U.S. patent application number 12/287245 was filed with the patent office on 2009-02-12 for dental tool adaptor assembly.
Invention is credited to Gary J. Pond.
Application Number | 20090042162 12/287245 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 35732685 |
Filed Date | 2009-02-12 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090042162 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Pond; Gary J. |
February 12, 2009 |
Dental tool adaptor assembly
Abstract
A disposable extension member for joining a dental handtool to a
disposable, hollow, dental tip. The dental handtool includes a
chuck for releasably retaining the extension member. The extension
member has at least one fluid-tight passageway extending through
its body for fluid flow from the dental handpiece to the dental
tip. The extension member includes an adaptive releasable locking
member having an internally threaded, cuplike end portion
dimensioned for releasable threading engagement with the dental
tip. The chuck provides easy and efficient clamping means to secure
the extension member within the handtool.
Inventors: |
Pond; Gary J.; (Racine,
WI) |
Correspondence
Address: |
RYAN KROMHOLZ & MANION, S.C.
POST OFFICE BOX 26618
MILWAUKEE
WI
53226
US
|
Family ID: |
35732685 |
Appl. No.: |
12/287245 |
Filed: |
October 7, 2008 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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10981380 |
Nov 4, 2004 |
7431587 |
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12287245 |
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60592722 |
Jul 30, 2004 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
433/80 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61C 17/0202 20130101;
A61C 3/005 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
433/80 |
International
Class: |
A61C 17/02 20060101
A61C017/02 |
Claims
1. A disposable extension member for joining a dental handtool
directly to a disposable, hollow, dental tip, said dental handtool
including a chuck, said extension member comprising: a
non-flexible, one-piece, cylindrical elongate body of unitary
construction; a non-grooved first end portion, said first end
portion capable of being releasably retained within said chuck; a
second end portion; at least one passageway extending between said
first end portion and said second end portion of said extension
member; and said second end portion of said extension member
including a locking member, said locking member including an
internally threaded, enclosed cuplike end portion surrounding and
radially extending from said second end portion of said extension
member, the threaded raceway of said internally threaded cuplike
end portion being dimensioned for releasable threading engagement
with an external, locking tab portion radially extending from the
proximal end of said dental tip and being arranged for fluid
sealing engagement with a mating portion of the internal surface of
said cuplike second end portion of said extension member, said
extension member being arranged to directly connect said dental tip
to said dental handtool.
2. The disposable extension member according to claim 1 further
comprising support means, said support means located on said
elongate body near said locking member.
3. The disposable extension member according to claim 2 wherein
said support means comprises a plurality of circumferentially
spaced, lengthwise extending fins.
4. The disposable extension member according to claim 1 further
comprising a second passageway for delivering a second fluid to
said dental tip.
5. A disposable extension member for joining a dental handtool
directly to a disposable, hollow, dental tip, said dental handtool
including a chuck, said extension member comprising: a
non-flexible, one-piece, cylindrical elongate body of unitary
construction, said body directly connecting said handtool to said
dental tip; a non-grooved first end portion, said first end portion
capable of being releasably inserted within said chuck; a second
end portion; at least one passageway extending between said first
end portion and said second end portion of said extension member;
and said second end portion of said extension member including a
locking member, said locking member including an internally
threaded, enclosed cuplike end portion surrounding and radially
extending from said second end portion of said extension member,
the threaded raceway of said internally threaded cuplike end
portion being dimensioned for releasable threading engagement with
an external, locking tab portion radially extending from the
proximal end of said dental tip and being arranged for fluid
sealing engagement with a mating portion of the internal surface of
said cuplike second end portion of said extension member; wherein
said second end portion extends lengthwise outwardly of said
cuplike portion.
6. The disposable extension member according to claim 5 further
comprising support means, said support means located on said
elongate body near said locking member.
7. The disposable extension member according to claim 6 wherein
said support means comprises a plurality of circumferentially
spaced, lengthwise extending fins.
