High-volume ejector with valves and spacing fin

Abstract

A saliva ejector for dental use comprises a tube (16) having an open end with a slanted edge (32) and a tip valve comprising a disc (22) and a pivot attachments (24) mounted adjacent the tip. The valve enables the tube to be closed without having to touch any non-sterilizable parts, thereby avoiding cross-contamination of patients with microorganisms. The pivot attachments are integral with the wall of the tube, but can be pivoted in pivot holes (36) therein. A pair of operating arms (28) are attached normal to the disc so that the valve can be closed from the open end of the tube by pulling the arm down with a finger; the arms also provide the valves with an inherent screen-filter. A notch (12) in the open end of the tube receives and holds the arm when the valve is closed. The tip of the tube can have a spacing fin (72) attached. The fin has rounded side edges and a front blunt point (74) and is at a narrower angle to the axis of the tube than the slanted open end thereof so as to cross said open end and thereby avoid intefering with dental work. For finned tubes, a valve (84) is provided in an intermediate position in the tube. This valve comprises a pivotable plate (86) on an arm (88) which extends to an operating handle (80) on the outside of the tube. The arm is initially integrally attached to the wall of the tube by frangible webs (96), but these are broken the first time the handle is turned so as to provide pivot holes (96') in the wall. The plate has projecting normal arms (94) to provide an inherent screen-filter.