U.S. patent application number 14/999815 was filed with the patent office on 2017-02-23 for color safeguarded dental-implant surgical kit with drilling-depth limiter.
The applicant listed for this patent is Robert F. Mansueto. Invention is credited to Robert F. Mansueto.
Application Number | 20170049531 14/999815 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 56610601 |
Filed Date | 2017-02-23 |
United States Patent
Application |
20170049531 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Mansueto; Robert F. |
February 23, 2017 |
Color safeguarded dental-implant surgical kit with drilling-depth
limiter
Abstract
An apparatus is an implant-dentist more readily identifiable
visual segregation amongst their oral-surgery arbor-tools used
conjunction with a conventional hand-held power/rotary-tool. The
arbor-tools generally has at least a tri-echeloned set, wherein are
included progressions of drill-bit lengths and companion
thread-taps appearing in three different diameters. Additionally,
the drill-bit shanks are optionally provided with a radial-flange
serving as an automatic depth-stop device and these radial-flanges
may include a distinctive annular-marker device serving to readily
indicate the length of the selected drill-bit, thereby obviating
usual procedure of stopping to confirm via the obscure conventional
alpha-numeric indicia.
Inventors: |
Mansueto; Robert F.;
(Coronado, CA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Mansueto; Robert F. |
Coronado |
CA |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
56610601 |
Appl. No.: |
14/999815 |
Filed: |
July 1, 2016 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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12315947 |
Dec 9, 2008 |
9414894 |
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14999815 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61C 2201/002 20130101;
A61C 3/04 20130101; A61B 2090/034 20160201; A61C 19/02 20130101;
A61C 8/0089 20130101 |
International
Class: |
A61C 3/04 20060101
A61C003/04; A61C 19/02 20060101 A61C019/02; A61C 8/00 20060101
A61C008/00 |
Claims
1. A dental-implant surgical delivery-kit of oral-preparative
components, facilitating easier, faster, more accurate selection;
said apparatus comprising: an improved delivery-tray presenting two
or more unidiameter-groups of arbor-tools visually segregated via
discrete color discriminating means, whereby the implant-dentist
may simply progress in drilling depth steps only within a single
unidiameter-group, or they may orderly progress via both drilling
depth and diameter steps by translating to a larger differently
color-coded unidiameter-group as ostectomy-site preparation
advances to desired final critical depth and diameter; whereby
simply working within the novel orderly color segregated said
unidiameter-groups the implant-dentist is liberated from potential
diametrical sizing errors, and from interruptions formerly imposed
when pausing at each step to confirm diameter via minute ID-indicia
inscribed upon the arbor-tool shanks.
2. (canceled)
3. The dental-implant surgical delivery-kit apparatus according to
claim-1, wherein said arbor-tools staged within each said
unidiameter group are presented spaced apart at close intervals
upon said delivery-tray by discrete receiver-ports providing stable
support to the shank terminus of each arbor-tool.
4. The dental-implant surgical delivery-kit apparatus according to
claim-1, wherein said color discrimination means is provided
graphically upon said delivery-try via a band or field of matching
color substantially surrounding each given colorized unidiameter
group; or via a matching color circle discretely surrounding
individual component of a given unidiameter=group; either of these
regarded as tantamount to being a common means.
5. The dental-implant surgical delivery-kit apparatus according to
claim-1, wherein said drill-bits include a depth-limiting
radial-flange device formed integrally upon the proximal mid-shank
region, whereby each drill-bit tip to radial-flange
abutting-surface interval is uniform with an identical reference
interval provided upon other unidiameter-group drill-bits; thereby
enabling the implant-dentist to confidently transulate laterally
upon the deliver-tray to a larger diameter knowing their drilling
depth will remain constant.
6. The dental-implant surgical delivery-kit apparatus according to
claim-5, wherein perimeter of each drill-bit's said radial-flange
is demarcated by an annular-groove means signifying a particular
drilling-depth; thus a single annular-groove identifies a drill-bit
as the shortest of a given unidiameter-group, a duple
annular-groove signifying a 2.sup.nd-progression of drilling-depth,
a triple annular-groove signifying a 3.sup.rd-progression of
drilling-depth; thereby providing the implant-dentist a
visual-indicator serving to safeguard selection of drill-bits,
obviating reliance upon possibly incorrect arrangement of
drill-bits upon the deliver-tray, or alternately having to directly
compare drill lengths, or otherwise strenuously reading the
diminutive size-designation indicia inscribed upon shank of
selected drill-bit.
7. (canceled)
8. (canceled)
9. A dental-implant surgical delivery-kit serving to speed and
safeguard selection of oral-preparative components; said apparatus
comprising: an improved dental delivery-tray presenting two or more
unidiameter-groups of arbor-tools visually segregated via
color-coded discriminating means, wherein each said
unidiameter-group presents plural arbor-tools of a single common
diameter including drill-bit length progressions each employing a
depth-stop radial-flange means formed medially upon shanks thereof
and serving to reliably limit exact drilling depth for any given
selected drill-bit, whereby the implant-dentist may clearly
progress in drilling depth steps only with a single
unidiameter-group, or they may elect to orderly progress via both
drilling depth and diameter steps by translating to a larger
unidiameter-group as ostectomy-site preparation advances; whereby
simply working within the novel color segregated said
unidiameter-groups the implant-dentist is liberated from potential
diametrical sizing errors, and from distractions formerly imposed
when pausing at each step to confirm diameter via minute ID-indicia
inscribed upon the arbor-tool shanks.
10. The color-coded dental-implant delivery-kit apparatus according
to claim-9, wherein said discrete color discriminating means is via
a small said unidiameter-group employing a 1.sup.st-color
exclusively, a medium said unidiameter-group employing a
2.sup.nd-color exclusively, and a large said unidiameter-group
employing a 3.sup.rd-color exclusively; and wherein each said
unidiameter group contains a plurality of arbor-tools including
drill-bit length progressions of a common diameter leading to a
matching dental-implant threading-tap.
