Medical instrument grip device

Abstract

A medical instrument grip device consisting of an open tubular element of elastic material for an elongated medical instrument comprises an elongated element having a gripping area and a head element being attached to one of the ends of the elongated element. The tubular element is open in both longitudinal ends and is configured to switch between a rolled up state and a fully unrolled state. Further, the tubular element is configured such that the head element may be forced through the inner opening of the stretched tubular element being in its rolled up state and to create a tight fit around the gripping area when being in its unrolled state.

Claims

1. A dental instrument comprising: an elongated medical instrument comprising an elongated element, the elongated element of the elongated medical instrument having a gripping area and a head element being attached to an end of the elongated element; and a medical instrument grip device for the elongated medical instrument, the medical instrument grip device comprising an open tubular element of elastic material; wherein the tubular element is open in both longitudinal ends and is configured to switch between a rolled up state and a fully unrolled state, wherein the tubular element is further configured such that the head element of the elongated element may be forced through an inner opening of the tubular element when the tubular element is stretched and in the rolled up state, and to create a tight fit around the gripping area of the elongated element when the tubular element is in the fully unrolled state, wherein a cross sectional circumferential distance of the tubular element before stretching is equal or smaller than cross sectional circumferential distances of the gripping area of the elongated element onto which the tubular element is to be fitted, wherein a ratio between the circumferential distance of the tubular element before stretching and the circumferential distance of the tubular element after reaching a stretched expanded state when forcing the head element of the elongated element through the inner opening, is between 1:1.1 and 1:5, wherein the material is chosen such that the tubular element has an ability to contract back to a relaxed state, or at least contract enough to allow the tubular element to make a tight fit on to the gripping area of the elongated element, and wherein the circumferential distance of an onset of the gripping area of the elongated element, d.sub.grip, is smaller than the circumferential distance of the head element of the elongated element, d.sub.head.

2. The dental instrument according to claim 1, wherein an outer surface of the tubular element comprises a tactile pattern.

3. The dental instrument according to claim 1, wherein the elastic material is selected from one of polychloroprene (neoprene), silicone, silicone rubber, acrylonitrile butadiene (nitrile), latex, polyisoprene, polyethylene, latex, polyurethane and mixtures thereof.

4. The dental instrument according to claim 1, wherein the open tubular element comprises a smaller circumference at a first longitudinal end compared to a second longitudinal end, thereby expanding the circumference of the material from the first longitudinal end to the second longitudinal end.

5. The dental instrument according to claim 1, comprising at least one weakened area along a longitudinal length of the tubular element.

6. The dental instrument according to claim 5, wherein the weakened area comprises perforations.

7. The dental instrument according to claim 5, wherein a thickness of the weakened area is thinner than a thickness of a remaining part of the tubular element.

8. The dental instrument according to claim 1, wherein the tubular element is tearable by a user of the dental instrument without need of external tools.

9. The dental instrument according to claim 1, wherein the tubular element comprises an extruding flange at an end of the tubular element.

10. A method for attaching a medical instrument grip device in form of a tubular element around a gripping area of an elongated element of an elongated medical instrument, wherein the tubular element is open in both longitudinal ends and made of an elastic material, wherein the elongated element of the elongated instrument further comprises a head element being attached to an end of the elongated element, wherein a cross sectional circumferential distance of the tubular element before stretching is equal or smaller than cross sectional circumferential distances of the gripping area of the elongated element onto which the tubular element is to be fitted, wherein a ratio between the circumferential distance of the tubular element before stretching and the circumferential distance of the tubular element after reaching a stretched expanded state when forcing the head element of the elongated element through an inner opening of the tubular element, is between 1:1.1 and 1:5, wherein the method comprises: forcing the head element of the elongated element through the inner opening of the stretched tubular element, the tubular element being in a rolled up state, placing the rolled up tubular element around an onset of the gripping area of the elongated element, and unrolling the tubular element around a longitudinal length of at least the gripping area of the elongated element, and wherein the material of the tubular element is chosen such that the tubular element has an ability to contract back to a relaxed state, or at least contract enough to allow the tubular element to make a tight fit on to the gripping area of the elongated element.

