Saliva ejector mouthpiece

Jan. 1, 1935.

1,986,751 |_. V. ROBINSON

SALIVA EJECTOR MOUTHPIECE

Filed May 12, 1933

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INVENTOR heslie V-liobinaorv BY

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Patented Jan. 1, 1935

1,986,751

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE

1,986,751

SALIVA EJECTOR MOUTHPIECE Leslie V. Robinsen, New York, N. Y.

Application May 12, 1933, Serial No. 670,774 3 Claims. (Cl. 32—33)

This invention relates to saliva ejector mouth pieces, an object of the invention being to provide a device of this character which will be comfortable to the patient and which will insure a proper suction of saliva from the mouth.

My improved device includes a suction tube of general goose-neck shape with a shield mounted at the inlet end of the tube and functioning as a support for the tube, and also holding back the membranes of the mouth from clogging the inlet end of the tube and interfering with the proper suction or drainage of saliva.

By reason of the fact that the shield is readily removable the tube and shield can be thoroughly cleaned and sterilized, and the interior of the tube can be thoroughly cleaned by the passage of. a cleaner therethrough.

Furthermore, by reason of the shape of the shield, which is elongated and is curved in both directions, it readily conforms to the shape of the mouth under the tongue, and regardless of the angular disposition of the tube will insure a free drainage and be comfortable to the patient.

With these and other objects in view, the invention consists in certain novel features of construction and combinations and arrangements of parts, all of which will be more fully hereinafter described and pointed out in the claims.

In the accompanying drawing,—

Figure 1 is a view in side elevation illustrating my improved device;

Figure 2 is a sectional elevation taken on the line 2/2 of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a fragmentary view in section on the line 3/3 of Figure 2; and

Figure 4 is a plan view of the shield detached.

represents a tube of general goose-neck shape, which is adapted at one end to be connected with any suitable suction means, and at its other end has a shield 2 extending across the inlet end 3 of the tube 1. The shield 2, as shown clearly in Figure 4 of the drawing, is preferably of general elliptical shape In plan. It is curved both longitudinally and transversely, and is formed at opposite sides with upwardly and inwardly curving extensions 4 which have curved extremities 5 adapted to enter an annular groove 6 in tube 1 adjacent its inlet end 3. I call particular attention to the fact that this groove 6 is sufficiently wide and so shaped as to permit the shield a universal movement thereon, that is to say, the shield not only can turn freely on the tube but it can rock thereon and assume any angular position relative to the tube.

The material of the shield has sufficient tension so that the extensions 5 may be forced over the end of the tube and will spring into the groove portion 6, but a sharp pull on the shield will remove it from the tube so that the shield and tube may be thoroughly sterilized, and a cleaner can be passed through the tube to clean the interior thereof. 5

In use the device is placed in the mouth supported with the shield 2 resting On the membranes of the mouth under the tongue, and the saliva is sucked through the tube while the shield holds the membranes of the mouth away from the inlet 10 end of the tube.

As the shield sustains the weight of the tube and there is a free universal connection between the shield and the tube, the latter can assume any angular position and the shield will remain 15 in flat contact with the membranes of the mouth so that there will be an extended surface of the support, a smooth and rounded contact with the membranes of the mouth, and discomfort to the patient will be minimized. 20

Furthermore, the shield will hold back the membranes of the mouth so that the inlet end of the tribe cannot become choked, and a thorough continuous suction of saliva can be had under all conditions. 25

While I have illustrated what I believe to be the preferred embodiment of my invention, it is to be distinctly understood that various slight changes may be made with regard to the form and arrangement of parts without departing from my 30 invention, and hence I do not limit myself to the precise details set forth but consider myself at liberty to make such changes and alterations as fairly fall within the spirit and scope of the claims. 35