Coded dental handle

Details Coded dental handle Coded dental handle

1999-11-30

2001-02-27

Lucchesi, Nicholas D. (Department: 3732)

Dentistry

Apparatus

Hand manipulatable implement

C433S072000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06193515

ABSTRACT:

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The invention is directed to hand held dental instruments. Particularly, the invention is directed to a color coded handle feature for dental instruments.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Dental practitioners often organize instruments for various reasons. The instruments are sometimes organized or sorted according to steps in the procedure to be performed by the practitioner. The instruments could alternatively be sorted by ownership in a situation where dental practitioners share equipment. Color coding is one method of organizing or sorting such instruments.
Known dental instruments are composed of metal and can be difficult to color code. Coloring metal instruments can be done by black oxidation or by plating. However, these methods are costly, inefficient, and offer limited color choices depending on the base metal alloy. Such coloring techniques can have a short effective life due to repeated sterilization of the dental instrument. The coating or plating may crack from repeated thermal cycles during sterilization and may eventually peel from the base metal.
The present inventor recognized the need for providing a cost effective color coding system for sorting and organizing dental instruments. Additionally, the present inventor recognized the need for increasing the practitioner's finger dexterity and control of the dental instrument and the need for decreasing finger fatigue due to prolonged gripping of the instrument.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to the present invention, a color coded elastomeric ring is fit over a portion of a dental instrument. The ring is advantageously composed of a material which is repeatably sterilizable. The ring can be color coded according to a wide array of colors.
The ring, being composed of a soft, stretchable material, can be stretched over the instrument ends and consequently can be installed or replaced quickly and easily. The ring can be replaced in a dental practitioner's office, if necessary. The elastomeric ring fits onto a tool-receiving end portion of the instrument handle. The end portion has a port that receives a tool insert. The ring is preferably composed of silicone.
The elastomeric ring has surface formations which promote gripping and manipulation of the instrument. Circumferential ridges provide for positive traction of fingers for rotational movement and control of the instrument. This traction is particularly significant since a dental practitioner can be holding the instrument through slippery, saliva-coated gloves.
Steps along an axial direction on the elastomeric ring provide for precise axial location of the practitioner's fingers with respect to the instrument. Axial location is important to the practitioner to receive a positive feedback of the location of the instrument inside a patient's mouth.
The soft elastomeric ring reduces finger stress from prolonged gripping by the practitioner.
According to one embodiment, a dental instrument includes a handle shaft and two opposite end portions with a tool insert, such as a “point”, carried by each of the opposite end portions. Each end portion forms the interface between the tool insert and the handle shaft. One elastomeric ring is mounted around each of the two end portions of the instrument.
Each end portion includes a “cone”, or socket portion, for receiving the tool insert, a neck portion extending from the cone, a base portion connected to the neck portion, and a plug portion connected to the base portion, all as a unitary piece that is symmetrical about its central axis. The plug portion connects to an end of a handle shaft. The cone, the neck portion and the base portion define a groove that is complimentary to the shape of the elastomeric ring and sized such that it provides for a secure fit therebetween. The inner diameter of the elastomeric ring is somewhat smaller than the outer diameter of a floor of the groove, thereby providing a stretched radial fit. The elastomeric ring is also somewhat wider than the groove in an axial direction to allow an interference fit in the axial direction. The relative size of the ring and groove insures minimal debris entrapment between the ring and the groove.
Other features and advantages of the present invention will become readily apparent from the following detail description, the accompanying drawings, and the appended claims.


REFERENCES:
patent: 4882867 (1989-11-01), Linden
patent: 4988295 (1991-01-01), Kline
patent: 5090907 (1992-02-01), Hewitt et al.
patent: 5498158 (1996-03-01), Wong
patent: 5501597 (1996-03-01), Wilson
patent: 5816806 (1998-10-01), Herbst et al.
patent: 5842861 (1998-12-01), Buchanan

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