An endoscope apparatus comprises an endoscope body in which an air supply pipe and a water supply pipe are included, and an air supply unit connected to the endoscope body. The endoscope apparatus includes an air supply switch and a water supply switch arranged in an operating section, and a drive signal generator being adapted to receive output signals from these switches, an air supply pump connected to the air supply pipe, a water supply pump connected via a water vessel to the water supply pipe and having an output higher than the air supply pump. The air supply pump is driven responsive to the drive signal from the drive signal generator to achieve normal air supply for a time period during which the air supply switch is closed. The water supply pump is driven to perform water supply for a first predetermined time period starting from the instant when the water supply switch is closed, and the air supply pump is again driven to achieve water removing air supply for a second predetermined time period after the finish of the first predetermined time period.

A dental hand mirror unit includes a generally hollow handle portion which supports a mirror at one end and has its other end releasably coupled to a cap or valve member. Air is fed through the cap member and handle portion and is directed outwardly along the upper surface of the mirror to prevent it from fogging. Rotation of the cap member controls the flow of air to the mirror as desired. In one embodiment, light from a light dispersion element positioned in a chamber beneath a two-way mirror passes outwardly through the mirror and into a patient's mouth. In addition, light is transmitted to such dispersion element by a bundle of optic fibers positioned within an optical fiber passageway portion of the dental hand mirror unit.

The invention relates to mirrors for use in confined spaces which are subject to being covered by fluids and debris, principally dental mirrors, for use by dentists and similar medical professionals. The mirror assembly includes a head portion and a handle portion. The head portion includes a housing with a rotor assembly and a rotor drive means. In accordance with the invention, a secondary member has a reflective surface. The mirror assembly includes attachment means for removably attaching the secondary member with respect to the rotor assembly so that the reflective surface can be replaced when degraded. In use, the rotor drive means spins the rotor assembly and with it the secondary member to remove fluids and debris that may fall on the reflective surface so that vision when using the reflective surface is not impaired by such fluids or debris. Advantageously the attachment means include magnetic components although mechanical attachment means may also be used. In a preferred embodiment, the handle portion includes a light source which may be moved between first and second positions for lighting the work zone of the mirror selectively as desired.

The present invention is a dental evacuation tool for being placed in fluid communication with a dental vacuum. The tool comprises a suction head and an elongated tubular handle. The suction head includes a mirror surface, first and second upward-facing intake orifices adjacent the mirror surface, and an exit fluid pathway that is in fluid communication with the first and second upward-facing intake orifices. The elongated tubular handle includes a first end adapted to be in fluid communication with the vacuum and a second end in fluid communication with the exit fluid pathway. The first and second upward-facing intake orifices are positioned generally opposite each other about the mirror surface, are generally centered about a line that is generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the handle, and open in generally the same direction faced by the mirror.

A dental mirror comprising a handle, a mirror, a tubular member inside the handle, a light source inside the tubular member, a light transmitting element coupled to the light source, a thermally conductive fluid conduit coiled around the tubular member, a fluid discharge manifold, a manifold support member for supporting the manifold adjacent to the mirror, a first connector attached to one end of the handle, a second connector attached to the first connector, and a combined electric/air supply line coupled to the second connector. The supply line couples electrical energy and compressed air to the handle via the connectors. The compressed air is coupled to the fluid conduit to aid in cooling the handle while the light source is energized. The air, having been warmed during the cooling process, is then channeled to the mirror to clean and defog the mirror.