Disposable high-volume evacuation (HVE) suction tip with snap-on mirror system

Abstract

A high-volume evacuator (HVE) tip (1) includes a body having an external surface, with a female component (10) formed on the external surface of the HVE tip (1) body. The female component (10) is configured to receive a male component (13). A mirror (2) is attached to the HVE tip (2), wherein the mirror (2) comprises the male component (13). The male component (13) is designed to securely engage with the female component (10), ensuring a stable connection. The engagement between the male component (13) of the mirror (2) and the female component (10) of the HVE tip (1) prevents relative movement between them, maintaining the mirror (1) in a fixed position during use.

Description

DescriptionTitle of Invention: DISPOSABLE HIGH- VOLUME EVACUATION (HVE) SUCTION TIP WITH SNAP-ON MIRROR SYSTEMCROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] The present application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 624,831, filed on January 25, 2024, which is hereby incorporated by reference for all purposes as if fully set forth herein.TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] Exemplary embodiments of the present inventive concept relate to a High- Volume Evacuation (HVE) tool disposable suction tip with a snap-on mirror system. Exemplary embodiments let a user such as a dentist use an HVE tool without an assistant. High speed dental drills require an air- water coolant stream to run while running high speed drills because without it the drill can overheat, damaging teeth. An HVE tool removes excess coolant water from a patient’s mouth.BACKGROUND ART

[0003] Currently, a dentist may need to hold an HVE handpiece in their nondominant hand and a mirror in the same hand while working with a dental patient. The dentist cannot hold both the HVE and the mirror in their non-dominant hand, typically requiring an assistant to hold the HVE. Also, dental hygienists using sonic or ultrasonic instruments may run into the same problem of not being able to hold an HVE and mirror in their non-dominant hand, requiring an assistant.

[0004] The above information disclosed in this Background section is only for enhancement of understanding of the background of the inventive concept, and, therefore, it may contain information that does not form the prior art that is already known in this country to a person of ordinary skill in the art.SUMMARY OF INVENTION

[0005] Exemplary embodiments provide a High-Volume Evacuation (HVE) tool disposable suction tip with a snap-on mirror system.

[0006] Additional aspects will be set forth in the detailed description which follows, and, in part, will be apparent from the disclosure, or may be learned by practice of the inventive concept.

[0007] According to exemplary embodiments, a high- volume evacuator (HVE) tip includes a body having an external surface, with a female component formed on the external surface of the HVE tip body. The female component is configured to receive a male component. A mirror is attached to the HVE tip, wherein the mirror comprises the male component. The male component is designed to securely engage with the female component, ensuring a stable connection. The engagement between the male component of the mirror and the female component of the HVE tip prevents relative movement between them, maintaining the mirror in a fixed position during use.

[0008] According to exemplary embodiments, a high- volume evacuator (HVE) tip includes a body having an external surface, with a female component formed on the external surface of the HVE tip body. The female component is configured to receive a male component. A mirror is attached to the HVE tip, wherein the mirror includes the male component, which is designed to securely engage with the female component. The female component is configured to receive the male component through a snap-fit connection. Additionally, the male component includes at least one locking feature that retains it within the female component, ensuring a secure and stable connection during use.

[0009] The foregoing description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory and are intended to provide further explanation of the claimed subject matter.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0010] The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a further understanding of the inventive concept, and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate exemplary embodiments of the inventive concept, and, together with the description, serve to explain principles of the inventive concept.

[0011] FIG. 1 is a side view of a disposable High-Volume Evacuation (HVE) tool according to an exemplary embodiment of the inventive concept.

[0012] FIG. 2 is a side view of an HVE suction tip according to the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 1.

[0013] FIG. 3A is a top view and FIG. 3B is a side view of the HVE suction tip with a mirror attachment according to the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 1.

[0014] FIG. 4A, FIG. 4B, FIG. 4C, FIG. 4D, FIG. 4E, and FIG. 4F are various views of mirror attachments for the HVE suction tip according to the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 1.

[0015] FIG. 5A is a partial top perspective view of the HVE suction tip according to the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 1.