11. The color-coded dental-implant delivery-kit apparatus according
to claim-9, wherein said unidiameter-group color discriminating
means is provided via a distinguishing color-band or distinguishing
color-field surrounding the entirety of each said
unidiameter-group, or via a distinguishing color encircling
individual components of a unidiameter-group.
12. The color-coded dental-implant delivery-kit apparatus according
to claim-9, wherein the arbor-tools within a given said
unidiameter-group are uniformly finished in a single common
permanent reference-color such as green, amber, violet for example;
although one of said unidiameter-groups may retain its original
natural grayish titanium color if preferred, the object being to
visually differentiate via color.
13. The color-coded dental-implant delivery-kit apparatus according
to claim-9, wherein said color-discriminating means for a given
unidiameter-group is also associated with a like colored vial-cap
or vial-label containing a matching diameter of conventional
dental-implant thereby enabling implant-dentist to readily select
the proper dental-implant from their inventory by merely choosing
the matching color.
14. The color-coded dental-implant delivery-kit apparatus according
to claim-9, wherein the packaging for the 1.sup.st-stage
dental-implant body is also color-coded coordinated to thereby be
readily identified as to specific unidiameter-group simply by
reference to the packaging vial's correspondingly matching
colorized vial-cap or vial-label; thereby enabling the
implant-dentist quick and easy safeguarded selection from an
otherwise confusing overall look-alike inventory assortment of
factory packaging.
15. The color-coded dental-implant apparatus according to claim-14,
wherein an installed thus substantially concealed 1.sup.st-stage
dental-implant is uniquely identified for future reference via a
healing-cap which color-coding matches its associated
unidiameter-group; thus enabling the implant-dentist days later at
a glance to thereby confidently identify the appropriately sized
2.sup.nd-stage abutment-post for mounting upon said 1.sup.st-stage
dental-implant once sufficiently osseointegrated.
16. A color-coded system for clearly identifying critical size
differences among dental-implant oral-preparative components,
eliminating reliance upon difficult to read minute indicia, thereby
facilitating a simpler, faster, more accurate dental-osteotomy site
preparation; said system comprising: an improved dental-implant
delivery-tray reconfigured to present two or more unidiameter-group
means visually segregated via discrete color discriminating means;
an arrangement of discretely color-coded arbor-tools distinguishing
each said unidiameter-group group, whereby the implant-dentist may
simply progress in drilling depth steps only within a single
unidiameter-group, or they may orderly progress via both drilling
depth and diameter steps by translating to a larger
unidiameter-group of a different color as ostectomy-site
preparation advances toward desired final critical depth and
diameter.
17. The color-coded dental-implant according to claim-16, wherein
said discrete color discriminating means is via a small said
unidiameter-group employing a 1.sup.st-color exclusively, and via a
medium said unidiameter-group employing 2.sup.nd-color exclusively,
and via a large said unidiameter-group employing a 3.sup.rd-color
exclusively; and wherein each said unidiameter groups contains a
plurality of arbor-tools including drill-bit length progressions of
a common diameter leading to a matching dental-implant
threading-tap.
18. The color-coded dental-implant according to claim-16, wherein
said color discrimination means is provided graphically upon said
deliver-tray via a band or field of matching color substantially
surrounding each given color-coded unidiameter group; or via
matching color circle discretely surrounding individual component
of a given unidiameter-group; either of these regarded as
tantamount to being a common means.
19. The color-coded dental-implant according to claim-16, wherein
the packaging for a stage-one dental-implant body is also
color-coded coordinated to thereby be readily identified as to a
specific unidiameter-group simply by reference to the packaging
vial's correspondingly matching color-coded vial-cap or vial-label;
thereby enabling the implant-dentist quick and easy safeguarded
selection from an otherwise confusing overall look-alike inventory
assortment of factory packaging.
20. The color-coded dental-implant system according to claim-16,
wherein said drill-bits include a depth-limiting radial-flange
device formed integrally upon the proximal mid-shank region,
whereby each drill-bit no to radial-flange abutting-surface
interval is uniform with an identical reference interval provided
upon other unidiameter-group drill-bits: thereby enabling the
implant-dentist to confidently transulate laterally upon the
delivery-tray to a larger diameter knowing their drilling-depth
will remain constant.
21. A method of simplifying use of a dental-implant surgical-kit as
to facilitate an easier, faster, more accurate arbor-tool selection
procedure: said method comprising: providing an improved
delivery-tray configured wish cooperative set of two or more
unidiameter-groups of arbor-tools visually segregated via discrete
color discriminating means, including graphic representation upon
face of delivery-tray via a band or field of matching color
substantially surrounding each given discretely color-coded
unidiameter group, or via a matching color circle discretely
surrounding individual arbor-tools of a given unidiameter-group;
using said discrete color discriminating mans by employing a small
said unidiameter-group using a 1.sup.st-color exclusively, and
employing a medium said unidiameter-group using a 2.sup.nd-color
exclusively. And employing a large said unidiameter-group using a
3.sup.rd-color exclusively; supplying each said unidiameter group
with a plurality of arbor-tools including drill-bit length
progressions of common diameter leading to a matching
dental-implant threading-tap, whereby an implant-dentist may simply
progress in drilling depth steps only within single
unidiameter-group, or they may orderly progress via both drilling
depth and diameter steps by translating to a larger differently
colored unidiameter-group as osteotomy-site preparation advances to
desired final critical depth and diameter; providing the option of
a depth-limiting radial-flange device formed upon the proximal
mid-shank region of each drill-bit, whereby each drill-bit tip to
radial-flange abutting-surface interval is uniform with an
identical reference interval provided upon other unidiameter-group
drill-bits, thereby enabling the implant-dentist to confidently
translate laterally upon the delivery-tray to a larger diameter
knowing their drilling depth will remain constant; working with the
novel orderly color segregated said unidiameter-groups the
implant-dentist is liberated from potential diametrical sizing
errors and interruptive distractions formerly imposed when pausing
at each step to confirm diameter via minute ID-indicia inscribed
upon the arbor-tool shanks.
