Hand-held Implement With Material Supply Patents (Class 433/89)
  • Publication number: 20080110923
    Abstract: A syringe for dispensing a viscous settable material such as dental impression material has a tubular body (1) with an internal chamber (4), a plunger (2) movable through an open distal inlet end (5) along the chamber (4), and a nozzle (3) connected to an open proximal outlet end (6) of the chamber The outlet end (6) is wide relative to the chamber cross-section and the nozzle can be detached to facilitate cleaning after use. The nozzle (3) when detached, may be displaceable from the outlet end (6) to the inlet end (5) to remove residual material due to a close scraping action between a rim (13a) on the nozzle (3) and the interior surface of the chamber (4). The nozzle may also be non-removable so that cleaning can be readily effected due to the relatively wide outlet (6) using a pull-through.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 17, 2006
    Publication date: May 15, 2008
    Inventor: Alan Julian Segal
  • Publication number: 20080070187
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus for providing specifically metered doses of at least two flowable dental materials in desired ratios to one another. In particular, the present invention allows for controlled metering and dispensing of two or more flowable dental substances which when subsequently mixed form a dental bonding composition, dental adhesive, dental cement, or other dental restorative or preparative materials. Specifically, one embodiment of the present invention utilizes a multi-rack system as well as a drive spring action to provide a substantial mechanical advantage to the user such that a relatively long throw of the dispensing button creates a relatively short, metered distance of movement of the multiple racks and corresponding pistons in the each lumen of a cartridge containing the component of the desired dental composition, allowing for small, metered doses of each flowable dental component to be dispensed from the apparatus in the proper proportions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2006
    Publication date: March 20, 2008
    Applicant: Bisco, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul Mulhauser, Karl D. Kirk, David Czarnecki, Richard Nagel
  • Patent number: 7261559
    Abstract: A syringe delivery system for dispensing a highly viscous material through a syringe delivery opening. The system includes a syringe barrel having a delivery opening, a plunger including a threaded shaft that threadably engages the syringe barrel for selectively dispensing a viscous material through the delivery opening, and a plunger gripping member in gripping communication with the plunger that includes means for sealing the threaded shaft of the plunger so as to prevent contamination by foreign matter. According to one embodiment, a sheath may be included that covers the threaded shaft of the plunger so as to hide the plunger beneath the sheath. The sheath provides a sealed environment for the threaded shaft so as to prevent entrance or contamination by foreign matter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2007
    Assignee: Ultradent Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Wade Smith, Bruce S. McLean, Dan E. Fischer
  • Patent number: 7163397
    Abstract: An apparatus for applying a viscous modification material includes a material source of the modification material and a needle connected to the source. A material for selectively modifying the optical properties of cells comprises a basic material and a modification substance distributed in the basic material at a prescribed concentration, wherein the basic material comprises a viscous fluid, a gel, a two-dimensional or three-dimensional porous substrate or a material which hardens in situ. A diagnostic apparatus for determining the optical properties of cells which have been exposed to such a material and an apparatus for irradiating cells whose optical properties have been differently modified with such a material are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2007
    Assignee: Karl Storz GmbH & Co.
    Inventors: Rainer Hahn, Klaus Irion
  • Patent number: 7160108
    Abstract: The all-in-one prophy angle for cleaning teeth contains a self dispensing solid core prophy polish which allows the operator to perform an entire prophylaxis of the teeth with the efficiency of not having to remove the handpiece from the mouth, further, cross contamination from splatter is minimal to none. The prophy cup and solid core polish are in a changeable cartridge form allowing the prophy handpiece to be reusable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2007
    Inventor: Carlos Daniel Jaffe
  • Patent number: 7141616
    Abstract: The invention relates to urethane prepolymers, obtainable by reaction of: (A) 15 to 85 wt.-% of one or more ?,?-terminated poly(meth)acrylate diols, (B) 0 to 30 wt.-% of one or more radically curable, polyhydroxy-functional compounds, (C) 14 to 60 wt.-% of one or more polyisocyanates, (D) 1 to 40 wt.-% of a monofunctional compound, reactive vis-à-vis isocyanate groups, which also contains one or more radically curable grouping, as well as their use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2006
    Assignee: 3M ESPE AG
    Inventors: Reinhold Hecht, Günther Lechner, Thomas Lehmann, Gunther Eckhardt, Bernd Gangnus
  • Patent number: 7128899
    Abstract: A dental bleaching composition comprises a dental bleaching agent and a polyvinylpyrrolidone thickening agent. The bleaching composition 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. A delivery system for delivering the bleaching composition comprises the aforementioned dental bleaching composition in combination with a moisture-resistant barrier layer such as a dental tray or a flexible strip of material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2006
    Assignee: Ultradent Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Tianming Chen
  • Patent number: 7112062
    Abstract: A dental material delivery system includes an applicator having a proximal segment, a median bending segment and a tip; an elongated handle; and a cap. The proximal segment of the applicator is nonremovably frictionally mounted within a proximal bore section of the handle, the median bending segment of the applicator is aligned generally longitudinally with an annular weakened wall line of the handle, and the tip of the applicator extends into a distal bore section of the handle. A quantity of dental material is disposed within the distal section of the handle. The cap is mounted to the handle adjacent the distal end of the handle to seal the handle. The wall of the handle is separable at the annular weakened wall line to permit withdrawal of the applicator tip and transfer of the dental material to a surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2006
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Co.
