Dentistry – Apparatus – Having intra-oral dispensing means
Reexamination Certificate
1999-09-21
2001-05-29
Manahan, Todd E. (Department: 3732)
Dentistry
Apparatus
Having intra-oral dispensing means
Reexamination Certificate
active
06238211
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates generally to dental syringes, and more particularly to a fitting for releasably connecting a syringe tip to a hand piece for delivering a fluid to a mouth of a patient.
Dental syringes are hand-held devices for discharging fluids, such as pressurized air and water, into a patient's mouth. Syringes typically have a hand piece for gripping by a hand of a dentist or dental assistant and a fitting adapted for receiving a detachable tube or tip. Such syringes are described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/787,243, filed Jan. 24, 1997, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,927,975 which is hereby incorporated by reference. Fluids are conveyed through the hand piece and the fitting to the tip which delivers the fluids to the patient's mouth. The tip must be securely held by the fitting to prevent it from being ejected into the patient's mouth, and it must be clean to avoid spreading disease. To ensure the tips are clean, dentists typically change tips after each patient.
Ideally, a dentist should be able to quickly and securely lock a new tip in place. Unfortunately, many syringes of the prior art do not provide this ability. For instance, some fittings hold the tip in place with ball bearings which engage a circumferential groove extending around the tip. To use these fittings, the dentist must first depress a collar to permit the ball bearings to move radially outwardly so the tip can be inserted, and thereafter allow the collar to return to a locking position wherein the ball bearings are moved inwardly to engage the groove and lock the tip in position. These steps require the dentist to use both hands and can be awkward. Further, if the collar has not properly returned to its locking position, the tip remains loose and may be ejected from the syringe, posing a potential safety hazard.
Other fittings hold the tip with elastomeric O-rings which engage the circumferential groove around the tip. Although these fittings grip a new tip automatically when it is inserted, they rely solely on friction and elasticity from the O-rings to oppose removal of the tip. Because the magnitude of the frictional force is relatively limited, the tip is subject to ejection from the fitting when exposed to a strong force. Further, O-rings degrade over time which can diminish their elasticity and ability to generate frictional force, making the fitting unreliable.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Among the several objects and features of the present invention may be noted the provision of a dental syringe fitting which automatically locks a syringe tip in place upon insertion into the fitting; the provision of such a fitting which precludes accidental ejection of the tip from the fitting; the provision of such a fitting which sealingly connects passageways in a hand piece to passageways in a tip; and the provision of such a fitting which accepts syringe tips of a variety of constructions including tips made of plastic or metal.
Briefly, apparatus of the present invention includes a combination of a syringe tip and a fitting for releasably connecting the syringe tip to a hand piece for delivering a fluid to a mouth of a patient. The hand piece has a passageway for delivering the fluid to a discharge end of the hand piece. The tip includes an interior passage for transporting the fluid to the patient and an exterior surface having a circumferential groove extending around the exterior surface of the tip. The fitting comprises a body adapted to attach to the hand piece adjacent the discharge end. The body has a central opening sized and shaped for receiving the tip. Further, the fitting comprises a gripping mechanism mounted in the opening and having a plurality of locking fingers disposed around the opening adapted to releasably engage the groove when the tip is received in the opening thereby to secure the tip to the hand piece.
Another aspect of the present invention includes a dental syringe comprising a syringe tip having an exterior surface including a groove extending around the exterior surface of the tip. The syringe also includes a fitting having a central opening sized and shaped for receiving the syringe tip and a gripping mechanism mounted in the opening. The gripping mechanism has a plurality of locking fingers disposed around the opening adapted to engage the groove in the tip. Further, the syringe includes a hand piece having a discharge end and a socket generally at the discharge end for attaching the fitting to the hand piece.
Other objects and features of the present invention will be in part apparent and in part pointed out hereinafter.
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Norgren publication entitled, “Norgren Series 12 inch Push-In Tube Fittings” published May 5, 1996.
Alkon publication entitled, “Alkon Series AO Push-In tube Fittings,” published prior to Sep., 1999.
Parker Hannifin publication entitled, “Parker Prestolok/Prestolok II Fitings,” published prior to Sep., 1999.
Pisco Pneumatic Equipment publication entitled, “Pisco Pnuematic Equipment” published prior to Sep., 1999.
Nycoil publication entitled, “Push-In Tube Fittings” published prior to Sep., 1999.
SMC publication entitled, “SMC Inch-Size One Touch Fittings Series KO” published prior to Sep., 1999.
Imperial Eastman publication entitled, “Omega Flo” published prior to Sep., 1999.
Camozzi Pneumatics publication entitled, “Pro Fit Super-Rapid Pro fit Fittings for Plastic Tube” published prior to Sep., 1999.
Dana publication entitled, “Push Connect” published prior to Sep., 1999.
Legris publication entitled, “Advantages LF3000 Push-to-Connect Fittings” published prior to Sep., 1999.
Manahan Todd #E.
Senniger Powers Leavitt & Roedel
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