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Patent 1341462 Summary

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Claims and Abstract availability

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(12) Patent: (11) CA 1341462
(21) Application Number: 1341462
(54) English Title: INSERT AND TIP FOR USE IN AN APPARATUS FOR SCALING TEETH AND LAVAGE
(54) French Title: INSTRUMENT, AINSI QU'UNE POINTE S'Y FIXANT, POUR LE DETRARTAGE ET LE NETTOYAGE DES DENTS
Status: Expired and beyond the Period of Reversal
Bibliographic Data
(51) International Patent Classification (IPC):
  • A61C 17/02 (2006.01)
  • A61C 17/20 (2006.01)
(72) Inventors :
  • WARRIN, GEORGE E. (United States of America)
  • PERDREAUX, RENE J. (United States of America)
(73) Owners :
  • DENTSPLY MANAGEMENT CORP.
(71) Applicants :
  • DENTSPLY MANAGEMENT CORP. (United States of America)
(74) Agent: SMART & BIGGAR LP
(74) Associate agent:
(45) Issued: 2004-10-26
(22) Filed Date: 1988-11-07
Availability of licence: N/A
Dedicated to the Public: N/A
(25) Language of filing: English

Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT): No

(30) Application Priority Data:
Application No. Country/Territory Date
141,355 (United States of America) 1988-01-06
157,814 (United States of America) 1988-02-18

Abstracts

English Abstract


An apparatus for scaling of teeth and lavage of the
gingival sulcus is provided. The apparatus comprises a
base unit which contains reservoirs for the medicaments
used in the lavage procedure, and a handpiece connected
to the base unit by a conduit, which contains an insert
for scaling of teeth. Switches on the base unit and a
footswitch make it possible for the practitioner to use
the apparatus for scaling only, lavage only, or for
simultaneous lavage and scaling. Also provided is an
insert for use in the apparatus. The insert comprises
a tip for scaling and delivery of lavage fluids,
retaining means for retaining the scaling tip in the
insert, and a path means for delivering irrigant for
scaling or for lavage through the insert and to the end
of the scaling tip. The scaling tip is shaped and
dimensioned for scaling and lavage below the gumline in
periodontal pockets.


Claims

Note: Claims are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.


CLAIMS:
1. ~A dental handpiece for use in subgingival scaling and
lavage comprising:
a tip for scaling and delivery of lavage fluids;
retaining means for retaining said tip in a
connecting body;
a magnetostrictive stack attached to said connecting
body and positioned within a handle portion of said dental
handpiece, said magnetostrictive stack being coupled to apply
vibrations to said tip;
path means through said handpiece for delivering
irrigant for scaling or lavage through said connecting body to
said tip;
further path means within said handpiece for
delivering cooling water to said stack, said further path means
including an outlet means for removing stack cooling water from
around the stack in a direction away from said tip.
2. ~A dental handpiece as claimed in claim 1 wherein said
tip is brazed to said connecting body.
3. ~The dental handpiece as claimed in claim 2 wherein
said tip includes a projection with an undercut that is adapted
to enhance brazing between said tip and said connecting body.
4. ~The dental handpiece as claimed in claim 1 wherein
said retaining means comprises a quick connect means.
5. ~A dental handpiece as claimed in claim 1 wherein said
retaining means comprises thread means.
25

6. ~The dental handpiece as claimed in any one of claims
1 to 5 wherein said tip has a distal end and a concentric oral
delivery orifice, said concentric oral delivery having a
diameter of about 0.25 mm positioned at said distal end of said
tip, said distal end of said tip having a diameter of less than
0.9 mm; said dental handpiece including path means for
delivering irrigant for scaling or for lavage to said distal
end of said tip, wherein said distal end of said tip is tapered
so that the diameter of said tip at a point about 4 mm above
said distal end is about 0.05 mm to 0.5 mm greater than the
diameter of the distal end of said tip, and a diameter about 8
mm above said distal end of about 0.1 mm to 1 mm greater than
the diameter of said distal end.
26

Description

Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.


