ROTARY ENDODONTIC FILE IN BASKET FORM

Abstract

Present invention provides a rotary endodontic file for root canal treatment of tooth with particular arrangement of wires so as to form a basket shape. The file is flexible and has increased resistance to cyclic fatigue breakage. Said rotary endodontic file is flexible, easy in operation, simple in design and it reduces 5 torsional as well as cyclic failure. Also, said file can be operated by using available endo-motors.

Claims

1. A rotary endodontic file in basket form for cleaning and extirpating the walls of a root canal comprising; i. a tip (D0); ii. an Edge portion (D0-D1) which act as a single point of contact of wires at lower end of said rotary endodontic file; iii. a Working section (D1-D3) comprising atleast two thin, flexible wires; iv. a Connecting section (D3-D4) for connecting said Working section (D1-D3) to Coupling section (D4-D5) and v. a Coupling section (D4-D5) acting as a handle for said endodontic file for holding the device during root canal treatment.

2. The rotary endodontic file as claimed in claim 1; wherein; the diameter of said edge portion (D0-D1) is in the range of 0.05 mm to 0.8 mm and length is in the range of 0.5 mm to 7 mm.

3. The rotary endodontic file as claimed in claim 1; wherein; said working section (D1-D3) further comprising atleast two thin, tapered or non-tapered flexible wires with thickness ranging from 0.02 mm to 0.4 mm, arranged in such a manner that they form atleast one basket shape.

4. The rotary endodontic file as claim 1; wherein; the working section (D1-D3) has length in range of 12 mm to 21 mm and width raging from 0.4 mm to 6 mm.

5. The rotary endodontic file as claim 1; wherein; the working section (D1-D3) has the flaring angle with respect to long axis at D1 ranges from 1 degree to 24 degree.

6. The rotary endodontic file as claimed in claim 1; wherein; the diameter of said connecting section (D3-D4) is in the range of 0.2 mm to 1 mm and length in the range of 5 mm to 15 mm.

7. The rotary endodontic file as claimed in claim 1; wherein; said coupling section (D4-D5) acts as a handle for holding said rotary endodontic file having diameter in range of 2 mm to 5 mm and length in the range of 7 mm to 20 mm respectively.

8. The rotary endodontic file as claimed in claim 1; wherein; said thin, flexible wire material is selected from stainless steel, any steel alloy, high temperature shape memory alloys, any super elastic material such as but not limited to, nitinol, nitinol-niobium alloy, nitinol alloys with zirconium, any nitinol alloy with or without trace elements, tantalum alloys with or without trace elements, hoffnium alloys, titanium, beta-titanium, titanium alloys with zirconium, any titanium alloy with or without trace elements, shape memory ceramics, silicones or any other polymer and combinations thereof.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0034] FIG. 1 illustrates a schematic representation of the rotary endodontic file of present invention with all its components

[0035] FIG. 2 relates to a front view as well as right side view of variation I of rotary endodontic file of present invention

[0036] FIG. 3 relates to a front view as well as right side view of variation II of rotary endodontic file of present invention

[0037] FIG. 4 relates to a front view as well as right side view of variation III of rotary endodontic file of present invention

[0038] FIG. 5 relates to a front view as well as right side view of variation IV of rotary endodontic file of present invention

[0039]

TABLE-US-00001 TABLE NO. 1 legends used in the drawings and their description Legend Name of the part D0 Tip of the rotary endodontic file D1 The point where working section ends D2 The point where there is maximum flaring (max. diameter) of basket of wires D3 The point where the working section starts D4 The point where the connecting section starts D5 Uppermost end of the rotary endodontic file

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0040] The present invention is illustrated by way of example, and not by way of limitation, in the figures of the accompanying drawings and in which like reference numerals refer to similar elements.

[0041] The present invention is better understood by reference to the detailed figures and description set forth herein.

[0042] Present invention provides a rotary endodontic file wherein thin and flexible files are arranged in such a manner that they form a basket shape.

[0043] Referring to FIG. 1, the rotary endodontic file of present invention with all its components is illustrated.

