DELIVERY SYSTEM FOR DENTAL MATERIALS

Abstract

The present application provides a delivery system for dental materials comprising a capsule having capsule body member and a capsule for dispensing material from said capsule body member, and an extension element, wherein the cannula and the extension element are adapted for a user-activatable unreleasable engagement with each other.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority from European Serial No. 05014393.2, filed Jul. 1, 2005.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a delivery system for dental materials, particularly for processing (such as storage, mixing and dispensing) of dental materials. In more particular, the present invention relates to a delivery system comprising a capsule for storage, mixing and dispensing materials which preferably consist of a plurality of, i.e., two or more components.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Mixing capsules which are filled with the components in separate chambers by the manufacturer are used to produce mixtures of two or more components. The components are brought into communication with one another by the user, for example by destroying a wall separating the chambers, and are afterwards mixed, for example by shaking the capsule in a shaker unit.

Mixing capsules for the production of dental materials which are often mixed from a pulverulent component and a liquid component are known in the dental sector. The completely mixed substance is then dispensed directly onto the working area, for example into a tooth cavity, through a dispensing spout formed integrally on the mixing capsule.

DE-U-90 03 983 describes a device for filling root channels with cement. The device comprises a cylindrical chamber with a displaceable piston, and a pivotable tubular element for dispensing material from the chamber. A flexible cannula is permanently affixed to the tip of the tubular element during manufacture of the device. Thus, the device can only be used with the cannula but not merely with the tubular element.

DE-A-199 61 485 describes a container for dispensing dental material. The device comprises a cylindrical chamber with a displaceable piston, and a pivotable tubular element for dispensing material from the chamber. A cannula is releasably connectable to the tubular element.

Other prior art relates to containers with dispensing tips with conical shapes which can be cut off to adapt the tip from a smaller to a larger diameter.

Further reference is made to U.S. Pat. No. 6,135,771, DE-A-197 00 480, DE-A-19 39 315, and US 2002/098462.

Since there are plenty of cements on the market that can be used for a variety of applications, there are delivery systems available that cover the majority of them. However, for special treatments, such as post cementation, special separate delivery systems are provided. The provision of individual delivery systems for different treatments increases manufacturing costs.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides an improved delivery system for dental materials that provides flexibility in that it allows the use of the same capsule design for different dental treatments with different dental materials.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, a delivery system for dental materials is provided. The delivery system for dental materials comprises a capsule having a capsule body member and a cannula for dispensing material from the capsule body member, and an extension element, wherein the cannula and the extension element are adapted for a user-activatable, unreleasable engagement with each other.

The term “user-activatable” according to the present invention means that the extension element of the delivery system is not preassembled to the cannula of the capsule but is activatable, i.e., connectable to the cannula, by the user immediately prior to the use of the delivery system.

The term “unreleasable engagement” according to the present invention means that the extension element once connected to or engaged with the cannula by the user immediately prior to the use of the delivery system is permanently affixed to the cannula and cannot be removed again from the cannula, or can only be removed using strong forces.

Preferably, the extension element for the cannula comprises a tubular back end portion and a tip portion. A tubular back end portion has a first average inner diameter, and the tip portion has a second average inner diameter, whereas the second average inner diameter is smaller than the first average inner diameter. The term “average diameter” encompasses constant diameters but also conical configurations having a diameter that decreases (or increases) along the length of the respective portion. Preferably, the tip portion is tapered towards its front end so that the tip or front end of the extension element is the smallest part of the extension element.

In order to provide a tight fit when the extension element and the cannula are connected with each other, the inner shape of the extension element corresponds to the outer shape of the cannula.

According to a first embodiment of the present invention, the cannula comprises a first retention element, and the extension element comprises a second retention element. The first and the second retention element form an unreleasable interlock when brought into engagement with each other. Preferably, the first and the second retention elements are formed such that the extension element can be snapped onto the cannula.

It is preferred that the first retention element is located at a front end area of the cannula, and that the second retention element is located at a back end area of the extension element. According to the first embodiment of the present invention, the first retention element is formed as a rim. This rim at least partially surrounds the cannula, and is, for example, conically shaped such that the diameter of the cone increases towards the back end of the rim, i.e. towards the back end of the cannula. Thus, at the back end of the rim a step is present at which the outer diameter is stepped from the largest diameter of the cone to the outer diameter of the cannula. Alternatively, one or more retention teeth could be arranged at the circumference of the cannula.

