CA2126671A1 - Orthodontic band sterilization cassette - Google Patents
Orthodontic band sterilization cassetteInfo
- Publication number
- CA2126671A1 CA2126671A1 CA 2126671 CA2126671A CA2126671A1 CA 2126671 A1 CA2126671 A1 CA 2126671A1 CA 2126671 CA2126671 CA 2126671 CA 2126671 A CA2126671 A CA 2126671A CA 2126671 A1 CA2126671 A1 CA 2126671A1
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- cassette
- compartment
- further characterized
- patient
- orthodontic
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
Links
Classifications
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61C—DENTISTRY; APPARATUS OR METHODS FOR ORAL OR DENTAL HYGIENE
- A61C19/00—Dental auxiliary appliances
- A61C19/002—Cleaning devices specially adapted for dental instruments
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61L—METHODS OR APPARATUS FOR STERILISING MATERIALS OR OBJECTS IN GENERAL; DISINFECTION, STERILISATION OR DEODORISATION OF AIR; CHEMICAL ASPECTS OF BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS OR SURGICAL ARTICLES; MATERIALS FOR BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS OR SURGICAL ARTICLES
- A61L2/00—Methods or apparatus for disinfecting or sterilising materials or objects other than foodstuffs or contact lenses; Accessories therefor
- A61L2/26—Accessories or devices or components used for biocidal treatment
Landscapes
- Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
- Epidemiology (AREA)
- Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
- Animal Behavior & Ethology (AREA)
- General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
- Public Health (AREA)
- Veterinary Medicine (AREA)
- Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery (AREA)
- Dentistry (AREA)
- Dental Tools And Instruments Or Auxiliary Dental Instruments (AREA)
Abstract
A multiple compartment box for use in sterilizing and segregating small parts, such as orthodontic bands. The box is shaped as a cassette (10) with multiple compartments with indicators (16, 17) which assist in segregating the small parts for ease in differentiation of the parts. The box incorporates a sliding lid (14) which can be locked into different positions to further assist in segregating the small parts.
Description
;- WO93/12822 212 ~ 5 7 1 PCT/US92/11367 BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
_ The invention relates to the field of sterilization devices. It further relates to cassettes used to hold small parts to prevent their loss or damage during t~e ~terilization process. '~
It is a common problem in the fitting of orthodontic bands that many of the bands are lost or damaged during the fitting, cleaning or sterilizing process. In fitting orthodontic bands it is frequently necessary to try numerous variously sized orthodontic bands until the appropriately sized band is ~ound for a particular tooth. Each band which is attempted and not appropriately sized is removed from the mouth and then placed on a counter until the fitting process is completed. After the fitting is completed it is necessary for the orthodontist or an assistant to collect the unused bands, wash them by hand and then collect the bands and sterilize them. Due to the small size of the bands, they are : easily dropped or mi5handled which can cause them to be lost ; 20 or damaged. Further, a~ter the bands are removed from sterili2ation, they must be sorted by hand, and replaced in the appropriate containers for the next use. This sorting : requires a great deal of time and effort.
The placement of the orthodontic bands on a counter after :25: they have been remoYed from a patients mouth increases the possibility that the orthodontist or his or her assistants may come into contact with the bands which are exposed to oral fluids. This increases the risk to the orthodontist or : assistants of exposure to germs or disease.
Many types of cassettes or boxes are known for use in sterilizing equipment used in a medical or dental setting.
Examples of these inventions are shown in the Brewer patent, U.S. Patent No. 4,959,l99 which discloses a cassette used for 212~67~
W~93/12~22 PCT/US92/11367 the sterilization of d~ntal instruments; the Riihimaki, et al.
patent, U.s. Patent No. 4,854,4~5 which discloses a cassette for sterilizing dental instruments; the Maly patent U.S.
Patent No. 4,402,407 which discloses a surgeon's chest for sterilizing surgical instruments; and the Dietz patent U.S.
Patent No. 3,092,443 which discloses a dental burr holder and sterilizer.
The art also discloses boxes for storaye of small parts such as orthodontic brackets as shown by the Georgakis patent, U.S~ Patent No. 4,898,276.
The problem in the art is that most of the sterilization devices are designed for the sterilization of dental instruments which are of a sufficient size that there is little risk of these items being lost in the sterilization processa Further dental and surgical instruments are of sufficient size and strength so that they are not likely to be damaged during the handling or processing necessary in the sterilization phase. There is not known a cassette manufactured of sufficient materials to readily withstand repeated use in the dental sterilization process and which can be used to hold small parts, such as orthodontic bands, and that can assist in the segregation and organization of these parts.
Another problem with the current method of sterili2ing orthodontic bands is that they are often placed in standard autoclave bags for sterilization. These bags are disposed of after each use which causes a repeated expense.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is a cassette used in a dental or orthodontic office to separate orthodontic bands and in which those orthodontic bands can be sterilized. The cassette is -' W093~28~2 2 1 2 ~ ~ 7 1 PCT/US92/113~7 manufactured from materials, such as stainless steel, that can withstand repeated sterilization processing. The cassette is divided into multiple compartments, each compartment labeled to correspond to a different class of orthodontic bands.
