Root canal length measuring device attachment

Abstract

To provide a root canal length measurement device attachment which is held by one hand and can be easily disinfected.SOLUTION: There is provided a root canal length measurement device attachment configured so that: a shape, a structure and a dimension of the attachment which is connected to a root canal length measurement device for measuring a position of a root canal length during an endodontic treatment, are configured to achieve easy cleaning, disinfection, and autoclave of the root canal length measurement device attachment, while maximizing ease of use of the attachment, and to achieve mechanical and electric coupling of a dental instrument to the root canal length measurement device.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 14A

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application generally relates to a root canal length measuring instrument attachment for endodontic treatment, and more particularly to a root canal length measuring instrument attachment comprising an electrode for connecting to a root canal length measuring instrument for measuring the position of the apical foramen in order to determine the length of the root canal. The attachment is constructed to be held with one hand and easily disinfected. The shape, structure, and dimensions of the attachment are configured to maximize the ease of use of the attachment and to enable mechanical and electrical coupling of the dental instrument to the root canal length measuring instrument.

Background Art

[0002] Endodontic treatment is important when the dental pulp, which is soft tissue inside the root canal, becomes inflamed or infected. The inflammation or infection may be caused by deep caries, repeated dental procedures on the tooth, or cracks or chips in the tooth. If the inflammation or infection of the dental pulp is left untreated, pain may occur or it may lead to an abscess. Root canal files are used to remove the dental pulp from the root canal, and the files have various tip diameters and may have an increasing taper.

[0003] During endodontic treatment, a dentist may use a root canal length measuring instrument to determine the length of the root canal. This may be required for patients who must undergo root canal treatment that requires an accurate determination of the position of the dental file within the root canal relative to the root tip. The tip of the root may have a specific resistance to electric current, which may be measured using a pair of electrodes that are hooked onto the lip, such as a lip clip, and attached to an endodontic file, such as a file clip. Some attachments include the Minigrabber, Root ZX mini, Joypex File clip, Touch Probe, and MedicNRG's Mini file holder.

[0004] The Minigrabber is a file clip attachment for a root canal length measuring device sold by VDW GmbH, which includes a push button by which a hand instrument can be clamped. The file clip has a length of 65 mm and is provided with a metal hook that extends from the tip when the push button is pressed. The file clip can be connected to the root canal length measuring device by a cable. The file clips of Root ZX mini and Joypex 5 are other file clips with a push button having a window so as to enable measurement of the root tip without clamping.

[0005] The touch probe is another attachment used with a root canal length measuring device. They may be used to connect an endodontic file to the root canal length measuring device by bringing the intra - dental file of the metal probe into contact with the metal tip of the touch probe. The Mini file holder manufactured by MedicNRG Ltd. is provided with a bent metal sheet that is also used to bring into contact with the endodontic file during measurement.

[0006] U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 20030064347 discloses a clip that attaches to an endodontic file directly below the file handle to enable measurement of the length of the root canal.

[0007] U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 20090148810 discloses a root canal length measuring device having a probe for insertion into the root canal and a lip clip for grounding the patient.

[0008] EP1747767 provides a coupling device for electrically coupling a dental instrument to an electrical connector, including a tubular fastener made of a conductive material having a first part attachable to a connector and a second part attachable to a dental instrument, and the second part having a slot that facilitates insertion and retention of the dental instrument while performing a dental procedure. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION PROBLEMS TO BE SOLVED BY THE INVENTION

[0009] However, the problems associated with these conventional designs are that they have a movable part that can be opened and closed to secure the intraoral device by using the push button on their rear side. Due to this configuration, there is at least one opening of the housing at the front part of the device, and there are cavities inside the housing that cannot be cleaned and disinfected, thus reducing the efficiency of intraoral treatment.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0010] The existing limitations related to the above, as well as other limitations, can be overcome by a root canal length measuring instrument attachment / file clip that includes a metal element for releasably engaging an intraoral file or hand instrument and a cable for connecting to a root canal length measuring instrument to measure the position of the apical foramen and thus the length of the root canal. The shape and structure of the root canal length measuring instrument attachment (hereinafter also referred to as attachment, file clip, touch probe, probe, etc.), as well as the dimensions of the attachment, may be configured to maximize the efficiency and ease of use of the attachment for intraoral procedures with other intraoral devices (hereinafter also referred to as intraoral files, files, hand instruments, dental instruments, etc.). The attachment is constructed so as not to have cavities or gaps, and all components can be easily cleaned, disinfected, and autoclaved. The attachment may also be made of metal or plastic, may not have a movable part, and may include a clamp or hook mechanism based on the spring-back of the hook.

