AU3708002A - Dental or surgical illuminated mirror - Google Patents

Description

01/05/002 16:33 +613-9890-1337 PATENT ATTORNEY SERV PAGE 08/21

AUSTRALIA

Patents Act 1990 COMPLETE

SPECIFICATION

FOR A STANDARD PATENT

ORIGINAL

Applicant(s): CARL PARKER ASSOCIATES, INC.

Actual Inventor(s): Chan Wong Address for Service: PATENT ATTORNEY SERVICES 26 Ellingworth Parade Box Hill Victoria 3128 Australia Title: DENTAL OR SURGICAL ILLUMINATED MIRROR The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me/us:- 01/05/2002 16:33 +613-9890-1337 PATENT ATTORNEY SERV PAGE 09/21 DENTAL OR SURGICAL ILLUMINATED

MIRROR

FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to ergonomic illuminated dental or surgical mirrors.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Small mirrors with extended handled have been in common use for aiding dental or oral surgical procedures. In addition, it has been found beneficial to combine such an instrument with a light source that impinges light directly on the reflective mirror surface.

Meitzler (US Patent No. 1,817,417) describes a mirror instrument with a small incandescent lamp at the distal end of the handle portion. A shield is used to minimize the chance of patient tissue contact with the hot lamp surface. A cable is used to supply power to the lamp from a stationary source.

Verderber (US Patent No. 5,139,421) has a mirror light with two embodiments. In one version, it is a self-contained instrument with battery power source and lamp in the handle portion. Light is conveyed to the distal end adjacent the mirror head through a light pipe so as to eliminate the exposure of the patient to the hot incandescent lamp. In an alternate embodiment, light from a stationary lamp and power source is conveyed using a fiber optic cable to the handpiece of the instrument.

A problem with existing dental examination mirrors is that they need to be held tightly by their whole weight within the tips of the user's thumb and fore finger. This manual manner of holding a dental examination mirror tends to induce jerky, stress inducing movements of the fingers tightly holding the mirror. Besides stress on the finger's of the user, any spasmodic movements of the mirror in this position of holding reduces its efficiency to clearly visualize the object sought to be viewed within the mouth the patient.

01/05/2002 16:33 +613-9890-1337 PATENT ATTORNEY SERV PAGE 10/21 SUMMARY AND OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION It is therefore an object of the invention to provide an ergonomic lighted mirror instrument which can be of light weight and beneficial weight distribution.

It is a further object to provide a self-contained instrument which can provide a long battery life.

It is also an object of the invention to eliminate any exposure of the patient to heat from a light source.

It is a further preferred object to provide white light illuminating suraes with truer color rendering.

It is also preferred object of this invention to use disposable mirror refills which simply slip on to the distal enxd of the instrument to enhance hygiene.

-SUMMARY OF THE

INVENTION

According to the present invention there is provided an ergonomic nc 4 -obstructive illuminated examination mirror withiout the need of fiber optics comprising a Ik im line elongated member fuirther including a wire passage, a weighted first end with labattery chamber and a second end; a power source located in the battery chamber; and caKeue to the first end on the member; a removable disposable non-fogging angled relective mirror head coupled to the second end of the member; a low heat emitting light source attached to the second end of the member directed toward the angled reflective head; at least one conductive wire within the wire passage and end cap forming a circuit with the power source and the light source; and, a switch connected to the conductive wire.

To achieve the preferred and others which- may become apparent, a cool lamp such as a white light-emitting diode (LED) is preferably used for illumination. Due to the very high 01/05/2002 16:33 +613-9890-1337 PATENT ATTORNEY SERY PAGE 11/21 effciecy f tis ypeof evieits surface remains cool and presents no burning hazard.

Also, long battery life fRom small button Cells is possible.

The dental minror is lit by the small LE-D lamp at the distal end of a shank handle.

Both the Mirror and its collar are preferably removable and disposable after each use.

The lamp directs light onto the minror. The lamp is powered by a battery in the proximal handle end, which may be activated by a rotating threaded switch. The lamp is connected by wires within the shank. The reflective surface of the mirror has ati-fogging capabilities.