In order to provide the interlocking engagement between the two retention elements, the second retention element is formed as a mating recess at the inner surface of the extension element. For example, the mating recess is provided in the form of an annular groove also providing a stepped configuration that substantially corresponds to the step between the rim on the cannula and the cannula itself. Preferably, the inner shape of the extension element is as follows. First, at the back end of the extension element, the inner surface of the extension element has the shape of a truncated cone. That is, the inner diameter of the extension element decreases from the edge at the back end in the direction away from the back end, i.e. towards the tip. The truncated cone portion is followed by the mating recess. Preferably, the inner diameter of the extension element at the mating recess corresponds to the largest diameter of the truncated cone. That is, the diameter decreases along the truncated cone and then steps back to the initial diameter so that the decrease in diameter at the cone forms a constriction of the initial inner diameter of the back end portion of the extension element. The wall thickness of the extension element at the back end edge of the mating recess, i.e. the wall thickness in the area where the truncated cone has its smallest diameter, is preferably between 0.5 and 1.0 mm. Next to the mating recess, a second, preferably conically shaped, portion is present, which is then followed by the tip portion. The second portion accommodates the tip portion of the cannula that extends beyond the rim. The average diameter of the second portion is preferably larger than the average inner diameter of the tip portion.

According to a preferred embodiment, the extension element comprises a radially outwardly extending circumferential flange located at the transition between the tubular back end portion and the tip portion. Such flange helps the user grasp the extension element and properly connect it to the cannula. Preferably, the flange comprises at least one flattened area. In other words, the circumferential flange is not entirely circular but comprises at least one area where the edge is straight or flattened. Such flat portion at the flange prevents the extension element from rolling off of a dentist's tray. Alternatively any other non-circular shape could be used for the flange.

As a further optional feature, the extension element comprises one or more wings or webs, respectively, radially arranged at the outer surface of the tip portion, preferably extending from the vicinity of the flange towards the front end of the tip portion. Such wings enable the extension element to be turned while it is pushed onto the cannula thereby reducing the force required to connect the extension element to the cannula.

It is also preferred that the back end portion of the extension element comprises at least one aperture extending from the interior surface of the back end portion to its outer surface. Preferably, the axis of the aperture is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the extension element.

According to a second embodiment of the present invention, the tubular back end portion is made from an elastic material. Preferably, the elasticity of the tubular portion is such that the application of a pull force to it causes it to stretch and constrict, thereby increasing the frictional resistance between the inner surface of the tubular portion and the exterior surface of the cannula (when the cannula is inserted in the tubular portion). In this embodiment, retention elements like those described above in connection with the first embodiment of the present invention may also be provided.

Preferably, the elastic, tubular back end portion of the first or second embodiment comprises at least one aperture extending from the interior surface of the tubular back end portion to its outer surface. More preferably, the aperture is provided in the form of a hole or longitudinal slot extending along the longitudinal axis of the extension element. The aperture ensures that dental material does not flow between the inner surface of the tubular portion and the exterior surface of the cannula during application of the dental material from the delivery system. If the frictional seal between the tubular back end portion of the extension element and the outer surface of the cannula is not adequate to essentially exclude dental material from flowing between the cannula and the tubular portion, the dental material may escape through the aperture rather than remaining between the cannula and tubular portion to adversely impact the frictional seal. This helps to prevent the extension element from coming off of the cannula during delivery of dental material from the capsule.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, a kit for delivery of dental materials is provided. The kit according to the present invention comprises at least one capsule having a cannula for dispensing material from the capsule. The kit furthermore comprises at least one separate extension element, wherein the cannula and the extension element are adapted for a user-activatable, unreleasable engagement with each other. As an option the kit comprises also an orally implantable post, e.g. a fibre post. Preferably a kit consists of a plurality of capsules and a plurality of extension elements, and, optionally, a plurality of posts, wherein the posts can be of different types, sizes, and materials, etc.

A preferred application for the delivery system according to the present invention is cementation of orally implantable posts. For post cementation, the delivery system of the present invention is advantageous because it has a special tip adapted for placement into a (pre-treated) root channel to enable filling of the channel from the bottom to the top thereby allowing complete filling of the channel without entrapment of air in the channel or cement. Therefore, the extension element of the present invention preferably has a thin and elongated front end that is preferably tapered from its back to the front end. The angle of taper preferably corresponds to the taper of the posts. Preferably, a self-adhesive resin cement is applied using the delivery system of the present invention.

A third aspect of the present invention relates to the processing (i.e., mixing and delivery) of dental material with the delivery system of the present invention. Such method comprises the steps of providing a delivery system having a capsule comprising a first dental material and a second dental material stored separately from each other within the separate compartments of the capsule, a cannula and an extension element; activating the capsule to bring the first and second dental materials in contact with each other, mixing, within said delivery system, said first and said second dental material to provide a mixture; unreleasably engaging said extension element with said cannula; and dispensing said mixture through said cannula and said extension element, for example, into a prepared root channel.