8. An adaptor assembly for coupling a dental handpiece to a
disposable, hollow, dental tip, said handpiece having a head
portion, said head portion including a socket having a hollow bore
in fluid communication with a fluid source, said assembly
comprising: a chuck, said chuck being received within said socket
in a fluid-tight relationship; an extension member comprising; a
non-flexible, one-piece, cylindrical elongate body of unitary
construction, said extension member comprising; a non-grooved first
end portion, said first end portion capable of being releasably
inserted within said chuck; a second end portion; and at least one
passageway extending between said first end portion and said second
end portion of said extension member; and a releasable locking
member located on said second end portion of said extension member,
said locking member including an internally threaded, enclosed
cuplike end portion surrounding and radially extending from said
second end portion of said extension member, the threaded raceway
of said internally threaded cuplike end portion being dimensioned
for releasable threading engagement with an external, locking tab
radially extending from the proximal end of said dental tip and
being arranged for fluid sealing engagement with a mating portion
of the internal surface of said cuplike second end portion of said
extension member, said extension member being arranged to directly
connect said dental tip to said dental handpiece; and said chuck
being arranged to retain said first end of said extension member
within said socket in a fluid tight relationship.
9. The assembly according to claim 8 wherein said second end
portion extends lengthwise outwardly of said cuplike portion.
10. The assembly according to claim 8 further comprising support
means, said support means located on said elongate body near said
locking member.
11. The assembly according to claim 10 wherein said support means
comprises a plurality of circumferentially spaced, lengthwise
extending fins.
Description
RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.
10/981,380, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,431,587, filed on 4 Nov. 2004,
which claims the benefit of provisional patent application Ser. No.
60/592,722 filed 30 Jul. 2004.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to dental syringe adaptors,
and more specifically to disposable dental syringe adaptors capable
of providing both air and water and that may be quickly inserted or
removed from a dental tool.
[0003] Dental syringes are widely used by dentists, dental
assistants, dental hygienists and similar personnel. The syringes
are generally handheld devices that deliver air and water to a
patient's mouth during dental procedures. Examples of such syringes
are found in U.S. Pat Nos. 5,378,149 and 4,248,589. The devices
generally selectively deliver the air and water at a predetermined
pressure. Valves in the dental instrument allow for selective
control of the water or air discharge.
[0004] Cross contamination is a principal concern with dental
syringes and dental procedures, in general. Because it is not
desirous to transmit or pass bacteria and/or viruses from one
patient to another, syringes, tips, and extension pieces have been
developed that are autoclavable. Specifically, these devices are
made of stainless steel, which can become quite expensive.
Extension members, in particular, are expensive, especially if the
extension members are designed for a single style of handpiece,
such as an air/water syringe or just a water syringe. A disposable
extension member would significantly reduce the costs of dental
procedures.
[0005] U.S. Pat. No. 5,049,071, discloses a plastic dental syringe
that is adaptable to a handheld dental tool. The syringe may be
used as an air/water syringe. However, the design of the syringe
does not allow adaptation between different styles or types of
dental tips. The syringe is designed for a single type of use.
Thus, the disclosed syringe may not necessarily be used for
different procedures that require different dental tips, and the
utility of the syringe is limited.
[0006] Furthermore, it is desirous for dental tools and dental tips
to adapt easily to each other. Such results may be achieved by
using a locking device for syringes and adaptors that quickly and
easily join the dental tools to the dental tips. It would be
further desirous to develop a disposable extension member for
releasably receiving and connecting with syringe tips that provides
for expanded use of such locking devices and for quick exchange of
dental accessories.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] The present invention provides an adaptor assembly for
connecting a dental tip to a dental handpiece. More specifically,
the present invention provides a disposable extension member for
connecting a dental tip to a dental handpiece. The extension member
has a first end portion that will be releasably retained within a
head portion of the dental handpiece by a chuck assembly. A second
end portion has an internally threaded cuplike member that allows
the dental tip to be threaded onto the extension member. The
extension member is ideal for use with threadable dental tips, such
as LUER-LOK.RTM. style dental tips. The extension member has a
through passageway, which allows fluid to pass from the dental
handpiece to the dental tip. The arrangement of the first end
portion with the chuck and the second end portion with the cuplike
member provides a fluid tight seal for the extension member.