    Inventor: Robert Lee
  • Patent number: 7108509
    Abstract: Device for pushing away an enclosure arranged around a dental element. When filling dental elements, it is important that adjacent dental elements should come into contact with one another at a defined location. To this end, the invention proposes a tool for pushing the enclosure arranged around the dental element onto the adjacent dental element during the filling operation. In the vicinity of the free end, this tool is provided with a thickened section which has to push away an enclosure of this type. This thickened section is provided with a recess in the vicinity of the free end, approximately in the center. This recess forms an elevation in the filling material, and in this way shrinkage stresses can be guided out of the center of the filling material towards the outside, resulting in a shrinkage-free filling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2006
    Assignee: Tandarts Praktijk P.G. Heesen B.V.
    Inventor: Petrus Gerardus Heesen
  • Patent number: 7080980
    Abstract: A dental hygiene system provided with interchangeable dental heads permits power-enhanced brushing and concurrent fluid irrigation to optimize a user's personal dental hygiene efforts. The system has a handle assembly with an irrigation nozzle in close proximity to displaceable bristles driven by a battery-operated handle motor. Pumping of irrigation fluid such as an antiseptic solution into the oral cavity is also motor driven. A telescoping chamber with irrigation fluid fits on the piston-like base end of the handle and is refilled by docking the handle assembly on a complementary docking station that includes a detachable fluid reservoir, microswitch controls and a base fluid pump. Docking of the handle assembly triggers the microswitches and opens a check valve in the bottom of the handle chamber, which activates the flow of fluid from the reservoir into the chamber. An optional fiberoptic subassembly illuminates the oral cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2006
    Inventor: Michael Klupt
  • Patent number: 7059329
    Abstract: A knee brace is provided having upper and lower arms and a hinge assembly positionable about the knee to one side of the patella. The hinge assembly has a hinge pivot and a tension strap lever. The upper and lower arms and tension strap lever are each rotatable about the hinge pivot. A compression member is positioned in engagement with the knee on the opposite side of the patella from the hinge assembly and a tension strap engages the compression member and is connected to the tension strap lever. The tension strap applies a tension force to the compression member which increases when the upper and lower arms and tension strap lever rotationally transition from a flexion position to an extension position and decreases when the upper and lower arms and tension strap lever rotationally transition from the extension position to the flexion position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2006
    Assignee: Breg, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey T. Mason, James M. Fout, Raymond S. Veeck
  • Patent number: 7018622
    Abstract: A peroxide product is provided. The peroxide product includes a package having a headspace, a substrate disposed within the package, and a thin layer of a composition having a peroxide active and a polyol, wherein the thin layer is disposed adjacent the substrate. The peroxide product also includes at least one means for increasing the stability of the peroxide active of the composition. The thin layer of the composition has at least about 43% of its original concentration of the peroxide active at twelve months after manufacture when stored at about 25° C. and in the absence of light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2006
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Lesle Marie Goodhart, Sue Ellen Bernheim, Paul Albert Sagel, Christopher Scott Ralston, Gary Lyle Walden, Hooman Shahidi, Richard Joseph Sunberg
  • Patent number: 7001181
    Abstract: The invention relates to an applicator system (1) for application of a prefabricated reinforced composite post or anchor in its non-cured form into a dentinal canal (3). The invention is characterized in that the applicator system (1) comprises a prefabricated fiber-reinforced composite post or anchor in its non-cured form comprising a matrix and fibers, and an applicator tube (5) having a first end and a second end, wherein the inner diameter dT of said tube (5) is at most 5% larger than the outer diameter DP/A of said post or anchor in its non-cured form, and the outer diameter DT of the second end of said tube (5) through which the post or anchor is applied into the dentinal canal (3) is 0,5-2 mm. The invention further relates to the use of said applicator system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2006