11. The method according to claim 10, wherein an outer surface of the tubular element comprises a tactile pattern.

12. The method according to claim 10, wherein the elastic material is selected from one of polychloroprene (neoprene), silicone, silicone rubber, acrylonitrile butadiene (nitrile), latex, polyisoprene, polyethylene, latex, polyurethane and mixtures thereof.

13. The method according to claim 10, wherein the open tubular element comprises a smaller circumference at a first longitudinal end compared to a second longitudinal end, thereby expanding the circumference of the material from the first longitudinal end to the second longitudinal end.

14. The method according to claim 10, comprising at least one weakened area along a longitudinal length of the tubular element.

15. The method according to claim 14, wherein the weakened area comprises perforations.

16. The method according to claim 14, wherein a thickness of the weakened area is thinner than a thickness of a remaining part of the tubular element.

17. The method according to claim 10, wherein the tubular element is tearable by a user of the elongated medical instrument without need of external tools.

18. The method according to claim 10, wherein the tubular element comprises an extruding flange at an end of the tubular element.

19. The method according to claim 10, wherein the medical instrument grip device for an elongated medical instrument, said elongated medical instrument comprising an elongated element having a gripping area and a head element being attached to an end of the elongated element, the medical instrument grip device consisting of: an open tubular element of elastic material; wherein the tubular element is open in both longitudinal ends and is configured to switch between a rolled up state and a fully unrolled state, wherein the tubular element is further configured such that the head element of the elongated element may be forced through an inner opening of the tubular element when the tubular element is stretched and in the rolled up state, and to create a tight fit around the gripping area of the elongated element when the tubular element is in the fully unrolled state, wherein a cross sectional circumferential distance of the tubular element before stretching is equal or smaller than cross sectional circumferential distances of the gripping area of the elongated element onto which the tubular element is to be fitted, wherein a ratio between the circumferential distance of the tubular element before stretching and the circumferential distance of the tubular element after reaching a stretched expanded state when forcing the head element of the elongated element through the inner opening, is between 1:1.1 and 1:5, and wherein the material is chosen such that the tubular element has an ability to contract back to a relaxed state, or at least contract enough to allow the tubular element to make a tight fit on to the gripping area of the elongated element.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

(1) FIG. 1 is a side view of a prior art dental instrument where the gripping area of the instrument is indicated.

(2) FIG. 2 is a side view of a dental instrument in accordance with FIG. 1, wherein the inventive elastic tubular element is in its rolled up state placed around the onset of the gripping area.

(3) FIG. 3 is, similar to FIG. 2, a side view of a dental instrument, wherein the inventive elastic tubular element is in its unrolled state having a tight fit around the gripping area.

(4) FIG. 4 is also a side view of a prior art dental instrument where the gripping area of the instrument is indicated.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

(5) FIG. 1 illustrates a prior art dental instrument 1 to which the grip device 7 according to the present invention can be attached. The instrument 1 is normally made of a metal such as stainless steel. The head element 2 of the instrument 1 has in the specific embodiment shown in FIG. 1 a larger circumferential distance, d.sub.head, compared to the onset 5 circumferential distance, d.sub.grip, of the gripping area 4.

(6) FIG. 2 illustrates the grip device consisting of an open, elongated tubular element 7 in a rolled up state 7 attached around the onset 5 of the gripping area 4 of the instrument 1.

(7) The open elongated tubular element 7 is made of elastic material. The tubular element 7 is in its rolled up state 7 before and during assembly to the gripping area of the instrument 1. The manufacturing of the tubular element 7 using elastic material means that it can be expanded in order to force the head element 2 of the instrument 1 through the inner opening of the tubular element 7 in its rolled up state 7. After the head element 2 is forced through the inner opening of the tubular element 7 in its rolled up state 7, the elastic material contracts back towards its original circumference. The term original circumference is hereinafter defined as the circumference of the element before it was expanded, the relaxed state. The elasticity of the elastic material is thus particularly important when the circumferential distance, d.sub.head, of the head element 2 is larger than the onset 5 circumferential distance, d.sub.grip, of the gripping area 4 in order to create a tight fit between the instrument 1 and the tubular element 7.

