TITLE:, TOOTH POWDERING DEVICE

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 11/189,675, filed on July 25, 2005 and to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 60/811,892, filed on June 7, 2006, both of which are incorporated herein in their entirety by reference thereto.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a tooth powdering system. More particularly, the invention relates to a tooth powdering system for application of a reflective powder to the surface of a tooth.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

Tooth powdering devices are known in the art for creating tooth replicas and for facilitating photographs of the teeth. U.S. Patent Nos. 5,944,521 and 6,099,306, assigned to Powder Meister, Inc., and U.S. Patent No. 6,416,322, assigned to Ourglass, Ltd ("the PowderPerfekt device"), disclose hand-held tooth powdering applicators. Both applicators are designed so as to allow a dentist to hold a container storing the powder in one hand and direct the powder by rotating a rigid applicator extending from the powder container with the other hand. The hand directing the applicator may also be used to control the air pressure entering the powder container via a push button control valve on the powder container, in the case of the Powder Meister device, or on a dry air syringe connected to the powder container, in the case of the Powder Perfekt device.

Drawbacks to the prior art tooth powdering devices are numerous. First, movement of the hand-held powder container may cause the flow of powder to vary during application. This is problematic because an uneven application of the powder results in an inaccurate tooth replica. Second, holding the powder container while pressing the push button valve on or near the powder container makes for an unwieldy use and a sharp learning curve. Third, continuous exposure of the powder in the powder container to high pressure gas may result in clogging of the powder and, if a leak is present in the system, unnecessary leakage of powder even when the device is not being used.

Therefore, while the prior art tooth powder applicators may be suitable for the particular purpose employed, or for general use, they are not as suitable for the purposes of the present invention as disclosed hereafter.

SUMMARY

An example embodiment of the tooth powdering system of the present invention includes a container configured to hold a powder, a base configured to hold the container, and an applicator configured to dispense the powder. The container is configured to connect to a pressurized gas supply via a first conduit, such as a flexible hose or tube, and communicates with the applicator. The tooth powdering system is configured such that the container is only pressurized via the gas supply during application of the powder through the applicator.

In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the powder may be reflective and configured to adhere to the surface of a tooth.

In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the base may include a recess configured to removably receive the container and/or an elongated recess in the shape of the applicator.

In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, adjacent a top of the container the container may include an inlet for connection to the gas supply and an outlet for connection to the applicator. The container may also include a cap over an opening at a top of the container, wherein the container inlet and outlet are in the cap.

In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the pressurized gas supply may supply pressurized air.

In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the powdering system may include a pressurized gas supply, which may be connected to the container via flexible tubing.

In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the powdering system may include a foot pedal configured to control the flow of gas from the gas supply to the container, wherein depression of the foot pedal allows the gas supply and the container to communicate such that high pressure from the gas supply forces at least some of the powder out through the applicator.

In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the powdering system may include a regulating valve downstream of the gas supply and upstream of the container configured to limit the maximum gas pressure entering the container. The regulating valve may be removably connected to the base. In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the gas supply may be connected to an input of the regulating valve via a first conduit, e.g., a first flexible tube and/or a channel in the base, and an output of the regulating valve may be connected to the container via a second conduit, e.g., a second flexible tube and/or a channel in the base.

In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the regulating valve may be connected to one side of the base and extend into a recess in the base, the first flexible tube extending into the recess where it connects to the regulating valve. hi an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the container may communicate with the applicator via a second conduit, e.g., a flexible hose or tube and/or a channel in the base. An exemplary embodiment of the tooth powdering system of the present invention may include an applicator configured to dispense a powder, a base, a pressurized gas supply, a valve configured to control the flow of gas from the gas supply into the container, and a container configured to hold the powder. The container may be (i) at least partially contained in the base, (ii) connected at an input to the gas supply and (iii) connected at an output to the applicator.

In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the container may be removably contained in the base.

In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the applicator may be connected to the output of the container via a flexible hose. An exemplary embodiment of a tooth powdering system of the present invention may include a container means for containing a powder, a means for holding the container means, and an applicator means for dispensing the powder. The container means may be configured to connect to a pressurized gas supply means and may communicate with the applicator means. The tooth powdering system may be configured such that the container means is only pressurized via the gas supply means during application of the powder through the applicator means.