22. A dental-implant surgical delivery-kit that reduces or
eliminates potential diametrical sizing errors during use
comprising: a tray having a face surface with at least five areas
for storage of dental implant tools; a first corral, a second
corral and a third corral for housing arbor-tools said corrals
having discrete receiver-ports for receiving said arbor-tools,
wherein said arbor-tools in a corral are a unidiameter-group having
at least three drill-bits oriented in order of progressively
increasing length, a thread-tap and a socket wrench, wherein each
of said arbor-tools in a corral have the same color indicator,
wherein each corral has a color matching said color of said
arbor-tools in said unidiameter-group, wherein said corrals are
oriented in order of progressively increasing diameter, wherein
each of said drill-bits has a depth-limiting radial flange, wherein
said radial-flange having one or more annular-grooves means,
wherein said at least three drill-bits having a sequentially
increased number of annular-grooves with increasing depth; an
insert panel that is autoclave-temperature resistant for receiving
said arbor-tools following use; and a miscellaneous storage area
for housing additional said dental implant tools.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present disclosure relates to dental-implant arbor-tool
organization, enabling faster and more accurate visual selection;
and more specifically, it relates to discrete color-segregation of
the arbor-tools and dental-implants according to the different
diameters, which procedurally operate in conjunction with the
dentists existing conventional hand-held power-driver.
Additionally, this disclosure relates to an allied drilling-depth
limiting device which also safeguards the oral-preparation
procedure while providing demarcation means by which to readily
distinguish progressions of drill-bit lengths from amongst a given
diametrical family of arbor-tools.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Heretofore, the implant-dentist has been confronted with an
overwhelming array of oral-surgery arbor-tools, which fit into the
rotary-chuck of their hand-held pneumatic/power-driver. These
arbor-tools generally constitute a three-echeloned set, wherein are
included progressions of drill-hit lengths and companion
thread-taps appearing in different diameters; all of which presents
an array of pieces, potentially confusing especially to a new
implant-dentist. Each of these tiny arbor-tools has a chuck-shank
member bearing necessarily diminutive ID-indicia inscription
thereon, which thus poses a potential of leading the
implant-dentist into inadvertently making a serious procedural
mistake. For example, if the implant-dentist were to misread the
ID-indicia, and thereby select a larger drill-bit diameter, it
would ruin their ability to install the proper dental-implant size.
Moreover, it has been found that the conventional delivery-tray
confusion also makes the implant-dentist prone to making drilling
`depth` errors, which can be equally problematical to satisfactory
preparation of the dental-implant pilot-hole. Accordingly, there is
a critical need for an apparatus and system or method by which to
prevent such potentially disastrous human-errors known to
frequently happen, owing to the presently provided upon the
implant-dentists arbor-tools and associated dental-implants.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0003] In view of the foregoing discussion about the earlier
invention art, it is important to make it pellucid to others
interested in the art, that the basic object of this invention is
to provide color-coded coordinated components within a
dental-implant surgical-kit which function to safeguard against
inadvertent procedural errors. Moreover, while thus safeguarding
against making mistakes, my invention hereof also greatly improves
vital time-&-motion procedures, as shall become apparent.
[0004] Presently, owing the numerous demands upon an
implant-dentist during their intense oral-cavity osteotomy-site
preparation operation, the implant-dentist can unknowingly become
diverted from a thoughtfully planned course of procedure, while
occasionally necessarily re-selecting from amongst a wide array of
arbor-tool implement progressions.
[0005] For example, the arbor-tools presented upon the
implant-dentist's conventional surgical-kit delivery-tray generally
comprise a conglomeration of drill-bits, different lengths (e.g.: 8
mm, 10 mm, 12 mm, and 14 mm) generally provided in three or more
different diameters (e.g.: 3.4 mm, 4.1 mm and 5.1 mm), plus
companion thread-taps and attachment sockets for each diameter.
Owing the subtle differences in length and diameter, to the laymen,
these arbor-tools would all look pretty much the same;
nevertheless, the subtle dimensional differences between these
dental arbor-tools become vitally important in relationship to the
critical fitting of and ultimately successful osseointegration of a
tiny dental-implant.
[0006] It is imperative the work-stressed implant-dentist be
provided tools which are designed to ease procedures, enabling them
to become more focused upon a patient's osteotomy-site preparation.
To better appreciate the potential problems an implant-dentist
experiences while routinely selecting the desired arbor-tool from a
conventional delivery-tray presenting a vast plurality of
implements, one must further understand that inscribed upon the
upper-shank portion of the implant-dentist's arbor-tools are
necessarily extremely diminutive ID-indicia (i.e.:
ID=`identification`/indicia=alpha-numeric characters) bearing the
particular length and diameter of a given drill-bit. This minute
dimensional ID-indicia inscription is often faint to read,
requiring that the implant-dentist pause, carefully examine their
next desired drill-bit selection {as compared to their previously
used drill-bit size), then believing they have read the obscure
inscription correctly, install the drill-bit into the drill-chuck
of their hand-held high-rpm dental power-driver. Without the
present invention improvement, the implant-dentist can
inadvertently misread or otherwise become momentarily
mentally-distracted, thus it is all too easy to execute a serious
error, which even though the implant-dentist may be highly skilled,
can possibly even become a dreadful medical-malpractice issue.