The delivery system and kit according to the present invention reduce manufacturing cost over prior art delivery systems because a dentist can use a single capsule design for various dental materials and dental treatments and simple use the extension element if the dental treatment requires it. For example, when using the delivery system to apply cement to a root channel prior to implantation of a dental post, the capsule with its cannula can be delivered to the dentist together with the extension element. The extension element is easily connectable to the cannula by the dentist to establish the “user-activatable, unreleasable engagement”. If the treatment or dental material does not require a long tip, the same capsule design can be used without the extension element. Such flexible delivery system is very convenient from a dental material manufacturer's point of view because manufacture of a single capsule design for various applications will permit reduced costs for manufacture of the capsule, for filling the capsules and for packaging and delivery of the capsules to the dentist.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will be described in more detail in the following with reference to the drawings in which:

FIG. 1 shows an exemplary capsule with cannula of the delivery system according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of the cannula of the capsule of the delivery system according to a first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 a shows a perspective view of the extension element of the delivery system according to the embodiment of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 b shows a side view of the extension element of FIG. 3a;

FIG. 3 c shows a cross-sectional view of the extension element of FIG. 3a along line A-A;

FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of a modified extension element as shown in FIG. 3a;

FIG. 5 shows a further modified extension element shown is FIG. 3a;

FIG. 6 shows schematically the user activation of the delivery system of the embodiment of FIGS. 2 to 5;

FIG. 7 shows an extension element of a delivery system according to a second embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 8 shows the capsule of FIG. 1 and the extension element of FIG. 3a prior to their engagement with each other; and

FIG. 9 shows the extension element of FIG. 3a locked to the capsule of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The capsule 1 shown in FIG. 1 comprises a capsule body member 11 having a chamber 10 containing a first dental material component, a piston 21 being arranged within the chamber and adapted to be moved forward within the chamber 10 in direction of the longitudinal axis of the capsule body, a pivot cannula 14 adapted to be swivelled between a rest position I and an operative position II, a cap 13 providing fixture but allowing swivelling of the pivot cannula at the capsule body member, a foil bag 23 arranged at the outer wall of the capsule body containing a second dental material component, and a clip 22 holding the mentioned foil bag 23.

Details relating to the capsule 1, structure and mounting of the clip and the foil bag are described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,907,106 and EP-0 157 121, which disclosure is hereby incorporated by reference.

When the capsule 1 shown in FIG. 1 is delivered from the manufacturer to the user, it will be charged with the two components of a dental composition, one being typically a powder contained in the chamber 10 and the other being typically a liquid contained in the foil bag 23. The cannula 14 will be in the rest position I in which position no fluid communication between the cannula 14 and the chamber 10 is provided.

To mix the components, the clip 22 is first depressed in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the capsule body so as to break the foil bag 23 and transfer the liquid material through the hole 24 into the mixing compartment 10. Then the capsule 1 is placed into a shaker and is shaken for the desired period of time.

When the capsule 1 is removed from the shaker, the dental composition (for instance a paste) should be ready for use. Thereupon, the cannula 14 may be pivoted to the operative position II, thereby providing fluid communication between the cannula 14 and the chamber 10 and allowing the composition to be displaced from the chamber 10 through the cannula 14 by moving the piston 21 forward, usually by means of a dispensing tool like those known readily known to one skilled in the art (not shown).

Alternatively, instead of the previously described capsule for powder/liquid components capsules (or syringes) with only one or with two or more compartments for storing dental material components (for instance liquid and/or pasty components) can be used in the present invention.

FIG. 2 shows in more detail a pivotable cannula 14 of a capsule 1 of a delivery system of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 2, the cannula 14 may be curved. According to the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the cannula 14 comprises at least one circumferential conical rim 31 located at a front end area 32 of the cannula 14. Alternatively, one or more retention teeth could be arranged at the circumference of the cannula instead of the conical rim 31.

The extension element 40, 50, and 60, shown in FIGS. 3a-3c, 4, 5, and 6, is unreleasably engageable with cannula 14 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.

The extension element 40 shown in FIGS. 3a to 3c comprises a tubular back end portion 41 and a tip portion 42. A flange 46 is provided at the transition between the tubular back end portion 41 and the tip portion 42. As can clearly be seen in FIGS. 3a to 3c, the average outer diameter of the tubular back end portion 41 is larger than the average outer diameter of the tip portion 42. Furthermore, tip portion 42 is tapered towards its front end 43.

