U.S. patent application number 14/018941 was filed with the patent office on 2014-01-02 for air water vacuum syringe and method of use.
This patent application is currently assigned to Innerlite, Inc.. The applicant listed for this patent is Innerlite, Inc.. Invention is credited to James A. Hirsch, Thomas R. Hirsch.
Application Number | 20140004478 14/018941 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 43970764 |
Filed Date | 2014-01-02 |
United States Patent
Application |
20140004478 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Hirsch; James A. ; et
al. |
January 2, 2014 |
AIR WATER VACUUM SYRINGE AND METHOD OF USE
Abstract
An air water vacuum dental instrument includes a handle; a head;
an air control carried by at least one of the handle and the head;
a water control carried by at least one of the handle and the head;
a vacuum control carried by at least one of the handle and the
head; and an air water vacuum tip coupled to the head and
configured to provide at least air, water, and vacuum in a mouth of
a dental patient at the air water vacuum tip.
Inventors: |
Hirsch; James A.; (Santa
Barbara, CA) ; Hirsch; Thomas R.; (Malibu,
CA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Innerlite, Inc. |
Santa Barbara |
CA |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
Innerlite, Inc.
Santa Barbara
CA
|
Family ID: |
43970764 |
Appl. No.: |
14/018941 |
Filed: |
September 5, 2013 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
12939943 |
Nov 4, 2010 |
8529256 |
|
|
14018941 |
|
|
|
|
61258546 |
Nov 5, 2009 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
433/80 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61C 17/08 20190501;
A61C 17/0202 20130101; A61C 1/0061 20130101; A61C 17/022 20130101;
A61C 17/0208 20130101; A61C 17/0217 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
433/80 |
International
Class: |
A61C 17/02 20060101
A61C017/02; A61C 17/022 20060101 A61C017/022; A61C 1/00 20060101
A61C001/00; A61C 17/06 20060101 A61C017/06 |
Claims
1. An air water vacuum dental instrument, comprising: a handle; a
head; an air control carried by at least one of the handle and the
head; a water control carried by at least one of the handle and the
head; a vacuum control carried by at least one of the handle and
the head; an air water vacuum tip coupled to the head and
configured to provide at least air, water, and vacuum in a mouth of
a dental patient at the air water vacuum tip; and an auto-shutoff
mechanism that automatically shuts off the vacuum in the mouth of
the dental patient on detection of at least partial blocking of the
air water vacuum tip.
2. The air water vacuum dental instrument of claim 1, further
including a rotatable tip positioner that rotatably couples the air
water vacuum tip to the head to provide at least air, water, and
vacuum in a mouth of a dental patient at the air water vacuum
tip.
3. The air water vacuum dental instrument of claim 1, wherein the
vacuum control includes a vacuum control valve carried by the head
and a lever to control the valve; the head having a first
communication passage which communicates with the air water vacuum
tip and a second communication passage which is configured to
communicate with a vacuum source, the vacuum control valve being
located between the first and second communication passages and
including a periphery with a pair of high flow rate evacuator ports
and a single, low flow rate saliva ejector port in communication
with the pair of high flow rate evacuator ports.
4. The air water vacuum dental instrument of claim 1, wherein the
vacuum control includes a valve carried by head and a lever to
control the valve.
5. The air water vacuum dental instrument of claim 1, wherein the
vacuum control includes a rotatable trigger valve barrel and a
trigger carried by the handle, the trigger operably associated with
the rotatable trigger valve barrel to rotate the trigger valve
barrel to a different flow condition with each pull of the
trigger.
6. The air water vacuum dental instrument of claim 1, wherein the
vacuum control includes a high flow rate suction trigger and a
lower flow rate evacuator toggle carried by the handle.
7. The air water vacuum dental instrument of claim 1, further
including a hose connected to the handle and delivering water and
air therethrough, at least one of the hose, the handle, and the
head including one or more heating elements to heat at least one of
the water and the air.
