Nozzle element and dental treatment device having such a nozzle element

Abstract

A nozzle element (1) for a dental treatment device, in particular for a dental treatment device intended for a subgingival cleaning of at least a part of a surface of a root of a tooth (3), comprising: a basic body (2) being elongated in a longitudinal direction (L) and configured to be introduced at least partially into a periodontal pocket (7) a first feed channel (10) for transporting a powder-gas-mixture (12), wherein said first feed channel (10) is incorporated inside the basic body (2), a first outlet opening (11) of said first feed channel (10) in an end region (E) of the elongated basic body (2) for ejecting the powder-gas-mixture (12), wherein said first outlet opening (11) is preferably configured for a lateral ejection of the powder-gas-mixture (12) in a first ejection (E1) direction being slanted relative to the longitudinal direction (L), wherein the nozzle element (1) is configured for providing at least a part of at least one pressure relief channel at the end region (E) of the basic body (2).

Claims

1. A nozzle element for a dental treatment device, in particular for a dental treatment device intended for a subgingival cleaning of at least a part of a surface of a root of a tooth, comprising: a basic body being elongated in a longitudinal direction and configured to be introduced at least partially into a periodontal pocket, a first feed channel for transporting a powder-gas-mixture, wherein said first feed channel is incorporated inside the basic body, a first outlet opening of said first feed channel in an end region of the elongated basic body for ejecting the powder gas mixture, wherein said first outlet opening is preferably configured for a lateral ejection of the powder-gas-mixture in a first ejection direction being slanted relative to the longitudinal direction, wherein the nozzle element is configured for providing at least a part of at least one pressure relief channel.

2. The nozzle element according to claim 1 , wherein the part of the at least one pressure relief channel is formed (i) at the end region of the basic body or (ii) along the length of the basic body and has preferably a length equal to or greater than the length of the periodontal pocket in which it is inserted and/or (iii) by the shape of an outer surface of the basic body, the shape comprising a groove extending to the end region of the basic body.

3. The nozzle element according to claim 1, wherein a second feed channel for transporting a fluid is incorporated inside the basic body, wherein the second feed channel has a second outlet opening for ejecting the fluid in a second ejection direction at a front (distal) side of the basic body in the end region of the basic body.

4. The nozzle element according to claim 3, wherein the basic body is formed by a first tube forming the first channel and a second tube forming the second channel.

5. The nozzle element according to claim 1, wherein the basic body has at least a first side wall and optionally a second or more side wall being opposite to the first side wall in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, wherein the first side wall and/or the second side wall has at least two contact points for contacting a surface of the tooth during its utilization, wherein the first side wall has a first recess between two contact points, bounded by the first side wall and a thought first line between the two contact points at the first side wall, and/or the second side wall has a second recess between two contact points, particular bounded by the second side wall and a thought second straight line between the two contact points at the second side wall.

6. The nozzle element according to claim 1, wherein a first surface of the first wall is assigned to the first recess and a second surface of the second wall is assigned to the second recess, wherein a ratio of a sum of the first surface and the second surface to a total surface of the nozzle element has a value between 1 and 20%.

7. The nozzle element according to claim 1, wherein a first surface of the first wall is assigned to the first recess and a second or more surfaces of the second or more wall is assigned to the second or more recesses, wherein the sum of the surfaces 61 and 62 of the recesses is between 0.01 to 1 mm.sup.2.

8. The nozzle element according to claim 1, wherein a distance between the first side wall and the second side wall measured in a direction parallel to the first ejection direction is modulated along a direction being perpendicular to the first ejection direction and the longitudinal direction.

9. The nozzle element according to claim 1, wherein in a cross section perpendicular to the longitudinal direction the basic body has a minimal distance between the first side wall and the second side wall, wherein the minimal distance is at least 0.2 mm and/or the first recess has a maximal first recess depth between the first side wall and the thought first line between the two contact points, and the second recess has a maximal second recess depth between the second side wail and the thought second line between the contact points, wherein a ratio of a sum of the first recess depth and the second recess depth to the total distance between the thought first line and the thought second line has a value between 0.1 and 0.9.

10. The nozzle element according to claim 1, wherein the basic body is formed from an elastic material and/or is formed integrally.

11. The nozzle element according to claim 1, wherein the nozzle element has an attachment section for attaching the nozzle element to a hand piece or an adapter of the hand piece.

12. The nozzle element according to claim 11, wherein the attachment section is configured such that a longitudinal extension of the hand piece is orientated to be tilted relative to the first side wall about an angle less than 45°.

13. The nozzle element according to claim 1, wherein the first side wall and the second wall mainly extend parallel to each other along the longitudinal direction over a length of the basic body, wherein the pressure relief channel extends at least over the length of the basic body.

14. The nozzle element according to claim 1, wherein the first recess and/or the second recess is arranged between the first channel and the second channel.

15. Dental treatment device, in particular a gas-powder-jet-device, having a nozzle element according to claim 1.

Description

[0038] In the drawings:

[0039] FIG. 1 schematically shows a side view of a nozzle element according to a first preferred embodiment of the present invention in operation,

[0040] FIGS. 2 and 3 schematically show different perspective views of a nozzle element according to a second preferred embodiment of the present invention,

[0041] FIG. 4 schematically shows a cross section through a nozzle element according to the third preferred embodiment of the present invention, and

[0042] FIG. 5 schematically shows a cross section through a nozzle element according to the forth preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0043] In FIG. 1 a nozzle element 1 according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention is shown, in particular during its utilization. Preferably, the nozzle element 1 is intended for subgingival cleaning, in particular for an air polishing of a root of a tooth 3. In operation, such a nozzle element 1 is placed inside a periodontal pocket 7 formed by a gum 4 or gingiva and the root of the tooth 3. For performing the cleaning of a surface of the root of the tooth 3, a powder-gas-mixture 12 is ejected from the nozzle element 1 being placed next to a location of surface area, which is about to be treated. In particular, the nozzle element 1 comprises a basic body 2, wherein the basic body 2 comprises a first side wall 41 and a second side wall 42. In particular, it is provided that in operation the first side wall 41 faces the root of the tooth 3 and the second side wall 42 faces the gum 4. Preferably, the first side wall 41 and the second side wall 42 mainly extend parallel to each other and form a mainly flat basic body 2 being elongated in a longitudinal direction L, i. e. the length of the first side wall 41 and/or the second side wall 42 measured in a direction parallel to the longitudinal direction L is greater, preferably more than 4 times greater than a width W of the nozzle element 1, measured between the first side wall 41 and the second side wall 42 in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction L.

[0044] It is also conceivable that the basic body 2 tapers along the longitudinal direction L to a front or distal side F of the basic body 2, which faces a periodontal pocket bottom 8 during utilization of the nozzle element 1, in particular by a slanted arrangement of the first side wall 41 and the second side wall 42 relative to each other. In particular, an end region E of the basic body 2 includes a front or distal side F facing, in utilization, to the periodontal pocket bottom 8. Due to the mainly flat dimensioning of the basic body 2, the nozzle element 1 is able to be introduced into the periodontal pocket 7 for getting free access to the tooth surface area of the root of the tooth 3, which is about to be treated.

[0045] Preferably, it is provided that the powder-gas-mixture 12 is laterally ejected from a first outlet opening 11, being incorporated into the first side wall 41 in the end region E of the basic body 2. For realizing such a lateral ejection, the first side wall 41 and/or the second side 42 wall includes said first outlet opening 11. Furthermore, it is provided that the powder-gas-mixture 12 is transported to the first outlet opening 11 via a first feed channel 10, which is incorporated inside the basic body 2. Especially, a second feed channel 20 is additional incorporated inside the basic body 2 for transporting a fluid 22, preferably water, to a second outlet opening 21. Contrary to the first outlet opening 11, the second outlet opening 21 is arranged at the front side F of the basic body 2 and ejects the fluid 22 towards the periodontal pocket bottom 8 during utilization of the nozzle element 1. As a consequence, the gas-powder mixture 12 is ejected from the first outlet opening 11 by the nozzle element 1 in a first ejection direction E1 and the fluid 22 is ejected from the second outlet opening 22 by the nozzle element 1 in a second ejection direction E2, wherein the first ejection direction E1 and the second ejection direction E2 are not parallel to each other or form at least an angle different from zero. In particular, the first ejection direction E1 extends perpendicular to the second ejection direction E2.