[0008] Because the extension member is disposable, the member
significantly reduces the costs of dental procedures. Also, time is
reduced, since the extension member does not need to be autoclaved,
but may be thrown out after use. Furthermore, the extension member
can be designed to work with a handpiece that delivers water, air,
or both, which will further reduce costs in that several different
autoclavable extension members may be replaced with the present
invention.
[0009] The present invention is also advantageous in that it can be
used with a wide variety of adaptor assemblies, which also have
novel features that will be described in further detail with
following specification and drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a dental handpiece used for
aspiration of air and/or water and including an adaptor assembly
according to the present invention.
[0011] FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the adaptor assembly shown in
FIG. 1.
[0012] FIG. 3 is a partially cut-away side view taken along line
3-3 of FIG. 1 showing operating components of the dental handpiece
and in operating connection with the adaptor assembly fabricated
according to the present invention.
[0013] FIG. 4 is an exploded view of an extension member and a
connectable dental tip according to the teachings of the present
invention.
[0014] FIG. 5 is cut-away perspective view of an end of an adaptor
body according to teachings of the present invention.
[0015] FIG. 6 is a cut-away perspective view of an end of an
alternative embodiment of an extension member according to the
present invention.
[0016] FIG. 7 is a partially cut-away side view of the dental
handpiece shown in FIG. 3 and further showing an alternative
adaptor assembly for receiving the extension member.
[0017] FIG. 8 is a partially cut-away side view of the dental
handpiece shown in FIG. 3 and further showing another alternative
adaptor assembly for receiving the extension member.
[0018] FIG. 9 is a partially cut-away side view of the dental
handpiece shown in FIG. 3 and further showing yet another
alternative adaptor assembly for the extension member.
[0019] FIG. 10 is a perspective exploded view of an adaptor body as
shown in FIG. 4 in arrangement with an alternate dental tip.
[0020] FIG. 11 is a perspective exploded view of an adaptor body as
shown in FIG. 4 in arrangement with another alternate dental
tip.
[0021] FIG. 12 is a perspective exploded view of an adaptor body as
shown in FIG. 4 in arrangement with a further alternate dental
tip.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0022] Although the disclosure hereof is detailed and exact to
enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention, the
physical embodiments herein disclosed merely exemplify the
invention which may be embodied in other specific structures. While
the preferred embodiment has been described, the details may be
changed without departing from the invention, which is defined by
the claims.
[0023] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a dental handpiece 10
including an adaptor assembly 20. The adaptor assembly 20 includes
a chuck 21 and an elongate extension member 22. The dental
handpiece 10 has a head portion 12 with a reentrant socket 14 (see
FIG. 3) located within the head portion 12. The socket 14 is
arranged to receive an inwardly extending portion of the chuck 21
and the extension member 22 so that the extension member 22 will be
fittingly secured to the dental handpiece 10. The handpiece 10 has
a through passageway 16 (see FIG. 3) that is in fluid communication
with the extension member 22. The head portion 12 includes finger
valves 18a and 18b for control of air and water flow, respectively.
While the dental handpiece 10 is arranged to receive both water and
air, the present invention will work with handpieces that deliver
only water or air, or other possible fluids. As will be evident
with reference to the further drawings and description of the
application, the extension member 22 may be easily removed from the
handpiece 10 when necessary. The extension member 22 preferably
comprises an elongated body having a first end portion 24 that
interacts with the socket 14 and the chuck 21, and a second end
portion 26 that allows a dental tip or needle 28 to be attached to
the extension member 22. As will be discussed in more detail with
respect to FIG. 8, the extension member 22 is arranged so that a
disposable dental tip 28 may be removably attached to the second
end portion 26 of the extension member 22.
[0024] FIG. 2 shows an exploded view of the adaptor assembly 20.
