion or enlargement of the surface area and diameter of the mirror. The expanding mirror can extend into the sufficiently deep groove. Instead of the groove, the diameter of the open- ing in the first base body part, into which the mirror is inserted, may also have a slightly larger diameter than the mirror. The mirror surface and the surrounding bottom surface form as planar an overall surface as possible, via which the air flow, suctioned-off liquid and particles can be carried away in an optimal manner. The planar overall surface also causes the noise development due to air turbulence in this region to be low. A protrusion of the mirror over the bottom surface of the first base body part of up to 0.3 mm is still considered to be flush in the sense of the invention. Instead of a retaining shoulder extending around the entire outer circumference of the mirror, several, preferably three, uniformly distributed retaining shoulders may also be provided, which retain the mirror in its position. Thus, the overall surface is not planar, but in principle, such a configuration would work regardless. A thermoplastic synthetic material, such as polypropylene or also polyethylene, is particularly suitable for production. By adding additives, the outward appearance of the mirror suction device may be influenced. A production using polyester has also proved to be advantageous according to the invention. With respect to the surface quality of the finished product, polyester has significant advantages over other plastics, e.g. with regard to the settable gloss level, scratch resistance and surface smoothness. Glass beads, which have an effect on, inter alia, the gloss a kantaran 1998 taran 1998 taran 1998 taran 1998 taran 1999 taran 1999 taran 1999 taran 1999 taran 1999 taran 1999 taran 1999 taran 1999 taran 1999 taran 1999 taran 1999 taran 1999 taran 1999 taran 1999 taran 1999 taran 19 and the state of the state of the state of the state of the state of the state of the state of the state of the state of the state of the state of the state of the state of the state of the state of the state of the state level of the surface, are possible suitable aggregates for influencing the material properties. The suction opening of the tubular base body does not extend at right angles to the longitudinal axis but is configured to be oblique relative to it. This results in an obliquely tapering shape of the mirror suction device, whereby it is easier to insert between the cheek and the teeth, for example. The mirror is not located in front of the suction opening, but substantially behind the suction opening in the flowing direction of the suctioned air, i.e. within the base body. It is thus achieved that the mirror suction device is not made longer by an upstream mirror, which would re- duce the suctioning performance. The method for producing the mirror suction device according to the invention comprises the following process steps: - manufacturing a base body with a mirror-accommodating portion, which is configured as a depression and has a substantially peripherally extending, elastic upper retaining shoulder, for the mirror, *** inserting the mirror from above by pressing it into the mirror-accommodating portion in such a way that the upper retaining shoulder, due to its elasticity, is first pressed outwards by the mirror and then contacts an upper face of the mirror and retains the mirror in the mirror-accommodating portion. The invention is explained further with reference to the following Figures. They merely show exemplary embodiments; the invention is not supposed to be limited thereto. In the Figures: Fig. 1: shows a mirror suction device according to the invention from above, Fig. 2: shows the mirror suction device according to the invention of Fig. 1 from the side, والمرابع المنافق والمنافع المنافع والمنافع والمنافع والمنافع والمنافع والمنافع والمنافع والمنافع والمنافع والمنافع والمنافع والمنافع والمنافع والمنافع والمنافع والمنافع والمنافع والمنافع والمنافع والمنافع والمنافع والمنافع ٠ Fig. 3: shows the mirror suction device according to the invention of Fig. 1 in a longitudinal section, Fig. 4: shows an enlargement of the region A from Fig. 3. As is apparent, in particular, from Figures 1 to 3, a mirror suction device 10 ac- cording to the invention has a hollow, tubular base body 12 with an inner surface 14 and an outer surface 16. Moreover, the base body 12 has a longitudinal axis X- X (see Fig. 1). The arc shape of the mirror suction device 10, which is recogniza- ble particularly in Figures 2 and 3, is advantageous in that the latter is easier to guide towards the site to be treated. The base body 12 has a connection opening 18 for a hose, which is not shown, and a suction opening 20 for suctioning particles and liquids. The liquids or parti- cles to be suctioned off are sucked through the connection opening 20 and carried away through the connection opening 18 via the hose. According to the invention, a mirror 22, which is viewable at least in some portions through the suction opening 20, is disposed within the base body 12 in the region of the suction opening 20. Accordingly, a visible mirror surface 24 faces towards the suction opening 20. Preferably, the mirror 22 is disposed in its entirety within the base body 12, i.e. behind the suction opening 20 as viewed in the flowing di- rection of the air to be suctioned off; however, it may be disposed in some portions in front of the suction opening 20. The suctioned air is