U-Shaped Saliva Ejector Cannula With Stable Suction Bend

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing saliva ejector cannulas face issues such as increased thickness and waste production due to metal and plastic materials, temporary curvature, reduced suction capacity, and risk of tissue injury and detachment, leading to inefficiencies and discomfort during dental procedures.

Innovation Solution

A saliva ejector cannula with a metal bow for autoclave sterilization, a U-shaped bend stabilized by three collars, and a spacer to prevent tissue contact, ensuring reusability and maintaining suction capacity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a metal wire is inserted into the tube to provide curvature, then the cannula can be bent to adapt to the patient's mouth, but the cannula thickness increases and production costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecurvature adaptabilityVSAvoidcannula thickness

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts the metal wire from the cannula structure entirely, replacing it with a corrugated portion made of the same plastic material that provides the necessary curvature and flexibility without adding thickness from metal insertion

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the material parameter from composite (metal + plastic) to homogeneous plastic, and changes the structural parameter by introducing corrugations that provide flexibility and curvature without increasing overall cannula thickness

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Adaptability or versatility

If a metal wire is used to provide curvature, then the cannula can be bent, but the metal wire can break through during bending and cause injury to tissue

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovecurvatureVSAvoidtissue injury risk

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the material parameter from metal to plastic, eliminating the risk of metal wire breakage and tissue injury while maintaining the curvature function through corrugated structural design

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The invention applies local quality by creating corrugated portions with specific structural characteristics in targeted areas to provide flexibility and curvature where needed, while maintaining smooth surfaces in other areas to prevent tissue injury

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Reliability

If filtering tips are used, then saliva can be filtered, but the flexibility of the cannula is reduced and bending near the end is prevented

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefiltration functionVSAvoidcannula flexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The invention segments the cannula into distinct portions: smooth sections for flexibility and bending, and a filtering structure at the distal end. The corrugated portions are separated from the filtering tip, allowing each to perform its specific function without compromising the other

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention applies local quality by providing filtering function only at the distal end where it is needed, while maintaining smooth, flexible corrugated portions in the main body to ensure overall cannula flexibility and bendability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

4Ease of operation

If removable filtering tips are used, then filtering can be adjusted, but the risk of accidental detachment and ingestion by the patient increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefiltering adjustmentVSAvoiddetachment risk

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The invention merges the filtering structure with the cannula body into a single integrated component, eliminating the interface between separate parts and thus removing the risk of detachment while maintaining filtering functionality

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention designs the entire cannula as a disposable single-use item, including the filtering structure, which eliminates detachment risks and ensures sterility, with the low cost of the disposable unit making this economically viable

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Data Source

PatentEP4403133B1Saliva ejector

Publication Date: 2026.03.11 TARDELLI ENIO

Figure 1
Figure 2~5

AI summary

Saliva ejector cannula (1) comprising: - a tube (2) made of plastic material, having a first free end (4), adapted to occupy a patient's mouth, and a second end (5), adapted to be connected to a suction system of known type; - a bow (3) adapted to be associated with said tube (2) to determine a permanent U-shaped bend of said tube (2), comprising two end collars (11', 11"), where said tube (2) comprises: - a first corrugated portion (6); - a second (7') and a third (7") corrugated portion, where said second (7') and said third (7") corrugated portion are preceded, followed and spaced by smooth portions (8', 8", 8‴) of the tube (2), where said bow (3) further comprises an intermediate top collar (11‴), and where said collars (11', 11 ", 11‴) are adapted to surround the smooth portions (8', 8", 8") of said tube (2) before, after and between said second (7') and said third (7") corrugated portion, respectively.