阅读说明：本技术 牙髓手锉及附着方法 (Dental pulp hand file and attachment method ) 是由 莫吉·巴格利 于 2018-05-14 设计创作，主要内容包括：一种牙科器械被设计成帮助促进根管治疗的过程,并可以减少使用将电子根尖定位器(EAL)附着到牙髓手锉上的传统方法所带来的误差。牙髓手锉可以在锉的手柄中包括外露窗口,该手柄保持锉主体的延伸部。EAL的卡口可以连接到手柄窗口中的外露金属上。将EAL连接到手锉上的新位置可以提供准确的测量结果,同时可以消除例如锉在根管中的移动、塞子的厚度、与相对牙齿的间隙等变量。带有外露窗口的牙髓手锉提供了一种使用EAL测量根管的长度的安全、可靠和准确的方法。(A dental instrument is designed to help facilitate the process of root canal treatment and may reduce errors associated with using conventional methods of attaching an Electronic Apex Locator (EAL) to an endodontic hand file. Endodontic hand files may include an exposed window in the handle of the file, which holds an extension of the file body. The mount of the EAL may be connected to exposed metal in the handle window. The new position of the EAL attached to the hand file provides accurate measurements while eliminating variables such as file movement in the root canal, plug thickness, clearance from the opposing tooth, etc. Endodontic hand files with exposed windows provide a safe, reliable and accurate method of measuring the length of a root canal using an EAL.)

1. An endodontic hand file comprising:

a handle;

a file having a first portion extending from the handle and a second portion extending into the handle;

a window formed in a portion of the handle; and

an exposed portion of the second portion of the file passes into the window.

2. The endodontic hand file of claim 1 wherein an exposed portion of said file extends through said window and an extended portion of said file extends back into said handle.

3. The endodontic hand file of claim 2 wherein said extension portion is inclined toward the longitudinal axis of the first portion of said file.

4. The endodontic hand file of claim 3 wherein the angle between said extension portion and said first portion is from about 5 degrees to about 15 degrees.

5. The endodontic hand file of claim 1 wherein the exposed portion has a longitudinal axis offset from the longitudinal axis of the first portion of the file.

6. The endodontic hand file of claim 1 wherein the first and second portions of said file are integrally formed.

7. The endodontic hand file of claim 1 wherein said window is formed as a recess in the handle of said file.

8. The endodontic hand file of claim 7 wherein the depth of said recess is less than about 50% of the thickness of said handle.

9. The endodontic hand file of claim 1 wherein a space is formed around the entire circumference of said exposed portion.

10. The endodontic hand file of claim 1 wherein said second portion of said file includes a protrusion inside said handle toward the outside of said handle before said exposed portion extends into said window.

11. An endodontic hand file comprising:

a handle;

a file having a first portion extending from the handle and a second portion extending into the handle;

a window formed in a portion of the handle; and

an exposed portion of the second portion of the file penetrating into the window,

the first and second portions of the file being integrally formed; and

the second portion of the file includes a protrusion inside the handle toward the outside of the handle before the exposed portion extends into the window.

12. The endodontic hand file of claim 11 wherein the longitudinal axis of said exposed portion is substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the first portion of said file.

13. The endodontic hand file of claim 11 wherein an exposed portion of said file extends through said window and an extended portion of said file extends back to said handle.

14. The endodontic hand file of claim 13 wherein said extension portion is inclined toward the longitudinal axis of the first portion of said file.

15. The endodontic hand file of claim 11 wherein said window is formed as a recess in the handle of said file.

16. The endodontic hand file of claim 15 wherein the depth of said recess is less than about 50% of the thickness of said handle.

17. The endodontic hand file of claim 11 wherein a space is formed around the entire circumference of said exposed portion.

18. An endodontic hand file comprising:

a handle;

a file having a first portion extending from the handle and a second portion extending to the handle;

a window formed in a portion of the handle;

an exposed portion of the second portion of the file, the exposed portion passing through the window and terminating in an extension disposed within the handle,

the first and second portions of the file being integrally formed; and

the second portion of the file including a protrusion inside the handle, toward the outside of the handle, before the exposed portion extends into the window; and

a space is formed around the entire periphery of the exposed portion.

19. The endodontic hand file of claim 18 wherein the longitudinal axis of said exposed portion is substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the first portion of said file.

20. The endodontic hand file of claim 18 wherein said extension portion is inclined toward the longitudinal axis of the first portion of said file.