An exemplary method for using the tooth powdering system of the present invention includes holding a tip of the applicator adjacent a tooth to be powdered, the base and/or the powder container remaining stationary, and opening the valve so as to allow the pressurized gas to flow into the container forcing the gas and the powder out of the applicator onto the tooth. The valve may be controlled by a foot pedal and opening of the valve may be effected by depressing the foot pedal.

An exemplary embodiment of a tooth powdering system of the present invention may include a container adapted to hold a powder, a base adapted to hold the container, and an applicator adapted to dispense the powder. The tooth powdering system may be configured such that the powder is exposed to a pressurized gas supply only during application of the powder through the applicator.

In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the base may be adapted to connect to a dentist's console mounted hand piece delivery system. hi an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the base may connect to a sleeve which is suspended in a slot in the dentist's console mounted hand piece delivery system.

In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the container may suspend from a bottom of the base.

In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the applicator may have a removable tip.

In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the applicator may include a projection adapted to trigger a switch in a dentist's console mounted hand piece delivery system when mounted in said delivery system.

In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the container may include an internal thread for connection to the base. The internal thread may minimize spillage of powder upon removal of the powder container from the base and/or facilitate refilling of the powder container by maximizing the container opening size.

Example embodiments of the present invention may be embodied in the form illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Attention is called to the fact, however, that the drawings are illustrative only. Variations are contemplated as being part of the present invention, limited only by the scope of the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the drawings, like elements are depicted by like reference numerals. The drawings are briefly described as follows. Figure 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of the tooth powdering system of the present invention.

Figure 2 is a perspective view of the tooth powdering system of Figure 1 with the applicator and powder container displaced above their respective holding recesses.

Figure 3 is a cross sectional view of the powder container illustrated in Figure 2. Figure 4 is a bottom view of the base with the remaining components of the device arranged to the side of the base.

Figure 5 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a tooth powdering system according to the present invention mounted on a dentist's delivery system.

Figure 6 is a perspective view of the tooth powdering system of Figure 5 removed from the dentist's delivery system.

Figure 7 is a perspective view of the applicator illustrated in Figure 6.

Figure 8 is a perspective view of the sleeve illustrated in Figures 5 and 6.

Figure 9 a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a tooth powdering system according to the present invention. Figure 10 is a cross section of the tooth powdering system taken along lines 10-10 in

Figure 5.

Figure 11 is a bottom view of the base illustrated in Figure 6.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Figure 1 illustrates a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of the powdering system 10 of the present invention. The powdering system 10 includes a base 12, a powder container 14, and a hand-held applicator 16. Hand-held applicator 16 may include ribs 62 to enhance grip and a tip portion 17, for example, a curved tip portion, to facilitate delivery of a powder jet ejected from the applicator 16. Although shown as a separate unit, powder container 14 may be integral with base 12.

Figure 2 illustrates a perspective view of the powdering system 10 with the powder container 14 and the applicator 16 displaced so as to provide an unobstructed view of an entire top surface 20 of the base. The powder container 14 may be removably contained in a recess 18 in the top surface 20 of the base 12. The hand-held applicator 16 may rest in an elongated recess 22 in the top surface 20 of the base 12 when not in use.

The powder container 14 may contain a powder 13, for example, a reflective powder made from talc powder and titanium oxide, titanium dioxide or zinc oxide. Powder 13 may be forced under high pressure, for example, pressures between 0 and 40 psi, through a lumen 19 (shown in ghost lines) extending the length of the applicator 16. The powder container 14 may be connected to the applicator 16 at an outlet, for example, barbed outlet 24 via a first conduit 26, such as a flexible tube. The conduit 26 may be of sufficient length so as to allow a dentist or other user to position the applicator adjacent an object to be coated, for example, a tooth, without moving the base 12, which may be placed on or connected to, for example, a table, stand, or dental apparatus adjacent the patient's seat. Movement of the base 12 and the powder container 14 on the base 12 may result in an uneven flow of powder through the applicator 16 and, thus, in an uneven application of powder 13 on the object being coated. So as to prevent slippage, base 12 may be made from a dense heavy material, such as metal, or may be made from a plastic and weighed down with a heavy material. Base 12 may also contain legs or pads 15 on a bottom surface 58, which may also prevent slippage. Legs or pads 15 may be made, for example, from rubber. Further, base 12 may be fastened to a supporting surface.