The cassette comprises two substanti~l~y parallel sidewalls. The cassette has a base and two endwalls which are attached to the sidewalls which define an open topped container. There are multiple dividers placed in between the sidewalls parallel to the endwalls. These dividers divide the cassette into multiple compartments. The cassette incorporates a sliding lid which slides in grooves incorporated into the sidewalls near the top of the cassette. This lid allows the cassette to be selectively opened to allow access to some or all of the compartments.
The cassette further contains labels or other indicia corresponding to the different compartments in each cassette.
This allows small parts to be segregated into the different compartments in the cassette. The cassette is perforated to allow the penetration of steam, if an autoclave is used for sterilization, or the penetration of other liquid sterilizers.
It is an object of the invention to provide a cassette which prevents or minimizes the loss or damage to orthodontic bands occurring during the fitting and sterilization process.
It is a further ob~ect of the invention to provide a 2 cassette which allows for the~segregation of orthodontic bands during the fitting process.
It is a further object of the invention to provide a sterilization cassette which redures the time spent sorting orthodontic bands or other small parts after sterilization.
It is a further object of the invention to provide a cassette which assists in maintaining a clean and sterile i 2 5 6 71 'PF~
q 2 / ~ l 3 environment in an orthodontic or dental office during the proce~urs of fitting orthodontic bands .
It is a further ob~ect of the invention to provide a reusable sterilization cassette which reduces the cost of ;
5 ~t~rilizing orthodonti c bands .
~--- , ` ,.
Fig. 1 i~; a perspective view of one embs:~diment of th~
pre~ent inventlon.
Fig. 2 i~ a cro~s-section Yie!W O th~ pres~nt invention 10 taken along line 2-2 of Fig. 1.
Fig. 3 i~ an cross-~ection ~view of the present invention -taken along line 3-3 of Fig. 1.
Fig. 4 i a perspective view of a ~ec:ond embodimerlt of th~ pre~3ent in~ention.
,'` .' Fig. 5 i~ a cros~-sectiorl viLew of the second embodiment :;
O:e the present inYention taken along line 5-5 o~ Fig. 4.
Fig. ~ i~; a top view showing the lid of the second enbodiment of the present invention.
.
DETAIL~:D OES~PTIO~ OF THE PRE~ERP~ED 131'1BQDIMENT ; - ~
.. ..
The present invention consists of a cassette with m~ltiple compartm~nt8 fo~ temporary storage of orthodontic band~ during the sterilization proces~. A~; shown in Fig. 1, the ~3~3et'ce 10 ~q :Eormed in th~ shape of a box having a base 1 1, endwalls 1 2, and two substantially parallel sidewalls 1 3 .
25 DiYider~ 15 ~r~ shown in Fig. 2, which i~ a cro~s-section view of the cassette. The divider 15 which separate th~
SUBSTITU~ SHEhT
2i25671 ~ 92 / 1 1 3 6 container into multiple compartments may be either movable or immo~rable and they extend ~enerally from the base of the ca~ette to a point near groove 30, shown in Fi~. 3, which is near the top of ~idewalls 13.
The cassett~ 10 comprises a lid 14 which slides open to allow acce~;s to th~ ~nterior compartnnent~ of the cassette 10.
The cassett~ 10 further compri~e~ a fix~t indicia 16 which indicate~ ~he var~ou~ compartments of the cassette 10 and a second indicia 17, such as a label, which indicate~ th~
10 . c:ontent~ of the ca~sette. Second indicia 17 is used to identify ~ach cagsette if multiple cassette~ ar~ used. It is anticipated that multiple cassettes will be used by an orthodonti~t in the band fitting procl3s~.
When used iEor . egregation of orthodonti~:: bands sec:ond 15 indicia 17 will ~ndicate the type of tooth th~ band~ are designed for, suc:h a~ maxillary and mandibular cuspids, maxillary and mandibular 1 st bicu p~ds ~ maxillary and mandibular 2nd bicu~pid~, maxillary and mandibular 1st molar, maxillary and man~ibular 2nd molars, maxillary and mandibular 20 central~, and maxillary and mandibular lat2rals, and the ~ir~t indicia 16 will urther segregate the band~ by indicating whath~r they axe for an upper or lower right or lef 'c tooth ~
Other indicia could of cour~e b~ used for a dif ferent segreg~tion method.
~he lid 1~ for the cassette 10 consists of a sliding m~ 3r whlch ~ e~ in a groove 30 which is incorporated into the top of the idewall~ 13, a~ shown in Fig. 3. Thi~ ~iding lid r4 could include a lip, such as shown by 31, designed. to pre~ent full re~ J3l of the ~liding :n~mber. The lid 14 i~
selecti~ely held open or closed by fr~ction with the groove 30 in wh~c~ it ~lides. The lid 14 ~lide~ in the d~rection indicated by arrow 3 in Fig. 1 in order to clo~e the cassette 10. Lid 14 allow-R selective access to the interior compartments ,.