[0011] In one aspect, the present invention provides a root canal length measuring device attachment for measuring the depth of the apical foramen, comprising an electrode made of a conductive material having a first portion and a second portion, and an insulating overmold, wherein the first portion includes a clamp element having a spring-back mechanism for clamping or hooking the root canal length measuring device attachment to a dental instrument for root canal measurement, and the second portion is constructed as a jack-type connector or is constructed to receive a jack-type connector for connection to an electrical connector of a root canal length measuring device.

[0012] In another aspect, the present invention may include one or more of the following features: (i) a root canal length measuring device attachment in which the insulating overmold is made of a polyetherimide product such as Ultem; (ii) a root canal length measuring device attachment having a window in the insulating overmold, the window exposing a portion of the electrode to electrically couple a dental instrument to the root canal length measuring device at the location of the exposed electrode; (iii) a root canal length measuring device attachment in which all or part of the root canal length measuring device attachment is constructed to be bendable; (iv) a root canal length measuring device attachment in which the electrode includes a shape memory alloy to enable the attachment to automatically return to a predetermined shape after heating, such as during reprocessing; (v) a root canal length measuring device attachment in which the electrode includes a NiTi material; (vi) a root canal length measuring device attachment in which the outer shape of the root canal length measuring device attachment is generally constructed like a pair of pliers; (vii) a root canal length measuring device attachment comprising a gripping jaw in the first portion for clamping a dental instrument; (vii) a root canal length measuring device attachment comprising a plurality of openings for clamping dental instruments of different shaft diameters, and any combination thereof.

[0013] In another aspect, the present invention provides a root canal length measuring instrument attachment for measuring the depth of the apical foramen, comprising an electrode made of a conductive material having a first portion and a second portion, an insulating overmold, and a spring made of a conductive material, wherein the spring is coupled to the electrode at the first portion for grasping a dental instrument, and the second portion is constructed as a jack-type connector or is constructed to receive a jack-type connector for connection to an electrical connector of a root canal length measuring instrument.

[0014] In a further aspect, the present invention provides a root canal length measuring instrument attachment for measuring the depth of the apical foramen, comprising a metal element made of a conductive material having a first portion, a second portion, and generally the shape of a pair of forceps, a gripping jaw at the first portion of the metal element, and a removable covering member for housing a portion of the metal element, wherein the removable covering member is constructed to slide to open and close the gripping jaw for clamping or hooking the root canal length measuring instrument attachment to a dental instrument for root canal measurement, and the second portion of the metal element is constructed to receive a jack-type connector for connection to an electrical connector of a root canal length measuring instrument.

[0015] According to an exemplary embodiment herein, an attachment is provided, and the outer shape of the attachment may be constructed to have the shape of a pair of forceps and may include a gripping jaw for clamping a hand-held instrument.

[0016] According to another exemplary embodiment, a file clip may be constructed to have the shape of a pair of forceps and may include two plastic flanks, where one flank houses the electrode, and one end of the file clip is constructed as a jack-type connector that can be inserted into a female plug of a measurement cable. In another embodiment, one end of the file clip may have a cable for connection to another connector.

[0017] In yet another embodiment, the file clip can be constructed with a plurality of openings (e.g., two openings) for clamping files with different shaft diameters within the teeth.

[0018] In another exemplary embodiment herein, the file clip may comprise a spring and an electrode overmolded with plastic, and the file within the tooth may be clamped by the spring for root canal measurement.