(8) The gripping area 4 of the elongated element 3 of the instrument 1 can be shaped as a straight elongated element 3, or it can comprise one or more bends or angels and/or a cross sectional circumferential distance that varies in the longitudinal direction of the elongated gripping area 4. The elongated element 3 in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 comprises a bend and a circumferential distance that increases in its longitudinal direction between the head element 2 and the bend.

(9) The circumferential distance of the elongated element 3 can thus be smaller at one end compare to the other end. The open tubular element 7 can also have a varying circumferential distance along its longitudinal length, wherein for example the circumferential distance is smaller at the one longitudinal end compared the other, thereby increasing its circumferential distance in its longitudinal length. Since the open tubular element 7 is elastic, it is able to surround the gripping area in a tight fit manner onto the gripping area 4 as long as the gripping area 4 has cross sectional circumferential distances that are equal to or larger than the cross sectional circumferential distance of the tubular element 7 in its relaxed state.

(10) The circumferential distance of the tubular element 7 can therefore be customized to fit with the circumferential distance of the gripping area 4 which it will be attached to.

(11) The open tubular element 7 according to one aspect of the invention may comprise a tactile pattern to improve the grip compared to a smooth surface. The tactile pattern can be of any texture which improves the grip, such as for example consecutive lines, dots or any other geometrical shapes. The tactile patter should cover at least a part of the surface of the tubular element 7, preferably the entire surface.

(12) The tubular element 7 is made of any kind of expandable and contractible elastic material such as a natural or synthetic rubber, thus enabling the material of the tubular element to expand when forcing the head of the instrument through the tubular elements inner diameter, and thereafter to contract when the tubular element is placed at the onset 5 of the gripping area. Further, the material may expand or contract when unrolled onto the gripping area depending on the circumferential distance of the gripping area. Examples of elastic materials which can be used are polychloroprene (neoprene), silicone, silicone rubber, acrylonitrile butadiene (nitrile), latex, polyisoprene, polyethylene, latex, polyurethane, and mixtures thereof.

(13) The thickness of the wall of the open tubular element in its relaxed state is preferably at least 0.05 mm thick, even more preferably at least 0.1 mm thick, even more preferably at least 0.2 mm thick.

(14) The elastic material may have a hardness in the range from 0 to 90 Shore A Durometer, preferably from 14 to 60 Shore A Durometer, and even more preferably from 20 to 55 Shore A Durometer, and the elastic material should easily expand and contract radially to accommodate various diameters of the instruments 1 without breaking or tearing apart during application or during use. The material should make a tight fit at least around the gripping area of the instrument 1.

(15) For a detailed description of the measurement unit Shore A Durometer, see NON-PATENT DOCUMENT 1 and NON-PATENT DOCUMENT 2.

(16) Shore A is an industrial standard for measuring hardness of solid rubber.

(17) According to a further aspect of the invention, the tubular element 7 comprises at least one weakened area 8 extending along the entire longitudinal length of the tubular element 7.

(18) The weakened area 8 will make it easier to remove the tubular element 7 after use compared to a tubular element 7 without such weakened area 8. The weakened area 8 may comprise perforations and/or a thinner elastic tubular material compared to the remaining part of the tubular element 7. Alternatively, or in addition, to such a weakened area, the material of tubular element 7 should be easily tearable by the user of the instrument without the need of external tools.

(19) The tubular element 7 may also comprise an extruding flange/ear piece 9 placed at at least one of the longitudinal ends of the tubular element 7. The flange 9 is arranged in order to be easily grabbed by the user for tearing off the tubular element 7 from the instrument 1 after use.

(20) The weakened area 8 can have any kind of configuration that will ease the removal of the tubular element 7 after use. For example, the tubular element 7 may comprise two weakened areas 8 along the longitudinal length of the tubular element 7 in form of repeated perforations. Further, the flange 9 can be positioned at one of the longitudinal ends of the tubular element 7. By lifting the flange 9 and dragging it in the longitudinal direction of the tubular element 7, the weakened areas 8 will tear the tubular element 7 apart, thereby removing the tubular element 7 with ease from the instrument 1.