    Assignee: Stick Tech Oy
    Inventors: Ilkka Kangasniemi, Pekka Vallittu
  • Patent number: 6981868
    Abstract: A dental injecting apparatus for injecting a dental filler and a dental tool attached to such a dental injecting apparatus. The apparatus includes: an injection rod for injecting a dental filler; an injection rod driver for performing a dental filler injecting operation that causes the injection rod to move in a dental filler injecting direction by using the force of a power source; and a controller for controlling the dental filler injecting operation of the injection rod driver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2006
    Assignee: J. Morita Manufacturing Corporation
    Inventors: Shinichi Okawa, Kazunari Matoba, Chihiro Kobayashi, Takatomo Yoshioka
  • Patent number: 6957958
    Abstract: An applicator having an applicator end portion and a material end portion. The material end portion forms a container holding a material to be applied with the applicator end portion. Upon separating the material end portion from the handle portion of the applicator, a container is formed which is used to dip the applicator end portion of the applicator into. The present invention is particularly applicable to the dispensing of medicaments, and in particular, dental materials. A single dose of material is integrally formed within the applicator and sealed until ready for use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2005
    Assignee: Centrix, Inc.
    Inventors: Gordon Rowe, William B. Dragan
  • Patent number: 6949240
    Abstract: A tooth whitening product is provided. The tooth whitening product includes a strip of material sized to cover the front surface of one or more teeth and soft tissue adjacent the front surface of the teeth. A thin layer of a tooth whitening composition is disposed on the strip of material. The whitening composition contains a peroxide active with a concentration greater than about 7.5% by weight of the tooth whitening composition, and the tooth whitening composition has a peroxide density less than about 1.3 mg/cm2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2005
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Paul Albert Sagel, Robert Woodrow Gerlach
  • Patent number: 6939535
    Abstract: A method for preventing tooth decay by initially treating the tooth surface with a laser with a coherent or noncoherent light source. This process makes the tooth more resistant to acid and more able to bond fluoride, thus requiring a lower concentration of fluoride. The method allows for a deeper penetration of the tooth then previously accomplished with other methods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2005
    Assignee: Nocari, LLC
    Inventors: Colette Cozean, Lynn Powell, Samir Nammour
  • Patent number: 6929475
    Abstract: An applicator for applying a material such as a chemical or a medicament. A material to be applied is placed on an absorbent portion of the applicator, such as a flocked end, sponge or foam, brush, or other equivalent absorbent substance. After drying, the material is in an inactive stable state on the applicator. When desired, the inactive stable material is activated by water or other solvent. In another embodiment, a package containing an applicator end having a pre-dosed dry inactive stable material is combined with a second material so that a two-part or multi-component material may be easily dispensed and activated. The package containing the first and second component may be a tray, a capsule, or a tip end syringe. The pre-dosed single use applicator may be used to apply a variety of materials, such as chemicals or medicaments, to the surface or site desired without complicated and messy mixing or cross-contamination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2005
    Assignee: Centrix, Inc.
    Inventor: William B. Dragan
  • Patent number: 6918153
    Abstract: An oral care system (1) comprising a sonic power toothbrush (2) which comprises a body (3), a brush member (4) mounted on the body (3), a brush head (5) which is supported by the brush member (4) at its end remote from the body (3) so as to be able to vibrate relative to the body (3) and which is provided with bristles (6) and an additive outlet (7), an additive container (8) connected to said additive outlet (7), driving means (9) for generating sonic frequency vibrations, and transmission means (29) for transmitting said sonic frequency vibrations to the brush head (5), wherein the toothbrush (2) comprises at least one further additive container (18). Instead of the user having to apply a first and a second additive manually to the brush head (5), these additives are already incorporated into the sonic-power toothbrush (2), which benefits the user-friendliness of the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2005
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.