[0019] Other objects and advantages of various embodiments of the present invention will become apparent to the reader, and these objects and advantages are intended to be within the scope of the present disclosure. To achieve the above and related embodiments, the present invention may be embodied in the forms illustrated in the accompanying drawings, but it should be noted that changes may be made within the scope of the present application to the specific structures illustrated and described. Further, the attachment may have a portion (neck or intermediate portion) that can bend at least to reach the molar. Further, this may include a bendable portion that may be metal. The bendable portion may also be a shape memory alloy to enable the attachment to automatically return to a predetermined shape after heating, such as during reprocessing.

[0020] The further features and advantages of various embodiments herein, as well as the structure and operation, will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0021] The exemplary embodiments will be more fully understood from the following detailed description given herein and from the accompanying drawings in which like elements are represented by like reference characters, which are given by way of illustration only and thus do not limit the exemplary embodiments herein.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0022]

Figure 1A

Figure 1B

Figure 1C

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Figure 14A

Figure 14B

Figure 14C

Figure 14D

[0023] Each of the drawings may have at least some of the same reference numbers to identify the same components, but a detailed description of each such component may not be provided below for each drawing.

[0024] According to an exemplary aspect described herein, the device may be provided to locate the position of the apical foramen to measure the length of a root canal (not shown), and the device is configured to maximize the efficiency and ease of use of an attachment for endodontic procedures with an endodontic file or hand instrument. The device can be a file clip, a touch probe, etc.

[0025] As defined herein, tweezer and / or tweezer-like refers to a structural configuration in which opposing flanks / fingers are movable away from and / or towards each other through a biasing (spring-like) movement. In one specific example, a tweezer-like structure will have a closed position where the flanks / fingers releasably secure the tool to the tweezer-like structure, and an open position where the tool may be removed and is no longer secured to the tweezer-like structure. Movement from the open and closed positions can occur through a force applied by the user and / or the biasing force (spring force) of the tweezer-like structure.

[0026] Figures 1A, 1B, and 1C illustrate one embodiment of a root canal length measuring instrument attachment. The attachment / file clip 600 may include an element 28 having a forceps-like profile. The element 28 may be formed of various materials such as plastic material, metallic material, or composite material. In one particular embodiment, the element 28 is formed of a metallic material that may be made of a conductive material. The hand instrument 51 or the endodontic file 29 may be clamped by the gripping jaws 30 of the metallic element. The metallic element 28 may be covered by a covering member 31 such as plastic or an insulator. The member 31 may be removably attached / fixed to (e.g., constructed to be disassembled therefrom) the metallic element 28 prior to reprocessing. The gripping jaws 30 of the forceps element 28 can be opened and closed by sliding the plastic part 31 along the length of the element 28. Each gripping jaw 30 may include a bent end 30A and one or more protrusions 30B to reduce or substantially prevent movement of the tools 29, 51 therebetween. The connection to the female plug 32 of the measuring cable 62 may be realized by a jack-type connector 33. The file clip 600 may be dimensioned to have a length in the x-axis direction in the range of about 30 mm to about 65 mm, preferably about 40 mm to about 55 mm (e.g., 47 mm).

[0027] In other embodiments of the present invention shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, the file clips 600a and 600b may have a forceps-like outer shape. As shown in FIGS. 2A-2B, the file clips 600a and 600b may include two flanks 35, 36 (FIG. 2A) and 38, 39 (FIG. 2B) that may be made of plastic. The flanks 36 and 39 may house the electrodes 40, which may be made of a conductive material and may be inserted into the female connector 32 of the measurement cable 62. The two embodiments may differ in the shape of the gripping jaws (34, 37) and the overmold length of the lower flanks (36, 39). The gripping jaw 37 may include a metal protrusion at the tip 37 for use as a touch probe. As used herein, the metal protrusion may be used to temporarily touch the intra-tooth probe 29 for root canal length measurement. In an exemplary embodiment, the length of the file clip 600a in the Z-axis direction may be 55 mm to 75 mm (e.g., 67.0 mm). In another exemplary embodiment herein, the length of the file clip 600b in the Z-axis direction may be 70.0 mm. The intra-tooth file 29 or the hand instrument 51 may be fitted into the gripping jaws 37, 34 that may include an exposed portion of the electrode 40 for root canal measurement.

