Having Intra-oral Dispensing Means Patents (Class 433/80)
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Publication number: 20040166474Abstract: In a medicinal or dental hand instrument (1) comprising a hand piece (2) and a handle (6) arranged on the hand piece (2), an outlet opening (5), arranged on the front side of the handle (6), for the outlet of an abrasive therapeutic agent and a transport fluid, and a coupling terminal (4) for coupling the hand instrument (1) to a supply line for at least one transport fluid, in particular water and/or air, wherein the coupling terminal (4) is a coupling component (14b) of a coupling (13), the coupling component (14b) is arranged on an insert piece (20) which can be plugged into a plug-in socket or plug-in recess (19) and in its end zone, facing away from the flow, has one or more coaxially or paraxially disposed, sealed pipe socket couplings (10), which each connect a feed line (9, 11) for the transport fluid to an ongoing feed line (21, 22).Type: ApplicationFiled: February 23, 2004Publication date: August 26, 2004Inventors: Bernd Gugel, Hans Heckenberger, Uwe Mohn, Hans-Dieter Wiek
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Publication number: 20040146836Abstract: Pre-shaped, non-custom dental trays are either preloaded with bleaching gel or filled with a dental treatment composition just prior to placement over a person's teeth. The pre-shaped dental tray is thin and flexible, which allows it to be placed over a person's teeth and then approximately conform to the person's teeth. The pre-shaped, non-custom dental trays can therefore perform similar to a customized tray but without have to go through the more lengthy customization procedure. The dental treatment composition may comprise one or more of a dental bleaching agent, an anticariogenic agent, an antimicrobial agent, a remineralizing agent, or other active agent. A pre-shaped dental tray can be pre-loaded with a dental treatment composition and stored within a sealed packaging container.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 24, 2003Publication date: July 29, 2004Inventor: Scot N. Andersen
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Patent number: 6766549Abstract: A toothbrush system using a combination of mechanical force and fluid dynamics to increase the efficiency of plaque removal from the teeth and gums. The toothbrush includes a head unit with an irrigator nozzle and a hydraulically actuated and continuously variable bristle platform which negotiates the complex surface geometry found in the mouth of a user. The irrigation nozzle is powered by the pulsing of an anti-microbial irrigant which gives the toothbrush head unit the distinguishing ability of being able to “feel” the contour of the teeth and to “find” the spaces between them. Once the sensing irrigator nozzle finds the spaces between the teeth, it extends into the area, and releases the anti-microbial liquid directly into the space. The configured bristle tufts of the head unit automatically adjust their position for cleaning under the gum line, between the teeth, as well as flat surfaces.Type: GrantFiled: April 17, 2002Date of Patent: July 27, 2004Inventor: Michael F. Klupt
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Publication number: 20040137402Abstract: A cup for use with the handpiece of an apparatus for applying gas to a portion of a tooth comprising a liner (18) configured and arranged to engage a gas dispensing handpiece, a body (16) defining a gas exposure chamber (28), the body having a higher resiliency to deformation than the liner. The body may be so deformable that it forms against the surface of a tooth to effect a seal and to expose a portion of the tooth to gas circulated in the chamber. The body may overmold the liner and may be formed of thermal-plastic rubber, and the liner may be formed of a plastic material. The gas exposure chamber may be cylindrical.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 30, 2003Publication date: July 15, 2004Inventors: Jurgen H. Schemmer, Patrick Knapp, Susan Knapp
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Patent number: 6759661Abstract: An apparatus emits radiation on curable adhesives to bond things together under different ambient conditions. An insulating housing has a cylindrical section and a disc-shaped section defining an interior. A plurality of batteries and an LED array are separated in the interior by an insulating spacer to prevent shorting of batteries. A switch relay in the interior connects power from the batteries to the LED array when a switching mechanism on the outside of the housing is displaced. This displacement closes the switch relay and connects power to the LED array that emits high-intensity radiation. A cover connected to the cylindrical-shaped section seals the interior from ambient and transmits the high-intensity radiation to cure an adhesive. A modular envelope of transparent disc, adhesive, and removable foil can be releasable connected to the housing to secure mounting structure to a surface.Type: GrantFiled: May 24, 2002Date of Patent: July 6, 2004Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the NavyInventors: Ray Baggett, Billy Courson, Pete Sagasti
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Patent number: 6755650Abstract: A dental apparatus comprises a connector arrangement for allowing a connection of a fluid reservoir containing a fluid which is supplied to a dental handpiece under control of a valve arrangement by a suction pump which has a suction line that is connected with a reception member of a connector piece of the fluid reservoir on which a closure one-way check valve is arranged which is biased by a closure spring towards a closing position on a valve seat of the connector piece which is further provided with an aeration one-way check valve over an aeration opening for compensating a negative pressure which will be produced inside of the fluid reservoir when the closure one-way check valve is opened at its valve member and fluid is drawn from the fluid reservoir for being supplied to the handpiece.Type: GrantFiled: March 21, 2002Date of Patent: June 29, 2004Assignee: Ferton Holding S.A.Inventors: Christian Decosterd, Lutz Beerstecher
