Dentistry – Apparatus – Having intra-oral dispensing means
Reexamination Certificate
2001-12-17
2003-10-28
O'Connor, Cary E. (Department: 3732)
Dentistry
Apparatus
Having intra-oral dispensing means
C433S090000, C222S581000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06638065
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. The Field of the Invention
The present invention generally relates to syringe systems used for storing and dispensing pliable materials, and, more specifically, to dental syringe systems capable of providing controllable doses of the pliable materials.
2. The Relevant Technology
In the dental industry, it is common for dental composites and other restoration materials to be stored and dispensed from syringes. Syringes are useful because they are compact and they enable the dental practitioner to generally control the quantity of material that is expelled out of the syringe at any given time. Sometimes, however, the barrel of the syringe is too wide for enabling sufficient control over the expulsion of the composite material out of the syringe. In particular, when the composite material is extruded out of the syringe barrel, it is sometimes difficult for the dental practitioner to partition and remove a desired dosage of the composite from the barrel.
One device that has been developed to overcome the aforementioned problems is a syringe with a divider located at the tip. The divider comprises cutting plates that sectionalize the composite material while it is extruded. The unique divider configuration, known as the QUADRASPENSE®, may comprise various combinations and configurations of cutting plates for controlling the shape and size of the sectionalized material as it is expressed. The cutting plates are also useful for accommodating the removal of the sectionalized material once it is expressed out of the syringe barrel. For example, a spatula or another scrapping tool can be pressed through the sectionalized material and against the cutting plates, thereby enabling the scrapping tool to scrape away and easily remove a desired quantity of material. Syringes having this design are described more fully in U.S. Pat. No. 5,387,103, issued to Fischer, and are presently sold by UTRADENT PRODUCTS, INC. of South Jordan, Utah.
One limitation of syringes with cutting plates, however, is that the cutting plates are securely affixed to the barrels of the syringe, which inhibits the dental practitioner from removing the cutting plates, even when the cutting plates are no longer needed or desired. The cutting plates may not be desired, for instance, when large amounts of composite are required during the dental procedure. The cutting plates are also not desired when most of the composite material is already expelled out of the syringe and the cutting plates obstruct the plunger from expelling the residual portions of the composite material from the barrel.
Accordingly, it is sometimes desirable to remove the cutting plates from the syringe. However, as mentioned above, the cutting plates are typically affixed to the barrel with a secure bond that is created at the time of manufacture, such as during an injection molding process. There is currently no tool that is specifically designed for removing the cutting plates from the QUADRASPENSE® type syringe systems. Therefore the dental practitioner must currently use pliers, a knife, or another device to separate the cutting plates from the barrel of the syringe. It will be appreciated that this is inconvenient, in part, because it can be difficult to find pliers or a knife that is suitably sized for being inserted within the barrel in a manner that is sufficient for cutting or pulling the cutting plates cleanly, away from the sides of the barrel. Furthermore, the use of a cutting device to remove the cutting plates can be risky, inasmuch as the cutting device can slip and cut the dental practitioner.
Accordingly, in view of the foregoing, there is currently a need in the art for improved syringe systems incorporating tools that are configured for facilitating the removal of the cutting plates from the syringe systems and in a manner that does not pose a risk of injury.
SUMMARY OF PRESENTLY PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Briefly summarized, presently preferred embodiments of the present invention are directed to improved syringe systems that incorporate dividers and tools that are specifically designed for controllably removing the dividers from the syringe systems when desired.
According to one presently preferred embodiment, the syringe systems of the invention comprise a syringe that is configured for expressing dental material from a syringe barrel incorporating a divider configured for sectionalizing the material as it is expressed from the barrel. The syringe systems also comprise a shearing tool configured for removing the divider from the barrel when it is no longer needed or desired.
The divider comprises at least one cutting plate that is securely affixed to the barrel at the outlet end of the barrel. As the material is expressed out of the barrel it is partitioned by the cutting plate and extruded in sectionalized portions. The divider can be removed when desired by inserting the tool within or next to the outlet end of the barrel and engaging the cutting plate with a shearing force. The shearing tool is configured in size and shape to be inserted within the outlet end of the barrel and to engage the at least one cutting plate. Once the shearing tool is appropriately positioned relative to the barrel so as to engage the cutting plate, as described, the tool is axially rotated relative to the barrel, e.g., about the central axis of the barrel. Axial rotation generates forces that are applied by the shearing tool at the cutting plates, thereby shearing the cutting plates away from the barrel. The shearing tool can be rotated by hand, with the fingers, or with the assistance of another tool, such as pliers. Once the cutting plates have been separated from the barrel then they can easily be removed from the barrel by the shearing tool, which may engage the cutting plates in a press fit arrangement.
According to the invention, the shearing tool may comprise a cap that is configured for sealably closing the syringe during nonuse. The shearing tool may also comprise a that is completely separate from the syringe.
One advantage of the invention is that a dental practitioner can utilize the benefits of syringe incorporating a divider until the divider is no longer desired, such as, for example, when the material within the syringe is almost entirely exhausted and the plunger of the syringe is inhibited by the divider from extruding the residual portions of the material. The invention then enables the practitioner to easily remove the undesired divider when it is no longer needed. The tool may be specifically sized so as to be inserted within the outlet end of the barrel and about the divider. In this way, the divider can be removed cleanly, with minimal effort, and without the risks posed by sharp cutting devices.
These and other benefits, advantages and features of the present invention will become more fully apparent from the following description and appended claims, or may be learned by the practice of the invention as set forth hereinafter.
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Fischer Dan E.
McLean Bruce S.
O'Connor Cary E.
Ultradent Products Inc.
Workman Nydegger
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