APPARATUS AND METHODS FOR REDUCING FOAMING DURING SALIVA COLLECTION

摘要

A saliva collector comprises a reservoir, a bubble barrier, and a membrane, where the bubble barrier and membrane are arranged in tandem on a flow path from an inlet to an outlet on the reservoir. Air aspirated from a patient's oral cavity enters the reservoir through the inlet, passes through the bubble barrier to remove foam and bubbles, passes through the membrane to remove entrained liquid saliva, and passes out through the outlet.

主权项

1. A saliva collector for attachment in a vacuum line which aspirates an air stream entrained with saliva, said saliva collector comprising:
a reservoir having a bottom, a top, and a sidewall which together define an interior volume, said reservoir further having an air inlet and an air outlet with an air flow path therebetween; and a bubble barrier positioned within the interior of the reservoir so that all air on the flow path passes therethrough, wherein the barrier disrupts bubbles and foam present in the air stream before such bubbles of foam can reach the outlet.