The interior configuration of the extension element 40 is shown in FIG. 3c. The back end portion 41 comprises a first internally conically shaped portion at the back end. That is, the inner diameter of the extension element 40 decreases from the back end in the direction away from the back end, i.e. towards the tip. The truncated cone portion is followed by the mating recess or retention groove, respectively, 44. Preferably, the inner diameter of the extension element 40 at the retention groove 44 corresponds to the largest diameter of the first truncated cone portion. That is, the diameter decreases along the truncated cone and then steps back to the initial diameter so that the decrease in diameter at the cone forms a constriction of the initial inner diameter of the back end portion 41 of the extension element 40. Next to the retention groove 44, a second, preferably conically shaped, portion is present, which is then followed by the tip portion 42. The second portion accommodates the tip portion or front end area, respectively, 32 of the cannula 14 that extends beyond the rim 31 (see FIG. 2). The average diameter 45 of the second portion is larger than the average inner diameter 45′ of the tip portion. Inner diameter 45 preferably corresponds to the outer diameter of the front end 32 of cannula 14 so as to provide a tight fit when the extension element 40 is connected to the cannula 14. As an option, the inner diameter 45 can be tapered in the direction towards the tip portion from a diameter substantially corresponding to the outer diameter of the front end 32 of the cannula 14 to a slightly smaller diameter so as to provide better sealing between extension element 40 and cannula 14 when they are fitted together.

FIG. 3 c also shows the step in diameter between the retention groove 44 and the first conical portion of the tubular back end portion 41. In such configuration, the extension element 40 can be unreleasably snapped onto the rim 31 of the cannula 14. The retention groove 44 and the annular rim 31 can form a secure interlock when the extension element 40 is connected to the cannula 14.

The user activated, unreleasable engagement between the extension element 40 and the cannula 14 is more clearly shown in FIG. 6. In the upper drawing of FIG. 6, the two arrows indicate how the extension element 40 and the cannula 14 can be brought into contact with each other until the tubular back end portion 41 is snapped onto the cannula 14 (see lower drawing in FIG. 6). The back end edge of the retention groove 44 is snapped behind the edge of the rim 31. The wall thickness of the extension element at the back end edge of the retention groove 44, i.e. the wall thickness in the area where the first conically shaped portion has its smallest diameter is identified in FIG. 6 as “a”. This wall thickness “a” is preferably between 0.5 and 1.0 mm. In order to allow the tubular back end portion 41 to be easily pushed over the rim 31, this wall thickness “a” is such to leave sufficient elasticity to provide expansion. On the other hand, the wall thickness around the bore is designed to keep sufficient stiffness to provide an unreleasable fit. The force required to snap the extension element 40 onto the cannula 40 preferably is below 100 N. A preferred range of snap on force is less than 80 N and more than 40 N.

Preferably, the snap of the extension element 40 onto the cannula 14 causes an audible “click” sound to provide feedback to the dentist about when the extension element 40 is properly connected to the cannula 14.

Preferably, the cannula 14 is made from a stiff material such as polycarbonate, and the extension element 40 is made from a more elastic material like polypropylene or polyethylene.

A modified design of the extension element is shown in FIG. 4. Like the extension element 40 shown in FIGS. 3a to 3c, extension element 50 comprises a back end portion 51, a tip portion 52 with front end 53, and a flange 56. However, as shown in FIG. 4, flange 56 comprises a flattened portion 58.

FIG. 5 shows a further modified design of the extension element. Extension element 60 comprises a back end portion 61, tip portion 62 with front end 63, and flange 66. Flange 66 comprises two opposite flattened portions 68. Furthermore, two substantially opposite wings or webs 69, respectively, are provided. The wings or webs 69 extend radially from said tip portion 62, and extend along the longitudinal axis of the extension element 60 from the vicinity of the flange 66 towards the front end 63 of the tip portion 62. It is preferred that the webs or wings 69 do not extend along the entire length of the tip portion 62, as shown in FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 shows a second embodiment of the present invention. According to the second embodiment, the extension element 70 comprises a tubular back end portion 71 that is elastic. In this embodiment, the tip portion 72 is preferably made from a more rigid material than the tubular back end portion 71. Such an extension element 70 is preferably manufactured by a two-shot injection molding process comprising the steps of first molding the tip portion 72 using a more rigid material like polypropylene and a second step of molding the back end portion 71 directly onto a part of the surface of the tip portion using a material like a thermoplastic elastomer (e.g. TPU, SEBS, silicone, rubber etc.).

