Aspirator having a cushioned and aspiration controlling tip

A cushioned aspirator appliance, comprising:

• an elongate tubular element defining a flow passage and having a connection end and a distal end, said connection end being adapted for connection to a source of suction, said distal end defining an inlet opening to said flow passage;
• and
• a flexible cushioning tip of generally cylindrical configuration having a tubular portion being connected to and surrounding said distal end of said elongate tubular element and being composed of soft and resilient material of sufficient thickness and flexibility to present a cushioned portion for contact with the tissues of a patient and permitting flexing and yielding thereof by contact with patient body tissues, said flexible cushioning tip having a proximal end portion and a distal end portion, said tubular portion extending beyond said distal end of said elongate tubular element and defining a flexible and readily yieldable chamber wall section defining an aspiration chamber and having a curved distal end wall;
• and said flexible cushioning tip defining a plurality of external aspiration relief channels extending longitudinally thereof from said proximal end portion to said distal end portion and increasing gradually from a minimum depth at said proximal end to a maximum depth greater than said minimum depth at said curved distal end wall and defining a plurality of aspiration openings each being located in said flexible and readily yieldable chamber wall section and within one of said external aspiration relief channels and disposed in communication with said aspiration chamber and permitting flow of fluid therethrough into said aspiration chamber and into said flow passage of said elongate tubular element.

An aspirator assembly for use during dental or medical procedures for removing body fluid and debris from the site of a procedure, comprising:

• an elongate tubular element defining a flow passage and having a connection end and a distal end;
• a flexible cushioning tip having a tubular connection section surrounding and establishing connection with said distal end of said elongate tubular element and being of sufficient thickness and resiliency to present a cushioned external surface for protective contact with the body tissues of a patient, said flexible cushioning tip having a proximal end and a distal end, said distal end defining a flexible tubular and readily yieldable chamber wall section extending beyond said distal end of said elongate tubular element and defining a rounded distal end wall portion and defining an aspiration chamber located beyond said distal end of said elongate tubular element;
• said flexible cushioning tip defining a plurality of external longitudinal aspiration relief channels extending along a major portion of said tubular tip head and terminating at said rounded distal end portion, said external longitudinal aspiration relief channels having gradually increasing depth from a minimum depth at said proximal end and a maximum depth greater than said minimum depth at said rounded distal end portion;
• and
• said flexible and readily yieldable chamber wall section of said flexible cushioning tip defining a plurality of aspiration openings each being located within one of said of said plurality of external longitudinal aspiration relief channels and permitting suction enhanced aspiration of fluid therethrough and into said aspiration chamber and thence into said flow passage of said elongate tubular element.