[0044] Said rotary endodontic file comprising; a tip (D0) which is the lowest end of the file, an Edge portion (D0-D1) acting as a single point of contact for plurality of wires protruding from (D3) where the working section starts; a Working section (D1-D3) comprising atleast two wires; a Connecting section (D3-D4) for connecting working section (D1-D3) to coupling section (D4-D5) and a Coupling section (D4-D5) or handle for holding the device during the dental treatment.

[0045] Said rotary endodontic file wherein; said Edge portion (D0-D1) is in range of 0.5 mm to 7 mm in length and may have cylindrical shape or any other polygonal shape with diameter in the range of 0.05 mm-0.8 mm and may have flutes or cutting edges. Preferably the tip is round, non cutting and not engaging.

[0046] Said Working section (D1-D3) comprises of atleast two thin, flexible flared wires and has gradual increase of diameter from point D1 till the point of maximum flaring diameter D2 and then gradual decrease of diameter till the wires joined together at a point D3. Said wires are arranged in such a way that collectively they form a basket shape. The wires are attached to Edge portion at point D1 and Connecting section at D3.

[0047] In one preferred embodiment, said working section (D1-D3) may have four thin, flexible wires having thickness in the range of 0.02 mm to 0.4 mm.

[0048] In one embodiment, each file may have wires of same or different thickness, shape, cross section, length or material. Different thickness or shapes may need depending upon the acuteness of curvature normally found in root canals of teeth. Said wires may have same thickness throughout its length or it may differ at different sections of basket. Each wire is either straight or tapered from 1% to 16%. Thicker wire may give more stiffness which will be helpful in wider canal of anterior teeth and thinner wires will be ideal for narrow canal of posterior teeth.

[0049] Said wires may arranged to form a single basket from top to bottom or may arranged to form two or more baskets with different shape, size, depth, material, spatial plane arrangement respective to each other. Different arrangement will give different cutting potential to wire.

[0050] Said wires are made from the material selected from stainless steel, steel alloy, high temperature shape memory alloys, any super elastic material such as but not limited to, nitinol, nitinol-niobium alloy, nitinol alloys with zirconium, any nitinol alloy with or without trace elements, tantalum alloys with or without trace elements, titanium, beta-titanium, titanium alloys with zirconium, any titanium alloy with or without trace elements, shape memory ceramics, silicones or any other polymer.

[0051] In another embodiment, the straight distance between (D1-D3) is in the range of 12 mm-21 mm and the angle between wires and long axis, formed at the edge side (at D1) that gives the basket shape may range from 1 degree to 24 degree. The increase in flaring due to increase in angle will help in using different file in each part of root canal e.g. an angle of 24% on a shorter file may used for orifice widening. File with smaller angles may used progressively as the width of root canal narrows.

[0052] In yet another embodiment, the distance between point D2 that is maximum diameter and D1 is in the range of 5 mm-14 mm and linear distance between D2 to D3 is in the range of 1 mm-10 mm.

[0053] Said Connecting section (D3-D4), is a solid or hollow rod that connects the Working section (D1-D3) to the Coupling section of file. The thickness of this Connecting section ranges from 0.2 mm-1 mm.

[0054] Said Coupling section (D4-D5), is designed as per the most common available engine driven friction grip or latch grip handpiece as well as depending upon need for specific movements. Else a customised hand-piece or motor or equipment for its use may be made separately. Said coupling section acts as a handle for the rotary endodontic file of present invention.

[0055] This part may be in shape of standard ISO specified design for manual endodontic files, to make the file to be used manually.

[0056] Referring to FIG. 2, a front view as well as right side view of variation I of rotary endodontic file of present invention is illustrated.

[0057] Variation I comprise of atleast two thin, flexible flared wires joined in cross hair arrangement at tip (D0) and have gradual increase of diameter from point D1 till the point of maximum flaring diameter D2 and then gradual decrease of diameter till the wires joined together at a point D3. Said maximum diameter (D2) is in the range of 0.4 mm to 6 mm. The distance D2-D3 is in the range of 1 mm-10 mm to meet at axis in line with tip (D0). The Connecting section (D3-D4) wherein wires run together is in range of 5 mm to 15 mm in length and then attached to Coupling section (D4-D5).

