US4480996A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Endodontic instrument for dental root canal filling
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1983-01-04
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Granted: 1984-11-06
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Expires: 2003-01-04
Abstract
Abstract An endodontic instrument for emplacing, heating and condensing a sealing plug in a dental root canal comprises an elongated shank having a heat softenable and deformable root canal sealing plug, desirably formed substantially of gutta percha, detachably affixed to one end of the shank. Elongated retractable conductive means, such as a heat conducting wire, extends longitudinally in the shank and has one end terminating in the plug for detachable affixing the plug to the shank and for causing heating and softening of the plug, the conductive means being slidable in the shank for withdrawing the one end from the plug to enable the shank to be used in condensing the heat softened plug within the dental root canal.
Inventors
- 👤 Richard C. Crovatto
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 12:28
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61C; A61C5/00; A61C5/50; A61C5/55
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 19
Claim 1
Independent Claim
164 words
An endodontic instrument for emplacing, heating and condensing a sealing plug in a dental root canal comprising: an elongated shank having first and second ends said first end of said shank being dimensioned to be insertable within the dental root canal and adapted for having a heat softenable and deformable root canal sealing plug detachably affixed thereto; elongated retractable conductive means extending longitudinally in said shank, said conductive means being movable in said shank for causing one end thereof to project through said first end, said projecting end adapted for insertion into said plug in direct contact therewith for detachably affixing said plug to said shank and for causing heating of said plug to soften said plug, said conductive means being movable in said shank for withdrawing said one end thereof from said plug and into said shank for releasing said plug from said shank and providing a free end of said shank for condensing said heat softened plug within the dental root canal.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
164 words
An endodontic instrument for emplacing, heating and condensing a sealing plug in a dental root canal comprising: an elongated shank having first and second ends said first end of said shank being dimensioned to be insertable within the dental root canal and adapted for having a heat softenable and deformable root canal sealing plug detachably affixed thereto; elongated retractable conductive means extending longitudinally in said shank, said conductive means being movable in said shank for causing one end thereof to project through said first end, said projecting end adapted for insertion into said plug in direct contact therewith for detachably affixing said plug to said shank and for causing heating of said plug to soften said plug, said conductive means being movable in said shank for withdrawing said one end thereof from said plug and into said shank for releasing said plug from said shank and providing a free end of said shank for condensing said heat softened plug within the dental root canal.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
22 words
An instrument as claimed in claim 1, wherein said conductive means is a heat conducting wire for conducting heat to said plug.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
25 words
An instrument as claimed in claim 2, wherein the other end of said wire is adapted for thermal communication with a source of thermal energy.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
22 words
An instrument as claimed in claim 3, wherein the other end of said wire extends from said second end of said shank.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
35 words
An instrument as claimed in claim 1, including a heat producing element in said plug and wherein said conductive means is an electrical current conducting wire for conducting electrical current to said heat producing element.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
39 words
An instrument as claimed in claims 1, 2, 3 4 or 5, wherein said shank tapers substantially uniformly along its length between a minimum cross-sectional area at said first end and a maximum cross-sectional area at said second end.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
34 words
An instrument as claimed in claims 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5, wherein the maximum cross-sectional dimensions of said first end of said shank is smaller than the maximum cross-sectional dimension of said plug.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
29 words
An instrument as claimed in claim 6 wherein the maximum cross-sectional dimension of said first end of said shank is smaller than the maximum cross-sectional dimension of said plug.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
51 words
An instrument as claimed in claim 8, wherein said plug is generally elongated having one free end and the other end affixed to said shank, said plug tapering substantially uniformly along its length between a minimum cross-sectional area at said free end and a maximum cross-sectional area at its other end.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
37 words
An instrument as claimed in claim 9, wherein said plug is generally circular in cross-section and the diameter of said plug at its free end is smaller than the diameter of said plug at its other end.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
38 words
An instrument as claimed in claim 10, wherein said shank is generally circular in cross section and the diameter of said shank at its first end is smaller than the diameter of said plug at its other end.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
21 words
An instrument as claimed in claims 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5, wherein said plug and said shank are substantially coaxial.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
16 words
An instrument as claimed in claim 7, wherein said plug and said shank are substantially coaxial.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
16 words
An instrument as claimed in claim 11, wherein said plug and said shank are substantially coaxial.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
19 words
An instrument as claimed in claims 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5, wherein said plug is substantially gutta percha.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
14 words
An instrument as claimed in claim 7, wherein said plug is substantially gutta percha.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
14 words
An instrument as claimed in claim 11, wherein said plug is substantially gutta percha.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
14 words
An instrument as claimed in claim 13, wherein said plug is substantially gutta percha.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1987-11-06 | 1988-05-07 | 1988-11-06 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1991-11-06 | 1992-05-07 | 1992-11-06 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1995-11-06 | 1996-05-07 | 1996-11-06 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |