Patent Application
20220202528
The present invention pertains to dental syringes. More particularly, the present invention pertains to dental syringes that combine two different constituents into a composite material for making dental impressions or plastic build-ups. The present invention is particularly, but not exclusively, useful as a system and method for assembling a dental syringe with properly dimensioned components for a patient-specific application.
Mixing syringes which are used by dentists, for such procedures as preparing dental impressions and constructing build-ups, have typically required the use of disposable components. This happens because of the consequences that result when mixing different materials for these purposes. Namely, unlike the original semi-fluid materials that are to be mixed with each other, the resultant material is a composite that will typically solidify within a short period of time. Because some of the mixed materials remain in the components of the mixing syringe after its use, these components are typically discarded.
The assembly of a mixing syringe for the purposes mentioned above, has, however, heretofore presented some difficulties. Specifically, there are two components of the mixing syringe, that will be subsequently discarded. It happens that these components are particularly difficult to be interconnected. Specifically, these components are a mixing tip, which mixes the constituent materials, and a so-called beak which directs the mixed components to its intended destination in the mouth of a patient.
In practice, the process of connecting a beak with a mixing tip has proven to be problematic in the clinical environment, i.e. the dentist's office. Specifically, these components are relatively small and their interconnection with each other must be essentially fluid-tight. Moreover, as a practical matter, it is also important to have an ability to separately select individual beaks and mixing tips of different sizes and shapes for their use in a particular procedure. Moreover, it is necessary to perform the task of connecting beaks and mixing tips with minimal difficulty and risk of injury.
For the reasons presented above, it is an object of the present invention to provide an assembly device for easily, conveniently, and effectively joining a beak to a mixing tip. Another object of the present invention is to provide the combination of a beak with mixing tip that can be further interconnected with a syringe body for dental protocol. Still another object of the present invention is to provide a system and method for the assembly of a mixing syringe that is simple to construct, is easy to use, and is cost effective.
In accordance with the present invention a device is provided for assembling a mixing syringe that will be used for dental procedures. Specifically, the mixing syringe is of a type, well known in the pertinent art, that mixes two different semi-fluid constituents which interact with each other to create solid dental impressions and/or plastic build-ups. Because the mixed constituents become solid, the interactive components of an operational mixing syringe that mix these constituents can be typically used only once, and they must then be discarded. Consequently, they are typically assembled on-site at the dentist's office before each procedure.
Structurally, the assembly device of the present invention includes a circular top plate which is formed with a hole through the top plate that has a diameter D. A support member is engaged with the perimeter of the top plate to maintain the hole through the top plate at a predetermined height H above the surface on which the support member of the assembly device is positioned. Once the assembly device is positioned, it is be specifically used to interconnect a beak with a mixing tip. The combination of beak and mixing tip can then be joined with a syringe body to establish the mixing syringe.
The beak component of a mixing syringe has a proximal end and a distal end, and it includes, in combination, a distal tapered tube and a proximal gripping member. The beak is formed with a lumen that extends through its entire length in both the gripping member and the tapered tube. Further, the tapered tube has a decreasing outer diameter in the distal direction that starts from a diameter d near the gripping member at the proximal end of the tube. Importantly, the diameter d of the tube at its proximal end must be smaller than the diameter D of the hole in the top plate of the assembly device. This allows for an insertion of the tapered tube through the hole of the top plate.
In detail, the gripping member of the beak includes a ledge having an outer diameter Do that extends radially outwardly from the lumen of the beak at the proximal end of the tapered tube. Importantly, the diameter d of the beak's tube is less than the diameter D of the hole in the top plate. In turn, the diameter D of the hole is less than the diameter D) of the ledge. Thus, the tapered tube of the beak can be extended through the hole in the top plate to support the gripping member of the beak above the top plate with the gripping member extending upwardly and away from the top plate.
In addition to the ledge, the gripping member of the beak also includes a beveled grip at its proximal end of the beak which is formed with a projection that extends radially outwardly from the lumen of the gripping member. With this structure, an annular recess is formed on the gripping member between the ledge and the projection of the beveled grip. As intended for the present invention, when it is positioned on the assembly device, the gripping member of the beak is properly oriented for engagement with another component of the mixing syringe; namely, the mixing tip.
For purposes of the present invention, the mixing tip structurally includes a straight elongated tube that surrounds a mixing chamber and extends between a proximal end and a distal end of the mixing chamber. A mixing screw is positioned in the chamber of the tube for mixing different constituents as they are pushed through the chamber by the mixing syringe. Also, the mixing tip includes a circular grab ring which is formed at its distal end to extend radially inwardly toward the axis of the mixing chamber. Importantly, this grab ring is dimensioned to be received into the annular recess of the gripping member. Thus, the straight tube of the mixing tip is held in fluid communication with the tapered tube of the beak.
Once the mixing tip is engaged with the beak, the combination can be withdrawn from the assembly device and connected with the syringe body of the mixing syringe. Typically, a syringe body that is used for the present invention will have a first cylinder containing a first material and a second cylinder containing a second material. When the connector of the mixing tip is engaged with the syringe body, the first cylinder and the second cylinder are connected in fluid communication with the elongated tube of the mixing tip. A plunger that is mounted on the syringe body can then be activated to simultaneously push the first and second materials respectively from the first and second cylinders and into the mixing chamber of the straight elongated tube. In the mixing chamber the mixing screw acts to combine the first and second materials into a composite material for extrusion from the mixing tip and through the beak for its intended purpose.
As intended for the present invention, the beak is made of a semi-deformable elastomer. On the other hand, the mixing tube of the mixing tip is preferably made of a relatively rigid elastomer when compared with the beak. As noted above, the beak and mixing tip, in combination, are disposable after use.
For an operation of the present invention, the assembly device is positioned on a substantially horizontal surface to maintain the hole of the top plate at a predetermined height H above the surface. The tapered tube portion of the beak, which is shorter than H, is then inserted downwardly through the hole in the top plate. This insertion leaves the gripping member of the beak extending upwardly and away from the top plate. The mixing tip is then pushed downwardly against the gripping member of the beak. This action engages the grab ring of the mixing tip with the annular recess in the gripping member of the beak. This combination of mixing tip and beak is then removed from the assembly device for attachment to the syringe body of the mixing syringe.
The novel features of this invention, as well as the invention itself, both as to its structure and its operation, will be best understood from the accompanying drawings, taken in conjunction with the accompanying description, in which similar reference characters refer to similar parts, and in which:
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While the particular System and Method for Engaging Beaks and Mixing Tips as herein shown and disclosed in detail is fully capable of obtaining the objects and providing the advantages herein before stated, it is to be understood that it is merely illustrative of the presently preferred embodiments of the invention and that no limitations are intended to the details of construction or design herein shown other than as described in the appended claims.
