BACKGOUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to an endodontic device. More particularly, this invention relates to an endodontic device including a means for heating a fluid to be transported to the site of an endodontic procedure.

During an endodontic procedure, the endodontist typically makes use of a specially adapted drilling or filing apparatus to shape the internal structure of a root canal. Material loosened in a canal must then be evacuated from such canal, typically through the use of an irrigating fluid. In order to deliver the irrigating fluid to such canal, a drilling or filing device including an irrigating channel is used. Alternatively, the drilling or filing apparatus is removed and the irrigating fluid is administered to the site of the procedure by an irrigating device. The use of separate devices inconveniences the endodontist as more time and equipment is required therefor. Additionally, as more individual steps are required during such process, the incidence of errors is increased.

Various types of irrigating fluids are used in such procedures. These fluids vary from non- bacterial irrigants to bacteriostatic or bactericidal solutions.

Non-bacterial solutions, such as saline or distilled water, are used simply to flush the canal in order to evacuate loose material located therein, but do not impart any antibacterial characteristics to such canal. On the other hand, bacteriostatic or bactericidal solutions, such as Sodium Hypochlorite and Hydrogen Peroxide, are used to flush loose material located within the canal, as well as to dissolve organic and/or inorganic materials, thereby to open accessory canals, while simultaneously imparting an antibacterial effect on such canals. The efficacy of typically used bacteriostatic and bactericidal solutions is increased at higher temperatures.

United States patent application number 2012/0237893 entitled“Apparatus, methods, and compositions for endodontic treatments” discloses an endodontic device for root canal cleaning treatments. The device includes: (i) a means for filling a void created within a tooth with a fluid; and (ii) a pressure wave generator, configured to be disposed within the fluid retained within the tooth chamber, and to generate pressure waves within such fluid. The document describes that the fluid may include antiseptic or antibacterial solutions to assist in cleaning of the site of the procedure. Further, this document states that additional components may be included to regulate the temperature of the fluid.

United States patent application number 2007/0244425 entitled“Irrigation and aspiration handpiece device” describes an irrigating device, which includes a heating element. The heating element is adapted to heat the irrigant before it is delivered to the site of the procedure, thereby to increase the efficacy of the fluid so delivered.

Neither of the aforementioned devices includes a drilling or filing device and, accordingly, requires an endodontist to use an additional device prior to making use of these devices.

United States patent number 4 973 247 entitled“Dental handpiece assembly” describes a gas driven dental device including: (i) a turbine driven dental drill assembly; and (ii) a fluid conduit to provide irrigation liquid to the site of the procedure, as well as to cool the dental device during operation. The irrigation and coolant fluid is supplied to the dental device through the use of a releasably connectable cartridge. It is further also stated that the fluid used may have disinfectant properties, thereby to disinfect the conduit through which the fluid is transported to the procedure site. This device does not include any means for heating the fluid.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to address the shortcomings of the prior art and to provide an endodontic device that is adapted to complete the tasks of drilling, cutting and/or filing, as well as providing a heated irrigant to the site of such procedure.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to preferred embodiments of the invention, there is provided an endodontic device that includes: an elongate housing defining: opposed first and second ends; and a grip located intermediate the first and second ends for operatively being gripped by an operator, a chuck located at or near the first end of the housing, wherein the chuck: is rotatably or reciprocally movable relative to the housing; defines a tool socket for receiving a shaping tool therein; and has a retaining means for releasably retaining the shaping tool operatively received within the tool socket, thereby to enable rotation or reciprocation of the shaping tool with the chuck; a means for driving the chuck relative to the housing; a receptacle located at least partially within the housing, for operatively receiving a liquid or a liquid containing cartridge therein; a means for energizing the endodontic device; a conduit defining: an inlet located at or near, and in fluid communication with the receptacle; and an outlet located at or near the chuck, for operatively ejecting liquid onto the shaping tool or the site of an endodontic procedure; a means for heating liquid before ejection thereof; and a heat insulative or reflective shield disposed between the heating means and the drive means, the shield being disposed at least partially about:

(a) the heating means; and

(b) the conduit or receptacle, thereby to: (i) shield the drive means from heat generated by the heating means; and (ii) focus or retain the heat generated by the heating means toward or within the conduit or receptacle.

Preferably, the endodontic device further includes at least one temperature sensor associated with the conduit, by which the temperature of liquid being transported within the conduit is operatively measured.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention each of the driving means, the energizing means, the conduit and the heating means are located at least partially within the housing.

Typically: a first temperature sensor is located at or near the outlet of the conduit, thereby operatively to measure the temperature of liquid located within the conduit at or near the outlet; and a second temperature sensor is located at or near the inlet of the conduit, thereby operatively to measure the temperature of liquid located within the conduit at or near the inlet.