8. The air water vacuum dental instrument of claim 7, wherein the
hose includes a heating lumen, an adjacent water lumen, and an
adjacent air lumen, and the heating lumen includes one or more
heating elements to heat the water in the water lumen and the air
in the air lumen.
9. The air water vacuum dental instrument of claim 1, wherein the
head is removably coupled to the handle.
10. The air water vacuum dental instrument of claim 9, further
including a quick-release mechanism that is actuatable to decouple
the head from the handle.
11. The air water vacuum dental instrument of claim 10, wherein the
head is at least one of sterilizable and autoclavable.
12. The air water vacuum dental instrument of claim 1, wherein the
auto-shutoff mechanism includes normal condition where a suction
force overcomes an opposing force to allow the vacuum in the mouth
of the dental patient and a shut-off condition where opposing force
overcomes the suction force to shut off the vacuum in the mouth of
the dental patient.
13. The air water vacuum dental instrument of claim 12, wherein the
auto-shutoff mechanism includes at least one spring to provide the
opposing force.
14. The air water vacuum d dental instrument of claim 12, wherein
the auto-shutoff mechanism includes at least one magnet to provide
the opposing force.
15. The air water vacuum dental instrument of claim 1, wherein the
air water vacuum tip is configured to bend at least one of water
and air emitted at the tip.
16. The air water vacuum dental instrument of claim 1, wherein the
head is removably coupled to the handle and the air water vacuum
dental instrument includes an automatic water shut-off valve
mechanism that automatically shuts off water flow upon decoupling
of the head from the handle and an automatic air shut-off valve
mechanism that automatically shuts off air flow upon decoupling of
the head from the handle.
Description
RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation of application Ser. No.
12/939,943 filed on Nov. 4, 2010, which is a non provisional of
Application Ser. No. 61/258,546 filed on Nov. 5, 2009, the contents
of which are incorporated herein by reference.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to three way syringes (air,
water, combo air water mist).
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] In the past, dental professionals utilized two different
dental instruments to aspirate fluid and other debris from a
patient's mouth and add air/water to the patient's mouth. Because
this required two hands to operate these two separate dental
instruments, a dental assistant was required to perform the
procedure or both of the dental professional's hands were occupied
using these two separate dental instruments.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] To solve these problems and others, the present invention
involves an Air Water Vacuum (AWV) instrument that combines the
air, water, combo air water mist features of a three way syringe
with a suction aspirator into a single dental instrument. This
invention will allow the dental professional to do with one hand
what traditionally took two hands.
[0005] An aspect of the invention involves an air water vacuum
dental instrument including a handle; a head; an air control
carried by at least one of the handle and the head; a water control
carried by at least one of the handle and the head; a vacuum
control carried by at least one of the handle and the head; and an
air water vacuum tip coupled to the head and configured to provide
at least air, water, and vacuum in a mouth of a dental patient at
the air water vacuum tip.
[0006] One or more implementations of the aspect of the invention
described immediately above includes one or more of the following.
The air water vacuum dental instrument includes a rotatable tip
positioner that rotatably couples the air water vacuum tip to the
head to provide at least air, water, and vacuum in a mouth of a
dental patient at the air water vacuum tip. The vacuum control
includes a high-flow vacuum condition, a low-flow vacuum condition,
and a no-flow vacuum condition. The air water vacuum dental
instrument includes a spring that urges the vacuum control to the
no-flow condition. The air water vacuum dental instrument includes
a valve carried by the head and a lever to control the valve. The
valve includes a periphery with a pair of high-volume evacuator
ports and a single saliva ejector port in communication with the
pair of high-volume evacuator ports. The vacuum control includes a
rotatable trigger valve barrel and a trigger carried by the handle,
the trigger operably associated with the rotatable trigger valve
barrel to rotate the trigger valve barrel to a different flow
condition with each pull of the trigger. The vacuum control
includes a high volume suction trigger and a lower volume evacuator
toggle carried by the handle. The air water vacuum dental
instrument includes a hose connected to the handle and delivering
water and air therethrough, at least one of the hose, the handle,
and the head including one or more heating elements to heat at
least one of the water and the air. The air water vacuum dental
instrument includes a heating lumen, an adjacent water lumen, and
an adjacent air lumen, and the heating lumen includes one or more
heating elements to heat the water in the water lumen and the air
in the air lumen. The head is removably coupled to the handle. The
air water vacuum dental instrument includes a quick-release
mechanism that is actuatable to decouple the head from the handle.
