Dentistry – Apparatus – Tool bit
Reexamination Certificate
1999-03-26
2001-01-30
Wilson, John J. (Department: 3732)
Dentistry
Apparatus
Tool bit
C408S209000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06179615
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to drills, and more particularly to a drill having a support pin which is received in a pilot hole. This feature enables the drill to be pivoted somewhat as the blade bears against material being cut. The novel drill finds utility in applications wherein it is desirable to incline the drill while bearing down on the cutting blade. A principal contemplated use is in the field of dental anchors, wherein gum tissue must be cut away to install the anchor, and osteosurgery, wherein pins and other members must be inserted into bone tissue. However, the novel drill would be useful in many settings wherein the angle of the cut must be varied from that of the pilot hole. Illustratively, it may be necessary in repair and restoration work in fields other than dental and medical fields to accommodate localized areas of material which is not of sufficient strength and good condition to receive fasteners or otherwise support members being attached.
2. Description of the Prior Art
From time to time, it becomes necessary to install external members into a material which has deteriorated over time or with exposure to a deleterious influence. Frequently, localized conditions cannot be determined until the material is exposed by cutting. In the field of installing dental anchors in the jaw, the most advantageous angle at which the anchor is to be oriented may not be susceptible of being determined until actual drilling commences. If the dental practitioner drills a pilot hole, then he or she is constrained to the angle of the pilot hole. Should local conditions at the jaw require adjustment in drilling angle, then rigidity of the process threatens the quality of the remedial therapy.
A dental drill is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 4,787,848, issued to Stanley E. Ross on Nov. 29, 1988 having a circular cutting blade. There is no guide pin as seen in the present invention.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,098,293, issued to Lennart Lööf et al. On Mar. 24, 1992, describes a machining device for implant work which device has a machining blade formed as a spherical member located at the end of a shaft. Although this configuration bears a superficial similarity to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, a significant difference exists in that the spherical member of the present invention is blunt and not capable of cutting. Also, the present invention has a circular blade located above the spherical member. By contrast, the spherical member of Lööf et al. is the blade, and no annular blade is present in the device of Lööf et al.
U.S. Pat. No. 1,216,683, issued to Edwin J. Greenfield on Feb. 20, 1917, describes a hole cutting saw intended for dental implants. The saw has an annular blade bearing teeth and has relief holes formed in the blade. There is neither a support pin projecting forwardly of the cutting edge of the blade, nor an enlarged blunt head located forwardly of the cutting blade, both being features of the present invention.
U.S. Pat. No. 1,333,388, issued to William E. Chester on Mar. 9, 1920, illustrates a dental drill having a fluted drill bit projecting ahead of an annular hole cutting blade. The fluted bit drills a pilot bore ahead of the hole cutting blade, but could not accommodate inclination of the hole cutting blade relative to the pilot hole as occurs in the present invention.
None of the above inventions and patents, taken either singly or in combination, is seen to describe the instant invention as claimed.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides a hole cutting blade which has a projecting support pin at its distal end. The pin is received in a pilot bore drilled into the jaw. The support pin terminates in an enlarged, generally spherical head. The shaft of the pin is of a diameter reduced from that of the head. This relationship enables the cutting blade assembly to be inclined out of alignment with the axis of the pilot bore. When drilling, a dental practitioner is thus afforded an opportunity to adjust direction and orientation of the hole generated by the annular blade. This is especially important in those instances wherein local conditions at the jaw make it desirable to make such an adjustment. No prior art tool affords this ability.
The enlarged head is blunt, so as not to extend the pilot hole beyond its original depth, or to abrade or pulverize tissue. The shape is preferably spherical so that the novel drill is readily rotated and inclined to a new position within the pilot bore. The support pin is generally aligned with the pilot bore, with slight deviation accommodated by virtue of the enlarged head being of greater diameter than the shaft of the support pin.
The cutting blade is preferably annular, having a cutting surface facing the enlarged head of the support pin. The blade has at least one relief opening communicating between the interior of the annular blade and the exterior thereof, for enabling expulsion of drilling detritus from the interior of the blade. The cutting blade is sharp enough to cut through soft gum tissue, but will not readily cut through bone tissue. The blade is therefore self-stopping.
At its proximal end, the shaft of the drill bears conventional attachment structure so that the drill can be mounted in a conventional powered driving appliance to rotate the drill under power.
Accordingly, it is one object of the invention to provide a drill which seats and supports itself in a pilot hole without drilling the pilot hole deeper.
It is another object of the invention to provide a drill capable of being inclined from a pilot hole in which it is received.
Another object of the invention is to enable the drill to expel drilling detritus.
It is a further object of the invention to enable the novel drill to be employed with a conventional rotating driving appliance.
Still another object of the invention is to enable a dental practitioner to modify the angle of a hole being drilled from that of an associated pilot hole.
An additional object of the invention is to prevent a dental drill from penetrating excessively into tissue being drilled.
It is an object of the invention to provide improved elements and arrangements thereof in an apparatus for the purposes described which is inexpensive, dependable and fully effective in accomplishing its intended purposes.
These and other objects of the present invention will become readily apparent upon further review of the following specification and drawings.
REFERENCES:
patent: 770115 (1904-09-01), Rood
patent: 1123730 (1915-01-01), Greenfield
patent: 1216683 (1917-02-01), Greenfield
patent: 1333388 (1920-03-01), Chester
patent: 2453696 (1948-11-01), Brooks
patent: 2807264 (1957-09-01), Tuck
patent: 4787848 (1988-11-01), Ross
patent: 5098293 (1992-03-01), L{umlaut over (oo)}f et al.
patent: 5100322 (1992-03-01), Weissman
patent: 105540 (1899-01-01), None
patent: 500538 (1930-06-01), None
Blacklock Gordon D.
Fernandes Americo
Siemens Patent Services LC
Wilson John J.
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