DEVICE FOR INJECTING A FILLING MATERIAL IN THE FLUID PHASE INTO A CANAL SPACE

Abstract

Device for injecting a filling material in the fluid phase into a canal space, the device including an adaptor nozzle connected to an auto-mixer, and an injection tip fitted at the upper end of the auto-mixer. At a distal end the injection tip has an outside diameter of 1.5 mm or less over a length of 8 mm or greater. The injection tip is made of memory shape material for bending to a desired orientation. The injection tip is molded to the upper end of the auto-mixer, and on an exterior surface of the injector tip are either circular ribs defining a groove, the upper end of the auto-mixer being molded into the groove so the injection tip is locked in position in the upper end while retaining a degree of freedom to rotate about its axis of symmetry, or one or more mutually parallel circular ribs, and the upper end of the auto-mixer is molded onto the circular rib so the injection tip is blocked in position in the upper end while retaining a degree of freedom to rotate about its axis of symmetry.

Claims

1. A multi-purpose device which is itself capable of injecting any one of silicone, dual cure composite, and resin cement, at the will of the user, in the fluid phase into a root canal space whereby the device can be used to perform a root canal operation without the need for multiple devices, the device comprising: an adapter nozzle; an auto-mixer connected to the adapter nozzle; an injection nozzle positioned at a distal end of the auto-mixer, wherein: the injection nozzle is a tube having an internal diameter of 0.8 mm, a constant external diameter less than or equal to 1.5 mm, but greater than 0.8 mm over a length greater than or equal to 8 mm so as to permit the injection nozzle to reach a most apical portion of the root canal space, the injection nozzle having an orifice at a distal end thereof to be capable of injecting any of silicone, dual cure composite and resin cement; the injection nozzle being made of a flexible material that can be bent to a desired orientation prior to use to thereby conform the injection nozzle according to the position of a tooth to be treated and an orientation of the canal space to be filled; an upper end of the auto-mixer having been molded onto the injection nozzle, and the injection nozzle comprising on its exterior surface within auto-mixer the following: spaced circular ribs defining an annular space between them, an upper end of the auto-mixer being attached by molding in the annular space so that the injection nozzle is lodged in position in the upper end while retaining a degree of freedom in rotation around its axis of symmetry in relation to the auto-mixer; or one or multiple circular ribs parallel to each other, an end of the auto-mixer being molded on at least one circular rib so that the injection nozzle is lodged in position in the upper end while retaining a degree of freedom in rotation around its axis of symmetry; and whereby the device alone being configured to sequentially eject any of the silicone, dual cure composite, or resin cement into the root canal space.

2. A device according to claim 1, wherein: the injection nozzle is a tube having a constant external diameter less than or equal to 1.5 mm but greater than 0.75 mm, over a length greater than or equal to 15 mm.

3. A device according to claim 2, wherein: the injection nozzle is a cylindrical tube whose distal end has an external diameter of 0.75 mm to 0.95 mm.

4. A device according to claim 1, wherein: the injection nozzle has a length greater than or equal to 30 mm.

5. A device according to claim 1, wherein: the injection nozzle is made of metal.

6. A device according to claim 1, wherein: the injection nozzle is made of thermo-formable plastic.

7. A multi-purpose device which is itself capable of injecting any one of silicone, dual cure composite, and resin cement at the will of the user, in the fluid phase into a root canal space, whereby the device can be used to perform a root canal operation while reducing the need for multiple devices, the device comprising: an adapter nozzle; an auto-mixer connected to the adapter nozzle; an injection nozzle positioned at a distal end of the auto-mixer, wherein: the injection nozzle is a conical tube 15 mm long haying an external diameter at a distal end is 0.8 mm and the external diameter at a proximal end is 1.5 mm, so as to permit the injection nozzle to reach the most apical portion of a canal space, and an internal diameter of 0.8 mm, the injection nozzle having an orifice at the distal end thereof, the nozzle being capable of injecting each of silicone, dual cure composite and resin cement; the injection nozzle being made of a flexible material that can be bent to a desired orientation prior to use to thereby conform the injection nozzle according to the position of the tooth to be treated and an orientation of the canal space to be filled; the auto-mixer having been molded onto the injection nozzle, and the injection nozzle comprising on its exterior surface within the auto-mixer the following: spaced circular ribs defining an annular space between them, an upper end of the auto-mixer being molded into the annular space so that the injection nozzle is lodged in position in the upper end while retaining a degree of freedom in rotation around its axis of symmetry in relation to the auto--mixer; or one or multiple circular ribs parallel to each other, an upper end of the auto-mixer being molded on at least one circular rib so that the injection nozzle is lodged in position in the end while retaining a degree of freedom in rotation around its axis of symmetry, and whereby the device is configured to sequentially eject any of the silicone, dual cure composite, or resin cement into the root canal space.