[0007] Accordingly, the inventor hereof has resolved that the
implant-dentist's conventional management of their precision
arbor-tools is far too confusing, as it involves utilization of a
rather bewildering array of drill-bit lengths and diameters which
can thereby inadvertently lead the heavily burdened implant-dentist
into making serious mistakes, compromising the quality outcome of
their critical patient-care task.
[0008] Studies of the implant-dentist's arbor-tool selection
procedures resulted in an improved apparatus and systematic
methodology in the form of the I-Dent.TM. Surgical-kit, conducted
over the last few months via a multi-clinic field-testing program;
the success of which is becoming most gratifying, resulting in
numerous national field reports expressing strong praise of
appreciation as to its effectiveness, from amongst both new and
long established implant-dentists alike. The improved surgical-kit
delivery-tray provides a unique systematic arrangement of
implant-dentist arbor-tools into discrete diametrically uniform
groups, hereinafter referred to as `unidiameter-groups`. For
example, all common drill-bits and thread-tap members having in
common a 3.4 mm-diameter (including their typical 8 mm, 10 mm, 12
mm, 14 mm length progressions) thus comprise a discrete
unidiameter-group having a permanent factory-applied distinct
external color of `green` for example; moreover, the next
unidiameter-group of such arbor-tool implements having in common a
4.1 mm-diameter would (merely by way of example herein only)
exhibit a distinctively different external color of `amber`, while
all 5.1 mm-diameter arbor-tools might also for example exhibit an
externally distinguishing color `violet`. However, for purposes of
this-disclosure, it must also be regarded that one of the
distinguishing colors of the arbor-tools can remain the natural
`grayish` shade of the base titanium material from which it is
generally constituted, as clearly, the objective herein being to
merely provide visually distinctive so called color-coding;
although technically speaking `color` per'se can be devised into
its scientific realms of `hue` (shade}, `intensity` {chroma), and
`value` (variable from white into gray into black).
[0009] Another object of this invention disclosure is to set forth
an article according to preceding aspect, wherein it has also been
found that the utility of this new dental-implant surgical-kit
delivery-tray color-coding not only systematically eases the
implant-dentist's task, but is also a method proving similarly
advantageous to streamlining the work-task efficiency of the
implant-dentist's support staff. For example, during
routine-cleaning of the color coordinated arbor-tool implements
prior to their reuse upon a subsequent implant-patient, the
arbor-tools require stringent initial cleaning generally with plain
soap and water, during which the individual arbor-tool implements
become inadvertently mixed in scrambled disarray. Heretofore, upon
reassembling the numerous seemingly look alike individual
implements of a conventional dental-implant surgical-kit into its
delivery-tray's holding receptacles, the dental-assistant would
typically have to very closely examine the diminutive alpha-numeric
ID-indicia inscribed upon the upper-shank of each arbor-tool {some
persons having to resort to a magnifying-glass for reading
clarity); as to thereby assure orderly arrangement for the
implant-dentist's individual selection during the next operating
session. Heretofore, this has been a time-consuming ordeal, dreaded
even by an experienced staff-assistant; moreover, if the cleaning
and reassembly of the surgical-kit arbor-tools were conducted by an
inexperienced staff-assistant, their confused reassembly of the
conventional non-colorized typically grayish titanium appearing
arbor-tools can, much to the consternation of the implant-dentist,
often become an utterly confusing disaster of disorganization.
[0010] However, the novel I-Dent.TM. System of color distinguished
unidiameter-group segregation so clearly provides a systematic
arrangement, that even the uninitiated dental-staffmember can
deduce proper reassembly of the colorized arbor-tools upon the face
of the uniquely color-coordinated surgical-kit delivery-tray,
without the formerly tedious and laborious need for close visual
inspection of each arbor-tool's shank ID-indicia, merely by
following the simple logic of its organizational segregation into
the generally three (two or more) different unidiameter
color-matched groupings facilitated by the graphic color-groupings
displayed upon the specially configured delivery-tray, This
reassembly method is thus preferably conducted prior to moving the
I-Dent.TM. delivery-tray into the autoclave-unit for final
thermal-sterilization; whereupon the surgical-kit is resealed via a
conventional detachable snap-on lid-closure member, and is thus
ready for the implant-dentist's subsequent color-safeguarded
patient osteotomy-site preparation usage.
[0011] Another object of this invention disclosure is to set forth
an implant-dentist's surgical delivery-kit article according to
preceding aspects, wherein is also provided a further option of
color-coordinating both the factory-sealed vial-cap portion of the
packaging-vial bearing the actual dental-implant; thereby enabling
faster selection of the proper implant diameter from amongst the
implant-dentist's drawer or cabinet stowed inventory (note that
while a transparent vial is the preferred factory-packaging
embodiment, other forms of factory-packaging should be regarded as
within the purview of this reading). The dental-assistant now
having to merely direct their attention to the preceding
unidiameter-group coloration, thus also color-coded matched to the
packaging-vial containing the same diameter of dental-implant for
installation into the already screw-threaded endosseous pilot-hole
of a patient's oral-cavity.
