Patent Application
20080076090
The following detailed description of the present subject matter refers to subject matter in the accompanying drawings which show, by way of illustration, specific aspects and embodiments in which the present subject matter may be practiced. These embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the present subject matter. References to “an”, “one”, or “various” embodiments in this disclosure are not necessarily to the same embodiment, and such references contemplate more than one embodiment. The following detailed description is demonstrative and not to be taken in a limiting sense. The scope of the present subject matter is defined by the appended claims, along with the full scope of legal equivalents to which such claims are entitled.
In various embodiments, the forceps 208 define a recess 210. In some embodiments, the recess 210 runs at least partially through the clamping surface 204 and defines an opening when the clamping surface 204 is pressed against another surface. If the mating surface includes a similar recess, a larger opening is defined. The present subject matter includes, but is not limited to, recesses which are cylindrical. Such recesses provide a semi-circular opening 202, which, when clamping surface 204 is pressed against another surface having a recess which opposes recess 210, defines a circular opening.
In various embodiments, the recess 210 is sized to grasp an endodontic point. The present subject matter is not so limited, however, and includes recesses adapted to grasp other items, such as files, fillers, and/or other items. The present subject matter is not limited to endodontics, and should be interpreted as applicable whenever a forceps is needed to grasp a point.
Various embodiment of the present subject matter include graduations 206 on the forceps. In various embodiments, the graduations are calibrated to inform as to the length of the recess 210. As such, in various embodiments, a care provider can insert a point into recess 210, and quickly determine how far along the recess the point is positioned. In some embodiments, the graduations on the forceps define a distance extending away from a distal tip 214 of the forceps 208 along the recess 210. Graduations may be in metric units, English units, or other units. One embodiment includes graduations in millimeters.
The present subject matter includes the illustrated graduation, which are regular, incremental graduations, but is not limited to such graduations, and could include additional graduations, such as color coded graduations. The illustrated graduations are positioned along a gripper 212 of the forceps 208, but the present subject matter is not so limited. The present subject matter includes graduations positioned along recess 210, in various embodiments.
In various embodiments, the graduations 206 include ink. In some embodiments the graduations 206 include etching. Some of these etchings are compatible with radiography analysis, in various embodiments. Some embodiments include etchings which are laser etched. Some embodiments cast the graduations 206 into the forceps 208 during molding of the forceps 208.
In various embodiments, the graduations are applied to forceps 208 such that they are visible during radiography, including digital radiography. For example, some embodiments include a plastic forceps along which are positioned radioopaque graduations. Various embodiments impregnate a forceps 208 with a radioopaque material. Additional embodiments print a radioopaque material onto the forceps.
Various points are contemplated by the present subject matter including, but not limited to, files, endodontic points, and other points. Endodontic points include, but are not limited to, paper points and/or gutta-percha. Points comprising a sterilization medium are contemplated as well, in some embodiments.
Various embodiments of the present subject matter are packaged in kit form. For example, some embodiments include a kit in which is included a first forceps having first graduations. Various embodiments package a second forceps having a second graduation in the kit. In various embodiments, the kit is useful to provide the care provider with several sterile forceps. Some embodiments, for example, provide the care provider with a first forceps having a cylindrical recess, and a second forceps having a second recess of another shape. In some embodiments, a kit includes a first forceps having a first set of graduations, and a second forceps having a second set of graduations. For example, in some of these embodiments, a first stainless steel forceps is provided having laser etched graduations, with a second plastic forceps having radioopaque graduations impregnated into the forceps. Some embodiments include a kit in which a first forceps having graduations of a first length is packaged with a second forceps having graduations of a second length. The present subject matter includes these kit embodiments, as well as kit embodiments which are not expressly disclosed herein.
Embodiments of the present subject matter additionally contemplate graduation markings which extend at least partially along the recess 204, as well as onto other portions of a forceps. Some embodiments position graduations along a recess and along a clamping surface.
Various embodiments include positioning a second point 308 in the graduated forceps 302 such that a working portion is exposed, as illustrated in
Various embodiments include positioning a gutta-percha point in the graduated forceps such that the distance from a distal portion of the gutta-percha point to a tip 306 of the graduated forceps (3X) is substantially the same as the canal working length. Various embodiments additionally include positioning a gutta-percha point such that the distal portion of the gutta-percha is disposed in a biologically compatible fashion near an apex 312 of the canal. In various embodiments, this includes positioning the point such that the root canal is sealed.
Some embodiments include rinsing the canal with a rinse. These embodiments include, but are not limited to, sodium hypochlorite, water, saline, sodium hypochlorite, sodium hypochlorite, local anesthetic, chlorhexidine gluconate, calcium hydroxide paste, and/or other materials. Various embodiments include drying the canal with the second absorbent paper point by inserting the second absorbent paper point in the canal such that the tip of the graduated forceps abuts the access aperture of the canal.
Although specific embodiments have been illustrated and described herein, it will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that any arrangement which is calculated to achieve the same purpose may be substituted for the specific embodiment shown. This application is intended to cover adaptations or variations of the present subject matter. It is to be understood that the above description is intended to be illustrative, and not restrictive. Combinations of the above embodiments, and other embodiments will be apparent to those of skill in the art upon reviewing the above description. The scope of the present subject matter should be determined with reference to the appended claims, along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled.