Technical Field

One or more embodiments of the present invention generally relate to endodontic tools. More particularly, the present invention relates to an endodontic hand file having a shank with an exposed window for attachment of an electronic apex locator.

Background

The following background information may present examples (without limitation, e.g., methods, facts, or common sense) of certain aspects of the prior art that, while intended to assist the reader in further educating the reader about other aspects of the prior art, should not be construed as limiting the present invention or any embodiments thereof to any matter described or suggested or inferred therein.

Referring to fig. 1, endodontic hand file 100 has a metal shaft 104 and a plastic handle 102. Such hand files 100 are commonly used to measure the length of a root canal with the aid of an Electronic Apex Locator (EAL). Such instruments, due to their small tip and size, are able to enter and penetrate the root canal and reach the end of the root "tip" by repeated heuristics (nectification) along the channel inside the root canal. Once the endodontic hand file reaches the end of the root canal, it can act as a measuring device. This measurement is accomplished by placing an endodontic hand file into the root canal and then connecting a connector from the EAL to the metallic shaft of the file to complete the electronic circuit. The EAL is a digital machine that can give readings based on the position of the endodontic hand file to calculate the length of the root canal from any point on the surface of the tooth to the end of the root canal where the tip of the file is located.

One problem often encountered with conventional endodontic hand file 100 is how to access metal shaft 104. Currently, the best method of attaching the EAL to the file is with a clasp that is attached at one end to the EAL and at the other end to the metallic shaft 104 of the file. This measurement method presents a series of problems and inaccuracies when the root length is close to the length of the file. Files are processed into three lengths, 21mm, 25mm and 31mm, which are standard lengths for any file used in the endodontic field. The file also has a plastic plug 106 of about 2mm thickness to facilitate measurement. The most common problems and challenges faced by users when using such files are: where the root length is approximately the same as the file length, this means that if the root canal length is 20.5mm, a standard 21mm file cannot be used to measure length, since the actual working length is less than 20 mm. If the user changes the file to a longer file, such as a 25mm file, the file may be too long to fit into a small working area within the tooth surface.

In addition, when a tooth is endodontically treated using a metal crown, the metal shaft of the endodontic hand file may contact the metal restoration, thereby causing a problem of root canal measurement. An insulating sheath may be used to cover the file shaft, but may also limit access to the file shaft in contact with the EAL probe.

In view of the above, there is a need for improved dental instruments to help facilitate the endodontic procedure.

Disclosure of Invention

An embodiment of the present invention provides an endodontic hand file, comprising: a handle; a file having a first portion extending from the handle and a second portion extending into the handle; a window formed in a portion of the handle; and an exposed portion of the second portion of the file that penetrates the window.

Embodiments of the present invention also provide an endodontic hand file including a handle; a file having a first portion extending from the handle and a second portion extending into the handle; a window formed in a portion of the handle; and an exposed portion of the second portion of the file that penetrates the window, wherein the first and second portions of the file are integrally formed; and the second portion of the file includes a protrusion inside the handle, toward the outside of the handle, before the exposed portion extends into the window.

Embodiments of the present invention also provide an endodontic hand file including a handle; a file having a first portion extending from the handle and a second portion extending into the handle; a window formed in a portion of the handle; and an exposed portion of the second portion of the file, the exposed portion passing through the window and terminating in an extension disposed within the handle, wherein the first and second portions of the file are integrally formed; and the second portion of the file includes a protrusion inside the handle, toward the outside of the handle, before the exposed portion extends into the window; and a space is formed around the entire periphery of the exposed portion.

In some embodiments, the longitudinal axis of the exposed portion is substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the first portion of the file.

In some embodiments, the extension portion is inclined towards the longitudinal axis of the first portion of the file.

In some embodiments, the window is formed as a recess in the handle of the file.

In some embodiments, the depth of the recess is less than about 50% of the thickness of the handle.

These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with regard to the following drawings, description, and claims.

Drawings

Some embodiments of the invention are illustrated by way of example and not limitation in the figures of the accompanying drawings in which like references may indicate similar elements.

Fig. 1 shows a conventional endodontic hand file for root canal treatment;

FIG. 2 shows a partial cross-sectional view of an endodontic hand file according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

fig. 2A shows a detailed view of the handle of the endodontic hand file of fig. 2, wherein the body of the handle is shown in phantom to show the extension of the metal shaft therein;

FIG. 3 shows a schematic view of the endodontic hand file of FIG. 2 used with an electronic apical positioner during endodontic treatment of a patient;

FIG. 4 shows a side view of an endodontic hand file according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

fig. 5 shows a detailed view of the handle of the endodontic hand file of fig. 4;

FIG. 6 shows a side view of a metal file and its extension in the shank used in the endodontic hand file of FIG. 4;

FIG. 7 shows a detailed side view of an endodontic hand file having an alternative handle shape according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

fig. 8 shows a method for determining root canal depth of a tooth according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

The drawings in the drawings are not necessarily to scale unless otherwise indicated.