[0012] Another object of this invention disclosure according to the
forgoing apparatus of the preceding aspects, is to set forth a
further improvement defined as an optional albeit vital depth stop
device, which is integrally formed proximally upon the medial
(mid)-length region of all the implant-dentist's arbor-tool
drill-bits. This radial-flange depth-stop device further
streamlines procedures, as it eliminates need of an ungainly
auxiliary depth-gauge (and another item needing to be kept track
of), thus serving to passively safeguard the implant-dentist from
inadvertently exceeding their pre-determined critical
drilling-depth limitation requirement for the dental-implant
prosthetic device the implant-dentist has ascertained to be
appropriate for the patient. This vital albeit herein considered
optional radial-flange depth-stop device, preferably also employs a
convenient demarcation device in the form of an annular-detent
provision, whereby the implant-dentist can eliminate the
mental-distraction of referring to the obscure ID-indicia inscribed
upon the arbor-tool shanks, and yet more readily confirming the
particular length of a selected drill-bit by visually referencing
the perimeter of the radial-flange. Since this efficient
safeguarding strategy further liberates the implant-dentist from
procedurally disruptive heretofore requirement of tediously
examining the minute indicia each time they wish to move to a
progressively longer drill-bit, the implant-dentist significantly
improves their time-and-motion work-efficiency factor. For instance
as a conjectural example only (noting that because particular
colors and their order of arrangement can be adapted variously,
specific colors are herein regarded as a factory/marketing
engineering-design choice, thus actual specifying of particular
colors remains outside the purview of this disclosure}, thus if the
implant-dentist were to be using a green-tinted drill-bit they
would thereby know via the novel I-Dent.TM. System coloration, that
it is from amongst their small-sized unidiameter-group of
arbor-tools. While if so equipped, further examination of the
optional radial-flange perimeter surface will instantly inform them
the particular length of the drill-bit; that is to say, a
drill-bit's radial-flange bearing a single/annular-grove thus
designates that it is the first (i.e.: shortest) drill-bit, and
dual/annular-groves then designates that it is the second (i.e.:
medium length) drill-bit, while a triad-annular-grove formation
designates it is the third (i.e.: longest) drill-bit available from
that unidiameter family of arbor-tools. Moreover, this same
radial-flange drill-bit length identifier feature applies to all
three of the preferred I-Dent.TM. System unidiameter-groups;
although the radial-flanges themselves preferably vary in diameter
proportionately to the variance in drill-bit diameters (i.e.: --a
larger drill-bit having a larger radial-flange). Note also, that
some applications of this annular demarcation technique may vary
according to factory design-choice whereby for example the
radial-flange of the shortest drill-bit may bear only a plain
perimeter surface, thereby indicating it is of the shortest
available, while the next longest drill-bit's radial-flange
perimeter surface may bear a single/annular-groove indicates it is
an intermediate length drill-bit, while a perimeter surface having
a dual/annular-groove conveys to the implant-dentist that it is the
longest drill-bit, hence, it is to be understood that specific
annular-groove demarcation designations can vary according to
factory engineering-design choice.
[0013] As an implant-dentist surgical-kit delivery-tray system, the
disclosure hereof serves to clearly identify critical size
differences among dental-implant oral-preparative components,
eliminating reliance upon difficult to read minute ID-indicia, so
as to thereby facilitate a simpler, faster and more accurate
dental-osteotomy procedure. The system comprises an improved
dental-implant delivery-tray reconfigured to present two or more
unidiameter-groups which are visually segregated via discrete color
discrimination. The system provides an arrangement of discretely
color-coded arbor-tools which distinguish each unidiameter-group
from the others, whereby the implant-dentist may simply progress in
drilling depth steps only within a single unidiameter-group, or,
they may progress via both drilling depth and diametrical steps, by
translating to a larger unidiameter-group of a different color as
the patient's osteotomy-site preparation advances toward desired
final critical depth and diameter.
[0014] As an implant-dentist surgical-kit delivery-tray method, the
disclosure hereof serves to set forth an easier, more accurate
arbor-tool selection procedure, by essentially providing an
improved delivery-tray configuration employing a cooperative set of
two or more unidiameter-groups of arbor-tools which are each
visually segregated via discrete color discrimination, by employing
a small (diameter) unidiameter-group with a 1.sup.st-color
exclusively, and employing a medium{diameter) unidiameter-group
with a different 2.sup.nd-color exclusively and employing a large
(diameter) unidiameter-group with a different 3.sup.rd-color
exclusively. Also, including graphic representation upon face of
the delivery-tray via a band or field of matching color
substantially surrounding each given discretely color-coded
unidiameter-group, or alternately via a matching color circle
(preferably in the form of a colored grommet) discretely
surrounding individual arbor-tools of a given unidiameter-group.
Thus, the safeguarded method supplies each unidiameter-group with a
plurality of arbor-tools, including drill-bit length progressions
of a common diameter, leading preferably forward toward the
implant-dentist to a threading-tap of assured matching diameter
(because the color is necessarily the same), whereby the
implant-dentist may simply progress in drilling-depth steps only
within a single unidiameter-group echelon, or they may orderly
progress via bot drilling depth and diametrical steps by
translating preferably laterally left-to-right to a larger diameter
hence clearly differently colored-coded unidiameter-group as the
patient's osteotomy-site preparation advances to desired final
critical depth and diameter. The methodology also facilitates the
option of the depth-limiting radial-flange device described
above.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0015] FIG. 1: is a perspective-view of the frontal upper-left
portion of the implant-dentist's surgical-kit delivery-tray of
conventional prior art design configuration, wherein all the rotary
arbor-tools are confusingly of a common coloration;
[0016] FIG. 2: is an enlarged perspective-view of the frontal
upper-left portion of the exemplified implant-dentist's
surgical-kit and delivery kit of the present invention. Shown in
the Figure is an array of arbor-tools that are color-segregated
into a tertiary-grouping of discrete unidiameters, wherein the
colors of the arbor-tools are arranged within an orderly matched
surrounding field-color, whereby the diametrically larger
drill-bits are shown preferably disposed toward the right of the
delivery tray;
[0017] FIG. 3: is a semi-diagrammatic transverse cross-sectional
elevation-view projected along the plane of reference 3:3 in FIG.