The head is at least one of sterilizable and autoclavable. The air
water vacuum dental instrument includes an auto-shutoff mechanism
that automatically shuts off the vacuum in the mouth of the dental
patient. The auto-shutoff mechanism includes normal condition where
a suction force overcomes an opposing force to allow the vacuum in
the mouth of the dental patient and a shut-off condition where
opposing force overcomes the suction force to shut off the vacuum
in the mouth of the dental patient. The auto-shutoff mechanism
includes at least one spring or magnet to provide the opposing
force. The auto-shutoff mechanism includes at least two magnets to
provide the opposing force. The air water vacuum tip is configured
to bend at least one of water and air emitted at the tip. The air
water vacuum tip includes a distal vertex, a proximate vertex with
at least one of air and water emitted therefrom, and a vacuum port
therebetween, at least one of water and air emitted at the distal
vertex bending towards the vacuum port during vacuum. The air water
vacuum tip includes a distal vertex with at least one of air and
water emitted therefrom, a proximal vertex, and a vacuum port
therebetween, at least one of water and air emitted straight at the
distal vertex without bending towards the vacuum port during
vacuum. The head is removably coupled to the handle and the air
water vacuum dental instrument includes an automatic water shut-off
valve mechanism that automatically shuts off water flow upon
decoupling of the head from the handle and an automatic air
shut-off valve mechanism that automatically shuts off air flow upon
decoupling of the head from the handle.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0007] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of an Air
Water Vacuum (AWV) instrument.
[0008] FIG. 2A is a rear perspective view of another embodiment of
an AWV instrument.
[0009] FIG. 2B is a front perspective view of the AWV instrument of
FIG. 2A.
[0010] FIG. 3A is a perspective view of an embodiment of an
activation lever and a four-way syringe of the AWV instrument.
[0011] FIG. 3B is side-elevational view of the activation lever of
FIG. 3A.
[0012] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the valve barrel shown in
FIG. 3A.
[0013] FIG. 5A illustrates an open position of the four-way syringe
of the AMW instrument.
[0014] FIG. 5B illustrates a closed position of the four-way
syringe of the AMW instrument.
[0015] FIG. 5C illustrates a saliva ejector position of the
four-way syringe of the AWV instrument.
[0016] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the
auto shutoff mechanism for the AWV instrument.
[0017] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a trigger
valve barrel of a trigger valve mechanism of the AWV
instrument.
[0018] FIG. 8 is a side elevational view of an embodiment of a
trigger valve mechanism of the AWV instrument.
[0019] FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a water
spray bending tip of the AWV instrument.
[0020] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a
water spray tip of the AWV instrument.
[0021] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of an embodiment of tube
heating mechanism of the AWV instrument.
[0022] FIG. 12 is a side elevational view of an embodiment of an
AWV instrument including a detachable head, and also shown an
embodiment of an automatic shut-off mechanism.
[0023] FIG. 13 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a base
that the detachable head of the AWV instrument of FIG. 12 attaches
to.
[0024] FIG. 14A is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the
automatic shut-off mechanism of the AWV instrument of FIG. 12, and
shows the automatic shut-off mechanism in a first condition.
[0025] FIG. 14B is a cross-sectional view of the automatic shut-off
mechanism of FIG. 12, and shows the automatic shut-off mechanism in
a second condition.
[0026] FIG. 15 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the
auto shutoff mechanism for the AWV instrument.
[0027] FIG. 16A is a cross-sectional view of the auto shutoff
mechanism of FIG. 15 with an embodiment of an auto shutoff gate
shown in an open position.
[0028] FIG. 16B is a cross-sectional view of the auto shutoff
mechanism of FIG. 15 with the auto shutoff gate shown in a closed
position.
