Endodontic treatment apparatus

Abstract

The root canal treatment device of the present invention can measure the depth of the root canal and simultaneously remove material inside the root canal. Such a root canal treatment device includes an earth terminal, an ultrasonic scaler having a tip that is inserted into the interior of a tooth and sprays a cleaning solution, a connector assembly having a connection terminal that is contacted and coupled to the tip, and a control unit that applies current to the earth terminal and the connection terminal and detects the root apex based on the detected resistance value. The connection terminal is arranged to surround the tip, and one side of it is in contact with the tip.

Description

Technology Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a root canal treatment device. Background Technology

[0002] Generally, root canal treatment is a procedure performed when the nerve canal inside a tooth becomes infected with bacteria, or, rarely, when the dental nerve is exposed or damaged due to trauma. Simply put, root canal treatment is a procedure that maintains the function of the tooth by physically removing the nerve, blood vessels, and other cellular tissues, flushing the empty space with liquid chemicals, and filling it with a filling material.

[0003] To explain the procedure in detail: 1) After administering local anesthesia to the patient's oral cavity, a rubber dam (a thin, rubber-like membrane) is placed over the tooth to be treated, leaving only the tooth exposed. 2) Once the anesthesia is complete, a small opening is made in the occlusal surface to access the pulp chamber, which contains nerves and blood vessels. Then, 3) the depth of the root canal is measured, and 4) any inflamed or infected pulp is removed from the canal and the area is disinfected as thoroughly as possible. 5) Finally, the clean, sterilized root canal is filled with a filling material and covered with a prosthesis.

[0004] At this stage, the tip of the root is called the root apex, and it is important to perform the procedure up to the root apex. Therefore, conventional root canal treatment proceeded by inserting a file into the tooth to measure the root canal depth, followed by inserting a subsequent file to remove material from within the canal. As root canal treatment is performed through such numerous steps, there are problems such as prolonged procedure time and reduced convenience for both the practitioner and the patient. Prior art literature

[65535] 1. Japanese Patent Publication No. 2004-313659 (Published Nov. 11, 2004) The problem to be solved

[0005] The present invention aims to provide a root canal treatment device that measures the depth of the root canal and simultaneously removes material inside the root canal in order to solve the above-mentioned problems.

[0006] In particular, the purpose is to provide a root canal treatment device that can prevent secondary infection caused by bacteria that are not removed by thoroughly removing foreign substances up to the root apex through ultrasonic cleaning. means of solving the problem

[0007] The objective of the present invention as described above is achieved by an endodontic treatment device comprising an earth terminal, an ultrasonic scaler having a tip inserted into the interior of a tooth to spray a cleaning solution, a connector assembly having a connection terminal that contacts and is coupled to the tip, and a control unit that applies current to the earth terminal and the connection terminal and detects the root apex based on the detected resistance value.

[0008] The ultrasonic scaler comprises a main body portion that extends in one direction so as to be grasped by a practitioner and has the tip attached to the front, a connecting portion that extends from the rear of the main body portion and is electrically connected to the control portion, and at least one fixing portion provided in a ring shape surrounding the outside of the main body portion.

[0009] The connector assembly comprises a cable extending along the main body and coupled to the main body by the fixing part, with the connection terminal coupled to the front, and a connection jack extending from the rear of the cable and electrically connected to the control part. The connection terminal is positioned to surround the tip, and one side of it contacts the tip.

[0010] Additionally, the connection terminal is provided with a single wire bent at different angles and includes a central wire coupled to the main body, a pair of first wires each extending by being bent at a first angle from both ends of the central wire, a pair of second wires each extending by being bent at a second angle from the pair of first wires, and a pair of third wires each extending by being bent at a third angle from the pair of second wires, wherein the first angle, the second angle, and the third angle may be different from each other.

[0011] Additionally, the pair of second wires are extended so as to be closer to each other from the pair of first wires, and the pair of third wires are extended so as to be further away from each other from the pair of second wires, and a fitting portion is formed between the second wires and the third wires, and the tip can be positioned inside the connection terminal by passing through the fitting portion from the main body.