8. A device according to claim 7, wherein: the injection nozzle is a tube having a distal external diameter of 0.8 mm and a proximal external diameter of 1.5 mm, over a length greater than or equal to 15 mm.

9. A device according to claim 8, wherein: the injection nozzle has a constant internal diameter of 0.8 mm.

10. A device according to claim 9, wherein: the injection nozzle is made of metal.

11. A device according to claim 9, wherein: the injection nozzle is made of thermo-formable plastic.

12. A multi-purpose system for injecting any of silicone, dual cure composite, and resin cement in the fluid phase into a root canal space, comprising: a cartridge containing in watertight compartments a base and a catalyst to be mixed to obtain filler material in the fluid phase, and a tube to eject the base and the catalyst to an outlet; an auto-mixer positioned at the outlet of the cartridge and configured to mix the base and catalyst; an injection nozzle positioned at the end of the auto-mixer; and wherein: the injection nozzle has a constant external diameter less than or equal to 1.5 mm over a length greater than or equal to 8 mm, an internal diameter of 0.8 mm, the injection nozzle having an orifice at a distal end thereof; the injection nozzle is configured to inject any of silicone, dual cure composite, or resin cement, the injection nozzle being made of a flexible material and is configured to bend according to a desired orientation so as to permit the injection nozzle to reach a most apical portion of the canal space, the distal end of the auto-mixer having been molded onto the injection nozzle; and the injection nozzle comprising on its exterior surface the following: circular ribs defining a groove defining an annular space between them, the end of the auto-mixer having been molded in the annular space so that the injection nozzle is lodged in position in the end while retaining a degree of freedom in rotation around its axis of symmetry; or one or multiple circular ribs parallel to each other, the upper end of the auto-mixer having been molded on at least one circular rib so that the injection nozzle is lodged in position in the upper end while retaining a degree of freedom in rotation around its axis of symmetry.

13. A system according to claim 12, wherein: the injection nozzle is a cylindrical tube whose distal end has an external diameter of less than or equal to 1.5 mm but greater than 0.75 mm over a length greater than 15 mm.

14. A system according to claim 12, wherein: the injection nozzle is made of metal.

15. A system according to claim 12, wherein: the injection nozzle is made of thermo-formable plastic.

16. A system for injecting any of silicone, dual cure composite, or resin cement in the fluid phase into a root canal space, the system comprising: a cartridge containing in watertight compartments a base and a catalyst to be mixed to obtain filler material in the fluid phase, and a tube to eject the base and the catalyst to an outlet; an auto-mixer positioned at the outlet of the cartridge and configured to mix the base and catalyst; an injection nozzle positioned at the distal end of the auto-mixer; and wherein: the injection nozzle is a conical tube 15 mm long haying an external diameter at a distal end is 0.8 mm and the external diameter at a proximal end of the injection nozzle is 1.5 mm, and an internal diameter of 0.8 mm, the injection nozzle having an orifice at a distal end thereof, the nozzle is configured to injecting any of silicone, dual cure composite, or resin cement; the injection nozzle is made of a flexible material and is configured to bend according to a desired orientation, the distal end of the auto-mixer having been molded onto the injection nozzle; and the injection nozzle comprising on its exterior surface the following: circular ribs defining a groove defining an annular space between them, the distal end of the auto-mixer having been molded in the annular space so that the injection nozzle is lodged in position in the distal end while retaining a degree of freedom in rotation around its axis of symmetry; or one or multiple circular ribs parallel to each other, the upper end of the auto-mixer having been molded on at least one circular rib so that the injection nozzle is lodged in position in the upper end while retaining a degree of freedom in rotation around its axis of symmetry.

