CN116568237A - Apparatus and method for treating teeth - Google Patents

Abstract

An apparatus for treating teeth includes a proximal chamber and a distal chamber disposed distally of the proximal chamber and in fluid communication with the proximal chamber through a transition opening. The distal chamber includes an access opening separate from and disposed distal to the transition opening to provide fluid communication between a treatment zone of the tooth and the distal chamber. The device comprises a liquid supply port arranged to direct a liquid flow into the proximal chamber and over at least a portion of the transition opening. The apparatus includes an impingement member disposed within the path of the liquid flow, the impingement member having one or more surfaces positioned to redirect at least a portion of the liquid flow across at least a portion of the transition opening.

Description

Apparatus and method for treating teeth

Cross Reference to Related Applications

The present application claims priority from U.S. provisional patent application No. 63/088,889 filed on 7 th month 10 in 2020, U.S. provisional patent application No. 63/088,862 filed on 7 th month 10 in 2020, U.S. provisional patent application No. 63/088,877 filed on 7 th month 10 in 2020, and U.S. provisional patent application No. 63/118,603 filed on 25 th 11 in 2020, each of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety and for all purposes.

Background

Technical Field

The field relates to devices and methods for treating teeth.

Background

In conventional dental and endodontic procedures, mechanical instruments such as drills, files, brushes, etc. are used to clean unhealthy substances of teeth. For example, dentists often use drills to mechanically break down caries areas (e.g., tooth decay) on the tooth surface. Such procedures are often painful for the patient and often do not remove all of the diseased material. Furthermore, in conventional endodontic treatment, an opening is drilled through the crown of the diseased tooth and an endodontic file is inserted into the root canal system to open the canal space and remove organic matter therein. The root canal is then filled with a solid substance, such as gutta percha or a flowable filling material, and the tooth is restored. However, this procedure does not remove all organic matter from the tube space, which may lead to postoperative complications such as infection. In addition, movement of the endodontic file and/or other positive pressure source can force organic matter through the tip opening into periapical tissue. In some cases, the end of the endodontic file itself can be open at the tip. Such events may lead to soft tissue trauma near the top opening and to postoperative complications. Thus, there is a continuing need for improved dental and endodontic treatments.

Disclosure of Invention

The embodiments disclosed herein each have several aspects, no single one of which is solely responsible for the desirable attributes of the present disclosure. Without limiting the scope of this disclosure, its more prominent features will now be discussed briefly. After considering this discussion, and particularly after reading the section entitled "detailed description" one will understand how the features of the embodiments described herein provide advantages over existing systems, devices, components, and methods for treating teeth.

In one embodiment, an apparatus for treating teeth is disclosed. The apparatus may include: a proximal chamber; a distal chamber disposed distally of the proximal chamber and in fluid communication with the proximal chamber through a transition opening, the distal chamber having an access opening separate from and disposed distally of the transition opening to provide fluid communication between a treatment area of the tooth and the distal chamber; a liquid supply port arranged to direct a liquid flow into the proximal chamber and over at least a portion of the transition opening; and an impingement member disposed within the path of the liquid flow, the impingement member having one or more surfaces positioned to redirect at least a portion of the liquid flow across at least a portion of the transition opening.

In some embodiments, the impact member may have a lateral width that is no wider than a lateral dimension of the transition opening. The distal chamber may have a cross-sectional area at least substantially equal to an area of the transition opening. The device may include one or more flow disrupters positioned within the proximal chamber. The one or more flow disrupters may include one or more curved or angled protrusions extending from an inner surface of the proximal chamber. The liquid supply port and the impingement member may be arranged relative to each other to create turbulence of liquid within the treatment zone during a course of a treatment procedure. The proximal chamber may have a first interior surface geometry and the distal chamber may have a second interior surface geometry different from the first interior surface geometry. The device may include a non-uniform transition between the proximal chamber and the distal chamber. The ratio of the volume of the proximal chamber to the volume of the distal chamber may be between 7:4 and 15:2. The ratio of the volume of the proximal chamber to the circumference of the transition opening may be in the range of 1in ³ 150in and 1in ³ Between 20 in. The liquid flow may comprise a jet, and the ratio of jet distance to the volume of the proximal chamber may be at 10in:1in ³ And 50in:1in ³ Between them. The liquid stream may comprise a jet and the ratio of jet distance to jet height may be between 2:1 and 13:2. The device may include a suction port exposed to the proximal chamber. The aspiration port may be disposed along an upper wall of the proximal chamber. The apparatus may include an outlet line connected to the suction port. The apparatus may include a vent exposed to ambient air in fluid communication with the outlet line and positioned along the outlet line at a location downstream of the suction port. The therapeutic fluid within the proximal chamber and the distal chamber may be a substantially degassed therapeutic fluid. The liquid supply endThe port may be configured to direct the flow of liquid to generate pressure waves in the therapeutic fluid within the proximal chamber and the distal chamber, the generated pressure waves having a broadband power spectrum. The liquid supply port may be arranged to direct the liquid flow to impinge one or more surfaces of the impingement member at a point of contact above the vertical centre of the impingement member. One or more surfaces of the impingement member may be shaped to redirect at least a portion of the liquid flow within the proximal chamber from a position below a vertical center of the impingement member. The liquid supply port may be arranged to direct the liquid flow to impinge one or more surfaces of the impingement member at a contact point laterally of a horizontal center of the impingement member. One or more surfaces of the impingement member may be shaped to redirect at least a portion of the liquid flow within the proximal chamber from a location laterally of a horizontal center of the impingement member on a side of the impingement member opposite the contact point. The liquid flow may be a liquid jet, wherein the one or more impact surfaces of the impact member are shaped to redirect at least a portion of the liquid jet across at least a portion of the transition opening in the form of a second liquid jet. The liquid supply port may be arranged to direct the liquid flow to impinge one or more surfaces of the impingement member at a point of contact below the vertical center of the impingement member. One or more surfaces of the impingement member are shaped to redirect at least a portion of the liquid flow within the proximal chamber from a position above a vertical center of the impingement member.

In another embodiment, an apparatus for treating teeth is provided. The apparatus may include: a proximal chamber; a distal chamber disposed distally of the proximal chamber and in fluid communication with the proximal chamber through a transition opening, the distal chamber having an access opening separate from and disposed distally of the transition opening to provide fluid communication between the distal chamber and a treatment region of the tooth; and a liquid supply port arranged to direct a flow of liquid into the proximal chamber and over at least a portion of the transition opening to impinge an impingement member, wherein the proximal chamber, the liquid supply port, the distal chamber and the impingement member are arranged relative to each other in a manner that creates turbulence of fluid within the treatment zone during a course of a treatment procedure.

In some embodiments, the device may include one or more flow disrupters positioned within the proximal chamber. The one or more flow disrupters may include one or more curved or angled protrusions extending from an inner surface of the proximal chamber. The proximal chamber may have a first interior surface geometry and the distal chamber may have a second interior surface geometry different from the first interior surface geometry. The device may include a non-uniform transition between the proximal chamber and the distal chamber. The ratio of the volume of the proximal chamber to the volume of the distal chamber may be between 7:4 and 15:2. The ratio of the volume of the proximal chamber to the circumference of the transition opening may be in the range of 1in ³ 150in and 1in ³ Between 20 in. The liquid flow may be a jet and the ratio of jet distance to the volume of the proximal chamber may be at 10in:1in ³ And 50in:1in ³ Between them. The liquid stream may be a jet and the ratio of jet distance to jet height may be between 2:1 and 13:2. The device may include a suction port exposed to the proximal chamber. The aspiration port may be disposed along an upper wall of the proximal chamber. The apparatus may include an outlet line connected to the suction port. The apparatus may include a vent exposed to ambient air in fluid communication with the outlet line and positioned along the outlet line at a location downstream of the suction port. The therapeutic fluid within the proximal chamber and the distal chamber may comprise a substantially degassed therapeutic fluid. The liquid supply port may be configured to direct the flow of liquid to generate pressure waves in the therapeutic fluid within the proximal chamber and the distal chamber, the generated pressure waves having a broadband power spectrum. The liquid supply port may be arranged to direct the liquid flow vertically at the impact surface of the impact member Impact the impact surface at a contact point above the center. The impingement surface may be shaped to redirect at least a portion of the liquid flow within the proximal chamber from a location below a vertical center of the impingement surface. The liquid supply port may be arranged to direct the liquid flow to impinge on the impingement surface of the impingement member at a contact point laterally of the horizontal center of the impingement member. The impingement surface may be shaped to redirect at least a portion of the liquid jet within the proximal chamber from a location laterally of a horizontal center of the impingement surface on a side of the impingement surface opposite the contact point. The liquid flow may comprise a liquid jet, wherein the impact surface of the impact member is shaped to redirect at least a portion of the liquid jet into the proximal chamber in the form of a second liquid jet. The liquid supply port may be arranged to direct the liquid flow to impinge the impingement surface of the impingement member at a point of contact below the vertical center of the impingement surface. The impingement surface may be shaped to redirect at least a portion of the liquid flow within the proximal chamber from a position above a vertical center of the impingement surface.

In another embodiment, an apparatus for treating teeth is provided. The apparatus may include: a proximal chamber; a distal chamber disposed distally of the proximal chamber and in fluid communication with the proximal chamber through a transition opening, the distal chamber having an access opening separate from and disposed distally of the transition opening to provide fluid communication between the distal chamber and a treatment region of the tooth; and a liquid supply port configured to direct a flow of liquid into the proximal chamber and over at least a portion of the transition opening to impinge the impingement member, the impingement member having one or more surfaces positioned to direct at least a portion of the flow of liquid over at least a portion of the transition opening to create an annular flow in the distal chamber.

In some embodiments, the device may include a positioning at the deviceOne or more flow disrupters within the proximal chamber. The one or more flow disrupters may include one or more curved or angled protrusions extending from an inner surface of the proximal chamber. The liquid supply port and the impingement member may be arranged relative to each other to create turbulence of liquid within the treatment zone during a course of a treatment procedure. The proximal chamber may have a first interior surface geometry and the distal chamber may have a second interior surface geometry different from the first interior surface geometry. The device may include a non-uniform transition between the proximal chamber and the distal chamber. The ratio of the volume of the proximal chamber to the volume of the distal chamber may be between 7:4 and 15:2. The ratio of the volume of the proximal chamber to the circumference of the transition opening may be in the range of 1in ³ 150in and 1in ³ Between 20 in. The liquid flow may comprise a jet, and the ratio of jet distance to the volume of the proximal chamber may be at 10in:1in ³ And 50in:1in ³ Between them. The liquid stream may be a jet and the ratio of jet distance to jet height may be between 2:1 and 13:2. The device may be a suction port exposed to the proximal chamber. The aspiration port may be disposed along an upper wall of the proximal chamber. The apparatus may include an outlet line connected to the suction port. The apparatus may include a vent exposed to ambient air in fluid communication with the outlet line and positioned along the outlet line at a location downstream of the suction port. The therapeutic fluid within the proximal chamber and the distal chamber may comprise a substantially degassed therapeutic fluid. The liquid supply port may be configured to direct the flow of liquid to generate pressure waves in the therapeutic fluid within the proximal chamber and the distal chamber, the generated pressure waves having a broadband power spectrum. The liquid supply port may be arranged to direct the liquid flow to impinge one or more surfaces of the impingement member at a point of contact above the vertical centre of the impingement member. One or more surfaces of the impingement member may be shaped to redirect the flow of liquid within the proximal chamber from a position below a vertical center of the impingement member At least a portion of the first and second portions. The liquid supply port may be arranged to direct the liquid flow to impinge one or more surfaces of the impingement member at a contact point laterally of a horizontal center of the impingement member. One or more surfaces of the impingement member may be shaped to redirect at least a portion of the liquid flow within the proximal chamber from a location laterally of a horizontal center of the impingement member on a side of the impingement member opposite the contact point. The liquid flow may comprise a liquid jet, wherein one or more surfaces of the impingement member may be shaped to redirect at least a portion of the liquid jet across at least a portion of the transition opening in the form of a second liquid jet. The liquid supply port may be arranged to direct the liquid flow to impinge one or more surfaces of the impingement member at a point of contact below the vertical center of the impingement member. One or more surfaces of the impingement member may be shaped to redirect at least a portion of the liquid flow within the proximal chamber from a position above a vertical center of the impingement member.

In another embodiment, an apparatus for treating teeth is provided. The apparatus may include: a proximal chamber having a first interior surface geometry; a distal chamber disposed distally of and in fluid communication with the proximal chamber through a transition opening, the distal chamber having an access opening separate from and disposed distally of the transition opening to provide fluid communication between the distal chamber and a treatment region of the tooth, the distal chamber having a second interior surface geometry different from the first interior surface geometry; and a liquid supply port arranged to direct a flow of liquid into the proximal chamber and over at least a portion of the inlet opening.

In some embodiments, the device may include one or more flow disrupters positioned within the proximal chamber. The one or more flow disrupters may include one or more curved or angled protrusions extending from an inner surface of the proximal chamberStarting. The liquid supply port and the impingement member may be arranged relative to each other to create turbulence of liquid within the treatment zone during a course of a treatment procedure. The device may include a non-uniform transition between the proximal chamber and the distal chamber. The ratio of the volume of the proximal chamber to the volume of the distal chamber may be between 7:4 and 15:2. The ratio of the volume of the proximal chamber to the circumference of the transition opening may be in the range of 1in ³ 150in and 1in ³ Between 20 in. The liquid flow may comprise a jet, and the ratio of jet distance to the volume of the proximal chamber may be at 10in:1in ³ And 50in:1in ³ Between them. The liquid stream may comprise a jet and the ratio of jet distance to jet height may be between 2:1 and 13:2. The device may include a suction port exposed to the proximal chamber. The aspiration port may be disposed along an upper wall of the proximal chamber. The apparatus may include an outlet line connected to the suction port. The apparatus may include a vent exposed to ambient air in fluid communication with the outlet line and positioned along the outlet line at a location downstream of the suction port. The therapeutic fluid within the proximal chamber and the distal chamber may comprise a substantially degassed therapeutic fluid. The liquid supply port may be configured to direct the flow of liquid to generate pressure waves in the therapeutic fluid within the proximal chamber and the distal chamber, the generated pressure waves having a broadband power spectrum. The liquid supply port may be arranged to direct the liquid flow to impinge the impingement surface of the impingement member at a point of contact above the vertical center of the impingement surface. The impingement surface may be shaped to redirect at least a portion of the liquid flow within the proximal chamber from a location below a vertical center of the impingement surface. The liquid supply port may be arranged to direct the liquid flow to impinge on the impingement surface of the impingement member at a contact point laterally of the horizontal center of the impingement member. The impingement surface may be shaped to redirect at least a portion of the liquid jet within the proximal chamber from a location laterally of a horizontal center of the impingement surface on a side of the impingement surface opposite the contact point. The liquid stream may comprise a liquid jet, wherein the liquid supply port may be arranged to direct the liquid jet to impinge on an impingement surface of an impingement member, wherein the impingement surface may be shaped to redirect at least a portion of the liquid jet into the proximal chamber in the form of a second liquid jet. The liquid supply port may be arranged to direct the liquid flow to impinge the impingement surface of the impingement member at a point of contact below the vertical center of the impingement surface. The impingement surface may be shaped to redirect at least a portion of the liquid flow within the proximal chamber from a position above a vertical center of the impingement surface.

In another embodiment, an apparatus for treating teeth is provided. The apparatus may include: a proximal chamber; a distal chamber disposed distally of and in fluid communication with the proximal chamber, the distal chamber having an access opening separate from and disposed distally of the proximal chamber to provide fluid communication between the distal chamber and a treatment region of the tooth; a liquid supply port configured to direct a flow of liquid across the proximal chamber; and a non-uniform transition zone between the proximal and distal chambers.

In some embodiments, the non-uniform transition zone may include a discontinuity that provides a non-uniform or abrupt flow transition between the proximal and distal chambers. The discontinuity may be provided by a transition opening and different internal surface geometries of the proximal and distal chambers. The non-uniform transition zone may include an asymmetric interior surface of one or more of the proximal and distal chambers. The non-uniform transition zone may include one or more destructive internal surfaces of one or more of the proximal and distal chambers. The apparatus may include: a transition opening between the proximal chamber and the distal chamber; and an impingement ring, at least a portion of the impingement ring recessed from the transition opening, and at least a portion of the impingement ring extending over at least a portion of the transition opening to formThe non-uniform transition zone. The device may include one or more flow disrupters positioned within the proximal chamber. The one or more flow disrupters may include one or more curved or angled protrusions extending from an inner surface of the proximal chamber. The liquid supply port and the impingement member may be arranged relative to each other to create turbulence of liquid within the treatment zone during a course of a treatment procedure. The proximal chamber may have a first interior surface geometry and the distal chamber may have a second interior surface geometry different from the first interior surface geometry. The ratio of the volume of the proximal chamber to the volume of the distal chamber may be between 7:4 and 15:2. The device may comprise a transition opening between the proximal chamber and the distal chamber, wherein a ratio of a volume of the proximal chamber to a circumference of the transition opening may be in the range of 1in ³ 150in and 1in ³ Between 20 in. The liquid flow may comprise a jet, and the ratio of jet distance to the volume of the proximal chamber may be at 10in:1in ³ And 50in:1in ³ Between them. The liquid stream may comprise a jet and the ratio of jet distance to jet height may be between 2:1 and 13:2. The device may include a suction port exposed to the proximal chamber. The aspiration port may be disposed along an upper wall of the proximal chamber. The apparatus may include an outlet line connected to the suction port. The apparatus may include a vent exposed to ambient air in fluid communication with the outlet line and positioned along the outlet line at a location downstream of the suction port. The therapeutic fluid within the proximal chamber and the distal chamber may comprise a substantially degassed therapeutic fluid. The liquid supply port may be configured to direct the flow of liquid to generate pressure waves in the therapeutic fluid within the proximal chamber and the distal chamber, the generated pressure waves having a broadband power spectrum. The liquid supply port may be arranged to direct the liquid flow to impinge the impingement surface of the impingement member at a point of contact above the vertical center of the impingement surface. The impingement surface may be shaped to weigh within the proximal chamber from a position below a vertical center of the impingement surface At least a portion of the liquid stream is newly directed. The liquid supply port may be arranged to direct the liquid flow to impinge on the impingement surface of the impingement member at a contact point laterally of the horizontal center of the impingement member. The impingement surface may be shaped to redirect at least a portion of the liquid jet within the proximal chamber from a location laterally of a horizontal center of the impingement surface on a side of the impingement surface opposite the contact point. The liquid stream may comprise a liquid jet, wherein the liquid supply port may be arranged to direct the liquid jet to impinge on an impingement surface of an impingement member, wherein the impingement surface may be shaped to redirect at least a portion of the liquid jet into the proximal chamber in the form of a second liquid jet. The liquid supply port may be arranged to direct the liquid flow to impinge the impingement surface of the impingement member at a point of contact below the vertical center of the impingement surface. The impingement surface may be shaped to redirect at least a portion of the liquid flow within the proximal chamber from a position above a vertical center of the impingement surface.

In another embodiment, an apparatus for treating teeth is provided. The apparatus may include: a proximal chamber; a distal chamber disposed distally of the proximal chamber and in fluid communication with the proximal chamber through a transition opening, the distal chamber having an access opening separate from and disposed distally of the transition opening to provide fluid communication between a treatment area of the tooth and the distal chamber; an impact member including an impact surface; and a liquid supply port configured to direct a liquid jet to impinge the impingement surface at a point of contact above a vertical center of the impingement surface, wherein the impingement surface is shaped to redirect at least a portion of the liquid jet within the proximal chamber from a location below the vertical center of the impingement surface.

In some embodiments, the liquid supply port may be arranged to direct the liquid jet to impinge the impingement surface at a contact point laterally of a vertical center of the impingement surface. The impingement surface may be shaped to redirect at least a portion of the liquid jet within the proximal chamber from a location laterally of a horizontal center of the impingement surface on a side of the impingement surface opposite the contact point. The angle between the vertical axis of the impact surface and a radial line extending from the center point of the impact surface through the contact point may be between-45 ° and 45 °. The angle may be between-30 ° and 30 °. The angle may be between-15 ° and 15 °. The liquid jet may be arranged to impinge the impingement surface at a radial distance of less than 0.63 inches from a center point of the impingement surface at a point of contact. The liquid jet may be arranged to impinge the impingement surface at a radial distance of between 0.010 inches and 0.05 inches from a center point of the impingement surface at a point of contact. The liquid jet may be arranged to impinge the impingement surface at the contact point with a radial distance between 1% and 49% of the diameter of the impingement surface. The liquid jet may be arranged to impinge the impingement surface at the contact point with a radial distance between 5% and 45% of the diameter of the impingement surface. The liquid jet may be arranged to impinge the impingement surface at the contact point with a radial distance between 8% and 40% of the diameter of the impingement surface. The liquid jet may be arranged to impinge the impingement surface at the contact point with a radial distance between 15% and 25% of the diameter of the impingement surface. The liquid jet may be arranged to impinge the impingement surface at the contact point with a radial distance between 20% and 40% of the diameter of the impingement surface. The impingement member may be angled downwardly towards the transition opening. The central axis of the impact member may be angled downwardly from the anterior-posterior axis of the proximal chamber at an angle between 0 ° and 10 °. The central axis of the impact member may be angled downwardly from the anterior-posterior axis of the proximal chamber at an angle between 0 ° and 6 °. The central axis of the impact member may be angled downward from the anterior-posterior axis of the proximal chamber at an angle between 0 ° and 3 °. The central axis of the impact member may be laterally angled relative to the superior-inferior axis of the proximal chamber. The liquid supply port may be arranged to direct the liquid jet along a jet axis that is angled upwardly relative to the anterior-posterior axis of the proximal chamber. The liquid supply port may be arranged to direct the liquid jet along a jet axis at an angle between 0 ° and 10 ° upward relative to the anterior-posterior axis of the proximal chamber. The liquid supply port may be arranged to direct the liquid jet along a jet axis at an angle between 0 ° and 6 ° upward relative to the anterior-posterior axis of the proximal chamber. The liquid supply port may be arranged to direct the liquid jet along a jet axis at an angle between 0 ° and 4 ° upward relative to the anterior-posterior axis of the proximal chamber. The liquid supply port may be arranged to direct the liquid jet along a jet axis that is laterally angled relative to an up-down axis of the proximal chamber. The impingement surface may be shaped to redirect at least a portion of the liquid jet in the form of a second liquid jet within the proximal chamber. The impingement surface may be angled at the point of contact to redirect at least a portion of the liquid jet in the form of a second liquid jet within the proximal chamber. The liquid jet may be arranged to impinge the impingement surface at an angle relative to the impingement surface, the angle being configured such that the liquid jet is redirected from the impingement surface in the form of a second liquid jet. The impact surface may be hemispherical. The impact surface may be concave. The liquid supply port and the impingement member may be arranged relative to each other to create turbulence of liquid within the treatment zone during a course of a treatment procedure. The device may include a suction port exposed to the proximal chamber. The aspiration port may be disposed along an upper wall of the proximal chamber. The apparatus may include an outlet line connected to the suction port. The apparatus may include a vent exposed to ambient air in fluid communication with the outlet line and positioned along the outlet line at a location downstream of the suction port. The therapeutic fluid within the proximal chamber and the distal chamber may comprise a substantially degassed therapeutic fluid. The liquid supply port may be configured to direct the liquid jet to generate pressure waves in the therapeutic fluid within the proximal chamber and the distal chamber, the generated pressure waves having a broadband power spectrum.

In another embodiment, an apparatus for treating teeth is provided. The apparatus may include: a proximal chamber; a distal chamber disposed distally of the proximal chamber and in fluid communication with the proximal chamber through a transition opening, the distal chamber having an access opening separate from and disposed distally of the transition opening to provide fluid communication between a treatment area of the tooth and the distal chamber; a liquid supply port arranged to direct a liquid jet into the proximal chamber; and an impingement member disposed within the path of the liquid jet, the impingement member including an impingement surface shaped to redirect at least a portion of the liquid jet in the form of a second liquid jet within the proximal chamber.

In some embodiments, the liquid supply port may be arranged to direct the liquid jet to impinge the impingement surface at a point of contact above a vertical center of the impingement surface. The liquid supply port may be arranged to direct the liquid jet to impinge the impingement surface at a contact point laterally of a horizontal center of the impingement member. The impingement surface may be shaped to redirect at least a portion of the liquid jet within the proximal chamber from a location laterally of a horizontal center of the impingement surface on a side of the impingement surface opposite the contact point. The angle between the vertical axis of the impact surface and a radial line extending from the center point of the impact surface through the contact point may be between-45 ° and 45 °. The angle may be between-30 ° and 30 °. The angle may be between-15 ° and 15 °. The liquid jet may be arranged to impinge the impingement surface at a radial distance of less than 0.63 inches from a center point of the impingement surface at a point of contact. The liquid jet may be arranged to impinge the impingement surface at the point of contact with a radial distance of between 0.010 inches and 0.05 inches from a center point of the impingement surface. The liquid jet may be arranged to impinge the impingement surface at a radial distance between 1% and 49% of the diameter of the impingement surface at the point of contact. The liquid jet may be arranged to impinge the impingement surface at the contact point with a radial distance between 5% and 45% of the diameter of the impingement surface. The liquid jet may be arranged to impinge the impingement surface at the contact point with a radial distance between 8% and 40% of the diameter of the impingement surface. The liquid jet may be arranged to impinge the impingement surface at the contact point with a radial distance between 15% and 25% of the diameter of the impingement surface. The liquid jet may be arranged to impinge the impingement surface at the contact point with a radial distance between 20% and 40% of the diameter of the impingement surface. The impingement member may be angled downwardly towards the transition opening. The central axis of the impact member may be angled downwardly from the anterior-posterior axis of the proximal chamber at an angle between 0 ° and 10 °. The central axis of the impact member may be angled downwardly from the anterior-posterior axis of the proximal chamber at an angle between 0 ° and 6 °. The central axis of the impact member may be angled downward from the anterior-posterior axis of the proximal chamber at an angle between 0 ° and 3 °. The central axis of the impact member may be laterally angled relative to the superior-inferior axis of the proximal chamber. The liquid supply port may be arranged to direct the liquid jet along a jet axis that is angled upwardly relative to the anterior-posterior axis of the proximal chamber. The liquid supply port may be arranged to direct the liquid jet along a jet axis at an angle between 0 ° and 10 ° upward relative to the anterior-posterior axis of the proximal chamber. The liquid supply port may be arranged to direct the liquid jet along a jet axis at an angle between 0 ° and 6 ° upward relative to the anterior-posterior axis of the proximal chamber. The liquid supply port may be arranged to direct the liquid jet along a jet axis at an angle between 0 ° and 4 ° upward relative to the anterior-posterior axis of the proximal chamber. The liquid supply port may be arranged to direct the liquid jet along a jet axis that is laterally angled relative to an up-down axis of the proximal chamber. The liquid jet may be arranged to impinge the impingement surface at a point of contact, wherein the impingement surface may be angled to redirect at least a portion of the liquid jet in the proximal chamber in the form of a second liquid jet. The liquid jet may be arranged to impinge the impingement surface at an angle relative to the impingement surface, the angle being configured such that the liquid jet is redirected from the impingement surface in the form of a second liquid jet. The impact surface may be hemispherical. The impact surface may be concave. The liquid supply port and the impingement member may be arranged relative to each other to create turbulence of liquid within the treatment zone during a course of a treatment procedure. The device may include a suction port exposed to the proximal chamber. The aspiration port may be disposed along an upper wall of the proximal chamber. The apparatus may include an outlet line connected to the suction port. The apparatus may include a vent exposed to ambient air in fluid communication with the outlet line and positioned along the outlet line at a location downstream of the suction port. The therapeutic fluid within the proximal chamber and the distal chamber may comprise a substantially degassed therapeutic fluid. The liquid supply port may be configured to direct the flow of liquid to generate pressure waves in the therapeutic fluid within the proximal chamber and the distal chamber, the generated pressure waves having a broadband power spectrum. The liquid supply port may be arranged to direct the liquid jet to impinge the impingement surface at a point of contact below the vertical center of the impingement surface. The impingement surface may be shaped to redirect at least a portion of the liquid jet as a second liquid jet within the proximal chamber from a location above a horizontal center of the impingement surface.

In another embodiment, a method for operating a dental instrument is provided. The method may include: providing an access opening of the dental appliance, the access opening configured to be placed in fluid communication with a treatment area of the tooth; an impingement member directing a flow of liquid to impinge the dental instrument over a transition opening between a proximal chamber and a distal chamber of the dental instrument; and redirecting the flow of liquid using one or more surfaces of the impingement member, the one or more surfaces positioned to redirect at least a portion of the flow of liquid across at least a portion of the transition opening.

In another embodiment, a method for operating a dental instrument is provided. The method may include: providing an access opening of the dental appliance, the access opening configured to be placed in fluid communication with a treatment area of the tooth; and an impingement member that directs a flow of liquid to impinge the dental instrument over a transition opening between a proximal chamber and a distal chamber of the dental instrument so as to create turbulence of the liquid within the proximal chamber.

In another embodiment, a method for operating a dental instrument is provided. The method may include: providing an access opening of the dental appliance, the access opening configured to be placed in fluid communication with a treatment area of the tooth; an impingement member directing a flow of liquid to impinge the dental instrument over a transition opening between a proximal chamber and a distal chamber of the dental instrument; and redirecting the flow of liquid using one or more surfaces of the impingement member, the one or more surfaces positioned to redirect at least a portion of the flow of liquid across at least a portion of the transition opening.

In another embodiment, a method for operating a dental instrument is provided. The method may include: providing an access opening of the dental appliance, the access opening configured to be placed in fluid communication with a treatment area of the tooth; an impingement member directing a flow of liquid to impinge the dental instrument over a transition opening between a proximal chamber and a distal chamber of the dental instrument; and redirecting the flow of liquid using one or more surfaces of the impingement member, the one or more surfaces positioned to redirect at least a portion of the flow of liquid across at least a portion of the transition opening.

In another embodiment, a method for operating a dental instrument is provided. The method may include: providing an access opening of the dental appliance, the access opening configured to be placed in fluid communication with a treatment area of the tooth; and directing a flow of liquid over a transition opening between a proximal chamber and a distal chamber of the dental instrument, the proximal chamber including a first interior surface geometry and the distal chamber including a second interior surface geometry different from the first interior surface geometry.

In another embodiment, a method for operating a dental instrument is provided. The method may include: providing an access opening of the dental appliance, the access opening configured to be placed in fluid communication with a treatment region of the tooth, a dental treatment apparatus comprising a proximal chamber, a distal chamber, and a non-uniform transition region between the proximal chamber and the distal chamber; and directing a flow of liquid across the proximal chamber.

In some embodiments, in the above methods, the dental treatment instrument may include one or more flow disrupters positioned within the proximal chamber. The proximal chamber may have a first interior surface geometry and the distal chamber may have a second interior surface geometry different from the first interior surface geometry. The proximal chamber may include a non-uniform transition between the proximal chamber and the distal chamber. The dental instrument further includes a suction port exposed to the proximal chamber. The aspiration port may be disposed along an upper wall of the proximal chamber. The dental instrument may include an outlet line connected to the suction port. The dental appliance can include a vent exposed to ambient air in fluid communication with the outlet line and positioned along the outlet line at a location downstream of the suction port. Directing the flow of liquid may include directing the flow of liquid to generate pressure waves in the therapeutic fluid within the proximal chamber and the distal chamber, the generated pressure waves having a broadband power spectrum. Directing the flow of liquid to impinge the impingement member of the dental instrument above a transition opening between a proximal chamber and a distal chamber of the dental instrument may include directing the flow of liquid to impinge the impingement member at a point of contact above a vertical center of the impingement member. Redirecting the liquid flow using one or more surfaces of the impingement member may include redirecting the liquid flow using one or more surfaces shaped to redirect at least a portion of the liquid flow from a location below a vertical center of the impingement member within the proximal chamber. Directing the flow of liquid to impinge the impingement member of the dental instrument above a transition opening between a proximal chamber and a distal chamber of the dental instrument may include directing the flow of liquid to impinge the impingement member at a contact point laterally of a horizontal center of the impingement member. Redirecting the flow of liquid using one or more surfaces of the impingement member may include redirecting the flow of liquid using one or more surfaces shaped to redirect at least a portion of the flow of liquid within the proximal chamber from a location laterally of a horizontal center of the impingement member on a side of the impingement member opposite the point of contact. Directing the flow of liquid to impinge the impingement member of the dental instrument above a transition opening between a proximal chamber and a distal chamber of the dental instrument may include directing the flow of liquid to impinge the impingement member at a point of contact below a vertical center of the impingement member. Redirecting the liquid flow using one or more surfaces of the impingement member may include redirecting the liquid flow using one or more surfaces shaped to redirect at least a portion of the liquid flow within the proximal chamber from a position above a vertical center of the impingement member. Directing the liquid stream includes directing a liquid jet, wherein redirecting the liquid jet using one or more surfaces of the impingement member may include redirecting the liquid jet using one or more surfaces of the impingement member configured to redirect at least a portion of the liquid jet in the form of a second liquid jet. Directing the flow of liquid to impinge the impingement member over a transition opening between a proximal chamber and a distal chamber of the dental instrument may include directing the flow of liquid to impinge the impingement member at a point of contact above a vertical center of the impingement member. The method may further include redirecting the liquid flow using one or more surfaces of the impingement member shaped to redirect at least a portion of the liquid flow within the proximal chamber from a location below a vertical center of the impingement member. Directing the flow of liquid to impinge the impingement member at a transition opening between a proximal chamber and a distal chamber of the dental instrument may include directing the flow of liquid to impinge the impingement member at a contact point laterally of a horizontal center of the impingement member. The method may further include redirecting the flow of liquid within the proximal chamber using one or more surfaces of the impingement member shaped to redirect at least a portion of the flow of liquid from a location laterally of a horizontal center of the impingement member on a side of the impingement member opposite the point of contact. Directing the flow of liquid to impinge the impingement member above a transition opening between a proximal chamber and a distal chamber of the dental instrument may include directing the flow of liquid to impinge the impingement member at a point of contact below a horizontal center of the impingement member. The method may further include redirecting the liquid flow using one or more surfaces of the impingement member shaped to redirect at least a portion of the liquid flow within the proximal chamber from a position above a vertical center of the impingement member. Directing the liquid stream may include directing a liquid jet, the method further comprising redirecting the liquid jet using one or more surfaces of the impingement member configured to redirect at least a portion of the liquid jet in the form of a second liquid jet. Directing the flow of liquid may include directing the flow of liquid to impinge on an impingement member of the dental appliance. Directing the flow of liquid to impinge the impingement member may include directing the flow of liquid to impinge the impingement member at a point of contact above a vertical center of the impingement member. The method may further include redirecting the liquid flow using one or more surfaces of the impingement member shaped to redirect at least a portion of the liquid flow within the proximal chamber from a location below a vertical center of the impingement member. Directing the flow of liquid to impinge the impingement member may include directing the flow of liquid to impinge the impingement member at a contact point laterally of a horizontal center of the impingement member. The method may further include redirecting the flow of liquid within the proximal chamber using one or more surfaces of the impingement member shaped to redirect at least a portion of the flow of liquid from a location laterally of a horizontal center of the impingement member on a side of the impingement member opposite the point of contact. Directing the flow of liquid to impinge the impingement member may include directing the flow of liquid to impinge the impingement member at a point of contact below a vertical center of the impingement member. The method may further include redirecting the liquid flow using one or more surfaces of the impingement member shaped to redirect at least a portion of the liquid flow within the proximal chamber from a position above a vertical center of the impingement member. Directing the liquid stream to impinge the impingement member may include directing a liquid jet to impinge the impingement member, the method further comprising redirecting the liquid jet using one or more surfaces of the impingement member configured to redirect at least a portion of the liquid jet in the form of a second liquid jet.

In another embodiment, a method for operating a dental instrument is provided. The method may include: providing an access opening of the dental appliance, the access opening configured to be placed in fluid communication with a treatment area of the tooth; directing a liquid jet within a chamber of the dental instrument to impinge an impingement surface of an impingement member at a point of contact above a vertical center of the impingement surface; and redirecting at least a portion of the liquid jet within the chamber from a location below a vertical center of the impingement surface using the impingement surface.

In some embodiments, directing the liquid jet to impinge the impingement surface may include directing the liquid jet to impinge the impingement surface at a contact point laterally of a horizontal center of the impingement surface. Redirecting the liquid jet may include redirecting at least a portion of the liquid jet within the chamber from a location laterally from a horizontal center of the impingement surface on a side of the impingement surface opposite the point of contact. The angle between the vertical axis of the impact surface and a radial line extending from the center point of the impact surface through the contact point may be between-45 ° and 45 °. The angle may be between-30 ° and 30 °. The angle may be between-15 ° and 15 °. Directing the liquid jet to impinge the impingement surface may include directing the liquid jet to impinge the impingement surface at the point of contact at a radial distance less than 0.63 inches from a center point of the impingement surface. Directing the liquid jet to impinge the impingement surface may include directing the liquid jet to impinge the impingement surface at the contact point at a radial distance of between 0.010 inches and 0.05 inches from a center point of the impingement surface. Directing the liquid jet to impinge the impingement surface may include directing the liquid jet to impinge the impingement surface at the point of contact at a radial distance between 1% and 49% of a diameter of the impingement surface. Directing the liquid jet to impinge the impingement surface may include directing the liquid jet to impinge the impingement surface at the point of contact at a radial distance between 5% and 45% of a diameter of the impingement surface. Directing the liquid jet to impinge the impingement surface may include directing the liquid jet to impinge the impingement surface at the point of contact at a radial distance between 8% and 40% of a diameter of the impingement surface. Directing the liquid jet to impinge the impingement surface may include directing the liquid jet to impinge the impingement surface at the point of contact at a radial distance between 15% and 25% of a diameter of the impingement surface. Directing the liquid jet to impinge the impingement surface may include directing the liquid jet to impinge the impingement surface at the point of contact at a radial distance between 20% and 40% of a diameter of the impingement surface. The chamber may comprise a proximal chamber, wherein the impingement member may be angled downwardly towards a transition opening between the proximal and distal chambers of the dental apparatus. The central axis of the impact member may be angled downwardly from the front-rear axis of the chamber at an angle between 0 ° and 10 °. The central axis of the impact member may be angled downwardly from the front-rear axis of the chamber at an angle between 0 ° and 6 °. The central axis of the impact member may be angled downwardly from the front-rear axis of the chamber at an angle between 0 ° and 3 °. The central axis of the impact member may be laterally angled with respect to the up-down axis of the chamber. Directing the liquid jet to impinge the impingement surface may include directing the liquid jet along a jet axis that is angled upward relative to a front-to-rear axis of the chamber. Directing the liquid jet to impinge the impingement surface may include directing the liquid jet along a jet axis that is angled between 0 ° and 10 ° upward relative to a front-to-rear axis of the chamber. Directing the liquid jet to impinge the impingement surface may include directing the liquid jet along a jet axis that is angled between 0 ° and 6 ° upward relative to a front-to-rear axis of the chamber. Directing the liquid jet to impinge the impingement surface may include directing the liquid jet along a jet axis that is angled between 0 ° and 4 ° upward relative to a front-to-rear axis of the chamber. Directing the liquid jet to impinge the impingement surface may include directing the liquid jet along a jet axis that is laterally angled relative to an up-down axis of the chamber. The impingement surface may be shaped to redirect at least a portion of the liquid jet in the chamber in the form of a second liquid jet. The impingement surface may be angled at the contact point to redirect at least a portion of the liquid jet in the chamber in the form of a second liquid jet. Directing the liquid jet to impinge the impingement surface may include directing the liquid jet to impinge the impingement surface at an angle relative to the impingement surface, the angle configured such that the liquid jet is redirected from the impingement surface in the form of a second liquid jet. The impact surface may be hemispherical. The impact surface may be concave. The liquid supply port of the dental instrument and the impingement member may be arranged relative to each other to create turbulence of the liquid within the chamber. The dental instrument may include a suction port exposed to the chamber. The suction port may be provided along an upper wall of the chamber. The dental instrument may include an outlet line connected to the suction port. The dental appliance can include a vent exposed to ambient air in fluid communication with the outlet line and positioned along the outlet line at a location downstream of the suction port. The fluid within the chamber may comprise a substantially degassed fluid. Directing the liquid jet to impinge the impingement surface may include generating pressure waves in the fluid within the chamber, the generated pressure waves having a broad band power spectrum.

In another embodiment, a method for operating a dental instrument is provided. The method may include: providing an access opening of the dental appliance, the access opening configured to be placed in fluid communication with a treatment area of the tooth; and directing a liquid jet within the chamber of the dental instrument to impinge an impingement surface of an impingement member so as to redirect at least a portion of the liquid jet from the impingement member in the form of a second liquid jet.

In some embodiments, directing the liquid jet to impinge the impingement surface may include directing the liquid jet to impinge the impingement surface at a point of contact above a vertical center of the impingement surface. Directing the liquid jet to impinge the impingement surface may include directing the liquid jet to impinge the impingement surface at a contact point laterally of a horizontal center of the impingement surface. The impingement surface may be shaped to redirect at least a portion of the liquid jet within the chamber from a location laterally of a horizontal center of the impingement surface on a side of the impingement surface opposite the contact point. The angle between the vertical axis of the impact surface and a radial line extending from the center point of the impact surface through the contact point may be between-45 ° and 45 °. The angle may be between-30 ° and 30 °. The angle may be between-15 ° and 15 °. Directing the liquid jet to impinge the impingement surface may include directing the liquid jet to impinge the impingement surface at the point of contact at a radial distance less than 0.63 inches from a center point of the impingement surface. Directing the liquid jet to impinge the impingement surface may include directing the liquid jet to impinge the impingement surface at the contact point at a radial distance of between 0.010 inches and 0.05 inches from a center point of the impingement surface. Directing the liquid jet to impinge the impingement surface may include directing the liquid jet to impinge the impingement surface at the point of contact at a radial distance between 1% and 49% of a diameter of the impingement surface. Directing the liquid jet to impinge the impingement surface may include directing the liquid jet to impinge the impingement surface at the point of contact at a radial distance between 5% and 45% of a diameter of the impingement surface. Directing the liquid jet to impinge the impingement surface may include directing the liquid jet to impinge the impingement surface at the point of contact at a radial distance between 8% and 40% of a diameter of the impingement surface. Directing the liquid jet to impinge the impingement surface may include directing the liquid jet to impinge the impingement surface at the point of contact at a radial distance between 15% and 25% of a diameter of the impingement surface. Directing the liquid jet to impinge the impingement surface may include directing the liquid jet to impinge the impingement surface at the point of contact at a radial distance between 20% and 40% of a diameter of the impingement surface. The chamber may include a proximal chamber, wherein the impact member may be angled downward toward a transition opening between the proximal and distal chambers of the instrument. The central axis of the impact member may be angled downwardly from the front-rear axis of the chamber at an angle between 0 ° and 10 °. The central axis of the impact member may be angled downwardly from the front-rear axis of the chamber at an angle between 0 ° and 6 °. The central axis of the impact member may be angled downwardly from the front-rear axis of the chamber at an angle between 0 ° and 3 °. The central axis of the impact member may be laterally angled with respect to the up-down axis of the chamber. Directing the liquid jet to impinge the impingement surface may include directing the liquid jet along a jet axis that is angled upward relative to a front-to-rear axis of the chamber. Directing the liquid jet to impinge the impingement surface may include directing the liquid jet along a jet axis that is angled between 0 ° and 10 ° upward relative to a front-to-rear axis of the chamber. Directing the liquid jet to impinge the impingement surface may include directing the liquid jet along a jet axis that is angled between 0 ° and 6 ° upward relative to a front-to-rear axis of the chamber. Directing the liquid jet to impinge the impingement surface may include directing the liquid jet along a jet axis that is angled between 0 ° and 4 ° upward relative to a front-to-rear axis of the chamber. Directing the liquid jet to impinge the impingement surface may include directing the liquid jet along a jet axis that is laterally angled relative to an up-down axis of the chamber. The impingement surface may be shaped to redirect at least a portion of the liquid jet in the form of the second liquid jet within the chamber. The impingement surface may be angled at the contact point to redirect at least a portion of the liquid jet in the form of the second liquid jet within the chamber. Directing the liquid jet to impinge the impingement surface may include directing the liquid jet to impinge the impingement surface at an angle relative to the impingement surface, the angle configured such that the liquid jet is redirected from the impingement surface in the form of the second liquid jet. The impact surface may be hemispherical. The impact surface may be concave. The liquid supply port of the dental instrument and the impingement member may be arranged relative to each other to create turbulence of the liquid within the chamber. The dental instrument may include a suction port exposed to the chamber. The suction port may be provided along an upper wall of the chamber. The dental instrument may include an outlet line connected to the suction port. The dental appliance can include a vent exposed to ambient air in fluid communication with the outlet line and positioned along the outlet line at a location downstream of the suction port. The fluid within the chamber may comprise a substantially degassed fluid. Directing the liquid jet to impinge the impingement surface may include generating pressure waves in the fluid within the chamber, the generated pressure waves having a broad band power spectrum.

In another embodiment, an apparatus for applying a platform to teeth is provided. The apparatus may include: one or more surfaces configured to receive a conformable material; a handle extending proximally from the one or more surfaces; a pin extending distally from the one or more surfaces and configured to be received within an access opening of the tooth; and a vent path extending through the pin and shank.

In some embodiments, the apparatus may include: an upper rim comprising an upper surface, a lower surface, and an outer edge extending therebetween; and a lower rim extending downwardly from the upper rim and comprising a lower surface and an outer edge extending between the lower surface and the upper rim, wherein the one or more surfaces configured to receive the conformable material comprise the lower surface of the upper rim, the outer edge of the lower rim, and the lower surface of the lower rim. The upper edge may have a larger cross section than the lower edge. The upper edge and the lower edge may each be shaped in the form of a disc. The upper rim may have a circular cross-section and the lower rim may have a circular cross-section. The outer edge of the upper rim may extend radially beyond the outer edge of the lower rim. The pin may taper between a proximal end of the pin and a distal end of the pin. The vent path may extend from a proximal-most end of the shank to a distal-most end of the pin. The handle may comprise an elongate handle top. The shank may include one or more circumferential ridges. The ventilation path may comprise a first ventilation path, wherein the apparatus comprises a second ventilation path. The first ventilation path may extend along a first axis and the second ventilation path may extend along a second axis transverse to the first axis. The second axis may be perpendicular to the first axis. The second ventilation path may include a recess extending downwardly from an uppermost surface of the handle and extending at least partially laterally relative to the first ventilation path. The second vent path may include a channel extending laterally through a portion of the handle and extending at least partially laterally relative to the first vent path. The channel may comprise a through hole. The second vent path may be in fluid communication with the first vent path. The one or more surfaces may be shaped to form a platform from a conformable material, the platform including a bottom surface, an access opening extending through the bottom surface, and a ridge extending upwardly from the bottom surface. The bottom surface may be configured to receive a dental treatment instrument. The ridge may be configured to limit lateral movement of the dental treatment instrument across the bottom surface of the platform.

In another embodiment, a method for treating teeth is provided. The method may include: applying a conformable material to one or more surfaces of an applicator about a pin extending distally beyond the surface of the applicator; advancing the applicator toward the tooth to position a pin of the applicator within an access opening of the tooth and apply the conformable material to a top surface of the tooth; and curing the conformable material while the conformable material is positioned on the top surface of the tooth to form a platform on the top surface of the tooth.

In some embodiments, the conformable material may include a photocurable resin. Curing the conformable material while positioned on the top surface of the tooth to form the platform on the top surface of the tooth may include forming a platform including a bottom surface, an access opening extending through the bottom surface, and a ridge extending upward from the bottom surface. The access opening of the platform may be aligned with the access opening of the tooth. The method may include positioning a dental treatment instrument on the platform such that the dental treatment instrument may be in fluid communication with an access opening of the tooth via the access opening of the platform. The ridge of the platform may be configured to limit lateral movement of the dental treatment instrument across the bottom surface of the platform. The method may include removing the applicator from the platform and resizing or shaping an access opening of the platform. Modifying the size and shape of the access opening of the platform may include modifying the size and shape of the access opening of the platform to conform to the access opening of the tooth. The applicator may comprise: one or more surfaces of the applicator, wherein the one or more surfaces may be configured to receive the conformable material; a handle extending proximally from the one or more surfaces; the pin, wherein the pin extends distally from the one or more surfaces; and a vent path extending through the pin and shank. The applicator may further comprise: an upper rim comprising an upper surface, a lower surface, and an outer edge extending therebetween; and a lower rim extending downwardly from the upper rim and comprising a lower surface and an outer edge extending between the lower surface and the upper rim, wherein the one or more surfaces configured to receive the conformable material comprise the lower surface of the upper rim, the outer edge of the lower rim, and the lower surface of the lower rim. The upper edge may have a larger cross section than the lower edge. The upper edge and the lower edge may each be shaped in the form of a disc. The upper rim may have a circular cross-section and the lower rim may have a circular cross-section. The outer edge of the upper rim may extend radially beyond the outer edge of the lower rim. The vent path may extend from a proximal-most end of the shank to a distal-most end of the pin. The handle may comprise an elongate handle top. The shank may include one or more circumferential ridges. The vent path may include a first vent path, wherein the applicator includes a second vent path. The first ventilation path may extend along a first axis and the second ventilation path may extend along a second axis transverse to the first axis. The second axis may be perpendicular to the first axis. The second ventilation path may include a recess extending downwardly from an uppermost surface of the handle and extending at least partially laterally relative to the first ventilation path. The second vent path may include a channel extending laterally through a portion of the handle and extending at least partially laterally relative to the first vent path. The channel may comprise a through hole. The second vent path may be in fluid communication with the first vent path. The pin may taper between a proximal end of the pin and a distal end of the pin.

In another embodiment, an apparatus for treating teeth is provided. The apparatus may include: a chamber having an access opening to provide fluid communication with a treatment area of the tooth; a liquid supply port arranged to direct a liquid jet into the chamber to generate a pressure wave within the chamber; and at least one oscillating member exposed to fluid movement in the chamber, the fluid movement causing the at least one oscillating member to oscillate.

In some embodiments, the at least one oscillating member is configured to oscillate to amplify an amplitude of at least one frequency of the pressure wave within the chamber. The liquid supply port may be arranged to direct the liquid jet into the chamber to create a fluid motion in the chamber, wherein the at least one oscillating member may be configured to oscillate in response to the fluid motion. The apparatus may include an impingement member disposed within the path of the liquid jet, the impingement member having one or more surfaces positioned to redirect at least a portion of the liquid jet within the chamber. The at least one oscillating member may be configured to oscillate at a natural frequency corresponding to at least one frequency of the pressure wave. The at least one oscillating member may comprise a plurality of oscillating members. Each of the plurality of oscillating members may be configured to oscillate to amplify an amplitude of a different frequency of the pressure wave. Each of the plurality of oscillating members may have a different shape. Each of the plurality of oscillating members may have a different size. Each of the plurality of oscillating members may be positioned at a different location. Each of the plurality of oscillating members may be configured to oscillate at a different natural frequency. The pressure wave may include a frequency range effective to clean a treatment area of the tooth, wherein the at least one oscillating member may be configured to oscillate to amplify an amplitude of at least one frequency in the frequency range. The at least one oscillating member may be configured to oscillate at a natural frequency corresponding to at least one frequency in the frequency range. The at least one oscillating member may comprise a plurality of oscillating members. Each of the plurality of oscillating members may be configured to oscillate to amplify an amplitude of a different frequency within the frequency range. Each of the plurality of oscillating members may be configured to oscillate at a different natural frequency corresponding to a frequency within the frequency range.

In another embodiment, an apparatus for treating teeth is provided. The apparatus may include: a chamber having an access opening to provide fluid communication with a treatment area of the tooth; a liquid supply port arranged to direct a liquid jet into the chamber to generate a pressure wave within the chamber; and at least one movable member exposed to fluid movement in the chamber, the fluid movement causing the at least one movable member to move.

In some embodiments, the liquid supply port may be configured to direct the liquid jet into the chamber to create a fluid motion in the chamber, wherein the at least one movable member may be configured to move in response to the fluid motion. The apparatus may include an impingement member disposed within the path of the liquid jet, the impingement member having one or more surfaces positioned to redirect at least a portion of the liquid jet within the chamber. The at least one movable member may comprise a plurality of movable members. Each of the plurality of movable members may have a different shape. Each of the plurality of movable members may have a different size. Each of the plurality of movable members may be positioned at a different location.

For purposes of this disclosure, certain aspects, advantages and novel features of certain disclosed inventions are summarized. It is to be understood that not necessarily all such advantages may be achieved in accordance with any particular embodiment of the invention. Thus, for example, those skilled in the art will recognize that the invention disclosed herein may be embodied or carried out in a manner that achieves one advantage or group of advantages as taught herein without necessarily achieving other advantages as may be taught or suggested herein. Furthermore, the foregoing is intended to summarize certain disclosed inventions and is not intended to limit the scope of the inventions disclosed herein.

Drawings

The foregoing and other features, aspects and advantages of embodiments of an apparatus and method of treating teeth (e.g., cleaning teeth) are described in detail below with reference to the drawings of various embodiments, which are intended to illustrate and not limit embodiments of the invention. The drawings include the following figures, in which:

fig. 1A is a schematic view of a system including components capable of removing unhealthy or undesired substances from the root canal of a tooth.

Fig. 1B is a schematic view of a system including components capable of removing unhealthy or undesired substances from a treatment area on an outer surface of a tooth.

Fig. 2A is a schematic perspective view of a therapeutic device according to some embodiments.

Fig. 2B is an enlarged schematic perspective view of a fluid platform disposed at a distal portion of a handpiece of the therapeutic device of fig. 2A.

Fig. 2C is a schematic bottom perspective view of the therapeutic device of fig. 2A.

Fig. 2D is a schematic side cross-sectional view of the therapeutic device of fig. 2A taken along section 2D-2D of fig. 2A.

Fig. 2E is an enlarged bottom perspective cross-sectional view of the fluid platform.

Fig. 2F is an enlarged view of the fluid platform shown in section in fig. 2D.

FIG. 2G is a schematic side cross-sectional view of the fluid platform taken along section 2G-2G of FIG. 2A.

FIG. 2H is a top perspective cross-sectional view of the fluid platform taken along section 2H-2H of FIG. 2F.

FIG. 2I is a top perspective cross-sectional view of the fluid platform taken along section 2I-2I of FIG. 2F.

FIG. 2J is a top plan view of the fluid platform taken along section 2J-2J of FIG. 2F.

FIG. 2K is a top plan view of the fluid platform taken along section 2I-2I of FIG. 2F.

Fig. 3A is a top perspective view of a fluid platform according to some embodiments.

Fig. 3B is a bottom perspective view of the fluid platform of fig. 3A.

Fig. 3C is a perspective exploded view of the fluid platform of fig. 3A.

Fig. 3D is a side cross-sectional view of the fluid platform of fig. 3A.

Fig. 3E is a rear cross-sectional view of the fluid platform of fig. 3A.

Fig. 3F is a top perspective cross-sectional view of the fluid platform of fig. 3A.

Fig. 3G is a side cross-sectional view of the fluid platform of fig. 3A.

Fig. 3H is a top cross-sectional view of the fluid platform of fig. 3A.

Fig. 4A is a top perspective view of a fluid platform according to some embodiments.

Fig. 4B is a bottom perspective view of the fluid platform of fig. 4A.

Fig. 4C is a side cross-sectional view of the fluid platform of fig. 4A.

Fig. 4D is a top perspective cross-sectional view of the fluid platform of fig. 4A.

Fig. 4E is a top cross-sectional view of the fluid platform of fig. 4A.

Fig. 5A is a side cross-sectional view of a fluid platform according to some embodiments.

FIG. 5B is a top perspective view of the impingement ring of the fluid platform of FIG. 5A.

Fig. 5C is a bottom perspective cross-sectional view of the fluid platform of fig. 5A.

Fig. 5D is a top perspective cross-sectional view of the fluid platform of fig. 5A.

Fig. 5E is a top cross-sectional view of the fluid platform of fig. 5A.

Fig. 6A is a side cross-sectional view showing the dimensions of the fluid platform according to fig. 4A and 5A.

Fig. 6B is a top cross-sectional view showing the dimensions of the fluid platform according to fig. 4A and 5A.

Fig. 7A is a perspective exploded view of a fluid platform according to some embodiments.

FIG. 7B is a top perspective view of the impingement ring of the fluid platform of FIG. 7A.

Fig. 7C is a side cross-sectional view of the fluid platform of fig. 7A.

Fig. 7D is a bottom perspective cross-sectional view of the fluid platform of fig. 7A.

Fig. 7E is a top perspective cross-sectional view of the fluid platform of fig. 7A.

Fig. 7F is a top cross-sectional view of the fluid platform of fig. 7A.

Fig. 8A is a perspective exploded view of a fluid platform according to some embodiments.

Fig. 8B is a top perspective cross-sectional view of the fluid platform of fig. 8A.

Fig. 8C is a top perspective cross-sectional view of the fluid platform of fig. 8A.

Fig. 8D is a side cross-sectional view of the fluid platform of fig. 8A.

Fig. 8E is a side cross-sectional view of the fluid platform of fig. 8A.

Fig. 8F is a top cross-sectional view of the fluid platform of fig. 8A.

Fig. 9A is a side cross-sectional view of a fluid platform according to some embodiments.

Fig. 9B is a top cross-sectional view of the fluid platform of fig. 9A.

Fig. 10A is a top view of an impingement ring according to some embodiments.

Fig. 10B is a top view of an impingement ring according to some embodiments.

Fig. 10C is a top view of an impingement ring according to some embodiments.

Fig. 10D is a top view of an impingement ring according to some embodiments.

Fig. 10E is a top view of an impingement ring according to some embodiments.

Fig. 10F is a top perspective view of an impingement ring according to some embodiments.

Fig. 10G is a top view of an impingement ring according to some embodiments.

Fig. 10H is a top view of an impingement ring according to some embodiments.

Fig. 10I is a top view of an impingement ring according to some embodiments.

Fig. 10J is a perspective view of an impingement ring according to some embodiments.

FIG. 11A is a top perspective view of a fluid platform according to some embodiments.

Fig. 11B is a bottom perspective view of the fluid platform of fig. 11A.

Fig. 11C is a top perspective exploded view of the fluid platform of fig. 11A.

Fig. 11D is a side cross-sectional view of the fluid platform of fig. 11A.

Fig. 11E is a rear cross-sectional view of the fluid platform of fig. 11A.

Fig. 11F is a top perspective cross-sectional view of the fluid platform of fig. 11A.

Fig. 11G is a rear view of the fluid platform of fig. 11A.

Fig. 11H is a front view of the fluid platform of fig. 11A.

FIG. 11I is a top view of the fluid platform of FIG. 11A.

Fig. 11J is a bottom view of the fluid platform of fig. 11A.

Fig. 11K is a side cross-sectional view of the fluid platform of fig. 11A.

Fig. 12A is a top perspective view of a therapeutic device according to some embodiments.

Fig. 12B is a bottom perspective view of the therapeutic device of fig. 12A.

Fig. 12C is a top perspective exploded view of the therapeutic device of fig. 12A.

Fig. 12D is a side cross-sectional view of the therapeutic device of fig. 12A.

Fig. 12E is an enlarged bottom cross-sectional view of the fluid platform of the therapeutic device of fig. 12A.

Fig. 13 is a top perspective cross-sectional view of a fluid platform according to some embodiments.

Fig. 14 is a top perspective cross-sectional view of a fluid platform according to some embodiments.

Fig. 15 is a top perspective cross-sectional view of a fluid platform according to some embodiments.

Fig. 16 is a top perspective cross-sectional view of a fluid platform according to some embodiments.

FIG. 17 is a perspective view of an impingement ring according to some embodiments.

Fig. 18 is a bottom perspective cross-sectional view of a fluid platform according to some embodiments.

Fig. 19 is a bottom perspective cross-sectional view of a fluid platform according to some embodiments.

Fig. 20 is a top perspective cross-sectional view of a fluid platform according to some embodiments.

FIG. 21 is a bottom perspective view of an impingement ring in a fluid platform according to some embodiments.

FIG. 22 is a bottom perspective cross-sectional view of a fluid platform according to some embodiments.

Fig. 23 is a bottom perspective cross-sectional view of a fluid platform according to some embodiments.

FIG. 24 is a side cross-sectional view of a bottom cap of a fluid platform according to some embodiments.

FIG. 25 is a top perspective view of an impingement ring according to some embodiments.

Fig. 26 is a bottom perspective cross-sectional view of a fluid platform according to some embodiments.

Fig. 27 is a top perspective cross-sectional view of a fluid platform according to some embodiments.

Fig. 28 is a bottom perspective cross-sectional view of a fluid platform according to some embodiments.

Fig. 29 is a bottom perspective view of a bottom cover according to some embodiments.

Fig. 30 is a bottom perspective cross-sectional view of a fluid platform according to some embodiments.

FIG. 31 is a bottom perspective cross-sectional view of a fluid platform according to some embodiments.

FIG. 32 is a bottom perspective cross-sectional view of a fluid platform according to some embodiments.