SUBSTITUTE SHE~r 212 ~ ~ 7 1 'P~ 2 J'~
` 9 2 / 1 l 3 6 Further if it is desired, the lid 14 could be securely closed with a variety of known methods. One such method would be to incorps: rate notche~ ( not shown ) at predetermined place-~in th~ qroove 30 in which th~ lid 14 ~lide~ and a spring 5 activat~d l~ver ( not shown ) which engage~ said notch . The lever could }: e released by th~ orthodo21tict or assi~tant manually releasing the lever. Other simple types of m~chanisms to allow the lid to be releasably ~ecur~d in an op~n, partially op~n, or clo~ed po~ition are commonly knowr~
Th~ cassette 10 i-~ mamlfactured with a perforated material used for th~ .~idewall~, endwall~, and dividers. The lid and the bae2e may be made out of -~olid or perforat~d material~. It i~ prePerable to manufacture the base from 2 solid material so that bodily fluids or other contaminant~ on 15 the bands do not pass from thg ca~sette onto a working surf a~:e . The per~oration3 are shown a~ numeral 18 . Th~
perforations 18 allaw steam to pe3netrat~ th~ cassette 10 if it is used in an autoclave. The perforation also allow for ~terilizitlg liquidR to penetrat0 the ca~sette 10 to sterilize 20 the small part~ j ~uch a~ the orthodontic bands, placed in the ca~sette. The per~oration~ ar~ sized so that the small part~
suc:h as orthodontic bands placed in cassette 10 cannot pas~
through the perforation~. The perforation~ are si~ed to prevent the mo~rement of parts between the multiple 25 compartment of cassette 10.
Th~ cassette 10 can be manufactured from any material that can be repeatedly sterilized and can withstand the stre~C
of belng r¢peatedly used in an autoclave or repeatedly exposed to ~terilizing ~iquids. An acceptable material would be 30 surgic:al steel.
TXe, cassette is used by the orthodor~tist during th~
proces~ of fitting o:rthodontic bands. Usually during this process the orthodontist work~ on locating a properly sized band for a speci. is: tooth by trial and error, selecting SUBSTITUT~ SHE~
: .
7 P ` 9 2 / 1 1 3 ~, certain .~ized band an~ attempting to f it it on the tooth. If the band ~3 ap~ropriately sized it i~ fi~ted to the 'cooth, If th~ bz~d is the wrong size, the band which wa~ attempted is plaeed in the appropriately labelled compartment of the 5 appropriately labelled cassette. The cassette indicating the appropriate indicla for the sp~cific tooth being worked on by the orthodontist would be placed in close proximity to the orthc~dontist. The <::as~ette 10 would be placed on a counter or otlher flat surface near the orthodontist. Th~ flat base 11 10 would be placed on the flat ~urface. In thi~ orientation the lis~ 14 would be on the top of the cassette. The lid 14 slid~
open to allow the att mpted bands to be placed in the cc~rre~ponding marked compartment in the ca~sette. In thi~ way th~ ba~d8 are segregated to allow for ea~e of sorting aft~r 15 ~ter~lization. It i~3 common after sterilization to return the band~ to the orig~nal manufacturer~ container~.
A second enlbodiment of the iLnvention is shown in Figs. 4 and 5. ~n thi embodiment, the cassette 20 i5 c:onstructed in a manner similar to the cas~ette 10, except that thi cassette 20 doe~ not have a sealed base menlber. Rather, this cassette 20 incorporate~ tws:~ sl~ dable lids 24 on o~pos~ te side o~ the cassette 20. In addition to the vertical dividers 25, th~
cassette 20 also comprises a horizontal div~ der 21 which separate~ the ca~ette into a lower and an upper portion.
25 Thi~ provide~ cas~ette 2û with twice as snany compartments as cas~ette 10~
The cass0tte i~ manufactured in dimensions to allow it to be e~rily uxed with commonly availabla ~terilization method, such as placed in an autoclave, a dental ultrasonic ~0 ~terili~ing un~t, or cold sterile containers~, The cassette i~
furthe~-~zed to allow . use in those deviceq while allowln~
room for the sterilization of other dental ln~truments.
SUBSTIl~ SH}3ET
. .
2 i 2 S ~ 7 1 ~P~ 2 ` ' ~T,~'S 92 /11 8 ~:
Thi3 cassette i~ further manufactured so that multiple ca~ettes can be placed together in a single case thereby reduc~ng the stora~e room nesces~ary for the cassettes.