    Inventor: Paul Gruber
  • Patent number: 6916463
    Abstract: A packaged tooth whitening product is provided. The package includes a substrate having a first side and a second side, wherein the substrate is sized for use in a human user's oral cavity. A first composition including a tooth whitening agent is disposed adjacent the first side of the substrate. A second composition including an aesthetic agent disposed adjacent the second side of the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2005
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Kuo-Chung Mark Lee, Gary Lyle Walden, Hooman Shahidi, Christopher Robert Mayer
  • Patent number: 6913464
    Abstract: An applicator tip for applying a composition to a tooth surface includes a structural body having a closed distal end portion and an inlet formed opposite the closed distal end portion. Preferably, but not necessarily, a plurality of fibers coat at least a portion of the closed distal end portion of the applicator tip. The applicator tip includes an axial opening formed within the structural body proximal to the closed distal end portion such that the structural body forms a channel that provides fluidic communication between the inlet and the axial opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2005
    Assignee: Denbur, Inc.
    Inventor: Fari Maissami
  • Patent number: 6908607
    Abstract: A dental bleaching gel composition having a long shelf life for use with an activator system to cause accelerated bleaching action over a shortened time period of a peroxide bleaching agent in the bleaching gel composition when applied upon a tooth surface for cosmetically whitening the tooth and/or for the treatment of stains or discolorations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2005
    Assignee: AdDent Inc.
    Inventors: Abhijit Banerjee, Joshua Friedman
  • Patent number: 6902337
    Abstract: A dentifrice dispensing electrical toothbrush using a replaceable dual-channel brush head. The dual-channel brush head has a first channel for housing a drive shaft for bristle oscillation and a second channel for dispensing the dentifrice material. The brush head is mounted on the dual-channel connector of the brush handle which contains a drive mechanism and a pumping mechanism that dispenses dentifrice material from a cartridge in the handle. A manual dispensing configuration uses an external rubber button and an electrical dispensing configuration uses a rotary solenoid for actuating an internal rubber button that applies pumping pressure to the dentifrice material. The latter benefits arthritis sufferers, as no external squeezing action is required.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2005
    Inventor: Youti Kuo
  • Patent number: 6854974
    Abstract: A device for filling and reinforcing an internal tunnel preparation in a tooth in which the approximal margin is kept as short as possible in order to prevent overhangs. The device includes a closed first elongate and flexible container means having one end provided with a tip or string to enable insertion of the first container means into an interdental space adjacent the portion of said tooth, from which approximal caries has been removed. The first container means is filled or fillable with a flowable restorative material, which is intended to flow into and fill the tunnel preparation as soon as a hole has been punched into the flat container means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2005
    Inventor: Jouko Suhonen
  • Patent number: 6837399
    Abstract: The invention relates to a dynamic mixer, comprising a housing (10) and an inner body (11) which can be rotated about a common axis in relation to each other and which form a mixing chamber (12); a back shut-off element (20) which delimits the mixing chamber (12) and which has inlet openings (21) for guiding in the components to be mixed, a front outlet (24) for delivering the mixture and a drive element (17) which is located on the rotatable part of the mixer. The inner body (11) is connected to the shut-off element (20) and forms the stator of the mixer, while the housing (10) is provided with the drive (17) and forms the rotor of the mixer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2005
    Assignee: 3M ESPE AG
    Inventors: Ingo Wagner, Hermann Nirschl
  • Publication number: 20040248062
    Abstract: A material for modifying the optical properties of cells comprises a basic material and a modification substance distributed in the basic material at a prescribed concentration, wherein the basic material comprises a viscous fluid, a gel, a two-dimensional or three-dimensional porous substrate or a material which hardens in situ.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 8, 2004
    Publication date: December 9, 2004
    Inventors: Rainer Hahn, Klaus Irion
  • Publication number: 20040234923
    Abstract: The addition of the Iodide ion by way of Potassium Iodide to a peroxide such as Hydrogen Peroxide in a basic medium yields Free Radical Oxygen and water; generating large amounts of heat and depleting the Hydrogen Peroxide in a matter of minutes. The Free Radical Oxygen generated in this reaction can be utilized to oxidize organic molecules that produce offending stains on select items, including teeth. Once the Free Radical Oxygen has oxidized the offending molecule the color is lost and the solubility changes allowing the colorless oxidized fragments of the offending molecule to be washed away in the solvent. The Iodide ion catalyzes the reaction allowing for precise control over the speed at which the stain is removed without the need for other expensive, cumbersome energy adding equipment such as lights, lasers, heat sources, etc.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 10, 2004
