Abstract A multi-purpose instrument with accessory or servicing tools having the capabilities of irrigating, evacuating, and sealing the root canal of a tooth. The instrument is designed to be operated by one hand and includes a handle and a finger grip portion, as well as a body portion integral with the handle. Internally the body has a series of three decreasing diameter coaxial bores, with the largest of the bores being designed to receive a disposable medicator dental ampule, carpule or syringe. The second bore is designed to receive a spring-loaded valve, while the third bore opens from the opposed end of the instrument and is designed to receive a conventional needle. Disposed on the body is an access port which can be connected to a suitable vacuum source, with the valving arrangment being such that the valve is normally held in a first position in which a through passageway from the vacuum source to the needle is left open for suctioning and evacuation purposes. Upon depression of the plunger on the carpule or syringe, the hydraulic forces, set in motion by the fluid from the carpule, will overcome the force of the valve springs and move the valve to a second position closing off the access port to the vacuum source and permitting the fluid from the carpule to flow through the series of bores and out through the needle and thus into the root canal of the tooth. When the plunger is released, the springs will overcome the decreasing hydraulic pressure and return the valve to the first position.
A dual purpose instrument for use in root canal therapy for intermittently irrigating and aspirating the canal and carrying a disposable syringe for irrigating and being attachable to a vacuum source for aspirating, comprising; an elongate body having a first bore opening in one end thereof, a second intermediate substantially coaxial reduced diameter bore connected to and communicating with said first bore, and a third further reduced diameter substantially coaxial bore opening in the opposed end of said body and connected to and communicating with said second bore; access means for said vacuum source interconnecting said second bore with the peripheral surface of said body adjacent the point of connection between said second and third bores and adapted to be connected to said vacuum source; a spring-loaded valve releasably seated in one end of said second bore adjacent its point of connection with said third bore; said valve including an elongate slotted end portion; a sealing portion telescoped over one end of said slotted end portion; and a seal body portion spaced from and encircling said sealing portion and being movable axially relatively of said sealing portion and said slotted end portion; and spring means normally spacing said valve means from the end of said second bore and thereby normally closing off communication with said first bore while leaving a passage open between said second and third bores and said access means and vacuum source; said disposable syringe being releasably received within said first bore and being capable of exerting hydraulic pressure within said second bore upon activation thereof; said valve being movable under the force of said hydraulic pressure toward the end of said second bore to a position where said access means are closed off by said seal body portion and a passage is opened from said disposable syringe through said second and third bores; and a disposable needle received on said opposed end of said body with one end thereof disposed within said third bore.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
328 words
A dual purpose instrument for use in root canal therapy for intermittently irrigating and aspirating the canal and carrying a disposable syringe for irrigating and being attachable to a vacuum source for aspirating, comprising; an elongate body having a first bore opening in one end thereof, a second intermediate substantially coaxial reduced diameter bore connected to and communicating with said first bore, and a third further reduced diameter substantially coaxial bore opening in the opposed end of said body and connected to and communicating with said second bore; access means for said vacuum source interconnecting said second bore with the peripheral surface of said body adjacent the point of connection between said second and third bores and adapted to be connected to said vacuum source; a spring-loaded valve releasably seated in one end of said second bore adjacent its point of connection with said third bore; said valve including an elongate slotted end portion; a sealing portion telescoped over one end of said slotted end portion; and a seal body portion spaced from and encircling said sealing portion and being movable axially relatively of said sealing portion and said slotted end portion; and spring means normally spacing said valve means from the end of said second bore and thereby normally closing off communication with said first bore while leaving a passage open between said second and third bores and said access means and vacuum source; said disposable syringe being releasably received within said first bore and being capable of exerting hydraulic pressure within said second bore upon activation thereof; said valve being movable under the force of said hydraulic pressure toward the end of said second bore to a position where said access means are closed off by said seal body portion and a passage is opened from said disposable syringe through said second and third bores; and a disposable needle received on said opposed end of said body with one end thereof disposed within said third bore.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
68 words
The instrument of claim 1 further characterized by the presence of a first spring seated in the end of said second bore and normally separating said seal body portion from the end of said second bore; and a second spring normally urging said sealing portion and said seal body into sealing contact with each other and spacing said slotted end portion from the end of said second bore.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
51 words
The instrument of claim 1 further characterized by the fact that said seal body portion has a reduced diameter area intermediate its ends whereby said hydraulic pressure will move said seal body portion to a position closing off said access means while separating said seal body portion and said sealing portion.