While the invention has been described with reference to 5 the praferred embs~dimentc ther~of, tho~e skilled in the art will und2r~tand that variation~ in design, detail, siz~, ~;hap~
and s:hoice of materials for manufacture may be made and ~till fall within the ~pirit and scope of the present inventio~, which i~ intended to be limited only by the claims appended hereto. :
SUBSq~ ~ S~! ;
_ The invention relates to the field of sterilization devices. It further relates to cassettes used to hold small parts to prevent their loss or damage during t~e ~terilization process. '~
It is a common problem in the fitting of orthodontic bands that many of the bands are lost or damaged during the fitting, cleaning or sterilizing process. In fitting orthodontic bands it is frequently necessary to try numerous variously sized orthodontic bands until the appropriately sized band is ~ound for a particular tooth. Each band which is attempted and not appropriately sized is removed from the mouth and then placed on a counter until the fitting process is completed. After the fitting is completed it is necessary for the orthodontist or an assistant to collect the unused bands, wash them by hand and then collect the bands and sterilize them. Due to the small size of the bands, they are : easily dropped or mi5handled which can cause them to be lost ; 20 or damaged. Further, a~ter the bands are removed from sterili2ation, they must be sorted by hand, and replaced in the appropriate containers for the next use. This sorting : requires a great deal of time and effort.
The placement of the orthodontic bands on a counter after :25: they have been remoYed from a patients mouth increases the possibility that the orthodontist or his or her assistants may come into contact with the bands which are exposed to oral fluids. This increases the risk to the orthodontist or : assistants of exposure to germs or disease.
Many types of cassettes or boxes are known for use in sterilizing equipment used in a medical or dental setting.
Examples of these inventions are shown in the Brewer patent, U.S. Patent No. 4,959,l99 which discloses a cassette used for 212~67~
W~93/12~22 PCT/US92/11367 the sterilization of d~ntal instruments; the Riihimaki, et al.
patent, U.s. Patent No. 4,854,4~5 which discloses a cassette for sterilizing dental instruments; the Maly patent U.S.
Patent No. 4,402,407 which discloses a surgeon's chest for sterilizing surgical instruments; and the Dietz patent U.S.
Patent No. 3,092,443 which discloses a dental burr holder and sterilizer.
The art also discloses boxes for storaye of small parts such as orthodontic brackets as shown by the Georgakis patent, U.S~ Patent No. 4,898,276.
The problem in the art is that most of the sterilization devices are designed for the sterilization of dental instruments which are of a sufficient size that there is little risk of these items being lost in the sterilization processa Further dental and surgical instruments are of sufficient size and strength so that they are not likely to be damaged during the handling or processing necessary in the sterilization phase. There is not known a cassette manufactured of sufficient materials to readily withstand repeated use in the dental sterilization process and which can be used to hold small parts, such as orthodontic bands, and that can assist in the segregation and organization of these parts.
Another problem with the current method of sterili2ing orthodontic bands is that they are often placed in standard autoclave bags for sterilization. These bags are disposed of after each use which causes a repeated expense.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is a cassette used in a dental or orthodontic office to separate orthodontic bands and in which those orthodontic bands can be sterilized. The cassette is -' W093~28~2 2 1 2 ~ ~ 7 1 PCT/US92/113~7 manufactured from materials, such as stainless steel, that can withstand repeated sterilization processing. The cassette is divided into multiple compartments, each compartment labeled to correspond to a different class of orthodontic bands.
The cassette comprises two substanti~l~y parallel sidewalls. The cassette has a base and two endwalls which are attached to the sidewalls which define an open topped container. There are multiple dividers placed in between the sidewalls parallel to the endwalls. These dividers divide the cassette into multiple compartments. The cassette incorporates a sliding lid which slides in grooves incorporated into the sidewalls near the top of the cassette. This lid allows the cassette to be selectively opened to allow access to some or all of the compartments.
The cassette further contains labels or other indicia corresponding to the different compartments in each cassette.
This allows small parts to be segregated into the different compartments in the cassette. The cassette is perforated to allow the penetration of steam, if an autoclave is used for sterilization, or the penetration of other liquid sterilizers.
It is an object of the invention to provide a cassette which prevents or minimizes the loss or damage to orthodontic bands occurring during the fitting and sterilization process.
It is a further ob~ect of the invention to provide a 2 cassette which allows for the~segregation of orthodontic bands during the fitting process.
It is a further object of the invention to provide a sterilization cassette which redures the time spent sorting orthodontic bands or other small parts after sterilization.
It is a further object of the invention to provide a cassette which assists in maintaining a clean and sterile i 2 5 6 71 'PF~
q 2 / ~ l 3 environment in an orthodontic or dental office during the proce~urs of fitting orthodontic bands .
It is a further ob~ect of the invention to provide a reusable sterilization cassette which reduces the cost of ;
5 ~t~rilizing orthodonti c bands .
~--- , ` ,.
Fig. 1 i~; a perspective view of one embs:~diment of th~
pre~ent inventlon.
Fig. 2 i~ a cro~s-section Yie!W O th~ pres~nt invention 10 taken along line 2-2 of Fig. 1.