2, thereby alternatively in lieu of color-graphics exemplifying how
three differently color-coded insert panels can be provided to
surround the unidiameter arbor=tools of matching color;
[0018] FIG. 4: is a quadric-lateral series of side/elevation-views
showing how different annular demarcations provided upon the
perimeter of the radial-flange depth-stop apparatus, in
combination, with color-coding, facilitating faster positive
identification while selecting from among the different incremental
lengths of drill-bits; and
[0019] FIG. 5: is a diagrammatic cross-sectional
side/elevation-view representation of a dental-implant
osteotomy-site procedure, wherein is demonstrated a triple
superimposed dental drill-bit procedure of diametrically
incremental-steps, showing how the integrally-formed radial-flange
option maintains a constant drilling-depth among all three
diametrical progressions.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Itemized Nomenclature References
[0020] 10, 10', 10''--surgical-kit delivery-tray, face surface.
perimeter-flange [0021] 11, 11', 11'', 11T, 11S--1.sup.st-color
designation at small 3.4 mm unidiameter arbor-tools: dental
drill-bit lengths: short/medium/long, threading-tap, socket [0022]
12, 12', 12'', 12T, 12S--2.sup.nd-color designation of medium 4.1
mm unidiameter arbor-tools: dental drill-bit lengths;
short/medium/long, threading-tap, socket [0023] 13, 13', 13'', 13T,
13S--3.sup.rd-color designation of large 5.1 mm unidiameter
arbor-tools: dental drill-bit lengths: short/medium/long,
threading-tap, socket [0024] 14, 14', 14''--graphic color-key:
hand/field/encirclement [0025] 15, 15', 15''--unidiameter-groups:
1.sup.st-color=sml.-diam., 2.sup.nd-color=med.-diam.,
3.sup.rd-color=large-diam. [0026] 16, 16', 16''--insert-panel,
integral holding-dish standby-holes [0027] 17, 17',
17''--elastomeric grommet, retention-hole, tray/panel-hole [0028]
18--miscellaneous non-colorized arbor-tools [0029] 19,
19'--standard arbor-tool shank, standard dental-chuck coupling-tip
[0030] 20, 20', 20'', 20P--radial-flange: abutting-surface.
undercut-surface, upper-side, perimeter [0031] 21, 21',
21''--single annular-groove double annular-grooving/triple
annular-grooving [0032] 22, 22', 22''--color-coded vial-cap:
1.sup.st-color=sml.-diam., 2.sup.nd-color=med.-diam.,
3.sup.rd-color=large-diam. [0033] 23, 23', 23'', 23L, 23R--standard
vial, opening, sidewall, color-coded label, retainer-base [0034]
24, 24', 24''--conventional dental-implant:
small-diam./medium-diam./large-diam. [0035] 25, 25',
25''--color-coded healing-cap: 1.sup.st-color=sml.-diam.,
2.sup.nd-color=med.-diam., 3.sup.rd-color=large-diam. [0036] 26,
26', 26''--soft-tissue, osseous. original natural teeth [0037] 27',
27''--unidiameter-group lateral translation stage
ref-arrows-2.sup.nd, 3.sup.rd [0038] 28, 28', 28''--dental-bits:
short/medium/long [0039] 29, 29', 29''--prior art: dental-tray,
tray top-surface, common finished arbor-tools
[0040] Initial references given by way of FIG. 1 `prior art`
wherein is exhibited an implant-dentist's surgical-kit
delivery-tray 29 which top-surface 29' is of conventional design
organizational configuration and the array of arbor-tools 29'' are
of a common look-alike color regardless as to the subtle
differences in drill-bit diameters. Hence, such ordinary
configurations (exact arrangements and numbers of implements can
vary considerably) are thus inefficient to use to the extent of
posing the risk of serious confusion during selection of
essentially look-alike arbor-tools set into a common panel area:
thus unwittingly impeding the implant-dentist's need for seamless
procedures and even imperiling patient safety during intense
oral-operations.
[0041] In contrast, study of FIG. 2 reveals the greatly improved
implant-dentist surgical-kit delivery-tray 10 having extensively
reconfigured face surface 10' features, which employ
color-coordinated guide-graphics to thoughtfully provide a major
streamlining of time and motion procedures through judicious use of
color-coding discretely coordinated with selected rotary implements
to greatly simplify the formerly encumbered delivery-tray component
selection task-procedures. More specifically, note how the
arbor-tools are now logically segregated into three distinct
corrals referred to herein as unidiameter-groups 15, 15', 15'': the
unidiameter-group 15 presenting the small-diameter arbor-tools all
uniformly finished in a 1.sup.st-color, the unidiameter-group 15'
presenting the medium-diameter arbor-tools all uniformly finished
in a distinctively different: 2.sup.nd-color, and the
unidiameter-group presenting the large-diameter arbor--tools all
uniformly finished in a further distinctively different
3.sup.rd-color.
[0042] Importantly, the three separate corral-like
unidiameter-groups revealed in FIG. 2 are made visually distinct to
the implant-dentist by means of graphic surround devices employing
the same identical color as the arbor-tools which they present.
These graphic devices can be as elementary as a simple narrow
outline of color represented in FIG. 2 via band 14, or a broadly
surrounding field 14', or merely a discrete color encirclement 14''
(which may be an actual holding grommet 17 molded of a color
matching the unidiameter arbor-tool which it is presenting). Of
these exemplified graphic devices, the field surround option 14'
may offer the most interesting design potential as FIG. 3 shows how
it can actually be implemented in the form of a transparent plastic
injection-molded insert-panel 16, shown therein in three
distinctively different colorations, such as a green-tint matching
the arbor-tools color of the small unidiameter-group 15, an
amber-tint matching the arbor-tools color of the medium
unidiameter-group 15', and a violet-tint matching the arbor-tools
color of the large unidiameter-group 15''; and if one of the
unidiameter-groups presents arbor-tools which are left in their
natural metal-finish state, the insert-panel 16 can likewise be
regarded as tantamount to `color-coded` us an untinted transparent
polycarbonate-plastic (highly autoclave-temperature resistant).