1 341462
This is a division of our copending Canadian Patent
Application No. 582,437 filed 7 November, 1988.
The present invention relates to an insert for use in
an apparatus for scaling of teeth, and for lavage of the
gingival sulcus and other parts of the mouth requiring lavage.
The apparatus is capable of providing scaling alone, lavage
alone, or for providing both simultaneously.
It is known in the art that plaque and calculus harbor
toxic and irritating components implicated in oral disease and
that plaque and calculus can be removed from teeth by high
frequency scaling. Many instruments are known in the art for
that purpose. Prior art scaling instruments have been designed
with scaling tips that are caused to vibrate at frequencies
between about 6 and 50 KHz using mechanical, magnetostrictive or
piezoelectric energy. Scaling tips for the prior art devices
are relatively large since they are used mainly to remove plaque
and calculus from the exposed, relatively large, flat surfaces
of teeth. With a few exceptions, prior art scaling tips are too
large for scaling below the gum line in periodontal pockets,
unless the pockets are surgically exposed.
Because heat is generated by the vibration of the
stacks and scaling tips, most prior art scaling devices
1

13~1~62
have a conduit that transports tap water to the hand-
piece and onto the scaling tip for cooling thereof. In
magnetostrictive devices, for example, the tap water is
first used to circulate around the tranducer stack to
cool the stack, and is then dispensed onto the scaling
tip to cool the tip. In piezoelectric devices the cool-
ing water is directed to the scaling tip only. The
cooling water is thereafter dispensed into the
patient's mouth during the scaling procedure to cleanse
the operating field of debris.
It is also known in the art to provide instruments
to oxygenate or irrigate periodontal pockets with
oxygenated or oxygen producing chemicals. This is done
because it has been found that anaerobic bacteria live
in periodontal pockets, (it has been inferred that a
causal relationship between the presence of anaerobic
bacteria and periodontal disease exists) and anaerobic
bacteria cannot live in the presence of oxygen. Simi-
larly other antibacterial solutions may be prepared to
facilitate removal of calculus, plaque and plaque com-
ponents by irrigation. Such procedures are commonly
known in the art as lavage.
It has been found that a conscientious program of
keeping teeth clean of adhering calculus and plaque,
a,nd irrigating periodontal pockets with one or more
suitable lavage irrigants may stop or even reverse the
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'4
1 341462
progression of periodontal disease.
In the past, however, to provide both procedures, two
different apparatuses were required. The practitioner, to
provide adequate treatment, was faced with the expense and
clutter of two independent sets of equipment, and the need to
use both sets of equipment when using both procedures was time
consuming and cumbersome.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The invention provides a dental handpiece for use in
subgingival scaling and lavage comprising: a tip for scaling
and delivery of lavage fluids; retaining means for retaining
said tip in a connecting body; a magnetostrictive stack
attached to said connecting body and positioned within a handle
portion of said dental handpiece, said magnetostrictive stack
being coupled to apply vibrations to said tip; path means
through said handpiece for delivering irrigant for scaling or
lavage through said connecting body to said tip; further path
means within said handpiece for delivering cooling water to
said stack, said further path means including an outlet means
for removing stack cooling water from around the stack in a
direction away from said tip.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Figure 1 is a perspective view of the apparatus of
the invention including the base unit, foot switch and
handpiece.
Figure 2 is a schematic illustration of the apparatus
of the invention.
G
3

1 341462
Figure 3 is a cutaway top view of the base unit of the
invention illustrating an alternative embodiment of the
reservoir configuration.
Figure 4 is a cutaway side view along line 4-4
illustrating an alternative embodiment of the reservoir
configuration of Figure 3.
Figure 5 is a cutaway view of a handpiece of the
invention with a hollow tip and external flow return.
Figure 6 is an alternative ultrasonic scaling, perio-
4

134462
dontal lavage handpiece.
FIG. 7 is an alternative embodiment of a handpiece
with means separate from the tip for spraying and cool-
ing the tip.
FIG. 8 is an embodiment of the insert of the inven-
tion which uses end delivery of irrigant.
FIG. 9 is section 9-9 of FIG 8 rotated 90°.
FIG. 10 illustrates a preferred shape of a scaling/-
lavage tip with a double bend.
FIG. 11 is an embodiment of an insert which has a
tip design adapted to direct irrigant on the outside of
the scaling tip.
FIG. 12 is an end view along line 12-12 of the
embodiment of FIG. 11.
FIG. 13 illustrates a second preferred shape of a
scaling/lavage tip with a gooseneck.
FIG. 14 illustrates a scaling tip for right molar
root planing.
FIG. 15 is an end view along line 15-15 of the
embodiment of FIG. 14.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
With reference now to FIGS. 1, 2, 3 and 5, the appa-
ratus of the invention comprises a base unit 10, a hand-
piece 12 comprising handle 13 and insert 14 and foot
switch 27. A conduit 15 connects the handpiece 12 to
- 5 -