Fig. 3 i~ an cross-~ection ~view of the present invention -taken along line 3-3 of Fig. 1.
Fig. 4 i a perspective view of a ~ec:ond embodimerlt of th~ pre~3ent in~ention.
,'` .' Fig. 5 i~ a cros~-sectiorl viLew of the second embodiment :;
O:e the present inYention taken along line 5-5 o~ Fig. 4.
Fig. ~ i~; a top view showing the lid of the second enbodiment of the present invention.
.
DETAIL~:D OES~PTIO~ OF THE PRE~ERP~ED 131'1BQDIMENT ; - ~
.. ..
The present invention consists of a cassette with m~ltiple compartm~nt8 fo~ temporary storage of orthodontic band~ during the sterilization proces~. A~; shown in Fig. 1, the ~3~3et'ce 10 ~q :Eormed in th~ shape of a box having a base 1 1, endwalls 1 2, and two substantially parallel sidewalls 1 3 .
25 DiYider~ 15 ~r~ shown in Fig. 2, which i~ a cro~s-section view of the cassette. The divider 15 which separate th~
SUBSTITU~ SHEhT
2i25671 ~ 92 / 1 1 3 6 container into multiple compartments may be either movable or immo~rable and they extend ~enerally from the base of the ca~ette to a point near groove 30, shown in Fi~. 3, which is near the top of ~idewalls 13.
The cassett~ 10 comprises a lid 14 which slides open to allow acce~;s to th~ ~nterior compartnnent~ of the cassette 10.
The cassett~ 10 further compri~e~ a fix~t indicia 16 which indicate~ ~he var~ou~ compartments of the cassette 10 and a second indicia 17, such as a label, which indicate~ th~
10 . c:ontent~ of the ca~sette. Second indicia 17 is used to identify ~ach cagsette if multiple cassette~ ar~ used. It is anticipated that multiple cassettes will be used by an orthodonti~t in the band fitting procl3s~.
When used iEor . egregation of orthodonti~:: bands sec:ond 15 indicia 17 will ~ndicate the type of tooth th~ band~ are designed for, suc:h a~ maxillary and mandibular cuspids, maxillary and mandibular 1 st bicu p~ds ~ maxillary and mandibular 2nd bicu~pid~, maxillary and mandibular 1st molar, maxillary and man~ibular 2nd molars, maxillary and mandibular 20 central~, and maxillary and mandibular lat2rals, and the ~ir~t indicia 16 will urther segregate the band~ by indicating whath~r they axe for an upper or lower right or lef 'c tooth ~
Other indicia could of cour~e b~ used for a dif ferent segreg~tion method.
~he lid 1~ for the cassette 10 consists of a sliding m~ 3r whlch ~ e~ in a groove 30 which is incorporated into the top of the idewall~ 13, a~ shown in Fig. 3. Thi~ ~iding lid r4 could include a lip, such as shown by 31, designed. to pre~ent full re~ J3l of the ~liding :n~mber. The lid 14 i~
selecti~ely held open or closed by fr~ction with the groove 30 in wh~c~ it ~lides. The lid 14 ~lide~ in the d~rection indicated by arrow 3 in Fig. 1 in order to clo~e the cassette 10. Lid 14 allow-R selective access to the interior compartments ,.
SUBSTITUTE SHE~r 212 ~ ~ 7 1 'P~ 2 J'~
` 9 2 / 1 l 3 6 Further if it is desired, the lid 14 could be securely closed with a variety of known methods. One such method would be to incorps: rate notche~ ( not shown ) at predetermined place-~in th~ qroove 30 in which th~ lid 14 ~lide~ and a spring 5 activat~d l~ver ( not shown ) which engage~ said notch . The lever could }: e released by th~ orthodo21tict or assi~tant manually releasing the lever. Other simple types of m~chanisms to allow the lid to be releasably ~ecur~d in an op~n, partially op~n, or clo~ed po~ition are commonly knowr~
Th~ cassette 10 i-~ mamlfactured with a perforated material used for th~ .~idewall~, endwall~, and dividers. The lid and the bae2e may be made out of -~olid or perforat~d material~. It i~ prePerable to manufacture the base from 2 solid material so that bodily fluids or other contaminant~ on 15 the bands do not pass from thg ca~sette onto a working surf a~:e . The per~oration3 are shown a~ numeral 18 . Th~
perforations 18 allaw steam to pe3netrat~ th~ cassette 10 if it is used in an autoclave. The perforation also allow for ~terilizitlg liquidR to penetrat0 the ca~sette 10 to sterilize 20 the small part~ j ~uch a~ the orthodontic bands, placed in the ca~sette. The per~oration~ ar~ sized so that the small part~
suc:h as orthodontic bands placed in cassette 10 cannot pas~
through the perforation~. The perforation~ are si~ed to prevent the mo~rement of parts between the multiple 25 compartment of cassette 10.
