CLINICAL DISPENSER AND APPLICATOR

Abstract

The present invention relates to a clinical dispenser and applicator and, more particularly, to a clinical dispenser and applicator that is structured to hold and dispense a micro amount (one to several drops) of liquids/solvents in a clinical setting.

Claims

1. A clinical dispenser and applicator comprising: an elongated distal shaft extending along a longitudinal axis, a portion of which is hollowed-out defining a material reservoir beginning at a proximal end thereof, wherein the hollowed-out portion comprises a first section including a diameter that is smaller than a diameter of an adjacent section that is proximal to the first section or a diameter of an adjacent section that is distal to the first section; a proximal tube portion comprising an exit hole, the proximal tube portion connect to the elongated distal shaft; wherein said hollowed-out portion of said elongated distal shaft is configured to be squeezable to create a vacuum to suction a material into said material reservoir through said exit hole from a well containing the material and to dispense the material from said material reservoir through said exit hole onto a predetermined area of interest; a deflector connecting the elongated distal shaft to the proximal tube portion; and wherein the deflector is bendable at an angle relative to the longitudinal axis in at least two opposing directions.

2. The clinical dispenser and applicator of claim 1, wherein the deflector is bendable in all directions relative to the longitudinal axis.

3. The clinical dispenser and applicator of claim 1, wherein said proximal tube portion further comprises a proximal tip having the exit hole, which substantially encircles the longitudinal axis.

4. The clinical dispenser and applicator of claim 3, further comprising a plurality of fibers or bristles extending circumferentially from the proximal tip.

5. The clinical dispenser and applicator of claim 4, wherein the fibers or bristles are arranged in distinct lines substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis.

6. The clinical dispenser and applicator of claim 1, wherein the deflector is arcuate shaped or “S” shaped.

7. The clinical dispenser and applicator of claim 1, wherein the deflector comprises circumferential rib portions on an exterior surface of the deflector forming channels therebetween.

8. The clinical dispenser and applicator of claim 1, wherein the proximal tube portion is tapered from a distal end to a proximal end thereof.

9. The clinical dispenser and applicator of claim 1, wherein said material comprises a dental composition.

10. The clinical dispenser and applicator of claim 9, wherein said dental composition comprises a composition selected from the group consisting of bonding materials, primers, silane and hemostatic agents.

11. The clinical dispenser and applicator of claim 1, wherein said predetermined area of interest comprises a tooth structure.

12. The clinical dispenser and applicator of claim 1, the angle is up to and including 45 degrees.

13. A method of applying a dental composition to a tooth or gum structure, comprising the steps of: providing a clinical dispenser and applicator comprising: an elongated distal shaft extending along a longitudinal axis, a portion of which is hollowed-out defining a material reservoir beginning at a proximal end thereof, wherein the hollowed-out portion comprises a first section including a diameter that is smaller than a diameter of an adjacent section that is proximal to the first section or a diameter of an adjacent section that is distal to the first section; a proximal tube portion comprising an exit hole, the proximal tube portion connect to the elongated distal shaft; and a deflector connecting the elongated distal shaft to the proximal tube portion; and wherein the deflector is bendable at an angle relative to the longitudinal axis in at least two opposing directions; placing said exit hole into a mixing well, wherein said mixing well comprises a cavity that is closed on a bottom and open at a top, containing a dental composition; mixing the dental composition within the mixing well with the proximal tube portion; squeezing said hollowed-out portion of said distal shaft, creating a vacuum therein; releasing said hollowed-out portion of said distal shaft in order to aspirate an amount of the dental composition into said material reservoir from said mixing well through said exit hole; placing said exit hole next to a tooth or gum structure; and squeezing said hollowed-out portion of said distal shaft, dispensing at least a portion of the dental composition onto the tooth or gum structure.

14. The method of claim 13, further comprising the step of spreading the dental composition on the tooth or gum structure with the proximal tube portion.

15. The method of claim 13, wherein the deflector is bendable in all directions relative to the longitudinal axis.

16. The method of claim 13, wherein said proximal tube portion further comprises a proximal tip having the exit hole, which substantially encircles the longitudinal axis.

17. The method of claim 16, further comprising a plurality of fibers or bristles extending circumferentially from the proximal tip.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein the fibers or bristles are arranged in distinct lines substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis.