~34~4sz
the base unit 10. Specifically, conduit 15 is con-
nected to outlets 40 and 42 of separate cylindrical
reservoirs 36 and 38, respectively, in base unit l0.
Reservoirs 36 and 38 are provided to store one or more
medicament fluids that can be transported from the
reservoirs to be dispensed through handpiece 12 and
insert 14 when desired. Fluid can be introduced into
reservoirs 36 and 38 through a refill opening therein
which are closed by caps 16 and 18 respectively.
In the illustrated embodiment, handle 13 has means
therein which is adapted to impart a vibration to
insert 14. Such means are well known in the art and
may be mechanical, magnetostrictive or piezoelectric in
nature. As is known in the art, when the tip 32 of
insert 14 is touched lightly against a tooth by the
practitioner, tip 32 is capable, because of its
vibratory movement, of removing plaque and calculus
from the tooth.
As is known to those skilled in the art, scaling
tips adapted to vibrate anywhere from 6 to 50 KHZ may
be used for scaling of teeth. In the illustrated
embodiment, power control 26 may be used to vary the
power of handle 13. Frequencies above about 20 KHZ are
generally considered to be in the ultrasonic range.
Scaling below the gum line is known in the art as
"root planing". As used herein, "scaling" is intended
6

1 341462
to embrace both the scaling of teeth and root planing.
The apparatus of the invention may be used as a
conventional ultrasonic sealer, in which case switch 24
will be set to a first position (condition 1) so that
no medicaments are delivered from reservoirs 36 and 38,
and ordinary tap water is used to cool the scaling tip
and to irrigate the mouth during ultrasonic scaling.
Conventional ultrasonic inserts of the magnetostrictive
type have a flow through passage that utilizes the
water used to cool the tranducer stack to also cool the
scaling tip. The flow of the cooling water is conven-
tionally set at about 35 cc/min and can be further con-
trolled using flow control knob 25, and flow of cooling
water to the handpiece is activated by setting foot
control 27 to its second position. When foot control
27 is in the second position, solenoid valve 68 is
activated permitting the flow of water through regula-
tor 70, through solenoid 68 to handpiece 12 and over
the scaling tip. When foot switch 27 is pushed to its
second position, vibration of insert 14 is also initi-
ated.
Vibration module 11 supplies the vibrating fre-
quency to the handpiece by generating an ocillating
electric current. In the illustrated embodiment the
frequency of the electric current generated by vibra-
tion module 11 is directly related to the frequency
_ 7 _

1 3 41 4 fit
at which the insert vibrates.
When switch 24 is set to a second position (condi-
tion 2) the apparatus is adapted for lavage by acti-
vating solenoids 56 and 58 which are put into operation
by depressing one or both of buttons 20 and 22 and
moving foot control 27 to its first position. When the
apparatus is in this condition, air pressure from air
supply 60 is reduced by regulator 66 forcing fluid from
either reservoir 36 or 38 or both into conduit 15,
through inlet 44 to insert 14 and through scaling tip
32 to be dispensed in the mouth. In the preferred
embodiment the air pressure will be controlled by
regulator 66, and the air supply will be maintained
adjustably by control knob 28 at about 2 - 16 psi.
As is conventional in the art, the air supply line
will be equipped with at least one filter 62, an inlet
solenoid valve 64 and a regulator 66.
Those skilled in the art will recognize that in an
alternative embodiment reservoirs 36 and 38, or the
lines leading therefrom can be equipped with pump means
for dispensing fluid from reservoirs 36 and 38.
It is also preferred that the lines leading from
reservoirs 36 and 38 be equipped with check valves 61
and 71 which are used to insure that flow in the line
is only in one direction. This prevents, for example,
the flow of fluid from reservoir 38 to reservoir 36
_ g _