17. A system according to claim 16, wherein: the injection nozzle is a conical tube whose distal end has an external diameter of 0.8 mm over a length of 15 mm.

18. A system according to claim 16, wherein: the injection nozzle is made of metal.

19. A system according to claim 16, wherein: the injection nozzle is made of thermo-formable plastic.

20. A method for fabricating a device according to claim 1 for injecting a filling material into a root canal space, the method comprising: using a tube for making the injection nozzle; using a memory shape material for making the injection nozzle to be configured to be bendable to a desired orientation; arranging on an exterior surface of the injection nozzle either of the following: the circular ribs defining the annular space, and attaching the injection nozzle to the auto-mixer by molding the upper end of the auto-mixer in the annular space so that the injection nozzle is lodged in position in the upper end while retaining a degree of freedom in rotation about the axis of symmetry; or the one or multiple circular ribs parallel to each other, and molding the upper end of the auto-mixer on a circular rib so that the injection nozzle is lodged in position in the upper end while retaining a degree of freedom in rotation about the axis of symmetry.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0037] Other advantages and features of the invention will become more apparent upon reading the description of a preferred implementation mode which follows, with reference to the accompanying drawings, made by way of indicative and non-limiting examples in which:

[0038] FIG. 1 is a schematic sectional view of a molar showing the root canal anatomy and the installation of different prosthetic components;

[0039] FIGS. 2 and 3 schematically show an injection device known from the prior art;

[0040] FIG. 4 schematically shows an injection device according to the invention;

[0041] FIGS. 5A and 5B are schematic vertical sectional views of the injection device according to the invention;

[0042] FIG. 6A schematically shows an injection device according to the invention mounted on a cartridge incorporated into a syringe;

[0043] FIG. 6B schematically shows an injection device according to the invention mounted on a cartridge to he mounted on a pistol; and

[0044] FIG. 6C illustrates an injection nozzle that is a conical tube having a constant internal diameter.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0045] With reference to FIGS. 4 to 6B, the injection device of the invention comprises: an adapter nozzle 10 configured to attach to the outlet of a cartridge directly containing the filler material in the fluid phase or a base and a catalyst to be mixed to obtain the aforementioned material, an auto-mixer 11 connected to the aforementioned adapter nozzle, an intra-oral injection nozzle 12 positioned at the upper end of the aforementioned auto-mixer.

[0046] In practice, the adapter nozzle 10 is a cylindrical nozzle made of rigid plastic, having a diameter between 10 mm and 25 mm, screwed, clipped or directly moldable on the outlet of the cartridge 13. With reference to FIGS. 6A and 6B, the cartridge 13 generally comprises two compartments 13a, 13b containing respectively a base and a catalyst, which when mixed enable attainment of the fill material in the fluid phase. The cartridge 13 is provided with a means 13c, typically the plunger of a syringe (FIG. 6A) or a pistol, enabling ejection, on demand of the practitioner, of the base and catalyst to an outlet on which is positioned the adapter nozzle 10. These cartridges 13 are those conventionally used by the practitioner. In practice, they are cartridges 13 incorporated into a syringe (better known under the name SMART KIT®) (FIG. 6A) or those, more bulky designed to be mounted on a gun (FIG. 6B). When the device of the invention is designed to be mounted on the cartridges incorporated into syringes, the adapter nozzle 10 will have a diameter of approximately 10 mm and when it will be mounted on the cartridges for pistols, the aforementioned adapter module will have a diameter of approximately 15 mm. It is to be noted that one could foresee using a cartridge containing filler material directly into the fluid phase already prepared. In this case, only a single compartment is necessary.

[0047] The adapter nozzle 10 optimally integrates two tubes 10a, 10b which, when the aforementioned nozzle is positioned on the cartridge 13, penetrate into each of the compartments 13a, 13b. The two tubes 10a, 10b, are joined together at the base of the auto-mixer 11.