19. The method of claim 13, wherein the deflector is arcuate shaped or “S” shaped.

20. The method of claim 13, wherein the deflector comprises circumferential rib portions on an exterior surface of the deflector forming channels therebetween.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] The present invention will be more fully understood and appreciated by reading the following Detailed Description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0018] FIG. 1 is a side perspective view of a conventional Microbrush® dispenser/applicator.

[0019] FIG. 2 is a side perspective view of a clinical dispenser and applicator, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0020] FIG. 3A and FIG. 3B are photographs illustrating the use of the clinical dispenser and applicator collecting and dispensing one to two drops of bonding agent by squeezing the proximal shaft portion, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0021] FIG. 4 is a photograph showing an experimental comparison between a (i) clinical dispenser and applicator of an embodiment of the present invention and (ii) conventional Microbrush® dispenser/applicator.

[0022] FIG. 5A and FIG. 5B are photographs showing an experimental demonstration of and a comparison of the amount of liquid available for use with conventional Microbrush® dispenser/applicator vs. clinical dispenser and applicator of an embodiment of the present invention.

[0023] FIG. 6 shows a side perspective view of a clinical dispenser and applicator, according to an alternative embodiment of the present invention.

[0024] FIG. 7 is a side perspective view of a clinical dispenser and applicator, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0025] FIG. 8A is a side perspective view of a clinical dispenser and applicator is shown according to an alternative embodiment of the present invention.

[0026] FIG. 8B is a side perspective view of a clinical dispenser and applicator is shown according to an alternative embodiment of the present invention.

[0027] FIG. 8C is a side perspective view of a clinical dispenser and applicator is shown according to an alternative embodiment of the present invention.

[0028] FIG. 9 is a side perspective view of a clinical dispenser and applicator is shown according to an alternative embodiment of the present invention.

[0029] FIG. 10A is a side perspective view of the proximal tube portion and proximal tip of the clinical dispenser and applicator shown in FIG. 9 according to an alternative embodiment of the present invention.

[0030] FIG. 10B is a side perspective cross-sectional view of the proximal tube portion and proximal tip of the clinical dispenser and applicator shown in FIG. 9 according to an alternative embodiment of the present invention.

[0031] FIG. 11A is a side perspective view of the proximal tube portion and proximal tip of a clinical dispenser and applicator according to an alternative embodiment of the present invention.

[0032] FIG. 11B is a side perspective cross-sectional view of the proximal tube portion and proximal tip of a clinical dispenser and applicator shown in FIG. 11A according to an alternative embodiment of the present invention.

[0033] FIG. 12A is a side perspective view of the proximal tube portion and proximal tip of a clinical dispenser and applicator according to an alternative embodiment of the present invention.

[0034] FIG. 12B is a side perspective cross-sectional view of the proximal tube portion and proximal tip of a clinical dispenser and applicator shown in FIG. 12A according to an alternative embodiment of the present invention.

[0035] FIG. 13 is a flow chart showing a method according to an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0036] The present invention will be more fully understood and appreciated by reading the following Detailed Description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals refer to like components. Certain dimensions are listed in some of the drawings, however, these dimensions are exemplary and embodiments of the present invention are not limited to these dimensions.

[0037] As shown in FIG. 2, a side perspective view of a clinical dispenser and applicator is illustrated, according to an embodiment of the present invention. The clinical dispenser and applicator 200 can include a distal shaft 230 extending along a longitudinal axis, at least a portion of which is hollowed out (i.e., a reservoir portion) 240, a neck portion 220 which is bent at an angle from the shaft (preferable about 45 degrees), a hollowed out proximal tube portion 225 and a fiber applicator tip 210. The hollowed out proximal tube portion includes an exit hole 215, and the distal shaft is closed off at the most distal end 250.

[0038] The proximal tube portion 225 can be 0.2-0.3 mm thick, about the thickness of a coffee stirrer with a narrowed area near the opening 215 (which can be bendable; could be accordion crimped similar to a bend in a drinking straw) and thinner in diameter near the tip to maintain the small size convenient for narrow treatment areas. Other measurements shown in FIG. 2 relate to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0039] FIG. 3a-b are photographs illustrating the use of the clinical dispenser and applicator collecting and dispensing one to two drops of bonding agent by squeezing the proximal shaft portion, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0040] FIG. 4 is a photograph showing a comparison between a (i) clinical dispenser and applicator of an embodiment of the present invention and (ii) a conventional Microbrush® dispenser/applicator. As shown in (i), the clinical dispenser and applicator of an embodiment of the present invention shows that there is almost twice as much of bonding agent available for use after one squeeze of the clinical dispenser and applicator, as compared to (ii) which illustrates the amount of bonding agent available for use after single dip of the Microbrush® dispenser/applicator tip in a dispensed drop in a well.