[0012] Additionally, the cable includes a front portion connected to the connection terminal and a pair of front rings provided in the front portion, wherein the pair of front rings are spaced apart on both sides to form a hole through which the center wire passes laterally, and the connection terminal can be rotatably coupled with respect to an axis extending laterally with respect to the front portion.

[0013] In addition, the tip may be positioned between the pair of second wires so that the tip and the connection terminal can be electrically connected.

[0014] Additionally, the fixing part includes a fixing ring extending to wrap around the outside of the main body part, and a right fixing band and a left fixing band formed by protruding to one side from the fixing ring, and the right fixing band and the left fixing band may extend from the fixing ring to form a fixing space corresponding to the outside of the cable.

[0015] In addition, the right fixing band and the left fixing band are arranged separately from each other so that the cable can be inserted into the fixing space, and the fixing part may be provided in a plurality of spaced-aparts along the main body.

[0016] Additionally, the device further includes a power supply unit, a display unit, and an alarm unit, and the control unit controls the power supply unit to apply current to the ground terminal and the connection terminal, and checks the root tip based on the resistance value detected from the ground terminal and the connection terminal, and can display the changing resistance value on the display unit or output sound to the alarm unit when a specific resistance value is reached. Effects of the invention

[0017] According to the root canal treatment device of the present invention as described above, the root canal depth measurement, root canal formation, and disinfection processes are performed simultaneously, which has the advantage of significantly reducing the treatment time.

[0018] In addition, the operator can recognize the location of the root apex when disinfecting the root canal, allowing for quick and accurate procedure execution, and has the advantage of preventing secondary infection when effectively removing foreign substances.

[0019] In addition, there is an advantage in that it can enhance convenience for the patient as the procedure time is reduced and the procedure is simplified. Brief explanation of the drawing

[0020] FIGS. 1 and 2 are schematic drawings illustrating a root canal treatment device according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIGS. 3 to 6 are drawings illustrating an ultrasonic scaler and a connector assembly of a root canal treatment device according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIGS. 7 and 8 are drawings illustrating a connector assembly of a root canal treatment device according to an embodiment of the present invention. Specific details for implementing the invention

[0021] Hereinafter, a root canal treatment device according to one embodiment of the present invention will be examined with reference to the drawings.

[0022] FIGS. 1 and FIGS. 2 are schematic drawings illustrating a root canal treatment device (1) according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0023] As illustrated in FIG. 1, the root canal treatment device (1) of the present invention may include an ultrasonic scaler (10) and a connector assembly (20). The ultrasonic scaler (10) includes a tip (tip, 12) that is inserted into the interior of a tooth requiring treatment, and the connector assembly (20) includes a connection terminal (22) that is contacted and coupled to the tip (12).

[0024] Additionally, as shown in FIG. 2, the root canal treatment device (1) of the present invention may include a control unit (30), a power supply unit (32), a display unit (34), a notification unit (36), and an earth terminal (40).

[0025] At this time, each component can be electrically connected. For example, a specific main body may be provided in which the control unit (30) and the notification unit (36) are installed inside and the display unit (34) is formed outside. And the ultrasonic scaler (10), the connector assembly (20), and the earth terminal (40) may be connected to such a main body.

[0026] The control unit (30) can control the power supply unit (32) to apply current to the earth terminal (40) and the connection terminal (22). Additionally, the root apex can be identified based on the resistance value detected from the earth terminal (40) and the connection terminal (22). Since this is a method widely used in root canal treatment that recognizes when a device reaches the root apex tissue by utilizing the electrical resistance of the human body, a detailed explanation is omitted.

[0027] The control unit (30) can transmit certain information through the display unit (34) or the notification unit (36) when the root apex is identified based on the resistance value. For example, the changing resistance value is displayed on the display unit (34) so ​​that the operator can recognize it. In addition, when a specific resistance value is reached or is nearly reached, the notification unit (36) outputs a sound so that the operator can immediately recognize it.

[0028] When performing root canal treatment based on this configuration, the operator grasps the ultrasonic scaler (10) and the connector assembly (20) shown in FIG. 1 and inserts the tip (12) into the tooth to be treated. Then, through the display unit (34) or the notification unit (36), it can be confirmed that the edge of the tip (12) has reached the end of the tooth, that is, the root apex.