1341462
when dispensing fluid from only reservoir 38. Vibra-
tion in insert 14 is initiated when footswitch 27 is
moved to its second position.
By controlling the air pressure in the line as
described above, flow control 28 is used to control the
flow rate of fluid from reservoirs 36 and 38.
Circuitry may be provided which prevents activation
of the vibration in the handpiece unless one or both of
buttons 20 and 22 are depressed. This ensures that
cooling fluid will always be available to tip 32 when
insert 14 is vibrating.
In a preferred embodiment, especially for treating
patients with gingivitis and periodontal disease, the
practitioner may depress button 20, which will deliver
a particular medicament to the handpiece from reservoir
36 through outlet 40; or he may depress button 22,
which will deliver another medicament from reservoir 38
through outlet 42; or he may depress both buttons 20
and 22 to deliver a predetermined ratio of the medic-
aments from reservoirs 36 and 38 to handpiece 12.
In a preferred embodiment employing a handpiece
using magnetostrictive elements, outlets 40 and 42 will
connect within base unit 10 so that only one tube is
needed to connect base unit 10 to handpiece 12 through
inlet 44. Those skilled in the art, however, will
recognize that, for some applications it may be more
_ g _

1 341462
suitable to employ two or more conduits to connect base
unit 10 to handpiece 12 so that the fluids from reser-
voirs 36 and 38 will combine in the handpiece, just
before they are dispensed through insert 14. Using
such an arrangement reduces the amount of flush time
needed to clean the line when switching from one fluid
reservoir to another. Besides the tube for medicaments
connecting base unit 10 to handpiece 12, conduit 15 may
contain one tube to carry cooling water to the trans-
ducer stack 30 and one tube to return cooling water
from the handpiece 12 through outlet 46 to a sink or
other depository, and the electrical wires needed to
control the handpiece.
In an alternative embodiment, those skilled in the
art will recognize that measured amounts of lavage irri-
gants, especially disinfecting fluids, may be used to
first cool a tranducer stack and be delivered through
insert 14 to the area of operation.
As used herein, the term medicament includes anti-
bacterial solutions adapted to fight bacteria associ-
ated with periodontal disease or dental caries, solu-
tions adapted to increase resistance to dental caries
such as fluoride solutions, surfactants adapted to
chemically clean the sulcus and teeth of calculus,
plaque and endotoxins, as well as chemical solutions
containing chemicals to promote healing.
- l0 -

1341462
In the preferred embodiment scaler tip 32 will be
made of stainless steel, will be tapered and will have
dimensions suitable for entry into a periodontal pocket
and will have roughly the dimensions of a periodontal
probe. Accordingly, the scaling tip of the invention
will .have a diameter at distal end of tip 37, for
example, of about 0.3-0.9 mm, preferably about 0.5-0.7
mm. The tip will be tapered so that the diameter of
the tip at a point about 4 mm above the distal end will
be about 0.05-0.7, preferably 0.05-0.3mm greater than
the diameter of the distal end of said tip. In the
illustrated embodiment scaler tip 32 at end 37 is about
0.6 mm in diameter with a concentric oral delivery
orifice 34 of about 0.25 mm, and a diameter of about
0.8mm 4mm above the distal end.
The amplitude of the insert 14 in ultrasonic oper-
ation will depend on the particular geometry of the
particular insert used as well as the power output of
the handpiece. The stroke amplitude can be therefore
controlled by power control 26 to maintain clinical
effectiveness and increase patient comfort when used
subgingivally.
With reference now to FIGS. 3 and 4, in an alter-
native embodiment of base unit 10, reservoirs 72 and 74
may be contained within a single cylinder where reser-
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1 341462
voir 72 surrounds reservoir 74. Such a configuration
utilizes available space efficiently and such a config-
uration may be desirable in an embodiment where larger
reservoirs, up to about 1000 ml, are used.
With reference now to FIG. 5 in the preferred
embodiment, irrigant will be delivered through the
scaler tip 32 through orifice 34 in apex or end 37 of
scaler tip 32 . Handpiece 12 , having an insert 14 , has
an insert tip 32 with dimensions suitable for use in a
periodontal pocket when the apparatus is operated in
condition 2. Irrigant, preferably a medicament from
reservoir 36 or 38, or both, enters insert 14 through
inlet tube 44, travels through passage 76 and is
dispensed through orifice 34. Hole 78 in insert 14
permits cooling water that passes over stack 30 to
enter passage 80 to be conveyed through outlet 46 to be
dispensed in the sink or other depository. An insert
tip 32 with an apical orifice 34 is particularly suited
for lavage of a periodontal pocket. When irrigant is
dispensed from tip 32 while it is vibrating, the
irrigant may be dispensed in a fine spray which helps
clear the working area of debris. When used subgin-
givally in a periodontal pocket, this embodiment
assures good irrigation of the pocket and debridment of
plaque and calculus.
With reference now to FIG. 6, an alternative hand-
- 12 -