[0058] Referring to FIG. 3, a front view as well as right side view of variation II of rotary endodontic file of present invention is illustrated.

[0059] Variation II comprise of two baskets of wires arranged one above the other wherein; first basket comprises of atleast two thin, flexible flared wires joined together in the same plane at tip (D0) forming Edge portion (D0-D1) of 1 mm and then has gradual increase in diameter from point D1 till the point of maximum flaring diameter D2 and then gradual decrease of diameter till the wires joined together at a point D3. Said maximum flaring diameter for first basket (D2) is in the range of 0.4 mm to 6 mm. The second basket arranged in a perpendicular plane with respect to first basket at a distance of 6 mm from tip of first basket. Said second basket comprises of atleast two thin, flexible flared wires joined at tip (D0) forming Edge portion (D0-D1) of 6 mm and then flare at an angle twice of the first basket. The maximum flaring diameter for second basket is 6 mm. The wires of second basket converge at a point D3 and length of Connecting section (D3-D4) is 4 mm. Tips of both the baskets are joined together with another single wire of 6 mm. The length of Connecting section (D3-D4) is 5 mm that connects the converging point of baskets to Coupling section (D4-D5).

[0060] This design may helpful in curved canal, where three wires at the tip easily follow the path of curvature and the double flaring of second basket will start working as orifice widener in the root canal progress. This widening of orifice will help to reduce the strain in the wires of first basket.

[0061] Referring to FIG. 4, a front view as well as right side view of variation III of rotary endodontic file of present invention is illustrated.

[0062] Variation III comprise of two baskets of wires wherein; first basket comprises of atleast two thin, flexible flared wires joined together in the same plane at tip (D0) forming Edge portion (D0-D1) of 1 mm and then has gradual increase in diameter from point D1 till the point of maximum flaring diameter D2 and then gradual decrease of diameter till the wires joined together at a point D3. Said maximum flaring diameter for first basket (D2) is in the range of 0.4 mm to 6 mm. The second basket arranged in a perpendicular plane with respect to first basket at a distance of 6 mm from tip of first basket. Said second basket comprises of a single wire in a loop shape. Two baskets converge at a point D3. The Connecting section (D3-D4) is of 5 mm in length means for connecting converging point (D3) to Coupling section or handle (D4-D5).

[0063] This design may helpful in thin curved canal, where two wires of first basket easily follow the path of curvature and the loop part of second basket start working as orifice widener as one progress in the root canal. This widening of orifice may help to reduce the strain in the wires of first basket.

[0064] Referring to FIG. 5, a front view as well as right side view of variation IV of rotary endodontic file of present invention is illustrated.

[0065] Variation IV comprises of atleast two thin, flexible flared wires arranged in a basket shape form. Said wires joined together at tip (D0) converge at a tip (D0) forming Edge portion (D0-D1) of 1 mm and then has gradual increase in diameter with a constant angel from point D1 till the point of maximum flaring diameter D2 and then gradual decrease of diameter till the wires converge at a point D3. Said maximum flaring diameter for basket (D2) is in the range of 0.4 mm to 6 mm. The distance between D1-D3 is in the range of 12 mm to 21 mm to meet at axis in line with tip (D0). The Connecting section (D3-D4) wherein wires run together is 5 mm in length and then attached to Coupling section (D4-D5) or handle further.

[0066] This design is very useful at the start of root canal treatment for orifice widening.

Advantages of the Present Invention are as Follows:

[0067] a. Thin flexible wires can easily glide through the thin variable size and shape of the root canal. [0068] b. Thin wires are more resistant to cyclic failure. [0069] c. Absence of any cutting edge will prevent the torsional failure. [0070] d. Basket design will bring the vortex ring type fluid movement in irrigation solution. This will help to cleanse the surface of organic and necrotic debris. It will bring the best result of tissue dissolving property of sodium hypochlorite solution used during the working of file. [0071] e. Thin wires will have minimum cutting action on the dentine. This prevents the excessive thinning of root canal wall that can fracture. [0072] f. Increase the success rate of Root canal treatment [0073] g. Basket design insures the easy removal of complete file, if one of the wire breaks