Dental evacuation mirror
View Patent ↗The present invention is a dental evacuation tool for being placed in fluid communication with a dental vacuum. The tool comprises a suction head and an elongated tubular handle. The suction head includes a mirror surface, first and second upward-facing intake orifices adjacent the mirror surface, and an exit fluid pathway that is in fluid communication with the first and second upward-facing intake orifices. The elongated tubular handle includes a first end adapted to be in fluid communication with the vacuum and a second end in fluid communication with the exit fluid pathway. The first and second upward-facing intake orifices are positioned generally opposite each other about the mirror surface, are generally centered about a line that is generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the handle, and open in generally the same direction faced by the mirror.
1. A dental evacuation tool for being placed in fluid communication with a dental vacuum, the tool comprising:
a suction head including a mirror surface, first and second upward-facing intake orifices adjacent the mirror surface, and an exit fluid pathway that is in fluid communication with the first and second upward-facing intake orifices; and
an elongated tubular handle including a first end adapted to be in fluid communication with the vacuum and a second end in fluid communication with the exit fluid pathway,
wherein the first and second upward-facing intake orifices are positioned generally opposite each other about the mirror surface and are generally centered about a line that is generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the handle,
wherein the first and second upward-facing intake orifices open in generally the same direction faced by the mirror.
2. The tool of claim 1 wherein the suction head further includes a forward-facing intake orifice in fluid communication with the exit fluid pathway and positioned on the suction head generally opposite the exit fluid pathway.
3. The tool of claim 2 wherein the forward-facing intake orifice opens in a direction that is generally perpendicular to the mirror surface.
4. The tool of claim 1 wherein the suction head further includes a sidewall, a backside that is generally opposite the mirror surface, and at least two forward-facing intake orifices located in the sidewall generally opposite the exit fluid pathway.
5. The tool of claim 4 wherein the backside and the sidewall form an obtuse angle.
6. A method of making a dental evacuation tool for being placed in fluid communication with a dental vacuum, the method comprising:
providing a suction head including a mirror surface and an exit fluid pathway;
providing an elongated tubular handle including a first end in fluid communication with the exit fluid pathway and a second end adapted to be in fluid communication with the vacuum and;
providing first and second upward-facing intake orifices on the suction head adjacent to the mirror surface such that the upward-facing intake orifices are in fluid communication with the exit fluid pathway, and the first and second upward-facing intake orifices are positioned generally opposite each other about the mirror surface and are generally centered about a line that is generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the handle, wherein the first and second upward-facing intake orifices open in generally the same direction faced by the mirror.
7. The method of claim 6 further comprising providing a forward-facing intake orifice on the suction head such that the forward-facing intake orifice is in fluid communication with the exit fluid pathway and positioned on the suction head generally opposite the exit fluid pathway.
8. The method of claim 7 wherein the forward-facing intake orifice opens in a direction that is generally perpendicular to the mirror surface.
9. The method of claim 6 further comprising providing on the suction head a sidewall, a backside that is generally opposite the mirror surface, and at least two forward-facing intake orifices located in the sidewall generally opposite the exit fluid pathway.
10. The method of claim 9 wherein the backside and the sidewall form an obtuse angle.