DENTAL DISPENSER

Abstract

A dental dispenser that receives a cartridge and a blunt tip applicator for the safe and controlled extrusion and placement of dental materials such as non-injectable anesthetics.

Claims

1. A dental dispenser for dispensing dental material, comprising: a luer body for receiving a cartridge, the luer body having a proximal end and a distal end, the luer body further comprising an applicator receiving portion at the distal end, a grip operably engaging with the luer body at the proximal end, a back, hingedly connected to the grip, and a tab connected to the grip and configured to form a hinged latch mechanism to confine movement of the back when the dispenser is closed, and to release the back when pressed upon to open and load the dispenser with the cartridge. wherein the back includes a rod ring and the back is configured such that the rod ring is confined to be slidably displaced with a thumb of a user.

2. The dental dispenser of claim 1, wherein the luer body is constructed to swivel relative to the grip.

3. The dental dispenser of claim 1, further comprising a window disposed within the luer body allowing the user to see movement of a bubble in the cartridge to determine the viscosity of the dental material in the cartridge.

4. The dental dispenser according to claim 1, wherein the tab is hingedly connected to the grip with a rivet and a torsion spring.

5. The dental dispenser of claim 1, wherein the rod ring is configured to swivel relative to the back.

6. The dental dispenser according to claim 1, wherein a shape of the grip is constructed to match or substantially match a radius of curvature of fingers holding the grip.

7. The dental dispenser according to claim 1, wherein the back includes a compression spring and a collar, wherein when inserted, the cartridge is centered and confined in the luer body by (i) a compression force exerted by a compression spring, (ii) a collar of the back, (iii) a tip of the rod ring, and/or (iv) diameter and shape of a channel of the luer body.

8. The dental dispenser of claim 1, wherein the dental dispenser is autoclavable.

9. The dental dispenser of claim 1, wherein the sterilizable.

10. The dental dispenser of claim 1, wherein the rod ring has a rounded tip which engages with a plunger of the cartridge and wherein the rounded tip has a circumference smaller than an inner circumference of a housing of the cartridge such that the rounded tip is advanced in the cartridge to eject contents of the cartridge without breaking the housing.

11. The dental dispenser of claim 1, wherein a circumference of a channel of the luer body is configured to receive cartridges having a predetermined size or shape.

12. The dental dispenser of claim 1, wherein dispenser comprises polyphenylsulfone material.

13. A dispenser assembly comprising: a dispenser; a cartridge; and an applicator having a blunt tipped end and a sharp tipped end; wherein the cartridge is configured to be loaded into a channel of the luer body, wherein a distal end of a luer body of the dispenser is configured to receive the applicator, wherein the sharp tipped end of the applicator is configured to be inserted into the distal end of the luer body from outside the luer body and is further configured to be seated onto the dispenser such that when the cartridge is loaded into the channel of the luer body, the cartridge is pierced by the sharp tipped end to form a flow path for dental material extrusion.

14. A method of safely operating a dental dispenser, the method comprising: providing an applicator having a blunt tipped end and a sharp tipped end; providing a dispenser having (i) a luer body for receiving a corresponding cartridge and (ii) a rod ring for receiving a thumb of a user, the luer body having a proximal end and a distal end; exposing the sharp tipped end of the applicator; attaching the sharp-tipped end of the applicator to the distal end of the luer body from outside the luer body such that the sharp tipped end is closer to an internal channel of the luer body than the blunt tipped end is; loading the corresponding cartridge into the internal channel of the luer body such that the sharp tipped end of the applicator pierces the cartridge to create an extrusion flow path.

15. The method according to claim 14, further comprising dispensing contents of the corresponding cartridge through the sharp tipped end to the blunt tipped end by pushing on the rod ring with a thumb.

16. The method according to claim 14, wherein the dispenser is opened to load or remove the corresponding cartridge by pressing on a hinged latch tab of the dispenser using one finger.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0026] Various other objects, features and attendant advantages of the present disclosure will become fully appreciated as the same becomes better understood when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference characters designate the same or similar parts throughout the several views, and wherein:

[0027] FIG. 1 is an exploded view of a dispenser according to the present disclosure.

[0028] FIG. 2 is a side view of a dispenser according to the present disclosure.

[0029] FIG. 3 is a bottom view of a dispenser according to the present disclosure.

[0030] FIG. 4 is another side view of an embodiment of the present disclosure showing the dispenser back.

[0031] FIG. 5 is a side view of an embodiment of the present disclosure illustrating the dispenser tab.

[0032] FIG. 6 is a side view of an embodiment of the present disclosure showing the rod pulled backwards.

