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  Dental evacuation mirrorRelated Patent Categories: Dentistry, Apparatus, Having Means To Emit Radiation Or Facilitate Viewing Of The Work, Mirror, Combined With Other DeviceDental evacuation mirror description/claimsThe Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20050239014, Dental evacuation mirror. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] The present application claims priority from, and is a continuation of, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/716,383, which was filed Nov. 18, 2003 and is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. TECHNICAL FIELD [0002] The present invention relates to dental instruments and methods of making and using dental instruments. More specifically, the present invention relates to dental evacuation mirrors and methods of making and using dental evacuation mirrors. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0003] A dental professional will typically sit while performing a dental procedure. To avoid neck strain, the dental professional will utilize a dental mirror to indirectly view the interior of a patient's mouth. [0004] Dental procedures result in the accumulation of liquids and debris within the patient's mouth. A dental professional uses a dental evacuator to vacuum the liquids and debris from the patient's mouth. [0005] Most dental procedures require both a dental mirror and a dental evacuator. Consequently, the features of a dental mirror and a dental evacuator were combined to form prior art dental evacuator mirrors. Unfortunately, the configurations of those prior art devices often cause them to suck in the soft, pliable tissue of a patient's mouth. This is uncomfortable for a patient and impedes the evacuation of fluids and debris. Also, the configurations of the prior art dental evacuator mirrors are such that they require a dental professional to contort their arms excessively to evacuate fluids and debris from a patient's mouth. [0006] There is a need in the art for a dental evacuation mirror that is more comfortable for the patient. Also, there is a need in the art for a dental evacuation mirror that is easier and more comfortable to use for a dental professional. BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0007] The present invention, in one embodiment, 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. [0008] The present invention, in another embodiment, 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, a first intake orifice adjacent the edge of the mirror surface and having a center point, a second intake orifice adjacent the edge of the mirror surface and having a center point, and an exit fluid pathway that is in fluid communication with the first and second 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 center point of the first intake orifice is radially offset by approximately 45 to approximately 135 degrees in a first direction about the edge of the mirror surface from the center of the exit fluid pathway. The center point of the second intake orifice is radially offset by approximately 45 to approximately 135 degrees in a second direction about the edge of the mirror surface from the center of the exit fluid pathway. The first and second intake orifices radially extend by approximately one to approximately 90 degrees away from each side of their respective center points. The first and second intake orifices open in a direction that is approximately zero to approximately 45 degrees from being normal to the mirror surface. [0009] The present invention, in another embodiment, is a method of making a dental evacuation tool for being placed in fluid communication with a dental vacuum. The method comprises providing a suction head, an elongated tubular handle, and first and second upward-facing intake orifices. The suction head is to include a mirror surface and an exit fluid pathway. The elongated tubular handle is to include a first end in fluid communication with the exit fluid pathway and a second end adapted to be in fluid communication with the vacuum. The first and second upward-facing intake orifices are to be 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. Furthermore, the first and second upward-facing intake orifices are to be positioned generally opposite each other about the mirror surface, are to be generally centered about a line that is generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the handle, and are to open in generally the same direction faced by the mirror. [0010] The present invention, in another embodiment, is a method of using a dental evacuation mirror that has a suction head. The suction head has a mirror surface, a backside opposite the mirror surface, and an intake orifice adjacent to the mirror surface. The method comprises placing the suction head in a first position within the mouth of a person and, while maintaining the suction head in the first position, evacuating fluids and/or debris through the intake orifice without suctioning a cheek. The first position is between the cheek and a buccal surface of a tooth, wherein the mirror surface is adjacent to the buccal surface and the backside abuts against and retracts the cheek. [0011] While multiple embodiments are disclosed, still other embodiments of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description, which shows and describes illustrative embodiments of the invention. As will be realized, the invention is capable of modifications in various obvious aspects, all without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Accordingly, the drawings and detailed description are to be regarded as illustrative in nature and not restrictive. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0012] FIG. 1 is a top view of the dental evacuation mirror, wherein the viewing direction is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the elongated tubular handle. [0013] FIG. 2 is a side elevation of the dental evacuation mirror as viewed from the direction of arrow A in FIG. 1. [0014] FIG. 3 is a top view of the dental evacuation mirror, wherein the viewing direction is perpendicular to the mirror surface. [0015] FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of the right intake orifice depicted in FIG. 3. [0016] FIG. 5 is a top view of another embodiment of the dental evacuation mirror, wherein the viewing direction is perpendicular to the mirror surface. [0017] FIG. 6 is an end elevation of the dental evacuation mirror as viewed from the direction of arrow B in FIG. 3. [0018] FIG. 7 is a sectional view taken through the elongated tubular handle as shown in FIG. 1. [0019] FIG. 8a is a photograph of the dental evacuation mirror being used to view the maxillary, posterior, left quadrant, buccal aspect of a patient's teeth. Continue reading about Dental evacuation mirror... Full patent description for Dental evacuation mirror Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Dental evacuation mirror patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. 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