Th~ cassette 10 can be manufactured from any material that can be repeatedly sterilized and can withstand the stre~C
of belng r¢peatedly used in an autoclave or repeatedly exposed to ~terilizing ~iquids. An acceptable material would be 30 surgic:al steel.
TXe, cassette is used by the orthodor~tist during th~
proces~ of fitting o:rthodontic bands. Usually during this process the orthodontist work~ on locating a properly sized band for a speci. is: tooth by trial and error, selecting SUBSTITUT~ SHE~
: .
7 P ` 9 2 / 1 1 3 ~, certain .~ized band an~ attempting to f it it on the tooth. If the band ~3 ap~ropriately sized it i~ fi~ted to the 'cooth, If th~ bz~d is the wrong size, the band which wa~ attempted is plaeed in the appropriately labelled compartment of the 5 appropriately labelled cassette. The cassette indicating the appropriate indicla for the sp~cific tooth being worked on by the orthodontist would be placed in close proximity to the orthc~dontist. The <::as~ette 10 would be placed on a counter or otlher flat surface near the orthodontist. Th~ flat base 11 10 would be placed on the flat ~urface. In thi~ orientation the lis~ 14 would be on the top of the cassette. The lid 14 slid~
open to allow the att mpted bands to be placed in the cc~rre~ponding marked compartment in the ca~sette. In thi~ way th~ ba~d8 are segregated to allow for ea~e of sorting aft~r 15 ~ter~lization. It i~3 common after sterilization to return the band~ to the orig~nal manufacturer~ container~.
A second enlbodiment of the iLnvention is shown in Figs. 4 and 5. ~n thi embodiment, the cassette 20 i5 c:onstructed in a manner similar to the cas~ette 10, except that thi cassette 20 doe~ not have a sealed base menlber. Rather, this cassette 20 incorporate~ tws:~ sl~ dable lids 24 on o~pos~ te side o~ the cassette 20. In addition to the vertical dividers 25, th~
cassette 20 also comprises a horizontal div~ der 21 which separate~ the ca~ette into a lower and an upper portion.
25 Thi~ provide~ cas~ette 2û with twice as snany compartments as cas~ette 10~
The cass0tte i~ manufactured in dimensions to allow it to be e~rily uxed with commonly availabla ~terilization method, such as placed in an autoclave, a dental ultrasonic ~0 ~terili~ing un~t, or cold sterile containers~, The cassette i~
furthe~-~zed to allow . use in those deviceq while allowln~
room for the sterilization of other dental ln~truments.
SUBSTIl~ SH}3ET
. .
2 i 2 S ~ 7 1 ~P~ 2 ` ' ~T,~'S 92 /11 8 ~:
Thi3 cassette i~ further manufactured so that multiple ca~ettes can be placed together in a single case thereby reduc~ng the stora~e room nesces~ary for the cassettes.
While the invention has been described with reference to 5 the praferred embs~dimentc ther~of, tho~e skilled in the art will und2r~tand that variation~ in design, detail, siz~, ~;hap~
and s:hoice of materials for manufacture may be made and ~till fall within the ~pirit and scope of the present inventio~, which i~ intended to be limited only by the claims appended hereto. :
SUBSq~ ~ S~! ;
Claims (19)
P? ?ERTY OR PRIVILEGE IS CLAIMED ARE DEFINED AS FOLLOWS:
1. A method of organizing a plurality of orthodontic bands including the steps of providing a sterilization cassette of generally rectangular configuration having vertical sidewalls, vertical endwalls, a base and an opening on at least one side, forming a plurality of discrete interior compartments in the sterilization cassette by dividing the interior of the cassette with a first set of generally parallel, dividing wall members supported within the cassette interior with each of the compartments being accessible through the open side of said sterilization cassette, and closing the opening with a lid, characterized by the steps of :
associating multiple indicia with each compartment identifying each compartment with respect to a jaw, a quadrant and a tooth of a patient's mouth; and preventing passage of orthodontic band identified for one compartment to an adjacent compartment.
associating multiple indicia with each compartment identifying each compartment with respect to a jaw, a quadrant and a tooth of a patient's mouth; and preventing passage of orthodontic band identified for one compartment to an adjacent compartment.
2. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of associating multiple indicia with each compartment is further characterized by the steps of:
identifying each compartment with a first indicia indicating a jaw of a patient's mouth;
identifying each compartment with a second indicia indicating a quadrant of a patient's mouth; and identifying each compartment with a third indicia indicating a tooth of a patient's mouth.
identifying each compartment with a first indicia indicating a jaw of a patient's mouth;
identifying each compartment with a second indicia indicating a quadrant of a patient's mouth; and identifying each compartment with a third indicia indicating a tooth of a patient's mouth.
3. The method of claim 1 further characterized by the step of:
further dividing the cassette interior with at least one of a second set of dividing wall members perpendicularly intersecting with each of the parallel dividing wall members of the first set.
further dividing the cassette interior with at least one of a second set of dividing wall members perpendicularly intersecting with each of the parallel dividing wall members of the first set.