[0033] FIG. 7 is a side view of an embodiment of the present disclosure showing the rod and dispenser back pulled backwards therein placing the dispenser placed in an open position.

[0034] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the disclosure illustrating a cartridge receiving channel the dispenser luer body.

[0035] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the disclosure in an open position illustrating a collar of the dispenser which resides in the dispenser back.

[0036] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the disclosure in an open position illustrating a distal end of the dispenser luer body which receives an applicator for extruding dental material.

[0037] FIG. 11 is another perspective view of an embodiment of the disclosure in an open position illustrating a window of the dispenser luer body.

[0038] FIG. 12 is a cross sectional side view of an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0039] FIG. 13 is another cross sectional side view of an embodiment of the present disclosure further illustrating cross sections of the dispenser grip.

[0040] FIG. 14 is a cross sectional side view of a rod and dispenser back according to the present disclosure.

[0041] FIG. 15 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0042] Turning descriptively to the drawings, in which similar reference characters denote similar elements throughout the several views, the figures illustrate a dental dispenser for the extrusion and precise placement of dental materials. Referring to the accompanying drawings, particularly, FIGS. 1, 2 and 12 herein, the dispenser comprises a luer body 111 with a proximal end and a distal end, the dispenser generally indicated by reference number 100. The dispenser 100 further comprises a rod ring 107 with a first end and a second end, the first end generally forming an handle which receives the thumb of a user and the first end forming a tip 121 which engages with a plunger (not shown) of a cartridge (not shown) to eject dental material (not shown) from said cartridge. The tip 121 may be rounded to allow free advancement of the tip 121 in an inserted cartridge with minimal force. This prevents drawbacks in prior devices such as breaking or shattering the cartridge housing, for example a glass cartridge housing, during extrusion and during withdrawal of the tip from the cartridge after extrusion. Said tip 121 of the rod ring may engage with a plunger of the cartridge for extrusion.

[0043] The dispenser luer body 111 further comprises a window 214 disposed therein, a blunt tip applicator receiving portion 216 at its distal end and operably engaging with a grip 101 at its proximal end wherein the grip 101 further operably engages with a back 102, said back 102 containing a collar 103 and receiving said rod ring 107 such that movement of said rod ring 107 is confined to be pushed forwards or pulled backwards with one thumb (not shown) of a user. The device 100 may also include a retainer 203, allowing for swivel movements of the luer body 111 relative to the grip 101 to adjust for hand positioning. The rod ring 107 may further swivel relative to the back 102 and collar 103. The back 102 may also be hingedly connected to the grip 101 with means such as a rivet 213 allowing the dispenser 100 to be turned to an open position when the rod ring is fully pulled out and the rod ring 107 and back 102 are turned away from the plane of the luer body 111 for cartridge insertion. A tab 104 may also be hingedly connected to the grip 101 with means such as a rivet 213 and a torsion spring 201 to restrict movement of the back 102 when the dispenser 100 is in a closed position wherein the rod ring 107, back 102 and luer body 111 are collinear.

[0044] In an embodiment, the dispenser grip 101 has a finger receiving end on each side wherein each end has a concave profile such that the concavity matches the shape of a finger, thus forming a secure controllable grip.

[0045] In another embodiment, as shown in FIG. 11, windows 214 may be formed in the luer body 111. Such a window will allow a user to see the movement of a bubble (not shown) in an inserted cartridge to determine the viscosity of dental material in said cartridge.

[0046] With particular reference to FIG. 8, the dispenser may have a tab 104 which snaps back under spring pressure exerted by spring 201. The tab 104 may form a hinged latch mechanism which may be open with a single press of a finger. When the dispenser is in an open position, a suitable cartridge may be inserted into the channel 215. The dispenser rod 107 and back 102 may then be aligned with the luer body 111 as in FIG. 6 by pressing the tab 104, turning the rod 107 and back 102 to be in the same plane as the Luer body 111 and releasing the tab 104 to snap over the back 102 when closed 303 to hold the back 102 in place. The back 102 may swing clear 302 off the tab 104 when open. The luer body 111 may swivel under pressure relative to the grip as shown in 304 to accommodate the hand positioning. The channel 215 may have a circumference/diameter and shape such that only compatible cartridges having a predetermined size and/or shape may be inserted. For example the dispenser channel may be shaped to receive only non-injectable anesthetic cartridges such as Oraqix. Larger diameter cartridges may be prevented from insertion and smaller diameter incompatible cartridges may be unstable inside the channel 215 upon insertion. Herein, the dispenser channel will reject the insertion of incompatible cartridge types making it safer for dental use. In an embodiment, the distal end of the channel 215 may be formed as the negative of the collar (not shown) of a cartridge in order to receive, centrally position, and confine the cartridge in the dispenser channel. In another embodiment, the proximal end of the channel may have a first circumference such that cartridges with an outer circumference larger than said first circumference cannot be inserted.

