Battery powered condenser for root canals

Claim 2

A self-contained heated dental instrument comprising: (a) a dental tool means for filling root canal cavities comprising a single piece of electrically conductive tubing, said dental tool means having a first end comprising a tip for working in the root canal, and a second end adapted to be attached to a handle means, said dental tool means being shaped to be adapted for use in the mouth, (b) an element within said dental tool means comprising a conductive portion and a resistive portion, said resistive portion being conductively connected to the tip of said dental tool, wherein said element is provided with insulating substantially throughout its length, (c) a resistor in said conductive portion of said element substantially proximal to said second end of said dental tool, said resistor being provided to control the heating of said first end of said heated tool, (d) handle means having an aperture at one end for receiving said dental tool and (e) a power source means associated with said handle means.

Claim 3

The self-contained heated dental instrument of claim 1 in which said resistive element comprises a NiCr wire which is attached to a copper wire through a brazed ball within said dental tool wherein said NiCr wire is about 1/2 to 1/8 the length of said dental tool.

Claim 4

The self-contained heated dental instrument of claim 2 in which said NiCr wire comprises about 1/5 of the length of said dental tool.

Claim 5

The self-contained heated dental instrument of claim 1 in which said element is plated with electrically conductive material throughout its length except where heating of the element is desired.

Claim 6

The self-contained heated dental instrument of claim 1 in which said power source is battery means.

Claim 7

The self-contained heated dental instrument of claim 5 in which said power source is rechargeable.

Claim 8

The self-contained heated dental instrument of claim 1 in which said tubing is stainless steel.

Claim 9

The self-contained heated dental instrument of claim 1 in which said aperture is adapted for removal and attachment of said dental tool.

Claim 10

The self-contained heated dental instrument of claim 1 in which said insulation comprises polyimide.

Claim 11

The self-contained heated dental instrument of claim 1 in which said element is attached to said tip of said dental tool by weld means.

Claim 12

A dental tool for heating filling material in a root canal comprising: (a) a single piece of electrically conductive tubing, having a first end comprising a tip for working in a root canal, and (b) an element within said tubing comprising a conductive portion and a resistive portion wherein said element is insulated from said tubing substantially throughout its length, said element having electrical contact with said tubing substantially at said tip, and wherein a resistor is provided in said conductive portion proximal to a second end of said dental tool for controlling the heating of said first end of said dental tool.

Claim 13

A dental tool for heating filling material in a root canal comprising: (a) a single piece of electrically conductive tubing, having a first end comprising a tip for working in a root canal, and (b) an element within said tubing comprising a conductive portion and a resistive portion wherein said element is insulated from said tubing substantially throughout its length, said element having electrical contact with said tubing substantially at said tip, and wherein a resistor is provided in said conductive portion proximal to a second end of said dental tool for controlling the heating of said first end of said dental tool.

Claim 14

The dental tool of claim 11 in which said element is attached to said tubing by weld means at one end thereof.

Claim 15

The dental tool of claim 11 in which said element comprises NiCr wire which is attached to a conductor within said tubing.

Claim 16

The dental tool of claim 13 in which said NiCr wire is about 1/2 to 1/8 the length of said tubing.

Claim 17

The dental tool of claim 13 in which said NiCr wire is about 1/5 the length of said dental tool.

Claim 18

The dental tool of claim 11 in which said element comprises electrically resistive wire plated with an electrically conductive material throughout its length except where heating is desired.

Claim 19

A self-contained heated dental instrument comprising: (a) a dental tool means for high temperature treatment in the mouth comprising a single piece of electrically conductive tubing, said dental tool means having a first end for working in the mouth, and a second end adapted to be attached to a handle means, said dental tool means being shaped to be adapted for use in the mouth, (b) a wire element within said dental tool means comprising a conductive portion and a resistive portion, said resistive portion being conductively connected to said first end of said dental tool, wherein said wire element is insulated from said dental tool substantially throughout its length, (c) a resistor in said conductive portion of said element substantially proximal to said second end of said dental tool, said resistor being provided to control the heating of said first end of said dental tool, (d) handle means having an aperture at one end for receiving said second end of said dental tool and (e) a power source means associated with said handle means.

Claim 20

A self-contained heated dental instrument comprising: (a) a dental tool means for high temperature treatment in the mouth comprising a single piece of electrically conductive tubing, said dental tool means having a first end for working in the mouth, and a second end adapted to be attached to a handle means, said dental tool means being shaped to be adapted for use in the mouth, (b) a wire element within said dental tool means comprising a conductive portion and a resistive portion, said resistive portion being conductively connected to said first end of said dental tool, wherein said wire element is insulated from said dental tool substantially throughout its length, (c) a resistor in said conductive portion of said element substantially proximal to said second end of said dental tool, said resistor being provided to control the heating of said first end of said dental tool, (d) handle means having an aperture at one end for receiving said second end of said dental tool and (e) a power source means associated with said handle means.

Claim 21

The self-contained heated dental instrument of claim 17 in which said wire element comprising NiCr wire which comprises about 1/5 of the length of said dental tool.

Claim 22

The self-contained heated dental instrument of claim 17 in which said element is a resistive element which is plated with an electrically conductive material throughout its length except where heating of the element is desired.

Claim 23

The self-contained heated dental instrument of claim 17 in which said dental tool is tapered to facilitate heating of the walls of a root canal cavity.