The adaptor assembly 20 comprises the chuck 21 and an annular
collet 30. The chuck 21 includes a plurality of circumferentially
spaced, externally tapered jaws 34, which will allow the extension
member 22 to be clamped within the chuck 21. The collet 30 and the
jaws 34 are preferably designed of a resilient plastic so that they
will grasp the extension member 22 securely and with enough
resistance to firmly retain the extension member 22 within the
chuck 21, without damaging the extension member 22. A first O-ring
36 sits between the chuck 21 and an externally threaded coupling
member 38 to provide a fluid sealing connection between the chuck
21 and the threaded section 38. Any suitable sealing means may be
used in place of the first O-ring 36 that allows a fluid tight
connection between the externally threaded coupling member 38 and
the chuck 21. The externally threaded coupling member 38 will sit
within a second O-ring 40 located within the socket 14 to provide a
fluid tight throughbore between the dental tool 10 and the
externally threaded coupling member 38.
[0025] FIG. 3 is a partially cut-away view of the socket 14 of the
dental handpiece 10 housing the chuck 21. As previously noted, the
chuck 21 is arranged to securely retain the extension member 22
within the socket 14. The adaptor provides fluid communication from
the fluid source through the passageway 16 located within the
handpiece 10 to the extension member 22 by way of a throughbore or
through passageway 42 located in the threaded externally threaded
coupling member 38. A secondary passageway 17 is also located
within the handpiece 10. The passageway 17 would be utilized if the
handpiece 10 is used for delivering a second fluid, such as air.
The throughbore 42 is in communication with a passageway 44 located
in the extension member 22. As shown in FIG. 3, a secondary
throughbore 42a, and a secondary passageway 44a are in
communication as well. The secondary throughbore 42a and passageway
44a may be used to deliver an air flow to the dental tip. They are
not necessary for the present invention, but show that the
extension member 22 may be used and adapted for a dental tool
having any number of fluid passageways and arrangements.
[0026] Still referring to FIG. 3, the first end 24 of the extension
member 22 is inserted into the chuck 21 until it rests firmly upon
an extending edge 46 of the coupling member 38. Once fully
inserted, a threaded section 48 of the collet 30 will be threaded
onto the externally threaded coupling member 38. The collet 30,
which has an internal tapered surface 50, will compress the tapered
jaws 34 of the chuck 21 to thereby firmly retain the extension
member 22. The abutment of the first end 24 of the extension member
22 with the extending edge 46 will form a tight seal, but the first
O-ring 36 is preferably used to further maintain the fluid tight
seal between the extension member 22 and the chuck 21.
[0027] It should be understood that FIG. 3 is merely exemplary of
adaptor arrangements and should not be considered limiting. The
disposable extension member 22 is designed to provide a sealing
arrangement with different dental handpieces and further allow
connection to a dental tip in an efficient manner, and should
include similarly arranged designs that will provide a fluid tight
arrangement with a disposable extension member.
[0028] Referring to FIG. 4, a cut-away exploded perspective view of
the extension member 22 and the dental tip 28 is shown. The second
end portion 26 of the extension member 22 includes an adaptive
releasable locking member, which includes a cuplike portion 52
having an internally threaded surface 54 comprising a raceway 55.
The cuplike member 52 should be considered to include any structure
that will provide an internal threaded surface that will allow
mating with the dental tip 28 and should not be limited to the
presently shown design. The threaded surface 54 interacts with a
pair of diametrically opposed extending tabs or tab portions 56
radially extending from a flange 58 located on the dental tip 28.
The threaded surface 54 and the raceway 55 may be arranged to
receive a single tab 56, but preferably it will receive two tabs
56. As the dental tip 28 is threaded into the cuplike member 52,
the tabs 56 are compressed against the threaded surface 54 to form
a fluid tight fitting between the passageway 44 and the interior of
the dental tip 58 (see FIG. 1). When the dental tip 28 is threaded
into the cuplike member 52, the taper of the dental tip 28 allows
for the passageway 44 to be sealed against the inside of the dental
tip 28 without necessarily employing other sealing means. Though
not necessary, the passageway 44 is shown extending outwardly of
the cuplike member 52. The depicted design allows for a shallow
cuplike member, since there is less needed length when threading
the dental tip 28. The tabs 56 of the dental tip 28 only need to be
threaded a few rotations within the raceway 55 to form a fluid
tight seal between the passageway 44 and the dental tip 28.
However, the passageway 44 may terminate inwardly of the cuplike
member 52, or possibly flush with cuplike member 52. The dental
tips 28 are generally considered LUER-LOK.RTM.-style dental tips.