[0029] FIG. 17A is a perspective view of another embodiment of a
lever and valve assembly, illustrating a saliva ejector spring back
mechanism.
[0030] FIG. 17B is a perspective view of the lever and valve
assembly of FIG. 17A from a different direction, illustrating a
return assembly cap that covers a return spring of the
assembly.
[0031] FIG. 17C is a perspective view similar to FIG. 17B but with
the cap removed to reveal the return spring and return arm.
[0032] FIG. 17D is an exploded perspective view of the lever and
valve assembly of FIGS. 17A to 17C, illustrating the separate parts
of the assembly;
[0033] FIG. 17E is an exploded perspective view similar to FIG.
17D, but illustrating an alternative embodiment of the auto-shut
off and auto adjustment slide assembly which replaces the return
spring of the embodiment of FIGS. 17A to 17D.
[0034] FIG. 18A is a perspective view of an embodiment of an AWV
tip of the AWV instrument with water and air supply pins shown
separate from the tip and aligned with pin receiving bores in the
tip.
[0035] FIG. 18B is a perspective view of the distal end portion of
the AWV tip of FIG. 18A.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0036] With reference to FIG. 1, an embodiment of an Air Water
Vacuum (AWV) instrument 10 and method of using the same will be
described. The AWV instrument 10 includes a handle/grip 20 with a
head portion 30. A hose 40 extends from a bottom of the handle 20.
A rotating tip positioner 50, which may be operated by a motor and
controlled by a controller, extends from a front of the head
portion 30. An elongated, tubular AWV tip 60 extends from and is
rotated by the rotating tip positioner 50. Air and water buttons
70, 80 are disposed on a top of the head portion 30 for controlling
air and/or water operation of the AWV instrument 10. The handle 20
includes a high volume suction trigger 90 and a lower volume
evacuator toggle 100 on the trigger 90. One or more heating
elements 110 may be disposed in the hose 40 for heating the water
and/or air being delivered to the patient via the AWV instrument
10.
[0037] In one or more implementations of the AWV instrument 10, the
AWV instrument 10 includes one or more of the following: the AWV
tip 60 is disposable and/or autoclavable; trigger controlled
activation of vacuum function through high volume suction trigger
90; trigger 90 includes locking feature to lock in the on position;
AWV instrument 10 combines high volume suction and low volume
functions within the same instrument operated with a toggle
function on trigger 90; AWV instrument 10 combines automatic
suction relief valve or auto off feature in case of tissue being
sucked into AWV tip 60; hose 40 includes heated air and water
included; AWV instrument 10 is used for tongue retraction and low
volume aspiration simultaneously; the hose 40 is a single hose with
multiple lumens; the AWV instrument 10 is installed on one or both
the doctor and assistant tool stations per operator; and/or
rotating tip positioner 50 allows suction from any angle without
aspirating soft tissue into tip 60.
[0038] In use, the AWV instrument 10 delivers air, water, and combo
air water mist to the patient by actuating the air/water buttons
70, 80 with one's thumb. Operation of the trigger 90 with one's
fingers of same hand controls aspiration. Toggle 100 enables low
volume aspiration or high volume aspiration of fluid and other
debris from the patient's mouth in a single instrument. The heating
element(s) 110 warms the water/air delivered to the patient's
mouth.
[0039] Thus, the AWV instrument 10 allows the dental professional
to do with one hand what traditionally took two hands. The AWV
instrument 10 greatly reduces the amount of tubing and clutter in
dental operating area. The pistol type design provides better
leverage and comfort for extended retraction procedures, reducing
the potential for repetitive stress injuries. The AWV instrument 10
will give dentist and assistant a much needed third hand or allow a
solo practitioner to be more efficient.