[0046] The arrangement of the first outlet opening 11 at the first side wall 41 and/or the second side wall 42, such that the gas-powder-mixture 12 is laterally ejected, mitigates a risk for forming a emphysema, which otherwise might be caused due to the penetration by pressurized, contaminated air and bacteria. For further reducing the risk of emphysema, the nozzle element 1 provides at least a part of at least one pressure relief channel that extend preferably until the end region E of the basic body 2. The end region E of the basic body 2 has a first length L1 extending from the front side F along the longitudinal direction L up to the 10 times, preferably up to 5 times and most preferably 2.5 times of the width W of the nozzle element 1 measured in the direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction L between the first side wall 41 and the second side wall 42. Preferably, the first outlet opening 11 is arranged in the first side wall 41 and/or the second side 42 wall within the end region E. Furthermore, it is provided that the front side F of the basic body 2 is formed as a tip, i. e. pointed end.

[0047] For example, the pressure relief channel is incorporated inside the basic body 2. More preferably, it is provided that an outer surface A of the basic body 2, in particular the outer surface A of the first side wall 41 and/or the second side wall 42 are formed such that a first recess S1 and/or second recess S2 is realized for providing at least a part of the pressure relief channel. In particular, it is conceivable that the surface of the root of the tooth 3/gum 4 and the surface of the first side wall 41 at the first recess S1/of the second side wall 42 at the second recess S2 forms the whole pressure relief channel during utilization of the nozzle element 1. In particular, it could be shown that by using the pressure relief channel a pressure in the periodontal pocket 7 can be successfully decreased by 30%.

[0048] FIGS. 2 and 3 show a nozzle element 1 according to a second preferred embodiment, in several different perspective views. The nozzle element 1 mainly corresponds to the nozzle element 1 shown in FIG. 1, but additionally specifies the first recess S1 and/or second recess S2 as groove 14, in particular as v-shaped groove 14. Furthermore, the nozzle element 1 has an attachment section 30 for reversibly attaching the nozzle element to a hand piece (not shown) that generates and provides the powder-gas-mixture 12 and/or the fluid 22, in particular such that the powder-gas-mixture 12 and the fluid 22 have appropriate pressures.

[0049] Preferably, the nozzle element 2 includes an attachment section 30 forming an interface for connecting the nozzle element 1 to the hand piece (not shown). For example, the attachment section 30 includes funnel-shaped parts of the first channel 10 and the second channel 20. Furthermore, the attachment section 30 is adjacent to the basic body 2. Especially, the basic body 1 is defined by the first side wall 41 and the second side wall 42 being preferably opposite to each other such that the first side wall 41 and the second side wall 42 are mainly parallel to each other. “Mainly parallel” means here that an inclination angle between the first side wall 41 and the second side wall 42 is less than 15°, preferably less than 5°. In contrast to that, the first side wall 41 and the second side wall 42 in the attachment section 30 are arranged such that the inclination angle between the first side wall 41 and the second side wall 42 is greater than 15°. For example, the basic body 2 having a length LB extends mainly between 5 and 15 mm, preferably 10 mm, along the longitudinal direction L, wherein a total length LT of the nozzle element 1 is mainly between 10 and 30 mm and preferably 20 mm. In particular, a ratio between the length LB of the basic body 2 to the total length LT of the nozzle element 1 measured along the longitudinal direction L is between 0.4 and 0.6.

[0050] Particularly, the pressure relief channel extends at least from the end region E of the basic body 2 to the attachment section 30 of the nozzle element 2. For forming the part of the pressure relief channel at the basic body 2 a groove 14 extending straight along the longitudinal direction is provided, which preferably is located between a centre of the first channel 10 and a centre of the second channel 20 in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction L. Furthermore, it is provided that the groove 14 is incorporated into the first side wall 41 and/or the second side wall 42 or is formed by the curvature of the first side wall 41 and/or the second side wall 42.

[0051] The nozzle element 1, in particular the basic body 2, shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 has marking elements 13 being arranged at the outer surface A. Thus it is advantageously possible to monitor how far the basic body 2 is introduced into the periodontal pocket 7 during its utilization.

