An implant post cleaner

Abstract

An implant post cleaner 10 comprising a body 14 and a hollow cylindrical head 12. The head defines at least one cleaning surface and is hingedly mounted to the body, where the hinge axis is substantia

Description

Field of the invention The invention relates to a dental implant post cleaner, preferably a post cleaner that is manually operated, is simply to use and is relatively low cost to manufacture. Background of the invention Dental implant sites on the gingiva can be extremely sensitive and prone to injury by inappropriate use of tooth brushes. Electric toothbrushes generally operate at high speed and do not provide the degree of speed, placement or access control to the user which is necessary to reliably avoid injury or discomfort to the gingiva at dental implant sites. Conventional (existing) manual or electric toothbrushes do not surround an implant abutment but must be successively moved so as to contact and brush all aspects of the abutment including any indentation or socket on the free end of the abutment taking care not to miss any part thereof. Conventional electric and manual toothbrushes including single tuft manual toothbrushes are difficult to place and hold on implant abutments. There is therefore a need for an improved means by which to clean a dental implant which is simple yet effectively to use. It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a dental implant post cleaner which addresses the above noted problems. It is a further object of the invention to provide an implant post cleaner that can be automatically and securely self-positioning and retaining on the abutment in one step without the requirement for any special effort by the user. It is a still further object of the invention to provide an implant post cleaner which is manually operable and simple to use and therefore avoids the need for electric motors, batteries, etc. Summary of the invention According to the present invention there is provided an implant post cleaner comprising a body and a hollow cylindrical head defining at least one cleaning surface, the head being hingedly mounted to the body along a hinge axis that extends substantially parallel but offset to a central longitudinal axis of the cylindrical head. Preferably, the hinge axis lies along or radially outwardly of a sidewall of the cylindrical head. Preferably, the head is mounted to the body via a flexible hinge. Preferably, the body, hinge and head are integrally formed with one another. Preferably, the head comprises a split sidewall. Preferably, the split extends substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the cylindrical head. Preferably, the split is positioned diametrically opposite the hinge. Preferably, the implant post cleaner comprises an actuator manually operable to effect deformation of the head. Preferably, the actuator comprises a pair of tabs projecting radially outwardly from the head and circumferentially spaced from one another. Preferably, each tab extends from a position adjacent the hinge. Preferably, the tabs are formed integrally with the head. Preferably, each end of the cylindrical head is open. Preferably, the implant post cleaner comprises a platform located within the cylindrical head. Preferably, the platform comprises one or more of the cleaning surfaces. Preferably, the implant post cleaner comprises an array of projections extending from at least one face of the platform. Preferably, an inner wall of the cylindrical head defines one of the at least one cleaning surfaces. Preferably, an array of protrusions extend from the inner wall to form the cleaning surface. Preferably, at least one rim of the cylindrical head defines an undulating edge. Preferably, the implant post cleaner comprises an elongate handle extending from or formed integrally with the body. Brief description of the drawings The present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 illustrates a perspective view of an implant post cleaner body; Figure 2 illustrates an enlarged perspective view of a head of the implant post cleaner illustrated in Figure 1; Figure 3 illustrates a sectioned side elevation of the head shown in Figure 2; Figure 4 illustrates an alternative perspective view of the head of the implant post cleaner; Figure 5 illustrates a further alternative perspective view of the head of the implant post cleaner, showing a longitudinal slit formed in the head; Figure 6 illustrates an end elevation of the implant post cleaner of the invention; Figure 7 illustrates a plan view of the implant post cleaner in a neutral configuration; Figure 8 illustrates a plan view of the implant post cleaner having been manually displaced into a first rotated configuration; and Figure 9 illustrates a plan view of the implant post cleaner having been manually displaced into a second rotated configuration. Detailed description of the drawings Referring now to Figures 1 to 9 of the accompanying drawings there is illustrated an implant post cleaner, generally indicated as 10, for use in the simplified yet efficient and effective cleaning of a dental implant post (not shown) and optionally the surrounding gum line from which the post projects. The implant post cleaner 10 is shown fully in Figure 1,5 and 6 while Figures 2, 3 and 4 show a head 12 of the post cleaner 10 which implements the cleaning action in use and as described hereinafter in detail. The implant post cleaner 10 is manually operated and does not require the use of a motor, batteries or other power source, is simple to operate while being highly effective and is relative low cost to manufacture. The implant post cleaner 10 comprises a body 14 to which the head 12 is hingedly mounted as described in detail hereinafter, the body 14 being secured to or formed integrally with a handle 16 which is shaped and dimensioned for single handed retention and operation. It will of course be understood that the handle 16 is example is form and may be varied as required for ergonomic or other reasons. The body 14 and therefore head 12 may be releasably engagable with the handle 16 in order to allow user replacement of the head 12, for example when worn or damaged. Any suitable arrangement may be employed to releasably secure the body 14 to the handle 16. Alternatively the body 14 and head 12 are not user replaceable, and may then be integrally formed with one another. In a particularly preferred embodiment the head 12, body 14 and handle 16 are moulded from plastic as a single component. Referring now in particular to Figure 2 to 4 the head 12 is illustrated in detail. The head 12 comprises a cylindrical sidewall 18 that defines an open ended cylindrical enclosure which is shaped and dimensioned to receive at least an upper end of an implant post (not shown). In the exemplary embodiment illustrated the sidewall 18 is open at both ends so that the implant post cleaner may be accommodated in either end thereof. This open ended arrangement also facilitate the flushing or washing of water through the head 12 to allow for the effectively cleaning of the interior thereof. The sidewall 18 is preferably dimensioned to engage the implant post with an interference fit and the sidewall 18 can then be rotated relative to the post to apply a cleaning action thereto. In order to allow this relative rotating action to be effected by the user the head 12 is mounted to the body 14 along a hinge axis AA that extends parallel to but offset of a central longitudinal axis BB of the hollow cylindrical head 12. In the exemplary embodiment illustrated the hinge axis AA lies on the sidewall 18 of the head 12 although it may be located radially outwardly of the sidewall 18 while remaining parallel to the longitudinal axis BB. The hinge axis AA is defined by a flexible or living hinge 20 formed integrally between the head 12 and body 14, although it will be appreciated that any other suitable form of hinge may be employed. The location of the hinge axis AA parallel but radially offset of the longitudinal axis BB allows a user to hold the handle 16 and to gently apply a pushing force towards the head 12 which cause the head 12 to rotate on the implant post, for example through approximately 