1 3414 62
piece 82 having an irrigant delivery tube 84 and a flow
return tube 86 contained within the handpiece is illus-
trated. Handpiece 82 operates in the same manner as
described for handpiece 12 in FIG. 5, but does not have
the extraneous external tubing. Insert tip 48 is
designed having a spray outlet 50 above the apex 35 and
cutaway side 52 providing an external channel 53 on
insert tip 48. Such an insert may be used to provide,
for some applications, an alternative spray geometry in
the treatment.
It will be recognized by those skilled in the art
that an insert having a cutaway insert tip 48 may be
used as part of a handpiece 12 and an insert tip 32 may
be used as part of a handpiece 82, in addition to other
combinations, as FIGS. 1-15 are illustrative only and
are not limiting.
With reference now to FIG. 7, in another alter-
native embodiment, insert 90 may have an end 92 having
an outlet 94 for dispensing cooling or medicament fluid
onto insert tip 96 which has an external channel for
directing the fluid to apex 98 of the tip: In this
embodiment, since the cooling fluid is external to tip
96, tip 96 may be made of a solid piece of metal. Such
an embodiment permits further reduction in the size of
the tip and may provide a longer lasting tip.
Reference is made now to FIGS. 8 and 9, which illus-
- 13 -

1 341462
trate a preferred embodiment of the insert of the
invention which can be used for ultrasonic scaling of
teeth, root planing, and/or lavage. As in conventional
ultrasonic inserts, insert 14 has as its main parts
stack 30, connecting body 112, tip 32a and retaining
means 115, which comprises tip guard 114 and retainer
body assembly 1I6. Tip 32a, connecting body 112 and
stack 30 comprise insert element I10. As is conven-
tional in the art, stack 30 is integrally connected to
connecting body 112 and tip 32a is integrally connected
to connecting body 112 when tip 32a is brazed to connec-
ting body 112 at braze 120. As used herein, in a fully
assembled insert, scaling tip 32 will be defined to
include tip 32a, or another described tip, and that
portion of connecting body 112 that extends from nodal
point 144 to braze 120, or a similar connecting point.
Shoulder 118 provides abutment against the handle
13 (FIG. 1) when insert 14 is assembled into handpiece
12. o-ring 126 provides a seal between the bore of
handle 13 and insert 14 to prevent leakage of cooling
liquid which passes over stack 30. Nodal point 144
represents the center point or zero point in the axial
vibrational motion of insert 14. Insert 14 is rela-
tively stationary at nodal point 144.
Those skilled in the art will recognize that
o-rings 128 and 130 are in areas of low amplitude
- 14 -

1341462
vibration. Accordingly, it is desirable that o-rings
128 and 130 are adapted to provide a seal when the
insert is assembled.
In a handpiece using a conventional insert, the
stack cooling liquid is used to also cool scaling tip
32. In the present invention, when cooling liquid
passes into gap 122 its progress over connecting body
112 is stopped by O-ring 128 and the cooling liquid is
forced to exit insert 14 through outlet 46. Fluids
that are used to cool scaling tip 32 and irrigate the
sulcus during operation enter the insert through inlet
44 into cross hole 124 and through bore 132 to orifice
34 of tip 32a. O-ring 130 prevents fluid from leaking
over the outside of scaling tip 32.
Retainer pin 136 is provided to prevent scaling
element 110 from moving axially or radially. Since
retainer pin 136 provides a connection between insert
element 110 and retaining means 115, a minimal vibra-
tion is transferred through pin 136 from element 110 to
retaining means 115. Conversely, retaining means 115
damps the vibration of insert element 110 slightly.
Those skilled in the art will recognize that when
it is desirable to do so, pin 136 may be loose fitting
so that insert element 110 slides on pin 136 and the
amount of vibration transferred from element 110 to
retaining means 115 is minimized.
- 15 -