[0029] In addition, the operator can perform cleaning from the root apex using the ultrasonic scaler (10). For example, the ultrasonic scaler (10) is configured to perform ultrasonic irrigation and is designed to enhance the cleaning effect by creating acoustic streaming and bubbles with ultrasound while injecting sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) cleaning solution into the root canal. At this time, the tip (12) may be configured to spray the cleaning solution from the end.

[0030] In this way, through the root canal treatment device (1) of the present invention, the practitioner can confirm that the end of the tip (12) has reached the root apex and immediately perform cleaning of the tooth. This simplifies the procedure and reduces the procedure time compared to the conventional procedure of inserting a file to confirm the root apex (measuring depth), removing it, and re-inserting the cleaning device. Furthermore, by confirming that the practitioner has reached the root apex and performing cleaning, foreign substances inside the tooth can be cleaned more effectively.

[0031] Below, the shape of the ultrasonic scaler (10) and the connector assembly (20) shown in FIG. 1 will be described in detail.

[0032] FIGS. 3 to 6 illustrate an ultrasonic scaler (10) and a connector assembly (20) of a root canal treatment device (1) according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a side view, FIG. 4 is a front view, and FIG. 5 corresponds to a cross-sectional view A-A' in FIG. 3. FIG. 6 illustrates the ultrasonic scaler (10) and the connector assembly (20) separated. FIGS. 7 and 8 illustrate a connector assembly (20) of a root canal treatment device (1) according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 8 is an enlarged view of section B of FIG. 7.

[0033] As illustrated in FIGS. 3 to 6, the ultrasonic scaler (10) may be divided into a tip (12), a main body (14), and a connecting part (16). The main body (14) may be provided in an elongated cylindrical shape and may be understood as a part that is held by the operator during the procedure. The tip (12) may be positioned at the front of the main body (14), and the connecting part (16) may be positioned at the rear.

[0034] The above connecting part (16) can be extended from the main body part (14) and connected to a predetermined main body equipped with the control part (30) described above. The above connecting part (16) can be provided in various lengths as needed, and only a part of it is shown in the drawing for convenience of illustration.

[0035] The tip (12) may be provided in the shape of a very thin needle that can be bent on the front of the main body (14). For example, the tip (12) may be provided in a shape that tapers toward the edge, and a hole may be provided at the edge to spray cleaning liquid. As shown in FIG. 3, the tip (12) may be provided in a state bent at a predetermined angle when there is no external force, and such a shape is exemplary and is not limited thereto.

[0036] Additionally, the ultrasonic scaler (10) may further include a fixing part (18) for coupling with the connector assembly (20). The fixing part (18) may be provided in a ring shape that surrounds the outside of the main body part (14). Additionally, the fixing part (18) may be provided in a plurality of spaced-aparts along the main body part (14), and two are shown in the drawing.

[0037] As illustrated in FIGS. 3 to 8, the connector assembly (20) may be divided into a connection terminal (22), a cable (24), and a connection jack (26). The cable (24) may be a type of wire and may be extended to a length corresponding to the main body (14). The connection terminal (22) may be positioned at the front of the cable (24), and the connection jack (26) may be positioned at the rear.

[0038] The cable (24) can be coupled to the main body (14) through the fixing part (18). Referring to FIG. 5, the fixing part (18) includes a fixing ring (180) that extends and wraps around the outside of the main body (14), and a fixing band (182, 184) formed by protruding from one side of the fixing ring (180). The fixing band (182, 184) can form a fixing space (186) corresponding to the outside of the cable (24).

[0039] Specifically, the fixing bands (182, 184) may be provided as a pair extending to one side, forming a roughly circular fixing space (186) in the fixing ring (180). For convenience, they may be distinguished as a right fixing band (182) and a left fixing band (184). The right fixing band (182) and the left fixing band (184) may form a predetermined arc to form the fixing space (186).

[0040] Additionally, the right fixing band (182) and the left fixing band (184) are separated from each other, so that the cable (24) can pass between the right fixing band (182) and the left fixing band (184) and be inserted into the fixing space (186). The right fixing band (182) and the left fixing band (184) are provided with an elastic material so that the cable (24) does not detach from the fixing space (186).