[0041] FIG. 5a-b are photographs showing an experimental demonstration of a comparison of the amount of liquid available for use with conventional Microbrush® dispenser/applicator vs. clinical dispenser and applicator of an embodiment of the present invention. In brief, these photographs show available bonding agent and number of repeated dips needed during the use of a conventional Microbrush® dispenser/applicator vs. one squeeze of a clinical dispenser and applicator of an embodiment of the present invention containing the same amount of bonding agent as in the separate dipping reservoir used for the conventional Microbrush® dispenser/applicator. FIG. 5a(i)-(ii) show a similar demonstration as shown in FIG. 4(i)-(ii). FIG. 5a(iii) shows the number of dips (8 total) necessary to use up one drop of bonding agent with the conventional Microbrush® dispenser/applicator.

[0042] Turning to FIG. 5b, (i) shows that one full squeeze of a clinical dispenser and applicator of an embodiment of the present invention containing one drop of bonding agent is able to provide 12 applications without dipping. In comparison, 5b(ii) shows that 8 dips of the conventional Microbrush® dispenser/applicator is necessary to use up one drop of bonding agent. The difference in application performance is due to the issues referenced above including evaporation or splattering of the bonding agent, for example, when using the conventional Microbrush® dispenser/applicator.

[0043] FIG. 6 shows a side perspective view of a clinical dispenser and applicator, according to an alternative embodiment of the present invention. The clinical dispenser and applicator 200′ can include a distal shaft 230 extending along a longitudinal axis, at least a portion of which is hollowed out (i.e., a reservoir portion) 240, a neck portion 220′ which is bent at an angle from the shaft (preferable about 45 degrees) and has an accordion/corrugated structure, a hollowed out proximal tube portion 225 and a fiber applicator tip 210. The hollowed out proximal tube portion includes an exit hole 215, and the distal shaft is closed off at the most distal end 250.

[0044] FIG. 7 shows a side perspective view of a clinical dispenser and applicator, according to an embodiment of the present invention. The clinical dispenser and applicator FIG. 7 is similar to the clinical dispenser and applicator in FIG. 2, and shows a clinical dispenser and applicator 200 that can include a distal shaft 230 extending along a longitudinal axis, at least a portion of which is hollowed out (i.e., a reservoir portion) 240, a neck portion 220 which is bent at an angle from the shaft (preferable about 45 degrees), a hollowed out proximal tube portion 225 and a fiber applicator tip 210. The hollowed out proximal tube portion can include an exit hole 215 at the distal end of the fiber applicator tip 210 or at the proximal end thereof (215′), and the distal shaft is closed off at the most distal end 250.

[0045] The following description with reference to FIGS. 8 to 12B relates to alternative embodiments of the clinical dispenser and applicator described above. The alternative embodiments include alternate and sometimes additional components, however, many of the alternative embodiments function in a similar manner as the previously described embodiments. Thus, the discussion set forth above with respect to functionality and to other specifics of many of the features/elements of the previously described embodiments applies to the alternative embodiments discussed below (unless otherwise specifically noted).

[0046] Turning to FIG. 8A, a side perspective view of a clinical dispenser and applicator 800 is shown according to an alternative embodiment of the present invention. The clinical dispenser and applicator 800 can include a distal shaft 830 extending along a longitudinal axis, at least a portion of which is hollowed out (i.e., a reservoir portion) 840, a defection feature 820, a hollowed out proximal tube portion 825 and a proximal tip 810.

[0047] The deflector 820 is preferably “S”-shaped (curved or arcuate shaped), is bendable, and allows the proximal tube portion 825 to move in all directions, i.e., the proximal tube portion 825 can be bent at an angle in any direction with respect to the distal shaft 830. Practically, deflector 820 allows the most bendability of the proximal tube portion 825 in one plane—“up” and “down” within the plane of the page as one looks at FIG. 8A, and up to at least a preferable angle of 45 degrees. This bendability feature allows the proximal tip 810 to be maneuvered and to reach all areas of a patient's mouth.

[0048] The proximal tip 810 can contain a plurality of bristles/fibers that circumferentially surround the proximal tip 810 and form a brush. The bristles can be organized on the tip 810, e.g., in a plurality of distinct lines extending in lines parallel to the longitudinal axis, or can be in a random distribution on the tip 810. The hollowed out proximal tube portion can include an exit hole 815 at the proximal end thereof (which can also be positioned distally a distance from the proximal end within the rea of the bristles of the brush or beyond), and the distal shaft is closed off at the most distal end 850.