1341462
In a preferred embodiment of tip 32a, as illus-
trated in FIG. 10, the tip will be bent to facilitate
access to hard to reach areas of the mouth. It has
been found that the use of scaling tip 32 is best
facilitated when (as represented by central axis 146
end 37) is at an angle of about 110°-118°, preferably
about 114°, with (as represented by central axis 148
projection 138) of tip 32a. Projection 138 is provided
for insertion into connecting body 112, having undercut
137 to enhance the brazing between connecting body 112
and tip 32a.
In a preferred embodiment the about 114° angle of
the bend will be obtained utilizing two small bends 134
and 135. Using two bends substantially increase access
of tip 32a to working areas of the mouth. Tip 32a
preferably will have a length, from orifice 34 to the
end of the radius of the second bend 135 of about 15-21
mm and a working tip at end 37 having a length of about
5-8 mm from orifice 34 to the beginning of the radius
of first bend 134.
In a preferred embodiment it is desirable to
further reduce the diameter of end 37, and simultan-
eously increase the wall thickness of end 37 of.tip 32a
by rotary swaging end 37. This work hardens and
thereby increases the strength of scaling tip 32 at its
point of contact in operation, and its reduced size
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1 3414fi2
further improves the access of scaling tip 32 into
periodontal pockets.
Those skilled in the art will recognize that in
some embodiments it may be desirable to reduce the size
of tip 37 of scaling tip 32 by machining.
Referring now to FIG. 11 and 12, an embodiment of
an insert 14a with a tip design adapted to direct
irrigant on the outside of a scaling tip is illus-
trated. The configuration of the tip design of FIG. 11
is similar to that illustrated by Perdreaux in U . S . Re
30,536. The embodiment of FIG. 11 is similar to the
embodiment of FIG. 8, the main differences being that
there is no "O"-ring 130 and there is no bore 132 in
scaling tip 32b or connecting body 112a so that fluid
entering inlet 44 exits the insert through tip guard
114a around tip 32b. Tip guard 114a has tapered end
140 which provides a close fit around tip 32b.
Although fluid surrounds tip 32b as it exits tip guard
114a, tip 32b has slot 142 which directs a greater
portion of the fluid to the inside radius of bend 134
of tip 32b. The fluid that exits slot 142 is therefore
channeled over the inside curvature of the tip toward
end 37 thereof so that a significant portion of fluid
is directed toward the area of interest in the scaling
or Iavage operation.
Referring now to FIG. 13, tip 32c is particularly
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1341462
adapted, using a single gooseneck bend 150, for scaling
in deep periodontal pockets. Gooseneck bend 150
provides an angle of about 125°-145°, preferably about
135°, between tip end 37 (as represented by central
axis 152) and projection 156 (as represented by central
axis 154). Accordingly, the distance between the
distal end of end 37 and the beginning of the radius of
bend 150 is about 6-12 mm, preferably about 9 mm, and
the distance between the distal end of end 37 and the
end of the radius of bend 150 is about 17-23 mm.
Tip 32c may be adapted to be quickly removed or
attached to connecting body 112b. For example, a quick
connect device may be employed, such as a snap connec-
tion or a collet with a compressible ring, to quickly
attach tip 32c to connecting body 112b. In the illu-
strated embodiment, threads 156 on projection 154 are
used to provide the connection between tip 32c and
connecting body 112b. Accordingly, tip 32c may be made
to be disposable.
Those skilled in the art will recognize that modifi-
cations may be made that will make possible the utili-
zation of tip 32c with insert 14, and tip 32a with
insert 14a. The figures are illustrative only and are
not limiting as to the various combinations of the use
of the tips described with the various inserts
described.
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1 341462
Those skilled in the art will recognize that a
functional tip may be provided having different lengths
and different working angles.
Those skilled in the art will recognize that all
connectors and tubing used in the base unit, the
conduit and the handpiece will be inert to the medic-
aments and irrigants used in the apparatus. In the
preferred embodiment, the tubing and all connectors
will be molded or extruded thermoplastic.
With reference to FIG. 14 and 15, a tip 32d is
provided with a right hand bend 162 which is suitable
for root planing molars on the left side of the mouth.
Those skilled in the art will recognize that a
similar tip may be provided, with the opposite bend,
for root planing on the right side of the mouth.
Tip 32d is also adapted for end delivery through
bore 132 through an orifice 34. Tip 32d has a goose-
neck type bend 150a in addition to bend 162 and may be
made similar to the tip illustrated in FIG. 10 except
that bend 162 will be made in a different plane from
bend 150a instead of substantially the same plane (as
illustrated by bends 134 and 135 of FIG. 10).
The medicaments dispensed from reservoirs 36 and 38
may be chosen to specifically effect a particular treat-
ment. For example, hydrogen peroxide or a chlorohexi-
dine solution may be chosen for the treatment of perio-
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1341462
dontal disease: zinc chloride solution, cetylpyridinium
chloride solution, or a stannous fluoride solution may
be chosen to treat plaque, or for treatment of dental
caries, or a surfactant solution may be used for chemi-
cally removing endotoxins from the surface of the teeth
and gums. Since buttons 20 and 22 may be depressed to
permit flow from reservoirs 36 and 38 to occur simul-
taneously, the practitioner has the capability of
providing treatment for periodontal disease and plaque
simultaneously. As is known to those skilled in the
art, some of the medicaments which are desirable for
use in such treatments are short-lived and cannot be
stored in a condition ready for use. Accordingly,
using reservoirs 36 and 38 to store the components of
short-lived medicaments makes it possible to form the
desired medicaments in situ by delivering the two
components from reservoirs 36 and 38 simultaneously to
form the desired, short-lived medicament in the mouth
or the handpiece or the conduit leading to the hand-
piece.
The medicaments distributed from reservoirs 36 and
38 may be any of those known to those skilled in the
art to be effective in the treatment of periodontal
disease. In the preferred embodiment the irrigants
will be selected from the group comprising solutions
containing sodium hypochlorite, hydrogen peroxide, zinc
- 2~ - i