Thus, the present invention provides an efficient, inexpensive
device that will allow adaptation between dental handpieces and
LUER-LOK.RTM.-style dental tips. Provided the dental tip 28 and the
extension member 22 are capable of sealing engagement, the design
will fall within the scope of the present invention.
[0029] FIG. 4 also shows fins 60 extending along the length of the
extension member 22. The fins 60 provide support means for the
cuplike member 52 and the extension member 22. The fins 60 reduce
twisting of the extension member 22 and potential snapping of the
extension member 22 when the dental tip 28 is inserted and secured
within the cuplike member 52. It should be understood that the
support means could take different shapes and forms than the fins
60 shown, provided they reinforce and strengthen the arrangement of
the extension member 22. For instance, the support means could be a
solid structure encircling the extension member 22, rather than
separate fins. Likewise, more or fewer fins than shown could be
used with the extension member 22.
[0030] FIGS. 5 and 6 show partial perspective views of the first
end 24 of different embodiments of the extension member 22 used in
the present invention. FIG. 5 shows the extension member 22 having
the single passageway 44, while FIG. 6 shows extension member 22
having the passageway 44 surrounded by a plurality of the secondary
passageways 44a. For instance the secondary passageways 44a would
allow for mating with the secondary passageway 17 of the handpiece
10 (see FIG. 3). As previously noted, the extension member 22 is
not limited to either embodiment, and may also include other
potential passageway designs. Whereas the prior art would require
many different extension sections or possibly not allow adaptation
between different needle or dental tip arrangements, the present
invention allows a single extension member to be used for several
different dental devices and tips. Furthermore, because the present
invention is disposable, using an adaptor to convert between an
air/water syringe an air syringe or water syringe is much more
economical for many practitioners.
[0031] FIG. 7 is a partially cut-away side view of an alternative
adaptor assembly 120 for receiving the extension member 22. The
adaptor assembly 120 comprises a chuck 121 and a threaded coupling
member 138. The chuck 121 comprises a plurality of locking fingers
122 that provide the clamping means needed to retain the extension
member 22. Preferably the locking fingers 122 are circumferentially
spaced. The coupling member 138 has an externally threaded surface
140 that mates with the chuck 121 and the locking fingers 122
similarly to the first adaptor assembly 20 and chuck 21. The
coupling member 138 has distal end 142 that tapers outwardly from
the interior of the coupling member 138. The fingers 122 have an
inwardly extending ridge 144 that forms a cavity 146. As the chuck
121 is threaded onto the coupling member 138, the distal end 142 of
the coupling member 138 will mate with the cavity 146 of the chuck
121. As the chuck 121 is threaded further onto the coupling member
138, the ridges 144 of the fingers 122 come into contact with the
sloped or tapered surface of the distal end 142. The ridge 144 will
slide inwardly, thereby gripping and retaining the extension member
22. The chuck 121 may be formed out of a resilient material, such
as a resilient plastic material, that will allow the chuck 121 to
sufficiently grasp the extension member 22 and release it, when
necessary. However, other materials may be used to form the chuck
121, as well.
[0032] Still referring to FIG. 7, a sealing mechanism 148 is
located within a corresponding annular groove 150. The sealing
mechanism 148 comprises a circumferential resilient flange to
provide further sealing means between the extension member 22 and
the coupling member 138. The sealing mechanism 148 also contributes
further retention means for the extension member 22 by frictionally
engaging the extension member 22 when the extension member 22 is
inserted into the coupling member 138. An O-ring 154 located
between the coupling member 138 and the socket 14 provides further
sealing means, as well. The extension member 22 is inserted into
the socket 14 until it abuts an internal surface 156, where it will
be in fluid communication with the passageway 16. The overall
arrangement provides a fluid-tight arrangement that securely
retains the extension member 22.
[0033] FIG. 8 provides another embodiment of an adaptor assembly
220. As with the prior embodiments, a coupling member 238 is
threaded into the socket 14. The coupling member comprises a
cylindrical housing 240 with a centrally located throughbore 242
for insertion of the extension member 22. The housing 240 comprises
an annular reentrant cavity 243 that surrounds the extension member
22. The extension member 22 will abut the internal surface 156, as
was described in FIG. 7 with respect to the assembly 120. Likewise,
an O-ring 154 sits between the coupling member 238 and the socket,
as shown in FIG. 7.