    Publication date: November 25, 2004
    Inventors: Robert K. Larsen, Calvin D. Ostler
  • Patent number: 6814794
    Abstract: Temporary dental cements used to temporarily affix a dental prosthesis or appliance to a tooth or other dental substrate includes one or more soothing agent to prevent or reduce tooth sensitivity. The temporary dental cement includes a mixture of an ion leaching agent, polycarboxylic acid, a soothing agent and water. The soothing agent (e.g., 2-ethoxybenzoic acid and 2-methoxy-4-methylphenol) is added in an amount so as to reduce or eliminate tooth sensitivity associated with the reaction between the polycarboxylic and the ion leaching agent (base). The temporary cement composition is sufficiently hydrophilic that it can be readily removed from the tooth when it is desired to permanently restore the tooth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2004
    Assignee: Ultradent Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Peter M. Allred
  • Publication number: 20040191720
    Abstract: This invention relates to apparati and methods employed by dentists to mix impression material, to deliver said impression material to the mouth and more specifically around the teeth and gums, to apply said impression material around the teeth and gums in an improved and more accurate manner, and to help withdraw said polymerized (set) impression material from around the teeth and gums. This invention relates to and methods employed by dentists to use vibration to deliver a smooth, consistent impression material below gingival tissues from around the base of a tooth and surrounding structures with minimal entrapment of air, tissue, blood etc. and maximum accuracy around gums or a tooth or teeth such as has been prepared by drilling or other means to receive a dental restoration, such as a crown or inlay, denture, or other prosthesis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 12, 2004
    Publication date: September 30, 2004
    Inventor: Allan Coopersmith
  • Publication number: 20040146831
    Abstract: A delivery system for administering a metered dose of dental sensitivity product to a tooth includes a reservoir sized to contain a volume of the dental sensitivity product and suited to dispensing the dental sensitivity product in small quantities while maintaining stability of the dental sensitivity product. The system further includes delivery structure in communication with the reservoir and configured to deliver the metered dose of dental sensitivity product. In an exemplary embodiment, the delivery structure includes a cannula and operates to deliver the dental sensitivity product as a spray to the affected tooth when actuated by a user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2003
    Publication date: July 29, 2004
    Applicant: KerrHawe SA
    Inventors: Lorenzo Balmelli, Patrizia Balmelli-Priori, Gert Ulrich Silber, Beat Kilcher
  • Publication number: 20040142301
    Abstract: An applicator tip for applying a composition to a tooth surface includes a structural body having a closed distal end portion and an inlet formed opposite the closed distal end portion. Preferably, but not necessarily, a plurality of fibers coat at least a portion of the closed distal end portion of the applicator tip. The applicator tip includes an axial opening formed within the structural body proximal to the closed distal end portion such that the structural body forms a channel that provides fluidic communication between the inlet and the axial opening.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 20, 2003
    Publication date: July 22, 2004
    Inventor: Fari Maissami
  • Publication number: 20040122377
    Abstract: A delivery tip configured to engage a syringe delivery device includes a hub, a cannula attached to the hub, and structure configured to regulate the fluid flow rate through the delivery tip. The hub includes a passage disposed there through. The cannula includes a lumen formed therethrough in communication with the hub passage. A restriction portion is formed in the hub passage. The restriction portion is such that it forms a minimum diameter in the hub passage that is smaller than the minimum diameter of the lumen. As such, the fluid rate is primarily determined by the size of the restriction portion rather than the diameter of the cannula lumen.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2002
    Publication date: June 24, 2004
    Inventors: Dan E. Fischer, Paul E. Lewis
  • Patent number: 6752798
    Abstract: A device for injecting fluid from a pre-filled cartridge is provided. The device includes a needle for piercing a patient. After an injection, the needle can be retracted to prevent inadvertent contact with the contaminated needle. A needle retainer releasably retains the needle in the retracted position. The needle can subsequently be re-extended to administer a subsequent injection. After the cartridge is emptied, the cartridge can be removed, if desired, and replaced with another cartridge for additional injections. Alternatively, the needle can be substantially permanently retracted into the device and safely disposed of in a sharps container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2004