[0043] Within each of the exemplified unidiameter-groups of FIG. 2
are included traditional incremental progressions (action
ref.-arrow 27) of drill-bit lengths, for example, in the rearmost
position of the unidiameter-group 15 representing only a 1.sup.st
color of 3.4 mm diameter arbor-tools is shown the shortest
drill-bit 11 which is preferably 10 mm long, then the next
drill-bit 11' is preferably 12 mm long, followed by the longest
drill-bit 11'' preferably 14 mm long, and next in view is the
associated dental-osseous thread-tap 11T, and finally the nearest
rotary-tool being the cooperative 3.4 mm wrench socket 11S. It is
important to understand that the very same logical progressions are
provided in the next (laterally toward the right) two adjoining
albeit different 2.sup.nd-color 4.1 mm unidiameter-group 15', and
different 3.sup.rd-color 5.1 mm unidiameter-group 15''; therefore,
the implant-dentist can also translate laterally (action
ref.-arrows 27' and 27'') as desired, confident in knowing that
their drilling depth will remain constant unless they intentionally
elect to progress further via ref.-arrow 27. Moreover, if desired,
the three exemplified different hue-colors can also be made to vary
in chroma, according to their respective progressions in depth;
thus the actual hue-colors remain the same, although they ail
appear to vary in surrounding field shade from a lighter-shade at
rear positions 11/12/13 toward a darker-shade of the same hue-color
for field surround positions 11''/12''/13''.
[0044] This constant-hue/variable-shade effect is basically
analogous to the way a printer's Color-wheel chart designed, with
white (max.-intensity) at center-axis of the Color-wheel and the
different colors surrounding the axis somewhat like spokes of a
wheel, with the rim being essentially black (min.-intensity). The
notion being to provide not only the different hue colors from
left-to-right, but optionally different gradations of those
discrete colors from rear-to-front as well. However, the primary
intent this disclosure set forth the basic notion of different
distinguishing colors (hues) according to the different exemplified
unidiameter-groups 15/15'/15'': the additional optional provision
of variable hue-values within each of the unidiameter-groups being
merely a further refinement.
[0045] Note also that while FIG. 2 shows the arbor-tools furnished
with the novel depth-stop radial-flange having a perimeter 20''
diameter approximately twice the diameter of its host drill-bit
diameter, it is to be understood that the improved delivery-tray 10
will also serve dental arbor-tools not equipped with the
radial-flange; hence appearing substantially like the conventional
arbor-tools shown in FIG. 1, with the major exception that the
arbor-tools of FIG. 2 necessarily feature the essential
color-coding finish (with or without the radial-flange option). At
far right of FIG. 2 is shown a removed exemplified drill-hit 13'',
which is tipped at an angle whereby the radial-flange
abutting-surface 2, proximal shank 19, and exemplified coupling tip
19' portion are in view: and it is understood that the design the
twist-drill flutes and coupling-tips can vary substantially
according to manufacturing design choice, and therefore bare no
significance to the disclosure.
[0046] There remain subtle, however vital other differences which
are to become herein more evident and understood as important
improvements. For example, in FIG. 4 is shown a triad of
substantially conventional dental-implant factory-packaging in the
form of generally transparent glass or plastic vials 23 having
novel color-coded injection-molded plastic vial-caps 22, 22; and
22'', each vial-cap being intimately adapted to and preferably
press-fitting (a mild friction-fit sufficient to maintain a
hermetic-seal) into the vial opening 23, each vial preferably
including its own discretionary matching color-coded labels 23L,
23L' and 23L'' applied to the respective sidewall 23'' of the
individual conventional vials (corresponding to the matching
color-coded vial-caps). Shown partially withdrawn in FIG. 4, thus
protruding-up from each of the vials 23, are the sterilely
contained different unidiameter-group dental-implants 24, 24' and
24'' which can compromise both the 1.sup.st-stage (S') and
2.sup.nd-stage (S'') portions of the dental-implant, and are
optionally factory-assembled via a coaxial Allen/assembly-screw
(the upper-tip of which is shown atop the abutment-post portion of
the indicated 2.sup.nd-stage (S'')). Also shown conventionally
pressed into the normally enclosed end of each vial-cap 20, 20',
and 20'' are unique discretely color-coded but otherwise
conventional so-called healing-caps 25, 25' and 25'', each
essentially comprising a machine-screw which male screw-threaded
shank portion is commonly pressed into a retainer-bases 23R, and
thus become protectively enclosed within the vial. Other than the
novel color-coding feature, this exemplifies a conventional
packaging arrangement facilitating convenient accessibility of the
healing-cap from each vial-cap's retainer-base 23R once the
implant-dentist has installed the 1.sup.st-stage dental-implant
portion, and therefore must seal-off the longitudinal central-core
of the 1.sup.st-stage primary/dental-implant to prevent
problematical foreign matter entering therein during
osseointegration of the 1.sup.st-stage. Each healing-cap thus
employs a distinct color matching the color of its respect
vial-cap; and whereby later, when the implant-dentist decides the
osseointegration of the earlier installed dental-implant is
satisfactorily merged with the patient's osseous, the
implant-dentist (or a subsequent dentist dealing primarily with
preparation of crowns) has merely to observe the particular color
(hue) of the exposed healing-cap 25, 25', and 25'' as to thereby
which 2.sup.nd-stage implant portion to select for attachment upon
the ensconced 1.sup.st-stage dentist-implant member. The
2.sup.nd-stage implant portion rises above the patient's soft
gum-tissue, and generally features an abutment-post portion serving
to solidly support the final realistic appearing ceramic
prosthetic-tooth crown.