1 341462
chloride with or without sodium fluoride, quaternary
compounds including cetylpyridinium chloride, stannous
fluoride, chlorine dioxide, sodium bicarbonate, choro-
hexidine (for example chlorhexidine gluconate) and
mixtures thereof.
Irrigant is dispensed through the scaler tip 32 or
48 in sufficient volume to remain constantly available
to infected sites. The flow rate desired will depend
on the patient and the particular treatment desired.
The flow rate of irrigant will be about 3-20 ml/min and
most preferably 5-10 ml/min. The flow rate for a
particular treatment may be controlled by flow rate
control knob 28. The capacity of reservoirs 36 and 38
will be such that irrigant storage is sufficient for
about 5 minutes to 5 hours, and preferably at least
10-20 minutes of continuous use. Accordingly, the
capacity of each reservoir may be from about 100 to
1000 ml and more as desired.
In its operation, when switch 24 is in the condi-
tion 2 position, the apparatus will be adapted for
scaling while dispensing medicament from one or both of
reservoirs 36 and 38. When button 22 is depressed,
medicament will be distributed from reservoir 38
through outlet 42 and into conduit 15. The medicament
will flow through conduit 15 to handpiece 12, through
inlet 44 to insert 14. The medicament will flow
- 21 -

1341462
through insert tip 32 and will be dispersed through
orifice 34 at the end 37 of tip 32. Tip 32 has a shape
and size, and has a tapered end 37 at orifice 34 such
that it will fit into a periodontal pocket. End 37 has
a shape and strength suitable for scaling of teeth.
Optionally, for the comfort of the patient, the
apparatus may be provided with a small heater in hand-
piece 12 or in conduit 15 to aid in heating the
irrigant dispensed in the mouth to about 35-38° C.
Since its flow through the apparatus and its flow
through the scaling tip may cause medicament solutions
to foam, as will be appreciated by those skilled in the
art, it may be desirable to add antifoaming agents to
the medicament solution to reduce the foaming.
For the convenience and comfort of the patient, it
is desirable to add a flavor to the medicament
solution.
In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the
medicament fluid used as an irrigant will have
antibacterial activity sufficient to substantially
destroy airborne bacteria in the operatory.
Examples of medicament compositions that may be
used as irrigants for scaling and periodontal lavage
are illustrated in, for example, U.S. Patents
- 22 -

