Dentistry – Apparatus – Having means to emit radiation or facilitate viewing of the...
Reexamination Certificate
2000-04-13
2001-07-03
Wilson, John J. (Department: 3732)
Dentistry
Apparatus
Having means to emit radiation or facilitate viewing of the...
Reexamination Certificate
active
06254386
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention is generally directed to a dental instrument. More particularly, the present invention is generally directed to a removable and disposable transparent plastic cover for covering, and thereby protecting, a portable dental mirror inserted into a dental patient's mouth during a dental process, such as an abrasive dental treatment, as is used for cleaning and/or structural work on teeth.
2. Description of the Related Art
Dental mirrors are well known. Dental mirrors typically consist of a handle having a head at one end thereof. A small mirror is mounted to the head of the dental instrument. Dental healthcare professionals utilize the dental mirrors when performing dental applications and treatments, such as teeth-cleaning processes, by placing the head of the dental mirror (and thus the mirror) into the mouth of the patient, thereby permitting the dental professional to view portions of the patient's mouth, teeth, and/or gums that would otherwise be visually inaccessible. In this regard, at least a portion of the handle of a conventional dental mirror is often angled to facilitate the type of visual access that is desired under such circumstances.
One conventional and increasingly popular type of teeth cleaning technique and dental restructuring utilizes an abrasive process. In particular, particulate laden liquid (or high pressure air) is streamed into a dental patient's mouth and, particularly, in contact with the patient's teeth. The particulate, when applied with force against the patient's teeth, has the effect of removing stains or tooth structure, thereby providing a very effective process for cleaning the teeth of the patient. Throughout this document, reference to dental treatment, teeth cleaning treatment and the like shall mean any abrasive dental treatment in which particulate is utilized to clean and/or reshape the teeth.
A problem encountered when utilizing an abrasive dental process of the type described, however, is that the reflective surface of a conventional dental mirror, which is typically used in conjunction with such an abrasive dental process, is itself scratched, thus rendering them useless. Accordingly, such mirrors have to be frequently replaced when they are utilized in conjunction with abrasive dental processes.
Accordingly, the need exists for a dental mirror, including a device for protecting the mirror, which may be utilized in conjunction with abrasive dental processes, without the need to discard the mirror after repeated use. More particularly, the need exists for a device for protecting the reflective surface of a dental mirror when it is utilized in an abrasive dental process. The present invention meets this need while overcoming past problems of the prior art.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
A portable, hand-held dental instrument of the present invention has a handle having a first and a second outer end. A head, for holding a small mirror having a reflective surface, is fixedly positioned within the head. Such dental instruments are well known in the prior art and are conventionally used by dental professionals. In particular, the head portion of the dental instrument, including the mirror, is inserted into the mouth of a dental patient and positioned so as to allow a dental professional to view, via the reflective surface of the mirror, portions of the mouth, teeth, gums, tongue, etc. that would otherwise be difficult or impossible to access visually.
In accordance with an aspect of the invention, a transparent cover is provided and is releasably positioned on the reflective surface of the mirror. Preferably, the transparent cover is dimensioned in shape to precisely cover the reflective surface of the mirror. The transparent cover is preferably formed of flexible plastic material, although may be rigid or semi-rigid. Additionally, in one embodiment of the invention, the transparent, protective cover has an adhesive coating on one side surface thereof. Prior to placement on the reflective surface of the mirror, the protective cover is provided with a sheet, or backing, to prevent exposure of the adhesive. Upon removal of the protective cover from the backing sheet, the exposed adhesive is used to adhere the protective cover to the surface of the mirror.
In a second embodiment, there is no adhesive coating on the transparent, protective cover. Rather, the transparent, protective cover adheres, or clings, to the mirror by static.
In a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, a plurality of transparent, protective mirror covers are placed on a flexible laminate, or strip. In the embodiment in which the protective cover has an adhesive coating, the strip serves as the backing sheet for preventing exposure of the adhesive until such time as the cover is to be used. In the embodiment in which the adhesive is not utilized, the protective cover is defined by a line of weakness, or perforation, such that the protective cover may be torn from the strip along the line of weakness or perforation. A flexible strip may be folded upon itself, or formed into a roll, in either case making the flexible strip with individual covers thereon easily storable in a container or dispenser.
In use, a transparent protective cover is removed from the strip and placed over, and on, the reflective surface of the mirror. The mirror may then be utilized in a dental application, such as an abrasive teeth-cleaning or dental restructuring process. During an abrasive dental process, a stream of particulate laden liquid or air is applied to the teeth of a patient. To clean areas of the teeth that are visually inaccessible, the mirror of the present invention, having the protective cover thereon, may be inserted into the patient's mouth to provide a reflective view, as needed. In such instances, it is highly probable that particulate utilized in the abrasive dental treatment process will impact on the protective cover, thereby causing abrasions on the cover. At some point, and after a certain duration of use, depending upon the circumstances, the transparent protective cover will have more abrasions on it than are desirable, thereby inhibiting a clear, reflective view with the mirror. At such a time, the dental professional may remove the dental mirror of the invention from the patient's mouth, and remove the damaged transparent protective cover by peeling it away from the mirror. A second protective cover may then be put in place of the damaged one, and the teeth cleaning process may be continued. Similarly, at the end of the teeth cleaning treatment, the protective cover may be discarded (even if it was not significantly damaged) and the instrument may be sterilized in a conventional fashion. It should also be understood that the dental instrument may be sterilized with the protective cover in place, although the disposability of the present invention makes it particularly useful for disposal upon completion of an abrasive dental process.
REFERENCES:
patent: 516092 (1894-03-01), Hills
patent: 2659272 (1953-11-01), Goldmann
patent: 4394904 (1983-07-01), Larimore
patent: 4511329 (1985-04-01), Diamond
patent: 4713002 (1987-12-01), Presser et al.
patent: 5409753 (1995-04-01), Perez
patent: 5636984 (1997-06-01), Gomes
patent: 5894923 (1999-04-01), Hamstra et al.
Shook Hardy & Bacon L.L.P.
Wendel Erik
Wilson John J.
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