    Assignee: MDC Investment Holdings, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert T. McWethy, John Barker, Michael J. Botich, Thor R. Halseth
  • Publication number: 20040110112
    Abstract: A delivery system for supplying a single dose quantity of dental impression material. The system includes a dispenser having first and second chambers sized to contain first and second components of the single dose of dental impression material. The chambers are sealed by a closure that is movable from a sealed position to permit dispensing of the components through a mixing tip. The resulting dental impression material may be applied directly to a patient's dental anatomy and/or to a dental tray.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2002
    Publication date: June 10, 2004
    Applicant: Kerr Corporation
    Inventors: Xiaoyi Xie, Cynthia H. Kuess
  • Patent number: 6739782
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2004
    Assignee: Rehco, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Steven Rehkemper, Peter Greenley
  • Publication number: 20040086830
    Abstract: Temporary dental cements used to temporarily affix a dental prosthesis or appliance to a tooth or other dental substrate includes one or more soothing agent to prevent or reduce tooth sensitivity. The temporary dental cement includes a mixture of an ion leaching agent, polycarboxylic acid, a soothing agent and water. The soothing agent (e.g., 2-ethoxybenzoic acid and 2-methoxy-4-methylphenol) is added in an amount so as to reduce or eliminate tooth sensitivity associated with the reaction between the polycarboxylic and the ion leaching agent (base). The temporary cement composition is sufficiently hydrophilic that it can be readily removed from the tooth when it is desired to permanently restore the tooth.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 6, 2002
    Publication date: May 6, 2004
    Inventor: Peter M. Allred
  • Patent number: 6730316
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2004
    Assignee: Ultradent Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Tianming Chen
  • Patent number: 6729942
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2004
    Inventor: William H. Harris
  • Publication number: 20040072123
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: May 8, 2003
    Publication date: April 15, 2004
    Inventors: Thomas C. Simonton, Kenneth S. Peterson
  • Publication number: 20040048226
    Abstract: Devices and methods for the application of materials to an interior space of a tooth, such as the extirpated pulp chamber and/or root canals of the tooth subsequent to root canal surgery. The device has one or more syringe-like pistons and associated chambers for drawing a vacuum within an extirpated pulp chamber and applying cleansing, sealing, and/or filler materials into the tooth under continued vacuum pressure to ensure complete and thorough application.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2003
    Publication date: March 11, 2004
    Applicant: Ormco Corporation
    Inventor: Gary T. Garman
  • Publication number: 20040048227
    Abstract: A method and a device for reinforcing a unit for dental purposes by applying matrix material via an opening in the unit. Components included in the matrix material are kept separately in two enclosed spaces, and the spaces are brought into internal contact with each other via a connecting member. Upon or after said internal contact, a mixing member situated inside the first space acts on the viscous matrix components which have been mixed toether are fed from the space to the inside of the unit via the opening, without any substantial leakage to the outside of the unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2003
    Publication date: March 11, 2004
    Inventor: Izidor Brajnovic
  • Publication number: 20040038174
    Abstract: The specification describes an applicator for the treatment of teeth with small amounts of dental materials, such as polymerizable sealants and adhesives, prophylactic treatment materials and the like. The applicator is in the form of a disposable tube having an applicator brush at one end. The tube is fitted to an applicator head that facilitates drawing an amount of the material into the tube and the selected filling of the brush. The applicator may include an elongated member having an applicator head that contains a chamber enclosing a similarly-shaped resilient member. A closure fits over the end of the applicator head and serves to close off the base of the chamber and seal the peripheral edge of the resilient member to prevent leakage. The closure is provided with a smaller chamber which communicates with a channel extending out through the closure and adapted to receive the disposable tube. The channel is positioned at an angle to the main body of the applicator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2002
    Publication date: February 26, 2004
    Applicant: DENTSPLY Research & Development Corp.