The invention and its various embodiments, which are described in detail below, may now be better understood. It is to be expressly understood that the illustrated embodiments are set forth as examples and not as limitations on the invention as finally defined in the claims.

Detailed Description

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. As used herein, the term "and/or" includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. As used herein, the singular forms "a", "an" and "the" are intended to include the plural forms as well as the singular forms, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms "comprises" and/or "comprising," when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.

Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. It will be further understood that terms, such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant art and the present disclosure, and will not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein.

In describing the present invention, it should be understood that a number of techniques and procedures are disclosed. Each of these techniques and steps has its own advantages, and each can also be used in combination with one or more, or in some cases, all, of the other disclosed techniques. Thus, for the sake of clarity, the description will avoid repeating every possible combination of steps in an unnecessary fashion. However, upon reading the specification and claims, it should be understood that such combinations are entirely within the scope of the invention and the claims.

In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. It will be apparent, however, to one skilled in the art that the present invention may be practiced without these specific details.

The present disclosure is to be considered as an example of the invention and is not intended to limit the invention to the particular embodiments shown in the drawings or described below.

As known to those skilled in the art, many careful considerations and compromises must often be made when designing the best configuration for a commercial implementation of any device, particularly embodiments of the present invention. Commercial implementations consistent with the spirit and teachings of the invention may be configured as desired for particular applications, whereby any aspect, feature, function, result, component, method, or step of the teachings related to any described embodiment of the invention may be suitably omitted, included, adapted, mixed and matched, or modified and/or optimized by those skilled in the art using their average and known techniques, to achieve a desired implementation meeting the needs of a particular application.

Broadly, embodiments of the present invention provide a dental instrument designed to help facilitate the process of endodontic treatment. The dental instruments can reduce errors associated with using conventional methods of attaching an Electronic Apex Locator (EAL) to an endodontic hand file. Endodontic hand files may include an exposed window in the handle of the file, which holds an extension of the file body. The clip of the EAL may be connected to exposed metal in the handle window. The new position for attaching the EAL to the hand file can provide accurate measurements while eliminating variables such as file movement in the root canal, plug thickness, clearance from the opposing tooth, etc. Endodontic hand files with exposed windows provide a safe, reliable and accurate method of measuring the length of a root canal using an EAL.

Referring to fig. 2 and 2A, endodontic hand file 10, also referred to as hand file 10 or simply file 10, includes a handle 12 and a metal file 14 extending from handle 12. The metal file 14 extends into the handle 12 and further along its longitudinal axis. File 10 includes a window 18 cut into handle 12 to expose a portion of metal file 14 extending into handle 12. A stop 16 may be provided around the metal file 14, abutting the handle 12. The tip 22 of the hand file 10 may include markings indicating the size of the hand file 10. These markings can be coordinated with the markings currently used on conventional hand file 100 to enable the user to quickly and easily integrate hand file 10 of the present invention therein. The hand file 10 may also include a hole 19 formed in the handle 12, similar to a conventional hand file.

Referring now to fig. 2A and 3, in use, metal file 14 of hand file 10 may be placed in the root canal of tooth 30 such that the tip of metal file 14 reaches the apex at distal end 34 of tooth 30. A clamp 38 formed on the end of the EAL that snaps onto the extension 32 of the file can be attached to the exposed portion 20 of the metal file 14 in the window 18 of the handle 12. Another connector 36 may be provided in the patient's mouth to complete the connection of the EAL. The exposed portion 20 may extend from a bottom 26 of the window 18, may extend all the way to a top 24 of the window 18, and may further extend through the top 24 into the handle 12.

Referring now to fig. 4 and 5, hand file 10 can have various shapes and sizes. In general, the length and taper of the metal file 14 may correspond to a conventional endodontic hand file. The length of the handle 12 may also be similar to that of a conventional hand file, for example from about 8mm to about 12mm, typically about 10 mm. The length of the window 18 may be from about 3mm to about 7mm, typically about 4.85 mm. The depth of the window 18 may be about 30% to about 60% of the thickness of the handle 12. In some embodiments, the depth of the window 18 may be less than about 50% of the thickness of the handle 12. In other words, the window 18 may cut into the handle 12 less than half the thickness of the handle.

