Surgery – Means for introducing or removing material from body for... – Treating material introduced into or removed from body...
Reexamination Certificate
1999-09-21
2001-12-11
Mendez, Manuel (Department: 3763)
Surgery
Means for introducing or removing material from body for...
Treating material introduced into or removed from body...
Reexamination Certificate
active
06328715
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates in general to the placement of low viscosity material, and particularly to a collapsible cartridge or ampule and syringe for dispensing low viscosity material.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
In many applications, such as medical or industrial applications, and in particular dentistry, it is desirable to place accurately a low viscosity material. In dentistry in particular, there are many devices to apply a high viscosity material such as various cartridges and syringes. For example, a cartridge for dispensing a high viscosity material is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,963,093 entitled “Dental Syringe Tip And Syringe Holder Therefor” issuing to Dragan on Oct. 16, 1990. Therein disclosed is a syringe tip constructed to minimize the entrapment of air by the material being extruded. The cartridges generally contain relatively viscous material requiring a syringe having a mechanical advantage for dispensing the material. Such a syringe is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,125,836 entitled “Easy Loading Manual Extruder For Viscous Material” issuing to Dragan et al on Jun. 30, 1992. Therein disclosed is a syringe having a mechanical advantage used in dispensing material from a cartridge. While the devices disclosed in these patents provide easy dispensing of relatively high viscosity materials which are difficult to extrude, there is often a need to dispense low viscosity materials, such as fluids and gels, in a controlled manner. Generally, low viscosity materials are applied on a surface or large cavity, that is not parenterally. Often, dispensing of these relatively low viscosity materials, including fluids and gels, is done by brushing or dabbing with a hand held applicator. One such applicator system is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,660,273 entitled “Single Patient Dose Medicament Dispenser With Applicator” issuing to Discko, Jr. on Aug. 26, 1997. Therein disclosed is a tray having wells or depressions therein for holding a medicament or material and an applicator, such as a brush, for dispensing the medicament or material. Another technique for dispensing relatively small volumes of low viscosity material is by placing a quantity of the low viscosity material into a dropper type device which may be sealed, such as an ampule. One such device is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,320,257 entitled “Resilient Ampule With Articulating Linkage And Elongated Spout” issuing to Snedden on Jun. 14, 1994. Therein disclosed is an elongated ampule having a reservoir bulb on one end and an elongated spout on the other end with an articulating linkage or bellows therebetween.
While many of these prior devices have adequately dispensed material, there is a need for an improved and more convenient apparatus and method for dispensing low viscosity materials economically and in a controlled manner with a single dose system.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is a delivery system for controllably dispensing a low viscosity material, such as a liquid or a gel, in a single or unit dose. The ampule having a body with a sealed end and a dispensing end having a nozzle which has a removable seal. The ampule is made of a flexible collapsible material such as a pliable plastic. The material contained within the ampule is sealed and is of sufficient quantity for a single dose. A syringe has a structure to facilitate removal of the expended collapsed ampule. One embodiment of the invention has a syringe having a plunger adapted to controllably dispense the liquid or gel material contained within the ampule and is shaped or dimensioned to facilitating easy removal of the expended collapsed ampule. In another embodiment the syringe has a breach opening positioned to facilitate easy insertion and removal of the ampule. In another embodiment the syringe has multiple internal diameters to facilitate removal of the expended ampule. The ampule and syringe combination provides economical and controlled dispensing of a low viscosity liquid or gel in a unit dose. Any low viscosity material may be dispensed, but the present invention is particularly applicable to dispensing medical materials, including dental materials, such as adhesives, sealants, etches, or other material to be applied non parentally.
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a unit dose dispensing system for low viscosity materials, such as liquids and gels, for both medical and industrial use.
It is another object of the present invention to provide controlled dispensing of relatively small volumes of low viscosity materials.
It is an advantage of the present invention that a unit measured dose of low viscosity material can be dispensed economically.
It is another advantage of the present invention that the collapsed expended ampule is easily removed from the barrel of a syringe.
It is yet another advantage of the present invention allows for controlled flow and placement of material without spurting and also improves visibility during dispensing.
It is a feature of one embodiment of the present invention that the end of a plunger is shaped so as to grasp the collapsed expended ampule, facilitating easy removal.
It is another feature of one embodiment of the present invention that a breach opening is positioned relative to the ampule, facilitating extrusion or dispensing of the low viscosity material.
It is yet another feature of one embodiment of the present invention that the internal diameters of the barrel facilitates dispensing of the material contained within the ampule and removal of a collapsed expended ampule.
These and other objects, advantages and features will become readily apparent in view of the following more detailed description.
REFERENCES:
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patent: 4795444 (1989-01-01), Hasegawa et al.
patent: 5129825 (1992-07-01), Discko, Jr.
patent: 5320257 (1994-06-01), Snedden
patent: 5346481 (1994-09-01), Bunin
patent: 5413564 (1995-05-01), Silver et al.
patent: 5489207 (1996-02-01), Dragan et al.
patent: 5827233 (1998-10-01), Futagawa et al.
patent: 32825 (1924-01-01), None
patent: 787090 (1957-12-01), None
Dragan William B.
Rowe Gordon
Snedden John
Fattibene Arthur T.
Fattibene Paul A.
Fattibene & Fattibene
Mendez Manuel
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