FIG. 33 is a bottom perspective cross-sectional view of a fluid platform according to some embodiments.

FIG. 34 is a bottom perspective cross-sectional view of a fluid platform according to some embodiments.

FIG. 35 is a bottom perspective cross-sectional view of a fluid platform according to some embodiments.

FIG. 36 is a bottom perspective cross-sectional view of a fluid platform according to some embodiments.

Fig. 37 is a bottom perspective cross-sectional view of a fluid platform according to some embodiments.

FIG. 38 is a bottom perspective cross-sectional view of a fluid platform according to some embodiments.

Fig. 39A is a top perspective view of a model according to some embodiments.

Fig. 39B is a bottom perspective view of the model of fig. 39A.

Fig. 39C is a front view of the model of fig. 39A.

Fig. 39D is a side view of the model of fig. 39A.

Fig. 39E is a top perspective cross-sectional view of the model of fig. 39A.

Fig. 39F is a top view of the model of fig. 39A.

Fig. 39G is a bottom view of the mold of fig. 39A.

Fig. 39H is a rear view of the model of fig. 39A.

Fig. 39I is a side view of the model of fig. 39A showing the opposite side of fig. 39D.

Fig. 40A is a top perspective view of a mold according to some embodiments.

Fig. 40B is a top perspective cross-sectional view of the model of fig. 40A.

Fig. 40C is a bottom perspective view of the model of fig. 40A.

Fig. 40D is a front view of the model of fig. 40A.

Fig. 40E is a side view of the model of fig. 40A.

Fig. 40F is a top view of the model of fig. 40A.

Fig. 40G is a bottom view of the mold of fig. 40A.

Fig. 40H is a rear view of the model of fig. 40.

Fig. 40I is a side view of the mold of fig. 40A showing the opposite side of fig. 40E.

Fig. 41A is a top perspective view of a mold according to some embodiments.

Fig. 41B is a top perspective cross-sectional view of the model of fig. 41A.

Fig. 41C is a bottom perspective view of the model of fig. 41A.

Fig. 41D is a front view of the model of fig. 41A.

Fig. 41E is a side view of the mold of fig. 41A.

Fig. 41F is a top view of the model of fig. 41A.

Fig. 41G is a bottom view of the mold of fig. 41A.

Fig. 41H is a rear view of the model of fig. 41.

Fig. 41I is a side view of the mold of fig. 41A showing the opposite side of fig. 41E.

42A-42H illustrate aspects of a method for treating teeth according to some embodiments.

Throughout the drawings, reference numerals may be reused to indicate general correspondence between referenced elements unless otherwise stated. The drawings are provided to illustrate the exemplary embodiments described herein and are not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure.

Detailed Description

Various embodiments disclosed herein relate to a dental treatment apparatus configured to clean and/or fill a treatment area of a tooth. The therapeutic devices disclosed herein demonstrate improved efficacy in cleaning teeth, including root canal spaces and associated tubule regions, and carious regions on the outer surface of teeth. Additionally or alternatively, the therapeutic devices disclosed herein may be used to fill a treatment area of a tooth, such as a treated root canal or a treated carious region on an outer surface of a tooth.

Summary of various disclosed embodiments

Fig. 1A is a schematic diagram of a system 100 including components capable of removing unhealthy or undesired substances from teeth 110. The teeth 110 shown in fig. 1A are premolars, such as teeth located between canine and molar teeth of a mammal, such as a human. Although the teeth 110 are shown to include premolars, it should be appreciated that the teeth 110 to be treated may be any type of teeth, such as molars or incisors (e.g., incisors or canines). Tooth 110 includes a hard structural layer and a protective layer, including a hard layer of dentin 116 and a very hard outer layer of enamel 117. An endodontic cavity 111 is defined within dentin 116. Pulp chamber 111 includes one or more root canals 113 extending toward the apex 114 of each root 112. Pulp chamber 111 and root canal 113 contain pulp, which is soft vascular tissue containing nerves, blood vessels, connective tissue, odontoblasts and other tissue and cellular components. Blood vessels and nerves enter/leave the root canal 113 through tiny openings, root tip holes, or tip openings 115 near the tip of the apex 114 of the root 112. It should be appreciated that although tooth 110 is shown herein as a premolars tooth, the embodiments disclosed herein may be advantageously used to treat any suitable type of tooth, including molars, canines, incisors, and the like.

As shown in fig. 1A, the system 100 can be used to remove unhealthy substances (e.g., organic and inorganic substances) from the interior of the tooth 110, such as from the root canal 113 of the tooth 110. For example, the pulp entry opening 118 may be formed in the tooth 110, such as on an occlusal surface or on a side surface (e.g., a buccal or lingual surface). The access opening 118 provides access to a portion of the intramedullary canal 111 of the tooth 110. The system 100 may include a console 102 and a therapeutic instrument 1 including a pressure wave generator 10 and a fluid platform 2 adapted to be positioned over or against a treatment area of a tooth 110. The fluid platform 2 may define a chamber 6 configured to hold a fluid therein. In some embodiments, the fluid platform 2 may be part of a removable tip device that is removably coupled to a handpiece that may be held or pressed against the teeth 110 by a clinician. In other embodiments, the fluid platform 2 may be non-removably connected to the handpiece, for example, the fluid platform 2 may be integrally formed with the handpiece, or may be non-removably connected to the handpiece in a manner desired. In some embodiments, the fluid platform 2 may be attached to the teeth, for example, using an adhesive. For example, in some embodiments, the fluid platform 2 may not be used with a hand piece. One or more conduits 104 may electrically, mechanically, and/or fluidly connect console 102 with fluid platform 2 and pressure wave generator 10. Console 102 may include a control system and various fluid management systems configured to operate pressure wave generator 10 during a treatment procedure. Additional examples of system components that may be used in the system 100 are disclosed in the entire U.S. patent No. 9,504,536, which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety and for all purposes.

As explained herein, the system 100 may be used in a cleaning procedure to clean substantially the entire root canal system. For example, in various embodiments disclosed herein, the pressure wave generator 10 may generate pressure waves having a single frequency or multiple frequencies. The single frequency may be a low frequency below the audible range, a frequency within the audible range, or a relatively higher frequency above the audible range. For example, in various embodiments disclosed herein, the pressure wave generator 10 may generate pressure waves 23 of sufficient power and relatively low frequency to generate fluid motion 24 in the chamber 6, such that the pressure wave generator 10 disclosed herein may act as a fluid motion generator, and may generate pressure waves of sufficient power and relatively high frequency to generate surface effect cavities on tooth surfaces either inside or outside of the teeth. That is, for example, the pressure wave generator 10 disclosed herein can act as a fluid motion generator to produce large or large volumes of fluid motion 24 in or near the teeth 110, and can also produce smaller volumes of fluid motion at higher frequencies. In some arrangements, the fluid movement 24 in the chamber 6 may create induced fluid movement, such as vortex 75, swirl, turbulence, or turbulence, etc., in the teeth 110 and root canal 113 that may clean and/or fill the canal 113.

In some embodiments, the system 100 may additionally or alternatively be used in a filling procedure to fill a treated area of a tooth, for example to fill a treated root canal system. The therapeutic device 1 may generate pressure waves and fluid movements that may cause the flowable filling material to substantially fill the treated region. The flowable filling material can be hardened to restore the teeth. Additional details of a system for filling a treatment region with pressure wave generator 10 can be found in U.S. patent No. 9,877,801, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety and for all purposes.

Fig. 1B is a schematic view of a system 100 including components capable of removing unhealthy or undesired substances from a treatment area on an outer surface 119 of a tooth. For example, as in fig. 1A, the system 100 may include a therapeutic device 1 that includes a fluid platform 2 and a pressure wave generator 10. The fluid platform 2 may be in communication with the console 102 via one or more conduits 104. However, unlike the system 100 of fig. 1A, the fluid platform 2 is coupled to a treatment area on the outer surface 119 of the tooth 110. For example, the system 1 of fig. 1B may be activated to clean the outer surface of the tooth 110, e.g., a carious region of the tooth 110. In such embodiments, the clinician may provide the chamber 6 over any surface or area of the tooth 110 including diseased tissue to provide fluid communication between the pressure wave generator 10 and the treatment area. As with the embodiment of fig. 1A, fluid movement 24 may be generated in the fluid platform 2 and chamber 6, which may act on the treatment area for cleaning teeth 110. Furthermore, as explained above, the system 100 may additionally or alternatively be used to fill a treatment area, such as a treated carious region on the outer surface 119 of the tooth 110.

As explained herein, the disclosed pressure wave generator 10 may be configured to generate pressure waves 23 having energy sufficient to clean undesirable substances of teeth. The pressure wave generator 10 may be a device that converts a form of energy into pressure waves 23 within the therapeutic fluid. The pressure wave generator 10 may cause, among other things, fluid dynamic movement of the therapeutic liquid (e.g., in the chamber 6), fluid circulation, turbulence, and other conditions that enable cleaning of the teeth 110. The pressure wave generator 10 disclosed in each of the figures described herein may be any suitable type of pressure wave generator.

The pressure wave generator 10 may be used to clean the teeth 110 by generating pressure waves 23 that propagate through the therapeutic liquid, for example, through the therapeutic fluid that is at least partially retained in the fluid platform 2. In some embodiments, the pressure wave generator 10 may also generate cavitation, acoustic flow, shock waves, turbulence, and the like. In various embodiments, the pressure wave generator 10 may generate pressure waves 23 or acoustic energy having a broad band power spectrum. For example, the pressure wave generator 10 may generate a plurality of acoustic waves of different frequencies, as opposed to generating acoustic waves of only one or a few frequencies. Without being limited by theory, it is believed that generating power at multiple frequencies may help remove various types of organic and/or inorganic materials having different materials or physical properties at various frequencies.

In some embodiments, the pressure wave generator 10 may include a liquid jet device. A liquid jet may be generated by passing a high pressure liquid through an orifice. The liquid jet may generate pressure waves 23 within the therapeutic liquid. In some embodiments, the pressure wave generator 10 comprises a coherent, collimated liquid jet. The liquid jet may interact with liquid in a substantially enclosed volume (e.g., chamber 6) and/or an impingement member (e.g., a distal impingement plate on the distal end of the guide tube, or a curved surface of the chamber wall) to generate pressure waves 23. As used herein, "member" means a component, portion, part, component, or section of a structure. Additionally, the interaction of the jet with the therapeutic fluid, and the interaction of the spray generated by hitting the impingement member and the therapeutic fluid may help create cavitation and/or other acoustic effects to clean the teeth. In other embodiments, the pressure wave generator 10 may include a laser device, as explained herein. Other types of pressure wave generators, such as mechanical devices, may also be suitable.

The pressure wave generator 10 disclosed herein can generate pressure waves having a broad-band acoustic spectrum with multiple frequencies. The pressure wave generator 10 may generate a broadband power spectrum having significant power extending from about 1Hz to about 1000kHz, including, for example, acoustic power at significant power in the range of about 1kHz to about 1000kHz (e.g., the bandwidth may be about 1000 kHz). In some cases, the bandwidth of the acoustic energy spectrum may be measured in terms of a 3-decibel (3-dB) bandwidth (e.g., full width half maximum or FWHM of the acoustic power spectrum). In various examples, the wideband acoustic power spectrum may include significant power in a bandwidth in the range of about 1Hz to about 500kHz, in the range of about 1kHz to about 500kHz, in the range of about 10kHz to about 100kHz, or in some other frequency range. In some embodiments, the wideband spectrum may include acoustic power above about 1 MHz. Advantageously, a broad band spectrum of acoustic power can produce a relatively wide range of bubble sizes in the cavitation cloud and on the surface on the tooth, and implosion of these bubbles can be more effective in destroying tissue than bubbles having a narrow range of sizes. The relatively wideband acoustic power may also allow acoustic energy to operate on a range of length scales, for example, from the cellular scale up to the tissue scale. Thus, a pressure wave generator that produces a broad band acoustic power spectrum (e.g., some embodiments of a liquid jet) is more efficient in cleaning teeth for some treatments than a pressure wave generator that produces a narrow band acoustic power spectrum. Additional examples of pressure wave generators that generate wideband acoustic power are described in the associated disclosures of FIGS. 2A-2B-2 and U.S. Pat. No. 9,675,426, and the associated disclosures of FIGS. 13A-14 and U.S. Pat. No. 10,098,717, each of which is incorporated by reference in its entirety and for all purposes.

The dental treatments disclosed herein can be used with any suitable type of therapeutic fluid, such as a cleaning fluid. During the filling procedure, the therapeutic fluid may include a flowable filler material that may be hardened to fill the treatment area. The therapeutic fluid disclosed herein can be any suitable fluid, including, for example, water, saline, and the like. In some embodiments, the therapeutic fluid may be degassed, which may improve cavitation and/or reduce the presence of bubbles in some treatments. In some embodiments, the dissolved gas content may be less than about 1% by volume. Various chemicals may be added to the treatment solution including, for example, tissue dissolving agents (e.g., naOCl), disinfectants (e.g., chlorhexidine), anesthesia, fluorine therapeutic agents, EDTA, citric acid, and any other suitable chemicals. For example, any other antibacterial, decalcified, disinfectant, mineralized or whitening solution may also be used. The various solutions may be used in combination at the same time or sequentially in appropriate concentrations. In some embodiments, the chemicals and concentrations of the chemicals may be varied throughout the procedure by the clinician and/or system to improve patient outcome. The pressure waves 23 and fluid movement 24 generated by the pressure wave generator 10 may advantageously improve the efficacy of cleaning by inducing low frequency bulk fluid movement and/or higher frequency sound waves that may remove undesirable substances throughout the treatment zone.

In some systems and methods, the therapeutic fluid used with system 100 may include a degassed fluid having a reduced dissolved gas content compared to the normal gas content of the fluid. The use of degassed therapeutic fluids may advantageously improve cleaning efficacy because the presence of bubbles in the fluid may impede the transmission of acoustic energy and reduce the effectiveness of cleaning. In some embodiments, the deaerated fluid has a dissolved gas content that is reduced to about 10% -40% of its normal amount when delivered from the fluid source (e.g., prior to deaeration). In other embodiments, the dissolved gas content of the degassed fluid may be reduced to about 5% -50% or 1% -70% of the normal gas content of the fluid. In some treatments, the dissolved gas content may be less than about 70%, less than about 50%, less than about 40%, less than about 30%, less than about 20%, less than about 10%, less than about 5%, or less than about 1% of the normal gas amount. In some embodiments, the deaeration fluid may be exposed to a particular type of gas, such as ozone, and carry some of the gas (e.g., ozone) into the treatment zone, such as in the form of bubbles. At the treatment zone, the bubbles expose the treatment zone to a gas (e.g., ozone) to further disinfect the zone. Additional details regarding the use of degassed therapeutic liquids can be found in U.S. patent No. 9,675,426, which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety and for all purposes.

Examples of therapeutic devices

Various embodiments disclosed herein relate to a dental treatment apparatus 1 configured to clean and/or fill a treatment area of a tooth 110. The treatment apparatus disclosed herein demonstrates improved efficacy in cleaning teeth 110, including root canal spaces and associated tubules, and caries regions on the outer surface of teeth 110.

Fig. 2A-2K show an example of such a therapeutic apparatus 1. In particular, fig. 2A is a schematic perspective view of a therapeutic apparatus 1 according to one embodiment. Fig. 2B is an enlarged schematic perspective view of the fluid platform 2 disposed at the distal portion of the handpiece 12 of the therapeutic device 1 of fig. 2A. Fig. 2C is a schematic bottom perspective view of the therapeutic device 1 of fig. 2A. Fig. 2D is a schematic side cross-sectional view of the therapeutic device 1 of fig. 2A taken along section 2D-2D of fig. 2A. Fig. 2E is an enlarged bottom perspective cross-sectional view of the fluid platform 2. Fig. 2F is an enlarged view of the fluid platform 2 shown in the cross section of fig. 2D. Fig. 2G is a schematic side cross-sectional view of the fluid platform 2 taken along section 2G-2G of fig. 2A. Fig. 2H is a top perspective cross-sectional view of the fluid platform 2 taken along section 2H-2H of fig. 2F. Fig. 2I is a top perspective cross-sectional view of the fluid platform 2 taken along section 2I-2I of fig. 2F. Fig. 2J is a top plan view of the fluid platform 2 taken along section 2J-2J of fig. 2F. Fig. 2K is a top plan view of the fluid platform 2 taken along section 2I-2I of fig. 2F.

The therapeutic device 1 of fig. 2A-2K includes a handpiece 12 sized and shaped to be grasped by a clinician. The fluid platform 2 may be coupled to a distal portion of the handpiece 12. As explained herein, in some embodiments, the fluid platform 2 may form part of a removable tip device 11 (see below) that may be removably connected to the handpiece 12. In other embodiments, the fluid platform 2 may be non-removably attached to the handpiece 12, or may be integrally formed with the handpiece 12. In still other embodiments, the fluid platform 2 may not be coupled to a handpiece, but rather may act as a treatment cap that is adhered (or otherwise coupled or positioned) to the teeth without the use of a handpiece. As shown in fig. 2A, an interface member 14 may be provided at a proximal portion of the handpiece 12, which may be removably coupled to one or more catheters 104 to provide fluid communication between the console 102 and the therapeutic apparatus 1.

As shown in fig. 2A-2B, and as explained herein, a vent 7 may be provided through a portion of the handpiece 12 to provide fluid communication between the outlet line 4 (which may include one of the at least one conduit 104 described above) and ambient air. As explained herein, the vent 7 may be used to regulate pressure in the fluid platform 2 and may improve the safety and efficacy of the therapeutic device 1. As shown in fig. 2C, an access port 18 may be provided at a distal portion of the fluid platform 2 to provide fluid communication between the chamber 6 defined by the fluid platform 2 and the treatment area of the tooth 110. For example, as explained above with respect to fig. 1A, in a root canal cleaning procedure, the sealing cap 3 at the distal portion of the fluid platform 2 may be positioned over the access opening 118 against the tooth 110 to provide fluid communication between the chamber 6 and the interior of the tooth 110 (e.g., the intramedullary canal 111 and the root canal 113). In other embodiments, as explained above with respect to fig. 1B, the sealing cap 3 may be positioned over the carious region at the outer surface 119 of the tooth 110 against the tooth 110 to provide fluid communication between the chamber 6 and the carious region to be treated. Pressure waves 23 and fluid movement 24 can propagate throughout the treatment area to clean the treatment area.

Turning to fig. 2D-2G, the fluid platform 2 may have one or more walls defining a chamber 6. For example, as shown in fig. 2E-2G, the fluid platform 2 may include at least one wall including a curved side wall 13 and an upper wall 17 disposed at an upper end of the chamber 6 opposite the access port 18. In the illustrated embodiment, the curved sidewall 13 may define a generally cylindrical chamber 6 having a generally circular cross-section and may extend at an angle from the upper wall 17. However, in other embodiments, the curved sidewall 13 may be elliptical, or may have other curved or angled surfaces. The side walls 13 may extend non-parallel (e.g., substantially transverse) to the upper wall 17. The side walls 13 may extend from the upper wall 17 at any suitable non-zero angle, in some embodiments, such as about 90. In other embodiments, the side walls 13 may extend from the upper wall 17 at an angle greater than or less than 90 °. In other embodiments, the side walls 13 may extend from the upper wall 17 at different angular amounts along the perimeter of the side walls 13, such that the shape of the chamber 6 may be irregular or asymmetric. In the illustrated embodiment, the interior angle between the upper wall 17 and the side wall 13 may comprise a corner or corner. However, in other embodiments, the internal interface between the upper wall 17 and the side wall 13 may comprise a curved or smooth surface without corners. For example, in some embodiments, one or more walls may include a curved profile, such as a hemispherical profile.

The sealing cap 3 may be coupled to or formed with the fluid platform 2. As shown, for example, the flange 16 may comprise a U-shaped support with opposite sides, and the sealing cap 3 may be disposed within the flange 16. The flange 16 may be used to mechanically connect the sealing cap 3 to the distal portion of the handpiece 12. An access port 18 may be provided at a distal portion of the chamber 6 that places the chamber 6 in fluid communication with the treatment area of the teeth 110 when the chamber 6 is coupled to the teeth (e.g., pressed against the teeth, adhered to the teeth, or otherwise coupled to the teeth). For example, the sealing cap 3 may be pressed against the teeth by a clinician to substantially seal the treatment area of the teeth.

The chamber 6 may be shaped to have any suitable profile. In various embodiments, and as shown, the chamber 6 may have curved sidewalls 13, but in other embodiments, the chamber 6 may have a plurality of angled sidewalls 13 that may form an angled interior corner. The cross-sectional plan view (e.g., bottom cross-sectional view) of the chamber 6 may be correspondingly circular, e.g., generally circular as shown, for example, in fig. 2C and 2J. In some embodiments, the cross-sectional plan view (e.g., bottom cross-sectional view) of the chamber 6 may be elliptical, polygonal, or may have irregular boundaries.

The chamber 6 may have a central axis Z. For example, as shown in fig. 2D, the central axis Z may extend substantially transversely through a center (e.g., geometric center) of the access port 18 (e.g., through a most distal plane of the chamber 6 at least partially defined by the access port 18). In various embodiments, and as shown in fig. 2D, for a chamber 6 having a circular (or substantially circular) cross-section (as viewed from a bottom plan view), the central axis Z may pass substantially transversely through a substantial center of the access port 18, which at least partially defines a distal portion and/or upper wall 17 of the chamber 6, which at least partially defines a top of the chamber 6. For example, the central axis Z may pass substantially transversely through the geometric center of the upper wall 17 and/or the geometric center of the inlet port 18 at an angle in the range of 85 ° to 95 °, at an angle in the range of 89 ° to 91 °, or at an angle in the range of 89.5 ° to 90.5 °.

As explained above, although the chamber 6 is shown as having a generally or substantially circular cross-section, the chamber 6 may have other suitable shapes as seen in various bottom-up cross-sections. In such embodiments, multiple planes (e.g., two, three, or more planes) parallel to the plane of the opening of the access port 18 of the chamber 6 (which may be at the most distal plane of the chamber 6) may be demarcated or defined by the side walls 13 of the chamber. The central axis Z may pass through a generally geometric center of each boundary plane parallel to the access port 18. For example, the chamber 6 may have a side wall 13 that is non-laterally angled relative to the upper wall 17, and/or may have a side wall 13 that has a profile that varies along the height h of the chamber 6. The central axis Z may pass through the geometric center of each of a plurality of parallel boundary planes.

The pressure wave generator 10 (which may act as a fluid motion generator) may be arranged to generate pressure waves and rotational fluid motion in the chamber 6. The pressure wave generator 10 may be positioned outside of the teeth during a treatment procedure. The pressure wave generator 10 may include a liquid supply port that may deliver a flow of liquid (e.g., a jet of liquid) across the chamber 6 (e.g., entirely across the chamber 6 to impinge on a portion of the sidewall 13 opposite the pressure wave generator 10 or supply port) to generate pressure waves and fluid motion. For example, the pressure wave generator 10 may comprise a liquid jet device comprising an orifice or nozzle 9. Pressurized liquid 22 may be delivered to the nozzle 9 along the inlet line 5. The inlet line 5 may be connected to a fluid source in the console 102, for example, through one or more conduits 104. The nozzle 9 may have a diameter selected to form a high-velocity, coherent, collimated liquid jet. A nozzle 9 may be positioned at the distal end of the inlet line 5. In various embodiments disclosed herein, the nozzle 9 may have openings with diameters in the range of 59 microns to 69 microns, in the range of 60 microns to 64 microns, or in the range of 61 microns to 63 microns. For example, in one embodiment, the nozzle 9 may have openings with a diameter of about 62 microns, which have been found to produce particularly effective liquid jets when cleaning teeth. Although the illustrated embodiment is configured to form a liquid jet (e.g., a coherent, collimated jet), in other embodiments, the liquid stream may not include a jet, but rather include a liquid stream having a momentum of the stream substantially parallel to the axis of the stream.

As shown in fig. 2D and 2F, the nozzle 9 may be configured to direct a liquid flow comprising the liquid jet 20 laterally through a lateral central region of the chamber 6 along a jet axis X (also referred to as a flow axis) that is non-parallel (e.g., substantially perpendicular) to the central axis Z. In some embodiments, the jet axis X may intersect the central axis Z. In various embodiments, the liquid flow (e.g., jet 20) may intersect the central axis Z. In other embodiments, the jet axis X may be slightly offset from the central axis Z. The liquid jet 20 can create fluid motion 24 (e.g., vortices) that can propagate throughout the treatment zone (e.g., throughout the root canal, caries regions on the outer surface of the tooth, etc.) to interact with and remove unhealthy substances. In some embodiments, pressure wave generator 10 may generate broadband pressure waves through the fluid in chamber 6 to clean the treatment area. Additional details regarding the jets (e.g., liquid jets 20) that may be formed by the nozzles 9 are described in U.S. patent No. 8,753,121, U.S. patent No. 9,492,244, and U.S. patent No. 9,675,426, each of which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety and for all purposes.

As shown in fig. 2F and 2J, the nozzle 9 may form a coherent, collimated liquid jet 20 that may pass along a guide channel 15 provided between the nozzle 9 and the chamber 6. The guiding channel 15 may provide improved manufacturability and may serve as a guide of the liquid jet 20 to the chamber 6. During operation, the chamber 6 may be filled with therapeutic liquid supplied by the liquid jet 20 (and/or an additional inlet of the chamber 6). The jet 20 may enter the chamber 6 from the guide channel 15 and may interact with the liquid held in the chamber 6. The interaction between the liquid jet 20 and the liquid in the chamber 6 may generate fluid movement 24 and/or pressure waves 23 (e.g., as shown in fig. 1A and 1B), which may propagate throughout the treatment zone. The liquid jet 20 may hit the side wall 13 of the chamber 6 at a position opposite the nozzle 9 along the jet axis X. The side wall 13 of the chamber 6 may act as an impact surface such that when the jet 20 impacts or impinges the side wall 13, the curved or angled surface of the side wall 13 creates fluid movement along the side wall 13, the upper wall 17, and/or within the fluid held in the chamber 6. Furthermore, the movement of the jet 20 and/or the liquid flow diverted by the side wall 13 may cause a fluid movement 24 in the chamber 6 and through the treatment zone.

Without being limited by theory, for example, directing the jet 20 across the chamber 6 (e.g., entirely across the chamber 6) along the jet axis X at a central location within the chamber 6 may cause fluid movement 24 that includes a vortex that rotates about an axis that is non-parallel (e.g., perpendicular) to the central axis Z of the chamber 6. The vortex can propagate through the treatment region and can provide a large amount of fluid movement that washes undesirable substances (e.g., decaying organic substances) out of the treatment region. The combination of the swirling fluid motion 24 and the generated pressure wave 23 can effectively remove all shapes and sizes of undesired substances from the large and small spaces, crevices and crevices of the treatment area. The fluid motion 24 may be turbulent in nature and may rotate about multiple axes, which may increase the chaotic nature of the flow and improve the efficacy of the treatment.

As shown in fig. 2G, 2H and 2K, the therapeutic device 1 may also include a drain or outlet line 4 to deliver waste or effluent liquid 19 to a waste reservoir, which may be located in the system console 102. The suction port 8 or fluid outlet may be exposed to the chamber 6 offset from the central axis Z along the wall of the chamber 6. For example, as shown in fig. 2G, the suction port 8 may be disposed along the upper wall 17 of the chamber 6 opposite the inlet port 18. A vacuum pump (not shown) may apply a vacuum force along the outlet line 4 to draw waste or effluent liquid 19 out of the chamber 6 through the suction port 8 and into the waste reservoir along the outlet line 4. In some embodiments, only one suction port 8 may be provided. However, as shown in the embodiment of fig. 2H and 2K, the instrument 1 may include a plurality of (e.g., two) suction ports positioned laterally opposite each other. In some embodiments, more than two suction ports may be provided. The suction ports 8 may be arranged laterally opposite each other, for example symmetrically with respect to the central axis Z. As shown, the suction port 8 may be provided at or near the side wall 13 by an upper wall 17, e.g. closer to the side wall 13 than the central axis Z of the chamber 6. In the illustrated embodiment, the suction port 8 may abut or be at least partially defined by a sidewall 13. In other embodiments, the suction port 8 may be laterally inset from the sidewall 13. In still other embodiments, the suction port 8 may be provided on a side wall 13 of the chamber 6.

Thus, in various embodiments, the chamber 6 may have a maximum lateral dimension in a first plane extending substantially transverse to the central axis Z (e.g., at an angle in the range of 85 ° to 95 ° relative to the central axis, at an angle in the range of 89 ° to 91 °, or at an angle in the range of 89.5 ° to 90.5 °). The first plane may be defined by the walls of the chamber along the boundaries of the walls. The projection of the suction port 8 onto the first plane may be closer to the boundary than the central axis Z of the chamber 6. For example, in the illustrated embodiment, the chamber 6 may comprise a generally circular bottom cross-section, and a first plane substantially transverse to the central axis Z may be defined along the sidewall 13 by an approximately circular boundary. The projection of the suction port 8 to this first plane may be closer to the approximately circular boundary than the central axis Z.

As shown, the suction port 8 may include an elongated and curved (e.g., kidney-shaped) opening. In some embodiments, the curvature of the suction port 8 may generally conform to the curvature of the sidewall 13 of the chamber 6. In other embodiments, the suction port 8 may not be curved, but may be polygonal (e.g., rectangular). Advantageously, the use of an elongated suction port 8 with an opening having a length greater than the width may prevent large particles from clogging the suction port 8 and/or the outlet line 4. In some embodiments, the suction port 8 may include an opening flush with the upper wall 17. In other embodiments, the suction port 8 may protrude partially into the chamber 6.

In some embodiments, the pressure wave generator 10 and the suction port 8 may be shaped and positioned relative to the chamber 6 such that the pressure at the treatment area of the tooth (e.g., within the root canal of the tooth measured in the apex) may be maintained in the range of 50mmHg to-500 mmHg during operation of the therapeutic device 1 during a treatment procedure. Maintaining the pressure at the treatment area within a desired range may reduce the risk of patient pain, prevent fluid from being squeezed out of the top end opening 115 to the top end, and/or improve cleaning efficacy. For example, the pressure wave generator 10 and the aspiration port 8 may be shaped and positioned relative to the chamber 6 such that the tip pressure at or near the apex 114 and the tip opening 115 remains less than 50mmHg, less than 5mmHg, less than-5 mmHg, such as in the range of-5 mmHg to-200 mmHg, in the range of-5 mmHg to-55 mmHg, or in the range of-10 mmHg to-50 mmHg during operation of the therapeutic device 1 during a therapeutic procedure. Maintaining the tip pressure within these ranges may reduce the risk of patient pain, prevent fluid from squeezing out of the tip opening 115 to the tip, and/or improve cleaning efficacy.

In some embodiments, to adjust the tip pressure, the suction port 8 may be circumferentially offset from the nozzle 9. For example, in the illustrated embodiment, the suction port 8 may be circumferentially offset from the nozzle 9 by about 90 °.

Furthermore, the chamber 6 may have a width w (e.g., the diameter or other major lateral dimension of the chamber 6) and a height h extending from the upper wall 17 to the access port 18. The width w and height h may be selected to provide effective cleaning results while maintaining the tip pressure within a desired range. In various embodiments, for example, the width w of the chamber 6 may be in the range of 2mm to 4mm, in the range of 2.5mm to 3.5mm, or in the range of 2.75mm to 3.25mm (e.g., about 3 mm). The height h of the chamber 6 may be in the range of about 1mm to 30mm, in the range of about 2mm to 10mm, or in the range of about 3mm to 5 mm.

The pressure wave generator 10 (e.g., nozzle 9) may be positioned relative to the chamber 6 at a location that produces sufficient fluid movement 24 to treat the teeth. As shown, the pressure wave generator 10 (including, for example, the nozzle 9) may be disposed outside of the chamber 6 (e.g., recessed from the chamber 6) as shown. In some embodiments, the pressure wave generator 10 may be exposed to (or flush with) the chamber 6, but may not extend into the chamber 6. In still other embodiments, at least a portion of the pressure wave generator 10 may extend into the chamber 6. A pressure wave generator 10 (e.g., comprising a nozzle 9) may be positioned below or distal to the suction port 8. Furthermore, in the illustrated embodiment, the jet 20 may be directed substantially perpendicular to the central axis Z (such that the angle between the jet axis X and the central axis Z is approximately 90 °). In other embodiments, the jet may be directed at a non-perpendicular angle relative to the central axis Z, as described, for example, with respect to fig. 11A-11J. The jet 20 may pass close to the central axis Z of the chamber, for example through a lateral central region of the chamber 6. For example, in some embodiments, the jet axis X or the liquid jet 20 may intersect the central axis Z of the chamber. In some embodiments, the jet 20 may pass through a lateral central region of the chamber 6, but may be slightly offset from the central axis Z. For example, the central axis Z may lie in a second plane that is substantially transverse to the jet axis X (e.g., the second plane may be at an angle in the range of 85 ° to 95 °, in the range of 89 ° to 91 °, or in the range of 89.5 ° to 90.5 ° relative to the jet axis X). The flow or jet axis X may intersect the second substantially transverse plane at a location closer to the central axis Z than the sidewall 13.

Thus, as explained above, the chamber 6 may have a maximum lateral dimension in a first plane extending substantially transverse to the central axis Z, and the central axis Z may lie in a second plane extending substantially transverse to the flow or jet axis X. The first plane may be defined by the walls of the chamber 6 (e.g., the side walls 13) along the boundaries of the walls. As explained above, the suction port 8 may be closer to the boundary (e.g., in some embodiments, the sidewall 13) than the central axis Z. The suction port 8 may also be closer to the boundary than the position where the flow or jet axis X intersects the second plane. Furthermore, the location where the flow or jet axis X intersects the second plane may be closer to the central axis Z than the suction port 8 (or than the projection of the suction port 8 to the second plane). Although the walls shown herein may include upper and side walls extending therefrom, in other embodiments the walls may include a single curved wall, or may have any other suitable shape.

As explained above, a vent 7 may be provided through the platform 2 and may be exposed to ambient air. The vent 7 may be in fluid communication with an evacuation line 4 fluidly connected to a suction port 8. The vent 7 may be provided at a location along the evacuation or outlet line 4 downstream of the suction port 8. The vent 7 may advantageously prevent or reduce overpressure in the chamber 6 and the treatment area. For example, ambient air from the external ambient environment may entrain the effluent liquid 19 removed along the outlet line 4. The vent 7 may regulate the pressure within the treatment area by allowing a static negative pressure to be applied. For example, the size of the vent 7 may be selected to provide a desired amount of static negative pressure at the treatment zone. The vent 7 may be positioned at a location along the outlet line 4 so as to prevent ambient air from entering the chamber 6 and/or the treatment area of the teeth 110. Additional details regarding the ventilated fluid platform can be found throughout U.S. patent No. 9,675,426, which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety and for all purposes.

Advantageously, the embodiments of FIGS. 2A-2K and similar embodiments can generate sufficient fluid movement and pressure waves to provide thorough cleaning of the entire treatment area. Components such as the pressure wave generator 10, chamber 6, suction port 10, vent 7, etc. may be arranged as shown and described in the illustrated embodiment to provide effective treatment (e.g., effective cleaning or filling), improved pressure regulation (e.g., maintaining pressure at the treatment zone within a suitable range), and improved patient outcome as compared to other devices.

The embodiments of the therapeutic device 1 disclosed herein may be used in combination with features shown and described in the entire U.S. patent No. 10,363,120, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety and for all purposes.

Fig. 3A-3H show another embodiment of the fluid platform 2 of the therapeutic device 1. The fluid platform 2 may be coupled to a distal portion of the handpiece 12 of the therapeutic device 1. In some embodiments, the fluid platform 2 may form part of a removable tip device 11, which may be removably connected to the handpiece 12. In other embodiments, the fluid platform 2 may be non-removably attached to the handpiece 12, or may be integrally formed with the handpiece 12. In still other embodiments, the fluid platform 2 may not be coupled to the handpiece 12, but rather may act as a treatment cap that is adhered (or otherwise coupled or positioned) to the teeth without the use of the handpiece.

As shown in fig. 3A and 3D, a vent 7 may be provided through a portion of the fluid platform 2 to provide fluid communication between the evacuation line or outlet line 4 and ambient air. The vent 7 may be used to regulate pressure in the fluid platform 2 and may improve the safety and efficacy of the therapeutic device.

As shown in fig. 3B and 3D, an access port or opening 18 may be provided at the distal portion of the fluid platform 2 to provide fluid communication between the chamber 70 defined by the fluid platform 2 and the treatment area of the tooth 110. For example, in a root canal cleaning procedure, the sealing cap 3 at the distal portion of the fluid platform 2 may be positioned over the pulp entry opening 118 against the tooth to provide fluid communication between the distal chamber 70 and the interior of the tooth (e.g., pulp chamber and root canal). In other embodiments, the sealing cap 3 may be positioned against the tooth 110 at the outer surface 119 of the tooth 110 over the carious region to provide fluid communication between the distal chamber 70 and the carious region to be treated. In some alternative embodiments, a curable material may be provided on the sealing surface of the fluid platform 2. The curable material may be applied to the teeth and may be cured to create a custom platform and seal that is removable and reusable. In some embodiments, a conformable material may be provided on the sealing surface of the tooth. The conformable material may be cured or hardened to maintain the shape of the occlusal surface.

As described in further detail herein, pressure waves 23 and fluid movements 24 generated within the fluid platform 2 may propagate throughout the treatment area to clean and/or fill the treatment area.

The fluid platform 2 may include a proximal chamber 60. In some embodiments, proximal chamber 60 and distal chamber 70 may together form chamber 6 of fluid platform 2. The transition opening 30 provided at the junction between the proximal chamber 60 and the distal chamber 70 may provide fluid communication between the proximal chamber 60 and the distal chamber 70. As shown, the inlet opening 18 may be disposed distally of the transition opening 30, and the transition opening 30 may be disposed distally of the nozzle 9.

The pressure wave generator 10 (which may act as a fluid motion generator) may be arranged to generate pressure waves and/or rotational fluid motion in the proximal chamber 60 such that the pressure waves and/or rotational fluid motion propagate (through the transition opening 30, through the distal chamber 70, and through the access opening 18) to the treatment zone. The pressure wave generator 10 may be positioned outside of the teeth during a treatment procedure. The pressure wave generator 10 may include a liquid supply port that may deliver a flow of liquid (e.g., a liquid jet) across the proximal chamber 60 to impinge on an impingement surface (e.g., delivering a flow of liquid completely across the proximal chamber 60 to impinge on an impingement surface opposite the pressure wave generator 10 or supply port) to generate pressure waves and fluid motion. For example, the pressure wave generator 10 may comprise a liquid jet device comprising an orifice or nozzle 9. The pressurized liquid may be conveyed along a pressurized fluid supply line or inlet line 5 to the nozzle 9. The inlet line 5 may be connected to a fluid source in the console, for example, through one or more conduits 104. The nozzle 9 may have a diameter selected to form a high-velocity, coherent, collimated liquid jet. A nozzle 9 may be positioned at the distal end of the inlet line 5. In various embodiments disclosed herein, the nozzle 9 may have openings with diameters in the range of 55 microns to 75 microns, in the range of 59 microns to 69 microns, in the range of 60 microns to 64 microns, or in the range of 61 microns to 63 microns. For example, in one embodiment, the nozzle 9 may have openings with a diameter of about 62 microns, which have been found to produce particularly effective liquid jets when cleaning teeth. Although the illustrated embodiment is configured to form a liquid jet (e.g., a coherent, collimated jet), in other embodiments, the liquid stream may not include a jet, but rather include a liquid stream having a momentum of the stream substantially parallel to the axis of the stream.

The nozzle 9 may be configured to direct a liquid flow comprising a liquid jet laterally through a lateral central region of the proximal chamber 60 along a jet axis X (also referred to as a flow axis) that is non-parallel (e.g., substantially perpendicular) to a central axis Z extending through the distal chamber (e.g., through the approximate geometric center of the inlet port 18 and/or the transition opening 30). In some embodiments, the jet axis X may intersect the central axis Z. In various embodiments, a liquid flow (e.g., jet) may intersect the central axis Z. In other embodiments, the jet axis X may be slightly offset from the central axis Z. In some embodiments, the liquid jet may create fluid movement 24 (e.g., vortex, annular flow, turbulence) that may propagate throughout the treatment area (e.g., throughout the root canal, throughout the carious region on the outer surface of the tooth, etc.) to interact with and remove unhealthy substances. In some embodiments, pressure wave generator 10 may generate broadband pressure waves through the fluid in proximal chamber 60 and distal chamber 70 to clean the treatment area.

The nozzle 9 may form a coherent, collimated liquid jet 20. During operation, the proximal and distal chambers 60, 70 may be filled with therapeutic liquid supplied by the liquid jet 20 (and/or additional inlets of the proximal chamber 60). The jet may enter the proximal chamber 60 and may interact with the liquid held in the proximal chamber 60. In some embodiments, the interaction between the liquid jet 20 and the liquid in the proximal chamber 60 may create pressure waves that may propagate throughout the treatment zone.

The fluid platform 2 may include an impingement member 50 that may be positioned such that the liquid jet 20 (e.g., positioned opposite the nozzle 9 along the jet axis X) impinges the impingement member 50 during operation of the pressure wave generator 10. The impingement member 50 may be sized, shaped (e.g., having one or more curved and/or angled surfaces) and/or otherwise configured such that when the jet impacts or strikes the impingement member 50, movement of the jet is diverted or redirected back over the transition opening 30. For example, in some embodiments, the impact member 50 may be generally concave. In some embodiments, the impact member 50 may be a curved surface in the shape of a hemispherical recess.

In some embodiments, the fluid movement 24 may be affected by the location on the impact member 50 where the jet contacts the impact member 50 and/or the angle at which the jet contacts the impact member 50. In some embodiments, the impingement member 50 and/or the nozzle 9 may be positioned such that the jet axis X is aligned with a center point of the impingement member 50, as shown in fig. 3D. In other embodiments, as described in further detail with respect to fig. 11A-11J, the jet axis X may be offset from the center point of the impingement member 50 (e.g., above or below the center point of the impingement member 50). For example, in some embodiments, the jet axis X may be aligned with an upper section of the impingement member 50 such that fluid from the fluid jet is biased to flow downwardly around the curved and/or angled surface of the impingement member 50 to cause more newly directed fluid to flow below the center of the impingement member 50 and closer to the transition opening 30. In some embodiments, as explained above, the jet axis X may be disposed substantially perpendicular to the central axis Z. In other embodiments, the jet axis X may be angled at an angle in the range of 45 ° to 135 °, in the range of 60 ° to 120 °, or in the range of 75 ° to 105 ° relative to the central axis Z. In some embodiments, a maximum amount of redirected flow may be required to flow over the transition opening 30.

In some embodiments, the redirected fluid or jet may cause fluid movement 24 within distal chamber 70 as it flows over transition opening 30 after impacting impact member 50. In some embodiments, the fluid motion induced in distal chamber 70 when the redirected fluid or jet flows over transition opening 30 may include turbulence, including eddies, gas vortices, and/or annular flow. In some embodiments, the fluid motion 24 induced in the distal chamber 70 as the redirected fluid or jet flows over the transition opening 30 may be different at different times (e.g., annular flow at a first time and cyclonic flow at a second time), such that the flow profile in the distal chamber 70 may change and/or be chaotic during the treatment procedure. In some embodiments, when the jet impacts or strikes the impact member 50, fluid motion 24 is generated along the impact member 50 (e.g., along one or more curved or angled surfaces), along an interior surface of the proximal chamber 60, and/or within fluid held in the proximal chamber 60. Further, movement of the jet and/or liquid stream diverted by the impingement member 50 may cause fluid movement 24 in the proximal chamber 60. In some embodiments, the interaction of the fluid of the jet flowing toward the impingement member 50 with the fluid of the jet after being redirected by the impingement member 50 may cause fluid movement 24, such as small eddies, turbulence, and/or chaotic flow. In some embodiments, some of the fluid movement 24 within the proximal chamber 60 may propagate into the distal chamber 70 to induce turbulence within the distal chamber 70, for example, by inducing shear stresses in the fluid in the distal chamber 70.

The combination of different types of fluid motion 24 that may be created by propagating and redirecting the jet within proximal chamber 60 may create fluid motion 24 within proximal chamber 60 and/or distal chamber 70 that may be turbulent in nature and may rotate about multiple axes, which may increase the chaotic or turbulent nature of the flow and improve therapeutic efficacy. In some embodiments, fluid movement 24 may propagate through the treatment region and may provide a substantial amount of fluid movement that washes undesirable substances (e.g., decaying organic substances) out of the treatment region. The combination of fluid movement 24 and the resulting broadband pressure wave 23 can effectively remove all shapes and sizes of undesirable materials from the large and small spaces, crevices and crevices of the treatment area. In some embodiments, the fluid flow 24 may have sufficient momentum and structure to reach large and small spaces, crevices, and crevices of the treatment area. The fluid motion 24, which may be described as turbulent or unstable, may include small vortices and may be non-repetitive. The arrows in fig. 3D illustrate examples of fluid movements 24 that may occur within the fluid platform 2.

The combination of different types of fluid movements 24 may create an unstable flow such that the fluid flow does not reach a steady state during the course of the therapeutic procedure. Some therapeutic devices may induce fluid movement 24 in the treatment zone that reaches a steady state after a period of time. Stabilizing the flow may reduce the efficacy of the treatment, for example, because the flow vector of the therapeutic fluid is not sufficiently altered to reach a small untreated space that may be located along a nonlinear tubule or other space or slit. Advantageously, the arrangement of the pressure wave generator 10, the impact member 50, the proximal chamber 60 and the distal chamber 70 may cooperate to create an unsteady flow during operation in a therapeutic procedure. Unsteady flow may produce a varying flow direction and/or varying flow vector that increases the probability that the therapeutic fluid will reach a remote area that would otherwise be difficult or impossible to reach with a steady state operating device during a treatment procedure.

As shown in the embodiments of fig. 3A-3H, in certain embodiments, the impact member 50 may be a separate piece positionable within the proximal chamber 60. Alternatively, the impact member 50 may be a curved or angled sidewall of the proximal chamber 60 (e.g., the impact member 50 may be integrally or monolithically formed with the wall of the proximal chamber 60). For example, in some embodiments, the impact member may be a sidewall 13 as described with respect to fig. 2A-K.

The fluid platform 2 may also include a discharge or outlet line 4 to deliver waste or effluent to a waste reservoir, which may be located, for example, in the system console 102. The aspiration port 8 or fluid outlet may be exposed to the proximal chamber 60 offset from the central axis Z along the wall of the proximal chamber 60. For example, as shown in fig. 3D, the aspiration port 8 may be disposed along the upper wall of the proximal chamber 60 opposite the transition opening 30. A vacuum pump (not shown) may apply a vacuum force along the outlet line 4 to draw waste or effluent liquid 19 out of the proximal chamber 60 through the suction port 8, along the outlet line 4 and to the waste reservoir. In some embodiments, only one suction port 8 may be provided. In other embodiments, the fluid platform 2 may include a plurality of (e.g., two) suction ports positioned laterally opposite each other. In some embodiments, more than two suction ports may be provided. In some embodiments, aspiration of fluid out of proximal chamber 60 through aspiration port 8 may affect fluid movement 24 in proximal chamber 60. For example, the action of the suction port 8 may transfer at least some of the fluid back over the transition opening 30 after withdrawing the impingement member 50 from the liquid jet 20. In some embodiments, this action of the aspiration port may prevent or reduce stagnation within the fluid in the proximal chamber 60 and/or may facilitate sloshing or chaotic fluid movement as described herein.

As shown in fig. 3C, in some embodiments, the outlet line 4 and the pressurized fluid inlet line 5 may be part of a separate manifold 80 that may be coupled to the body 40 to form the fluid platform 2. The impact member 50 may be pressed into the body 40 or overmolded. The impingement member 50 may be metal, ceramic, or formed of any other suitable material for receiving and redirecting a fluid jet.

Fig. 3G and 3H depict exemplary dimensions of the embodiments shown in fig. 3A-3F. As shown, the proximal chamber 60 and the distal chamber 70 may each be generally cylindrical in shape. The longitudinal axis of the cylindrical proximal chamber 60 (which in the illustrated embodiment may be coextensive or parallel with the jet axis X) may be perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the cylindrical distal chamber 70 (which in the illustrated embodiment may be coextensive or parallel with the central axis Z). As shown in fig. 3A-3H, the proximal chamber 60 and the distal chamber 70 have different geometries and/or volumes. In the embodiment shown, the impact member 50 is arranged longitudinally along the jet axis X beyond the transition opening 30, such that the transition opening 30 is located longitudinally along the jet axis X between the impact member 50 and the nozzle 9. In some embodiments, the jet length (i.e., the distance between the nozzle and the point of impact) may be between 1mm and 20mm, between 3mm and 10mm, or any other suitable length. In some embodiments, the diameter of proximal chamber 60 may be between 0.1mm and 20mm, between 1mm and 10mm, or any other suitable diameter. In some embodiments, the diameter of distal chamber 70 may be between 0.5mm and 10mm, between 2mm and 5mm, or any other suitable diameter. In some embodiments, the height of the distal chamber 70 may be between 0mm and 20mm, between 0mm and 6mm, or any other suitable height.

Accordingly, the proximal chamber 60 may have a first interior surface geometry 26a defined at least by walls 28a extending along the upper, lower, and side surfaces of the proximal chamber 60 and the impact member 50. The distal chamber 70 may have a second interior surface geometry 26b defined at least by a wall 28b extending along a side surface of the distal chamber 70. As shown, the first interior surface geometry 26a and the second interior surface geometry 26b may be different. For example, the first interior surface geometry 26a may include a curved surface (e.g., an approximately cylindrical surface) extending along the jet axis X from the nozzle 9 (or a location distal to the nozzle 9) to the impact surface of the impact member 50. In contrast, the second interior surface geometry 26b may include a curved surface (e.g., an approximately cylindrical surface) extending distally along the central axis Z. The transition opening 30 may include a discontinuity that provides a non-uniform or abrupt flow transition between the proximal chamber 60 and the distal chamber 70. The discontinuities provided by the transition openings 30 and the different interior surface geometries 26a, 26b may advantageously create an unstable therapeutic fluid flow during operation of the therapeutic device during a therapeutic procedure. The non-uniform transition may include an asymmetric structure or irregularity in the transition region. The transition region may include the transition opening 30 and portions of the proximal and distal chambers 60, 70 adjacent the transition opening 30. The asymmetric structure or irregularity may include one or more offsets, steps, recesses, or any other suitable structure.

In some embodiments, the ratio of the volume of proximal chamber 60 to the volume of distal chamber 70 is between 7:4 and 15:2. In some embodiments, the ratio of the volume of the proximal chamber 60 to the circumference of the transition opening 30 is between 1:150 and 1:20. In some embodiments, the ratio of jet distance to the volume of proximal chamber 60 is between 10:1 and 50:1. In some embodiments, the ratio of jet distance to jet height is between 2:1 and 13:2.

In some embodiments, the fluid platform 2 may include one or more additional fluid inlets, for example, for providing a filler material or a filler material assembly. The additional fluid inlet may be positioned, for example, below the inlet 5 or below the impingement member 50. Additional details regarding embodiments with additional fluid inlets can be found in the entire U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/894,667, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference in its entirety and for all purposes.

In the embodiment of fig. 3A-3H, the jet impacts the impingement member 50 and the redirected flow may facilitate fluid movement 24 in the distal chamber 70 and treatment area. In other embodiments, the impingement member 50 may not be present and instead the liquid jet may enter the channel or tube uninterruptedly at a position opposite the nozzle 9. In such embodiments, liquid from the liquid jet may be delivered from the fluid platform 2 to a waste container, or may be recycled in a closed loop to be reused. Thus, in such embodiments, the jet may not be redirected back proximally over the transition opening 30. Fluid movement in the distal chamber 70 and the treatment zone may be induced by, for example, directing a liquid jet at least over the transition opening 30 and the distal chamber 70.

Fig. 4A-4E depict another embodiment of the fluid platform 2. Unless otherwise indicated, the components of fig. 4A-4E may be substantially similar or identical to the identically numbered components of fig. 3A-3H. In the embodiment of fig. 4A-4E, the impact member 50 includes a portion of the inner wall of an impact ring 55 positioned within the proximal chamber 60. The impingement ring 55 may be positioned within the casing of the fluid platform 2 and at least partially forms a boundary of the proximal chamber 60. The impingement ring 55 may extend around an interior section of the fluid platform 2 near the distal chamber 70 and may have openings configured to align with the fluid inlet line 5 and the outlet line 4.

The impingement ring 55 may be located on a surface 65 above the distal chamber 70. The surface 65 may define the transition opening 30. The impingement ring 55 may be positioned (e.g., on the surface 65) so as to create an uneven transition between the proximal and distal chambers 60, 70. For example, as shown in fig. 4C, at least a portion of the impingement ring SS may be recessed (e.g., recessed by 0.005 in) relative to the transition opening 30 to form the recess 90, and/or at least a portion of the impingement ring 55 may extend (e.g., extend by 0.005 in) above the transition opening 30 to form the ledge 21. In some embodiments, at least a portion 27 of the impingement ring 55 may also be aligned with the transition opening 30. Without being limited by theory, it is believed that such non-uniform transitions or discontinuities may contribute to the turbulent or chaotic fluid motion in the distal chamber 70 in an unstable manner. Furthermore, as explained herein, the non-uniform transition and the different internal surface geometries 26a, 26b may enable operation in an unsteady manner.

Fig. 5A-5E depict alternative embodiments of the fluid platform 2. In the embodiment of fig. 5A-E, the impact member 50 may be in the form of a dimple within the impact ring 55. The dimples 50 may be machined into the wall of the impingement ring 55. In some embodiments, the dimples 50 may have substantially the same shape as the impact member 50 of fig. 3A-3H.

In some embodiments, the impingement ring 55 of fig. 5A-5E may be positioned to create an uneven transition between the proximal chamber 60 and the distal chamber 70, e.g., as described with respect to the embodiments of fig. 4A-4E. In other embodiments, the inner circumference of the distal end of the impingement ring 55 may be aligned with the transition opening 30. Furthermore, as explained above, the internal surface geometries 26a, 26b of the proximal and distal chambers 60, 70 may be different. As explained above, the non-uniform transition and/or the different surface geometries 26a, 26b may advantageously produce an unstable therapeutic fluid flow during a therapeutic procedure.

Fig. 6A and 6B illustrate exemplary dimensions of an embodiment of the fluid platform 2, which may be substantially the same or similar to the dimensions of the embodiment shown in fig. 4A-4E and 5A-5E. As shown, the proximal chamber 60 and the distal chamber 70 may each be generally cylindrical in shape. The longitudinal axis of the cylindrical proximal chamber 60 may extend substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the cylindrical distal chamber 70, or may be the same axis. In some embodiments, the jet length (i.e., the distance between the nozzle and the point of impact) may be between 1mm and 20mm, between 3mm and 10mm, or any other suitable length. In some embodiments, the diameter of proximal chamber 60 may be between 0.1mm and 20mm, between 1mm and 10mm, or any other suitable diameter. In some embodiments, the diameter of distal chamber 70 may be between 0.5mm and 10mm, between 2mm and 5mm, or any other suitable diameter. In some embodiments, the height of the distal chamber 70 may be between 0mm and 20mm, between 0mm and 6mm, or any other suitable height.

Fig. 7A-7E depict another embodiment of the fluid platform 2. In the embodiment of fig. 7A-7E, the impingement ring 55 has a non-circular cross-section. The impingement member 50 is in the form of a curved impingement surface having a sidewall section extending rearwardly towards the inlet line 5 for redirecting the fluid of the jet flowing along the sidewall section towards the transition opening 30. The shape and size of the sidewall section of the impact member 50 may increase the amount of fluid redirected over the transition opening 30 after impact (e.g., by directing fluid flowing along the sidewall from the impact surface toward the transition opening 30 rather than around the circumferential inner surface of the circular impact ring) as compared to an impact ring 55 having a circular cross-section.

Fig. 7C-7E include arrows illustrating examples of fluid movement within proximal chamber 60 and distal chamber 70. Arrows in fig. 7D and 7E show the fluid flow through the suction port 8 and the outlet line 4.

As shown in fig. 7A-7E, the impact ring 55 may include two additional recessed areas 57 formed by the curvature of the side wall of the impact ring adjacent the impact member 50. In some embodiments, the additional recessed area may provide additional vortex or turbulent fluid motion when interacting with other fluid motion in proximal chamber 60. In some embodiments, the section of the sidewall of the impingement ring 55 separating the impingement member 50 and the recessed area 57 may act as a flow disrupter. In some embodiments, the shape of the impingement ring 55 of FIGS. 7A-7E may facilitate sound propagation. As explained above, the impingement ring 55 of fig. 7A-7E may be positioned to create an uneven transition between the proximal and distal chambers 60, 70. Furthermore, as explained above, the internal surface geometries 26a, 26b of the proximal and distal chambers 60, 70 may be different. As explained above, the non-uniform transition and/or the different surface geometries 26a, 26b may advantageously produce an unstable therapeutic fluid flow during a therapeutic procedure.

Fig. 8A-8F depict alternative embodiments of the fluid platform 2. Similar to the embodiment of fig. 7A-7E, in the embodiment of fig. 8A-8F, the inner wall of the impingement ring 55 may have a non-circular cross-section. The impingement member 50 is in the form of a curved impingement surface having a sidewall section extending rearwardly towards the inlet line 5 for redirecting the fluid of the jet flowing along the sidewall section towards the transition opening 30. The shape and size of the sidewall section of the impact member 50 may increase the amount of fluid redirected over the transition opening 30 after impact (e.g., by directing fluid flowing along the sidewall from the impact surface toward the transition opening 30 rather than around the circumferential inner surface of the circular impact ring) as compared to an impact ring 55 having a circular cross-section.

As shown in fig. 8A-8F, the impact ring 55 may include two additional recessed areas 57 formed by the curvature of the side wall of the impact ring adjacent the impact member 50. In some embodiments, the additional recessed area 57 may provide additional vortex or turbulent fluid motion when interacting with other fluid motion 24 in the proximal chamber 60. In some embodiments, the section of the sidewall of the impingement ring 55 separating the impingement member 50 and the recessed area 57 may act as a flow disrupter. In some embodiments, the shape of the impingement ring 55 of FIGS. 8A-8F may facilitate sound propagation. As explained above, the impingement ring 55 of fig. 8A-8F may be positioned to create a non-uniform transition between the proximal and distal chambers 60, 70. Furthermore, as explained above, the internal surface geometries 26a, 26b of the proximal and distal chambers 60, 70 may be different. As explained above, the non-uniform transition and/or the different surface geometries 26a, 26b may advantageously produce an unstable therapeutic fluid flow during a therapeutic procedure.

Fig. 8E and 8F illustrate exemplary dimensions of the fluid platform 2 as shown in fig. 8A-8D. In some embodiments, the longitudinal axis of the proximal chamber 60 may be substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the distal end, or may be the same axis. The dimensions of the embodiments shown in fig. 7A-7E may be substantially the same or similar. In some embodiments, the jet length (i.e., the distance between the nozzle and the point of impact) may be between 1mm and 20mm, between 3mm and 10mm, or any other suitable length. In some embodiments, the diameter of proximal chamber 60 may be between 0.1mm and 20mm, between 1mm and 10mm, or any other suitable diameter. In some embodiments, the diameter of distal chamber 70 may be between 0.5mm and 10mm, between 2mm and 5mm, or any other suitable diameter. In some embodiments, the height of the distal chamber 70 may be between 0mm and 20mm, between 0mm and 6mm, or any other suitable height.

Fig. 9A and 9B depict alternative embodiments of the fluid platform 2. In the embodiment of fig. 9A-9B, the impingement member 50 is part of a generally cylindrical inner wall of the proximal chamber 60. The inner wall of the proximal chamber 60 may be formed by an impingement ring 55. In some embodiments, the inner wall of the proximal chamber 60 may be formed by the fluid platform 2. Fig. 9A and 9B illustrate exemplary dimensions of the fluid platform 2. As shown, the proximal chamber 60 and the distal chamber 70 may each be generally cylindrical in shape. In some embodiments, the jet length (i.e., the distance between the nozzle and the point of impact) may be between 1mm and 20mm, between 3mm and 10mm, or any other suitable length. In some embodiments, the diameter of proximal chamber 60 may be between 0.1mm and 20mm, between 1mm and 10mm, or any other suitable diameter. In some embodiments, the diameter of distal chamber 70 may be between 0.5mm and 10mm, between 2mm and 5mm, or any other suitable diameter. In some embodiments, the height of the distal chamber 70 may be between 0mm and 20mm, between 0mm and 6mm, or any other suitable height.

Additional examples of impact rings 55 are shown in fig. 10A-10J. In some embodiments, the impingement ring may include one or more flow disrupters 59 that may disrupt fluid flow along an inner surface of the impingement ring 55 to create the fluid motion 24. For example, as shown in fig. 10A-10H, the flow disrupter 59 may be in the form of a pointed or curved protrusion extending inwardly from the inner surface of the impingement ring 55. In some embodiments, for example, as shown in fig. 10I and 10J, the flow disrupter may be in the form of a recess formed in the inner surface of the impingement ring 55. In some embodiments, for example, in fig. 10A, 10C, 10F, and 10H-10J, the flow disrupters 59 may be symmetrical about a plane extending through the center of the impingement surface. In other embodiments, such as in fig. 10B, 10D, and 10G, the jammer 59 may be asymmetric. The embodiment shown in fig. 10I may cause the jet in a number of different directions. In embodiments where the impingement member 50 is part of the inner wall of the proximal chamber 60, the flow disrupter 59 may extend from the inner wall of the proximal chamber 60.

As shown in fig. 10F, in some embodiments, the impingement ring 55 may include ports 25 (e.g., side ports) that may be used to introduce additional fluid into the proximal chamber 60, such as a filler material or a component of a filler material.

In some embodiments, the impingement ring may include an at least partially hollow interior that may form a guide path for the fluid jet rather than an impingement surface. The fluid jet may flow through the interior of the impingement ring 55 to another location within the proximal chamber 60 instead of impinging the impingement surface.

In the embodiment shown in fig. 3A-10H, the impingement member 50 is positioned on the side of the proximal chamber 60 opposite the fluid inlet 5, beyond the transition opening 30. In some embodiments, the impingement member 50 may be positioned above the transition opening 30. In some embodiments, the impingement member 50 may divide the jet such that the jet flows in multiple directions over the transition opening 30.

Fig. 11A-11J depict another embodiment of the fluid platform 2. The fluid platform 2 may be coupled to a distal portion of the handpiece 12 of the therapeutic device 1. In some embodiments, the fluid platform 2 may form part of a removable tip device that may be removably connected to the handpiece 12. In other embodiments, the fluid platform 2 may be non-removably attached to the handpiece 12, or may be integrally formed with the handpiece 12. In still other embodiments, the fluid platform 2 may not be coupled to the handpiece 12, but rather may act as a treatment cap that is adhered (or otherwise coupled or positioned) to the teeth without the use of the handpiece. Unless otherwise indicated, the components of FIGS. 11A-11J may be substantially similar or identical to the identically numbered components of FIGS. 2D-2K, 3A-3H, 4A-4E, 5A-5E, 6A-6B, 7A-7F, 8A-8F, and 9A-9B.

As shown in fig. 11A, a vent 7 may be provided through a portion of the fluid platform 2 to provide fluid communication between the evacuation line or outlet line 4 and ambient air. The vent 7 may be used to regulate pressure in the fluid platform 2 and may improve the safety and efficacy of the therapeutic device.

In some embodiments, an access port or opening 18 may be provided at the distal portion of the fluid platform 2 to provide fluid communication between the distal chamber 70 of the fluid platform 2 and the treatment area of the tooth 110. For example, in a root canal cleaning procedure, a sealing cap 3 at the distal portion of the fluid platform 2 may be positioned over the pulp entry opening against the tooth to provide fluid communication between the distal chamber 70 and the interior of the tooth (e.g., pulp chamber and root canal). In other embodiments, the sealing cap 3 may be positioned over the carious region against the tooth 110 at the outer surface of the tooth 110 to provide fluid communication between the distal chamber 70 and the carious region to be treated. In some alternative embodiments, a curable material may be provided on the sealing surface of the fluid platform 2. The curable material may be applied to the teeth and may be cured to create a custom platform and seal. In some embodiments, the customization platform may be removable and reusable. In some embodiments, a conformable material may be provided on the sealing surface of the tooth. The conformable material may be cured or hardened to maintain the shape of the occlusal surface.

As described in further detail herein, pressure waves 23 and fluid movements 24 generated in the fluid platform 2 may propagate throughout the treatment zone to clean and/or fill the treatment zone.

The fluid platform 2 may include a proximal chamber 60. In some embodiments, proximal chamber 60 and distal chamber 70 may together form chamber 6 of fluid platform 2. The transition opening 30 provided at the junction between the proximal chamber 60 and the distal chamber 70 may provide fluid communication between the proximal chamber 60 and the distal chamber 70. As shown, the inlet opening 18 may be disposed distally of the transition opening 30, and the transition opening 30 may be disposed distally of the nozzle 9.

The pressure wave generator 10 (which may act as a fluid motion generator) may be arranged to generate pressure waves and/or rotational fluid motion in the proximal chamber 60 such that the pressure waves and/or rotational fluid motion propagate (through the transition opening 30, through the distal chamber 70, and through the access opening 18) to the treatment zone. The pressure wave generator 10 may be positioned outside of the teeth during a treatment procedure. The pressure wave generator 10 may include a liquid supply port that may deliver a flow of liquid (e.g., a liquid jet) across the proximal chamber 60 to impinge on the impingement surface 53 (e.g., deliver a flow of liquid completely across the proximal chamber 60 to impinge on the impingement surface 53 opposite the pressure wave generator 10 or the supply port) to generate pressure waves and fluid motion. For example, the pressure wave generator 10 may comprise a liquid jet device comprising an orifice or nozzle 9. The pressurized liquid may be conveyed along a pressurized fluid supply line or inlet line 5 to the nozzle 9. The inlet line 5 may be connected to a fluid source in the console, for example, through one or more conduits 104. The nozzle 9 may have a diameter selected to form a high-velocity, coherent, collimated liquid jet. A nozzle 9 may be positioned at the distal end of the inlet line 5. In various embodiments disclosed herein, the nozzle 9 may have openings in the range of 55 microns to 75 microns in diameter, 54 microns to 64 microns in diameter, 57 microns to 61 microns in diameter, 58 microns to 60 microns in diameter, 59 microns to 69 microns in diameter, 60 microns to 64 microns in diameter, 61 microns to 63 microns in diameter, 63 microns to 73 microns in diameter, 66 microns to 70 microns in diameter, or 67 microns to 69 microns in diameter. For example, in one embodiment, the nozzle 9 may have openings with a diameter of about 62 microns, which have been found to produce particularly effective liquid jets when cleaning teeth. In some embodiments, the nozzle may have openings with a diameter of about 59 microns, which have been found to produce particularly effective liquid jets when cleaning teeth (e.g., premolars). In some embodiments, the nozzle may have openings with a diameter of about 68 microns that have been found to produce particularly effective liquid jets when cleaning teeth (e.g., molars and/or premolars). Although the illustrated embodiment is configured to form a liquid jet (e.g., a coherent, collimated jet), in other embodiments, the liquid stream may not include a jet, but rather include a liquid stream having a momentum of the stream substantially parallel to the axis of the stream.

Fig. 11F includes three-dimensional coordinate axes indicating upper (S), lower (I), front (a), rear (P), left (L), and right (R) directions. The superior direction corresponds to the proximal direction as described herein. The inferior direction corresponds to the distal direction as described herein. The up-down axis may be referred to as a vertical axis. As shown in fig. 11F, the right direction R is directed generally inward of the page and the left direction L is directed generally outward of the page. These directions are provided for reference only to provide examples of the relative positions of the components and the direction of fluid movement within the fluid platform 2, and may not reflect the particular anatomical positions of the components or the direction of fluid movement when the fluid platform is in use.

The nozzle 9 may be configured to direct a flow of liquid comprising the liquid jet 20 generally laterally (e.g., generally in a forward direction) through a lateral central region of the proximal chamber 60 along a jet axis X' (also referred to as a flow axis) that is non-parallel to a central axis Z (e.g., substantially perpendicular to the central axis or at an angle α to the central axis) extending through the distal chamber (e.g., through the approximate geometric center of the inlet port 18 and/or the approximate geometric center of the transition opening 30). The central axis Z may be substantially parallel to the up-down axis as shown in fig. 11F.

The nozzle 9 may be positioned vertically (along the up-down axis) at different locations within the proximal chamber 60 and/or horizontally (along the left-right axis) at different locations within the proximal chamber 60. The jet axis X' may include a component in the forward direction, and in some embodiments, in one or more of the up/down or left/right directions.

In some embodiments, the jet axis X 'may be positioned at an angle β relative to an axis x″ that is perpendicular to the central axis Z (e.g., the jet axis X' may be directed forward and upward or downward). In some embodiments, the axis X "may be substantially parallel to the anterior-posterior axis, as shown in fig. 11F. In some embodiments, the jet axis X' may intersect the central axis Z. In various embodiments, a liquid flow (e.g., liquid jet 20) may intersect the central axis Z. In other embodiments, the jet axis X' and thus the liquid jet 20 may be offset from the central axis Z. For example, the jet axis X' may be directed forward and horizontally to the left or right, or the nozzle 9 may be positioned horizontally within the proximal chamber 60 such that the jet 20 directed only in the forward direction is offset to the left or right of the central axis Z (e.g., to direct the jet 20 at the point of contact 72, as described below).

In some embodiments, the liquid jet may create fluid motion 24 (e.g., vortex, annular flow, turbulence) that may propagate throughout the treatment area (e.g., throughout the root canal, throughout the carious region on the outer surface of the tooth, etc.) to interact with and remove unhealthy substances. The fluid motion generator 10 may also act as a pressure wave generator to generate broadband pressure waves through the fluid in the proximal chamber 60 and the distal chamber 70 to clean the treatment area.

The nozzle 9 may form a coherent, collimated liquid jet 20. During operation, the proximal and distal chambers 60, 70 may be filled with therapeutic liquid supplied by the liquid jet 20 (and/or additional inlets of the proximal chamber 60). The jet may enter the proximal chamber 60 and may interact with the liquid held in the proximal chamber 60. In some embodiments, the interaction between the liquid jet 20 and the liquid in the proximal chamber 60 may create pressure waves that may propagate throughout the treatment zone.

The fluid platform 2 may include an impingement member 50 that may be positioned such that the liquid jet 20 (e.g., positioned opposite the nozzle 9 along the jet axis X') impinges the impingement member 50 (e.g., impinges an impingement surface 53 of the impingement member 50) during operation of the pressure wave generator 10. The impingement member 50 may be sized, shaped (e.g., with one or more curved and/or angled surfaces, such as impingement surface 53), and/or otherwise configured such that when the jet impacts or impinges the impingement member 50, movement of the jet is diverted or redirected back over the transition opening 30. For example, in some embodiments, the impact member 50 and/or the impact surface 53 may be substantially concave. In some embodiments, the impact surface 53 may be a curved surface in the shape of a hemispherical recess. Moreover, in some embodiments, the fluid jet 20 may be redirected from the impact member 50 tangentially to the hemispherical recess of the impact member 50 (e.g., redirected from the impact surface 53).

In some embodiments, the impact member 50 may be disposed in a relative vertical position within the fluid platform 2, i.e., with its rearward facing edge aligned substantially parallel to the central axis Z. In some embodiments, in the vertical position, the central axis X' "of the impact surface 53 may be substantially perpendicular to the central axis Z. The central axis X' "may also be the central axis of the impact member 50. In some embodiments, as shown in fig. 11D, the impingement member 50 may be disposed within the fluid platform 2 at an angle (e.g., at a downward angle toward the transition opening 30) such that its rearward facing edge is non-parallel to the central axis Z and such that the central axis X '"is non-parallel and non-perpendicular to the central axis Z (e.g., the axis X'" may have a component in a downward direction or an upward direction). As shown in fig. 11D, the rearward facing edge of the impingement member 50 may be substantially perpendicular to the jet axis X' which itself is at a non-parallel angle α with respect to the central axis Z. In some embodiments, the impingement member 50 may be disposed within the fluid platform 2 at an angle such that a central axis X' "of the impingement surface 53 is offset horizontally (e.g., left or right) from the central axis Z and does not intersect the central axis. For example, when axis Z and axis X' intersect, the rearward facing edge of impact member 50 may be non-parallel to the normal vector to the plane formed by the two axes.

In some embodiments, the form of the fluid redirected from the liquid jet 20 after impacting the impact member may be affected by the location on the impact surface 53 where the jet 20 contacts the impact surface 53 and/or the angle at which the jet 20 contacts the impact surface 53. For example, in some embodiments, the liquid jet 20 may be redirected as a spray. In other embodiments, for example, as shown in fig. 11D, the liquid jet 20 may be redirected as a stream 29 in the form of a second liquid jet. In some embodiments, the liquid jet 20 may be redirected partly as a spray and partly as a redirected flow 29 in the form of a liquid jet. As used herein, "in the form of a liquid jet" means that the redirected fluid has the characteristics of a liquid jet. For example, the redirected flow 29 may have characteristics similar to those of a flow formed by small openings (e.g., nozzles). The redirected flow 29 in the form of a liquid jet may maintain jet-like flow quality after being redirected from the impingement member 50. In some embodiments, the redirected, jet-like flow 29 may have a substantially circular cross-sectional profile. In some embodiments, the liquid jet 20 may be redirected as a sheet of liquid (e.g., a planar stream).

In some embodiments, the impingement member 50 and/or the nozzle 9 may be positioned such that the jet axis X' is aligned with a center point of the impingement member 50 (e.g., as shown in fig. 3D) (e.g., a center point of the impingement surface 53), which may, in some embodiments, cause the liquid jet 20 to be redirected as a spray or primarily as a spray. In other embodiments, the jet axis X' may contact the impact member 50 at a point of contact offset from the center point of the impact member 50 (e.g., above, below, horizontally left-hand, horizontally right-hand, or any combination thereof) and/or offset from the center point of the impact surface 53 (e.g., above, below, horizontally left-hand, horizontally right-hand, or any combination thereof, of the center point of the impact surface 53). The point of contact of the jet axis X ' with the impact member 50 and/or the impact surface 53 may be affected by the horizontal (left or right) position of the nozzle 9, the vertical (lower or upper) position of the nozzle 9, any horizontal (left or right) angular component of the jet axis X ', and any vertical (lower or upper) angular component of the jet axis X '. Contact of the jet axis X' offset from the center point of the impingement member 50 or impingement surface 53 may facilitate formation of the stream 29 in the form of a liquid jet.

Fig. 11E depicts axis Z' and axis Y extending through the center point 71 of the impact surface 53. In some embodiments, axis Z' may be parallel or substantially parallel to axis Z and/or the up-down axis, as shown in fig. 11F. The axis Y may be perpendicular to the axis Z and may be parallel to a horizontal left-right axis, as shown in fig. 11F. In some embodiments, the axis Y may divide the impact surface 53 into an upper vertical section and a lower vertical section. Fig. 11F shows an example of a contact point 72 of the liquid jet 20 with the impingement member 50, which may be advantageous for forming the flow 29 in the form of a liquid jet. In some embodiments, the radial offset of the contact point 72 from the center 71 of the impact surface 53 may increase the amount of time that the fluid contacts the surface of the impact surface 53, which may create a vacuum to reduce tip pressure and expel diseased material from the treatment area. In some embodiments, the radial offset of the contact point 72 from the center point 71 may also increase chaotic fluid motion, for example, by creating a flow 29 in the form of a liquid jet. While some reduction in tip pressure may be desirable, in some embodiments, it is desirable to avoid applying excessive negative pressure to the teeth, which may cause pain to the patient. In some embodiments, the contact point 72 may be selected to produce the flow 29 in the form of a liquid jet and/or to provide a reduction in tip pressure without applying negative tip pressure.

In some embodiments, the contact point 72 may be positioned at a radius between 0 inches and 0.063 inches from the center point 71. In some embodiments, the contact point 72 may be positioned at a radius of 0.010 inches to 0.05 inches from the center point 71. In some embodiments, the impact surface 53 is hemispherical. In some embodiments, the diameter of the inner edge of the hemispherical impact surface 53 is 0.125in. In some embodiments, the contact point 72 may be positioned between 1% and 49% of the diameter of the hemisphere, between 5% and 45% of the diameter of the hemisphere, between 8% and 40% of the diameter of the hemisphere, between 10% and 30% of the diameter of the hemisphere, between 15% and 25% of the diameter of the hemisphere, between 1% and 20% of the diameter of the hemisphere, between 5% and 25% of the diameter of the hemisphere, between 20% and 40% of the diameter of the hemisphere, between 25% and 45% of the diameter of the hemisphere, or any other suitable range of distances from the center point 71. In some embodiments, it may be beneficial if the contact point 72 is offset (e.g., horizontally to the left or right) from the center point 71 along the Y-axis. In some embodiments, the contact point is vertically offset but horizontally offset may help to create a rotational flow (e.g., a vortex) about an axis parallel to the Y-axis. In some embodiments, horizontal offset but not vertical offset may help to create a swirling flow (e.g., swirling flow) about an axis parallel to the Z' axis. In some embodiments, the vertical and horizontal offset of the contact point 72 from the center point 71 may help to create a rotational fluid motion about an axis having a vertical component and a horizontal component, which may provide characteristics of both vortex and swirl, for example. In some embodiments, the axis of rotation of the rotating flow may be orthogonal to the plane formed by the jet 20 and the return flow 29 in the form of a liquid jet. In some embodiments, the angle δ between the Z' axis and a radial line extending from the center point 71 through the contact point 72 may be between-45 ° and 45 °, between-30 ° and 30 °, or between-15 ° and 15 °.

In some embodiments, when the contact point 72 is offset from the center point 71, the flow 29 in the form of a liquid jet will be redirected from the impact member 50 at a location on the impact surface 53 opposite the contact point 72. In some embodiments, the contact point 72 may be positioned above the vertical center of the impingement surface 53 (e.g., above the Y-axis), and the flow 29 in the form of a liquid jet may be redirected from the impingement surface 53 below the vertical center of the impingement surface (e.g., below the Y-axis), for example as shown in fig. 11D. In some embodiments, the contact point 72 may be positioned below the vertical center of the impact surface 53 (e.g., below the Y-axis), and the flow 29 in the form of a liquid jet may be redirected from the impact surface 53 above the vertical center of the impact surface (e.g., above the Y-axis), for example, as shown in fig. 11K. In some embodiments, the contact point 72 may be positioned laterally to the horizontal center of the impingement surface 53 (e.g., laterally to the Z' axis) in a first lateral direction (e.g., to the right of the horizontal center), and the flow 29 in the form of a liquid jet may be redirected from the horizontal center of the impingement surface laterally to the impingement surface 53 in a second lateral direction (e.g., to the left of the horizontal center). In some embodiments, the second liquid jet may be redirected from opposite vertical and horizontal positions of the impact surface relative to the contact point 72. For example, referring to axes Z' and Y of fig. 11E, the contact point 72 in the upper right quadrant may cause the flow 29 in the form of a liquid jet to be redirected from the impingement surface 53 from the lower left quadrant.

In some embodiments, after impingement, fluid from jet 20 may be dispersed along concave impingement surface 53 of impingement member 50, and impingement surface 53 may be shaped and/or angled such that fluid recombination occurs as stream 29 in the form of a liquid jet. In some embodiments, the fluids may recombine to form a stream 29 in the form of a liquid jet on the side of the impingement surface 53 opposite the point of contact 72 of the jet 20. In some embodiments, the fluid from jet 20 may be dispersed into multiple fluid components along impingement surface 53, and the fluid components may converge to recombine as or after being redirected from impingement surface 53 as stream 29 in the form of a liquid jet. In some embodiments, the fluid components may be dispersed after converging to recombine into stream 29. For example, in some embodiments, multiple fluid components may be redirected to intersect one fluid component, and upon intersecting each other, a second liquid jet may be temporarily formed.

For example, as shown in fig. 11D, in some embodiments, the jet axis X' may be aligned with an upper section of the impingement surface 53 such that fluid from the fluid jet is biased to flow downward around the curved and/or angled section of the impingement surface 53 such that more redirected fluid (e.g., the flow 29 in the form of a liquid jet) flows below the center of the impingement surface 53 and closer to the transition opening 30. In some embodiments, as explained above, the jet axis X' may be disposed substantially perpendicular to the central axis Z (parallel to axis X "). In some embodiments, the jet axis X' may be angled relative to the central axis Z at an angle in the range between 80 ° and 90 °, in the range between 84 ° and 90 °, or in the range between 86 ° and 90 °. In some embodiments, the jet axis X' may be angled relative to the central axis Z at an angle α of 80 °, 81 °, 82 °, 83 °, 84 °, 85 °, 86 °, 87 °, 88 °, or 89 °. In some embodiments, the jet axis X' may be angled relative to the axis x″ at an angle β in a range between 0 ° and 10 °, in a range between 0 ° and 6 °, or in a range between 0 ° and 4 °. In some embodiments, the jet axis X' may be angled relative to the axis x″ at an angle β of 1 °, 2 °, 3 °, 4 °, 5 °, 6 °, 7 °, 8 °, 9 °, or 10 °. Similarly, in some embodiments, the jet axis X' may be offset horizontally (along the left-right axis) relative to the axis x″ by an angle equal to the angle β. In some embodiments, the jet axis X' may be offset downward relative to the axis X ", for example, as shown in fig. 11K. In some embodiments, the jet axis X' may be offset downward from the axis x″ by an angle α.

In some embodiments, and as shown in fig. 11D, both the jet axis X 'and the central axis X' "(and/or the proximally facing edge of the impingement member 50) may be positioned at an angle relative to the central axis Z and/or the X" axis. For example, in some embodiments, both the jet axis X 'and the axis X' "of the impingement surface 53 may be positioned at an angle α relative to the central axis Z or at an angle β relative to the axis X". In other embodiments, the X' "axis may be offset by a different angle. In some embodiments, axis X' "may be offset downwardly from axis X" by an angle between 0 ° and 10 °, between 0 ° and 6 °, or between 0 ° and 3 °. In some embodiments, the axis X' "may be offset downward from the axis X" by an angle of 1 °, 2 °, 3 °, 4 °, 5 °, 6 °, 7 °, 8 °, 9 °, or 10 °. The downward angle of the impingement surface 53 may return the redirected fluid (e.g., the flow 29 in the form of a liquid jet) at the same angle relative to the axis x″. For example, if axis X' "were angled downwardly from axis X" at an angle of 3 °, the redirected fluid or jet (e.g., stream 29 in the form of a liquid jet) would return at an angle of 3 ° below axis X "(e.g., downwardly toward transition opening 30). In some embodiments, a maximum amount of the redirected flow (e.g., flow 29 in the form of a liquid jet) may be required to flow over the transition opening 30. Redirecting the stream 29 downward toward the transition opening in the form of a liquid jet may create increased fluid movement and/or more chaotic fluid movement.

In some embodiments, when the impact member 50 has an impact surface 53 in the form of a hemispherical recess as shown in fig. 11D, the fluid jet 20 may return from the side of the impact surface 53 opposite the side on which it impacts when the fluid jet 20 impacts the impact surface 53 at a contact point 72 offset from the center point 71 of its hemispherical recess. In some embodiments, the passage of the fluid jet 20 and its redirected fluid or jet from the impingement member 50 may create relative shear between the fluid jets. In some embodiments, the nozzle 9 may be configured to direct the fluid jet 20 at the impingement surface 53 horizontally offset from its center and return the redirected fluid jet also horizontally offset from its center toward the proximal chamber 60. In some embodiments, it may be beneficial for the fluid jet 20 to impinge on the impingement surface 53 at a point of contact above the Y-axis to redirect the flow 29 in the form of a liquid jet downward toward the transition opening. In some embodiments, at least a portion of the flow 29 in the form of a liquid jet may contact the inner wall of the distal chamber 70.

Although the impingement member 50 is shown in the form of a hemisphere in fig. 11A-11J, in some embodiments, other shapes having a concave impingement surface 53 may be used to form the flow 29 in the form of a liquid jet after impingement of the jet 20 as described herein.

In some embodiments, the redirected fluid (e.g., stream 29 in the form of a liquid jet) may cause fluid movement 24 within distal chamber 70 when flowing over transition opening 30 after impacting impact member 50. In some embodiments, the fluid motion induced in distal chamber 70 as the redirected fluid (e.g., stream 29 in the form of a liquid jet) flows over transition opening 30 may include turbulence, including eddies, gas vortices, and/or annular flow. In some embodiments, the fluid motion 24 induced in the distal chamber 70 when the redirected fluid or jet (e.g., the flow 29 in the form of a liquid jet) flows over the transition opening 30 may be different at different times (e.g., annular flow at a first time and cyclonic flow at a second time) such that the flow profile in the distal chamber 70 may change and/or be chaotic during the treatment procedure. In some embodiments, when the jet 20 impacts or strikes the impact member 50, fluid motion 24 is generated along the impact member 50 (e.g., along one or more curved or angled surfaces, such as the impact surface 53), along an interior surface of the proximal chamber 60, and/or within fluid held in the proximal chamber 60. Further, movement of the jet 20 and/or the liquid stream diverted by the impingement member 50 may cause fluid movement 24 in the proximal chamber 60. In some embodiments, the interaction of the fluid of the jet 20 flowing toward the impingement member 50 with the fluid of the jet after being redirected by the impingement member 50 (e.g., the flow 29 in the form of a liquid jet) may cause fluid movement 24, such as small eddies, turbulence, and/or chaotic flow. In some embodiments, some of the fluid movement 24 within the proximal chamber 60 may propagate into the distal chamber 70 to induce turbulence within the distal chamber 70, for example, by inducing shear stresses in the fluid in the distal chamber 70.

The combination of different types of fluid motion 24 that may be created by propagating and redirecting jet 20 within proximal chamber 60 may create fluid motion 24 within proximal chamber 60 and/or distal chamber 70 that may be turbulent in nature and may rotate about multiple axes, which may increase the chaotic or turbulent nature of the flow and improve therapeutic efficacy. In some embodiments, fluid movement 24 may propagate through the treatment region and may provide a substantial amount of fluid movement that washes undesirable substances (e.g., decaying organic substances) out of the treatment region. The combination of fluid movement 24 and the resulting broadband pressure wave 23 can effectively remove all shapes and sizes of undesirable materials from the large and small spaces, crevices and crevices of the treatment area. In some embodiments, the fluid flow 24 may have sufficient momentum and structure to reach large and small spaces, crevices, and crevices of the treatment area. The fluid motion 24, which may be described as turbulent or unstable, may include small vortices and may be non-repetitive. The arrows in fig. 11D illustrate examples of fluid movements 24 that may occur within the fluid platform 2.

The combination of different types of fluid movements 24 may create an unstable flow such that the fluid flow does not reach a steady state during the course of the therapeutic procedure. Some therapeutic devices may induce fluid movement 24 in the treatment zone that reaches a steady state after a period of time. Stabilizing the flow may reduce the efficacy of the treatment, for example, because the flow vector of the therapeutic fluid is not sufficiently altered to reach a small untreated space that may be located along a nonlinear tubule or other space or slit. Advantageously, the arrangement of the pressure wave/fluid motion generator 10, the impact member 50, the proximal chamber 60 and the distal chamber 70 may cooperate to create an unsteady flow during operation in a therapeutic procedure. Unsteady flow may produce a varying flow direction and/or varying flow vector that increases the probability that the therapeutic fluid will reach a remote area that would otherwise be difficult or impossible to reach with a steady state operating device during a treatment procedure.

In some embodiments, the fluid platform 2 may include one or more vibrating or oscillating members that may be shaped, sized, positioned, and/or otherwise configured to amplify the amplitude of one or more frequencies of pressure waves within the chamber. Further details regarding vibrating or oscillating members are discussed with reference to fig. 18 and 19, which depict examples of vibrating or oscillating members in the form of a paddle 93.

As shown in the embodiments of the fluid platform 2 of fig. 11A-11C-11F, in certain embodiments, the impact member 50 may be a separate piece positionable within the proximal chamber 60. Alternatively, the impact member 50 may be a curved or angled sidewall of the proximal chamber 60 (e.g., the impact member 50 may be integrally or monolithically formed with the wall of the proximal chamber 60).

The fluid platform 2 may also include a discharge or outlet line 4 to deliver waste or effluent to a waste reservoir, which may be located, for example, in the system console 102. The aspiration port 8 or fluid outlet may be exposed to the proximal chamber 60 offset from the central axis Z along the wall of the proximal chamber 60. For example, as shown in fig. 11D, the aspiration port 8 may be disposed along the upper wall of the proximal chamber 60 opposite the transition opening 30. A vacuum pump (not shown) may apply a vacuum force along the outlet line 4 to draw waste or effluent liquid 19 out of the proximal chamber 60 through the suction port 8, along the outlet line 4 and to the waste reservoir. In some embodiments, only one suction port 8 may be provided. In other embodiments, the fluid platform 2 may include a plurality of (e.g., two) suction ports positioned laterally opposite each other. In some embodiments, more than two suction ports may be provided. In some embodiments, aspiration of fluid out of proximal chamber 60 through aspiration port 8 may affect fluid movement 24 in proximal chamber 60. For example, the action of the suction port 8 may transfer at least some of the fluid back over the transition opening 30 after withdrawing the impingement member 50 from the liquid jet 20. In some embodiments, this action of the aspiration port may prevent or reduce stagnation within the fluid in the proximal chamber 60 and/or may facilitate sloshing or chaotic fluid movement as described herein.

As shown in fig. 11C-11D, in some embodiments, the outlet line 4 and the pressurized fluid inlet line 5 may be part of a separate manifold 80 that may be coupled to the body 40 to form the fluid platform 2. The vent 7 may also be positioned in the manifold 80. The body 40 and the manifold 80 may together form the chamber 6. In some embodiments, body 40 and manifold 80 may together form proximal chamber 60 of chamber 6, and body 40 alone may form transition opening 30 and distal chamber 70. The body 40 may include an access port 18, a flange 16, and a sealing cap 3 as described herein.

The impact member 50 may be captured between the manifold 80 and the body 40. For example, the impact member may include an outer flange for securing within the fluid platform 2. The body 40 may be coupled to the manifold 80 by press fitting into the manifold 80. In some embodiments, the body 40 and manifold 80 may form a cavity for holding the impact member 50 in place. Furthermore, in some embodiments, the impact member 50 may be held in place at its rear end by structure of the body 40 (facing the proximal chamber 60) and at its front end by structure of the manifold 80 (facing away from the proximal chamber 60). The impingement member 50 may be metallic, ceramic, or formed of any other suitable material for receiving and redirecting the fluid jet 20.

In addition, as shown in fig. 11D, the proximal chamber 60 and the distal chamber 70 may each be generally cylindrical in shape. The longitudinal axis of the cylindrical proximal chamber 60 (which may be coextensive or parallel with the anterior-posterior axis and/or angled with respect to the jet axis X' in the illustrated embodiment) may extend perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the cylindrical distal chamber 70 (which may be coextensive or parallel with the central axis Z in the illustrated embodiment). As shown in fig. 11D, the proximal chamber 60 and the distal chamber 70 may have different geometries and/or volumes. In the embodiment shown, the impact member 50 is arranged longitudinally along the jet axis X 'beyond the transition opening 30, such that the transition opening 30 is located longitudinally along the jet axis X' between the impact member 50 and the nozzle 9. In some embodiments, the jet length (i.e., the distance between the nozzle and the point of impact) may be between 1mm and 20mm, between 3mm and 10mm, or any other suitable length. In some embodiments, the diameter of proximal chamber 60 may be between 0.1mm and 20mm, between 1mm and 10mm, or any other suitable diameter. In some embodiments, the diameter of distal chamber 70 may be between 0.5mm and 10mm, between 2mm and 5mm, or any other suitable diameter. In some embodiments, the height of the distal chamber 70 may be between 0mm and 20mm, between 0mm and 6mm, or any other suitable height.