[0016] FIG. 5B is an enlarged view of a portion of the HVE suction tip according to the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 5 A.

[0017] FIG. 6A is a front view of a mirror attachment for the HVE suction tip according to the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 1.

[0018] FIG. 6B is an enlarged view of the mirror attachment according to the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 6A.

[0019] FIG. 6C is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a portion of the HVE suction tip and the mirror attachment according to the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 1.

[0020] FIG. 7A is a perspective view of an HVE suction tip according to an exemplary embodiment of the inventive concept.

[0021] FIG. 7B front view of the HVE suction tip according to the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 7 A.

[0022] FIG. 8A is a front view of a mirror attachment for the HVE suction tip according to the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 7 A.

[0023] FIG. 8B is a bottom view of the mirror attachment according to the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 8A.

[0024] FIG. 8C is an enlarged front perspective view of a portion of the mirror attachment according to the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 8A.

[0025] FIG. 9 is a front cross-sectional view of a portion of the HVE suction tip and the mirror attachment according to the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 7 A.BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

[0026] In the following description, for the purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of various exemplary embodiments. It is apparent, however, that various exemplary embodiments may be practiced without these specific details or with one or more equivalent arrangements. This disclosure may be embodied in different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the disclosure to those skilled in the art.

[0027] The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments and is not intended to be limiting. As used herein, the singular forms, "a," "an,"and "the" are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. Moreover, the terms “comprises,” comprising,” "includes," and / or "including," when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and / or groups thereof, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and / or groups thereof.

[0028] Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this disclosure is a part. Terms, such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant art and will not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense, unless expressly so defined herein.

[0029] A High-Volume Evacuation (HVE) tool disposable suction tip with a snap-on mirror system according to exemplary embodiments of the present inventive concept may let a user such as a dentist use an HVE without an assistant. As shown in FIG. 1, FIG. 2, FIG. 3A, FIG. 3B, FIG. 4A, FIG. 4B, FIG. 4C, FIG. 4D, FIG. 4E, FIG. 4F, FIG. 5A, FIG. 5B, FIG. 6A, FIG. 6B, and FIG. 6C, according to an exemplary embodiment, an HVE suction tip 1 may connect at a first end thereof to a High- Volume Evacuation (HVE) tool (i.e., a dental suction line) 3. Thus, a traditional dental suction line may be used to attach the HVE suction tip 1 , and no other special equipment may be needed. A second end of the HVE suction tip 1 opposite to the first end may be inserted in the mouth of a patient during dental care and procedures. The HVE suction tip 1 may be disposable, thereby improving hygiene and convenience. The HVE suction tip 1 may be manufactured using injection molding, and an adhesive mirror placed after injection molding for the mirror.

[0030] The HVE suction tip 1 may have perforations or adaptor positions to which a mirror may be connected, allowing the mirror head to be kept directly out of a coolant water stream. The adaptor positions may be female components 10 into which a male component 13 of a mirror 2 may snap in securely and not move. The female components 10 may be formed or connected on, in, or as an integral part of the HVE tip 1 body, and wrap partially or all the way around the HVE tip 1 at different locations thereon. The adaptor positions may be in line with an opening of the HVE suction tip 1 along the length thereof, or may be offset to the left or right. For example, as shown in FIG. 3A and FIG. 3B, the female components 10 are offset to the right of the HVE suction tip 1 opening.

[0031] The mirror 2 may have various configurations, such as varying arm sizes,lengths and angulation, as shown in FIG. 4A, FIG. 4B, FIG. 4C, FIG. 4D, FIG. 4E, and FIG. 4F. Accordingly, the mirror 2 may removably snap onto the HVE suction tip 1 in different positions, thus allowing the user to suction with the HVE suction tip 1 and use the mirror 2 to see into a patient’s mouth during dental care and procedures. A raised donut-shaped feature all the way around the male component 13 of the mirror 2 is also placed to allow for floss to be tied to the stem of the mirror 2 as a safety measure.