[0041] Through the shape of the fixed part (18) as described above, the cable (24) can be connected to one side along the main body part (14). This prevents the cable (24) from interfering when the operator holds the main body part (14) to perform the procedure.

[0042] The above-mentioned connecting jack (26) can be extended from the above-mentioned cable (24) and connected to a predetermined main body equipped with the above-mentioned control unit (30), etc. The above-mentioned connecting jack (26) can be provided in various lengths as needed, just like the above-mentioned connecting part (16), and only a part of it is shown in the drawing for convenience of illustration.

[0043] The connection terminal (22) may be provided in a shape that extends from the front of the cable (24) and contacts and connects with the tip (12). As shown in FIG. 3, the connection terminal (22) may be bent at a predetermined angle and positioned to penetrate the tip (12). Hereinafter, the shape of the connection terminal (22) will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 4 and FIG. 8.

[0044] As illustrated in FIG. 4, the connection terminal (22) is provided in a shape that forms a space of approximately an isosceles triangle, and the tip (12) can be placed inside such a space. That is, the connection terminal (22) can be arranged to surround the tip (12). Additionally, the tip (12) can extend from the main body (14) through the connection terminal (22).

[0045] Additionally, the connection terminal (22) is provided with an open portion corresponding to the upper vertex of an isosceles triangle, which is referred to as a fitting portion (228). The fitting portion (228) is formed to be smaller than the cross-section of the tip (12) to prevent the connection terminal (22) from detaching from the tip (12). Furthermore, the fitting portion (228) can be deformed by an external force to allow the tip (12) to pass through.

[0046] As illustrated in FIG. 8, the front end (240) of the cable (24) connected to the connection terminal (22) may be provided in a bent state at a predetermined angle. This can be understood as corresponding to the shape of the main body (14) as in FIG. 3. Additionally, the cable (24) may be provided with a flexible material that can be bent, and the front end (240) may be provided with a material of high durability and low elasticity that is fixed in a predetermined shape. This is to more effectively fix the position of the connection terminal (22).

[0047] Additionally, the shear section (240) may be provided with a pair of shear rings (242). The pair of shear rings (242) may be spaced apart on both sides and may form a hole so that a predetermined wire can pass through laterally. That is, a part of the connection terminal (22) may pass through and be connected to the pair of shear rings (242). Accordingly, the connection terminal (22) may be rotatably coupled with an axis extending laterally with respect to the shear ring (242) or the shear section (240).

[0048] The above connection terminal (22) can be understood as a single wire that is bent and extended into a predetermined shape overall. The above connection terminal (22) may be provided with a conductive material, for example, steel wire. Additionally, the above shear ring (242) may also be provided with a corresponding conductive material, and the above shear portion (240) and the above cable (24) may be provided with a non-conductive material such as rubber coated on the outside.

[0049] When divided by the bent portion, the connection terminal (22) includes a central wire (220) that extends laterally through the shear ring (242) and a pair of first wires (222) that are bent at a first angle in one direction from both ends of the central wire (220). The first wires (222) are bent at a right angle (first angle = 90 degrees) from the central wire (220), so that the central wire (220) and the pair of first wires (222) can form a roughly 'C' shape.

[0050] Additionally, the connection terminal (22) includes a second wire (224) bent at a second angle in one direction from each of the pair of first wires (222), and a third wire (226) bent at a third angle in one direction from each of the pair of second wires (224). The second wire (224) and the third wire (226) may be bent at an acute angle smaller than a right angle.

[0051] Referring to FIG. 3, the second wire (224) is bent and extended from the first wire (222) at an angle of approximately 45 degrees (second angle). Referring to FIG. 4, the third wire (226) is bent and extended from the second wire (224) at an angle of approximately 60 degrees (third angle). In summary, the first angle, the second angle, and the third angle are formed differently from each other, and the connection terminal (22) can be formed by bending at three different angles.

[0052] Additionally, the fitting portion (228) may be formed between the second wire (224) and the third wire (226). As previously explained, the fitting portion (228) corresponds to an open gap and can be understood as the place where a pair of wires extending from the center wire (220) come closest to each other. That is, the pair of second wires (224) are extended so as to come closer to each other from the pair of first wires (222). Meanwhile, the pair of third wires (226) are extended so as to come further apart from the pair of second wires (224).

