Covered yankauer suction device and methods of using same

Abstract

A covered yankauer suction device is protectable from contamination after use. The covered yankauer suction device includes a yankauer having a suction tip at a first end and a connector at a second end. A retractable sleeve partially encloses the yankauer. One end of the retractable sleeve is secured to the yankauer while the opposite end of the retractable sleeve is secured to a valve. The valve includes a cross-cut that enables the valve to open when the suction tip of the yankauer pushes against the underside of the cross-cut.

1 . A covered yankauer suction device comprising:
 a yankauer having a suction tip at a first end and a connector at a second end;   a retractable sleeve partially enclosing the yankauer, the retractable sleeve having one end secured to the yankauer and an opposite free end; and   a valve secured to the free end of the retractable sleeve, the valve including a cross-cut, the cross-cut enables the valve to open when the suction tip of the yankauer pushes against an underside of the cross-cut.   
     
     
         2 . The covered yankauer suction device of  claim 1  wherein the valve is further adapted to slidably and frictionally engage the yankauer and passively lock against the yankauer once slidably engaged. 
     
     
         3 . The covered yankauer suction device of  claim 1 , wherein the suction tip of the yankauer contains at least one aperture. 
     
     
         4 . The covered yankauer suction device of  claim 1 , wherein the suction tip of the yankauer is enclosed by the valve and the sleeve when the covered yankauer suction device is not in use. 
     
     
         5 . The covered yankauer suction device of  claim 1 , wherein the yankauer is slidably and frictionally engaged by the valve when the covered yankauer suction device is in use. 
     
     
         6 . The covered yankauer suction device of  claim 1 , wherein the valve is comprised of silicone, a thermoplastic elastomer, natural rubber (latex), polyester, nylon, polyisoprene, nitrile, urethane, or combinations thereof. 
     
     
         7 . The covered yankauer suction device of  claim 1 , wherein the covered yankauer suction device is adapted to be reused. 
     
     
         8 . The covered yankauer suction device of  claim 1 , wherein the connector is adapted to associate with a vacuum source. 
     
     
         9 . A covered yankauer suction device comprising:
 a yankauer having a suction tip at a first end and a connector at a second end;   a retractable sleeve partially enclosing the yankauer, the retractable sleeve having one end secured to the yankauer and an opposite free end; and   a valve secured to the free end of the sleeve, the valve being adapted to slidably and frictionally engage the yankauer.   
     
     
         10 . The covered yankauer suction device of  claim 9 , wherein the suction tip of the yankauer contains at least one aperture. 
     
     
         11 . The covered yankauer suction device of  claim 9 , wherein the suction tip of the yankauer is enclosed by the valve and the sleeve when the covered yankauer suction device is not in use. 
     
     
         12 . The covered yankauer suction device of  claim 9 , wherein the yankauer is slidably and frictionally engaged by the valve when the yankauer suction device is in use. 
     
     
         13 . The covered yankauer suction device of  claim 9 , wherein the valve is comprised of silicone, a thermoplastic elastomer, natural rubber (latex), polyester, nylon, polyisopreme, nitrile, urethane, or combinations thereof. 
     
     
         14 . The covered yankauer suction device of  claim 9 , wherein the covered yankauer suction device is adapted to be reused. 
     
     
         15 . The covered yankauer suction device of  claim 9 , wherein the valve includes a cross-cut, the cross-cut enables the valve to open when the suction tip of the yankauer pushes against an underside of the cross-cut. 
     
     
         16 . A method for using a covered yankauer suction device, the method comprising the acts of:
 providing a yankauer having a connector at a first end and a suction tip at a second end, a retractable sleeve partially enclosing the yankauer, the retractable sleeve having one end secured to the yankauer and an opposite free end, and a valve secured to the free end of the sleeve;   gripping the yankauer near the connector; and   sliding the valve along the yankauer towards the connector, the valve being adapted to passively lock to the yankauer after the sliding of the valve.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the method further comprises the act of sliding the valve along the yankauer towards the suction tip. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the valve is further adapted to wipe secretions from the yankauer as the valve slides towards the suction tip of the yankauer. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the valve is comprised of silicone, a thermoplastic elastomer, natural rubber (latex), polyester, nylon, polyisopreme, nitrile, urethane, or combinations thereof. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the covered yankauer suction device is adapted to be reused.