90 degrees. The user can then gently pull the handle 16 to rotate the head 12 back in the opposite direction, before again pushing the handle 16 but with a slight bias towards rotating the head 12 in the opposition direction, again for example through approximately 90 degrees before pulling the handle 16 to return the head 12 to the starting position. The push / pull action can be repeated a number of time to cause the head to undergo reciprocating motion on the implant post, scouring and thereby cleaning the surface of the implant post. This sequence of motion is illustrated in Figures 7 to 9. In Figure 7 the head 12 and handle 16 are in a neutral configuration, for example immediately after the head 12 has been inserted onto an implant post. Figure 8 shows a configuration where a user has applied a pushing force to the handle 16 in the direction shown, which by virtue of the position of the hinge axis AA causes the head 12 to rotate on the implant post, effecting a scrubbing or cleaning action. The user then pulls the handle 16 to return the implant post cleaner 10 to the neutral position shown in Figure 7. From there the user can apply a further pushing force or action to cause the head 12 to rotate in the opposition direction as shown in Figure 9. Repeating these actions achieves a reciprocating motion of the head 12 to clean the implant post. In order to improve the cleaning efficacy the inner surface of the sidewall 18 may be provided with a surface finish, for example an array of protrusions in the form of longitudinally extending ribs 22 which may be flexible or otherwise resiliently deformable in order to more closely conform to and grip the implant post to improve the cleaning action thereof. The ribs 22 or other protrusions or surface finish may be formed integrally with the sidewall 18 or may be otherwise applied or secured to the sidewall 18. The ribs 22 may extend onto one or both end faces of the head 12 in order to apply a cleaning action to the gingiva during use. The head 12 may comprise one or more further cleaning surfaces to allow a top of the implant post to be cleaned, and in the embodiment illustrated the further cleaning surfaces are defined by a platform 24 extending from the sidewall 18. The radially extending faces of the platform 24 may define the cleaning surfaces, directly contacting the top of the implant post when the head 12 is located onto same, although in the exemplary embodiment illustrated the platform 24 provides a support from each side of which an array of bristles 26 project, preferably substantially axially towards the respective open end of the head 12. When the head 12 is located over the implant post the bristles 26 define the cleaning surface and contact the upper face of the implant post to then effect a cleaning action thereon as the head is rotated as described above. The platform 24 may be asymmetrically located within the head 12 such as to create a deeper space within the head 12 on one side of the platform 24 relative to the other. This would then allow different height implant posts to be accommodated. In order to ease location of the head 12 into place over an implant post, or to accommodate implant posts of different diameter or to allow the head 12 to be reduced in size to fit in the restricted space between adjacent teeth, the head 12 is preferably deformable in size, in particular through outward deformation of the sidewall 18 to accommodate implant posts of a range of diameters. This may be achieved by providing a slit 28 in the sidewall 18, preferably extending longitudinally from one end of the head 12 to the other, and configuring the sidewall 18 to deform outwardly such that the slit 28 can opens further, effectively enlarging the diameter of the head 12. In the exemplary embodiment illustrated the sidewall 18 is flexible or otherwise resiliently deformable in order to facilitate this expansion and which will then return to original size once the head 12 is removed from the implant post. The slit 28 is preferably positioned diametrically opposed the hinge 20, and thus the sidewall 18 is effectively divided into two sections each defined between the slit 28 and the hinge 20, with each section being able to flex outwardly about the hinge 20 as required. These sections function like a pair of jaws or clamps between which the implant post is retained and gripped during use. The slit 28 may be closed when the implant post cleaner 10 is not located on an implant post, and which will thus separate to accommodate an implant post. This separation or opening of the slit 28 will impart a tension to the sidewall 18 resulting in reactive force being applied by the sidewall to the 6 implant post, effectively gripping the post to allow the cleaning or scouring action to be achieved as the head 12 is rotated relative to the post. Expansion of the head 12 may be achieved by simply pushing the head 12 onto the relatively oversized implant post such as to force the expansion of the sidewall 18 which can then slide downwardly over the implant post to allow the above described cleaning action to be implement. Alternatively the implant post cleaner 10 may comprise an actuator manually operable to effect deformation of the head 12, and which in the exemplary embodiment comprises a pair of tabs 30 which are secured to or formed integrally with the sidewall 18 of the head 12. The tabs 30 are preferably located one on either side of the hinge 20 and extend back towards the body 14 so as to be accessible by the user when gripping the handle 16. The pair of tabs 30 may for example be gripped between the forefinger and thumb of the user and squeezed together in order to deform the sidewall 18 radially outwardly such as to accommodate a relatively oversized implant post or to simply ease location of the head 12 over any sized implant post. In order to allow this deformation the platform 24 is preferably secured to the sidewall 18 over a very limited portion of the sidewall 18, preferably adjacent the hinge 20, with an annular space 32 provided around a substantial portion of the platform 24. In this way the sidewall 18 is substantially free of the platform 24 and can therefore deform radially outwardly away from the platform 24. It will be appreciated that if the head 12 is not designed to deform in size, and thus the slit 28 is not required, the platform 24 could be further secured to the sidewall 18 beyond the single location in the exemplary embodiment illustrated. Thus in use the implant post cleaner is held securely in one hand, and the user advances the head 12 towards an exposed implant post, approaching from above the top face of the post. The user may if necessary squeeze the tabs 30 together to spread apart the sidewall 18 before lowering the head downwardly over the implant post until the bristles 26 or platform 24 abuts against the top of the implant post. The user then pushed and pulls the handle 16 toward and away from the post in order to cause the head to reciprocate about the implant post, drawing the ribs 22 and bristles 24 back and forth against the respective surface of the post to effect cleaning thereof. The head 12 may contact the gingiva during the cleaning motion, and a rim 32 defining the respective end of the cylindrical head 12 may therefore be provided with an undulating or uneven edge in order to apply a gentle massaging action to the gingiva as the head reciprocates on the implant post, which can be beneficial for both hygiene and blood circulation. One end of the head 12 may therefore comprise the above described ribs 22 extending from the inner sidewall while the other end of the head 12 comprises the undulating edge, providing different functionality depending on which way the head 12 is applied to the implant post. The invention is not limited to the embodiment described herein but can be amended or modified without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. An implant post cleaner comprising a body and a hollow cylindrical head defining at least one cleaning surface, the head being hingedly mounted to the body along a hinge axis that extends substantially parallel but offset to a central longitudinal axis of the cylindrical head.

