AU669887B2

AU669887B2 - Grinder for dental treatment instruments

Info

Publication number: AU669887B2
Application number: AU37470/93A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Rudolf Hegen
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1992-03-17
Filing date: 1993-03-11
Publication date: 1996-06-27
Anticipated expiration: 2013-03-11
Also published as: DE4307679C2; EP0561283A1; AU3747093A; DE4307679A1; EP0607365A1; WO1993018720A1; DE9203557U1

Description

OPT DATE 21/10/93 APPLN. ID AOJP DATE 23/12/93 PCT NUMBER 3 7470/93 PCT/EP93/00 556 1III11111111111111111111111 11111111 II1111 AU9337470 (51) Internationale Paten tklassii kation 5 (11) Internationale Ver6ffcntlichungsnummer: 'WO 93/18720 A61C 19/00, B24B 3/60 Al (43) lInternationales Veriiffentlichungsdatum: 30. September 1993 (30.09.93) (21) Internationales Aktenzeichen: PCT/EP93/00556 Vcriiffentlicht (22) Internationales Anmeldedatumn: 11. Mflrz 1993 (11.03.93) Alit iniiernatjonalcrn Reclierc/ienbericht.

Prioritiitsdaten: G 92 03 557.4 U 17. Mflrz 1992 (17.03.92) DE 6 (71)(72) Anmelder und Erfinder: H EGEN, Rudolf [OE/DE]; Lentinger Str,-%e 25, D-8073 K~sching (DE).

(74) Anwalt: FREIMUTH, Peter; Spitalstrage 29, D-7090 Ellwangen (Jagst) (DE).

(81) Bestimmungsstaaten: AT, AU, BB, BG, BR, CA, CH, CZ, CZ (Gebrauchrmuster), DK, DK (Gebrauchsmuster), ES, Fl, GB, HU, JP, KP, KR, LK, LU, MG, MN, MW, NL, NO, NZ, PL, PT, RO, RU, SD, SE, SK, SK (Gebrauchsmuster), LA, US, europfiisches Patent (AT, BE, CH, DE, DK, ES, FR, GB, OR, IE, IT, LU, MC, NL, PT, SE), OAPI Patent (BF, BJ, CF, CG, Cl, CM, GA, ON, ML, MR, SN, TD, TG).

(54)Title: GRINDER FOR DENTAL TREATMENT INSTRUMENTS (54) Bezeichnung: SCHLEIFGERAT FOR ZAHNXRZTLICHE BEHAN DLUNGS INSTRUMENTE (57) Abstract A grinder for dental treatment instruments in which the treatment instrument is secured in a cassette and mentioned on art instrument code indicates to the electronics 7 and 8) in the grinder which instrument is used. The data then electronically set the grinding disc at the point of the instrument with a simultaneous vertical and semicircular rotary movement of the entire grinding bo dy.

(57) Zusammenfassung Schleif'gerfit for zahnfirztliche Behandlungsinstrumente, wobei das Behandlungsinstrument in einer Kassette befestigt wird und emn auf der Kassette angegebener Instrumentencode der im Schleifger~t vorhandenen Elektronik 7 und 8) mitteilt, um weiches Instrument es sich handelt. Die Angaben bewirken dann die elektronisch gesteuerte Stellung der Schleifscheiben (1) zur Lnstrumentenspitze mit einer glelclzeitigen vertikalen und halbkreisf~rmig ausgefa~hrten Drehbewegung des gesamten Schieifk6rpers.

I. Description Grinding fixture for dental treatment instruments 1i. The dental instruments "scaler" and "curette", which are used for the treatment of paradontose to remove calculus (concrements) off the tooth and the root of the tooth or for specific separation of deceased gum from the gum pocket, are reground after multiple use with the fixture.

One deals here with two different types of instruments. The scaler is a hook-shaped instrument with a triangular crosssection which tapers towards the tip.