[0040] With reference to FIGS. 2A and 2B, another embodiment of an
AWV instrument 200 will be described. The elements of the AWV
instrument 200 that are similar to the AWV instrument 10 described
above will be identified with like references numbers, but with a
letter suffix. The above description of the AWV instrument 10 is
incorporated herein. The AWV instrument 200 is similar to the AWV
instrument 10, except that the AWV instrument 200 includes a
quick-release button/mechanism 210 on a back/rear side of the
handle/grip 20a that, when actuated, disengages/unlocks the head
portion 30a from the handle/grip 20a. The quick release
button/mechanism 210 may include a latch or other locking mechanism
that is lockable/unlockable for attaching/detaching the head
portion 30a from the handle/grip 20a. As in the previous
embodiment, AMW instrument 200 has a hose 40a extending from the
bottom of handle 20a, a rotating tip positioner 50a, and air/water
buttons 70a and 80a.
[0041] With reference to FIGS. 2B, 18A, and 18B, the elongated,
tubular AWV tip 60a includes an elongated soft-rubber coextrusion
member 212 and an elongated hard plastic base tube 214 with a "C"
shaped cross section. The elongated soft-rubber coextrusion member
212 includes a distal protrusion 216 made of soft rubber or other
flexible material to protection oral tissue. The distal portion 216
would normally be sharp if using a hard material such as the
material of the plastic base tube 214, but because of the
soft-rubber coextrusion member 212, a soft tip is created after
cutting the end of the tip 60a during manufacture for patient
comfort. Hollow pins 218 bring water and air into tip 60a. The pins
218 are matingly received in elongated lumens 219 of the elongated
soft-rubber coextrusion member 212 and are sealingly engaged
therein (soft rubber seals around pins 218, preventing
leaking).
[0042] Another difference with the AWV instrument 200 is that
instead of high volume suction trigger 90 and lower volume
evacuator toggle 100 as with the AWV instrument 10, the AWV
instrument 200 includes an activation lever 220 that controls/moves
a valve (FIG. 3A) in the head portion 30a between at least a
high-flow vacuum condition (FIG. 5A), a no-flow saliva ejection
condition (FIG. 5B), and a low-flow saliva ejection condition (FIG.
5C). With reference additionally to FIG. 3A, the activation lever
220 includes a bridge 230 that couples opposite lobe-shaped ends
240 together. In the position shown in FIG. 2A, the bridge 230 is
disposed in a laterally extending top recess 260 on a rear of the
head portion 30a and the ends 240 are disposed in opposite side
recesses 270 of the head portion 30a.
[0043] As shown in FIG. 3A, the ends 240 of the activation lever
220 are connected to opposite ends 280 of substantially cylindrical
saliva ejector valve 290 for connecting the lever 220 to the valve
290. Along a periphery 300 of the valve 290 are saliva ejector port
310 and high-volume evacuator ports 320, 330. As shown in FIGS.
5A-5C, movement of activation lever 220 causes the valve 290 to
move from a high-flow vacuum condition, where high-volume evacuator
ports 320, 330 are in full communication with communication
passages 350, 340 and saliva ejector port 310 is blocked (FIG. 5A),
to a no-flow saliva ejection condition, where high-volume evacuator
ports 320, 330 and saliva ejector port 310 are blocked from
communication with communication passages 350, 340 (FIG. 5B), and
to a low-flow saliva ejection condition, where high-volume
evacuator port 320 is in partial communication with communication
passage 340, saliva ejector port 310 is in full communication with
communication passage 350, and high-volume evacuator port 330 is
blocked (FIG. 5C).
[0044] As shown in FIG. 3B, a spring tab/plunger 360 biases the
valve 290 via the lever 220 towards the no-flow/closed condition
(FIG. 5B).
[0045] With reference to FIGS. 17A-17E, another embodiment of lever
and valve assembly 362 will be described. The assembly 362 includes
valve 290a, auto-shutoff and auto adjustment slides 364, magnets
366, C-ring 368, retainer ring 370, retainer ring (with stops) 372,
main lever 374, return arm 376, return spring 378, and return
assembly cap 380.
[0046] FIG. 17A shows the saliva ejector spring back mechanism 367
(i.e., same function as spring finger 360 in FIG. 3B) and stop 368
for the spring lever/of L-shaped member 394. The retainer rings
370, 372 are mounted on a housing of the head portion. The valve
lever 374 is removable for cleaning.