The powder container 14 may be connected to a regulating valve 28 via a second conduit 30, which in turn may be connected to a pressurized gas supply 32 via a third

conduit 34, such as a flexible tube. Third conduit 34 is of sufficient length so as to span the distance between the gas supply 32 and the base 12.

The regulating valve 28 may be set by a user to limit the maximum pressure at which gas is received from the gas supply 32. Alternatively, the powder container 14 may be connected directly to the pressurized gas supply 32. Regulating valve 28 may be connected to third conduit 34 via a connector 35, which may be connected to the base 12. As can be seen in the bottom view of the base shown in Figure 4, connector 35 may at least partially lie in a recess 56 in the bottom surface 58 of the base 12 and may project from a side 60 of the base 12 so as to expose a tip portion 59 for removable connection to the regulating valve 28. Third conduit 34 may pass through a passage 61 (shown in ghost lines) in the base 12 into recess 56 where it may connect to connector 35. On an opposite end, third conduit 34 may include another connector 37 configured to connect to gas supply 32. Regulating valve 28 is shown in Figure 4 disconnected from the base 12. Further, container 14 and applicator 16 are shown to the side of the base 12. The gas supply 32 may be a standard air compressor used in a dentist's office, hi an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the same gas supply used to power standard dental hand pieces, such as an air turbine drill, may be used to provide pressurized gas to the powder container 14. A valve 36, for example, controlled by a standard foot pedal 38, upstream of the powder container 14 may be utilized to control the pressure delivered by the gas supply 32 to the powder container 14. Valve 36 may comprise a standard type mechanical valve or any other means known in the art for controlling the flow of a gas. Valve 36 may communicate with the gas supply 32 via an input line 64 and output line 66. Use of the foot pedal 38 to control powder flow allows a user to focus on positioning the applicator 16. This is in contrast to prior art devices, such as the Powder Meister and PowderPerfekt devices, which require a user to use his or her hands to both hold and direct the powder container and applicator and also to depress a valve button to trigger flow of powder.

Positioning of the valve 36 and/or foot pedal 38 upstream of the powder container prevents application of pressurized gas to the powder 13 during periods of nonuse of the device, m other words, unless the foot pedal 38, for example, is depressed the powder

container 14 is not pressurized. This selective application of pressure to the powder 13 may reduce clogging of the powdering system 10.

First conduit 26 may be connected to an outlet, for example barbed outlet 24, of the powder container 14 and second conduit 30 may be connected to an inlet, for example, barbed inlet 40 of the powder container 14. In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the inlet 40 and outlet 24 may project from a cap 44 of the powder container 14. Alternatively, inlet 40 and outlet 24 may project from a body portion of powder container 14. As can be seen in the cross section of powder container 14 taken along lines 3-3 in Figure 2, outlet 24 may communicate with an interior of the powder container 14 via a first passage 48 in cap 44. Inlet 40 may communicate with a second passage 50 in cap 44 and optionally a tube 52, which may extend downward into the powder container 14 but remains above powder line 54. In other words, tube 52 does not extend into the powder 13 while the powder container 14 is maintained level, steady and not pressurized. Cap 44 may be removably connected to powder container 14, for example, via a threaded connection or a snap fit. In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, cap 44 may have external threads and powder container 14 may have mating internal threads.

In an exemplary embodiment of the powdering system 10, as an alternative or in combination with valve 36 and/or foot pedal 38, a valve may be placed directly on cap 44 or on second conduit 30 so as to control the entry of pressurized gas from gas supply 32 through second passage 50 using finger control as opposed to foot control via foot pedal 38.

In an exemplary embodiment of the powdering system 10, the powder container 14 may be removed from the base 12 and connected directly to the gas supply 32. In use, the dentist would hold the container in one hand and the applicator 16 with the other hand. Further, the applicator 16 may be directly connected to the powder container allowing the dentist to hold the entire device in one hand. In which case, the applicator may be rotatably connected to the powder container 14 allowing it to rotate.