guided over the mirror sur- face 24, whereby fogging of the mirror surface 24 is effectively prevented. The mirror suction device 10 has additional openings 26 through which air is also suctioned. The additional openings 26 prevent a negative pressure within the base body 12 if the suction opening 20 is sealed by the tongue or cheek of the patient, for example. Three additional openings 26 are provided in the exemplary embodi- ment; however, only a single additional opening 26 or even more than three addi- tional openings 26 are also conceivable. ىسى دولى يى ئى دەكەنسەر ئاك ئۇلىرىنىڭ دېلۇرى بىلەر ئايەرلىكەنى دارىكى ئېلىر<del>دىن< / del> ۋېرىدىن چەۋە ئاز ئاسىسە ھەدى جالىق تىسىسىي and the second second second second second second second second second second second second second second second second second second second second second second second second second second second second second second seco Profile members 38, which provide for a safe grip of the mirror suction device 10 and prevent the fingers of the attending dentist from slipping, are discernible on the outer surface 16 of the base body 12. Figures 3 and 4 show a mirror-accommodating portion 48 into which the mirror 22 is inserted in the assembled state. An inner wall 30 of the opening 28 surrounds the mirror 22 and abuts against an outer wall of the mirror 22 at least in some por- tions. The opening 28 narrows starting from an underside 42 of the base body in the direction towards the suction opening 20 and forms a retaining shoulder 40. In cross section, the mirror 22 may also be configured to be approximately trape- zoidal at least in some portions, so that its diameter increases at least in some portions, starting from the mirror surface 24 in the direction towards an underside of the base body 42. This shape simplifies the insertion or snap-in attachment in the mirror-accommodating portion 48. In this case, the retaining shoulder 40 rests against the outer circumference, which narrows in the direction towards the mirror surface 24. In an enlarged illustration of the region A from Fig. 4, Fig. 4 illustrates that the up- per retaining shoulder 40 surrounds the entire outer wall 36 of the mirror 22 and seals a space next to and below the mirror 22. The seal is improved by means of a bias of the upper retaining shoulder 40. This means that the mirror 22, when it is inserted into the first base body part 32, is pressed against the upper retaining shoulder 40, and the latter is minimally compressed or elastically deformed. Ad- vantageously, the back of the mirror has a smaller diameter in cross section than the outermost diameter of the mirror-accommodating portion 48 in the region of the retaining shoulder 40. The invention is not limited to the exemplary embodiments described, but also in- cludes all embodiments acting in an equivalent way. The above-described variant of an embodiment is to be understood only as an example, and not as limiting. It is also possible to combine the technical features shown in any technically meaning- ful manner. the first transfer and the second of the second of the second of the second of the second of the second of the second of the second of the second of the second of the second of the second of the second of the second of the

Claims

<pat:ClaimStatement>Claims< / pat:ClaimStatement> <pat:Claims com:id="claims"> <pat:Claim com:id="CLM-00001"> <pat:ClaimNumber>1< / pat:ClaimNumber> <pat:ClaimText>1. A method for producing a dental mirror suction device (10) for suctioning liq- uids and particles from an oral cavity of a patient, with a hollow base body (12) having an outer surface (16), an inner surface (14), a longitudinal axis (X-X), a connection opening (18) for a hose, and a suction port (20), wherein the inner surface (14) has a mirror (22) viewable in at least some portions through the suction port (20), with the method steps --- manufacturing a base body (12) as a solitary piece having in its inner surface (14), in the region of the suction opening (20), a mirror-accom- modating portion (48), which is configured as a depression and wherein the mirror-accommodating portion (48) has an undercut formed by a sub- stantially peripherally extending, upper retaining shoulder (40) for the mir- ror (22), which upper retaining shoulder (40) is configured to be elastic to move back when the mirror (22) is pressed in, and the mirror (22) is con- figured to snap into the mirror-accommodating portion (48); ---- inserting the mirror (22) from above by pressing the mirror (22) into the depression by pressing the back of the mirror against the entire upper retaining shoulder (40) such that the entire upper retaining shoulder (40), due to its elasticity, is first pressed outwards by the mirror (22) such that the depression increases its diameter to accommodate insertion of the mirror (22), and then contacts an upper face of the mirror (22), and sec- ondly the upper retaining shoulder (40) moves back, such that the diam- eter of the depression decreases and retains the mirror (22) in the mirror- accommodating portion (48). < / pat:ClaimText> < / pat:Claim> <pat:Claim com:id="CLM-00002"> <pat:ClaimNumber>2< / pat:ClaimNumber> <pat:ClaimText>2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that the mirror is configured in a manner tapering conically in cross section, wherein the cross section de- creases from a mirror surface (24) in the direction towards the back of the mirror. < / pat:ClaimText> < / pat:Claim> < / pat:Claims>