[0047] FIG. 17B shows the return assembly cap 380 that covers the
return spring 378.
[0048] FIG. 17C shows the return spring 378 and the return arm 376
that rotates within the housing.
[0049] With reference to FIG. 17D, along a periphery 382 of the
valve 290 are saliva ejector port 310a and high-volume evacuator
ports 320a, 330a. The valve 290 includes a cut-through for free air
access. The C-ring 368 holds the assembly in place. The retainer
ring (with stops) 372 includes a key 384 to keep stops 386 in
position. The return arm 376 includes an inwardly extending
disc-shaped member 388 that rotates freely on valve 290a, allowing
the return arm 376 to rotate, pushing back to off position when
return assembly cap 380 is released. As shown in FIG. 17E, the
spring 378 includes a L-shaped arm 390 that extend into a hole 392
of L-shaped member 394 of return arm 376.
[0050] FIG. 17E illustrates an alternative embodiment of an
auto-shutoff and auto adjustment slide assembly 396 where the
magnets 366 are replaced by a spring 397 for an alternative means
of resistance between slides 364. Lever key 398 mates with hole 399
on an end of the valve 290a to drive the valve 290a.
[0051] With reference to FIG. 6, an embodiment of an auto-shutoff
mechanism 400 for the AWV instrument 10, 200 will be described. To
assist the reader in understanding this aspect of the invention,
the remainder of the AWV instrument 10, 200 is not shown. The
auto-shutoff mechanism 400 includes a cylinder 410 with a spring
420 and piston 430 therein. The cylinder 410 is in communication
with communication passage 340 via small suction tube 450. The
piston 430 is mechanically coupled to the valve 290 via a shaft
440. During normal use, when an end of the AWV tip 60 is not
blocked, vacuum flow occurs through the communication passage 340,
which causes suction flow in the small suction tube 450. This
suction flow in the small suction tube 450 draws the piston 430
downward into the cylinder 410, compressing the spring 420. If a
blockage occurs at the AWV tip 60 (e.g., oral tissue is vacuumed
into AWV tip 60), then the decrease/stopping of flow through the
communication passage 340 causes suction flow in the small suction
tube 450 to decrease/stop. The biasing force of the spring 430
pushing upwardly/outwardly on the piston 430 exceeds any countering
suction force on the piston 430 from the small suction tube 450.
Thus, the piston 430 and the shaft 440 move upward in the cylinder
410, causing the valve 290 to rotate to the closed position shown
in FIG. 5B. With the valve 290 in the closed position, all suction
force in the AWV tip 60 ceases so that oral tissue is no longer
suctioned into he AWV tip 60. Normal use may resume by moving the
valve 290 to the desired position via the lever 220.
[0052] With reference to FIG. 15, another embodiment of an
auto-shutoff mechanism 500 for the AWV instrument 10, 200 will be
described. Similar to FIG. 6, to assist the reader in understanding
this aspect of the invention, the remainder of the AWV instrument
10, 200 is not shown. The auto-shutoff mechanism 500 includes a
generally cylindrical valve barrel 510, which may be similar to the
valve 290, with a cylindrical first auto-shutoff gate 520 and a
cylindrical second auto-shutoff gate 530 slidably disposed therein.
Each auto-shutoff gate 520, 530 may have a magnetic polarity such
as that shown so that the like magnetic polarities causes a
magnetic force that causes the gates 520, 530 to repel each other
so that the gates are separated as shown in FIG. 16A. When the AWV
tip 60 is blocked (e.g., oral tissue is vacuumed into AWV tip 60),
then the suction force drawing the gates 520, 530 towards each
other, to block opening(s) 540, overcomes the repelling magnetic
force of the gates 520, 530 and the gates 520, 530 move to the
position shown in FIG. 16B, where the gates 520, 530 block the
opening(s) 540 so that suction force at the AWV tip 60 ceases. The
oral tissue is no longer suctioned into the AWV tip 60. Normal use
may resume (and opening of the gates 520, 530 to the position shown
in FIG. 16A) by moving the valve barrel 510 to the desired position
(e.g., off position, low volume evacuation position) via the lever
220. In an alternative embodiment, the auto-shutoff mechanism 500
may include only one auto-shutoff gate slidably disposed within the
valve barrel 510 (e.g., one magnetic gate may move and another
magnetic member may be fixed in valve barrel 510). With reference
to FIGS. 15 and 18B, in an additional embodiment, a wall 542
defining communication passage 340 may include a hole 544 to
release suction when the AWV tip 60 is plugged/obstructed.