As shown in fig. 11D, the proximal chamber 60 may thus have a first interior surface geometry 26a defined by at least walls 28a that extend along the upper, lower, and side surfaces of the proximal chamber 60 and the impact member 50. The distal chamber 70 may have a second interior surface geometry 26b defined at least by a wall 28b extending along a side surface of the distal chamber 70. As shown, the first interior surface geometry 26a and the second interior surface geometry 26b may be different. For example, the first interior surface geometry 26a may include a curved surface (e.g., an approximately cylindrical surface) that extends from the nozzle 9 (or a location distal to the nozzle 9) to the impact surface 53 of the impact member 50 at an angle relative to the jet axis X 'or substantially parallel to the jet axis X'. In contrast, the second interior surface geometry 26b may include a curved surface (e.g., an approximately cylindrical surface) extending distally along the central axis Z. The transition opening 30 may include a discontinuity that provides a non-uniform or abrupt flow transition between the proximal chamber 60 and the distal chamber 70. The discontinuities provided by the transition openings 30 and the different interior surface geometries 26a, 26b may advantageously create an unstable therapeutic fluid flow during operation of the therapeutic device during a therapeutic procedure. The non-uniform transition may include an asymmetric structure or irregularity in the transition region. The transition region may include the transition opening 30 and portions of the proximal and distal chambers 60, 70 adjacent the transition opening 30. The asymmetric structure or irregularity may include one or more offsets, steps, recesses, or any other suitable structure.

In some embodiments, the ratio of the volume of proximal chamber 60 to the volume of distal chamber 70 is between 7:4 and 15:2. In some embodiments, the ratio of the volume of the proximal chamber 60 to the circumference of the transition opening 30 is between 1:150 and 1:20. In some embodiments, the ratio of jet distance to the volume of proximal chamber 60 is between 10:1 and 50:1. In some embodiments, the ratio of jet distance to jet height is between 2:1 and 13:2.

In some embodiments, the fluid platform 2 may include one or more additional fluid inlets, for example, for providing a filler material or a filler material assembly. The additional fluid inlet may be positioned, for example, below the inlet 5 or below the impingement member 50. Additional details regarding embodiments with additional fluid inlets can be found in the entire U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/894,667, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference in its entirety and for all purposes.

Additional details regarding the fluid platform can be found throughout U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/879,093, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference in its entirety and for all purposes.

Fig. 12A-12E show another embodiment of a therapeutic device 1. Specifically, fig. 12A is a top perspective view of a therapeutic device 1 according to one embodiment. Fig. 12B is a bottom perspective view of the therapeutic device 1 of fig. 12A. Fig. 12C is a top perspective exploded view of the therapeutic device of fig. 12A. Fig. 12D is a side cross-sectional view of the therapeutic device of fig. 12A. Fig. 12E is an enlarged bottom cross-sectional view of the fluid platform of the therapeutic device of fig. 12A.

The therapeutic device 1 of fig. 12A-12E may include a handpiece 12 sized and shaped to be grasped by a clinician. The therapeutic device 1 may further comprise a fluid platform 2. As shown in fig. 12A-12E, the fluid platform 2 may be an embodiment of the fluid platform 2 depicted in fig. 11A-J. The fluid platform 2 may be coupled to a distal portion of the handpiece 12. As explained herein, in some embodiments, the fluid platform 2 may be removably connected to the handpiece 12. In other embodiments, the fluid platform 2 may be non-removably attached to the handpiece 12, or may be integrally formed with the handpiece 12. In still other embodiments, the fluid platform 2 may not be coupled to a handpiece, but rather may act as a treatment cap that is adhered (or otherwise coupled or positioned) to the teeth without the use of a handpiece. As shown in fig. 12A-12B, an interface member 14 may be provided at a proximal portion of the handpiece 12, which may be removably coupled to one or more catheters to provide fluid communication between the console 102 and the therapeutic device 1 as described herein.

As shown in fig. 12A, and as described herein, a vent 7 may be provided through a portion of the handpiece 12 to provide fluid communication between the outlet line 4 (which may include one of the at least one conduit 104 and/or a portion of the fluid platform 2 described herein) and ambient air. As explained herein, the vent 7 may be used to regulate pressure in the fluid platform 2 and may improve the safety and efficacy of the therapeutic device 1. As shown in fig. 12B, an access port 18 may be provided at a distal portion of the fluid platform 2 to provide fluid communication between the chamber 6 defined by the fluid platform 2 and the treatment area of the tooth 110. For example, as explained above with respect to fig. 1A, in a root canal cleaning procedure, the sealing cap 3 at the distal portion of the fluid platform 2 may be positioned over the access opening 118 against the tooth 110 to provide fluid communication between the chamber 6 and the interior of the tooth 110 (e.g., the intramedullary canal 111 and the root canal 113). In other embodiments, as explained above with respect to fig. 1B, the sealing cap 3 may be positioned over the carious region at the outer surface 119 of the tooth 110 against the tooth 110 to provide fluid communication between the chamber 6 and the carious region to be treated.

As shown in fig. 12C, the handpiece 12 may include a top housing 33 and a bottom housing 34. The top and bottom shells 33, 34 may be coupled together to form a hand piece body 35. In some embodiments, the top shell 33 and the bottom shell 34 may be removably coupled to each other. In other embodiments, the top and bottom shells 33, 34 may be non-removably attached to each other or integrally formed with each other. The handpiece body 35 can house the inlet 5 and outlet 4 lines of the therapeutic device 1, the communication chip 130 and the fluid platform 2. In some embodiments, at least a portion of the inlet line 5 and/or at least a portion of the outlet line 4 may be formed in the fluid platform 2. In some embodiments, the communication chip may be configured to be programmed with information about the particular handpiece 12 to which the communication chip is coupled. The communication chip 130 may be configured to communicate with a wireless reader. The communication chip 130 may be an RFID chip. Additional examples of communication chips and wireless readers are described by U.S. patent No. 9,504,536, which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety and for all purposes. The handpiece 12 may also include a connector 105 that fluidly connects the outlet line 4 with the console. An interface member 14 may be provided at a proximal portion of the handpiece 12, which may be removably coupled to one or more catheters 104 to provide fluid communication between the console 102 and the therapeutic device 1.

As shown, the fluid platform 2 may include a manifold 80, a body 40, a nozzle 9, an impingement member 50, and a sealing cap 3.

Fig. 12D-12E illustrate the manner in which components of the therapeutic device 1 and the fluid platform 2 may be connected and integrated with each other according to some embodiments. The inlet line 5 may be disposed at the proximal end of a manifold 80 of the fluid platform 2 and may include a nozzle 9 to form a pressure wave generator 10 (which is also referred to herein as a fluid motion generator). The pressure wave generator 10 may be in fluid communication with the chamber 6 of the fluid platform 2. The chamber 6 of the fluid platform 2 may include a proximal chamber 60 and a distal chamber 70 fluidly connected to each other through a transition opening 30. The impingement member 50 may be disposed within a proximal chamber 60 opposite (e.g., distal) the pressure wave generator 10. The outlet line 4 may be fluidly connected to the chamber 6 of the body 40 by a manifold 80 and may be fluidly connected to the vent 7. The distal chamber 70 may be fluidly connected to the treatment area of the tooth 110 via the access port 18 of the body 40. The sealing cap 3 may be coupled to the body 40 by the flange 16, or connected to or formed with the fluid platform 2 as otherwise described herein, may be disposed about the access port 18 and substantially fluidly seal the chamber 6 from the treatment area of the tooth 110, for example, when the clinician presses the sealing cap 3 against the tooth 110. In some embodiments, the handle 12 may include a recess 81 positioned above the vent 7. The recess 81 may be positioned, shaped or otherwise configured to prevent clogging or blockage of the vent 7. For example, in some embodiments, the recess 81 may allow the vent 7 to communicate with the interior of the handle 12 if the portion of the handle 12 above the vent 7 is covered on the distal end of the handle 12, e.g., by a finger. In some embodiments, the recess 81 may provide a ventilation path between the vent 7 and the interior of the handle 12.

The dental treatments disclosed herein can be used with any suitable type of therapeutic fluid, such as a cleaning fluid. During the filling procedure, the therapeutic fluid may include a flowable filler material that may be hardened to fill the treatment area. The therapeutic fluid disclosed herein can be any suitable fluid, including, for example, water, saline, and the like. In some embodiments, the therapeutic fluid may be degassed, which may improve cavitation and/or reduce the presence of bubbles in some treatments. In some embodiments, the dissolved gas content may be less than about 1% by volume. Various chemicals may be added to the treatment solution including, for example, tissue dissolving agents (e.g., naOCl), disinfectants (e.g., chlorhexidine), anesthesia, fluorine therapeutic agents, EDTA, citric acid, and any other suitable chemicals. For example, any other antibacterial, decalcified, disinfectant, mineralized or whitening solution may also be used. The various solutions may be used in combination at the same time or sequentially in appropriate concentrations. In some embodiments, the chemicals and concentrations of the chemicals may be varied throughout the procedure by the clinician and/or system to improve patient outcome.

In some systems and methods, the therapeutic fluid used may include a degassed fluid having a reduced dissolved gas content compared to the normal gas content of the fluid. The use of degassed therapeutic fluids may advantageously improve cleaning efficacy because the presence of bubbles in the fluid may impede the transmission of acoustic energy and reduce the effectiveness of cleaning. In some embodiments, the deaerated fluid has a dissolved gas content that is reduced to about 10% -40% of its normal amount when delivered from the fluid source (e.g., prior to deaeration). In other embodiments, the dissolved gas content of the degassed fluid may be reduced to about 5% -50% or 1% -70% of the normal gas content of the fluid. In some treatments, the dissolved gas content may be less than about 70%, less than about 50%, less than about 40%, less than about 30%, less than about 20%, less than about 10%, less than about 5%, or less than about 1% of the normal gas amount. In some embodiments, the deaeration fluid may be exposed to a particular type of gas, such as ozone, and carry some of the gas (e.g., ozone) into the treatment zone, such as in the form of bubbles. At the treatment zone, the bubbles expose the treatment zone to a gas (e.g., ozone) to further disinfect the zone.

Other examples of fluidic platforms and components

Other examples of fluid platforms, components, and features thereof are described with respect to fig. 13-38, aspects of which may be used, combined, and/or substituted with aspects of embodiments of the therapeutic device 1 and fluid platform 2 described herein. Unless otherwise indicated, the components of fig. 13-38 may be substantially similar or identical to the identically numbered components of fig. 2D-2K, 3A-3H, 4A-4E, 5A-5E, 6A-6B, 7A-7F, 8A-8F, 9A-9B, 10A-10J, and 11A-11J.

Fig. 13 illustrates a top perspective cross-sectional view of the fluid platform 2 according to some embodiments. As shown, in some embodiments, the fluid platform 2 may include a guide tube 91 coupled to and fluidly connected to an inlet line 5 that opens into the chamber 6 of the fluid platform 2. The guide tube 91 may comprise a nozzle 9 for generating the liquid jet 20. The guide tube 91 may extend downwardly (distally) from the upper end of the chamber 6 into the chamber 6. For example, the central axis of the guide tube 91 may be substantially aligned with the up-down axis (e.g., as shown in fig. 11F). In other embodiments, the guide tube 91 may extend into the chamber 6 in other directions. In some embodiments, the fluid platform 2 may include an impact member 50. The impingement member 50 may be positioned within the chamber 6 of the fluid platform 2 as shown in fig. 13 opposite the guide tube 91. The impingement member 50 may be positioned so as to be impinged by the fluid jet 20 from the nozzle 9. In some embodiments, the impact member 50 may be removably coupled to the fluid platform 2 (e.g., attachable to and/or detachable from the fluid platform). In some embodiments, the impact member 50 may be removably coupled to the guide tube 91 (e.g., attachable to and/or detachable from the guide tube). In some embodiments, the impact member 50 may include radially outwardly extending supports that secure the impact member 50 within the chamber 6. In some embodiments, the radially outwardly extending supports of the impingement member 50 may also allow fluid to flow between adjacent supports. In some embodiments, the fluid platform 2 may be formed in three pieces, including a first housing member housing the guide tube 91, the inlet line 5, and the outlet line 4, a second piece forming the chamber 6, and the impingement member 50.

Fig. 14 is a top perspective cross-sectional view of a fluid platform 2 according to some embodiments. The fluid platform 2 may include a manifold 80, a body 40, and a bottom cover 92. In some embodiments, the fluid platform 2 includes an impingement ring 55 having an impingement member 50 adjacent to a proximal chamber 60 formed by the manifold 80 and the body 40. Bottom cap 92 may form distal chamber 70 in fluid communication with proximal chamber 60. In some embodiments, the inner diameter of distal chamber 70 substantially matches the inner diameters of impingement ring 55 and proximal chamber 60. In some embodiments, the inner diameter of the impingement ring may be between 2mm and 5mm, between 3mm and 4mm, 3.5mm or about 3.5mm. In some embodiments, the inner diameter of distal chamber 70 may be between 2mm and 5mm, between 3mm and 4mm, 3.5mm or about 3.5mm. In some embodiments, the proximal chamber 60 may have an inner diameter of between 2mm and 5mm, between 3mm and 4mm, 3.5mm or about 3.5mm.

Fig. 15 is a top perspective cross-sectional view of a fluid platform 2 according to some embodiments. Similar to the embodiment of fig. 14, the fluid platform 2 may include a manifold 80, a body 40, and a bottom cover 92. In some embodiments, the fluid platform 2 includes an impingement ring 55 having an impingement member 50 adjacent to a proximal chamber 60 formed by the manifold 80 and the body 40. Bottom cap 92 may form distal chamber 70 in fluid communication with proximal chamber 60. In some embodiments, the inner diameter of distal chamber 70 substantially matches the inner diameters of impingement ring 55 and proximal chamber 60. In some embodiments, the inner diameter of the impingement ring is between 1.5mm and 4.5mm, between 2.5mm and 3.5mm, 3.0mm or about 3.0mm. In some embodiments, the distal chamber 70 has an inner diameter of between 1.5mm and 4.5mm, between 2.5mm and 3.5mm, 3.0mm or about 3.0mm. In some embodiments, the proximal chamber 60 has an inner diameter of between 1.5mm and 4.5mm, between 2.5mm and 3.5mm, 3.0mm or about 3.0mm.

Fig. 16 is a top perspective cross-sectional view of a fluid platform 2 according to some embodiments. As shown, in some embodiments, the impingement ring 55 of the fluid platform 2 may comprise a thin wall and provide a continuous surface within the fluid platform 2 from the upper side to the lower side of the chamber 6. In some embodiments, the lower end of the impingement ring 55 forms the inlet port 18. In some embodiments, the sealing cap 3 may be disposed between an outer surface of the impact ring 55 and a portion of the body 40. In some embodiments, the configuration of the embodiment shown in fig. 16 may have smaller dimensions and features than other embodiments described herein. In some embodiments, the fluid platform 2 of fig. 16 may be sized to facilitate a seal with the front teeth and/or relatively small teeth.

Fig. 17 is a perspective view of an impingement ring 55 according to some embodiments. As shown, in some embodiments, the impact ring 55 may include an impact member 50. The impact member 50 may extend across a central region of the impact ring. In some embodiments, the impingement member 50 may be disposed above (e.g., above or near) the inlet port 18 of the fluid platform 2 when inside the fluid platform 2. In some embodiments, the impingement member 50 may be spaced apart from an inner wall section of the impingement ring to allow for pumping/evacuating fluid in a region or port 56 of the impingement ring. For example, when the impingement ring 55 is positioned within the fluid platform 2, the suction ports 56 may be in fluid communication with one or more suction ports 8 disposed forward of the impingement element 50 (e.g., between the impingement member 50 and a front inner wall section of the impingement ring). In some embodiments, the impingement ring 55 may include one or more suction ports 56 disposed forward of the impingement element 50. In some embodiments, the impingement member 50 of the impingement ring 55 may be disposed generally above the upper-lower central axis Z of the fluid platform 2 as described herein (e.g., generally above the center upper-lower central axis of the inlet port 18), with the suction port 56 disposed forward of the impingement element 50 and fluidly connected to the inlet port 18.

Fig. 18 is a bottom perspective cross-sectional view of the fluid platform 2 according to some embodiments. In some embodiments, fluid platform 2 may include a divider or flapper 93 disposed within proximal chamber 60 of chamber 6 of fluid platform 2. Flapper 93 may be a substantially planar element attachable to an inner wall (e.g., a posterior inner wall) of proximal chamber 60. In some embodiments, flapper 93 may extend in a substantially forward direction when attached to the rear inner wall. Flapper 93 may extend entirely across proximal chamber 60, or in some embodiments may extend only partially across proximal chamber 60. In some embodiments, flapper 93 may be substantially aligned with a plane formed by the up-down axis and the anterior-posterior axis of fluid platform 2 as described herein. In some embodiments, flapper 93 may be positioned at least partially within the path of the liquid jet from nozzle 9. In other embodiments, flapper 93 may be offset from the path of the liquid jet. In some embodiments, flapper 93 may be rigid. In other embodiments, flapper 93 may be semi-rigid and may move in response to contact of fluid jet 20 with a divider or in response to fluid movement in proximal chamber 60. In some embodiments, flapper 93 may provide for modified fluid movement within proximal chamber 60 of fluid platform 2 (e.g., in response to contact of fluid jet 20 with a divider or contact of a fluid redirected from impact member 50 or otherwise moved within chamber 60 with a divider). In some embodiments, paddle 93 may comprise a sheet of metal (e.g., 0.001 "sheet metal). In some embodiments, the nozzle 9 of the fluidic platform 2 of fig. 18 may have an opening of 68 microns.

In some embodiments, flapper 93 may be a vibrating or oscillating member. Flapper 93 may be configured to oscillate to amplify at least one frequency of the pressure wave within chamber 6. For example, in certain embodiments, the pressure wave may include a frequency range effective to clean a treatment area of the tooth (e.g., root canal). The flapper 93 may be configured (e.g., shaped, sized, positioned, etc.) to amplify the amplitude of at least one frequency within a frequency range effective for cleaning the treatment area. For example, in some embodiments, the flap 93 may be configured to oscillate at a natural frequency corresponding to at least one frequency effective to clean a treatment area of teeth. Amplifying the amplitude of the effective frequency may increase the effectiveness of the pressure wave generated by the fluid platform. In some embodiments, flapper 93 may be configured to oscillate in response to fluid movement in chamber 6 (e.g., fluid movement generated by liquid jet 20 and/or fluid redirected from the impingement member, e.g., in the form of a second liquid jet).

Although a single paddle is shown in fig. 18, some embodiments may include multiple vibrating or oscillating members. In some embodiments, the different oscillating members may be configured to amplify different frequencies of the frequency range of the pressure wave that is effective for cleaning the treatment area. For example, the fluid platform 2 may comprise a plurality of oscillating members having different natural frequencies. The natural frequency of the oscillating member may be adjusted by modifying the shape, size and/or material of the oscillating member to have a desired frequency characteristic.

In some embodiments, the fluid platform 2 may include multiple vibrating or oscillating members having different shapes and/or sizes, which may provide different natural frequencies and/or amplification. In some embodiments, the oscillating member may be cantilevered, tubular, elongate, or any other suitable shape.

In some embodiments, multiple oscillating members may be positioned at different locations exposed to chamber 6. Different positions may affect the amount of amplification provided by the oscillating member. In some embodiments, the oscillating member may be positioned at (e.g., extend from a rear side of) a transition opening between the proximal chamber 60 and the distal chamber 70. In other embodiments, the oscillating member may extend from the rear wall of the proximal chamber 60, the front wall of the proximal chamber 60, the side walls of the proximal chamber 60, the upper wall of the proximal chamber 60, and/or the lower wall of the proximal chamber 60, within the distal chamber 70, or at any other suitable location. Fig. 19 is a bottom perspective cross-sectional view of the fluid platform 2 according to some embodiments. Similar to the embodiment of fig. 18, in some embodiments, the fluid platform 2 may include a divider or flapper 93 disposed within the proximal chamber 60 of the chamber 6 of the fluid platform 2. Flapper 93 may be a substantially planar element attachable to an inner wall (e.g., a posterior inner wall) of proximal chamber 60. In some embodiments, flapper 93 may extend in a substantially forward direction when attached to the rear inner wall. Flapper 93 may extend entirely across proximal chamber 60, or in some embodiments may extend only partially across proximal chamber 60. In some embodiments, flapper 93 may be substantially aligned with a plane formed by the up-down axis and the anterior-posterior axis of fluid platform 2 as described herein. In some embodiments, flapper 93 may be positioned at least partially within the path of the liquid jet from nozzle 9. In other embodiments, flapper 93 may be offset from the path of the liquid jet. In some embodiments, flapper 93 may be rigid. In other embodiments, flapper 93 may be semi-rigid and may move in response to contact of fluid jet 20 with a divider or in response to fluid movement in proximal chamber 60. In some embodiments, flapper 93 may provide for modified fluid movement within proximal chamber 60 of fluid platform 2 (e.g., in response to contact of fluid jet 20 with a divider or contact of a fluid redirected from impact member 50 or otherwise moved within chamber 60 with a divider). In some embodiments, flapper 93 may be formed and/or molded with fluid platform 2. In some embodiments, the nozzle 9 of the fluid platform 2 of fig. 19 may have an opening of 68 microns. As described with respect to fig. 18, in some embodiments, flapper 93 may be an oscillating member.

Fig. 20 is a top perspective cross-sectional view of a fluid platform 2 according to some embodiments. In some embodiments, the fluid platform 2 may include a fluid modifier 94. The fluid modifier 94 may be positioned in the center or central region of the chamber 6 of the fluid platform 2. In some embodiments, the fluid modifier 94 may extend downward within the central region (e.g., from an upper inner wall of the chamber 6, such as from an upper inner surface of the chamber 6). The fluid modifier 94 may include a generally conical shape or taper extending (e.g., downward) within the chamber 6 of the fluid platform 2. In other embodiments, the fluid modifier 94 may be substantially cylindrical in shape. In some embodiments, the fluid modifier 94 may extend downward across at least a portion of the proximal chamber 60 of the fluid platform 2. In some embodiments, the fluid modifier 94 may extend downwardly across the proximal chamber 60 and additionally extend across at least a portion of the distal chamber 70 of the fluid platform 2 as shown. The fluid modifier 94 may be attached to or formed with the fluid platform 2. As shown in fig. 20, in some embodiments, the fluid modifier 94 may include a through-hole or cross-hole positioned to allow the liquid jet 20 from the nozzle 9 to pass substantially through the through-hole. For example, the through-hole may be substantially aligned with the central axis of the nozzle 9 of the fluid platform 2, or with the jet axis of the jet generated by the nozzle 9. In some embodiments of the fluid platform 2 including the fluid modifier 94, the liquid jet 20 may exit the nozzle 9, pass through the through-hole of the fluid modifier 94, and impinge on the impingement member 50. In some embodiments, fluid modifier 94 may modify the fluid motion of fluid platform 2.

Fig. 21 is a bottom perspective view of an impingement ring 55 in a fluid platform according to some embodiments. As shown, in some embodiments, the impact ring 55 with the impact element 50 may include a thin-walled and flexible structure supported at multiple (e.g., 3, 4, or more) contact points within the fluid platform 2. In this configuration, the impingement ring 55 may act like a drum to amplify pressure waves and/or acoustic waves within the fluid platform 2. In addition, the impingement ring 55 may vibrate to amplify and/or transmit pressure waves and/or acoustic waves to the treatment area of the teeth 110.

Fig. 22 is a bottom perspective cross-sectional view of the fluid platform 2 according to some embodiments. As shown in fig. 22, in some embodiments, the fluid platform 2 may include a suction port 8 at a forward end of the proximal chamber 60 of the fluid platform 2 (e.g., at an upper inner wall of the proximal chamber 60). The suction port 8 may be positioned on the side of the chamber opposite the fluid inlet 5. In some embodiments, the suction port 8 may allow waste or effluent fluid from the fluid platform 2 to flow efficiently and reduce tip pressure in this configuration.

Fig. 23 is a bottom perspective cross-sectional view of the fluid platform 2 according to some embodiments. As shown and described herein, in some embodiments, the chamber 6, including the proximal and distal chambers 60, 70 of the fluid platform 2, may include an elliptical cross-sectional shape (e.g., an elliptical shape when the cross-section is taken along a plane formed by the anterior-posterior axis and the left-right axis, as shown with respect to fig. 11F). In some embodiments, only one of the proximal and distal chambers 60, 70 has an elliptical cross-sectional shape. In some embodiments, proximal chamber 60 and distal chamber 70 may each have an elliptical cross-sectional shape that differs from one another (e.g., in size and/or orientation). In some embodiments, the impingement ring 55 may have an elliptical cross-sectional shape. In some embodiments, the oval cross-sectional shape of the impingement ring may substantially match the oval cross-sectional shape of the distal chamber 70. The elliptical cross-sectional shape of proximal chamber 60, distal chamber 70, and/or impingement ring 55 may provide different fluid movement than other shapes. In some embodiments, the proximal and distal chambers 60, 70 of the fluid platform 2 may include any other cross-sectional shape, including oval, teardrop, polygonal, etc.

Fig. 24 is a side cross-sectional view of the bottom cover 92 of the fluid platform 2 according to some embodiments. In some embodiments, bottom cover 92 may define distal chamber 70, as described herein. As shown, the bottom cap 92 may include a proximal opening 96 (e.g., an upper opening), a distal opening 97 (e.g., a lower opening), and a transition 95 disposed between the proximal opening 96 and the distal opening 97, all in fluid communication with each other. The proximal opening, distal opening, and transition 95 may define a distal chamber 70. As shown, the proximal opening 96 may have a cross-sectional area that is different (e.g., larger) than the cross-sectional area of the distal opening 97, wherein the change in cross-sectional area occurs across the transition 95. In some embodiments, the transition 97 may taper between the proximal opening 96 and the distal opening 97. In some embodiments, the proximal opening 96 may be between 2mm and 6mm, between 3mm and 5mm, 4mm or about 4mm, and the distal opening 97 may be between 1mm and 5mm, between 2mm and 4mm, 3mm or about 3mm. In some embodiments, the bottom cover 92 may include an access opening 18 as described herein. In some embodiments, the bottom cover 92 may include a flange 16 as described herein. The embodiment of fig. 24 may be coupled to a proximal chamber 60 (e.g., coupled to a body 40 having a proximal chamber 60) having a larger (e.g., 4 mm) transition opening 30 to allow the use of a larger proximal chamber to treat teeth having a smaller access opening 18 (e.g., 3 mm).

Fig. 25 is a top perspective view of an impingement ring 55 according to some embodiments. As shown, the impingement ring 55 may be a unitary piece including the chamber 6 and the suction port 8. In some embodiments, the impingement ring 55 may be molded or machined as a single piece. In some embodiments, the chamber 6 within the impingement ring 55 may have an inner cross-sectional diameter of between 2mm and 6mm, between 3mm and 5mm, 4mm or about 4 mm.

Fig. 26 is a bottom perspective cross-sectional view of the fluid platform 2 according to some embodiments. As shown and described herein, in some embodiments, the chamber 6 of the fluid platform 2 may have a polygonal cross-sectional shape and/or a non-circular and/or non-elliptical cross-sectional shape (e.g., a polygonal shape when the cross-section is taken along a plane formed by the anterior-posterior axis and the left-right axis, as shown with respect to fig. 11F). In some embodiments, one or both of the proximal and distal chambers 60, 70 may have a polygonal cross-sectional shape and/or a non-circular or non-elliptical cross-sectional shape. Furthermore, in some embodiments, the impingement ring 55 may have a polygonal and/or non-circular cross-sectional shape. For example, the inner wall of the proximal chamber 60, the inner wall of the distal chamber 70, and/or the inner surface of the impingement ring 55 may comprise polygonal segments comprising planar surfaces connected by edges. The inner cross-sectional shape of proximal chamber 60, impingement ring 55, and/or distal chamber 60 may be square, hexagonal, or any other polygonal shape, or include segments that are square, hexagonal, and/or any other polygonal shape. In some embodiments, the inner wall of the proximal chamber 60, the inner wall of the distal chamber 70, and/or the inner surface of the impingement ring 55 may have polygonal shapes that are different from one another.

Fig. 27 is a top perspective cross-sectional view of a fluid platform 2 according to some embodiments. As shown in fig. 27, in some embodiments, the impingement ring 55 (or the side wall of the chamber 6) may be formed as a continuous structure that extends from top to bottom within the fluid platform 2 and forms a proximal chamber 60 and a distal chamber 70 that are in fluid communication with each other. As shown in fig. 27, in some embodiments, the impingement ring 55 (or the side wall of the chamber 6) may include a variable cross-sectional area (e.g., for a cross-section taken along a plane formed by the front-rear axis and the left-right axis, as shown with respect to fig. 11F). In some embodiments, the impingement ring 55 (or the side wall of the chamber 6) may include a larger cross-sectional area for forming the proximal chamber 60 (e.g., for a cross-section taken along a plane formed by the anterior-posterior axis and the left-right axis, as shown with respect to fig. 11F) and a smaller cross-sectional area for forming the distal chamber 70. In some embodiments, the lower end of the impingement ring 55 (or the sidewall of the chamber 6) forms the inlet port 18. Furthermore, as shown and in some embodiments, the sealing cap 3 may be disposed between an outer surface of the impingement ring 55 (or a sidewall of the chamber 6) and a portion of the bottom cover 92, wherein the sidewall of the impingement ring 55 (or the sidewall of the chamber 6) forms the access port 18. In some embodiments, the impingement ring 50 (or the sidewall of the chamber 6) may include a tapered (and/or funnel-shaped) region at the boundary between the proximal chamber 60 and the distal chamber 70. A transition opening (e.g., transition opening 30 described herein) may be positioned within the transition zone.