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Patent number: 6743016Abstract: Apparatus for the treatment of dental caries includes a source of oxidizing gas and a handpiece for delivering the gas to a tooth. A cup attached to the handpiece is provided for receiving the gas and exposing a selected area of the tooth to the gas. The cup includes a resilient edge for sealably the edge for engaging the tooth around the selected area to prevent escape of a gas therepast.Type: GrantFiled: September 18, 2002Date of Patent: June 1, 2004Assignee: Curozone Ireland Ltd.Inventors: Edward Lynch, Jurgen H. Schemmer, Aylin Baysan, Gregory R. Holland, Tom Weisel, Roger Mc Pherson
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Patent number: 6743015Abstract: Iontophoretic devices for treating dentin hypersensitivity are provided. One device includes a housing, an electric current source, and a replaceable cartridge mounted to or in the housing. The cartridge includes (1) a container containing an iontophoretic solution and (2) an applicator assembly fixed to the container. The assembly has a tip portion that is in electrical and fluid communication with the solution. Also provided is an iontophoretic toothbrush that includes an applicator assembly that has a brush with improved bristles.Type: GrantFiled: April 15, 2002Date of Patent: June 1, 2004Inventor: Thomas J. Magnani
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Patent number: 6739782Abstract: A handheld portable oral cleaning device that includes a refillable internal bladder, which a user is able to fill with a liquid. The bladder is preferably an expandable but resilient latex rubber. One end of the bladder is accessible to the user, such that the user may fill the bladder with a liquid, such as water from a faucet. As the bladder fills with water it expands and exerts a pressure on the water as the bladder has a tendency to return to its original unfilled form. The pressurized water may then be sprayed out of the oral cleaning device to assist in cleaning the user's mouth.Type: GrantFiled: March 17, 2003Date of Patent: May 25, 2004Assignee: Rehco, L.L.C.Inventors: Steven Rehkemper, Peter Greenley
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Patent number: 6740053Abstract: A water flossing apparatus for successful use with domestic water pressure service with its inherently higher flow rates. The apparatus contains a body 2 that is adapted to either shower, sink faucet or hose bibb connection, allowing for concurrent device and shower, device and sink or device and hose usage. The body contains a valve mechanism with lever 8 for regulating flow through the device and jet tip 14 whose bent end 15 is acutely angled beyond 90 degrees to the longitudinal axis of the hand piece to direct water out of the user's mouth. Directing water out of the user's mouth rather that towards the back of the user's throat, as occurs with the obtusely angled, slightly bend jet tips of the prior art, prevents the throat from being inundated with water and a gagging potential is thus mitigated.Type: GrantFiled: March 20, 2002Date of Patent: May 25, 2004Assignee: Millenium Media Marketing, LLCInventor: Gary H. Kaplowitz
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Patent number: 6730917Abstract: An apparatus emits radiation on curable adhesives to bond objects or surfaces together under a variety of ambient conditions. An insulating housing has a cylindrical section and a disc-shaped section defining an interior. A plurality of batteries and an LED array are separated in the interior by an insulating spacer to prevent shorting of the batteries. A switch relay in the interior connects power from the batteries to the LED array when a switching mechanism mounted on the outside of the housing is displaced. This displacement closes the switch relay and connects power to the LED array that emits high-intensity radiation. A cover connected to the cylindrical-shaped section seals the interior from ambient and transmits the high-intensity radiation to cure an adhesive.Type: GrantFiled: January 11, 2002Date of Patent: May 4, 2004Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the NavyInventors: Ray Baggett, Billy Courson, Pete Sagasti
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Patent number: 6729942Abstract: The present invention provides a portable dental system for use in areas having inadequate sources of power, either for human or for veterinary dentistry. The system provides one or more handpieces, each driven driven by a pressurized nitrogen gas contained in a portable tank. A water reservoir is also provided for medicated water to be applied to the tooth site. The system has two channels to which either a conventional dental handpiece or an abrasive handpiece can be attached. When two abrasive handpieces are attached, two different abrasive materials may be used by the system, one material for cleaning and one material for cutting or abrading.Type: GrantFiled: September 24, 2002Date of Patent: May 4, 2004Inventor: William H. Harris
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Patent number: 6730316Abstract: A dental bleach using a bleaching agent and a polyvinylpyrrolidone thickening agent is disclosed. The bleach may include water, flavoring agents, a basic substance and desensitizing agents, as desired. Polyvinylpyrrolidone avoids acid etching and chelation of teeth that were problematic in bleaches using carbomer as a thickener.Type: GrantFiled: November 5, 2002Date of Patent: May 4, 2004Assignee: Ultradent Products, Inc.Inventor: Tianming Chen
