Adapters with light sources for dental air/water syringes

Abstract

Adapter units enabling a disposable tip to connect to an existing dental syringe configured to receive a different type of tip such as an autoclavable tip. In addition, adapter units constructed in accordance with this invention provide built-in light sources and / or video camera units, thereby providing the syringe bodies to which the adapters attach capabilities that they could not have without the adapters. A self-contained module, removably coupled to the retainer body, includes a light-emitting diode (LED), a battery powering the LED, and a switch to turn the LED ON and OFF, the LED generating light generally proximally toward the distal end of the disposable tip. In the preferred embodiments, the retainer body includes a cavity into which the self-contained module is removably received. The conversion kit may further include a lens to direct light from the LED toward the distal end of the disposable tip.

Description

REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13 / 907,296, filed May 31, 2013, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13 / 841,280, filed Mar. 15, 2013, which claims priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61 / 619,578, filed Apr. 3, 2012. This application also claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61 / 898,605, filed Nov. 1, 2013. The entire content of each application is incorporated herein by reference.FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0002]This invention relates generally to air / water syringes and, in particular, to adapter units that enable replaceable, disposable tips to be used with various handle assemblies including European style syringes, and which provide built-in light sources and video cameras.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0003]Dental syringes are hand-held instruments which deliver water and air under pressure into a patient's mouth for washing...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The invention provides adapter units that allow a disposable tip to connect to a dental syringe designed for a different type of tip, such as an autoclavable tip. The adapter units also have built-in light sources and video camera units, enhancing the capabilities of the syringe bodies to which they are attached. The conversion kit includes a retainer body with an outer surface and a proximal end that attaches to the dental syringe providing air and water. The retainer body has components with cut-outs, grooves, or channels to direct the air and water from the syringe body to the disposable tip. Additionally, a self-contained module with a LED, battery, and switch, as well as an optional video camera, may be used with the conversion kit. The ON / OFF switch may be in electrical communication with a touch panel or a motion detector, and the video camera may have a field of view corresponding to the light generated by the LED light source.

Problems solved by technology

Cross contamination is one of the principal problems encountered with dental syringes.

Several decades ago, dental syringe tips were not readily removable from the syringe head units.

A number of small elastomeric O-rings had to be removed before autoclaving because they could not withstand the heat and pressure of the autoclaving process.

The entire process was a time consuming, often frustrating experience.

As a result, there has been little attempt to upgrade to new standards that have been in place for years.

As such, disposable tips, including Crystal Tips, cannot be used directly on any European syringe.

As such, without some type of conversion, disposable tips are incompatible with European-style syringes that use autoclavable tips.

Images