[0034] Still referring to FIG. 8, an annular sealing mechanism 244
having a resilient flange 246 that frictionally engages the
extension member to provide fluid-tight retention of the extension
member 22 is located within the reentrant cavity 243. A collar 248
is located within the reentrant cavity 243. The collar 248 is
connected to the housing 240 by way of a protrusion 250 that mates
with a groove 252 located in the housing 240. The collar 248 has an
internally located channel 254 for receiving and supporting
retention means 256. The retention means 256 preferably comprises a
flexible annular disc that surrounds and retains the extension
member 22 in frictional engagement. A plunger 258 is retained above
the retention means 256 within the reentrant cavity by a lip 260,
which is a portion of the collar 248. In a normal position, the
retention means 256 exerts upward force on the plunger 258 to
retain the plunger 258 against the lip 260. To remove the extension
member 22, the plunger 258 is pressed inwardly toward the head
portion 12, thereby moving the retention means 256 away from the
extension member 22 and allowing the extension member 22 to be
removed from the throughbore 242.
[0035] FIG. 9 shows another embodiment 320 of an adaptor assembly.
The extension member 22 mates with the socket 14, as was shown in
FIGS. 7 and 8. A coupling member 338 extends within a reentrant
chamber 340 located within an annular collet 342. The collet 342
has a throughbore 344 that surrounds the extension member 22. The
chamber 340 is coaxially and radially spaced from the throughbore
344. The chamber 340 has an internally threaded portion 346 that is
in threading engagement with an internally threaded portion 348 of
the coupling member 338. The coupling member 338 further includes a
tapered wall 350. The tapered wall 350 is engageable with a tapered
surface 352 of a rubber compression sleeve 354. As the collet 342
is threaded onto the coupling member 338, the compression sleeve
354 is pushed downwardly, which allows the sleeve 354 to slide down
the tapered wall 350. The sleeve 354 also moves inwardly towards
the extension member 22 to thereby clamp and retain the extension
member 22.
[0036] As FIGS. 7-9 show, the extension member 22 can be used with
a variety of adaptor assemblies, which further enhances the utility
of the present invention. Further, FIGS. 7-9 include the secondary
passageway 17 within the handpiece 10. If the extension member was
arranged as shown in FIG. 6, any of the shown adaptor assemblies
would accommodate a secondary fluid through passageway 17. Thus,
the adaptability and interchangeability of the present invention is
further exemplified.
[0037] FIGS. 10-12 show exploded views of the second end portion 26
of the extension member 22 and alternative dental tips, 428 (FIG.
8), 528 (FIG. 9), and 628 (FIG. 10). FIGS. 8-10 illustrate that the
present invention may be used in conjunction with numerous tip
designs. For instance the dental tip 628 has the tabs 56 integral
with the flange 58 and not as separate protrusions. Provided the
mating portions of the dental tips interact with the threaded
portion 54 of the cuplike member 52 to form a fluid tight seal, the
present invention is useful for different dental tips. The dental
tips 428, 528, and 628 are generally considered LUER-LOK.RTM.-style
dental tips, and, also, dental tips considered to have LUER tapers.
Thus, the present invention provides an efficient, inexpensive
device that will allow adaptation between dental handpieces and
LUER-LOK.RTM.-style dental tips or LUER taper style dental
tips.
[0038] The present invention provides an affordable extension
member for various dental tips and designs. Because the extension
member is disposable, it is inexpensive to design and, also, limits
possible contamination, since it may be discarded after a single
use. The extension member may be used with many different dental
handpieces having different gripping means and adaptor assemblies,
which further increases the utility of the instrument. The adaptor
assemblies described in the present invention also contain new and
novel concepts that enhance the utility of the present
invention.
[0039] The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the
principles of the invention. Furthermore, since numerous
modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in
the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact
construction and operation shown and described. While the preferred
embodiment has been described, the details may be changed without
departing from the invention, which is defined by the claims.
* * * * *