Cannulae for evacuating saliva and/or blood flow

Abstract

Embodiments include an apparatus for use in the dental field including a cannula, the cannula including, a first hollow tubular branch, a second hollow tubular branch, a hollow tubular arcuate portion connecting the first hollow tubular branch and the second hollow tubular branch, a first hollow tubular member, a second hollow tubular member forming an elbowed portion, at least one first aperture formed on a relief feature of the first hollow tubular branch, at least one second aperture formed on the second hollow tubular member.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A dental apparatus comprising:
 a cannula, the cannula including:
 a) a first hollow tubular branch, 
 b) a second hollow tubular branch, 
 c) a hollow portion connecting the first hollow tubular branch and the second hollow tubular branch, 
 d) a first hollow tubular member into which a free end of the first hollow tubular branch opens, 
 e) a second hollow tubular member into which a free end of the second hollow tubular branch opens, 
 f) a relief feature on the first hollow tubular branch, the relief feature being a stud projecting laterally from the first hollow tubular branch, wherein at least one first aperture is formed in the stud, and 
 g) at least one second aperture formed on the second hollow tubular member, wherein the at least one first aperture and the at least one second aperture are configured to be engaged by each one of active ends of a clamping forceps for positioning of the cannula. 
   
     
     
         2 . The dental apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the at least one first aperture is more proximate the hollow portion than the at least one second aperture. 
     
     
         3 . The dental apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein a first length of the first hollow tubular branch and a second length of the second hollow tubular branch are substantially equal. 
     
     
         4 . The dental apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the first hollow tubular branch is longer than the second hollow tubular branch. 
     
     
         5 . The dental apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the first hollow tubular member comprises one or more suction holes arranged on a surface of the first hollow tubular member. 
     
     
         6 . The dental apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the second hollow tubular member comprises one or more suction holes arranged on a surface of the second hollow tubular member. 
     
     
         7 . The dental apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein a steel wire is embedded over the cannula. 
     
     
         8 . The dental apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the cannula is formed of a plastic material. 
     
     
         9 . The dental apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the cannula has a diameter of from about 3 mm to about 6 mm. 
     
     
         10 . The dental apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the hollow portion has a substantially U-shaped configuration. 
     
     
         11 . The dental apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the first hollow tubular member includes a plurality of suction holes in a staggered relationship. 
     
     
         12 . The dental apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein each of the plurality of suction holes has a diameter of about 1 mm. 
     
     
         13 . The dental apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the second hollow tubular member includes a plurality of suction holes in a staggered relationship. 
     
     
         14 . The dental apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein each of the plurality of suction holes has a diameter of about 1 mm. 
     
     
         15 . The dental apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a suction pipe selectively coupled with the second hollow tubular member. 
     
     
         16 . The dental apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the cannula is disposable. 
     
     
         17 . The dental apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising clamp forceps selectively coupled with the cannula. 
     
     
         18 . The dental apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the first hollow tubular member defines a first orifice and a second orifice, wherein the first orifice is substantially coaxial with the second orifice. 
     
     
         19 . A dental apparatus comprising:
 a cannula, the cannula including;
 a) a first branch, 
 b) a second branch, 
 c) a portion connecting the first branch and the second branch, 
 d) a first member into which a free end of the first branch opens, 
 e) a second member into which a free end of the second branch opens, 
 f) a relief feature on the first branch, the relief feature being a stud projecting laterally from the first branch, wherein at least one first aperture is formed in the stud, and 
 g) at least one second aperture formed on the second member, 
   wherein the at least one first aperture and the at least one second aperture are configured to be engaged by each one of active ends of a clamping forceps for positioning of the cannula.   
     
     
         20 . The dental apparatus of  claim 19 , further comprising further comprising clamp forceps selectively coupled with the cannula.