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Publication number: 20040076923Abstract: A device for regulated heating of media in a dental handpiece (1) has at least one media line (10) which can be opened via a switch (32), a heating element (12, 31) associated with the media line (10), a temperature sensor (13, 34) detecting the temperature of the medium and a regulation circuit (33) which is connected with the temperature sensor (13, 34) and controls the heating element (12, 31) in dependence upon the sensor signals. After an actuation of the switch. (32) the heating element (12, 31) is operated for a short period of time at a predetermined heating power independent of the output signal of the regulation circuit (33), in order to heat the medium as rapidly as possible to the required temperature.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 7, 2003Publication date: April 22, 2004Inventors: Gerhard Schmid, Gerd Lohn, Franz Liebhardt, Hubert Mosslang
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Publication number: 20040076922Abstract: Functional handpiece 1 having an elongate handpiece body 2 which has at its rearward end a connection element for connection with a flexible supply line, and has at its forward end a light emission element 3 of a light permeable material for the illumination of the treatment site, and has in the light emission element 3 an outlet opening 15 for a medium such as water or air or spray, the light emission element 3 forming a forward region of the functional handpiece 1 and being releasably connected with the remaining region of the functional handpiece 1, and the light emission element 3 having a plug-in fitting 3a for the light emission element 3.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 19, 2003Publication date: April 22, 2004Inventors: Gerhard Schmid, Franz Liebhardt, Gerd Lohn, Hubert Mosslang
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Publication number: 20040072122Abstract: An oral hygiene device having, in one embodiment, a unique, peristaltic pump water streaming or jet action; and in another embodiment, a multi-headed toothbrush may also be disposed on the end of a handle on which the jet nozzle or nozzles are disposed.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 5, 2003Publication date: April 15, 2004Inventor: Kenneth J. Hegemann
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Publication number: 20040072123Abstract: A tip (10) for the dispensing of a material such as from a syringe (31) has an inlet end (11) and an outlet end (12) and a body (13). The tip (10) is also provided with a cap (50) that physically engages and cooperates with at least one nub (51) to improve the removable securing of the cap (50) to the tip (10). The cap (50) covers the outlet end (12) and has an interior surface (52) dimensioned to physically contact the nubs (51) when in place upon the tip (10).Type: ApplicationFiled: May 8, 2003Publication date: April 15, 2004Inventors: Thomas C. Simonton, Kenneth S. Peterson
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Patent number: 6719561Abstract: In a medicinal or dental hand instrument (1) comprising a hand piece (2) and a handle (6) arranged on the hand piece (2), an outlet opening (5), arranged on the front side of the handle (6), for the outlet of an abrasive therapeutic agent and a transport fluid, and a coupling terminal (4) for coupling the hand instrument (1) to a supply line for at least one transport fluid, in particular water and/or air, wherein the coupling terminal (4) is a coupling component (14b) of a coupling (13), the coupling component (14b) is arranged on an insert piece (20) which can be plugged into a plug-in socket or plug-in recess (19) and in its end zone, facing away from the flow, has one or more coaxially or paraxially disposed, sealed pipe socket couplings (10), which each connect a feed line (9, 11) for the transport fluid to an ongoing feed line (21, 22).Type: GrantFiled: May 17, 2002Date of Patent: April 13, 2004Assignee: Kaltenbach & Voight, GmbH & Co.Inventors: Bernd Gugel, Hans Heckenberger, Uwe Mohn
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Publication number: 20040067466Abstract: A safe brushing is realized without sticking the gum if the bristle tips are once inserted in a pocket of a tooth by using a system having a brush of which the bristle tips automatically vibrate in a direction at right angles with the direction of length of the bristles. A brush lever 5 having a brush 4 is swingingly supported in the nozzle 1, a flow passage 3 leading to a blow-out port 1a at an end of a nozzle 1 is partly bent, and a resilient member 7 is provided at the bent portion to urge the brush lever 5 in a direction opposite to the direction of flow of water, so that the brush lever 5 oscillates reciprocally due to the resilient force produced by the resilient member 7 and the pressure of water flow, causing the bristle tips of the brush 4 to oscillate in a direction at right angles with the direction of length of the bristles outside the nozzle 1.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 10, 2003Publication date: April 8, 2004Inventors: Kazumasa Ito, Nobuhiro Takeda