According to a first embodiment of the invention, the conduit comprises a cylindrical sidewall defining an internal passage, and the heating means extends at least partially along the conduit between the inlet and outlet thereof, thereby to heat the liquid during transport thereof through the conduit.

Preferably, the heating means extends at least partially about the internal passage of the conduit.

Optionally, the heating means is at least partially embedded within the cylindrical sidewall.

Preferably, the heating means is located at least partially within the internal passage defined by the conduit. According to a second embodiment of the invention, the heating means is disposed within the receptacle, thereby operatively to heat a liquid within the receptacle or within the cartridge received within the receptacle.

Preferably, the heating means is an electrically resistive wire.

Generally, the drive means is a motor.

Typically, the energizing means is a battery, removably receivable within the housing, and the receptacle includes a removable cover for operatively closing an opening within the housing through which a liquid or a cartridge is insertable into the receptacle.

Typically, the endodontic device further includes a nozzle located within the outlet of the conduit, wherein the nozzle is configured to direct liquid operatively ejected from the outlet of the conduit onto the shaping tool or the site of an endodontic procedure.

Optionally, the receptacle includes an engaging formation for releasably engaging a portion of a cartridge and the inlet of the conduit is connected in fluid communication with the engaging formation, such that engagement of the engaging formation with a portion of a cartridge connects the inlet in fluid communication with such cartridge.

Typically, the engaging formation of the receptacle includes a piercing means, configured operatively to pierce a seal of the cartridge, thereby to enable extraction of liquid from within such cartridge.

Generally, the retaining means of the chuck is a plurality of jaws disposed about a working axis, with the jaws being movable between:

(i) a disengaged condition, wherein the jaws are spaced radially away from the

working axis, thereby to enable the shaping tool to be received within or removed from the tool socket of the chuck; and

(ii) an engaged condition, wherein the jaws are moved radially toward the working axis and into engagement with the shaping tool located within the tool socket of the chuck, thereby to retain the shaping tool received within the tool socket.

Optionally, the retaining means of the chuck comprises: a magnet located within the tool socket of the chuck; or a mechanical engaging formation defined by the tool socket of the chuck, thereby to enable the shaping tool to be retained within the tool socket by magnetic force or mechanical engaging of complementary engaging formations.

Optionally, the mechanical engaging formation defined by the tool socket of the chuck is: a threaded connector; or a bayonet mount.

Generally, the endodontic device further includes a means for pumping liquid from within the receptacle into and through the conduit.

Typically, the pumping means is: a pump; a means for pressurizing the receptacle; or a mechanical element driven by the motor to generate a suction within the conduit.

Preferably, the endodontic device further includes a controller configured operatively to control: the motor; or heating means; or pumping means.

Optionally, the controller or heating means is configured to heat a liquid to a temperature of between 20 and 60 degrees Celsius before ejection of the liquid from the outlet of the conduit.

Optionally, the first end of the housing is rotatable relative to the grip of the housing about a housing axis extending longitudinally between the first and second ends of the housing, thereby to enable adjustment of the first end relative to the grip. Optionally, a portion of the first end of the housing is pivotable about a pivot axis, which pivot axis is substantially orthogonal to the housing and working axes, thereby to enable an operator to adjust the orientation of the working axis relative to the housing axis and the grip of the housing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will now be described in more detail, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a cross-sectional side view of an endodontic device in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention; and

Figure 2 is a cross-sectional side view of an endodontic device in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

An endodontic device according to a first embodiment is designated generally in Figure 1 by reference numeral 10. The endodontic device 10 includes an elongate housing 12, a chuck 14, a receptacle 16 and a heating means.

For the purposes of this specification, the term heating means shall be intended to refer to a device which generates heat at a rate of at least 5 Watts. Preferably, the heating means transforms electrical energy into heat energy through resistance to the flow of electrical current trough such device. To this end, the term electrically resistive will be used to refer to a device or material having an electrical resistivity of between 1.68x10 ⁸ and 6.40x10 ² ohm- meter at a temperature of 20 degrees Celsius.

The housing 12 defines a longitudinal housing axis A-A, a first working end 20, an opposing second end 22 and a grip 24 located intermediate the first and second ends 20, 22. The grip 24 is sized and shaped to enable an operator to grip the housing 12, thereby to enable such operator to comfortably maneuver the endodontic device 10. The chuck 14 is located at the first end 20 of the housing 12 and defines a tool socket 26 configured operatively to receive a shaping tool 28, such as a drill bit, therein. The chuck 14 includes a retaining means illustrated in Figure 1 as a plurality of jaws 32, which jaws 32 define a working axis B-B along which the shaping tool 28 may be received within and removed from the tool socket 26. The working axis B-B is illustrated as angularly offset from the housing axis A-A by an angle of approximately 90 degrees, i.e. between 60 and 120 degrees. The jaws 32 are movable radially relative to the working axis B-B between engaged and disengaged conditions. In the disengaged condition, the jaws 32 are spaced radially away from the working axis B-B, thereby to enable the shaping tool 28 to be received within or removed from the tool socket 26. In the engaged condition, the jaws 32 are moved radially toward the working axis B-B and into engagement with the shaping tool 28 located within the tool socket 26, thereby to retain the shaping tool 28 received within the tool socket 26.