[0049] The hollowed out portion 840 can include portions of differing diameters. For example, sections 821 and 823 each have a larger diameter and surround section 822 of a relatively smaller diameter (alternatively, this configuration of diameter sizes can be reversed). These differing diameter sections of the hollowed-out portion 840 allow for better finger/hand placement and use (maneuverability to mix solutions in a mixing well, to draw mixed solutions into the hollowed out portion 840, and to aspirate solutions onto a patient's teeth) of the clinical dispenser and applicator 800.

[0050] Turning to FIG. 8B, a side perspective view of a clinical dispenser and applicator 800′ is shown according to an alternative embodiment of the present invention. The embodiment of the clinical dispenser and applicator 800′ shown in FIG. 8B is very similar to the embodiment of the clinical dispenser and applicator 800 shown in FIG. 8A, except for a modified deflector 820′. Deflector 820′ is made of raised helical/circumferential ridge/rib portions instead of an “S”-shape shown in FIG. 8A, which can include micro channels in between each ridge. The structure of deflector 820′ allows the deflector 820′, and hence the proximal tube portion 825, to be maneuvered in all directions with equal bendability and up to at least a preferable angle of 45 degrees.

[0051] Turning to FIG. 8C, a side perspective view of a clinical dispenser and applicator 800″ is shown according to an alternative embodiment of the present invention. The embodiment of the clinical dispenser and applicator 800″ shown in FIG. 8C is similar to the embodiments of the clinical dispenser and applicator 800 and 800′ shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B, respectively, except that it does not include a deflector and the proximal tube portion 825 is bent at an angle from the hollowed out portion 840 (preferably at about 45 degrees—similarly to embodiments shown in FIGS. 2, 6 and 7).

[0052] Turning to FIG. 9, a side perspective view of a clinical dispenser and applicator 900 is shown according to an alternative embodiment of the present invention. The clinical dispenser and applicator 900 can include a distal shaft 930 extending along a longitudinal axis, at least a portion of which is hollowed out (i.e., a reservoir portion) 940, a hollowed out proximal tube portion 925 and a proximal tip 910. The distal shaft 930 is tapered from the proximal end to the distal end. This clinical dispenser and applicator 900 is similar to the clinical dispenser and applicator shown in FIGS. 2, 6 and 7, with the proximal tube portion 925 being bent at an angle (preferably at least 45 degrees) from the distal shaft 830.

[0053] Turning to FIGS. 10-12, side perspective views of various alternative proximal tube portion and proximal tip designs are shown. FIGS. 10A and 10B show the proximal tube portion and proximal tip of FIG. 9 in further detail, which includes a proximal tube portion 925 and proximal tip 910 (which is flocked with bristles). At least one slot 911 (which can be, e.g., two or more) is also shown, which is used to suction and dispense dental material/solutions into and from the interior of the proximal tube portion 925 (and to and from the hollowed out portion 940 (not shown) through the interior 912 of the proximal tip 910). The at least one slot 911 is positioned a distance from the proximal end of the proximal tip 910 above the flocked bristles for fluid ingress/egress. The at least one slot 911 can also be positioned at the proximal end of the proximal tip 910.

[0054] FIGS. 11A and 11B show a proximal tube portion 1125 and proximal tip 1110. A wire filament 1113 (which can also be made from a synthetic material such as a thermoplastic polymer) extends from the proximal end of the proximal tip 1110. The wire filament 1113 can be flocked with bristles 1110′, similar to the connection of bristles to the proximal tips of previously described embodiments. At least one hole 1111 is also shown at the end of the proximal tip 1110 above the bristles 1110′, which is used to suction and dispense dental material/solutions into and from the interior of the proximal tube portion 1125 (and to and from the hollowed out portion 1140 (not shown) through the interior 1012 of the proximal tip 1110).

