Note : Les descriptions sont présentées dans la langue officielle dans laquelle elles ont été soumises.
CA 02370450 2002-02-04
SYRINGE-TYPE MATERIAL SUPPLY DEVICE
Background of the Present Invention
The present invention relates to a syringe-type material supply
device.
s German Patent Application 100 64 005.2 discloses a two-
component syringe-type material supply device which is particularly
configured to hold ready a supply of viscous dental material, especially
root canal filling material, and to dispense such material as required. The
supply of the dental material is effected by a vacuum in the syringe
to connecting body. This approach offers the particular advantage that
entrapped air in the dental material can be foreclosed to a large degree,
in that the vacuum also effects the drawing out of flowing material
components ahead of time, so that the tendency of the material to create
air bubbles is relatively low.
is It has further been conventionally known to deploy syringe-type
material supply devices for dental material, which are specifically
configured to facilitate the hand application of the dental material. In this
context, one distinguishes between so-called single dose units and
syringe-type material supply devices for multiple uses. Single dose units
2o have the advantage of simple usability, in that no clean up steps are
required and they are thrown away after use.
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In connection with the use of syringe-type material supply devices
as dental material supply holders, the dosing capability is good in that the
dental technician or, more commonly, the dentist, can make ready an
exact desired amount of dental material via controlled movement of the
s syringe plunger. With such syringe-type material supply devices, the
outlet is completely closed in order to avoid the entry of debris or other
non-hygienic material.
Moreover, it has been conventionally known to use so-called two
component syringe-type material supply devices in which two separate
to dental material components are each kept ready for use in respective
syringe-type material supply device canals. For the use of such dental
material, it is important that a good cross mixing of the materials is
performed. In this connection, special combined dosing and mixing
devices are known which ensure a good cross mixing of the components.
is An approach, which is particularly cost favorable in its production costs
is disclosed in German Patent Application 100 64 005.2, in which a static
mixer is disposed in the syringe connecting body, whereby the syringe
connecting body is locked against rotation relative to the syringe body
and the static mixer is preferably so configured that it does not turn at all,
20 or turns, at the most, only insignificantly, within the syringe connecting
body. By passage through the static mixer, the material is subjected to
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shearing forces which ensure a good cross mixing of the two
components. A static mixer is, however, suggested only as a preferred
device; there are other mixing devices which can also be deployed.
A heretofore unsolved problem, in connection with the supply
s retainers of dental materials, is the problem of entrapped air. Entrapped
air can lead to defective dental restorations.
It has already been suggested to effect the withdrawal of the
dental material via a vacuum from the syringe body. In this connection,
the tendency of the dental material to entrap air is somewhat reduced.
to It would, however, be desirable to be able to exclude the entrapment of
air with a greater degree of reliability, especially in connection with root
canal filling material.
Summary of the Invention
The present invention offers a solution to the challenge of
is providing a syringe-type material supply device which is capable of
supplying viscous dental material and which provides an improved
reliability against the entrapment of air, whereby the dental material can
be delivered in a pre-dosed manner and the syringe-type material supply
device can be produced in a relatively simple production process which
2o is cost favorable.
The syringe-type material supply device of the present invention,
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configured with surprisingly simple components, makes possible the
holding ready of a supply of dental material which has a particularly low
tendency toward entrapment of air. By selective actuation of the
activation component of the syringe-type material supply device of the
s present invention at a point in time predetermined by a user- such as, for
example, by applying pressure on the syringe connecting body in the
direction of the syringe body -the dental material is released and moves
via the influence of a vacuum through the syringe connecting body. By
the holding in readiness bf the activation component, while a vacuum is
to applied therethrough, air is removed from the dental material prior to the
actuation which effects the dispensing of the dental material. This
particular pre-de-gassing operation permits the situation in which
entrapped air has already been removed from the material before its
supply. In this connection, the benefit that a viscous dental material
is which has been subjected to a relatively long vacuum tends to separate
out entrapped air can be particularly exploited.
In accordance with the present invention, it is particularly
advantageous if a gap in the area of the outlet opening is provided for the
activation component, wherein the gap is so dimensioned that the viscous
2o dental material does not pass through the gap even in connection with a
relatively long duration application of a vacuum while, on the other hand,
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air can freely pass through the gap. Tho gap can have a width, for
example, of 2 micrometers up to 100 micn~meter9 and, preferably, has
dimension of approximately 20 micrometers.