4. The method of claim 1 or 3 wherein the preventing passage step is further characterized by the step of:
forming portions of each dividing wall member in closely abutting relation to the inner surface of its associated base, wall and lid portions.
forming portions of each dividing wall member in closely abutting relation to the inner surface of its associated base, wall and lid portions.
5. The method of claim 4 wherein the forming portions step is further characterized by the step of:
forming each wall member with edges closely abutting its associated adjacent base, wall and lid portions and flattening the edges sufficiently to limit the space therebetween, and wherein the closing step further comprises the step of closing the opening with a flat portion.
forming each wall member with edges closely abutting its associated adjacent base, wall and lid portions and flattening the edges sufficiently to limit the space therebetween, and wherein the closing step further comprises the step of closing the opening with a flat portion.
6. The method of claim 1 further characterized by the steps of:
trial fitting a least one of a plurality of orthodontic bands to a patient's mouth, and sorting an orthodontic band into its identified one of the plurality of discrete interior compartments of the sterilization cassette.
trial fitting a least one of a plurality of orthodontic bands to a patient's mouth, and sorting an orthodontic band into its identified one of the plurality of discrete interior compartments of the sterilization cassette.
7. The method of claim 6 wherein the trail fitting step is further characterized by the steps of:
selecting at least one of a plurality of orthodontic bands and fitting the orthodontic band to the patient's tooth; and removing any of the plurality of orthodontic bands which are not appropriately fitted to the patient's tooth; and wherein the sorting step further comprises the step of:
placing any removed orthodontic band into its identified one of said plurality of discrete interior compartments of said sterilization cassette.
selecting at least one of a plurality of orthodontic bands and fitting the orthodontic band to the patient's tooth; and removing any of the plurality of orthodontic bands which are not appropriately fitted to the patient's tooth; and wherein the sorting step further comprises the step of:
placing any removed orthodontic band into its identified one of said plurality of discrete interior compartments of said sterilization cassette.
8. The method of claim 1 further characterized by the step of:
placing an orthodontic band into its identified one of said plurality of discrete interior compartments of said sterilization cassette.
placing an orthodontic band into its identified one of said plurality of discrete interior compartments of said sterilization cassette.
9. The method of claim 8 further characterized by the step of:
sterilizing the sterilization cassette by passing sterilization fluid to each compartment through a plurality of hole in the cassette;
whereby orthodontic bands placed into each of said plurality of discrete interior compartments are sterilized while being retained within one of said plurality of discrete interior compartments and prevented for intermixing with orthodontic band in another of said plurality of discrete interior compartments.
sterilizing the sterilization cassette by passing sterilization fluid to each compartment through a plurality of hole in the cassette;
whereby orthodontic bands placed into each of said plurality of discrete interior compartments are sterilized while being retained within one of said plurality of discrete interior compartments and prevented for intermixing with orthodontic band in another of said plurality of discrete interior compartments.
10. The method of claim 9 further characterized by the step of:
inventorying the sterilized bands.
inventorying the sterilized bands.
11. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of:
forming the container and dividers of metal.
forming the container and dividers of metal.
12. The process specially adapted for the manufacture of a sterilization cassette of claim 1 comprising the steps of:
providing a sterilization cassette of generally rectangular configuration having vertical sidewalls, vertical endwalls, a base and an opening on at least one side, forming a plurality of discrete interior compartments in the sterilization cassette by dividing the interior of the cassette with a first set of generally parallel, dividing wall members supported within the cassette interior with each of the compartments being accessible through the open side of said sterilization cassette, and closing the opening with a lid; characterized by the steps of associating multiple indicia with each compartment identifying each compartment with respect to a jaw, a quadrant and a tooth of a patient's mouth; and preventing passage of an orthodontic band identified for one compartment to an adjacent compartment.
providing a sterilization cassette of generally rectangular configuration having vertical sidewalls, vertical endwalls, a base and an opening on at least one side, forming a plurality of discrete interior compartments in the sterilization cassette by dividing the interior of the cassette with a first set of generally parallel, dividing wall members supported within the cassette interior with each of the compartments being accessible through the open side of said sterilization cassette, and closing the opening with a lid; characterized by the steps of associating multiple indicia with each compartment identifying each compartment with respect to a jaw, a quadrant and a tooth of a patient's mouth; and preventing passage of an orthodontic band identified for one compartment to an adjacent compartment.
13. A cassette specially designed for carrying out the process of claim 1 for sterilizing and organizing a plurality of orthodontic bands including a container of generally rectangular configuration having vertical sidewalls, vertical endwalls, a base and an opening on at least one side, a first set of generally parallel, dividing wall members supported within the container interior dividing the interior of the cassette into a plurality of discrete interior compartments with each of the compartments being accessible through the open side of said container, and a lid closing the opening, characterized by multiple indicia being associated with each compartment identifying each compartment with respect to a jaw, a quadrant and a tooth of a patient's mouth; and each of the dividing wall members being shaped and positioned relative to its associated base, wall and lid portion to prevent passage of an orthodontic band identified for one compartment to an adjacent compartment.