[0047] In another embodiment, the dispenser back 102 may have a compression spring 200 and a collar 103 (FIG. 9), said compression spring and collar exerting a compression for on an inserted cartridge when the dispenser is closed and aiding in centering and stabilizing said inserted cartridge during treatment. This prevents the cartridge from rattling in the channel 215. The collar 103 may also keep the rod ring 107 from falling out of the back 102.

[0048] In yet another embodiment, the dispenser may be made from high performance polymers such as polyphenylsulfone (Radel). The dispenser rivet 213, spring 200, 201 and retainer 203 may be made from stainless steel. The dispenser may be autoclavable and sterilizable by full submersion in a sterilizing agent.

[0049] With particular reference to the embodiment in FIG. 13, showing a cross section of the dispenser, 305 shows a cross section of the grip 101 along a plane passing through rivet 213. The rivet 213 may be formed below flush 306 to and may be swaged to avoid the potential of the rivet working its way out and tearing gloves when the dispenser is in use. Item a shows an embodiment of the rivet post swaging and b shows the rivet prior to swaging.

[0050] With reference to FIG. 14, the dispenser rod ring 107 comprises a tip 121 which may be centered 405 and joined to the rod ring 107 by such means as ultrasonic welding, thus forming a retention component and preventing complete removal of the rod from the dispenser. The mating joint 402 may for example hold 25 lb of load to ensure an adequate joint is formed. The rod 107 may slide freely through the collar 103 of the back 102 without binding into it. The collar 103 may also slide back without binding and may be pushed forward freely by the spring 200. During manufacturing, flash may be unacceptable beyond flush 406, 407. Flash can be a problem for aesthetics, but also it can interfere with wipe disinfection and in some cases create a very sharp feature that could be painful or capable of causing a paper-cut during handling.

[0051] In yet another embodiment, the dispenser may have a spring 501 around a distal portion of the rod ring 107, in the area between the back 102 and the handle of the rod ring 107 wherein the spring exerts a force to push the rod ring away from the dispenser back 102 to a fully extended position when the dispenser is not in use as shown in FIG. 15.

[0052] It will be appreciated from the above discussion that various embodiments of the dispenser operate in similar manners. The operation of an embodiment of the dispenser may involve placing an applicator (not shown) such as a blunt tip applicator from an Oraqix blister pack in a user's hand. The seal of the applicator is broken by twisting and removing a plastic cover from a sharp-tipped end of the applicator. Said exposed sharp-tipped end of the applicator is attached to the dispenser 100 from outside the dispenser and at a distal end of the dispenser by twisting it clockwise until the applicator is fully seated on the dispenser. The dispenser rod ring 107 is fully retracted and the tab 104 is pressed to release the latch to open the dispenser 100. A compatible cartridge (not shown) such as an Oraqix cartridge with an air bubble in it is loaded into the dispenser channel 215 until it snaps into place with an audible click, wherein the sharp tipped end of the applicator pierces the cartridge to create an extrusion flow path. The tab 104 is then pressed with a finger (not shown) and the dispenser 100 is closed before releasing the tab 104. A cap (not shown) on the blunt tip applicator can then be removed before use. Such a cap may be used to bend the applicator to improve access to periodontal pockets. The dispenser 100 may then be held vertically with the angled applicator pointed away from the user and patient (not shown). The inserted cartridge may be observed through the window 214 to confirm the dental material is of an appropriate viscosity. The air bubble may be removed by depressing the rod ring 107 to provide a more consistent flow. The dental material may then be dispensed as needed with the rod ring 107 moving freely with minimal force. After administration, the applicator may be covered with the cap and cleaned. Further, the dispenser may be disassembled by twisting the applicator with its cap counter clockwise to expose the sharp tipped end. A cover for the sharp tipped end may then be re-attached and the blunt tip applicator disposed. The cartridge may then be removed by fully retracting the rod ring 107, opening the dispenser 100, grasping the sides of the cartridge through the windows 214 and sliding the cartridge out of the dispenser 100. Those skilled in the art will recognize that the above process of handling the dispenser provides a safer and more controlled tool for periodontal use.

[0053] What has been described and illustrated herein is a preferred embodiment of the disclosure along with some of its variations. The terms, descriptions and figures used herein are set forth by way of illustration only and are not meant as limitations. Those skilled in the art will also recognize that many variations are possible within the spirit and scope of the disclosure in which all terms are meant in their broadest, reasonable sense unless otherwise indicated. Any headings utilized within the description are for convenience only and have no legal or limiting effect.