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Publication number: 20040063075Abstract: The invention concerns a device for applying a sealant (S) on an interproximal surface of a tooth (DT) comprising a closed surface (SF), positioning means (AL) for positioning the closed surface (SF) against an interproximal surface of the tooth (DT) to be treated, a sealing agent (AS) designed to be generally positioned between the closed surface (SF) and the interproximal surface and to adhere to the interproximal surface, and maintaining means (F, PMT2, C, EO) for maintaining the closed surface (SF) in position against the interproximal surface while the sealing agent (AS) is cured. The sealing agent (AS), when cured, constitutes at least part of the sealant (S) applied on the interproximal surface. The closed surface (SF) is flexible and designed to match at its periphery the interproximal surface so that the sealing agent (AS), when cured, substantially merges without interruption with the general surface of the tooth (DT), the general surface comprising the interproximal surface.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 14, 2003Publication date: April 1, 2004Inventor: Naim Karazivan
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Publication number: 20040048228Abstract: A disposable dental tray including a unitary member formed of a flexible foam material defining a pair of hinged U-shaped tray portions configured to fit over the upper and lower teeth of the mouth and wherein each tray portion is defined by a base wall, a pair of end walls and inner and outer side walls. A first one of the tray portions is provided with a handle that extends outwardly from the tray portion, the handle including a main portion and an end portion. The second one of the tray portions is provided with a handle that extends outwardly from the tray portion, the handle including a through slot adapted to receive and securely retain the end portion of the other handle.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 9, 2002Publication date: March 11, 2004Applicant: SULTAN DENTAL PRODUCTS, LTD.Inventor: Herbert Wolfe
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Patent number: 6699038Abstract: A toothbrush which includes a handle with a head portion at one end, a recess in the head, a bristle pack located in the recess with the bristles attached by one end to the base of the recess, the recess opening being bounded by inwardly directed shoulders, and the outer extremities of the bristles lying in abutting relationship with the inner faces of the shoulders. There is a fluid supply line provided along or through the handle and communicating with the recess. Preferably, the bristle pack is formed by a number of clusters of bristles, it being the outermost clusters that are in close abutting relationship with the edges of the shoulders of the recess, and adjacent clusters at least at the edges of the pack being in close but spaced relationship.Type: GrantFiled: September 19, 2001Date of Patent: March 2, 2004Assignee: Seagreen Holding Company LimitedInventor: Timothy Nathaniel Stewart
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Patent number: 6699208Abstract: A housing for an oral irrigator having a hand piece includes a base unit having an upper and lower portion, the lower portion engageable with a support surface and having an upper surface defining a recess for receiving the hand piece, and the lower portion defining a peripheral shoulder. The upper portion extends upwardly from the lower portion and defines a top surface, the top surface defining a port and a key structure, the upper portion being positioned inside the peripheral shoulder. A reservoir has a bottom surface defining an aperture and sidewalls extending upwardly from the bottom surface to define a cavity having a peripheral rim, the sidewalls in part defining an indentation extending from the bottom surface up to a top end adjacent the peripheral rim at a position interior to the peripheral rim. A top wall extends from the top end of the indentation to the peripheral rim, the top wall forming an overhang.Type: GrantFiled: August 13, 2002Date of Patent: March 2, 2004Assignee: Water Pik, Inc.Inventors: Timothy A. Bachman, Tana Clare, Andrew Serbinski
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Patent number: 6692692Abstract: The present invention involves a sterilization system for running high amperage current through a dental or medical handpiece to be sterilized thereby heating the handpiece to a point of sterilization. The system includes a controller, a high amperage current source, and a handpiece receptacle. The handpiece receptacle includes clamps to hold the handpiece in place and a temperature sensor to measure the temperature of the handpiece. The controller controls the amount of current supplied by the high amperage current source to the handpiece according to the temperature of the handpiece. After the handpiece has been at or above the sterilization temperature for the required period of time, the controller stops the flow of current to the handpiece.Type: GrantFiled: April 29, 2002Date of Patent: February 17, 2004Inventor: Eric J. Stetzel
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Patent number: 6689078Abstract: In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, an oral cleaning device is provided with a nozzle to jet a pressurized liquid. The oral cleaning device has a body, a neck extending from the body and a head attached to the neck. The oral cleaning device further includes a refillable reservoir defined by the body for holding a liquid. An on-board pump is used to pressurize the liquid contained in the reservoir. The oral cleaning device further includes a channel from the reservoir to the nozzle in the head such that when pressurized fluid in the reservoir is released, the fluid jets from the oral cleaning device. The head and neck assembly is also interchangeable with other head and neck assemblies to provide different cleaning features. First, the nozzle by itself to remove plaque and to simulate flossing between teeth. Second, the nozzle with bristles and the head shaped to brush teeth. Third, the nozzle with bristles and the head shaped to brush a tongue.Type: GrantFiled: December 10, 2002Date of Patent: February 10, 2004Assignee: Rehco, LLCInventors: Steven Rehkemper, Jeffrey Rehkemper, Peter Greenley