Fig. 28 is a bottom perspective cross-sectional view of the fluid platform 2 according to some embodiments. As shown in fig. 28, in some embodiments, the impingement ring 55 of the fluid platform 2 may include impingement members 50 that may be disposed over (e.g., over) the transition opening and/or the access port 18 of the fluid platform 2 when inside the fluid platform 2. In some embodiments, the impingement member 50 may be in the form of a baffle extending over the transition opening and/or the entry port. In some embodiments, the impingement ring 55 may include a suction port or region 56 disposed forward of the impingement member 50. The impingement member 50 may separate the proximal chamber 60 from the suction port 56. In some embodiments, aspiration port 56 may be in fluid communication with aspiration port 8 of fluid platform 2 at one end (e.g., upper as shown) and with distal chamber 70 of fluid platform 2 at the other end (e.g., lower as shown). In this configuration, fluid discharge may be separated from proximal chamber 60 and occur closer to teeth 110 and their treatment area. In some embodiments, the impingement ring 55 may be as described with respect to the impingement ring 55 of FIG. 17.

Fig. 29 is a bottom perspective view of the bottom cover 92 according to some embodiments. As shown, in some embodiments, the bottom cover 92 may include a relatively compact structure in the lower-upper axis and be compatible with a sealing cap 3 (not shown) having a similar compact scale. In this configuration, and when coupled to the fluid platform 2 as described herein, the more compact structure of the bottom cap 92 may allow the fluid jet 20 generated by the fluid platform 2 to be closer to the treatment area of the tooth 110.

Fig. 30 is a bottom perspective cross-sectional view of the fluid platform 2 according to some embodiments. As shown, in some embodiments, the impingement ring 55 of the fluid platform 2 may include a suction region or port 56 disposed on its right side and/or its left side (left side, not shown in this cross-sectional view) that is in fluid communication with the suction port 8 of the fluid platform 2 at one end (e.g., above, not shown in this cross-sectional view) and in fluid connection with the distal chamber 70 of the fluid platform 2 at the other end (e.g., below). Further, as shown, in some embodiments, the proximal chamber 60 may include one or more additional aspiration ports 8 disposed above (and, in some embodiments, forward of) the inner wall of the proximal chamber 60. The front port 8 in the proximal chamber 60 may help to create a lower tip pressure. Aspiration port 56 may be separated from chamber 60 by a partition or wall and may have a lower end positioned to aspirate waste or fluid from distal chamber 70. In this configuration, the fluid flow in the proximal chamber 60 of the combined fluid platform 2 may be at least partially separated from the waste or effluent fluid flow.

Fig. 31 is a bottom perspective cross-sectional view of the fluid platform 2 according to some embodiments. As shown in fig. 31, in some embodiments, the central axis of the inlet line 5 of the fluid platform 2 may be angled (e.g., inclined upward) relative to the anterior-posterior axis of the fluid platform 2, thus producing, in use, a fluid jet 20 that may travel across the proximal chamber 60 at an angle (e.g., inclined upward) relative to the anterior-posterior axis of the fluid platform 2. Similar to fig. 30, the fluid platform 2 as shown in fig. 21 may include an impingement ring 55 having side suction ports 56, and suction ports 8 disposed at the upper and front inner walls of the proximal chamber 60. In some embodiments, similar to fig. 29, the fluid platform 2 may include a relatively compact bottom cover 92.

Fig. 32 is a bottom perspective cross-sectional view of the fluid platform 2 according to some embodiments. As shown in fig. 32, in some embodiments, the fluid platform 2 may include a unitary molded body having an impact ring 55 with an impact member 50 disposed within the unitary molded body. In some embodiments, the impingement ring 55 may be machined and/or formed from thick-walled tubing and may extend from top to bottom across the fluid platform 2 to form the chamber 6. In some embodiments, the lower end of the impingement ring 55 may form the inlet port 18. In some embodiments, an integrally molded body of the fluid platform 2 may be molded over the impact ring 55. In some embodiments, the molded body of the fluid platform 2 may include a sealing cap 3 or a compact sealing cap 3 as described herein.

Fig. 33 is a bottom perspective cross-sectional view of the fluid platform 2 according to some embodiments. In some embodiments, the fluid platform 2 may include a substantially spherical outer surface. In some embodiments, the fluid platform 2 is configured to swivel relative to the handpiece 12 of the therapeutic device 1. The fluid platform may be configured to align with the treatment zone (and/or the platform 405 as described herein) independent of the position of the handpiece 12. In this configuration, an O-ring seal may be used to form a seal at the inlet line 5 and accommodate any movement of the fluid platform 2 relative to the handpiece 12.

Fig. 34 is a bottom perspective cross-sectional view of the fluid platform 2 according to some embodiments. As shown, in some embodiments, the sealing cap 3 of the fluid platform 2 may be in the form of a suction cup. For example, the sealing cap may have an outwardly flared cone shape. In this configuration, the sealing cap 3 may accommodate any misalignment between the fluid platform 2 and the treatment zone (and/or the platform 405 as described herein).

Fig. 35 is a bottom perspective cross-sectional view of the fluid platform 2 according to some embodiments. As shown in fig. 35, in some embodiments, the central axis of the inlet line 5 may open into the chamber 6 of the fluid platform 2 offset from the front-to-rear axis of the fluid platform 2. In some embodiments, the central axis of the inlet line 5 may be tangential to the chamber 6. In some embodiments, the central axis of the inlet line 5 may be positioned at an angle relative to the front-rear, lower-upper, and/or left-right axes of the fluid platform 2.

Fig. 36 is a bottom perspective cross-sectional view of the fluid platform 2 according to some embodiments. As shown in fig. 36, in some embodiments, the central axis of the inlet line 5 may open into the chamber 6 of the fluid platform 2 offset from the front-to-rear axis of the fluid platform 2. In some embodiments, the central axis of the inlet line 5 may be tangential to the chamber 6. In some embodiments, the central axis of the inlet line 5 may be positioned at an angle relative to the front-rear, lower-upper, and/or left-right axes of the fluid platform 2. In some embodiments, the fluid platform 2 may include a flapper 93. Flap 93 may extend at least partially across the center of chamber 6 from the rear side of chamber 6 (e.g., along a plane formed by the lower-upper axis and the anterior-posterior axis). Flapper 93 may be configured to modify the movement of fluid within chamber 6.

Fig. 37 is a bottom perspective cross-sectional view of the fluid platform 2 according to some embodiments. As shown in fig. 37, in some embodiments, the fluid platform 2 may include a channel or tunnel 98 fluidly connected to the proximal chamber 60 of the fluid platform 2 and extending from the inlet line 5 to the proximal chamber. In some embodiments, the channel 98 may extend along an axis that is coextensive with the jet axis of the jet produced by the nozzle 9. As shown in fig. 37, the channel 98 may shield at least a portion of the fluid jet 20 generated by the nozzle 9 until the fluid jet 20 impinges on the impingement member 50. In some embodiments, the suction port 8 of the fluid platform 2 may be separated from at least a portion of the fluid jet 20 by a channel 98.

Fig. 38 is a bottom perspective cross-sectional view of the fluid platform 2 according to some embodiments. As shown, in some embodiments, the inlet line 5 of the fluid platform 2 may extend into the proximal chamber 60 of the fluid platform 2 beyond the inner surface of the distal chamber 70 of the fluid platform 2 (e.g., relative to the up-down axis of the fluid platform 2). In some embodiments, the inlet line 5 may extend at least partially over a transition opening between the proximal chamber 60 and the distal chamber 70. In some embodiments, the fluid platform 2 may include one or more suction ports 8 disposed at a location on the upper inner wall of the proximal chamber 60 forward of the forward end of the inlet line 5.

Examples of models for use with therapeutic devices

39A-41I disclose various embodiments related to a model 300. The mold 300 may be used in conjunction with a sealant material or conformable material 400 as described herein to facilitate cleaning and/or filling of the treatment area of the tooth 110. In some embodiments, the model 300 may be an applicator for applying the conformable material 400 to teeth to form a platform 405 on the teeth, as described in further detail herein. In some embodiments, the mold 300 is a frame, scaffold, or mold for forming the platform 405 from the conformable material 400. In some embodiments, the model 300 may be used to form a platform 405 of the conformable material 400 on a tooth without the need to attach a tooth cap or other hardware to the tooth. The platform 405 may be used to support a therapeutic instrument (e.g., the fluid platform 2 supporting the therapeutic instrument 1) during a therapeutic procedure.

Fig. 39A includes three-dimensional coordinate axes indicating upper (S), lower (I), front (a), rear (P), left (L), and right (R) directions. As shown in fig. 39A, the right direction R is directed generally inward of the page, and the left direction L is directed generally outward of the page. These directions are provided for reference only to provide examples of the relative positions of aspects of the model 300 and may not reflect the particular anatomical position of the model 300 when in use.

Fig. 39A is a top perspective view of a mold 300, and fig. 39B is a bottom perspective view of the mold, according to some embodiments. In some embodiments, the mold 300 may include a handle 310, an upper rim or ledge 320, a lower rim or ledge 330, and a pin 340.

In some embodiments, handle 310 may include a handle top 312. The handle top 312 may be disposed at an upper end of the handle 310. The handle 310 may be in the form of a generally longitudinal structure extending along an up-down axis. In some embodiments, the lower end of the handle 310 may be connected to the upper surface 322 of the upper rim 320 at the center of the upper surface 322.

In some embodiments, upper edge 320 may include an upper surface 322 and a lower surface 324. The upper rim may be positioned below (below or distal to) handle 312. In some embodiments, the upper rim 320 may be disk-shaped or substantially disk-shaped. The upper rim 320 may have a circular cross-section in a plane formed by right-left and front-rear planes and a height or thickness along the upper-lower axis.

In some embodiments, the lower edge 330 may include a lower surface 334. The lower edge 330 may be positioned below (below or distal) the upper edge 320. The lower rim 330 may be disk-shaped or substantially disk-shaped. The lower rim 330 may have a circular cross-section in a plane formed by right-left and front-rear planes and a height or thickness along the upper-lower axis. In some embodiments, the lower edge 330 may be concentric with the upper edge 320. As shown in fig. 39A and 39B, in some embodiments, the lower edge 330 may have a smaller width (e.g., smaller cross-section or smaller diameter) than the upper edge 320. For example, the outer edge 360 of the upper rim 320 may extend beyond the outer edge 361 of the lower rim 330. The lower edge 330 may be connected at its upper end to the lower surface 324 of the upper edge 320. In some embodiments, the lower edge 330 and the upper edge 320 may be used to form the land 405 from the conformable material 400. As further described herein, the shape of the lower edge 330 and the upper edge 320 may form a corresponding shape of the land 405. For example, in some embodiments, the conformable material 400 may be applied to the mold 300 on the lower surface 324 of the upper rim 320 and the lower surface 334 of the lower rim 330, and may take on corresponding shapes. An example of a conformable material 400 applied to the mold 300 is shown in fig. 42D. The shaped conformable material 400 may then be applied to teeth using the model 300 to form a platform 405, as described in further detail herein, for example, as shown in fig. 42E.

The pin 340 may extend downwardly (distally) from the lower rim 320. In some embodiments, the pin 340 may be in the form of a generally longitudinal structure extending along an up-down axis. In some embodiments, the pins 340 may form access openings with corresponding shapes within the platform 405. The access opening may allow a portion of the therapeutic device to access the treatment area of the tooth. The access opening may allow fluid communication between the therapeutic appliance and the treatment area of the tooth. In some embodiments, the pin 340 may taper in a downward (distal) direction. In some embodiments, the pin 340 may have a tapered shape to facilitate removal from the land 405 after the land 405 is formed.

As shown in fig. 39E, in some embodiments, the mold 300 may include a channel 350 in the form of a through-hole extending through the mold from an upper end to a lower end (e.g., along an up-down axis or central axis of the mold 300). In some embodiments, the channel 350 may have a constant cross-sectional area. In some embodiments, the channel 350 may have a variable cross-sectional area, for example, with a cross-sectional area that increases in an upward direction. In some embodiments, the channel 350 may act as a ventilation channel or release channel to prevent build-up of pressure within the teeth during formation of the platform 405, as discussed in further detail herein.

In some embodiments, and as shown in fig. 39A-39B, the handle top 312 may be elongated along the anterior-posterior axis. In some embodiments, the elongated handle top 312 may facilitate the clinician's handling of the model 300. In some embodiments, the handle 310 may include a circumferential ridge and/or other protrusions to facilitate grasping of the handle 310 by a clinician.

Fig. 39C is a front view of the mold 300 shown in fig. 39A-39B, fig. 39D is a side view of the mold, fig. 39F is a top view of the mold, fig. 39G is a bottom view of the mold, fig. 39H is a rear view of the mold, and fig. 39I is a second side view of the opposite side of fig. 39D showing the mold. As shown in fig. 39C-39D and 39H-39I, in some embodiments, outer edges 360 and 361 may include radially outward-facing surfaces that taper in a downward direction. The taper in the outer edge 360 of the upper rim 320 and the outer edge 361 of the lower rim 330 may facilitate removal of the mold 300 after use to create the platform 405 from the conformable material 400 as further described herein. As shown in fig. 39C-39D and 39F-39G, the elements comprising model 300 may share a common upper-lower central axis.

Fig. 40A is a top perspective view of a mold 300, and fig. 40B is a top perspective cross-sectional view of the mold, according to some embodiments. Fig. 40C is a bottom perspective view of the mold 300 of fig. 40A, fig. 40D is a front view of the mold, fig. 40E is a side view of the mold, fig. 40F is a top view of the mold, fig. 40G is a bottom view of the mold, fig. 40H is a rear view of the mold, and fig. 40I is a second side view of the opposite side of fig. 40E showing the mold. As shown, in some embodiments, the mold 300 may include a recess 314 in the shank top 312. The recess 314 may extend downwardly from an upper surface of the handle top 312 and extend across the width of the handle top 312. The recess 314 may extend transverse (e.g., perpendicular) to a central axis of the mold 300 or a central axis of the channel 350. In some embodiments, the recess 314 may be fluidly connected to the channel 350, as shown in fig. 40A. In some embodiments, the recess 314 may act as a vent to prevent pressure build-up in the teeth during formation of the platform 405. For example, the recess 314 may allow ventilation in a lateral direction relative to the central axis of the mold. For example, if the top surface of the handle top 312 is blocked when the handle 310 is grasped by a clinician, thereby preventing ventilation in an upward direction, air may flow through the recess 314 to reduce pressure in the teeth. In some embodiments, the recess 314 may form a continuous fluid connection between the atmosphere and the channel 350 even when the handle 310 is gripped by a clinician.

Fig. 41A is a top perspective view of a mold 300, and fig. 41B is a top perspective cross-sectional view of the mold, according to some embodiments. Fig. 41C is a bottom perspective view of the mold 300 of fig. 41A, fig. 41D is a front view of the mold, fig. 41E is a side view of the mold, fig. 41F is a top view of the mold, fig. 41G is a bottom view of the mold, fig. 41H is a rear view of the mold, and fig. 41I is a second side view of the opposite side of fig. 41E showing the mold.

41A-B, in some embodiments, the mold 300 can include a channel 316 extending through the handle top 312. The channel 316 may extend in the form of a through hole through the width of the shank top 312. In some embodiments, the handle top 312 may intersect the upper-lower central axis of the model 300. In some embodiments, the channel 316 may extend transverse (e.g., perpendicular) to the central axis of the model 300 or the central axis of the channel 350. In some embodiments, the channel 316 may be disposed at the geometric center of the handle top 312 when viewed from its side (e.g., where the left-right axis coincides with the line of sight). In some embodiments, channel 316 may be fluidly connected to channel 350 of model 300. In some embodiments, channel 316 may extend across the center of channel 350. In some embodiments, the channel 316 may act as a vent to prevent pressure build-up in the teeth during formation of the platform 405. For example, the channels 316 may allow ventilation in a lateral direction relative to the central axis of the mold. For example, if the upper end of the channel 350 at the top surface of the handle top 312 is blocked when the handle 310 is grasped by a clinician, thereby preventing ventilation in an upward direction, air may flow through the channel 316 to reduce pressure in the teeth. In some embodiments, channel 316 may form a continuous fluid connection between the atmosphere and channel 350 even when handle 310 is gripped by a clinician. In some embodiments, the channel 316 may be shaped, sized, and/or otherwise configured to receive a tool for removing the mold 300 after the platform 405 is formed.

Exemplary procedure for treating teeth Using therapeutic instruments, liquid platforms, models, and sealants

Fig. 42A-42H disclose various aspects of a process for treating teeth 110. As described below, in some embodiments, the process includes forming the platform 405 using the model 300 and treating the teeth using the treatment apparatus 1 after forming the platform 405.

Referring to fig. 42A, in some embodiments, a clinician may remove caries and defect restoration from tooth 110. In some embodiments, the clinician may restore the missing tooth structure. For example, the clinician may temporarily restore the tooth structure (e.g., the outer surface 119 of the tooth 110 in fig. 42A) using the sealant material or conformable material 400. The conformable material 400 may include a conformable photocurable resin, such as fromIs->Conformal photocurable resins.

Referring to fig. 42B, the clinician may prepare the pulp entry opening 118. In some embodiments, the practitioner may prepare the access opening 118 to allow unrestricted conservative straight line access to the tooth 110. For example, the clinician may form the pulp entry opening 118 of a minimum opening size (e.g., diameter) according to standard pulp practice. For example, if a premolars tooth is being treated, the clinician may create an endodontic entry opening 118 with a minimum diameter of 1.5 mm. As another example, if a molar is being treated, the clinician may create an endodontic entry opening 118 having a minimum diameter of between 2.7mm and 3.0 mm. In some embodiments, as shown in fig. 42B, after forming the pulp entry opening 118, a clinician may trial fit an appropriately sized model 300 as described herein with the pulp entry opening 118. For example, if a premolars tooth is being treated, the clinician may test that the first 2mm of pin 340 of model 300 may be inserted into pulp entry opening 118. As another example, if a molar is being treated, the clinician may test that the entire pin 340 of the model 300 may be inserted into the pulp entry opening 118. In either instance, the clinician may ensure that there is no interference between the model 300 and the patient anatomy or the rubber dam clamp (if present). The clinician may also position each tube hole within the root 112 of the tooth 110 and ensure that all of the medullary stone or other obstruction of each tube is removed to ensure that a clear fluid path exists from the pulp entry opening 118 through the pulp cavity 111 to the apex 114.

The clinician may use the Apex locator to turn to the label "Apex" (holophobic) and label the length, or estimate the tube length by using pre-operative CBCT. The program working length of the system 100 may be set to 1.0mm, without reaching the tube length measurement. For teeth with a particular anatomy, the working length of the system 100 may be set to 2.0mm, without reaching the tube length measurement. If the treatment procedure is a re-treatment, in some embodiments, the clinician may ensure that the filling material and/or solvent are removed and a larger instrument size may be used.

Referring to fig. 42C, the clinician may clean the entire tooth 110, and in some embodiments, may additionally clean any adjacent teeth 110', including the occlusal surfaces thereof. The clinician may use isopropyl alcohol for cleaning and then air-dry the teeth. In some embodiments, the clinician may inject the conformable material 400 into the interproximal surfaces of the teeth (e.g., between the outer surfaces 119) and fully cure the sealant.

42D-42F, a sub-process for forming the land 405 is described. In some embodiments, the clinician may apply (e.g., inject) the conformable material 400 onto the inverted model 300. As shown in fig. 42D, a conformable material may be applied upward to the upper rim 320, covering the lower surface 334 of the lower rim 330, the outward radial edge 361 of the lower rim 330, the lower surface 324 of the upper rim, and extending around a portion of the pin 340. The conformable material 400 may be applied such that the distal ends of the pins 340 extend distally beyond the conformable material 400. The clinician may then place model 300 on tooth 110 with sealant 400 in an uncured state, with pin 340 inserted into pulp entry opening 118. For example, for premolars, the clinician may place model 300 to ensure that the first 2mm of pin 240 may be inserted into pulp entry cavity 118. As another example, for molar teeth, the clinician may place the model 300 so as to ensure that the lower surface 334 of the lower rim 330 contacts the highest peaked/occlusal surface of the tooth 110, and that the lower surface 334 remains substantially parallel to the bottom surface of the intramedullary cavity 111 and substantially perpendicular to the walls of the intramedullary cavity 111. With the mold 300 with the encapsulant 400 in place, the clinician may then cure the conformable material 400 (e.g., by photo-curing) until the conformable material is fully cured. In embodiments where the mold 300 has channels 350, the channels 350 may act as release channels for air and prevent voids from forming within the conformable material 400 upon curing. In some procedures, where the teeth do not have a ventilation path, application of the platform 405 may cause an increase in pressure within the teeth, thereby creating a void within the conformable material 400. The channel 350 and/or recess 314 or channel 316 may allow pressure to be released from the tooth without creating voids in the conformable material.

Fig. 42E shows the platform 405 on the cured tooth 110 formed from the model 300. As shown, the land 405 may include features that correspond to or are substantially mirror images of (e.g., form a reverse side of) the features of the mold 300, such as a surface 420 that corresponds to the lower surface 334 of the mold 300, a ridge wall 432 that corresponds to the outer edge 361 of the lower rim 330, a ridge surface 434 that corresponds to the lower surface 324 of the mold 300, and an access opening 410 that corresponds to the exterior shape of a portion of the pin 340 of the mold 300. Together, the ridge wall 432 and the ridge surface 434 of the land 405 may include a ridge 430, wherein the ridge surface 434 is offset from the surface 420 of the land 405 (e.g., raised above the surface 420 as oriented in fig. 40E). Because pin 340 is positioned within pulp entry opening 118 during curing of platform 405, entry opening 410 of platform 405 may be in fluid communication with pulp entry opening 118 of tooth 110, as shown in fig. 42E. In some embodiments, after removing the mold 300, the clinician may re-enter the access opening 410 by reforming the access opening 410 of the platform (e.g., by removing the cured sealant) to increase the size of the access opening 410 and/or to change the shape of the access opening 410 (e.g., to substantially match and/or form a smooth transition with the pulp access opening 118). An example of a re-entry access opening 410 is shown in fig. 42F.

Referring to fig. 42G, after the platform 405 has been formed on the tooth 110, the platform 405 may receive a therapeutic instrument, such as therapeutic instrument 1. For example, the fluid platform 2 of the therapeutic device 1 may be positioned on the surface 420 of the platform 405 within the ridge 430. Ridge 430 may assist in positioning fluid platform 2 at the center of the platform. Ridge 42 may also limit or prevent movement (e.g., left-right and back-and-forth movement) of the therapeutic device along surface 420 of the platform. For example, ridge 430 may prevent movement beyond 0.010in.

In some embodiments, as shown in the insert of fig. 42G, the bottom cap 92 of the fluid platform 2 may be placed within the ridge 430 and adjacent the ridge wall 432 of the platform 405. In some embodiments, fluid platform 2 may include transparent and/or translucent materials such that at least a portion of fluid platform 2 is visible to a clinician and visually aligns fluid platform 2 with pulp entry opening 118. In some embodiments, the clinician may place the fluid platform 2 in the center of the platform 405 and lie substantially flat against the surface 420 of the platform 405. With this alignment between the fluid platform 2 and the platform 405, the clinician may gently press the fluid platform 2 against the platform 405 until fully engaged with the platform 405. In some embodiments (not shown), during engagement, the sealing cap 3 may form a seal with the surface 420 of the platform 405, and the access port 18 of the fluid platform 2 may be fluidly coupled to the access opening 410 of the platform 405, the pulp access opening 118 of the tooth 110, and the treatment area of the tooth 110.

Upon engagement of the fluid platform 2 with the platform 405, the clinician may begin the procedure. The clinician may ensure that any conduits 104 and/or tubing are not tangled or restricted. The clinician may prepare the console 102 of the system 100 and press the foot pedal of the console, which may control the delivery of the program fluid. The procedure may be paused by releasing the foot pedal. While pressing the foot pedal of the console, the clinician may ensure that the fluid platform 2 remains properly seated on the platform 405 to maintain a fluid seal between the fluid platform 2, the access opening 410 of the platform 405, the pulp access opening 118, and thus the treatment area of the tooth 110.

Referring to fig. 42H, in some embodiments, the clinician may monitor the procedure by visual and/or audible cues that indicate that a seal has been created, or conversely, that a seal has been lost. In some embodiments, the fluid platform 2 may include one or more transparent or translucent windows or sections. For example, at least a portion of the fluid platform 2 may be formed of a transparent or translucent material. For example, in some embodiments, as shown in fig. 42H, the upper surface of the fluid platform 2 may include a transparent or translucent window. In some embodiments, the clinician may monitor a transparent or translucent window or section to monitor for the presence of bubbles. In some embodiments, bubble-free fluidic platform 2 may indicate a good seal. Conversely, in some embodiments, a fluid platform 2 with a flow-through bubble may indicate a loss of seal. For audible cues, there may be a significant audible change between sealing and loss of sealing, which may be associated with the visual cues described above. If the seal is lost during the procedure, the clinician may attempt to regain the seal by slightly adjusting the position of his hand and thus the position of the fluid platform 2 relative to the platform 405. After the adjustment has been made, the clinician may wait 1-3 seconds to allow any bubble removal and audible tone change, indicating a good seal. The clinician may complete the procedure and proceed with a standard post-pulp cleaning procedure, including removing the platform 405.

While the exemplary procedure described with respect to fig. 42A-42H has been given for root canal procedures, the procedure may be readily adapted for treating dental surface caries or other dental surface defects as described herein.

Reference throughout this specification to "some embodiments" or "an embodiment" means that a particular feature, structure, element, act, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment. Thus, the appearances of the phrases "in some embodiments" or "in embodiments" in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment, and may refer to one or more of the same or different embodiments. Furthermore, the particular features, structures, elements, acts, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner, including in a manner different from that shown or described in other embodiments. Furthermore, the features, structures, elements, acts, or characteristics may be combined, rearranged, reordered, or omitted entirely in various embodiments. Thus, no single feature, structure, element, act, or characteristic, or group of features, structures, elements, acts, or characteristics, is required for each embodiment. All possible combinations and sub-combinations are intended to fall within the scope of the present disclosure.

As used in this application, the terms "comprising," "including," "having," and the like are synonymous and are used inclusively in an open-ended fashion and do not exclude additional elements, features, acts, operations, etc. In addition, the term "or" is used in its inclusive sense (rather than in its exclusive sense) such that when used in, for example, a list of connected elements, the term "or" means one, some, or all of the elements in the list.

Similarly, it should be appreciated that in the foregoing description of embodiments, various features are sometimes grouped together in a single embodiment, figure, or description thereof for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure and aiding in the understanding of one or more of the various inventive aspects. This method of disclosure, however, is not to be interpreted as reflecting an intention that any claim requires more features than are expressly recited in the claim. Rather, aspects of the invention are presented in terms of combinations of less than all of the features of any single previously disclosed embodiment.

The foregoing description sets forth various exemplary embodiments and other illustrative but non-limiting embodiments of the invention disclosed herein. The description provides details regarding the combinations, modes and uses of the disclosed invention. Other variations, combinations, modifications, equivalents, modes, uses, implementations, and/or applications of the disclosed embodiments are within the scope of the disclosure, including those that become apparent to those of skill in the art upon reading the present specification. In addition, certain objects and advantages of the present invention are described herein. It is to be understood that not necessarily all such objects or advantages may be achieved in any particular embodiment. Thus, for example, those skilled in the art will recognize that the invention may be embodied or carried out in a manner that achieves or optimizes one advantage or group of advantages as taught herein without necessarily achieving other objects or advantages as may be taught or suggested herein. Furthermore, in any method or process disclosed herein, the acts or operations comprising the method or process may be performed in any suitable order and are not necessarily limited to any particular disclosed order.

Claims (359)

1. An apparatus for treating teeth, the apparatus comprising:

a proximal chamber;

a distal chamber disposed distally of the proximal chamber and in fluid communication with the proximal chamber through a transition opening, the distal chamber having an access opening separate from and disposed distally of the transition opening to provide fluid communication between a treatment area of the tooth and the distal chamber;

a liquid supply port arranged to direct a liquid flow into the proximal chamber and over at least a portion of the transition opening; and

an impingement member disposed within the path of the liquid flow, the impingement member having one or more surfaces positioned to redirect at least a portion of the liquid flow across at least a portion of the transition opening.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the impingement member has a lateral width that is not wider than a lateral dimension of the transition opening.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the distal chamber has a cross-sectional area at least substantially equal to an area of the transition opening.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising one or more flow disrupters positioned within the proximal chamber.

5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the one or more flow disrupters comprise one or more curved or angled protrusions extending from an inner surface of the proximal chamber.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the liquid supply port and the impingement member are arranged relative to one another to create turbulence of liquid within the treatment zone during a course of a treatment procedure.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the proximal chamber has a first interior surface geometry and the distal chamber has a second interior surface geometry different from the first interior surface geometry.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a non-uniform transition between the proximal chamber and the distal chamber.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein a ratio of a volume of the proximal chamber to a volume of the distal chamber is between 7:4 and 15:2.

10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein a ratio of a volume of the proximal chamber to a circumference of the transition opening is at 1in ³ 150in and 1in ³ Between 20 in.

11. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the liquid flow comprises a jet, and a ratio of jet distance to volume of the proximal chamber is at 10in:1in ³ And 50in:1in ³ Between them.

12. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the liquid stream comprises a jet and the ratio of jet distance to jet height is between 2:1 and 13:2.

13. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a suction port exposed to the proximal chamber.

14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the aspiration port is disposed along an upper wall of the proximal chamber.

15. The apparatus of claim 13, further comprising an outlet line connected to the suction port.

16. The apparatus of claim 15, further comprising a vent exposed to ambient air, the vent in fluid communication with the outlet line and positioned at a location along the outlet line downstream of the suction port.

17. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the therapeutic fluid within the proximal chamber and the distal chamber comprises a substantially degassed therapeutic fluid.

18. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the liquid supply port is configured to direct the liquid flow to generate pressure waves in the therapeutic fluid within the proximal chamber and the distal chamber, the generated pressure waves having a broadband power spectrum.

19. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the liquid supply port is configured to direct the liquid flow to impinge one or more surfaces of the impingement member at a point of contact above a vertical center of the impingement member.

20. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein one or more surfaces of the impingement member are shaped to redirect at least a portion of the liquid flow within the proximal chamber from a position below a vertical center of the impingement member.

21. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the liquid supply port is configured to direct the liquid flow to impinge one or more surfaces of the impingement member at a contact point laterally of a horizontal center of the impingement member.

22. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein one or more surfaces of the impingement member are shaped to redirect at least a portion of the liquid flow within the proximal chamber from a location laterally of a horizontal center of the impingement member on a side of the impingement member opposite the point of contact.

23. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the liquid flow comprises a liquid jet, wherein one or more surfaces of the impingement member are shaped to redirect at least a portion of the liquid jet across at least a portion of the transition opening in the form of a second liquid jet.

24. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the liquid supply port is configured to direct the liquid flow to impinge one or more surfaces of the impingement member at a point of contact below a vertical center of the impingement member.