The curette is also a hook-shaped instrument, but with a semi-circular cross-section, which is uniform towards the working end.

These instruments differ from other surgical instruments in that due to a constantly required regrinding they represent a consumable material. The regrinding must be carLied out very carefully to keep the losses of the instruments due to abrasion as low as possible.

Without a machine-controlled grinding process it is left to the discretion of the person carrying out the regrinding as to how, in which manner the regrinding is carried out and in particular what force is being used, so that a great degree of uncertainty is present during the regrinding and the tool lives of the instruments vary greatly.

The use of an incorrect grinding wheel will result in a complete wear of the instrument in a relatively short time.

2.a) A hand-driven grinding fixture (DE 40 10 635 Cl) is known, whereby the to-be-reground instruments are fastened in an inclined position in a holder above a horizontal rigid jR141 grinding path and the grinding process is carried out by 0~~-21 manually pressing the holder including the instrument in the vertical direction.

In the case of this grinding fixture the grinding process is carried out due to the locking of the instrument on a certain and therefore predetermined position, so that the position of the instrument has to be altered manually when the grinding process is to be continued at some other position of the instrument. Thus a uniform guiding of the instrument in this manner is not feasible and this leads to the formation of edges and grooves on the instrument, resulting in injuries of the to-be-treated patient.

b) Furthermore a grinding fixture (DE 39 34 365 Cl) is known, where the to-be-machined instruments are fastened in several fixture holders on a rotary table and by a rotary movement of the plate are guided along a semi-circular grinding path provided above and below the fixture.

This grinding fixture also requires manual alteration of the fixed predetermined position of the instrument, so that here too edges and grooves may occur due to the absence of a continuous transition.

c) Moreover, a grinding fixture (US 25 78 309) with a horizontally rotating grinding disc and an instrument holder mounted on a vertical axis of rotation is known, in which the to-be-ground instrument is rigidly fixed and presented to the grinding disc.

The position of the instrument has to be altered manually also in case of this grinding fixture, so that this too will result in a different wear and thus an edge and groove formation.

d) A grinding fixture (US 23 24025) is also known with a horizontally arranged grinding block and an instrument $7 holder fixed centrally at right angle to this block, which due to different recesses enables various fixings and a corresponding number of angles of inclines of the to-bemachined instrument tips.

This fixture also requires a manual changing of the position of the to-be-ground instrument, due to which the grinding process will be interrupted, and an even grinding is not feasible, resulting in edge and groove formation.

e) A grinding fixture (DE 23 59 560 D2) for working instruments with plane working surfaces, like, for example, cutting tools, is also known, wherein the to-beground tool is presented to the front of a grinding disc rotating at right angle to the tool and the tool is situated in a movable instrument holder, which makes a displacement of the instrument on the grinding disc feasible by hydraulic means.

This fixture is not suitable to regrind dental treatment instruments. Although in the case of this fixture the tobe-machined work piece is also presented from the front to the machine-driven grinding disc, the alteration of the position of the work piece is carried out exclusively in the horizontal plane, which is inadequate for a proper regrinding of the scaler with a triangular cross-section and the curette with a semi-circular cross-section.

f) Also known is a grinding fixture (DE 83 06 028 Ul), wherein a tool is fixed in a movable spindle and the desired removal off the tool is achieved by means of the grinding process which can be determined prior by a pivoting process, A uniform regrinding of the dental treatment instruments is not possible with this fixture either, as especially a predetermined removal off the instrument should 1avoided.

T L 3 The object of the invention is to actually machine the dental treatment instruments only at the to-be-ground positions as well as to keep the wear of the instrument as low as possible and not to change the shape of the instrument. At the same time due to the standardisation of the procedure an unskilled person should also be able to carry out the machining.