By using this type of power source instead of tubular cells, they can be housed in a short larger diameter tube at the proximal end of the instrument whereby the weight is concentrated in the webbed edge of the palm of the user's hand between the thumb and fore finger. This enables the mirror to positioned at a distal end of a thin shank, which reduces visual and physical obstruction during use, then extends to the distal end supporting the mirror head.

Preferably, the weight of the short, larger diameter tube housing the batteries contains most of the weight of the unit. For example, in a typical mirror, the weight of the short, heavier battery accommodating distal end portion is about 1.3 ounces in weight, compared to an overall weight of the entiremor itself is about 1.5 ounces. In that preferable example, the shorter, heavier battery accommodating distal end portion contains about 87 percent of the total weight of the dental mirror.

Moreover, the slender lightweight elongated shank handle is less than 1/ inch in diameter, to minimize visual obstruction of the user's view to the lighted minror.

01/05/2002 16:33 +613-9890-1337PAET TORYSEVAG 121 PATENT ATTORNEY SERV PAGE 12/21 Therefore, the fulcrum is concentrated at the Proximal battery accommodating end of the dental mirror, which allows for the thin, lightweight shank handle having the minor and light to extend outward toward the distal end thereof. Therefore, a user can support the heavier weighted proximal end in the webbed edge of the palm between the thumb and fore finger, while gently manipulating between the tips of the thumb and fore finger the shank handle holding the mirror and light at its distal end.

This manner of holding the dental minror permits subtle manual movements of the minror during oral examinations, instead ofjerky stress inducing movements caused by the necessity of holding the whole weight of prior art minror tightly between the thumb and fore finger. These ergonomic features enhance the usability of the invention and reduce fatigue during long procedures.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The present invention can best be understood in connection with the accompanying drawings. It is noted that the invention is not limited to the precise embodiments shown in drawings, in which: Fig. I is a Top plan view of an illuminated mirror instrument of this invention; Fig. 2 is a Top plan view of a disposable mirror refill; Fig. 3 is a Side elevational view of a disposable mirror refill showing a light path; Fig. 4 is a Perspective view of an LED housing used with the illuminated mirror instrument; Fig. 5 is a Side cross sectional view of the LED thereof in a housing; Fig. 6 is an Exploded side elevational view of the illuminated mirror instrument, shown with the mirror head removed; and, 61/05/2002 18:33 +613-9896-1337 PATENT ATTORNEY SERV

PAGE

Fig. 7 is a Side cross sectional view Of an alternate embodiment for an illuminated mirror inst-rumlent, usin ps19tOhswth DETAILED

DECITO-FTEIVNTION

A preferred embodimentft for an illuminated mirrorr 1 issoninFgrt1lne elongated shank member 4, such as a tubular shank, connects battery housing cabr$a the proximal end to disposable minror refill 2 at the distal end. Knurled collar 7 attached to eiongated shank Member 4 is an aid in disassel for battery replacement. Knurled ring 6 Operates a Switch, such as a rotary onl/Off Power switch. 1 fmro Figures 2 and 3 show disposable mirror refill 2. Hollow attachment collar16omir refill 2 slips over the distal end of elongated shankc member 4. Support 15 attaches to angled mirrr had wih rflecting surface 3. Light path 17 from a light source 21, such as a low heat light emitting diode lamp, shows illumination emanating from the hollow interior of collar 16.

Figure 4 shows housing 20 with ridges 22 forming a fluted surface. This surface couples with the interior of attachment collar 16 of disposable mirror refill 2 in an interference fit while resisting rotation of minror head 8.

Figure 5 is a cross sectional view of housing 20 showing the attachment to the reduced outer diameter of the distal end of elongated shank member 4.

The exploded view of Figure 6 shows the power source 25, such as three cells in series, which fit within housing 5. Housing chamber 5 screws onto threads 26 of the forward portion. Although a single lithium cell or other type of battery can be used, the preferred embodiment uses three inexpensive alkaline cells such as the AG I 3/LR44 type which provide at least 15 hours of illumination. W~hile housing chamnber 5 is shown to be tubular,, other' 13/21 e1/05/2002 16:33 +613-9890-1337PAETTORYSEVAG 142 PATENT ATTORNEY SERV PAGE 14/21 geometric configurations such as cubes, spheres, egg shapes or rectangular boxes are possible.