In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the powdering system 10 may include a barrier, such as a plate with holes, inside the powder container 14 over the powder line 54, which may be useful in preventing large clumps of powder from clogging the system.

In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the powdering system 10 may also include a filter along second conduit 30 or in powder container 14. The filter may be water absorbent.

An exemplary embodiment of a tooth powdering system 10' according to the present invention mounted on a dentist's delivery system 68 is illustrated in Figure 5. Dentist delivery system 68 may be attached, for example, to a dentist's console or bracket table 70 used to hold dental equipment, etc. Bracket table 70 is typically suspended from a pole. Delivery system 68 includes slots 72 adapted to hold dental equipment such as a drill, water jet, etc. A sleeve 74, mounted in one of slots 72, removably connects to base 76 via, for example, a set screw 78 (Figure 11), for example, terminating in a knob 80. As can be seen in the perspective views of Figure 6 and Figure 8, sleeve 74 has a larger outer diameter portion 82 and a smaller outer diameter portion 84. The smaller outer diameter portion 84 may slide into any of slots 72 and is suspended therein by the larger diameter outer portion 82, which is too large to completely pass through any of slots 72. Applicator 86 is slidingly disposed within sleeve 74. The relative positions of the sleeve 74 and the base 76 may be adjusted, for example by loosening knob 80 and then shifting sleeve 74 and base 76 relative to each other, to accommodate varying size delivery systems 68, which fit between the larger diameter outer portion 82 and the base 76. In Figures 6 and 9, the tooth powdering system 10' is shown independent of the delivery system 68 on which it mounts for clarity. The embodiments of Figure 1 and 5 share numerous common features but differ primarily in their base and powder container designs. The base 12 included in the embodiment of Figure 1 is desk mounted and supports the container 14 from below. The base 76 included in the embodiment of Figure 5 is suspended from delivery system 68 and supports a powder container 88 from above. As can be seen in Figure 6, powder container 88, suspended from a bottom surface 90 of base 76, may contain a powder 92 (Figure 9), for example, a reflective powder made from talc powder and titanium oxide, titanium dioxide or zinc oxide. Powder 92 can be seen in Figure 9, which shows the device with a transparent powder container 88. Powder 92 may be forced under high pressure, for example, pressures between 0 and 40 psi, through a lumen 94 (Figure 10) extending the length of the applicator 86. The powder container 88 may communicate with the applicator 86 via conduits 96 and 97, e.g., channels in base 76, and

conduit 98 (Figure 5), e.g., a flexible tube. Conduit 98 may be of sufficient length so as to allow a dentist or other user to position the applicator 86 adjacent an object to be coated, for example, a tooth. The powder container 88 is connected to the base 76, for example, by a male threaded connector 112, which mates with internal threads 114 in the powder container 88. The use of internal threads 114 may minimize spillage of powder 92 upon removal of powder container 88 for refilling. Further, the use of internal threads (as opposed to external threads) maximizes the opening size of the powder container 88 and, thus, may reduce spillage of powder 92 during filling of the powder container 88 with powder 92. The powder container 88 may communicate with a regulating valve 100 via conduit 102, e.g., a channel in base 76, which in turn may communicate with a pressurized gas supply 104 via conduit 103, e.g., a channel in base 76, and conduit 106, e.g., a flexible tube. Conduit 106 is of sufficient length so as to span the distance between the pressurized gas supply 104 and the base 76.

The regulating valve 100 may be set by a user to limit the maximum pressure at which gas is received from the gas supply 104. Alternatively, the powder container 88 may be connected directly to the pressurized gas supply 104.

As can be seen in the bottom view of the base 76 shown in Figure 11, applicator 86 slides into sleeve 74, which is removably secured to base 76 via set screw 78 in a narrowed portion 79 of base 76. Narrowing of the base 76 in narrowed portion 79 provides additional space for other tools mounted on the delivery system 68. Base 76 may also be connected to delivery system 68 using a clamp or other fixation mechanism. In which case, sleeve 74 and narrowed portion 79, used to connect to sleeve 74, may be eliminated.