1341462
3,864,472 4,472,373
3,887,701 4,522,806
4,160,821 4,582,702
4,339,432 4,601,900
Those skilled in the art will be able to determine
which compositions described therein will most bene-
ficially be used in the apparatus of the invention.
Illustrated embodiments of fluid solutions that may
be used in the apparatus of the invention follow.
In the following examples:
Hystar 5875 is hydrogenated starch hydrolysate
available from LONZA.
Flavor is a spearmint oil/peppermint oil flavor
available from Unter & Co.
SDA-38B, SDA-37B and SDA-36B are 200 proof alcohol.
Example 1
INGREDIENTS: PERCENT:
Water Purified 85.3275
Hystar 5875 2.0000
Sodium Saccharin 0.0500
Sodium Citrate 0.1000
Zinc Chloride 0.1500
Sodium Fluoride 0.0200
FD & C Green #3 0.0005
FD & C Yellow #10 0.0020
Tween 80 0.5000
Flavor 0.2500
SDA-37B, ethanol 11.6Q00
100.0000
- 23 -

13414fi2
Example 2
INGREDIENTS: PERCENT:
Water Purified 84.09425
Hystar 5875 2.00000
Spectradyne G (20% chlorohexidine solution) 0.80000
Sodium Saccharin 0.00500
D & C Yellow #10 0.00025
D & C Yellow #6 0.00050
Tween 80 1.0000
Flavor 0.5000
SDA-38B, ethanol 11.6Q00
100.0000
Example 3
INGREDIENTS: PERCENT:
Water Purified 77.45465
Hystar.5875 2.00000
Sodium Saccharin 0.05000
Benzoic Acid 0.00010
Cetylpyridinium Chloride 0.04500
FD & C Blue #1 0.00025
Tween 80 1.0000
Flavor 0.5000
SDA-36B, ethanol 18.900
100.0000
While present embodiments of the invention and
methods of practicing the same have been illustrated
and described, it will be recognized by those skilled
in the art that this invention may be otherwise
variously embodied and practiced within the scope of
the following claims.
- 24 -

Representative Drawing

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Administrative Status

2024-08-01:As part of the Next Generation Patents (NGP) transition, the Canadian Patents Database (CPD) now contains a more detailed Event History, which replicates the Event Log of our new back-office solution.

Please note that "Inactive:" events refers to events no longer in use in our new back-office solution.

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Event History

Description Date
Time Limit for Reversal Expired 2011-10-26
Letter Sent 2010-10-26
Inactive: Late MF processed 2009-11-18
Letter Sent 2009-10-26
Inactive: Cover page published 2004-10-27
Grant by Issuance 2004-10-26
Inactive: CPC assigned 2004-10-26
Inactive: IPC assigned 2004-10-26
Inactive: First IPC assigned 2004-10-26

Abandonment History

There is no abandonment history.

Fee History

Fee Type Anniversary Year Due Date Paid Date
MF (category 1, 2nd anniv.) - standard 2006-10-26 2006-07-04
MF (category 1, 3rd anniv.) - standard 2007-10-26 2007-10-01
MF (category 1, 4th anniv.) - standard 2008-10-27 2008-09-30
MF (category 1, 5th anniv.) - standard 2009-10-26 2009-11-18
Reversal of deemed expiry 2009-10-26 2009-11-18
Owners on Record

Note: Records showing the ownership history in alphabetical order.

Current Owners on Record
DENTSPLY MANAGEMENT CORP.
Past Owners on Record
GEORGE E. WARRIN
RENE J. PERDREAUX
Past Owners that do not appear in the "Owners on Record" listing will appear in other documentation within the application.
Documents

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Document
Description 
Date
(yyyy-mm-dd) 
Number of pages   Size of Image (KB) 
Descriptions 2004-10-28 24 759
Cover Page 2004-10-28 1 16
Claims 2004-10-28 2 53
Abstract 2004-10-28 1 25
Drawings 2004-10-28 5 115
Maintenance Fee Notice 2009-12-02 1 170
Late Payment Acknowledgement 2009-12-02 1 163
Maintenance Fee Notice 2010-12-07 1 170
PCT Correspondence 2004-09-09 1 30
Prosecution correspondence 2003-05-05 1 34
Prosecution correspondence 2002-08-12 1 43
Prosecution correspondence 2001-08-07 4 150
Prosecution correspondence 1995-05-05 1 31
Examiner Requisition 2002-11-04 2 84
Examiner Requisition 2002-02-11 3 148
Examiner Requisition 2001-02-08 3 157
Courtesy - Office Letter 2003-08-06 1 19
Examiner Requisition 2002-08-12 2 74