[0055] FIGS. 12A and 12B show a proximal tube portion 1225 and proximal tip 1210. Instead of being flocked with bristles, the proximal tip 1210 is includes flexible raised helical/circumferential ridge/rib portions (at least partially extending around the circumference of the proximal tube portion), which can include micro channels in between each ridge. At least one slot 1211 (which can be, e.g., two or more) is also shown, which is used to suction and dispense dental material/solutions into and from the interior of the proximal tube portion 1225 (and to and from the hollowed out portion 1240 (not shown) through the interior 1212 of the proximal tip 1210). The at least one slot 1211 is positioned a distance from the proximal end of the proximal tip 1210 for fluid ingress/egress. The at least one slot 1211 can also be positioned at the proximal end of the proximal tip 1010. A channel 1213 is also shown extending along the exterior surface of the proximal tube portion in a direction orthogonal to the direction of the circumferential rib portions.

[0056] Each of the clinical dispenser and applicators described herein can be formed of a thermoplastic polymer material (e.g., low density polyethylene (LDPE), polypropylene (PP)), and from a blow molding process, a pressure molding process, an injection molding process, 3D printing process, or any other process as should be appreciated by a person of ordinary skill in the art. This thermoplastic polymer material allows the hollowed-out portion of the distal shaft to be configured to be squeezable to create a vacuum to suction a material into a material reservoir through the exit hole of the device (from a well containing the material), and to dispense the material from the material reservoir through the exit hole onto a predetermined area of interest.

[0057] The manufacturing process can include injection molding the clinical dispenser and applicator in multiple parts (e.g., proximal tube portion and distal shaft), and then connect the multiple components together (spin welding or other connection process as should be appreciated by those of skill in the art). A preferable design includes a hollowed out portion 840 that distorts enough on squeezing to pick/suction up and draw in, and dispense, at least 2 drops of liquid of about 0.01 ml to 1.5 ml each (e.g., a mixture of one or two dental solutions/bonding agent, or a single dental material/bonding agent). The bristles can be added/connected by an electrostatic flocking process or any other process, as should be appreciated by a person of ordinary skill in the art. Generally, the proximal tips can be smaller in diameter and of a length as needed to reach to reach into the back of a patient's mouth (which can vary). Additionally, instead of a bristled or flocked proximal tip, the proximal tip can comprise foam attached thereto.

[0058] Each of the clinical dispenser and applicators described herein can be used in methods (see FIG. 13) to dispense a dental composition (which can include components such as bonding agent(s), medicine, and/or any other dental related compositions, or any combination thereof) into a mixing bowl or well and mix the dental composition in the mixing well prior to applying the mixed dental composition to a patient's teeth. The method can include, but is not required to include, each of the following steps.

[0059] At step 1301, a dental composition (which can include one or more components such as the components referenced above) is dispensed into a mixing well. As should be understood and appreciated by those of skill in the art, a mixing well is a hemispherically-shaped cavity (although the cavity can be formed of other shapes) that is closed on a bottom and open at a top (such as the wells 1-4 shown in FIG. 3a). A commercial example of such a mixing well includes disposable mixing wells made by Patterson Dental (e.g., model nos. 088-7315 and 088-7323).

[0060] At step 1303, any of the embodiments of the clinical dispenser and applicators described herein can be used to mix the dental composition dispensed into the mixing well (by stirring and/or other motions including aspiration) using the proximal end/tip of the clinical dispenser and applicator.

[0061] At step 1305, the preferably mixed dental composition is aspirated into the clinical dispenser and applicator by squeezing the reservoir portion of the clinical dispenser and applicator (which effectively creates a vacuum to accomplish the aspiration).

[0062] At step 1307, the filled (partially or fully) clinical dispenser and applicator can be moved to a patient's tooth or teeth (and gums as may be necessary) on which the dental composition needs to be applied, then the clinical dispenser and applicator can be used to express the dental composition contained within the clinical dispenser and applicator on the patient's tooth or teeth on which the dental composition needs to be applied by squeezing the squeezing the reservoir portion to evacuate the dental composition (which may or may not be fully evacuated) from the clinical dispenser and applicator.

[0063] At step 1309, the proximal tip portion of the clinical dispenser and applicator is used to rub and spread the dental composition over the patient's tooth or teeth (and gums as may be necessary). These steps are repeated as may be necessary to provide a sufficient amount of dental composition to a patient's teeth where needed.

[0064] As described, in an exemplary embodiment, the clinical dispenser and applicator is not preloaded with any dental composition (although it can be). The dental composition is expressed into a mixing well from a bulk or other container, is mixed in the mixing well by the clinical dispenser and applicator, aspirated in the clinical dispenser and applicator, and expressed onto the patient's teeth/gums by the clinical dispenser and applicator.

[0065] While several embodiments of the invention have been discussed, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations of the present invention are possible. Such modifications do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention.