Dental syringe apparatus
and method
A medical syringe contains neoprene O-rings and is constructed
such that its nozzle and handle can be sterilized without damaging
the O-rings. A hollow aluminum handle provides a first handle opening
at the bottom and a second handle opening at the top. An insert
is removably inserted through the second handle opening to locate
the insert at the top of the aluminum handle. An elongated metal
or plastic valve body is removably inserted into the first handle
opening to locate a top end of the valve body and two normally closed
valves adjacent to the insert, and to locate a bottom end of the
valve body at the first handle opening. The bottom end of the valve
body is hose-connected to an air and a water pressurized source.
Each valve includes a valve seat and a valve O-ring that is spring-biased
against the valve seat. Two valve actuators in the insert selectively
open the two valves by moving the valve O-rings away from the valve
seats. The valve actuators are short curved rods that are guided
by the insert so as to move about a virtual center of rotation.
An elongated cavity within the insert contains O-rings and releasably
mounts one end of an elongated nozzle. Manual removal of the valve
body allows the handle body, complete with nozzle, insert, and release
ring to be sterilized without compromising the structural integrity
of the neoprene O-rings in the valve body. In addition, the nozzle
can also be removed from the handle body to facilitate the separate
sterilization of the nozzle.
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