[0048] The auto-mixer 11 is attached at the upper end of the adapter nozzle 10. It appears in the form of a plastic tube having a length between approximately 20 mm and 50 mm and a diameter between approximately 4 mm and 6 mm, in the interior of which is laid out a double helix 11a configured to mix homogeneously the base and the catalyst. For example, when the device object the invention will be mounted on the cartridges incorporated into syringes, the auto-mixer 11 will have a length of approximately 20 mm and a diameter of approximately 4 mm (FIG. 6A), and when it will be mounted on the cartridges for pistols (FIG. 6B), the aforementioned auto-mixer will have a length of approximately 50 mm and a diameter of approximately 6 mm. The adapter nozzle 10 and the auto-mixer 11 are known to the person of skilled in the art and are for example marketed by the company MIXPACK® under the name <<MIXING NOZZLES>>.

[0049] In the case where the cartridge 13 contains the filler material directly prepared, the auto-mixer 11 is no longer necessary and/or may only serve to work the aforementioned material before its injection to initiate the chemical reaction. Similarly, if the auto-mixer 11 is molded directly at the outlet of the cartridge 13, the adapter nozzle 10 is no longer useful.

[0050] The intra-oral injection nozzle 12 is positioned at the upper end of the auto-mixer 11 where the base and the catalyst arrive intimately mixed. With reference to FIGS. 4, 5A, and 5B, the injection nozzle 12 is in the form of a tube whose distal end has an external diameter less than or equal to 1.5 mm, over a length greater than or equal to 8 mm. In practice, the injection nozzle 12 is a cylindrical tube having a constant external diameter less than or equal to 1.5 mm, optimally between 0.75 mm and 0.95 mm, preferentially of 0.8 mm, and a length greater or equal to 15 mm, preferably equal to 18 mm. However, a length of 30 mm or even more can be provided for, the goal being to have an injection nozzle 12 sufficiently long so that its distal end can reach the bottom of the canal space, regardless of the position of the tooth to be treated. In an implementation variation, one can envisage using a substantially conical tube approximately 15 mm long, and whose external diameter at the distal end is approximately 0.8 mm and the external diameter at the proximal end is approximately 1.5 mm. The internal diameter of the injection nozzle 12 is approximately 0.8 mm.

[0051] According to the invention, the injection nozzle 12 is made of a memory shape material so as to be bendable according to a desired orientation. Preferably, a nozzle 12 made of metal is used, but other equivalent materials such as thermo formable plastics can be considered. The advantage of an injection nozzle 12 made of metal, is that it can easily and quickly be shaped by hand (or using pliers) by the practitioner in order to give it a desired geometry, adapted to the position of the tooth to be treated and to the configuration of the canal space to be filled. In the case of thereto-formable plastics, the practitioner will have to first heat the injection nozzle 12 in order to give it the desired shape.

[0052] The dotted lines in FIG. 4 show schematically various possible configurations of the injection nozzle 12. For example, for the treatment of an incisor or a canine, the practitioner will prefer to use a substantially straight injection nozzle 12 while the treatment of a molar will require bending the aforementioned nozzle at a point more or less close to the distal end.

[0053] With reference to FIGS. 5A and 5B, the proximal end of the injection nozzle 12 is molded directly to the upper end of the auto-mixer 11.

[0054] With reference to FIG. 5A, the injection nozzle 12 comprises, on its exterior surface, circular ribs 1200 defining a groove. The upper end of the auto-mixer 11 is then molded into this groove thus formed. In this configuration, the injection nozzle 12 is lodged in the upper end of the auto-mixer 11 while retaining a degree of freedom in rotation around its axis of symmetry A.

[0055] In an implementation variation shown in FIG. 5B, the injection nozzle will comprise, on its outer surface, a circular rib 1201, the upper end of the auto-mixer 11 being then molded on this circular rib. In this configuration, the injection nozzle 12 is here still lodged in the upper end of the auto-mixer 11 while retaining a degree of freedom in rotation around its axis of symmetry A. A similar result would he obtained by arranging, on the outer surface of the injection nozzle 12, multiple circular ribs parallel to each other.

[0056] The injection device object of the invention can be an accessory independent of the cartridges or instead be directly incorporated into them during their manufacture. In the case where the injection device is a simple accessory, auto-mixer 11 must be provided with the adapter nozzle 10. The injection device is then optimally part of a dental kit ready for use, commonly referred to as Kit, further comprising a cartridge of the type described previously.