Referring now to fig. 6, metal file 14 may be formed as a unitary component. The handle 12 may be formed around the metal file 14 starting at position 60. In some embodiments, the metal file 14 may project about 1.0mm to about 1.4mm, typically about 1.2mm, in the elongated Z-shape within the handle 12. Generally, the amount of protrusion is sufficient to allow a catch (i.e., catch 38, see FIG. 3) to be mounted on the exposed portion 20, wherein a space is formed between the exposed portion 20 and the handle 12. This spacing may be between about 0.5mm to about 0.9mm, typically about 0.64 mm. In other words, the metal file may include a first bend 62 in a first direction and a second bend 64 in a second direction, with the linear portion 66 extending from the second bend 64. As shown and described previously, the angles and directions of the first and second curved portions 62 and 64 may be set such that the linear portion 66 is substantially parallel to the metal file 14 inserted into the root canal of a tooth. The first bend 62 and the second bend 64 merge to form a protrusion 69, also referred to as an offset 69. In some embodiments, first bend 62 and second bend 64 may form an angle of about 20 to about 90 degrees, typically about 30 to about 50 degrees. In some embodiments, the curved end 68 (also referred to as extension 68) may extend from the linear portion 66 of the metal file 14. The curved portion 68 may be inclined inwardly towards the longitudinal axis of the insertion portion of the metal file 14. The angle formed between the curved portion 68 and the linear portion 66 may be about 5 to about 15 degrees, typically about 10 degrees.

Referring now to fig. 7, endodontic hand file 10A can be formed in a more spherical shape wherein handle 12A includes window 18A similar to that described above. Fig. 7 is merely one example of various shapes of handles 12, 12A and other similar shapes are contemplated as being within the scope of the present invention.

Referring now to fig. 8, a method 80 for measuring root canal depth may include a first step 82 of placing a first connector of an EAL (i.e., connector 36) onto a patient (e.g., the patient's mouth or lips). A second step 84 includes placing the second connector of the EAL (i.e., connector 38) over the exposed portion (i.e., exposed portion 20) of the metal file (i.e., metal file 14) within the window (i.e., window 18) of the handle of the endodontic hand file (i.e., handle 12). The exposed portion is generally located between the bottom of the handle and the top of the handle. A further step 86 includes placing a metal file into the root canal to determine the depth to the apex of the tooth. These steps are performed in the endodontic treatment of a patient.

All features disclosed in this specification, including any accompanying abstract and drawings, may be replaced by alternative features serving the same, equivalent or similar purpose, unless expressly stated otherwise. Thus, unless expressly stated otherwise, each feature disclosed is one example only of a generic series of equivalent or similar features.

The elements and steps of the claims herein may have been numbered and/or underlined for ease of reading and understanding only. Any such numbering and headings are not intended to, and should not be used to, indicate the order of the elements and/or steps in the claims.

Many alterations and modifications may be made by those having ordinary skill in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, it must be understood that the illustrated embodiments have been set forth only for the purposes of example, and that they should not be taken as limiting the invention as defined by the following claims. Although the elements of a claim are set forth below in a certain combination, it must be expressly understood that the invention includes other combinations of fewer, more or different ones of the disclosed elements.

The words used in this specification to describe the invention and its various embodiments are to be understood not only in the sense of their commonly defined meanings, but to include by special definition in this specification the generic structure, material or acts of which represent individual classes.

Thus, in the present specification, the definitions of words or elements in the following claims are to include not only the combination of elements which are literally set forth. In this sense, therefore, it is conceivable: an equivalent substitution of two or more elements may be made for any one of the elements in the claims below or a substitution of two or more elements in a claim to a single element. Although elements may be described above as acting in certain combinations and even initially claimed as such, it is to be expressly understood that one or more elements from a claimed combination can in some cases be excised from the combination and that the claimed combination may be directed to a subcombination or variation of a subcombination.

Insubstantial changes from the claimed subject matter as viewed by a person with ordinary skill in the art, as now known or later devised, are expressly contemplated as being equivalently within the scope of the claims. Accordingly, obvious substitutions now or later known to one with ordinary skill in the art are defined to be within the scope of the defined elements.

The claims are thus to be understood to include what is specifically illustrated and described above, what is conceptually equivalent, what can be obviously substituted and also what incorporates the essential idea of the invention.