The gap dimension is configured in cornapondenoe with thQ dental
s material which is tv bo used. The gap is dimensioned such that the gap
is smaller in cornrspondence with decreasing viscosity of th~ material. it
is to be and~rstood that, in lieu of the gap, 'other desired suitable micro
openings can be provided. For example, a plurality of openings in th~
manner of a sieve son be provid~d, wher~by hero also the cross sectional
lo dimension of the op~ning is within the siv~n range.
The syringe type mat~risl supply device of the present invention
permits multiple use for disp~nsing dental material with little or no
cleaning required. Th. syringe-type material supply device can, as well,
be thrown away after use. The activation component can be resiliently
Is biased by a sprin8 tow~rd its closed or non-actuation position such that,
in the ~vent of decreasing pr~ssure, the component has already been
urged into its closed position in which It prevents the flow of dental
material from the syringe body. Additionally, the syrlnfle-type material
supply devices can be provided with a closing cap at the syringe
so converting body, or at the end of the $yrlnpe body, which can be
removed before use. Upon the application of a vacuum, the dental
nE m i~ 3as.~
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GESAMT SE I TEhI O~
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material in the syringe body and the syringe plunger are d rawn toward the
outlet of the syringe body such that the dental material is already
positioned at the base of the outlet opening prior to the activation of the
activation component.
s tn accordance with the present invention, it is particularly
advantageous that the pre-de-gassing is substantially automatically
operated, if the syringe-type material supply device is connected to a
vacuum system. The dentist can make a vacuum connection and, after
a relatively short waiting'period, can be assured that entrapped air has
to been removed. Through the application of pressure on the activation
component, the supply of the dental material automatically follows.
The syringe-type material supply device of the present invention
is particularly suitable for a root canal filling material supplied from two
different components which, upon activation ofthe activation component,
is are mixed with one another and delivered into a root canal dental
restoration site.
The applied vacuum can be accommodated to a wide range of
requirements. A vacuum of less than 500 millibar, and, in particular, a
vacuum of approximately 900 millibar, are favorable and the vacuum
2o preferably is introduced as well into the dental cavity such that the
supplied dental material can flow uniformly into the dental cavity as is
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described in German Patent Application 100 640 005.2, which is hereby
fully incorporated by this reference thereto. It is particularly favorable if
the syringe-type material supply device of the present invention is
configured as a disposable component.
s The dental material which is used is preferably pasty and has a
viscosity of 5 to 35 Pas, preferably 8 to 22 Pas, and especially preferably,
8 to 12 Pas. if a root canal filling material is to be used, the binding time
of such material should be in the range of 5 to 300 minutes, more
preferably 15 to 150 minutes, and most preferably 30 to 100 minutes.
to The dental material can be a single component material which
does not require mixing. The passage of the material through a static
mixer is, however, also of advantage in connection with a single
component material, as the material here is optimally de-gassed.
Preferably, however, two components of a root canal filling material are
is cross-mixed with one another and de-gassed. The mixing ratio can be
variable such as, for example, 1:1, 1:2, 1:4 to 1:10. In any event, more
than two components can be supplied.
The syringe-type material supply device can be configured as a
unit for multiple use. The outlet is then preferably closed by a cap,
2o whereby the syringe connecting body is preferably configured as a
disposable item.
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Brief Description of the Drawings
The object and advantages of the present invention will be
explained in more detail with the aid of the accompanying drawings, in
which:
Fig. 1 is a perspective exploded view of one embodiment
of the syringe-type material supply device of the
present invention;
Fig. 2 is a sectional view of the one embodiment of the
syringe-type material supply device shown in Figure
1Q 1; and
Fig. 3 is a sectional view of the one embodiment of the
syringe-type material supply device shown in Figure
1, showing the syringe-type material supply device
in its material supply operation.
Is Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiment
As seen in Figure 1, a syringe-type material supply device 10 is
shown in an exploded perspective view. In accordance with the present
invention, dental material is received in a syringe body 18. In the
illustrated embodiment, the syringe body 18 is confcgured as a two-
2o component syringe body which permits the receipt of a separate dental
material component in each respective syringe channel. Accordingly, a
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syringe plunger is configured as a double plunger 20 in the embodiment
shown in Figure 1.
The syringe body 18 includes an outlet 17. An activation
component 12 is disposed at the outlet 17 and, in accordance with the
s present invention, is configured in a specific manner. The activation
component 12 is configured to activate a syringe connecting body 14. In
the illustrated embodiment, the activation component 12 rests against the
syringe connecting body 14.
The syringe connecting body 14 further accommodates a mixing
to element which, in particular, is configured as a static mixer 16 having an
outside diameter which is accommodated to the inner diameter of the
syringe connecting body 14. The static mixer 16 has a spiral
configuration and comprises a spring wire made of a corrosion proof
material or of plastic. One end of the wire is connected to the injector of
is the syringe connecting body 14 by a turning connector (not shown), so
that the static mixer 16 cannot be rotated. For cleaning purposes, the
static mixer is easily removable from the syringe connecting body 14.
The activation component 12 is, in accordance with the present
invention, configured in a particular manner. The activation component
2o includes projections 24 and 24a which serve to connect the activation
component and close off the outlet openings and whose configuration is
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shown in detail in Figures 2 and 3. The activation component 12 further
included openings 34 and 34A, which ace configured for the passage
therethrough of dents( material.
As can be seen in Figure 2, the activation component operates in
s the syringe-type device of the present invention in the following manner.
As seen in Figure 2, which illustrates the operational condition of the
syringe-type material supply device 10 prior to the actuation of the
activation component, the outlet openings 22 and 22a at the outlet 17 of
the syringe body 18 are closed by closing elements 23 and 23a of the
to projections 24 and 24a, respectively, of the activation component 12.
The diameter of each closing element 23 and 23a is accommodated to
the diameter of each outlet opening 22 and 22a, whereby, however, a
gap of a few micrometers is provided. Air or moisture can pass through
this gap while the dental material components 30 and 30a retained in the
is inner-space of the syringe body 18 cannot, due to their viscosity, pass
through the gap.
The syringe connecting body 14 has its outer diameter
accommodated to the diameter of the outlet 17 and thus is sealed to the
outlet. The syringe connecting body 14 includes a sealing ring 21 molded
20 onto the syringe connecting body. For improved sealing off of the outlet,
the inner wall of the outlet is provided with another sealing ring (not
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shown) which is, in any event, preferably molded thereonto. The rear
surfaces 27 and 29 of the syringe connecting body 14 and the activation
component 12 are also configured with respect to one another and are
sealed against pressure.
s In the operational condition of the syringe-type device shown, a
vacuum or under-pressure is applied through an inner channel 31 of the
syringe connecting body 14 into the inner space of the activation
component 12. A uniform vacuum is created in this inner space of the
activation component wflich extends through the respective ring gap
to between the closing elements 23 and 23a as well as the outlet openings
22 and 22a. The vacuum is applied through this gap into the inner space
of the syringe body 18 and serves to effect the de-gassing of the dental
material components 30 and 30A in the syringe body 18 or, respectively,
the evacuation of air from the syringe body 18.
is The tube component plunger has, at its end, two conventional
respective sealing rings 26 and 28 or, respectively, 26a and 28a. In
connection with the evacuation of air, the air in the inner space between
the outlet 17 and the plunger 20 is suctioned out and the plunger 20 is
moved to the right so that the dental material at the level of the outlet
20 openings 22, 22a is in an air-free condition.
As shown in Figure 3, to effect the actuation of the activation
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component 12, a relative pressure between the syringe connecting body
14 and the syringe body 18 is exerted. The activation component 12 is
pressed into the outlet 17 by this relative pressure. The closing elements
23 and 23a are moved out of engagement in the outlet openings 22 and
s 22a, which are thus placed into open conditions. The dental material 30
and 30a, with their respective components can flow out into the area of
the conical inner space 25 of the activation component 12. Due to the
existing inner pressure, the dental material flows further through the inner
channel 31 of the syringe connecting body 14 and is cross-mixed by the
to static mixer and, at the same time, de-gassed. A curable single
component material is thus produced from the two dental material
components.
The projections 24 and 24a are preferably somewhat tapered in
order to facilitate the passage of the filling material out of the outlet
is openings 22 and 22a.
It is to be understood that other suitable configurations can be
provided in order to make possible the desired passage and sealing off
between the activation component 12, on the one hand, and the syringe
body 18, on the other hand.
2o It is to be understood that the invention is not limited to use as a
two-component needle. instead, as required, the syringe-type device of
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the present invention can be configured as a simple one component
syringe body or as a three- or even a four-component syringe body as
required.
The specification incorporates by reference the disclosure of
s German priority document 101 17 385.7.
The present invention is, of course, in no way restricted to the
specific disclosure of the specification and drawings, but also
encompasses any modifications within the scope ofthe appended claims.
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