(21) The open tubular element 7 according to the invention should be prepacked in a sterilized container before use, and it should be packed in its rolled-up state.

(22) The invention also discloses a medical instrument 1 wherein the open tubular element 7 is attached thereto. The medical instrument 1 comprises an elongated element 3 having a gripping area 4, and a head element 2 which is attached to one of the ends of the elongated element 3. The open tubular element 7 is attached to at least the gripping area 4 of the dental instrument 1.

(23) Further, invention concerns a method for attaching the open tubular element 7 of the elastic material around the gripping area 4 of the elongated instrument 1. The tubular element 7 is open in both longitudinal ends. The elongated instrument 1 comprises an elongated element 3 having an elongated gripping area 4 and a head element 2 being attached to one of the ends of the elongated element 3, see FIG. 1. The method comprises forcing the head element 2 through the tubular element 7 while the tubular element 7 is in the rolled up state 7. The tubular element 7 in its rolled up state 7 is thereafter placed around the onset 5 of the gripping area 4, see FIG. 2. The tubular element 7 is then unrolled to an unrolled state 7 around the longitudinal length of at least the gripping area 4, resulting in a tight fit around the elongated element 3, see FIG. 3.

(24) It should be understood by the person skilled in the art that the tubular element 7 can be unrolled in both longitudinal directions of the instruments 1, depending on which way the rolled up tubular element 7 is placed around the onset 5 of the gripping area 4. Thus, the tubular element 7 can be placed in its rolled up state 7 around the onset 6 of the gripping area 4. The tubular element 7 is then unrolled along the longitudinal length of at least the gripping area 4, resulting in tight fit around the elongated element 3. In which longitudinal direction the tubular element 7 is being unrolled depends on which direction the tubular element 7 is applied onto.

(25) The tubular element 7 should not, due to the tight fit configuration, be able to slide after being unrolled. The stable, non-sliding, condition is achieved due to frictional engagement between the instrument 1 and the tubular element 7. Consequently, the risk that the tubular element slips out of the instrument 1 is reduced to nil or insignificant.

(26) To further ensure such tight fit configuration the tubular element 7 can be strengthened in both longitudinal ends wherein the ends are thicker than the thickness of the remaining part of the tubular element.

EXAMPLE

(27) A dental instrument 1 having a head element 2 with a circumferential distance, d.sub.head, of 15 mm is forced through the inner opening of a tubular element 7 of neoprene having a circumferential distance in its relaxed state of 9 mm. In its relaxed state the thickness of the tubular wall is 0.25 mm. The tubular element 7 is expanding its circumferential distance as the head element 2 of the instrument 1 is forced through the inner opening of the tubular element 7. The tubular element 7 is thus expanding to a circumferential distance of at least 15 mm. Thereafter, the tubular element 7 is placed onto the onset 5 of the gripping area of the shaft of the instrument 1, the onset 5 having a circumferential distance, d.sub.grip, of 11 mm Thereafter the tubular element 7 is unrolled onto the gripping area 4 of the instrument 1, establishing a tight fit thereto.

(28) FIG. 4 illustrates a part of a prior art dental instrument 1 to which the grip device according to the present invention can be attached. The instrument is normally made of a metal such as stainless steel. The head 2 of the instrument 1 has in this specific embodiment shown in FIG. 4 a larger maximum diameter, d.sub.head, when compared to the maximum diameter, d.sub.grip, of the gripping area 4.

(29) In the preceding description, various aspects of the gripping device and the medical instrument according to the invention have been described with reference to the illustrative embodiment. For purposes of explanation, specific numbers, systems and configurations were set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the grip device, the medical instrument and its workings. However, this description is not intended to be construed in a limiting sense. Various modifications and variations of the illustrative embodiment, as well as other embodiments of the disclosed devices, which are apparent to persons skilled in the art to which the disclosed subject matter pertains, are deemed to lie within the scope of the present invention.