[0047] Study of FIG. 4 clearly shows the radial-flange depth-stop
provision which is advantageously positive-acting in drilling
limitation, as compared to passively-acting conventional dental
drill-bits featuring mere incremental depth reference demarcations
of one sort or another upon their medial-shank region. This
depth-limiting radial-flange is vital in keeping with the basic
procedural safeguarding premise of the most preferred embodiment.
As initially revealed in FIG. 2, the radial-flange configuration
preferably presents horizontally flat disk area portion, referred
to as abutting-surface 20: and because this surface serves to
interface direct upon the patient's bony oral-osseous (see FIG. 6).
It is considered important this abutting-surface 20 not be tapered
up from the drill-flute region, as that would tend to provide a
less positive depth-limit action, although an alternate reverse
under-cut 20' formation (e.g.: which cross-section is revealed at
center of FIG. 3) is an acceptable alternative embodiment.
[0048] The FIG. 4 presentation reveals an alternate optional
embodiment for the radial-flange's perimeter surface 20P which
until now has been shown as merely plain, remiss of special
markings; thus here are shown several iterations of the optional
radial-flange embodiment with a practicable annular demarcation
means, serving to readily confirm at a glance by the
implant-dentist, the particular length of a selected dental
drill-bit: thereby obviating need for interruptive reference to the
difficult to read alpha-numeric indicia inscribed upon the
arbor-tool's upper-shank surface. Beginning at far left, exhibit-A,
shows a side-view of a dental drill-bit having the depth-limiting
radial-flange which left-perimeter 20P is by way of comparison, of
plain unadorned design, while for convenience of illustration the
right-perimeter portion is shown with an exemplified integrally
formed annular-rib 21X device, which is for purposes of this
disclosure regarded at tantamount in function to the exhibit-B
iteration, which, perimeter surface is provided with a single
annular-groove 21. Note that all FIG. 4 embodiments can thus employ
either the integral annular-rib 21X or annular-groove 21
configuration, albeit preferably, consistent as to implementation
of either embodiment according to factory engineering-design
choice. Thus progressing still further toward the right, exhibit-C,
shows the perimeter surface provided with a double annular-groove
21', while the final exhibit-D, at far right, feature s a triple
annular-groove 21''. Therefore, these preferred radial-flange
demarcations (whether formed inwardly or optionally outwardly), in
combination with the color-coding system, represent a swift yet
sure means by which the implant-dentist can work among their
various arbor-tools with absolute confidence, while virtually
liberated from the heretofore problematical (time and motion
wasting distraction) procedure of having to stop to closely examine
a drill-bit's obscure indicia in order to confirm that the
drill-bit they've selected is indeed both the correct diameter and
length.
[0049] Note also in FIG. 4 that since the opposing upper-surface
20'' of the radial-flange serves no particular function, it may be
of any desired circular formation such as flat F, tapered T or
ball-tapered B1. Moreover, FIG. 4 supports the notion that the
differently color-coded radial-flange equipped dental drill-bits
may be worked in lateral coordination without confusion, when taken
relative to the FIG. 2 delivery-tray face surface 10' graphics
(e.g.: encircling discretely color-coded bands 14 identifying the
three exemplified diameter-groups 15, 15' and 15'') during the
ostectomy procedure. Thereby advantageously eliminating heretofore
need of generally fidgeting with an ungainly depth gauge, in which
a separate probing-tool necessitates repeated removal of the trauma
imposing dental drill-bit, and undesirable if tedious procedure.
Since conventional dental drill-bits bearing mere depth
reference-markings, offer no actual positive means of preventing
the implant-dentist exceeding of a critical drilling-depth
restrictions, generally determined in conjunction with intermittent
X-ray visualizations for example: then it can thus be understood
the utility value of discretely color-coded unidiameter-grouped
dental arbor-tool drill-bits, each equipped in novel combination
with this depth-limiting radial-flange; providing a uniquely
safeguarded oral-osteohomy procedures.
[0050] Next, study of FIG. 5 shows an exemplified dental drill-bit
11' having first bored down into the patient's osseous 26', once
the comparatively soft-tissue 26 (gum material) is surgically
relieved at circumscribed region residing between indicators--X'
and X''. Whereupon the implant-dentist may determine they need to
laterally transfer 27' (see FIG. 2) to the next larger diameter
albeit the same depth, selects drill-bit 12' from adjacent
differently color-coded unidiameter-group 15' and completes that
drilling procedure, but then after further evaluation determines
they should make a further lateral transition 27'' into
unidiameter-group 15'' via selection of further differently
color-coded dental drill-bit 13'' via final progression 27. At this
advanced juncture, the implant-dentist completes the oral-ostechomy
procedure by chasing down the final pilot-hole bore via
threading-tap 13T (see FIG. 2), thereby having completed
preparation of the osteotomy-site for initial installation of the
actual conventional stage-one dental-implant prosthesis for
subsequent osseointegration.
[0051] Thus, it is readily understood how the preferred and
generic-variant embodiments of this invention contemplate
performing functions in a novel way not heretofore available nor
realize. It is implicit that the utility of the foregoing
adaptations of this invention are not necessarily dependent upon
any prevailing invention patent: and, while the present invention
has been well described hereinbefore by way of certain illustrated
embodiments, it is to be expected that various changes,
alterations, rearrangements, and obvious modifications may be
resorted to by those skilled in the art to which it relates,
without substantially departing from the implied spirit and scope
of the instant invention. Therefore, the invention has been
disclosed herein by way of example, and not as imposed limitation,
while the appended Claims set out the scope of the invention
sought, and are to be construed as broadly as the terminology
therein employed permits, reckoning that the invention verily
comprehends every use of which it is susceptible. Accordingly, the
embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or
proprietary privilege is claimed, are defined as follows.
* * * * *