[0032] For example, the user may first place the HVE suction tip 1 in the patient’s mouth to gauge the location on which to place the mirror 2 depending on which tooth the user is working on. Once the mirror 2 is snapped onto the HVE suction tip 1 , it is removably secured in that position. Accordingly, incidental contact during dental care, such as between a patient’s mouth and the mirror 2, may not substantially impact the user’s ability to provide care to the patient, such as by rotating or repositioning of the mirror 2 on the HVE suction tip 1.

[0033] As shown in FIG. 5 A, FIG. 5B, FIG. 6A, FIG. 6B, and FIG. 6C, the HVE suction tip 1 may have female components 10 into which a male component 13 of a mirror 2 may snap securely and not move. The female components 10 may be disposed on or extend above the surface of the HVE suction tip 1 and be hexagonal in shape. The female components 10 may have a similar or different outer shape and inner shape. That is, although the present exemplary embodiment shows the female components 10 having a hexagonal inner shape and a rounded outer shape, the shape and structure of the female components 10 is not limited thereto.

[0034] The female components 10 may also have raised hemispheres therein or thereon, which may connect with corresponding hemispherical depressions on all six sides of a stem end 14 of the male component 13. The male component 13 of the mirror 2 may have a stem and / or stem end 14 that is hexagonally shaped, but the shape and structure of the male components 13 is not limited thereto. According to another exemplary embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5 A, FIG. 5B, FIG. 6 A, FIG. 6B, and FIG. 6C the female components 10 may have hemispherical depressions therein, which may connect with corresponding raised hemispheres 15 on all six sides of a stem end 14 of the male component 13.

[0035] An HVE suction tip 101 according to an exemplary embodiment is shown in FIG. 7A, FIG. 7B, FIG. 8A, FIG. 8B, FIG. 8C, and FIG. 9. The HVE suction tip 101 according to the present exemplary embodiment may be substantially similar in various respects to the HVE suction tip 1 as described with respect to FIG. 1, FIG. 2, FIG. 3 A, FIG. 3B, FIG. 4A, FIG. 4B, FIG. 4C, FIG. 4D, FIG. 4E, FIG. 4F, FIG. 5 A, FIG. 5B, FIG. 6A, FIG.6B, and FIG. 6C of the present application, and the disclosure thereof is incorporated herein by reference, and any repeated disclosure may be omitted for the sake of brevity.

[0036] The HVE suction tip 101 may have perforations or adaptor positions to which a mirror 102 may be connected. The adaptor positions may be female components 1 10 into which a male component 113 of the mirror 102 may snap in securely and not move. The female components 110 may be formed or connected on, in, or as an integral part of the HVE tip 101 body, and wrap partially or all the way around the HVE tip 101 at different locations thereon.

[0037] According to the present exemplary embodiment, the female components 110 comprise an end portion 120, as shown in FIG. 9. As shown in FIG. 7A and FIG. 7B, the female component 110 has a convex outer surface that slopes inwards towards the opening thereof. The opening of the female component 110 is where the male component 113 of the mirror 102 snaps in place. The end portion 120 has a thickness greater than that of the walls of the female component 110.

[0038] As shown in FIG. 8A, FIG. 8B, and FIG. 8C, the male component 113 of the mirror 102 has prongs 116, which may be inserted into the female component 110. According to the present exemplary embodiment, there are three prongs 116. Each prong 116 has an end portion that protrudes away from the center of the male component 113. The end portion is at the end of an extending portion of the prong 116, the end portion having a greater thickness than the extending portion.

[0039] Accordingly, when the male component 113 of the mirror 102 is inserted in the female component 110, the prongs 116 may snap therein over the end portion 120. That is, as shown in FIG. 9, the thickness of the male component 113 at (at least a part of) the end portion of the prongs 116 is greater than the width of the opening of the female component 110. Thus, when a user connects a mirror 102 to the HVE suction tip 101, some force may be employed by the user to insert the prongs 116 over the end portion 120. The end portion of the prongs 116 may have an inclined or angled tip so that it may be easier to insert the male component 113.

[0040] The prongs 116 may have some flexibility or pliability, such that they may bend inwards towards the center of the male component 113, when being inserted in the female component 110. Then, once inserted, the prongs 116 may return to an original position, such as shown in FIG. 9. In the original position, after being inserted in the female component 110, the end portion of the prongs 116 have a greater outer diameter than the inner diameter of the end portion 120 of the female component 110. That is, the end portionof the prongs 116 is wider than the end portion 120, so the male component 113 remains situated in the female component 110 once inserted.