14. The cassette of claim 13 wherein the shape and position of each dividing wall member is further characterized by:
each dividing wall member having portions formed in closely abutting relationship to the inner surface of its associated base, wall and lid portions.
each dividing wall member having portions formed in closely abutting relationship to the inner surface of its associated base, wall and lid portions.
15. The cassette of claim 13 wherein the multiple indicia associated with each compartment is further characterized by:
a first indicia identifying each compartment with respect to a jaw of a patient's mouth;
a second indicia identifying each compartment with respect to a quadrant of a patient's mouth; and a third indicia identifying each compartment with respect to a tooth of a patient's mouth.
a first indicia identifying each compartment with respect to a jaw of a patient's mouth;
a second indicia identifying each compartment with respect to a quadrant of a patient's mouth; and a third indicia identifying each compartment with respect to a tooth of a patient's mouth.
16. The cassette of claim 13 further characterized by:
at least one of a second set of dividing wall members perpendicularly intersecting with each of the parallel dividing wall members of the first set further dividing the cassette interior.
at least one of a second set of dividing wall members perpendicularly intersecting with each of the parallel dividing wall members of the first set further dividing the cassette interior.
17. The cassette of claim 14 or 16 further characterized by:
each wall member formed with edges closely abutting its associated adjacent base, wall and lid portions and said edges being sufficiently flat to limit the space therebetween, and wherein the lid is further characterized by a flat lid portion closing the opening.
each wall member formed with edges closely abutting its associated adjacent base, wall and lid portions and said edges being sufficiently flat to limit the space therebetween, and wherein the lid is further characterized by a flat lid portion closing the opening.
18. The cassette of claim 13 further characterized by:
the cassette having a plurality of holes for passing therethrough sterilization fluid to each compartment;
whereby orthodontic bands placed into each of said plurality of discrete interior compartments are sterilized while being retained within one of said plurality of discrete interior compartments and prevented from intermixing with orthodontic bands in another of said plurality of discrete interior compartments.
the cassette having a plurality of holes for passing therethrough sterilization fluid to each compartment;
whereby orthodontic bands placed into each of said plurality of discrete interior compartments are sterilized while being retained within one of said plurality of discrete interior compartments and prevented from intermixing with orthodontic bands in another of said plurality of discrete interior compartments.
19. The cassette of claim 13 further characterized by:
the container and dividers formed of metal.
the container and dividers formed of metal.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US81165791A | 1991-12-23 | 1991-12-23 | |
| US07/811,657 | 1991-12-23 |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2126671A1 true CA2126671A1 (en) | 1993-07-08 |
Family
ID=25207179
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA 2126671 Abandoned CA2126671A1 (en) | 1991-12-23 | 1992-12-23 | Orthodontic band sterilization cassette |
Country Status (5)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| EP (1) | EP0649313A4 (en) |
| JP (1) | JPH07502667A (en) |
| AU (1) | AU3429193A (en) |
| CA (1) | CA2126671A1 (en) |
| WO (1) | WO1993012822A1 (en) |
Families Citing this family (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GB2298578B (en) * | 1995-03-10 | 1999-11-24 | Dentsply Ltd | Dental or surgical instrument sterilising tray |
Family Cites Families (4)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US2701635A (en) * | 1953-02-12 | 1955-02-08 | Mills Hiram Lawrence | Storage file for photographic slides |
| US4854475A (en) * | 1985-07-22 | 1989-08-08 | Hu-Friedy Manufacturing Co., Inc. | Instrument cassette |
| JPH071837B2 (en) * | 1987-09-04 | 1995-01-11 | 宇部興産株式会社 | Electromagnetic wave absorber |
| US4959199A (en) * | 1988-02-19 | 1990-09-25 | Brewer Charles A | Autoclavable modular cassette and tray for holding dental instruments |
-
1992
- 1992-12-23 CA CA 2126671 patent/CA2126671A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 1992-12-23 JP JP5511973A patent/JPH07502667A/en active Pending
- 1992-12-23 EP EP93902878A patent/EP0649313A4/en not_active Withdrawn
- 1992-12-23 AU AU34291/93A patent/AU3429193A/en not_active Abandoned
- 1992-12-23 WO PCT/US1992/011367 patent/WO1993012822A1/en not_active Application Discontinuation
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| AU3429193A (en) | 1993-07-28 |
| JPH07502667A (en) | 1995-03-23 |
| EP0649313A4 (en) | 1995-11-15 |
| WO1993012822A1 (en) | 1993-07-08 |
| EP0649313A1 (en) | 1995-04-26 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| EEER | Examination request | ||
| FZDE | Dead |