Dentistry – Apparatus – Having motor or means to transmit motion from motor to tool
Reexamination Certificate
2000-02-04
2001-11-06
Manahan, Todd E. (Department: 3732)
Dentistry
Apparatus
Having motor or means to transmit motion from motor to tool
C433S127000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06312255
ABSTRACT:
RELATED APPLICATIONS
The present invention was first described in Disclosure Document Number 463269 filed on Oct. 7, 1999. There are no previously filed, nor currently any co-pending applications, anywhere in the world.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to dental instruments and, more particularly, to an endodontic adapter with a novel means for attaching a sonic dental instrument to the handle of a sonic periodontal scaler.
2. Description of the Related Art
The daily brushing and flossing of one's teeth is one of the most important hygiene functions that people perform. Failure to do so will inevitably cause tooth decay and gum disease requiring frequent trips to the dentist and expensive repair work. Despite even the noblest of efforts cavities can still appear and require a visit to the dentist. As most people know, a trip to the dentist is a very frightening experience. The dentist's office is filled with a variety of strange looking devices and equipment. The most infamous device is the dental drill which the dentist uses to drill out decayed tooth material from a tooth to make room for a filling. As most people will attest, this is a very unpleasant experience. Modern dentistry has yielded devices wherein the dental drill is mounted on the head of a sonic instrument. The vibrations of the sonic device are transmitted to the drill for removing decayed tooth material. A variety of other devices can also be mounted on the head of the sonic instrument such as files, reamers, broaches, spreaders, and pluggers each of which perform a different dental function. The present invention is an improved means and apparatus for attaching the dental instruments to the handle of the sonic scaler.
In the related art, there exists several patents for dental scalers and instruments attached to the scaler. Typically, these devices have a dental instrument attached to the head of the scaler. For instance, and of considerable relevance are U.S. Pat. No. 4,571,183 and 4,484,891 issued in the name of Nash which discloses an vibratory endodontic scaler with a dental file attached to the head of the scaler via a thumbscrew. However, a problem with this method of attachment occurs because the vibrations from the vibratory means loosens the thumbscrew and the dental instrument becomes loose. This can be disastrous when the instrument is in the patient's mouth. The remainder of the prior art utilizes similar methods to attach the dental instruments to the head of the vibratory means.
A search of the prior art did not disclose any patents that read directly on the claims of the instant invention; however, the following references were considered related:
U.S. Pat. No.
Inventor
Issue Date
5,236,358
Sieffert
Aug. 17, 1993
3,956,826
Perdreaux, Jr.
3,589,012
Perdreaux, Jr.
RE 30,536
Perdreaux, Jr.
Mar. 3, 1981
4,571,183
Nash
Feb. 18, 1986
4,484,891
Nash
Nov. 27, 1984
4,295,827
Martin et al.
Oct. 20, 1981
4,850,867
Senia et al.
Jul. 25, 1989
5,927,977
Sale et al.
Jul. 27, 1999
5,419,703
Warrin et al.
May 30, 1995
Consequently, a need has been felt for providing an improved apparatus and method of attaching dental instruments and the like to the head of a a sonic scaler. The development of the endodonic adapter for a sonic scaler fulfills this need.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an improved adapter for holding a variety of dental instruments for a sonic scaler.
It is another object of the present invention to provide an improved means for attaching a dental instrument to the head of a sonic scaler.
It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a means for attaching a dental instrument to the head of a sonic scaler that will not loosen from the vibrations of the sonic scaler.
Briefly described according to one embodiment of the present invention, an improved endodontic adapter for a sonic scaler is provided consisting of a talon shaped mounting head having a threaded end for insertion into the handle of the sonic scaler. Located on the other end of the mounting head is a tapered shaft portion having a pair of downwardly pointed barbs which protrude radially from the side of tapered shaft portion. The pair of barbs are for receiving an elastic ligature which firmly holds a dental instrument such as an endodontic dental file to the adapter. The dental instruments used with the adapter have a specially formed aperture drilled radially into it so that the dental instrument may placed onto the tapered shaft portion. To secure the dental instrument to the adapter, the elastic ligature is simply wrapped around the dental instrument on opposite sides of the tapered shaft portion and then the ends of the elastic ligature are wrapped around the downwardly pointing pair of barbs. The dental instrument is now securely attached to the tapered shaft portion of the adapter.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4229168 (1980-10-01), Scholz
patent: 4818229 (1989-04-01), Vasile
patent: 4992048 (1991-02-01), Goof
Corrigan Michael J.
Gugliotta John D.
Manahan Todd #E.
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