Dentistry – Miscellaneous
Reexamination Certificate
1999-12-01
2001-10-30
Manahan, Todd E. (Department: 3732)
Dentistry
Miscellaneous
C132S073000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06309222
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an enclosed work space in which a dentist, or a dental assistant or technician, can physically adjust and manipulate dental fixtures, such as veneers, in-lays, partials, dentures and other prosthodontics, without the risk of dropping, contaminating or losing the fixtures in the process. The dental fixtures are physically small in size, making them especially difficult to secure while adjusting or manipulating and difficult to locate if dropped. It also makes them difficult to see clearly during the process. The fixtures must be re-sterilized each time they come in contact with a non-sterile surface, increasing patient treatment time and reducing operating efficiency. These dental fixtures are also expensive to replace if lost or damaged, usually costing more than $600.00 apiece.
The common method of fitting a dental fixture is to insert it into a patient's mouth to determine preliminarily the physical compatibility of the fixture with the area of the mouth to be treated. The dentist then removes the fixture to make appropriate adjustments for the final fitting. Often, this process requires repeated placements and subsequent adjustments to obtain the ideal fit to the patient's mouth. Due to their small size, fixtures are difficult to see, grasp and manipulate using dental tools. The fixtures frequently slip from tools or the dentist's hands during the adjustment process. This results in the fixtures being lost, damaged or dropped on the floor or other unsterilized surfaces.
OBJECTS AND BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the invention disclosed herein to provide an inexpensive, highly portable, sterile, partially enclosed workspace in which a dentist, or a dental assistant or technician, can conveniently adjust and manipulate dental fixtures.
It is another object of the invention disclosed herein to minimize the risk of dropping a previously sterilized fixture onto the floor or other unsterilized surface during the adjustment process, thereby preventing the need for additional sterilization of the fixture and saving time to fit the fixture to the patient's mouth.
It is another object of the invention disclosed herein to minimize the risk of dropping and losing a fixture, thereby avoiding the expense of having to use another fixture and saving time to fit a new fixture to the patient's mouth.
It is another object of the invention disclosed herein to maximize visibility of a fixture during the adjusting and manipulating process, thereby enhancing the ability to secure the fixture and make appropriate adjustments, as well as promoting efficiency generally.
The invention achieves the above objects by providing a transparent enclosure, defining a protected workspace with hand-holes in the sides. The work space enclosure would be large enough to permit unobstructed use of hands and ordinary dental hand-tools for adjusting and manipulating dental fixtures, including removable and permanent prosthodontics. The hand-holes would come in a variety of sizes to accommodate different hand sizes; the appropriate sized hand-holes would be large enough to enable the unobstructed insertion of the operator's hands and tools, yet small enough to prevent to the fullest extent dental fixtures from falling or otherwise slipping through the excess spaces around the hands.
The containment shield would sit on a horizontal surface in the dental treatment area, such as a tray or countertop, convenient to the dental professional during treatment of a patient. The preferred embodiment of the containment shield would be portable, light weight and would include a base at the bottom of the enclosure that is attachable to the horizontal surface area in order to prevent sliding or upset of the enclosure. The preferred means of attachment would be magnetic or frictional. This would enable the user to move the containment shield easily from one location to another without undue effort mechanically disconnecting it from its present surface. However, the invention contemplates any additional means of attachment to horizontal surfaces, which may include brackets, screws, clamps, clips, suction cups and other means of more permanent fixture. Portability would also enable the invention to be sterilized in an ordinary autoclave.
Embodiments of the invention also include a magnifying surface area to enhance visibility. This magnification would help the dental professional to better manipulate the small dental fixtures while handling them and to more efficiently make adjustments.
REFERENCES:
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patent: 4108509 (1978-08-01), Piet et al.
patent: 4505190 (1985-03-01), Fink et al.
patent: 4949738 (1990-08-01), Hubbard
patent: 4956915 (1990-09-01), Anderson
patent: 5046606 (1991-09-01), Morelli
patent: 5350064 (1994-09-01), Schneck
patent: 5462434 (1995-10-01), Mahr
patent: 5464029 (1995-11-01), Rentz
patent: 5928075 (1999-07-01), Miya et al.
patent: 276638 (1988-08-01), None
Greenblum & Bernstein P.L.C.
Manahan Todd #E.
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