[0041] Therefore, the male component 1 13 may not be easily removed from the female component 110 during normal use of the HVE suction tip 101 , except by employing a retracting force by a user. That is, once a mirror 102 is inserted in the HVE suction tip 101, the mirror 102 can remain in place attached to the HVE suction tip 101 during normal dental procedures. The end portion 120 of the female component 110 and the prongs 116 of the male component 1 13 may have rounded edges, such the male component 1 1 may be removed from the female component 110 without employing a retracting force that otherwise damages the parts of the HVE suction tip 101 or the mirror 102.

[0042] As shown in FIG. 7 A and FIG. 8B, both the opening of the female component 110 and the male component 1 13 may have a hexagonal shape. The prongs 116 are disposed in alignment with alternating sides of the male component 113. Accordingly, the mirror 102 may not rotate once it is inserted in the HVE suction tip 101.

[0043] Although certain exemplary embodiments and implementations have been described herein, other embodiments and modifications will be apparent from this description. Accordingly, the inventive concept is not limited to such embodiments, but rather to the broader scope of the presented claims and various obvious modifications and equivalent arrangements.

Claims

I CLAIM:

1. A high-volume evacuator (HVE) tip, comprising: a body having an external surface; a female component formed on the external surface of the HVE tip body, the female component configured to receive a male component; and a mirror comprising the male component, the male component configured to securely engage with the female component, wherein the engagement between the male component of the mirror and the female component of the HVE tip prevents relative movement therebetween.

2. The HVE tip of claim 1 , wherein the female component has a body portion and an end portion, the end portion of the female component having a thickness greater than a thickness of the body portion of the female component.

3. The HVE tip of claim 2, wherein the male component comprises at least one prong configured to engage with the female component.

4. The HVE tip of claim 3, wherein the prong has an extending portion and an end portion, the end portion of the prong having a thickness greater than a thickness of the extending portion of the prong.

5. The HVE tip of claim 4, wherein the prong is configured to bend inward during insertion into the female component and return to its original position upon full insertion.

6. The HVE tip of claim 5, wherein the male component is configured to engage with the female component over the end portion of the female component.

7. The HVE tip of claim 6, wherein the male component is configured to be removable from the female component by applying a retracting force.

8. The HVE tip of claim 1, wherein the female component has a convex outer surface sloping inward toward an opening.

9. The HVE tip of claim 1 , wherein the male component and the female component respectively have a hexagonal shape, and wherein the male component and the female component are configured to interlock when engaged to prevent rotation of the mirror.

10. The HVE tip of claim 1, wherein the female component is integrally formed as part of the HVE tip body.1 1. A high- volume evacuator (HVE) tip, comprising: a body having an external surface; a female component formed on the external surface of the HVE tip body, the female component configured to receive a male component; and a mirror comprising the male component, the male component configured to securely engage with the female component, wherein the female component is configured to receive the male component through a snap-fit connection, wherein the male component includes at least one locking feature that retains the male component within the female component.

12. The HVE tip of claim 11 , wherein the at least one locking feature of the male component comprises a prong having a rounded end portion to facilitate insertion into the female component.

13. The HVE tip of claim 12, wherein the female component includes an internal ridge or detent configured to engage a corresponding groove or protrusion on the male component, thereby enhancing retention and preventing unintended disengagement of the mirror from the HVE tip.

14. The HVE tip of claim 13, wherein the male component includes a flexible locking tab configured to compresses upon insertion into the female component and expand upon full engagement to secure the mirror in the female component.

15. The HVE tip of claim 14, wherein the female component comprises an inwardly biased portion configured to secure the male component in the female component.

16. The HVE tip of claim 15, wherein the locking tab of the male component includes a tapered portion configured to facilitate guided insertion into the female component.

17. The HVE tip of claim 16, wherein the female component comprises a duallocking mechanism including a snap-fit engagement and a rotational locking feature.

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