[0028] FIG. 3 shows yet another embodiment of the present invention having a forceps-like outer shape, where the file clip 600c includes two flanks 41 and 42, which may be made of plastic. The flank 42 shown in FIG. 3 may house an electrode that terminates at the tip 43 of the file clip. The other end may be constructed as a jack-type connector 44 that may be inserted into the female plug 32 of the measurement cable 62. The measurement cable 62 may be connected to an electronic root canal length measuring device for measuring the depth of the patient's apical foramen. The intra-tooth file 29 or the hand instrument 51 may be fitted into the gripping jaw 68, which may include an exposed portion of the electrode 40 at the tip 43 for root canal measurement.

[0029] Figure 4A shows another exemplary embodiment herein that includes a metal electrode 47 and a plurality of openings 46 for receiving an endodontic file during endodontic treatment of a tooth. As shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B, the file clip 600d includes a metal electrode 47 over which plastic 45 can be partially overmolded. One end of the metal electrode may be constructed as a jack-type connector for connection to the female connector 32 of the measurement cable 62. The file clip 600d may further include a plurality of openings 46 for clamping endodontic files / dental hand instruments of different shaft diameters during root canal measurement. In one embodiment herein, the number of openings may be two or more. Additionally, the plurality of openings 46 may be made of metal and thus may be used as a touch probe.

[0030] Figure 5 illustrates another embodiment of the present invention that provides a file clip 600e having a biasing member (spring) 50 for engaging (releasably securing) a hand instrument 51 or an endodontic file 29. The electrode 49 may be overmolded by a coating layer 48 such as plastic or an insulating material. The hand instrument 51 or the endodontic file 29 may be clamped by a spring 50 that may be present at the tip of the plastic part 48. The electrode 49 may be constructed to receive a jack-type connector at the cable connection end 69 and be electrically connected to the spring 50 at the other end 70. The jack-type connector at the cable connection end 69 may be inserted into the female connector 32 of the measurement cable 62 for root canal measurement.

[0031] FIG. 6 illustrates yet another embodiment of the present invention that provides a file clip 600f constructed with a hook 55 for engaging an endodontic file 29 or a hand instrument 51. The file clip 600f includes an electrode 52 that makes an electrical connection to a root canal length measuring device. This electrode may also be overmolded with a coating member 53 such as a plastic material or other insulating material during an injection molding process. The file clip 600f may be constructed to have an overall length in the Z-axis direction in the range of about 45 mm to about 80 mm, preferably about 55 mm to about 70 mm (e.g., 60 mm). The length of the coating member / handle 53 in the Z-axis direction may be in the range of about 35 mm to about 70 mm, preferably about 40 to about 60 mm (e.g., 50 mm). At the location of the handle 71, the electrode may have a diameter in the range of about 0.5 mm to about 5 mm, preferably about 1 mm to about 3.5 mm (e.g., 2.0 mm). In the front side region 1101, the electrode may be designed to have a smaller diameter of less than 0.5 mm to 2.0 mm. The file clip 600f may further include a window 54 to enable root canal measurement by bringing the hand instrument 51 or the endodontic file 29 into contact with the exposed portion of the electrode 52 through the window 54. In an exemplary embodiment herein, the file clip 600f may be constructed to be used with an endodontic file 29 having a shaft diameter between 0.5 and 1 mm (e.g., 0.6 mm to 0.8 mm), and the endodontic file 29 may be held in the hook 55 for contact with the exposed portion of the electrode 52 at the hook during root canal measurement.

[0032] Further embodiments of the present invention are illustrated in FIGS. 7-10. In this specification, the tip of a file clip for engaging (removably fixing) the endodontic file 29 or the hand instrument 51 is described. The file clip may operate according to the same principle as described above. When contacting the endodontic file (the metal part of the endodontic file), the electrode 56 transmits information through the cable to the root canal length measuring device for measuring the length of the root canal. The file clips 600g, 600h, 600i, and 600j include an electrode 56 made of a conductive material overmolded with a coating material such as plastic or an insulating material. The file clip tip may include one or more flanks / fingers at least partially or substantially covered with a coated / plastic part. As shown in FIGS. 7 and 10, the file clip tip may include a first finger 58A substantially covered with a coating material and a second finger 58B partially covered with a coating material and having at least a part of the electrode 56 exposed on at least one side. Optionally, as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the electrode 56 along the second finger 58B may be substantially exposed (e.g., without a coating material). To provide clamping for hand instruments of various sizes, the plastic part of the first finger 58A may include a plurality of notches 63 for receiving and restraining endodontic files 29 or hand instruments 51 of different sizes during root canal measurement. The file clips 600g and 600j (FIGS. 7 and 10) may have a window 57 for use as a touch probe by temporarily engaging the exposed portion of the electrode 56 with the endodontic file 29 during use. In other embodiments, as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, since the conductive material (e.g., metal) protrusions 1301 and 1401 may be used as touch probes, the window may not be required.