The extension element 70 according to the second embodiment of the present invention preferably does not comprise a retention groove like the first embodiment. Proper unreleasable fixation of the extension element at the cannula 14 is provided by friction. Once the extension element is placed with its elastic tubular back end portion 71 on the cannula 14, it is hard to pull it off again because pulling the extension element 70 causes the elastic portion(s) to constrict, thereby increasing the frictional resistance between the outer surface of the cannula and the inner surface of the elastic tubular back end portion 71. This embodiment may also be used with a cannula having no retention rim 31 as the fixation is provided by friction only.

As an option, the extension element 70 of the second embodiment of the present invention may also comprise a retention groove.

Furthermore, as also shown in FIG. 7, the extension element 70 according to the second embodiment of the present invention comprises an aperture 77 which prevents the impairment of the frictional seal of the extension element 70 on the cannula 14 by allowing any dental material that follows between the inner surface of the elastic tubular end portion and the outer surface of the cannula 14 to escape through the aperture 77.

FIG. 8 shows the capsule 1 of FIG. 1 and the cannula 14 and extension element 40 of FIGS. 2 and 3 immediately prior to locking the extension element 40 to the cannula 14 of the capsule 1. The engaged state is shown in FIG. 9. FIG. 9 shows how the rim 31 of the cannula 14 has snapped into the groove 44 of the extension element 40. Mixed dental material contained in the chamber 10 can now be dispensed through the cannula 14 and the extension element 40 using the piston 21. A comparison of FIGS. 8 and 9 shows that in FIG. 9, foil bag 23 is now emptied through hole 24.

Claims

1. Delivery system for dental materials comprising: a capsule having a capsule body member and a cannula for dispensing material from said capsule body member; and an extension element; characterized in that said cannula and said extension element are adapted for a user-activatable unreleasable engagement with each other.

2. The delivery system of claim 1, wherein said extension element comprises a tubular back end portion having a first average inner diameter, and a tip portion having a second average inner diameter, said second average inner diameter being smaller than said first average inner diameter.

3. The delivery system of claim 2, wherein said tip portion is tapered towards its front end.

4. The delivery system of claim 2, wherein the inner shape of said extension element corresponds to the outer shape of said cannula so as to provide a tight fit.

5. The delivery system of claim 1, wherein said cannula comprises a first retention element and said extension element comprises a second retention element, said first and second retention element forming an unreleasable interlock when brought into engagement.

6. The delivery system of claim 5, wherein said first retention element is located at the front end area of said cannula.

7. The delivery system of claim 5, wherein said second retention element is located at a back end area of said extension element.

8. The delivery system of claim 5, wherein said first retention element is formed as a rim at least partially surrounding said cannula.

9. The delivery system of claim 8, wherein said rim is conically shaped with its diameter increasing towards the back end of the rim.

10. The delivery system of claim 8, wherein said second retention element is formed as a mating recess at the inner surface at the back end portion of said extension element.

11. The delivery system of claim 10, wherein the inner diameter of said back end portion decreases from the back end of the extension element towards the tip portion until the mating recess is reached, and then steps back to the diameter of the mating recess.

12. The delivery system of claim 2, wherein said extension element comprises a radially outwardly extending circumferential flange at the transition between the tubular back end portion and the tip portion.

13. The delivery system of claim 12, wherein said flange comprises at least one flattened edge area.

14. The delivery system of claim 2, wherein said tubular back end portion of said extension element is made from an elastic material.

15. The delivery system of claim 14, wherein elasticity of said tubular back end portion is such that pulling the tubular back end portion causes stretching and constriction of the elastic portions of the tubular back end portion which results in increased frictional resistance between the cannula and extension element.

16. The delivery system of claim 2, wherein said extension element comprises at least one aperture extending from the interior of the tubular back end portion to its outer surface.

17. The delivery system of claim 1, wherein said capsule comprises a first chamber for a first dental component, and a second chamber for a second dental component.

18. The delivery system of claim 17, wherein said capsule is activatable so as to provide for mixing of said first and second dental materials in said first chamber.

19. The delivery system of claim 1, containing glass ionomer cement, resin modified glass ionomer cements, or a self-adhesive resin modified glass ionomer cement.

20. Method of processing dental materials, comprising the steps of: a) providing a delivery system having a capsule comprising a first dental material and a second dental material stored separately from each other in separate compartments of the capsule, and having a dispensing cannula and an extension element; b) activating the capsule to bring the first and second dental materials in contact with each other; c) mixing, within said delivery system, said first and said second dental material to provide a dental mixture; d) unreleasably engaging said extension element with said cannula; and e) dispensing said dental mixture through said cannula and said extension element.