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Publication number: 20040014001Abstract: A pneumatic dental care device for private use which by means of a combination of air, liquid and powder at high pressure cleans the user's teeth and removes plaque and discoloration. The device consists of a base unit (100) and a hand unit (300) which are connected via a flexible, sheathed tube and wire bundle (200). The base unit contains a microcompressor (120), a liquid container (130) and a powder container (140). Liquid and/or powder are discharged at high pressure through an exchangeable nozzle unit (400) on the hand unit. The nozzle unit consists of one or more flexible (bendable) jet stems (401). The microprocessor, the powder container and the liquid container can be replaced by an exchangeable compressed air tank and/or pressurised liquid and/or powder containers in different configurations. The components of the device can also be integrated into a hand-held unit.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 31, 2003Publication date: January 22, 2004Inventors: Jon Nordmo, Per Hiby
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Patent number: 6676629Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for liquefying target tissue within a body and aspirating the same while leaving non-target tissue intact. A biocompatible fluid is heated and contacted with target tissue so that the target tissue is melted while non-target tissue remains intact. As the target tissue is being melted it is also aspirated from the body.Type: GrantFiled: April 7, 2003Date of Patent: January 13, 2004Inventors: Mark S. Andrew, Mylina Andrew
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Patent number: 6669475Abstract: Disclosed is a device for use to clean interproximal dental surfaces, subgingival areas and periodontal pockets and deliver a drug to these surfaces, areas and pockets after they have been cleaned. The device has a reservoir for storing and supplying the drug. The reservoir acts as a handle and has an outlet at one extremity. The device also has a needle with an internal channel through which the drug may flow. The needle is made of three successive sections including a clipping section, a cleaning section and an applicator section. The clipping section is connected to the outlet of the reservoir in such a manner as to place the channel of the needle in open communication with the reservoir. The cleaning section has an outer scrubbing surface that is sized to be inserted between teeth in order to clean the interproximal dental surfaces, subgingival areas and periodontal pockets. The applicator section projects away from the cleaning segment in a direction opposite to the clipping section.Type: GrantFiled: June 3, 2002Date of Patent: December 30, 2003Inventors: Stanislas Kandelman, Daniel Kandelman
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Publication number: 20030232302Abstract: A dental instrument and method for imaging the three-dimensional topography of one or more teeth in the oral cavity of an individual is provided. The instrument includes a probe insertable into the oral cavity to receive the image of these surfaces which can then be processed. Combined with the probe is an auxiliary which projects an air stream toward the surface to be imaged by the probe and acts to evaporate and remove from these surfaces a liquid film coating formed by saliva and other fluids present in the oral cavity, to render these surfaces dry and enhance their reflectivity and in doing so, provide clearer images.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 18, 2002Publication date: December 18, 2003Applicant: Cadent Ltd.Inventors: Noam Babayoff, Eldad Taub, Avi Kopelman
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Publication number: 20030232311Abstract: A tray fitted to at least some teeth of a patient's upper or lower arch is provided for the application of medications to the teeth and to adjacent gum tissue for treatment of periodontal disease. The tray is constructed from resilient material molded to conform to the teeth and gum tissue. The tray includes at least one recess formed to conform to the teeth. A seal surrounds the recess at a location corresponding to the patient's gum line for applying pressure at the patient's gum line when the patient's teeth are disposed in the recess. The recess contains a quantity of a medication. Upon installation of the tray on the patient's teeth, the medication is forced onto the surface of the teeth and subgingivally by the seal into any pockets in the patient's gums proximate the teeth.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 18, 2003Publication date: December 18, 2003Inventor: Duane C. Keller
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Publication number: 20030232310Abstract: Teeth whitening is disclosed using a wand applicator that may apply a whitening composition directly to the one or more teeth to be whitened. The teeth whitening may include capping a whitening composition container with a wand applicator. Kits and whitening compositions for the same are also disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 14, 2002Publication date: December 18, 2003Inventors: Alan B. Matthews, Kelly Smith-Reynolds