Figure 7 is a side cross sectional view of an alternate embodiment 30 which uses a push-button switch arrangement as opposed to the rotary switch used in the preferred embodiment. Housing 35 encloses the power cells (not shown) and opens for service via mated threads 32. Switch element 31 is operated by push-button 34 which is held in place via elastomeric tube 33. Except for the different type of switch, this embodiment is similar to the preferred embodiment.

Therefore, an ergonomic non-obstructive illuminated dental mirror 1 is provided without the need of fiber optics.

The mirror 1 includes the slim line elongated member 4, such as a tubular shank, having an electrical wire passage therein. The first end of elongated slim line member 4 engages hollow battery chamber 5. Low heat light source 21 is provided at the distal end of the slim line elongated member 4 at a second end thereof Power source 25 rests in the battery chamber 5, which has an end cap secured to the first end on the slim line elongated member 4.

The removable dipposable non-fogging angled reflective minror head refill 2 is coupled to the second end of slim line elongated member 4. Light to the mirror is provided by low heat emitting light source 21, which is attached to the second end of the elongated member 4. The emitted light is directed toward the angled reflective mirror head refill 2. The power source 25 is connected to the low heat light source 21 by one or more conductive wires within the wire passage, thereby form-ing a circuit 'with the power source 25 and the light source 2 1, which is activated by the switch connected to the conductive wire connection.

01/05/2002 16:33 +613-9890-1337 PATENT ATTORNEY SERV PAGE 15/21 By virtue of its slim line ergonomic configuration, dental mirror 1 is easy to hold and easy to use.

In the foregoing description, certain terms and visual depictions are used to illustrate the preferred embodiment. However, no unnecessary limitations are to be construed by the terms used or illustrations depicted, beyond what is shown in the prior art, since the terms and illustrations are exemplary only, and are not meant to limit the scope of the present invention.

When used in this specification and claims, the terms "comprises" and "comprising" and variations thereof mean that the specified features, steps or integers are included. The terms are not to be interpreted to exclude the presence of other features, steps or components.

It is further known that other modifications may be made to the present invention, without departing the scope of the invention, as noted in the appended Claims.

Claims (6)

1. 2. The ergonomic non-obstructive illuminated examination mirror of claim 1, wherein said angled reflective head is adjustable. I- The ergonomic non-obstructive illuminated examination mirror of claim I or 2, wherein said second end of the slim line elongated member contains a non-slip exterior surface.
2. 4. The ergonomic non-obstructive illuminated examination minror of claim 3, wherein said non-slip exterior surface comprises a plurality of ridges forming a fluted surface coupling with an interior of an attachment collar of said removable disposable non-fogging angled reflective mirror head in an interference fit. 81/05/2002 16:33 +613-9890-1337 PATENT ATTORNEY SERV PAGE 17/21 S The gon i nonbsuctve illumiated examination mirror of y oneofclaims 1 to 4, wherein said reflective head is chemically treated. d illuminated examination mirror of any One of claims
3. 6. The ergonomic non-obstctive iuminated to 5, wherein said switch is a rotary switch.
4. 7. The ergonomic non-obstructive illuminated examination mirror to 6, wherein said switch is a push button switch. The ergonomic non-bstructive illuminated examination mirror of any dd examinati rror is a dental examination mirror. preceding claims, wherein said examination m f one of claims 1
5. 9. The ergonomic non-obstructive illuminated examination miror o any to 7, wherein said examination mirror is a medical examination mirror. one o claims The ergonomic non-obstructive illuminated examination mirror of any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein said examination mirror is a surgical examination mirror.
6. 11. An ergonic non-obstructive illumianted examination mirror substantially as herein before described with particular reference to the accompanying drawings. Dated this 1st day of May 2002 PATENT ATTORNEY SERVICES Attorneys for CARL PARKER ASSOCIATES, INC.