    Inventors: Cornelis Pameijer, Steven R. Jefferies, Kenneth S. Peterson
  • Publication number: 20040033466
    Abstract: A delivery system for supplying a single dose quantity of a two-component dental restorative material includes a dispenser which contains first and second components of the dental restorative material. The first and second components are stored in separate chambers which are sealed with a closure. To dispense the dental restorative material, a tip is installed to an end of the dispenser to move the closure to an open position, whereafter plungers may be depressed into the chambers to dispense the single dose of dental restorative material through the tip. The tip may be provided with a static mixer to mix the components as it is dispensed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 15, 2002
    Publication date: February 19, 2004
    Applicant: Kerr Corporation
    Inventors: Edward R. Shellard, Xiaoyi Xie, Stephen R. Higgins
  • Patent number: 6669475
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2003
    Inventors: Stanislas Kandelman, Daniel Kandelman
  • Patent number: 6641393
    Abstract: A dental tray and mixing tip assembly with a material delivery system is provided, the tray comprises at least one material retention surface; and a rapid flow delivery device, the device comprises a channel having an inlet and at least one outlet, the channel and the retention surface being situated on a horizontal plane, the channel being designed to deliver material from the inlet through the outlet and onto the retention surface and a mixing tip comprising a mixing tube having an entrance and an exit; a mixing device, situated within the tube, and the exit of the tip being connected to the inlet of the tray.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2003
    Assignee: Tri Del, LLC
    Inventor: Konstantine Trichas
  • Patent number: 6638065
    Abstract: A syringe system for delivering a dental material comprises a barrel configured for containing the material, a plunger configured for extruding the material, a divider configured for sectionalizing the material while it is being extruded, and a tool configured for detachment of the divider. The divider comprises at least one cutting plate that is affixed to the barrel and the tool comprises at least one recess configured for engaging the at least one cutting plate when the tool is inserted within the barrel, such as in a press fit arrangement. When the tool is axially rotated relative to the barrel, the at least one cutting plate can be effectively sheared away from the barrel. The tool may comprise a cap that is configured for sealably closing the syringe or a tool separate from the syringe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2003
    Assignee: Ultradent Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Dan E. Fischer, Bruce S. McLean
  • Publication number: 20030190580
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: April 5, 2002
    Publication date: October 9, 2003
    Inventor: Christina Khachatourian
  • Publication number: 20030186190
    Abstract: A dispenser for dental filling material has an elongate body with an interior bore and a first opening into the interior bore at the front end of the body. The interior bore has a narrower bore portion in the front end of the body and a wider bore portion in the back end of the body, and dental filling material is placed within the narrower bore portion. A plunger is positioned in the interior bore and has a head portion sized to fit snugly within the narrower bore portion. The plunger also has a tail portion positioned within the wider portion. A lever is pivotally coupled to the body and includes a distal end inserted through a second opening in the body. The lever is operable over a small range of motion to ratchet the plunger forward toward the front end of the body such that the head portion is pushed into the narrower bore portion thereby expelling dental filling material through the first opening.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2002
    Publication date: October 2, 2003
    Inventors: Saumil Lokhandwala, Manu Makhija
  • Publication number: 20030143511
    Abstract: A dental tray and mixing tip assembly with a material delivery system is provided, the tray comprises at least one material retention surface and a channel having an inlet and at least one outlet, the channel being designed to deliver material from the inlet through the outlet and onto the retention surface and a mixing tip comprising a mixing tube having an entrance, an exit, an internal cavity and a mixing device situated within the internal cavity of the tube, the tube further comprising two rotatable discs, and the exit of the tip being connected to the inlet of the tray.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 24, 2003
    Publication date: July 31, 2003
    Inventor: Konstantine Trichas
  • Publication number: 20030113687
    Abstract: A syringe system for delivering a dental material comprises a barrel configured for containing the material, a plunger configured for extruding the material, a divider configured for sectionalizing the material while it is being extruded, and a tool configured for detachment of the divider. The divider comprises at least one cutting plate that is affixed to the barrel and the tool comprises at least one recess configured for engaging the at least one cutting plate when the tool is inserted within the barrel, such as in a press fit arrangement. When the tool is axially rotated relative to the barrel, the at least one cutting plate can be effectively sheared away from the barrel. The tool may comprise a cap that is configured for sealably closing the syringe or a tool separate from the syringe.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2001
    Publication date: June 19, 2003
    Inventors: Dan E. Fischer, Bruce S. McLean