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Patent number: 6659768Abstract: A waste liquid tank B is connected to a cleaning head 60 through a waste tube 25. Squeezing means 61 is provided in a waste flow passage of from an end 60a of the cleaning head 60 to a suction port b of the waste liquid tank B to squeeze the waste flow passage. A pump A is driven with a cleaning head 60 introduced in the oral cavity to suck the residual matter in the oral cavity and to drain it into the waste liquid tank B in order to clean the oral cavity. When the residual matter cannot be sucked with a normal suction force, the waste flow passage is squeezed by the squeezing means 61 to increase the negative pressure in the waste tube 25. Thereafter, the squeeze is released to suck the residual matter at a breath with the increased negative pressure.Type: GrantFiled: April 24, 2001Date of Patent: December 9, 2003Assignee: Ricoh Elemex CorporationInventors: Kazumasa Ito, Hiroshi Ikeda, Shin Yamazaki
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Publication number: 20030224320Abstract: Disclosed is a device for use to clean interproximal dental surfaces, subgingival areas and periodontal pockets and deliver a drug to these surfaces, areas and pockets after they have been cleaned. The device has a reservoir for storing and supplying the drug. The reservoir acts as a handle and has an outlet at one extremity. The device also has a needle with an internal channel through which the drug may flow. The needle is made of three successive sections including a clipping section, a cleaning section and an applicator section. The clipping section is connected to the outlet of the reservoir in such a manner as to place the channel of the needle in open communication with the reservoir. The cleaning section has an outer scrubbing surface that is sized to be inserted between teeth in order to clean the interproximal dental surfaces, subgingival areas and periodontal pockets. The applicator section projects away from the cleaning segment in a direction opposite to the clipping section.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 3, 2002Publication date: December 4, 2003Inventors: Stanislas Kandelman, Daniel Kandelman
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Patent number: 6648641Abstract: A brushing system including a multiple cartridge dispensing system which dispenses the treatment material either directly onto brush bristles, or through the brush to the bristles. A multiplicity of materials may be provided to the cartridges for use in brushing. In addition to use in dental care, the system finds utility in hair coloring, spot laundry cleaning, skin and nail care, and polishing, as well as numerous others.Type: GrantFiled: November 22, 2000Date of Patent: November 18, 2003Assignee: The Procter & Gamble CompanyInventors: Louis John Viltro, Scott Matthew Wright, Patrick John Healey, Giovanni Battista de Amicis
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Publication number: 20030208145Abstract: A toothbrush which includes a handle with a head portion at one end, a recess in the head, a bristle pack located in the recess with the bristles attached by one end to the base of the recess, the recess opening being bounded by inwardly directed shoulders, and the outer extremities of the bristles lying in abutting relationship with the inner faces of the shoulders. There is a fluid supply line provided along or through the handle and communicating with the recess. Preferably, the bristle pack is formed by a number of clusters of bristles, it being the outermost clusters that are in close abutting relationship with the edges of the shoulders of the recess, and adjacent clusters at least at the edges of the pack being in close but spaced relationship.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 19, 2001Publication date: November 6, 2003Inventor: Timothy Nathaniel Stewart
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Publication number: 20030203338Abstract: An apparatus for practicing the inventive method includes a glass ampule having a tooth whitening solution vacuum sealed within a chamber of the ampule. The ampule is contained within a cylindrical plastic sleeve closed at one end and enclosed at its other open end by the proximal termination of a brush-type applicator. An adhesive such as glue is used to adhere the periphery of the brush to the inner surfaces of the plastic cylinder. The bristles preferably have circular cross-sections so that when they are tightly packed together and adhered to the plastic cylinder, interstices between adjacent bristles are sufficiently large enough to permit flow through of the tooth whitening composition while being sufficiently small enough to prevent shards of glass from the ampule, when broken open, to pass through the brush. A cardboard sleeve surrounds the plastic cylinder to protect the user from the glass ampule when broken. The method of using the inventive apparatus is also disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 24, 2002Publication date: October 30, 2003Inventor: Jonathan B. Levine
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Publication number: 20030204155Abstract: This oral cleansing device assembly is an oral hygiene tool, which connects to the water faucet, uses normal water pressure in the system. Water is used for cleaning debris, scale, and plaque from the teeth, gums, tongue, and oral cavity in general. The oral cleansing device assembly consist of a diverter at the end of the faucet as an attachment or as a built in diverter, a straight non kinking vinyl tube and a jet-tip/nozzle. The vinyl tube is connected to the diverter screwed into the faucet as an after sale item or connects to a built in diverter connection in to the water mixer pipe before the aerator. Water temperature and flow is to be adjusted by the faucet valve, than the diverter valve is to be activated to commence the water flow to the oral cleansing assembly.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 30, 2002Publication date: October 30, 2003Inventor: Zoltan Egeresi