Connector 116 is used to connect to gas supply 104 and includes a first extension 118 and a second extension 120. First extension 118 communicates with conduits 102 and 103, which are shown in dotted lines because they are internal to base 76. Second extension 120 is a solid plug. Connector 116 connects to connector 122 on one end of conduit 106, which may be a standard line used in dental office with a water and air feed. Second extension 120 is used to close off the water feed and first extension 118 taps into the air feed. Gas from gas supply 104 travels along arrow 123 into container 88 and exits mixed with powder 92 along arrow 99.

Gas supply 104 may be a standard air compressor used in a dentist's office. In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the same gas supply used to power standard dental hand pieces, such as an air turbine drill, may be used to provide pressurized gas to the powder container 88. A valve 107, for example, controlled by a standard foot pedal 108, upstream of the powder container 88 may be utilized to control the pressure delivered by the gas supply 104 to the powder container 88. Valve 107 may comprise a standard type mechanical valve or any other means known in the art for controlling the flow of a gas. Valve 107 may communicate with the gas supply 104 via an input line 109 and output line 110. Use of the foot pedal 108 to control powder flow allows a user to focus on positioning the applicator 86. This is in contrast to prior art devices, such as the Powder

Meister and PowderPerfekt devices, which require a user to use his or her hands to both hold and direct the powder container and applicator and also to depress a valve button to trigger flow of powder.

Figure 8 shows a perspective view of sleeve 74. A first slot 124 extending the length of sleeve 74 allows conduit 98 to pass into sleeve 74 prior to sliding applicator 86 into place in sleeve 74, as shown in Figure 5. A second slot 126, opposite first slot 124, is used to accommodate projection 128 on applicator 86 when applicator 86 is seated in sleeve 74. As can be seen in the cross section of the device and the delivery system 68 in Figure 10 taken along lines 10-10 in Figure 5, when applicator 86 is stored in delivery system 68, projection 128 presses against a button or switch 130. Switch 130 controls a valve 132 (Figure 6), which is located between the applicator 86 and pressurized gas supply 104. Removal of applicator 86 from sleeve 74 relieves pressure against switch 130, or otherwise triggers switch 130, and opens valve 132 thus allowing pressurized air to enter container 88 and force powder out through applicator 86. Placement of applicator 86 back into sleeve 74 once again depresses or otherwise triggers switch 130 and closes valve 132, thus, terminating the flow of powder through applicator 86. A manifold 133 connected, for example, between the base 76 and the gas supply 104, provides a separate pressurized gas line for each tool on the delivery system 68. For clarity, only three lines 135, 135', and 135" are shown in Figure 6 even though there are five tools shown in Figure 5. Valve 132 may be interior or exterior to delivery system 68.

Figure 7 shows a perspective view of applicator 86. Projection 128 may be integral with applicator 86 or fixed on applicator 86. The shape of projection 128 may vary provided it is adapted to press against or otherwise trigger switch 130 when applicator 86 is seated in delivery system 68. Applicator 86 may have a removable tip 134, which may be disposable or autoclavable. Tip 134 may be connected to applicator 86, for example, via a luer lock.

Positioning of the valve 107 and/or foot pedal 108 upstream of the powder container 88 prevents application of pressurized gas to the powder 92 during periods of nonuse of the device. In other words, unless the foot pedal 108, for example, is depressed the powder container 88 is not pressurized. This selective application of pressure to the powder 92 may reduce clogging of the powdering system.

In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the powdering system 10' may include a barrier, such as a plate with holes, inside the powder container 88, which may be useful in preventing large clumps of powder from clogging the system. hi an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the powdering system 10' may also include a filter along second conduit 102 or in powder container 88. The filter may be water absorbent.

Similar to the embodiment of Figure 5, the system illustrated in Figure 1, may include a switch, for example, located under applicator 16 on base 12 to control a valve along conduit 34 (not shown). The switch may be configured such that lifting of applicator 16 off of base 12 opens the valve. In a system including a manifold connected to conduit 34 and multiple pressurized gas lines stemming from the manifold for additional dental tools, use of such as switch and valve would be useful to prevent powder from being blown through applicator 16 when another instrument, e.g., a drill, is lifted off the dentist's delivery system.

As many apparently widely different embodiments of the present invention may be made without departing from the spirit and scope thereof, it is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to the specific embodiments thereof except as defined in the appended claims.