[0052] FIG. 4 shows schematically a cross section through a nozzle element 1 according to the third preferred embodiment of the present invention. Especially, the cross section shown in FIG. 4 could be realized by the nozzle element 1 shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. Especially, the cross sectional view shows that outer surface A of the basic body 2 includes at least two contact points C that during utilization can contact the surface of the root of the tooth 3 simultaneously, wherein between the two contact points C along a circulating direction U the first recess S1 is arranged between the two contact point 2 of the first side wall 41 and/or 42 second recess S2 is arranged between the two contact point C at the second side wall 42. Especially the first recess S1 is bounded or defined by the outer surface A of the first side wall 41 in the region of the first recess S1 and a thought first straight line 51 between the two contact points C at the first side wall 41. Analogously, a second recess S2 is bounded or defined by the outer surface A of the second side wall 42 in the region of the second recess S2 and a thought second straight line 52 between the two contact points C at the second side wall 42.

[0053] Furthermore, a first surface 61 of the first side wall 41 can be assigned to the first recess S1 and a second surface 62 of the second side wall 42 can be assigned to the second recess S2, wherein a ratio of a sum of the first surface S1 and the second surface S2 to a total surface of the nozzle element 1 has a value between 1 and 20%, preferably between 2 and 15% and most preferably between 3 and 10% or even mostly 7%. Thus, a stable nozzle element 1 can be produced, wherein the nozzle element 1 is designed still as small as possible.

[0054] Furthermore, a first surface 61 of the first side wall 41 can be assigned to the first recess S1 and a second surface 62 of the second side wall 42 can be assigned to the second recess S2, wherein the sum of the surfaces S1 and S2 is between 0.01 and 1 mm.sup.2, preferably between 0.02 and 0.8 mm.sup.2 and most preferably between 0.03 and 0.2 mm.sup.2.

[0055] Further, in a cross section perpendicular to the longitudinal direction L the basic body 2 has a minimal distance I between the first side wall 41 and the second side wall 42, wherein the minimal distance is at least 0.2 mm and/or the first recess S1 has a maximal first recess depth d1 between the first side wall 41 and the thought first line 51 between the two contact points C, the second recess S2 has a maximal second recess depth d2 between the second side wall 42 and the thought second line 52 between the contact points C, wherein a ratio of a sum of the first recess depth d1 and the second recess depth d2 to the total distance DT between the thought first line 51 and the thought second line 52 has a value between 0.1 and 0.9, preferable 0.2 and 0.5 and most preferably between 0.3 and 0.45 or even mostly 0.37.

[0056] FIG. 5 schematically shows a cross section through a nozzle element 1 according to the fourth preferred embodiment of the present invention. Especially, the nozzle element 1 shown in FIG. 5 comprises a first tube 71 and a second tube 72, wherein the first tube 71 forms the first channel 10 and the second tube 72 forms the second channel 20.

REFERENCE SIGNS

[0057] 1 nozzle element

[0058] 2 basic body

[0059] 3 root of the tooth

[0060] 4 gum

[0061] 7 periodontal pocket

[0062] 8 bottom

[0063] 10 first feed channel

[0064] 11 first outlet opening

[0065] 12 powder-gas-mixture

[0066] 13 marking

[0067] 14 groove

[0068] 20 second feed channel

[0069] 21 second outlet opening

[0070] 22 fluid

[0071] 30 attachment section

[0072] 41 first side wall

[0073] 42 second side wall

[0074] 51 thought first straight line

[0075] 52 thought second straight line

[0076] 61 first surface

[0077] 62 second surface

[0078] 71 first tube

[0079] 72 second tube

[0080] S1 first recess

[0081] S2 second recess

[0082] d1 first recess depth

[0083] d2 second recess depth

[0084] I minimal distance

[0085] A outer surface

[0086] E end region

[0087] E1 first ejection direction

[0088] E2 second ejection direction

[0089] F front (distal) side

[0090] DT total distance

[0091] W width

[0092] L longitudinal direction

[0093] L1 first length

[0094] LT total length

[0095] LB length of basic body

[0096] C contact point

[0097] U circulating direction