[0053] Additionally, the second wire (224) can come into contact with the tip (12). As previously described, the connection terminal (22) forms a space of approximately an isosceles triangle, and the pair of second wires (224) are provided as two sides, so that the tip (12) can be positioned between them. Through this, the tip (12) and the connection terminal (22) can be electrically connected to each other.

[0054] Accordingly, as the practitioner inserts the tip (12) into the inside of the tooth, the resistance value of the end of the tip (12) can be measured through the connection terminal (22). Then, the root apex can be identified through the resistance value between the connection terminal (22) and the earth terminal (40). The earth terminal (40) is generally placed over the lips of the patient. Then, the procedure can be performed by spraying a cleaning solution from the end of the tip (12).

[0055] Although the present invention has been described above with reference to preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art may modify and change the present invention in various ways without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as described in the claims below. Therefore, if a modified embodiment basically includes the components of the claims of the present invention, it should be considered to be included within the technical scope of the present invention. Explanation of the symbols

[0056] 1...Root canal treatment device 10... Ultrasonic scaler 12...tips 20...Connector Assembly 22...connection terminal 40... Earth terminal

Claims

Claim 1 An ultrasonic scaler having a tip that is inserted into the interior of a tooth and sprays a cleaning solution; a connector assembly having a connection terminal that is contact-coupled to the tip; and a control unit that applies current to the earth terminal and the connection terminal and detects the root apex based on a detected resistance value, wherein the ultrasonic scaler comprises: a main body extending in one direction so as to be grasped by a practitioner and having the tip coupled to the front; and a connection unit extending from the rear of the main body and electrically connected to the control unit.and includes at least one fixing part provided in a ring shape surrounding the exterior of the main body part, and the connector assembly includes a cable extending along the main body part and coupled to the main body part by the fixing part, with the connection terminal coupled to the front, and a connection jack extending from the rear of the cable and electrically connected to the control part, wherein the connection terminal is arranged to surround the tip and one side contacts the tip, and the connection terminal is provided as a single wire bent at different angles, and includes a central wire coupled to the main body part, a pair of first wires each extending by being bent at a first angle from both ends of the central wire, a pair of second wires each extending by being bent at a second angle from the pair of first wires, and a pair of third wires each extending by being bent at a third angle from the pair of second wires, wherein the first angle, the second angle, and the third angle are different from each other, and the pair of second wires are extended so as to be close to each other from the pair of first wires, and the pair of A root canal treatment device characterized in that a third wire extends away from the pair of second wires, a fitting portion is formed between the second wire and the third wire, the tip passes through the fitting portion from the main body and is disposed inside the connection terminal, the cable includes a front portion connected to the connection terminal and a pair of front rings provided in the front portion, the pair of front rings are spaced apart on both sides to form a groove through which the center wire penetrates laterally, and the connection terminal is rotatably coupled with respect to an axis extending laterally with respect to the front portion. Claim 2 delete Claim 3 delete Claim 4 delete Claim 5 A root canal treatment device according to claim 1, characterized in that the tip is positioned between the pair of second wires and the tip and the connection terminal are electrically connected. Claim 6 A root canal treatment device according to claim 1, wherein the fixing part comprises a fixing ring extending to surround the outside of the main body part and a right fixing band and a left fixing band formed protruding to one side from the fixing ring, and the right fixing band and the left fixing band extend from the fixing ring to form a fixing space corresponding to the outside of the cable. Claim 7 A root canal treatment device according to claim 6, wherein the right fixing band and the left fixing band are arranged separately from each other so that the cable can be inserted into the fixing space, and the fixing part is provided in a plurality of spaced-apart parts along the main body. Claim 8 A root canal treatment device according to claim 1, further comprising a power supply unit, a display unit, and an alarm unit, wherein the control unit controls the power supply unit to apply current to the ground terminal and the connection terminal, and identifies the root apex based on the resistance value detected from the ground terminal and the connection terminal, and displays the changing resistance value on the display unit or outputs a sound to the alarm unit when a specific resistance value is reached.

Images