The chuck 14 is connected to the housing 12 in a manner to enable the chuck 14 to rotate relative to the housing 12 about the working axis B-B, thereby consequently to enable rotation of the shaping tool 28 in unison with the chuck 14. The working end 20 of the housing 12 may also be rotatable relative to the grip 22 of the housing 12 about the housing axis A-A, thereby to enable adjustment of the working end 20 relative to the grip 22 between multiple orientations. Furthermore, a portion of the working end 20 is pivotable about a pivot axis (not shown), which pivot axis is substantially orthogonal to the housing and working axes A-A, B-B, thereby to enable an operator to adjust the orientation of the working axis B- B relative to the housing axis A-A and the grip 22 of the housing 12. The chuck 14 may also be connected in a manner to enable reciprocal movement of the chuck 14 relative to the housing 12 back-and-forth along the working axis B-B and/or side-to-side on a plane crossing the working axis B-B.

The receptacle 16 is located within the housing 12 and configured to receive a liquid irrigant 34 therein. The irrigant 34 is preferably in the form of a bactericidal or bacteriostatic solution. According to the first embodiment as illustrated in Figure 1 , the receptacle 16 is configured to receive the irrigant 34 directly thereinto through an opening 36 defined in the housing 12. A removable cover 38 is configured to sealingly close the opening 36, thereby to inhibit the leakage of the irrigant 34 through the opening 36 while the endodontic device 10 is being used.

The endodontic device 10 further includes a driving means in the form of a motor 40 located within the housing 12. The motor 40 is mechanically connected to the chuck 14 via a plurality of transmission members 41 configured to transmit power from the motor 30 to the chuck 14, thereby to enable rotation and/or reciprocation of the chuck 14 and consequently the shaping tool 28. It will be appreciated by an expert in the field, that the movement may include a combination of rotation and/or reciprocation in multiple directions simultaneously.

Further, the endodontic device 10 also includes a conduit 42 located within the housing 12 and configured to transport the irrigant 34 from the receptacle 16 to the shaping tool 28 and/or the site of an endodontic procedure. The conduit 42 has an inlet 44 and outlet 46 and a cylindrical sidewall extending between such inlet 44 and outlet 46. The conduit 42 defines an internal passage within the cylindrical sidewall, through which irrigant 34 operatively flows. The inlet 42 is located at or near, and in fluid communication with the receptacle 16, thereby operatively to receive irrigant 34 from within the receptacle 16. The outlet 46 is located at or near the chuck 14, thereby to eject irrigant from the conduit 42. The conduit 42 has a nozzle 48 located within the outlet 46, the nozzle is adapted to control flow of irrigant 34 ejected from the conduit 42, and to direct such irrigant 34 onto the shaping tool 28 and/or the site of an endodontic procedure. The nozzle 48 is angularly movable relative to the outlet 46, thereby to enable an operator to adjust the orientation of, and consequently the direction of ejection by the nozzle 48.

A pumping means (not shown) for forcing the irrigant 34 into and through the conduit 42 is also included in the housing 12. The pumping means may be in the form of a pump in fluid communication with the conduit 42, a means for pressuring the receptacle 16, or a mechanical element driven by the motor 40 to generate a suction within the conduit.

The heating means according to the first embodiment as illustrated in Figure 1 is an electrically resistive heating wire 50. The heating wire 50 is located within the internal passage of the conduit 42, and extends along a portion of thereof, thereby to enable the transfer of heat generated by the heating wire 50 to irrigant 34 being transported along the conduit 42. Accordingly, the irrigant 34 may be heated to a desired temperature to ensure optimal efficacy of such irrigant 34. According to the present embodiment, it is preferred that the irrigant be heated to a temperature between 20 and 60 degrees Celsius, depending on the nature of the irrigant used. It will be appreciated by a person skilled in the art that the heating wire 50 may alternatively be located on the interior or exterior surface of the cylindrical sidewall of the conduit 42. In further alternative embodiments, the heating wire 50 may be embedded within the cylindrical sidewall of the conduit, or located external to but proximate the conduit 42, extending at least partially along and/or about the conduit 42 without departing from the spirit of the present invention. A first temperature sensor 52 is located upstream of the heating wire 50 along the conduit 42, at or near the inlet 44, thereby operatively to measure the temperature of the irrigant 34 upon entry thereof into the conduit 42. A second temperature sensor 54 is located downstream of the heating wire 50 along the conduit, at or near the outlet 46, thereby operatively to measure the temperature of the irrigant 34 before ejection thereof through the nozzle 48. A heat shield 56 made of or at least partially covered in a heat insulative and/or reflective material is disposed about the conduit 42 and the heating wire 50, thereby to separate the heating wire 50 from the motor 40 and to focus and/or retain the heat generated by the heating wire 50 toward the conduit 42. In this manner, the heat transfer from the heating wire 50 to the irrigant 34 is optimized and the unwarranted heating of other components and the housing 12 is minimized.