In one possible embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a grinding machine for dental treatment instruments, the grinding machine having grinding discs for grinding of an instrument mounted by a cassette. The instrument tip which is to be ground protrudes from the cassette so as to be presented to the grinding discs. The grinding machine includes two grinding units, each grinding unit including a motor driving a respective one of the grinding discs, and the 3,rinding units being aligned with each other in an axial direction so that the grinding discs face each other and define between them a grinding gap where the instrument tip is presented. Preferably the grinding units are pivotable about a single pivot axis. One or both of the two grinding units are selectively pivotable about a pivot axis at right angles to the axial direction so that the grinding discs become inclined relative to each other and define a V-?haped grinding gap of selectively variable shape to accommodate different shapes of instrument tips. The grinding machine further includes a part-circular rail mounting the grinding units and a movement control for moving the grinding units together along the rail and in an arc around the instrument tip. The part-circular rail may be semi-circular.

Preferably the rail is vertical.

The grinding discs may be made of leather or an abrasive material.

The grinding machine may include a longitudinal recess for permitting the repositioning of one or both of the grinding units relative to the instrument.

4 In another possible embodiment of the present invention, there is provided an assembly comprising a grinding machine as defined in any one of the preceding claims and a cassette fixed relative to the grinding machine, the cassette having a holder to present the tip of the instrument to the grinding discs.

In a preferred embodiment, the holder includes a clamping device which fixes the instrument to the cassette.

In another preferred embodiment, the holder is arranged to locate and hold a particular dental instrument.

In yet another preferred embodiment the cassette displays machine readable information identifying the instrument mounted thereby, the grinding machine including a S heater for detecting the machine readable information displayed by the cassette and automatic .ee• control means for adjusting the position of one or both of the grinding discs relative to the instrument. The machine readable information may be in the form of a code.

In yet another possible embodiment of the present invention, the to-be-ground instrument is first fixed in a cassette, outside of the grinding fixture, whereby the holding fixture of the cassette enables only one position of the instrument. Aifer closing the cassette the to-be-machined instrument tip protrudes through the front of the cassette.

Subsequently the cassette is pushed from the front into the grinding fixture over a rail.

Now the cassette and the instrument tip are in a position which no longer can be influenced by hand.

By mineans of replaceable cassette inserts instruments with various shapes can be inserted.

4a r-u O An instrument code applied to the cassette informs the fixture as to what instrument is involved. The transfer of the cassette code is carried out by means of a sensor. This detects the type of the instrument. The elecronic control will cause the movement of the grinding discs together with the axle and motor around the to-be-machined instrument on a semi-circular rotary rail leading upwards vertically.

On the longitudinal side of the grinding fixture which is situated opposite the instrument tip an axle is situated which is split in the centre and is driven by two electric motors mounted on the left and right, on which axle grinding discs made either of leather or of abrasives are mounted for the scaler exactly in the centre and consequently before the to-beee e.i e:i: ground instrument tip. To the left and right of the grinding discs for the scaler a disc each made of the same material is situated for the curette, which has a semi-circular recess in the direction of movement.

For the scaler the grinding discs are positioned relative to each other in a V-shape, while the opening of the V is made to fit the shape of the to-be-ground instrument due to an electronic regulation. Due to this the working end of the instrument can be evenly ground from all sides.

Even modified scalers having a cross-section of a ship's bow can be machined optimally due to the maneuverability of the grinding discs.

There is no need to set the grinding discs to a V-shape for the curette. The working end of the instrument is presented to the grinding disc, so that it comes to a rest in the semi-circular recess. Due to the above described vertical movement the lateral surfaces, including the instrument tip, will be ground evenly.

The advantage of the invention is that due to the electric control and the flexible mounting of the motors the fixture exerts the slightest pressure on the to-be-ground positions of the working end of the instrument, resulting in a minimal wear and the instrument will have the longest possible tool life.

Furthermore, the grinding process is continuous, so that no edges and grooves will form on the partially bent instrument tips. The shape of the instruments remains unchanged.

Moreover, the grinding process can be carried out by any person, even a completely unskilled one, while achieving optimum grinding results in each case.

