Dentistry – Apparatus – Having intra-oral dispensing means
Reexamination Certificate
2000-08-24
2001-11-20
Wilson, John J. (Department: 3732)
Dentistry
Apparatus
Having intra-oral dispensing means
C433S090000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06319002
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to a syringe and capsule therefore, and more specifically to a dental placement syringe and disposable capsule for use therewith.
Dental syringes and disposable plastic capsules for dispensing dental material are well known in the art. Disposable capsules, such as those described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,969,816; 5,165,890; 5,172,807; 5,306,147; and 5,336,088, are available in a number of sizes and shapes for dispensing a variety of dental materials. They essentially comprise a plastic body having an internal reservoir, a large diameter opening on one end and a small diameter discharge tip on the opposite end, as well as a separate piston or plug inserted into the large opening.
The internal reservoir is filled with dental material, and the plug seals the material within the reservoir. As the plug is pushed deeper into the reservoir, dental material is dispensed from the discharge tip. The capsules may be preloaded with dental material, or may be loaded on site as needed.
Dental syringes, such as those described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,061,179; 5,306,147; and 5,336,088, hold the disposable capsules in place, and have a longitudinally moving plunger that can push the plug into the reservoir, dispensing the dental material in a controlled fashion.
The longitudinally moving plunger is typically moved by squeezing or compressing a spring loaded handle or plunger. A full compression of the handle results in all the dental material being dispensed.
Although dental syringes and disposable capsules have become a convenient way to dispense a controlled amount of dental material into a patient's mouth, the size and shape of existing syringes can cause inconvenience. Syringes that are thin and fit easily into a patient's mouth, such as described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,129,825, must be held like a conventional manually operated syringe, using two fingers and the thumb to hold the device, with the thumb depressing the plunger. Positioning the hand with the thumb and fingers spread is uncomfortable and can quickly become tiresome. Holding the syringe by its rear portions also creates difficulty in controlling the exact location of the capsule tip and placement of the dental material.
Pistol grip syringes, such as described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,061,179, are more comfortable for the dentist's hand and can allow more precise placement of the dental material, but are bulky and difficult to fit in the small confines of an oral cavity.
Another difficulty in using conventional syringes is that once the dental material is dispensed, it cannot be drawn back into the reservoir. If too much material has been dispensed, the dentist must use another tool to pick up the excess. This is because the syringe's longitudinally moving plunger can only push the plug deeper into the reservoir. After an amount of material is dispensed, releasing the handle will allow the handle and longitudinally moving aperture to return to their original positions, but the plug will be left in the farthest forward position inside the capsule tip.
For the foregoing reasons, there is a need for a device that will allow a dentist to precisely dispense, and possibly recollect, a controlled amount of dental material into a patient's mouth in a manner that is comfortable for both the dentist and the patient.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is directed to a dental handpiece that satisfies the needs described above. The present invention preferably comprises a body with a hollow chamber, a reversible electric motor, a power supply, a retractable plunger, a drive shaft, a manual power switch, a removable nose cone and a disposable capsule tip.
The body of the handpiece is designed to fit comfortably in the dentist's hand, similar to the fit of a highlighting marker or soldering iron. Power is controlled by a sliding switch that normally rests in a neutral position and can move forward or backward, thus powering the electric motor in either forward or reverse operation. The sliding portion of the switch may be a ring that encircles the main shaft of the handpiece, allowing convenient switching operation by either the thumb, a finger, or both working simultaneously.
The hollow chamber of the handpiece holds the electric motor, rechargeable battery and drive shaft. The motor rotates the drive shaft, which is threaded and axially fixed. The retractable plunger tapers to a point at the front end, and has an internal longitudinal bore beginning at the rearward end and spanning most of its length. A portion of the longitudinal bore is threaded, and engages the threaded drive shaft. As the fixed drive shaft rotates in one direction, or the other, the plunger either advances or retracts longitudinally.
The detachable nose cone connects to the body and holds a disposable capsule tip filled with dental material. As the plunger advances forward, the tapered end enters the internal reservoir of the capsule tip, thus dispensing the material. The plunger is made of a somewhat flexible material that can bend around a curve in the capsule tip, but can still withstand high temperature sterilization. Because the plunger is retractable, and no separate insert plug is used, the device has the ability to draw excess material back into the capsule tip.
The overall shape of the device allows for precise control while comfortably fitting in the dentist's hand and the patient's mouth. The electric dispensing mechanism, as opposed to conventional manual operation, generates the same result with less physical effort, and allows greater precision and less fatigue during extended use. The tapered plunger reduces waste by eliminating the need for a separate disposable plug, and allows the device to recollect unneeded dental material if an excess is dispensed. The detachable nose cone and the plunger can be removed, sterilized, and reused. The present invention can also be connected to a battery charger without disassembly.
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Ryan Kromholz & Manion S.C.
Wilson John J.
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