[0033] Figures 11-13 illustrate further embodiments of the present invention including file clips 600k, 600l, and 600m having a bent electrode 59. The electrode 59 may be overmolded with a coating material 60 such as plastic or an insulating material. The coating material 60 may include one or more notches 61 for receiving a portion of a hand tool or file that may enable a dentist to clamp hand tools of different sizes to the file clip. In the present specification, the electrode 59 may also be used as a touch probe.

[0034] In a further embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 14A-14D, the file clip 600n includes a plurality of notches 61 for holding the endodontic file 29 or the hand tool 51. Additionally, a strengthened handle 64 may be provided to enable a secure grip with one hand and / or to prevent breakage of the internal electrode. In an exemplary embodiment herein, the file clip 600n may include a bendable portion (e.g., one or more biasing members) made in whole or in part of a memory alloy (such as NiTi) that automatically returns to a predetermined shape after being heated above a predetermined temperature, e.g., above 250 degrees Fahrenheit, during reprocessing. This may also be achieved in other embodiments of the file clip 600. In another exemplary embodiment, the file clip 600n may have an electrode 67 that extends at one end of the file clip 600n and extends to a cantilever extension 65 having a notch 61 and / or a substantially rectangular profile along / through the file clip. The cantilever extension 65 may be constructed to spring back to hold the hand tool 51 or the endodontic file 29 between itself and the stationary plastic arm 66 of the file clip 600n when an outward force is applied to the cantilever extension 65 by the hand tool 51 or the endodontic file 29.

[0035] Similarly, the file coating material of the embodiments described herein can be a material that can withstand stress and can be autoclaved. The electrode 67 may be made of a nickel-titanium (NiTi) material so that it can be bent. In one embodiment herein, the coating material may be injection molded from a polyetherimide product such as Ultem resin. Further, the structure of the file clip may be such that there are no moving parts, and thus there are no gaps and holes where microorganisms can hide and reduce the cleaning efficiency. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes can be made to the form and details (e.g., different file clip shapes, root canal length measuring instruments to file clip communication interfaces, etc.) without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure.

[0036] Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. All publications, patent applications, patents, and other references mentioned herein are incorporated by reference in their entirety to the extent permitted by applicable law and regulations. It is desirable that the present disclosure may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from its spirit or essential attributes, and thus it is considered that the present embodiments are illustrative in all respects and not restrictive. Any headings used in the description are for convenience only and have no legal or limiting effect.

Claims

1. A root canal length measuring instrument attachment for electrically coupling a dental instrument to a root canal length measuring instrument, having a first portion and a second portion connected to and integral with the first portion, an electrode made of a conductive material, an insulating overmold covering the electrode and exposing at least the second portion, and comprising the first portion being configured to resiliently hold dental instruments of different sizes between the first portion and the insulating overmold extending to the first portion, and having a plurality of notches disposed on one side of the first portion for holding the dental instrument, the second portion being constructed as a jack-type connector or configured to receive a jack-type connector for connection to an electrical connector of the root canal length measuring instrument.

2. The root canal length measuring instrument attachment according to claim 1, wherein the insulating overmold is made of polyetherimide.

3. The root canal length measuring instrument attachment according to claim 1, wherein all or part of the root canal length measuring instrument attachment is constructed to be bendable.

4. The root canal length measuring instrument attachment according to claim 3, wherein the electrode includes a shape memory alloy to enable the root canal length measuring instrument attachment to automatically return to a predetermined shape after being heated beyond a predetermined temperature.

5. The root canal length measuring instrument attachment according to claim 4, wherein the electrode includes a NiTi material.

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