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Publication number: 20030204154Abstract: A device for generating a jet stream of air entrained water for cleaning teeth and gums, includes two pumps disposed to respectively and sequentially pump in and out of internal ports thereof from first water and air transit chambers, water flow and air stream to generate raised water and air pressures. Two valves are disposed respectively to be moved by the water and air pressures to block or permit entry of the water flow and the air stream into second water and air transit chambers. A mixing outlet is disposed downstream of and to merge water and air outlet ports of the second water and air transit chambers to obtain an accelerated stream of the air entrained water for cleaning teeth and gums.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 29, 2002Publication date: October 30, 2003Inventors: Chien-Liang Chen, Chien-Chuan Chen, I-Chun Chen
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Patent number: 6638496Abstract: A device is provided for the treatment of teeth including an outer layer of non-porous polymeric material forming a trough, an inner layer forming an inner lining of the trough, and a treatment layer including a treatment agent disposed between the outer layer and the inner layer. The inner layer allows penetration of the treatment agent through after an aqueous solution is introduced to the device. A device is provided for the treatment of teeth including an outer layer of non-porous polymeric material in the form of a trough, wherein the trough has an outside and an inside surface. An outer lining layer is proximate to the inside surface of the outer layer; the outer lining layer includes a material for retaining a treatment agent. An inner lining layer forms an inner lining of the trough, wherein the inner lining layer includes a water-permeable material. A treatment layer is disposed between the inner lining layer and the outer lining layer, wherein the treatment layer includes a treatment agent.Type: GrantFiled: August 8, 2001Date of Patent: October 28, 2003Inventor: Gerald McLaughlin
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Publication number: 20030194678Abstract: A brushing system including a multiple cartridge dispensing system which dispenses the treatment material either directly onto brush bristles, or through the brush to the bristles. A multiplicity of materials may be provided to the cartridges for use in brushing. In addition to use in dental care, the system finds utility in hair coloring, spot laundry cleaning, skin and nail care, and polishing, as well as numerous others.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 25, 2003Publication date: October 16, 2003Applicant: The Procter & Gamble CompanyInventors: Louis John Viltro, Scott Matthew Wright, Patrick John Healey, Giovanni Battista de Amicis
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Publication number: 20030190580Abstract: A single-use disposable device for dispensing and applying a fluid, such as pressure indicator paste, having a frontal region with a dispensing element thereon for dispensing the fluid and a rear region with a manipulating region thereon for applying the fluid.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 5, 2002Publication date: October 9, 2003Inventor: Christina Khachatourian
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Publication number: 20030190581Abstract: Dental apparatus (10) comprises a disposable nosel tip (11) for a three-way syringe device (12) for spraying air or water. The nosel tip (11) comprises an assembly of two coaxial tubes (20, 21) which can be readily attached/detached from the syringe device (12), such attachment can be effected directly or via an adaptor (26) which allows the nosel tip (11) to be connected to a number of different devices. The nosel tip (11) is constructed from a plastics material which facilitates disposability.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 7, 2003Publication date: October 9, 2003Inventor: Alan Julian Segal
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Publication number: 20030186189Abstract: A waste liquid tank B is connected to a cleaning head 60 through a waste tube 25. Squeezing means 61 is provided in a waste flow passage of from an end 60a of the cleaning head 60 to a suction port b of the waste liquid tank B to squeeze the waste flow passage. A pump A is driven with a cleaning head 60 introduced in the oral cavity to suck the residual matter in the oral cavity and to drain it into the waste liquid tank B in order to clean the oral cavity. When the residual matter cannot be sucked with a normal suction force, the waste flow passage is squeezed by the squeezing means 61 to increase the negative pressure in the waste tube 25. Thereafter, the squeeze is released to suck the residual matter at a breath with the increased negative pressure.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 24, 2003Publication date: October 2, 2003Inventors: Kazumasa Ito, Hiroshi Ikeda
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Publication number: 20030186192Abstract: A waste liquid tank B is connected to a cleaning head 60 through a waste tube 25. Squeezing means 61 is provided in a waste flow passage of from an end 60a of the cleaning head 60 to a suction port b of the waste liquid tank B to squeeze the waste flow passage. A pump A is driven with a cleaning head 60 introduced in the oral cavity to suck the residual matter in the oral cavity and to drain it into the waste liquid tank B in order to clean the oral cavity. When the residual matter cannot be sucked with a normal suction force, the waste flow passage is squeezed by the squeezing means 61 to increase the negative pressure in the waste tube 25. Thereafter, the squeeze is released to suck the residual matter at a breath with the increased negative pressure.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 24, 2003Publication date: October 2, 2003Inventors: Kazumasa Ito, Shin Yamazaki
