Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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BACKG~.OUND OF THE INVENTION
FJELD OF THE INVENTION .
This invention relates to a hand-held device
for dispensi.ng medicaments into subgingival pockets for .
the prevention and treatment of periodontitis.
t
DESCRIPTION OF THE PP.IOR ART
.
.Periodontitis is the major cause o~ tooth
loss in adults. Primary among regimens to combat
periodontitis is the maintenance of an oral environment
that is free of food debris, desquamated or shed ti.ssue
and bacteria. Brushing the teeth t~ith a. toothbrush and
. toothpaste helps in keeping the oral cavity clean; but is
less effective in removing debris or bacteria-laden plaque
from between the teeth, and has little effect in the
subgingival pockets. Plaque remaining ln the subgingival
pockets results in gingi.vitis, an inflammation which is
recognized to be the precursor to periodonti.tis.
Medicaments are ava.ilable which kill the
bacteria in plaque and aid in reducing gingivitis and
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periodontitis. However, it is difficult for the consumer
to apply these materials to the subgingival areas in a
ho~e environment. In recogn3tion of this problem, one
manufacturer has devised an appliance called the ''Water
Pik" that uses pressurized water through a small hand-held
nozzle, which impinges against the teeth and gums and
helps remove food debris. However, this appliance is not
suitable or convenient for delivering medicaments to the
subgingival pock.ets, which will remain in the poc~.ets.
The present invention has the capability of
delive~ing viscous or gelled medicaments to subgingival
pockets and gingival margins for the treat~ent of
gingivitis and periodontal diseases.
The present invention is an improvement over
United States Patent~No. 4,617,918.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is a hand-held
squeezable tube filled with appropriate medication which
has the rheology of a gel and is dispensed through a
physiologically angled extension tube fitted with a
flexible rubber or plastic tip containing an appropriately
sized orifice.
The device is used by removing the
protective cap covering the flexible tip. The flexible
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tip is then inserted into the proximal areas pointing
towards the subgingival pocket l~ith the device in thjs
position, the tip is gently pressed into the subgingival .
pocket, while squeezing the tube, forcing the medication
through the extension tube and flexible tip into the
subgingival pocket. This procedure is repeated on the
lingual and buccal sides of each tooth including the
gingival margin.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DP~AllI~GS .
Fig. 1 is an elevational view of an
embodiment of the hand held device accor~ing to the
present invention;
Fig. 2 is a sectional detail view of the
flexible tip and replaceable cap therefor;
Fig. 3 is an elevational view with a part in
section of a modified ~orm of the invention; and,
Fig. 4 is a sectional detail v;.ew of another
form of cap.
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DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE ~NVENTION
With continuing reference to the
accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals
designate similar parts throughout the various views,
reference numeral 10 generally designates a hand-held
device for combatting periodontitis in accordance with the
concep~ts of the present invention.
The ~evice 10 includes a housing 12 having a
threaded opening 14 for receiving an externally threaded
neck 16 of a squeezable tube containing a medicament. The
tube 10 may be formed of a plastic or metallic material
and may be of a~collapslble type or may be resilient.
Integral wlth the housing 12 is a han~le 20, which extends
alongside the container or tube 18, but also extends
slightly divergent therefrom to facilitate manipulation of
the device 10 while squeezing the container or tube 1~.
In order to facilitate application of the
medication, the housing 12 includes a tubular portion or
passageway 22 ~hich extends angularly to the rest of the
housing at an angle ranging from 20 degrees to 45 degrees
from axial alignment with the container or tube 18 and,
preferably, at 30 degrees. A further offset passageway 24
extends angular~y to passageway 22 and at a reverse
thirty-degree angle to the axis of the container or tube
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18 in the direction of the passageway 2Q. The angle may
vary from twenty to fort~-five degrees, but the
thirty-degree angle is most preferable.
A flexible tip 28 is provided at the end oE
passageway 2~ and the channel 26 for passage of medicament
may taper toward the tip 28, as desired, to obtain the
desired size and shape of the medicament to be applied.
As can be seen in Fig. 2, a cap 30 may be
provided for the end of tip 2&, which may have a bead 32
thereon for cooperation with a bead 34 on the tip 28 so as
to pro~ide a snap-fitted closure for the tip 28.
In Fig. 4, a modified form of cap uses
cooperating internal threads 42 on the cap ~0 which
threadedly engage threads 44 on tip 28' to form a closure
for the tip 28'.
Referring now to Fig. 3, therein is shown a
squeezable refillable bulb 50, which has an externally
threaded neck 52 for removable securement to the housin~
12. The bulb 50 is formed of an elastic, resilient
material, such as rubber or a plastic having rubber-like
properties. When squeezed, the bulb 50 acts as a
hand-held pump for intermittently forcing medicament to
and through the tip and is restored to its original
condition through an air intake 56 provided with a screen
58 and baffle 60, which permits air to cnter the air
intake 56, but prevents exit of medicament. The baffle
reduces the possi~ility of clogging of the air intake 56~
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In use, the angular direction of the
passageways and location of the tip 28 or 28' facilitates
placement of the tip in its desired location, the angled
passageways facilitating visibility of the oral cavity.
A suitable yield point for the gelled
medicament greatly improves the effectiveness of the
product used. If the yield point is too low, the product
will not be as effectively retained within the subgingival
poc~et or gingival margin. If the yield point is too
high, then the product will be difficult to dispense
through the small opening in the tip. Low thixotropy is a
desirable characteristic of the medicament. The
medicament undergoes extensive shear as it is forced
through the small orifice in the tip. Rapid redevelopment
of the solid structure will improve the retention of the
product within the subgingival pockets and on the gingival
mar8ins.
The gelled medicament used in the treatment
of the aforementioned gum diseases may consist of suitable
antibacterial agents, oxygenating agents, antibiotics,
anti-inflammatory agents, anti-calculus agents, sodium
bicarbonate or other materials recognized to be effective
in the treatment of gum diseases. The device may also be
used to treat subgingival caries and remove subgingival
calculus with gelled medicaments, such as fluoride,
calcium chelating and antinucleating ingredients or other
suitable materials. The use of local anesthetics, such as
benzocaine, may also be used to relieve tenderness of
inflamed areas.
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If desired, the device may be used to
deliver medicaments that do not have a yield point and
have a rheology even as low as water. Medicaments with
this kind of rheology are easily dispensed ~ith this
device