[0053] With reference to FIGS. 7 and 8, an embodiment of a trigger
valve mechanism 600 of the AWV instrument 10, 200 will be
described. To assist the reader in understanding this aspect of the
invention, the remainder of the AWV instrument 10, 200 is not
shown. The trigger valve mechanism 600 includes a trigger valve
barrel 610 similar to valve 290, except the trigger valve barrel
610 includes a ratchet 620 (simplified view of ratchet is shown)
with saw tooth members 630 that are engaged by a pawl 640, which is
hingeably connected to a trigger 650 and includes a spring (not
shown) for spring return of the pawl 640. A trigger spring 660
urges the trigger 650 forward. In use, the trigger valve barrel 610
is advanced/rotated 1/4 turn per trigger squeeze. In another
embodiment, a single first pull of the trigger 650 rotates the
trigger valve barrel 610 ninety degrees from open (e.g., FIGS. 5A,
5C) to closed (FIG. 5B) to open (e.g., FIGS. 5A, 5C) with a second
pull. It is important to note that it is not necessary to hold the
trigger 650 down/in during the suction procedure.
[0054] With reference to FIG. 9, an embodiment of a water spray
bending AWV tip 700 of the AWV instrument 10, 200 will be
described. The AWV tip 700 includes a beveled end 710 with a distal
angled vacuum opening 720 at a distal point/vertex and a proximal
angled water/air opening 730 at a proximal point/vertex. In use,
the suction intake at the distal angled vacuum opening 720 bends an
emitted stream of water (or air or combination air/water) from the
proximal angled water/air opening 730 (emulating a standard
three-way syringe bent tip) without bending the tip.
[0055] With reference to FIG. 10, another embodiment of a water
spray AWV tip 750 of the AWV instrument 10, 200 will be described.
The AWV tip 750 includes a beveled end 760 with a proximal angled
vacuum opening 770 at a proximal point/vertex and a distal angled
water/air opening 780 at a distal point/vertex. Locating the
air/water port(s) at top/distal point/vertex of angle produces a
straight stream of water (or air or combination air/water).
[0056] In an alternative embodiment, a water spray AWV tip may
include air/water port(s) at both a top/distal part of angle and a
bottom/proximal part of angle (i.e. combination of embodiments
shown in FIGS. 9 and 10).
[0057] With reference to FIG. 11, an embodiment of tube heating
mechanism 800 of the AWV instrument 10, 200 will be described. The
tube heating mechanism 800 includes flexible resistance heating
element 110 along with connected positive and negative wires 810,
820 disposed within a heating lumen 830 of extruded tube/hose 40.
Because the heating lumen 830 (and heating element 110 therein) is
adjacent to air lumen 840 and water lumen 850 of tube/hose 40, heat
emitted from the heating element 110 heats air transmitted through
air lumen 840 and water transmitted through water lumen 850. Warmed
water/air transmitted through the tube/hose 40 into the patient's
mouth via the AWV instrument 10, 200 increases the patient's
comfort, especially if the patient has sensitive teeth/gums.
[0058] With reference to FIGS. 12-14B, an embodiment of an AWV
instrument 900 including a detachable head 910 and embodiments of
automatic shut-off valve mechanisms will be described. The elements
of the AWV instrument 900 that are similar to the AWV instrument
10, 200 described above will be identified with like references
numbers, but with a letter suffix. The above description of the AWV
instrument 10, 200 is incorporated herein.