Embodiment In the following an embodiment of the invention is shown based on the drawings.

Shown is in: Fig.l the grinding fixture viewed from above Fig.2 the cassette with the instrument holder Fig.3 the grinding fixture in side view.

The to-be-ground instrument is fastened first in the holder (12) of the cassette of Fig.2, the instrument tip protrudes from the front part The lid (11) will be closed.

The cassette is pushed into the grinding fixture (Fig.l), so that the instrument tip will be situated in front of the grinding discs The grinding discs are driven via the motors (4 and The V-shaped arrangement of the grinding discs is regulated by means of the electronic gear 7 and 8) and this shape is brought to the instrument tip. The axle, including grinding discs and motors move on the rail upwards around the instrument.

6

Claims

1. A grinding machine for dental treatment instruments, the grinding machine having grinding discs for grinding of an instrument mounted by a cassette with the instrument having its tip to be ground protruding from the cassette so as to be presented to the grinding di. the grinding machine including two grinding units, each grinding unit including a motor driving a respective one of the grinding discs, and the grinding units being aligned with each other in an axial direction so that the grinding discs face each other and define between them a grinding gap where the instrument tip is presented, one or both of the two grinding units being selectively pivotable about a pivot axis at right angles to the axial direction so that the grinding discs become inclined relative to each other and define a V-shaped grinding gap of selectively variable shape to accommodate different shapes of instrument tips, the grinding machine further including a part-circular rail mounting the grinding units and a movement control for moving the grinding units together along the rail and in an arc around the instrument tip.

2. The grinding machine of claim 1 wherein both the grinding units are pivotable about a :i single pivot axis.

3. The grinding machine of claim 1 or 2 wherein the part-circular rail is semi-circular.

4. The grinding machine of any one of claims 1 to 3 wherein the rail is vertical.

The grinding machine of any one of claims I to 4 wherein at least one of the grinding discs is made of leather or an abrasive material.

6. The grinding machine of any one of claims I to 5 including a longitudinal recess for permitting the repositioning of one or both of the grinding units relative to the instrument.

7. An assembly comprising a grinding machine as defined in any one of the preceding claims and a cassette fixed relative to the grinding machine, said cassette having a holder to 7 present the tip of the instrument to the grinding discs.

8. The assembly of claim 7 wherein the holder includes a clamping device which fixes the instrument to the cassette.

9. The assembly of claim 7 or 8 wherein the holder is arranged to locate and hold a particular dental instrument.

The assembly of claim 7 to 9, the cassette displaying machine readable information identifying the instrument mounted thereby, the grinding machine including a heater for detecting the machine readable information displayed by the cassette and automatic control means for adjusting the position of one or both of the grinding discs relative to the instrument,

11. The assembly of claim 10 wherein the machine readable information is in the form of a code.

12. A grinding machine as claimed in claim 1 and substantially as herein before described with particular reference to the accompanying drawings.

13. An assembly as claimed in claim 7 and substar.tially as herein before described with particular reference to the accompanying drawings, Dated this 2nd day of April 1996 PATENT ATTORNEY SERVICES Attorneys for RUDOLF HEGEN Abstract 1. Grinding fixture for dental treatment instruments. 2. The sharply ground instruments, scaler and curette, are used in the dental practice for the treatment of paradontose. After several treatments the instruments have to be reground. 3. The grinding techniques known currently use either a manual or a machine-controlled grinding process. In case of the manual grinding a uniform movement with constant pressure application is not possible. Even the machine-controlled grinding techniques require an interruption of the grinding process to alter the positioning of the instrument. Both grinding techniques lead to the formation of edges and grooves as well as to a deformation of the instrument tip. The invention solves this problem by that the treatment instrument is fixed in a cassette and an instrument code applied to the cassette informs the fixture as to what instrument is involved. The data then affects the electronically controlled position of the grinding discs relative to the instrument tip with a simultaneous vertical and semi-circular rotating movement of the entire grinding member.