Apparatus for suction tube positioning

Abstract

The present invention is directed to an apparatus and method for holding a medical device within reach of a dentist during a dental procedure, the dental device comprising a clamp portion configured to attach a medical device, the clamp portion having a proximal end and a distal end; and a hook portion coupled to the distal end of the clamp portion, the hook portion configured to engage with a supporting structure. In one implementation, the medical device is a suction hose and the supporting structure is a dental dam.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An apparatus for holding a medical device within reach of a dentist during a dental procedure, the dental device comprising:
 a clamp portion configured to attach a medical device, the clamp portion having a proximal end and a distal end; and   a hook portion coupled to the distal end of the clamp portion, the hook portion configured to engage to a supporting structure.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the medical device is a suction hose and the supporting structure is a dental dam. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the clamp portion and the hook portion are integrated, manufactured as a single piece structure. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the clamp portion is having a pair of curved arms that extend between the proximal end and the distal end, the curvature of the curved arms is dimensioned to attach with the suction hose by an interference fit. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein the hook portion is having at least one hook. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein the hook portion is having three hooks arranged in a tripod configuration, one hook radially oriented towards the clamp portion, the other two hooks radially oriented towards each other. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein the hook portion is having two hooks arranged side by side and points towards the clamp portion. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the apparatus is made of disposable material. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the apparatus is made of a sterilizable and reusable material. 
     
     
         10 . A method for holding a medical device within reach of a dentist during a dental procedure, the method comprising:
 providing an apparatus, the apparatus comprising:
 a clamp portion configured to attach the medical device, the clamp portion having a proximal end and a distal end, and 
 a hook portion coupled to the distal end of the clamp portion, the hook portion configured to engage with a supporting structure; 
   attaching the medical device to the clamp portion of the apparatus; and   engaging the hook portion of the apparatus to the supporting structure, wherein the supporting structure is within reach of the dentist during the dental procedure.   
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the medical device is a suction hose. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the supporting structure is a dental dam. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the clamp portion is having a pair of curved arms that extend between the proximal end and the distal end, the curvature of the curved arms is dimensioned to attach the suction hose by an interference fit. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the hook portion is having at least one hook. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the hook portion comprises three hooks, the method further comprises the steps of:
 applying the dental drum.