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Patent number: 6626668Abstract: The invention relates to a medical or dental-medical apparatus, having a delivery line for a liquid and having a screw bushing onto which a container for the liquid can be screwed, the delivery line extending from the interior of the container to the outside and penetrating the screw bushing, a compressed gas line penetrating the screw bushing from the outside inwardly, and the compressed gas line being closable and openable by means of a valve. In order to simplify the operating effort, the screw bushing is rotatably mounted in a rotary bearing and is in working connection with a switch cam which, in a rotary position of the screw bushing which is rotated in the screwing-on direction, opens the previously closed valve.Type: GrantFiled: November 20, 2001Date of Patent: September 30, 2003Assignee: Kaltenbach & Voigt GmbH & Co.Inventors: Mösslang Hubert, Wiest Gebhard, Wenger Georg, Eberle Jörg
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Patent number: 6626887Abstract: A medication delivery device is disclosed having a hollow drill bit with a lateral opening that is adjacent to a beveled or sharpened tip of a hypodermic needle. The lateral opening, which can be a slot or a notch or hole, is located a distance proximal of the sharpened tip that is not less than the thickness of the tissue to be penetrated. This structure allows the hollow drill to penetrate bone and/or other hard tissues without being completely clogged by drilling debris. After drilling into the bone or hard tissue, medication can be delivered through the bore of the hollow drill. The lateral opening provides a clog-free passage for injection of the medication.Type: GrantFiled: June 6, 2000Date of Patent: September 30, 2003Assignee: IntraVantage, Inc.Inventor: Gin Wu
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Patent number: 6626669Abstract: This invention relates to an oral therapeutic delivery appliance. By using this oral therapeutic delivery appliance medicaments may be delivered to oral soft tissues, where medicaments are easily absorbed. To aide the delivery of medicaments to oral soft tissues the oral therapeutic delivery appliance contains a therapeutic pooling reservoir where the medicaments may be placed. The oral therapeutic delivery appliance may be used to treat or aide in the treatment of various oral maladies such as periodontal disease (i.e., gum disease) as well as treating or aiding the treatment of other physical ailments and systemic diseases (e.g., diabetes and other chronic diseases which require either single, intermittent or constant dosing of medicament).Type: GrantFiled: April 15, 2002Date of Patent: September 30, 2003Inventor: Peter J Zegarelli
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Publication number: 20030180688Abstract: An article and a method for oral aesthetic enhancement. The article comprises a resilient arcuate mouth piece having interior surfaces for engaging substantially outwardly facing tooth and gum surfaces of a user and exterior surfaces for abutting the user's gums. A flanged bite extension, located on a selected portion of the interior surfaces, receives the user's teeth. At least one peripheral edge of the piece is ridged for accommodating webbed portions of the user's gum. Mounted to the interior surfaces is a selected absorbent material saturated with a selected composition such that, upon placement of the piece in the user's mouth and engagement of the user's teeth with the bite extension, a selected amount of the absorbed composition is released from the absorbent material for durational contact with the outwardly facing tooth and gum surfaces.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 25, 2002Publication date: September 25, 2003Inventors: Anthony J. Vocaturo, William H. Murphy
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Publication number: 20030175657Abstract: The present invention is a tooth whitening means utilizing a simple and economical process of whitening and polishing teeth that does not require assistance or application by a professional such as a dentist. The present invention comprises of a cotton swab applicator with one or more absorbent tip and a hollow body which contains the liquid activating agent of the tooth whitening compound and a tooth whitening compound in the form of a solid powder wherein the liquid activating agent is released into the absorbent tip of the cotton swab applicator and allowed to contact the solid powder tooth whitening compound which is then applied to the surfaces of the tooth with the absorbent tip of the cotton swab applicator to whiten and polish the tooth.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 13, 2002Publication date: September 18, 2003Inventors: Don C. Atkins, Garry Tsaur, Steve Bortz
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Publication number: 20030165792Abstract: A system for the strategic controlled delivery of materials to the dental surfaces of the intraoral cavity, in particular materials having a desired or predetermined activity with respect to such dental surfaces. In particular, the system enables delivery of fluoridising and other agents to interproximal sites among others, specially to contact points/areas (aproximal sites), to enable inter alia the prevention, treatment, diagnosis, elimination or retardation of dental caries.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 6, 2003Publication date: September 4, 2003Inventors: Ahron Jodaikin, Hilary Jodaikin