Dentistry – Apparatus – Having intra-oral dispensing means
Reexamination Certificate
2000-02-07
2001-04-17
Lewis, Ralph A. (Department: 3732)
Dentistry
Apparatus
Having intra-oral dispensing means
C433S029000, C433S077000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06217328
ABSTRACT:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
Not applicable.
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT
Not applicable.
REFERENCE TO MICROFICHE APPENDIX
Not applicable.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to the field of oral hygiene systems, and more particularly to a system suitable to care for institutionalized individuals.
2. Description of Related Art
As can be seen by reference to the following U.S. Pat. Nos. D397,788; 5,062,796; 5,183,035; 5,344,317;5,503,553 and 5,634,791, the prior art is replete with myriad and diverse oral hygiene devices.
While all of the aforementioned prior art constructions are more than adequate for the basic purpose and function for which they have been specifically designed, they are uniformly deficient with respect to their failure to provide a simple, efficient, and practical oral hygiene system designed to provide adequate care to institutionalized individuals.
The methods used to provide oral hygiene to an institutionalized individual have remained essentially unchanged for many years and have proven to be inadequate even when administered conscientiously. This consists of a staff person using a conventional toothbrush and a dentifrice at the patient's bedside, or at a lavatory if the patient is not bedfast. Some commonly encountered problems using this method are: inadequate lighting for proper visualization of tooth surfaces; inadequate visualization due to accumulation of saliva, food debris, blood and toothpaste because the patient is unable to expectorate; the patient choking on salivary accumulations and/or toothpaste; the patient “pouching” food in the vestibule between the cheek and gums; inability to rinse a patient's mouth at the completion of the procedure; and staff non-compliance due to difficulty of the procedure.
As a consequence of the foregoing situation, there has existed a longstanding need for a new and improved oral hygiene system and the provision of such a construction is a stated objective of the present invention.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Briefly stated, the present invention provides an oral hygiene system comprising a hand-held instrument attached to a mobile cart by an accessory hose. The instrument has two main components: a pistol-grip hand-piece, and an individualized patient attachment.
The pistol-grip hand-piece includes irrigation, suction and brush speed controls, as well as an adjustable swivel piece for changing the orientation of the attachment. Inside the hand-piece is a light source with fiberoptic tubing which channels light to the attachment, and a two speed electric motor which powers a rotary brush.
The attachment itself is a relatively inexpensive component, one of which is assigned to each patient. It is cylindrical with a right angle curve at the distal end, to which is attached a disposable rotary brush. An orifice for the suction, and irrigation portal, and the fiberoptic lighting are also located at the distal end of the attachment. The proximal end of the attachment attaches to the hand-piece at the swivel piece and a disposable, clear, plastic shield attaches to the attachment mechanism to protect the hand-piece from splatters.
REFERENCES:
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Henderson & Sturm LLP
Lewis Ralph A.
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