[0059] As shown in FIG. 12, the head 910 of the AWV instrument 900
is removably attachable to handle/grip 920 so that the head 910 may
be removed for cleaning and sterilization of the head 910 because
waste (i.e. saliva/debris) and water supply are transmitted through
reusable head 910.
[0060] With reference to FIGS. 12-14B, in an embodiment of an
automatic shut-off valve mechanism 930, the head 910 includes air
and water buttons 912, 914 that push on linkage rod(s) 1020.
Linkage rod(s) 1020 push poppet valve(s) 918. Pushing on the
air/water buttons 912, 914 causes air/water to flow through the
poppet valve(s) 918 and past the linkage rod(s) 1020 and into
air/water channels (not shown) that direct air/water into the tip.
When the air/water buttons 912, 914 are released, spring(s) 1000 on
the poppet valve(s) 918 urge the poppet valve(s) 918 back into
position, into a sealing relationship to create an automatic seal
or shut-off. The linkage rod(s) 1020 eliminate the need for
additional valves/O-rings and corresponding maintenance. The poppet
valve(s) 918 are disposed in lower water tube connector 940 and
lower air tube connector 950. The connectors 940, 950 include an
anchor 960 connected to handle/grip member 920 and cylindrical
chamber 980 with an upper open end 984. The cylindrical chamber 980
includes a valve seat 990 with spring 1000 and a ball (rubber or
metal) 1010 thereon. The buttons 70, 80 are actuated to cause the
linkage rod(s) to push poppet actuator(s) 919 of the poppet
valve(s) 918 so that the ball 1010 is pressed downward for
water/air release. As shown in FIG. 14B, when the linkage rod 1020
is withdrawn (e.g., when the head 910 is removably attachable to
handle/grip 920), the spring 1000 urges the ball 1010 into a
sealing relationship with upper open end 984 to create an automatic
seal or shut-off in the lower water tube connector 940 and lower
air tube connector 950.
[0061] The above figures may depict exemplary configurations for
the invention, which is done to aid in understanding the features
and functionality that can be included in the invention. The
invention is not restricted to the illustrated architectures or
configurations, but can be implemented using a variety of
alternative architectures and configurations. Additionally,
although the invention is described above in terms of various
exemplary embodiments and implementations, it should be understood
that the various features and functionality described in one or
more of the individual embodiments with which they are described,
but instead can be applied, alone or in some combination, to one or
more of the other embodiments of the invention, whether or not such
embodiments are described and whether or not such features are
presented as being a part of a described embodiment. Thus the
breadth and scope of the present invention, especially in any
following claims, should not be limited by any of the
above-described exemplary embodiments.
[0062] Terms and phrases used in this document, and variations
thereof, unless otherwise expressly stated, should be construed as
open ended as opposed to limiting. As examples of the foregoing:
the term "including" should be read as mean "including, without
limitation" or the like; the term "example" is used to provide
exemplary instances of the item in discussion, not an exhaustive or
limiting list thereof; and adjectives such as "conventional,"
"traditional," "standard," "known" and terms of similar meaning
should not be construed as limiting the item described to a given
time period or to an item available as of a given time, but instead
should be read to encompass conventional, traditional, normal, or
standard technologies that may be available or known now or at any
time in the future. Likewise, a group of items linked with the
conjunction "and" should not be read as requiring that each and
every one of those items be present in the grouping, but rather
should be read as "and/or" unless expressly stated otherwise.
Similarly, a group of items linked with the conjunction "or" should
not be read as requiring mutual exclusivity among that group, but
rather should also be read as "and/or" unless expressly stated
otherwise. Furthermore, although item, elements or components of
the disclosure may be described or claimed in the singular, the
plural is contemplated to be within the scope thereof unless
limitation to the singular is explicitly stated. The presence of
broadening words and phrases such as "one or more," "at least,"
"but not limited to" or other like phrases in some instances shall
not be read to mean that the narrower case is intended or required
in instances where such broadening phrases may be absent.
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