2. The implant post cleaner of claim 1 in which the hinge axis lies along or radially outwardly of a sidewall of the cylindrical head.

3. The implant post cleaner of claim 1 or 2 in which the head is mounted to the body via a flexible hinge.

4. The implant post cleaner of any preceding claim in which the body, hinge and head are integrally formed with one another.

5. The implant post cleaner of any preceding claim in which the head comprises a split sidewall.

6. The implant post cleaner of claim 5 in which the split extends substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the cylindrical head.

7. The implant post cleaner of claim 5 or 6 in which the split is positioned diametrically opposite the hinge.

8. The implant post cleaner of any of claims 5 to 7 comprising an actuator manually operable to effect deformation of the head.

9. The implant post cleaner of claim 8 in which the actuator comprises a pair of tabs projecting radially outwardly from the head and circumferentially spaced from one another.

10. The implant post cleaner of claim 9 in which each tab extends from a position adjacent the hinge.

11. The implant post cleaner claim 9 or 10 in which the tabs are formed integrally with the head.

12. The implant post cleaner of any preceding claim in which each end of the cylindrical head is open.

13. The implant post cleaner of any preceding claim comprising a platform located within the cylindrical head.

14. The implant post cleaner of claim 13 in which the platform comprises one or more of the cleaning surfaces.

15. The implant post cleaner of claim 14 comprising an array of projections extending from at least one face of the platform.

16. The implant post cleaner of any preceding claim in which an inner wall of the cylindrical head defines one of the at least one cleaning surfaces.

17. The implant post cleaner of claim 16 in which an array of protrusions extend from the inner wall to form the cleaning surface.

18. The implant post cleaner of any preceding claim in which at least one rim of the cylindrical head defines an undulating edge.

19. The implant post cleaner of any preceding claim in which at least one rim of the cylindrical head defines a cleaning surface20. The implant post cleaner of any preceding claim comprising an elongate handle extending from or formed integrally with the body.

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