Additionally, a means for energizing the motor 30, the heating wire 50 and the first and second temperature sensors 52, 54 is provided in the form of a battery 58, also located within the housing 12. The battery 58 is located near the second end 22 of the housing 12, and has an electrical connector 60 extending therefrom. The electrical connector 60 extends out of the housing 12 and terminates in an electrical socket 62 configured to receive an electrical plug (not shown) therein, thereby to enable the battery 58 to be recharged through an external power source (not shown). A controller (not shown) is also located within the housing 12. The controller is connected in electrical communication with the motor 40, the heating wire 50, the first and second temperature sensors 52, 54, the pumping means and the battery 58. The controller is configured to receive input from an operator regarding the intended parameters of operation of the motor 40 and the heating wire 50, and controls such elements in response to such input and data received from the first and second temperature sensors 52, 54. The operator provides the input to the controller via an actuator 64 and a control panel 66.

According to a second embodiment, as illustrated in Figure 2, wherein like reference numerals denote like parts, there is provided an endodontic device 1 10, wherein a chuck 1 14 includes an alternative retaining means in the form of a magnet 130 and a mechanical engaging formation 132a, such as a bayonet mount or a threaded connector, located within a tool socket 126. The chuck 114 is configured to reciprocate along the working axis B-B. A shaping tool 128, now in the form of a file, is at least partially made of a magnetically attractable material and defines a complementary mechanical engaging formation 132b. The shaping tool 128 is receivable within the tool socket 128 and retainable therein by magnetic force and the mechanical engagement of the complementary mechanical engaging formations 132a, 132b of the tool socket 128 and the shaping tool 126 respectively. It will be appreciated by an expert in the art that either of the magnet 130 and mechanical engaging formation 132a may be omitted without the departing from the scope of the present invention.

In the second embodiment of the endodontic device 110, a receptacle 116 includes a cartridge engaging formation 168 for releasably engaging a portion of a cartridge 170 containing irrigant 134 therein. The cartridge engaging formation 168 includes a piercing element 172 defining an internal flow chamber therethrough. The piercing element 172 is configured to pierce a seal 174 obstructing an opening 176 defined by the cartridge 170, thereby to enable the extraction of irrigant 134 from within the cartridge 170 through the piercing element 172. The cartridge engaging formation 168 and the piercing element 172 are connected in fluid communication with the inlet 144 of the conduit 142. This manner of engagement of the cartridge 170 by the cartridge engaging formation 168 enables the piercing element 172 to connect the conduit 142 in fluid communication with the cartridge 170. The opening 136 defined by the housing 1 12 is sized and shaped to accommodate the passage of the cartridge 170 therethrough, and a similarly sized and shaped cover 138 is removably securable to the housing 112 to obstruct such opening.

Still with reference to the embodiment of Figure 2, a heating means, in the form of a heating element 150, and a temperature sensor 152 are located within the receptacle 116.

Accordingly, in the present embodiment, the irrigant 134 is heated to the intended temperature before such irrigant 134 is extracted from the cartridge 170 into the conduit 142. A heat shield 156 is disposed around the receptacle 116 and heating element 150, thereby to retain the heat generated by the heating element 150 within close proximity to the cartridge 170 for effective heat transfer to the irrigant 134. The removable cover 138 also includes a heat shield 156, similarly intended to retain the heat generated by the heating element 150 within close proximity to the cartridge 170 for effective heat transfer to the irrigant 134. The heat shield 156 disposed on the removable cover 138 is further intended to inhibit and limit heat transfer from within the receptacle 1 16 to the exterior surface of the housing 112, thereby to prevent the grip 122 from inconveniencing or burning an operator during use of the endodontic device 110.

Further, in this embodiment, the endodontic device 110 includes an energizing means in the form of an electrical connector 158 extending from the motor 140, the heating element 150, the controller (not shown) and the receptacle temperature sensor 152, out of the housing 1 12 for connection to an external electrical socket (not shown). According to either of the illustrated embodiments, the endodontic device 10, 1 10 enables an operator to effectively perform complete endodontic shaping and/or material removal operations with simultaneous irrigation of the site of the endodontic procedure. Further, the irrigant delivered to such endodontic site by the endodontic device 10, 1 10 is of a temperature that enables maximum efficacy of the irrigant, while not adversely affecting the organic material of such endodontic site.