25. The apparatus of claim 24, wherein one or more surfaces of the impingement member are shaped to redirect at least a portion of the liquid flow within the proximal chamber from a position above a vertical center of the impingement member.

26. An apparatus for treating teeth, the apparatus comprising:

a proximal chamber;

a distal chamber disposed distally of the proximal chamber and in fluid communication with the proximal chamber through a transition opening, the distal chamber having an access opening separate from and disposed distally of the transition opening to provide fluid communication between the distal chamber and a treatment region of the tooth; and

a liquid supply port arranged to direct a flow of liquid into the proximal chamber and over at least a portion of the transition opening to impinge on an impingement member,

wherein the proximal chamber, the liquid supply port, the distal chamber and the impingement member are arranged relative to each other in a manner that creates turbulence of liquid within the treatment zone during a course of a treatment procedure.

27. The apparatus of claim 26, further comprising one or more flow disrupters positioned within the proximal chamber.

28. The apparatus of claim 27, wherein the one or more flow disrupters comprise one or more curved or angled protrusions extending from an inner surface of the proximal chamber.

29. The apparatus of claim 27, wherein the proximal chamber has a first interior surface geometry and the distal chamber has a second interior surface geometry different from the first interior surface geometry.

30. The apparatus of claim 27, further comprising a non-uniform transition between the proximal chamber and the distal chamber.

31. The apparatus of claim 27, wherein a ratio of a volume of the proximal chamber to a volume of the distal chamber is between 7:4 and 15:2.

32. The apparatus of claim 27, wherein a ratio of a volume of the proximal chamber to a circumference of the transition opening is at 1in ³ 150in and 1in ³ Between 20 in.

33. The apparatus of claim 27, wherein the liquid flow comprises a jet, and a ratio of jet distance to volume of the proximal chamber is at 10in:1in ³ And 50in:1in ³ Between them.

34. The apparatus of claim 27, wherein the liquid stream comprises a jet and the ratio of jet distance to jet height is between 2:1 and 13:2.

35. The apparatus of claim 27, further comprising a suction port exposed to the proximal chamber.

36. The apparatus of claim 35, wherein the aspiration port is disposed along an upper wall of the proximal chamber.

37. The apparatus of claim 35, further comprising an outlet line connected to the suction port.

38. The apparatus of claim 37, further comprising a vent exposed to ambient air, the vent in fluid communication with the outlet line and positioned at a location along the outlet line downstream of the suction port.

39. The apparatus of claim 27, wherein the therapeutic fluid within the proximal chamber and the distal chamber comprises a substantially degassed therapeutic fluid.

40. The apparatus of claim 27, wherein the liquid supply port is configured to direct the flow of liquid to generate pressure waves in the therapeutic fluid within the proximal chamber and the distal chamber, the generated pressure waves having a broadband power spectrum.

41. The apparatus of claim 26, wherein the liquid supply port is configured to direct the liquid flow to impinge the impingement surface of the impingement member at a point of contact above a vertical center of the impingement surface.

42. The apparatus of claim 41, wherein the impingement surface is shaped to redirect at least a portion of the liquid flow within the proximal chamber from a location below a vertical center of the impingement surface.

43. The apparatus of claim 26, wherein the liquid supply port is configured to direct the liquid flow to impinge on an impingement surface of the impingement member at a contact point laterally of a horizontal center of the impingement member.

44. The apparatus of claim 43, wherein the impingement surface is shaped to redirect at least a portion of the liquid jet within the proximal chamber from a location laterally of a horizontal center of the impingement surface on a side of the impingement surface opposite the point of contact.

45. The apparatus of claim 26, wherein the liquid stream comprises a liquid jet, wherein an impingement surface of the impingement member is shaped to redirect at least a portion of the liquid jet into the proximal chamber in the form of a second liquid jet.

46. The apparatus of claim 26, wherein the liquid supply port is configured to direct the liquid flow to impinge the impingement surface of the impingement member at a point of contact below a vertical center of the impingement surface.

47. The apparatus of claim 46, wherein the impingement surface is shaped to redirect at least a portion of the liquid flow within the proximal chamber from a position above a vertical center of the impingement surface.

48. An apparatus for treating teeth, the apparatus comprising:

a proximal chamber;

a distal chamber disposed distally of the proximal chamber and in fluid communication with the proximal chamber through a transition opening, the distal chamber having an access opening separate from and disposed distally of the transition opening to provide fluid communication between the distal chamber and a treatment region of the tooth; and

a liquid supply port configured to direct a liquid flow into the proximal chamber and over at least a portion of the transition opening to impinge an impingement member having one or more surfaces positioned to redirect at least a portion of the liquid flow over at least a portion of the transition opening to create an annular flow in the distal chamber.

49. The apparatus of claim 48, further comprising one or more flow disrupters positioned within the proximal chamber.

50. The apparatus of claim 49, wherein the one or more flow disrupters comprise one or more curved or angled protrusions extending from an inner surface of the proximal chamber.

51. The apparatus of claim 48, wherein the liquid supply port and the impingement member are arranged relative to one another to create turbulence of liquid within the treatment zone during a course of a treatment procedure.

52. The apparatus of claim 48, wherein the proximal chamber has a first interior surface geometry and the distal chamber has a second interior surface geometry different from the first interior surface geometry.

53. The apparatus of claim 48, further comprising a non-uniform transition between the proximal chamber and the distal chamber.

54. The apparatus of claim 48, wherein a ratio of a volume of the proximal chamber to a volume of the distal chamber is between 7:4 and 15:2.

55. The apparatus of claim 48, wherein a ratio of a volume of the proximal chamber to a circumference of the transition opening is at 1in ³ 150in and 1in ³ Between 20 in.

56. The apparatus of claim 48, wherein the liquid flow comprises a jet, and a ratio of jet distance to volume of the proximal chamber is at 10in:1in ³ And 50in:1in ³ Between them.

57. The apparatus of claim 48, wherein the liquid stream comprises a jet and the ratio of jet distance to jet height is between 2:1 and 13:2.

58. The apparatus of claim 48, further comprising a suction port exposed to the proximal chamber.

59. The apparatus of claim 58, wherein the aspiration port is disposed along an upper wall of the proximal chamber.

60. The apparatus of claim 58, further comprising an outlet line connected to the suction port.

61. The apparatus of claim 60, further comprising a vent exposed to ambient air, the vent in fluid communication with the outlet line and positioned along the outlet line at a location downstream of the suction port.

62. The apparatus of claim 48, wherein the therapeutic fluid within the proximal chamber and the distal chamber comprises a substantially degassed therapeutic fluid.

63. The apparatus of claim 48, wherein the liquid supply port is configured to direct the flow of liquid to generate pressure waves in the therapeutic fluid within the proximal chamber and the distal chamber, the generated pressure waves having a broadband power spectrum.

64. The apparatus of claim 48, wherein the liquid supply port is configured to direct the flow of liquid to impinge one or more surfaces of the impingement member at a point of contact above a vertical center of the impingement member.

65. The apparatus of claim 64, wherein one or more surfaces of the impingement member are shaped to redirect at least a portion of the liquid flow within the proximal chamber from a position below a vertical center of the impingement member.

66. The apparatus of claim 48, wherein the liquid supply port is configured to direct the flow of liquid to impinge one or more surfaces of the impingement member at a contact point laterally of a horizontal center of the impingement member.

67. The apparatus of claim 66, wherein one or more surfaces of the impact member are shaped to redirect at least a portion of the liquid flow within the proximal chamber from a location laterally of a horizontal center of the impact member on a side of the impact member opposite the point of contact.

68. The apparatus of claim 48, wherein the liquid stream comprises a liquid jet, wherein one or more surfaces of the impingement member are shaped to redirect at least a portion of the liquid jet across at least a portion of the transition opening in the form of a second liquid jet.

69. The apparatus of claim 48, wherein the liquid supply port is configured to direct the flow of liquid to impinge one or more surfaces of the impingement member at a point of contact below a vertical center of the impingement member.

70. The apparatus of claim 69, wherein one or more surfaces of the impact member are shaped to redirect at least a portion of the liquid flow within the proximal chamber from a position above a vertical center of the impact member.

71. An apparatus for treating teeth, the apparatus comprising:

a proximal chamber having a first interior surface geometry;

a distal chamber disposed distally of and in fluid communication with the proximal chamber through a transition opening, the distal chamber having an access opening separate from and disposed distally of the transition opening to provide fluid communication between the distal chamber and a treatment region of the tooth, the distal chamber having a second interior surface geometry different from the first interior surface geometry; and

a liquid supply port configured to direct a flow of liquid into the proximal chamber and over at least a portion of the inlet opening.

72. The apparatus of claim 71, further comprising one or more flow disrupters positioned within the proximal chamber.

73. The apparatus of claim 72, wherein the one or more flow disrupters comprise one or more curved or angled protrusions extending from an inner surface of the proximal chamber.

74. The apparatus of claim 71, wherein the liquid supply port and impact member are arranged relative to one another to create turbulence of liquid within the treatment zone during a course of a treatment procedure.

75. The apparatus of claim 71, further comprising a non-uniform transition between the proximal chamber and the distal chamber.

76. The apparatus of claim 71, wherein a ratio of a volume of the proximal chamber to a volume of the distal chamber is between 7:4 and 15:2.

77. The apparatus of claim 71, wherein a ratio of a volume of the proximal chamber to a circumference of the transition opening is at 1in ³ 150in and 1in ³ Between 20 in.

78. The apparatus of claim 71, wherein the liquid flow comprises a jet and a ratio of jet distance to volume of the proximal chamber is at 10in:1in ³ And 50in:1in ³ Between them.

79. The apparatus of claim 71, wherein the liquid stream comprises a jet and the ratio of jet distance to jet height is between 2:1 and 13:2.

80. The apparatus of claim 71, further comprising a suction port exposed to the proximal chamber.

81. The apparatus of claim 80, wherein the aspiration port is disposed along an upper wall of the proximal chamber.

82. The apparatus of claim 80, further comprising an outlet line connected to the suction port.

83. The apparatus of claim 82, further comprising a vent exposed to ambient air, the vent in fluid communication with the outlet line and positioned along the outlet line at a location downstream of the suction port.

84. The apparatus of claim 80, wherein the therapeutic fluid within the proximal chamber and the distal chamber comprises a substantially degassed therapeutic fluid.

85. The apparatus of claim 80, wherein the liquid supply port is configured to direct the flow of liquid to generate pressure waves in the therapeutic fluid within the proximal chamber and the distal chamber, the generated pressure waves having a broadband power spectrum.

86. The apparatus of claim 71, wherein the liquid supply port is configured to direct the liquid flow to impinge on the impingement surface of the impingement member at a point of contact above a vertical center of the impingement surface.

87. The apparatus of claim 86, wherein the impingement surface is shaped to redirect at least a portion of the liquid flow within the proximal chamber from a location below a vertical center of the impingement surface.

88. The apparatus of claim 71, wherein the liquid supply port is configured to direct the liquid flow to impinge on an impingement surface of the impingement member at a contact point laterally of a horizontal center of the impingement member.

89. The apparatus of claim 88, wherein the impingement surface is shaped to redirect at least a portion of the liquid jet within the proximal chamber from a location laterally of a horizontal center of the impingement surface on a side of the impingement surface opposite the point of contact.

90. The apparatus of claim 71, wherein the liquid stream comprises a liquid jet, wherein the liquid supply port is configured to direct the liquid jet to impinge on an impingement surface of an impingement member, wherein the impingement surface is shaped to redirect at least a portion of the liquid jet into the proximal chamber in the form of a second liquid jet.

91. The apparatus of claim 71, wherein the liquid supply port is configured to direct the liquid flow to impinge on the impingement surface of the impingement member at a point of contact below a vertical center of the impingement surface.

92. The apparatus of claim 91, wherein the impingement surface is shaped to redirect at least a portion of the liquid flow within the proximal chamber from a position above a vertical center of the impingement surface.

93. An apparatus for treating teeth, the apparatus comprising:

a proximal chamber;

a distal chamber disposed distally of and in fluid communication with the proximal chamber, the distal chamber having an access opening separate from and disposed distally of the proximal chamber to provide fluid communication between the distal chamber and a treatment region of the tooth;

a liquid supply port configured to direct a flow of liquid across the proximal chamber; and

a non-uniform transition between the proximal and distal chambers.

94. The apparatus of claim 93, wherein the non-uniform transition zone comprises a discontinuity providing a non-uniform or abrupt flow transition between the proximal chamber and the distal chamber.

95. The apparatus of claim 94, wherein the discontinuity is provided by a transition opening and different interior surface geometries of the proximal and distal chambers.

96. The apparatus of claim 93, wherein the non-uniform transition zone comprises an asymmetric interior surface of one or more of the proximal chamber and the distal chamber.

97. The apparatus of claim 93, wherein the non-uniform transition zone comprises one or more destructive internal surfaces of one or more of the proximal chamber and the distal chamber.

98. The apparatus of claim 93, further comprising:

a transition opening between the proximal chamber and the distal chamber; and

an impingement ring, at least a portion of which is recessed from the transition opening, and at least a portion of which extends over at least a portion of the transition opening to form the non-uniform transition zone.

99. The apparatus of claim 93, further comprising one or more flow disrupters positioned within the proximal chamber.

100. The apparatus of claim 99, wherein the one or more flow disrupters comprise one or more curved or angled protrusions extending from an inner surface of the proximal chamber.

101. The apparatus of claim 93, wherein the liquid supply port and impact member are arranged relative to one another to create turbulence of liquid within the treatment zone during a course of a treatment procedure.

102. The apparatus of claim 93, wherein the proximal chamber has a first interior surface geometry and the distal chamber has a second interior surface geometry different from the first interior surface geometry.

103. The apparatus of claim 93, wherein a ratio of a volume of the proximal chamber to a volume of the distal chamber is between 7:4 and 15:2.

104. The apparatus of claim 93, further comprising a transition opening between the proximal chamber and the distal chamber, wherein a ratio of a volume of the proximal chamber to a circumference of the transition opening is 1in ³ 150in and 1in ³ Between 20 in.

105. The apparatus of claim 93, wherein the liquid flow comprises a jet, and a ratio of jet distance to volume of the proximal chamber is at 10in:1in ³ And 50in:1in ³ Between them.

106. The apparatus of claim 93, wherein the liquid stream comprises a jet and the ratio of jet distance to jet height is between 2:1 and 13:2.

107. The apparatus of claim 93, further comprising a suction port exposed to the proximal chamber.

108. The apparatus of claim 107, wherein the aspiration port is disposed along an upper wall of the proximal chamber.

109. The apparatus of claim 107, further comprising an outlet line connected to the suction port.

110. The apparatus of claim 109, further comprising a vent exposed to ambient air, the vent in fluid communication with the outlet line and positioned along the outlet line at a location downstream of the suction port.

111. The apparatus of claim 93, wherein the therapeutic fluid within the proximal chamber and the distal chamber comprises a substantially degassed therapeutic fluid.

112. The apparatus of claim 93, wherein the liquid supply port is configured to direct the flow of liquid to generate pressure waves in the therapeutic fluid within the proximal chamber and the distal chamber, the generated pressure waves having a broadband power spectrum.

113. The apparatus of claim 93, wherein the liquid supply port is configured to direct the liquid flow to impinge on the impingement surface of the impingement member at a point of contact above a vertical center of the impingement surface.

114. The apparatus of claim 113, wherein the impingement surface is shaped to redirect at least a portion of the liquid flow within the proximal chamber from a location below a vertical center of the impingement surface.

115. The apparatus of claim 93, wherein the liquid supply port is configured to direct the liquid flow to impinge on an impingement surface of the impingement member at a contact point laterally of a horizontal center of the impingement member.

116. The apparatus of claim 115, wherein the impingement surface is shaped to redirect at least a portion of the liquid jet within the proximal chamber from a location laterally of a horizontal center of the impingement surface on a side of the impingement surface opposite the point of contact.

117. The apparatus of claim 93, wherein the liquid stream comprises a liquid jet, wherein the liquid supply port is configured to direct the liquid jet to impinge on an impingement surface of an impingement member, wherein the impingement surface is shaped to redirect at least a portion of the liquid jet into the proximal chamber in the form of a second liquid jet.

118. The apparatus of claim 93, wherein the liquid supply port is configured to direct the liquid flow to impinge on the impingement surface of the impingement member at a point of contact below a vertical center of the impingement surface.

119. The apparatus of claim 118, wherein the impingement surface is shaped to redirect at least a portion of the liquid flow within the proximal chamber from a position above a vertical center of the impingement surface.

120. An apparatus for treating teeth, the apparatus comprising:

a proximal chamber;

a distal chamber disposed distally of the proximal chamber and in fluid communication with the proximal chamber through a transition opening, the distal chamber having an access opening separate from and disposed distally of the transition opening to provide fluid communication between a treatment area of the tooth and the distal chamber;

an impact member comprising an impact surface; and

a liquid supply port configured to direct a liquid jet to impinge the impingement surface at a point of contact above a vertical center of the impingement surface, wherein the impingement surface is shaped to redirect at least a portion of the liquid jet within the proximal chamber from a location below the vertical center of the impingement surface.

121. The apparatus of claim 120, wherein the liquid supply port is configured to direct the liquid jet to impinge the impingement surface at a contact point laterally of a horizontal center of the impingement surface.

122. The apparatus of claim 121, wherein the impingement surface is shaped to redirect at least a portion of the liquid jet within the proximal chamber from a location laterally of a horizontal center of the impingement surface on a side of the impingement surface opposite the point of contact.

123. The apparatus of claim 121, wherein an angle between a vertical axis of the impact surface and a radial line extending from a center point of the impact surface through the contact point is between-45 ° and 45 °.

124. The apparatus of claim 123, wherein the angle is between-30 ° and 30 °.

125. The apparatus of claim 124, wherein the angle is between-15 ° and 15 °.

126. The apparatus of claim 120, wherein the liquid jet is configured to impinge the impingement surface at a radial distance of less than 0.63 inches from a center point of the impingement surface at a point of contact.

127. The apparatus of claim 126, wherein the liquid jet is disposed to impinge the impingement surface at a radial distance of between 0.010 inches and 0.05 inches from a center point of the impingement surface at a point of contact.

128. The apparatus of claim 120, wherein the liquid jet is arranged to impinge the impingement surface at the point of contact at a radial distance between 1% and 49% of the diameter of the impingement surface.

129. The apparatus of claim 128, wherein the liquid jet is disposed to impinge the impingement surface at the point of contact at a radial distance between 5% and 45% of a diameter of the impingement surface.

130. The apparatus of claim 129, wherein the liquid jet is disposed to impinge the impingement surface at the point of contact at a radial distance between 8% and 40% of a diameter of the impingement surface.

131. The apparatus of claim 130, wherein the liquid jet is arranged to impinge the impingement surface at the point of contact at a radial distance between 15% and 25% of the diameter of the impingement surface.

132. The apparatus of claim 130, wherein the liquid jet is arranged to impinge the impingement surface at the point of contact at a radial distance between 20% and 40% of the diameter of the impingement surface.

133. The apparatus of claim 120, wherein the impact member angles downward toward the transition opening.

134. The apparatus of claim 120, wherein a central axis of the impact member angles downward from an anterior-posterior axis of the proximal chamber at an angle between 0 ° and 10 °.

135. The apparatus of claim 134, wherein a central axis of the impact member angles downward from an anterior-posterior axis of the proximal chamber at an angle between 0 ° and 6 °.

136. The apparatus of claim 135, wherein a central axis of the impact member is angled downward from an anterior-posterior axis of the proximal chamber at an angle between 0 ° and 3 °.

137. The apparatus of claim 120, wherein a central axis of the impact member is laterally angled relative to an up-down axis of the proximal chamber.

138. The apparatus of claim 120, wherein the liquid supply port is configured to direct the liquid jet along a jet axis that is angled upward relative to an anterior-posterior axis of the proximal chamber.

139. The apparatus of claim 120, wherein the liquid supply port is disposed to direct the liquid jet along a jet axis that is angled between 0 ° and 10 ° upward relative to an anterior-posterior axis of the proximal chamber.

140. The apparatus of claim 138, wherein the liquid supply port is disposed to direct the liquid jet along a jet axis that is at an angle between 0 ° and 6 ° upward relative to an anterior-posterior axis of the proximal chamber.

141. The apparatus of claim 139, wherein the liquid supply port is disposed to direct the liquid jet along a jet axis that is at an angle between 0 ° and 4 ° upward relative to an anterior-posterior axis of the proximal chamber.

142. The apparatus of claim 120, wherein the liquid supply port is configured to direct the liquid jet along a jet axis that is laterally angled relative to an up-down axis of the proximal chamber.

143. The apparatus of claim 120, wherein the impingement surface is shaped to redirect at least a portion of the liquid jet as a second liquid jet within the proximal chamber.

144. The apparatus of claim 120, wherein the impact surface is angled at the point of contact to redirect at least a portion of the liquid jet in the proximal chamber in the form of a second liquid jet.

145. The apparatus of claim 120, wherein the liquid jet is arranged to impinge the impingement surface at an angle relative to the impingement surface, the angle being configured such that the liquid jet is redirected from the impingement surface in the form of a second liquid jet.

146. The apparatus of claim 120, wherein the impact surface is hemispherical.

147. The apparatus of claim 120, wherein the impact surface is concave.

148. The apparatus of claim 120, wherein the liquid supply port and the impingement member are arranged relative to one another to create turbulence of liquid within the treatment zone during a course of a treatment procedure.

149. The device of claim 120, further comprising a suction port exposed to the proximal chamber.

150. The apparatus of claim 149, wherein the aspiration port is disposed along an upper wall of the proximal chamber.

151. The apparatus of claim 149, further comprising an outlet line connected to the suction port.

152. The apparatus of claim 151, further comprising a vent exposed to ambient air, the vent in fluid communication with the outlet line and positioned along the outlet line at a location downstream of the suction port.

153. The apparatus of claim 120, wherein the therapeutic fluid within the proximal chamber and the distal chamber comprises a substantially degassed therapeutic fluid.

154. The apparatus of claim 120, wherein the liquid supply port is configured to direct the liquid jet to generate pressure waves in the therapeutic fluid within the proximal chamber and the distal chamber, the generated pressure waves having a broadband power spectrum.

155. An apparatus for treating teeth, the apparatus comprising:

a proximal chamber;

a distal chamber disposed distally of the proximal chamber and in fluid communication with the proximal chamber through a transition opening, the distal chamber having an access opening separate from and disposed distally of the transition opening to provide fluid communication between a treatment area of the tooth and the distal chamber;

A liquid supply port arranged to direct a liquid jet into the proximal chamber; and

an impingement member disposed within the path of the liquid jet, the impingement member including an impingement surface shaped to redirect at least a portion of the liquid jet in the form of a second liquid jet within the proximal chamber.

156. The apparatus of claim 155, wherein the liquid supply port is configured to direct the liquid jet to impinge the impingement surface at a point of contact above a vertical center of the impingement surface.

157. The apparatus of claim 155, wherein the liquid supply port is configured to direct the liquid jet to impinge the impingement surface at a contact point laterally of a horizontal center of the impingement member.

158. The apparatus of claim 157, wherein the impingement surface is shaped to redirect at least a portion of the liquid jet within the proximal chamber from a location laterally of a horizontal center of the impingement surface on a side of the impingement surface opposite the point of contact.

159. The apparatus of claim 157, wherein an angle between a vertical axis of the impact surface and a radial line extending from a center point of the impact surface through the contact point is between-45 ° and 45 °.

160. The apparatus of claim 159, wherein the angle is between-30 ° and 30 °.

161. The apparatus of claim 160, wherein the angle is between-15 ° and 15 °.

162. The apparatus of claim 155, wherein the liquid jet is configured to impinge the impingement surface at a radial distance of less than 0.63 inches from a center point of the impingement surface at a point of contact.

163. The apparatus of claim 162, wherein the liquid jet is disposed to impinge the impingement surface at the point of contact at a radial distance of between 0.010 inches and 0.05 inches from a center point of the impingement surface.

164. The apparatus of claim 155, wherein the liquid jet is disposed to impinge the impingement surface at a radial distance between 1% and 49% of a diameter of the impingement surface at a point of contact.

165. The apparatus of claim 164, wherein the liquid jet is arranged to impinge the impingement surface at the point of contact at a radial distance between 5% and 45% of the diameter of the impingement surface.

166. The apparatus of claim 165, wherein the liquid jet is disposed to impinge the impingement surface at the point of contact at a radial distance between 8% and 40% of a diameter of the impingement surface.

167. The apparatus of claim 166, wherein the liquid jet is arranged to impinge the impingement surface at the point of contact at a radial distance between 15% and 25% of the diameter of the impingement surface.

168. The apparatus of claim 166, wherein the liquid jet is arranged to impinge the impingement surface at the point of contact at a radial distance between 20% and 40% of the diameter of the impingement surface.

169. The apparatus of claim 155, wherein the impact member is angled downward toward the transition opening.

170. The apparatus of claim 155, wherein a central axis of the impact member angles downward from an anterior-posterior axis of the proximal chamber at an angle between 0 ° and 10 °.

171. The apparatus of claim 170, wherein a central axis of the impact member angles downward from an anterior-posterior axis of the proximal chamber at an angle between 0 ° and 6 °.

172. The apparatus of claim 171, wherein a central axis of the impact member is angled downward from an anterior-posterior axis of the proximal chamber at an angle between 0 ° and 3 °.

173. The apparatus of claim 155, wherein a central axis of the impact member is laterally angled relative to an up-down axis of the proximal chamber.

174. The apparatus of claim 155, wherein the liquid supply port is configured to direct the liquid jet along a jet axis that is angled upward relative to an anterior-posterior axis of the proximal chamber.

175. The apparatus of claim 174, wherein the liquid supply port is disposed to direct the liquid jet along a jet axis that is angled between 0 ° and 10 ° upward relative to an anterior-posterior axis of the proximal chamber.

176. The apparatus of claim 175, wherein the liquid supply port is disposed to direct the liquid jet along a jet axis that is at an angle between 0 ° and 6 ° upward relative to an anterior-posterior axis of the proximal chamber.

177. The apparatus of claim 176, wherein the liquid supply port is disposed to direct the liquid jet along a jet axis that is at an angle between 0 ° and 4 ° upward relative to an anterior-posterior axis of the proximal chamber.

178. The apparatus of claim 155, wherein the liquid supply port is configured to direct the liquid jet along a jet axis that is laterally angled relative to an up-down axis of the proximal chamber.

179. The apparatus of claim 155, wherein the liquid jet is configured to impinge the impingement surface at a point of contact, wherein the impingement surface is angled to redirect at least a portion of the liquid jet as a second liquid jet within the proximal chamber.

180. The apparatus of claim 155, wherein the liquid jet is disposed to impinge the impingement surface at an angle relative to the impingement surface, the angle configured such that the liquid jet is redirected from the impingement surface in the form of a second liquid jet.

181. The apparatus of claim 155, wherein the impact surface is hemispherical.

182. The apparatus of claim 155, wherein the impact surface is concave.

183. The apparatus of claim 155, wherein the liquid supply port and the impingement member are arranged relative to one another to create turbulence of liquid within the treatment zone during a course of a treatment procedure.

184. The apparatus of claim 155, further comprising a suction port exposed to the proximal chamber.

185. The apparatus of claim 184, wherein the aspiration port is disposed along an upper wall of the proximal chamber.

186. The apparatus of claim 184, further comprising an outlet line connected to the suction port.

187. The apparatus of claim 186, further comprising a vent exposed to ambient air, the vent in fluid communication with the outlet line and positioned along the outlet line at a location downstream of the suction port.

188. The apparatus of claim 155, wherein the therapeutic fluid within the proximal chamber and the distal chamber comprises a substantially degassed therapeutic fluid.

189. The device of claim 155, wherein the liquid supply port is configured to direct the liquid flow to generate pressure waves in the therapeutic fluid within the proximal chamber and the distal chamber, the generated pressure waves having a broadband power spectrum.

190. The apparatus of claim 155, wherein the liquid supply port is configured to direct the liquid jet to impinge the impingement surface at a point of contact below a vertical center of the impingement surface.

191. The apparatus of claim 190, wherein the impingement surface is shaped to redirect at least a portion of the liquid jet as a second liquid jet within the proximal chamber from a location above a vertical center of the impingement surface.

192. A method for operating a dental instrument, the method comprising:

providing an access opening of the dental appliance, the access opening configured to be placed in fluid communication with a treatment area of the tooth;

an impingement member directing a flow of liquid to impinge the dental instrument over a transition opening between a proximal chamber and a distal chamber of the dental instrument; and

Redirecting the flow of liquid using one or more surfaces of the impingement member, the one or more surfaces positioned to redirect at least a portion of the flow of liquid across at least a portion of the transition opening.

193. A method for operating a dental instrument, the method comprising:

providing an access opening of the dental appliance, the access opening configured to be placed in fluid communication with a treatment area of the tooth; and

an impingement member of the dental instrument is directed to impinge a flow of liquid over a transition opening between a proximal chamber and a distal chamber of the dental instrument to create turbulence of the liquid within the proximal chamber.

194. A method for operating a dental instrument, the method comprising:

providing an access opening of the dental appliance, the access opening configured to be placed in fluid communication with a treatment area of the tooth;

an impingement member directing a flow of liquid to impinge the dental instrument over a transition opening between a proximal chamber and a distal chamber of the dental instrument; and

redirecting the flow of liquid using one or more surfaces of the impingement member, the one or more surfaces positioned to redirect at least a portion of the flow of liquid across at least a portion of the transition opening.

195. A method for operating a dental instrument, the method comprising:

providing an access opening of the dental appliance, the access opening configured to be placed in fluid communication with a treatment area of the tooth;

an impingement member directing a flow of liquid to impinge the dental instrument over a transition opening between a proximal chamber and a distal chamber of the dental instrument; and

redirecting the flow of liquid using one or more surfaces of the impingement member, the one or more surfaces positioned to redirect at least a portion of the flow of liquid across at least a portion of the transition opening.

196. A method for operating a dental instrument, the method comprising:

providing an access opening of the dental appliance, the access opening configured to be placed in fluid communication with a treatment area of the tooth; and

a flow of liquid is directed over a transition opening between a proximal chamber and a distal chamber of the dental instrument, the proximal chamber including a first interior surface geometry and the distal chamber including a second interior surface geometry different from the first interior surface geometry.

197. A method for operating a dental instrument, the method comprising:

Providing an access opening of the dental appliance, the access opening configured to be placed in fluid communication with a treatment area of the tooth, a dental treatment apparatus comprising:

a proximal chamber;

a distal chamber; and

a non-uniform transition zone between the proximal and distal chambers; and

directing a flow of liquid across the proximal chamber.

198. The method of any of claims 192-197, wherein the dental treatment apparatus includes one or more flow disrupters positioned within the proximal chamber.

199. The method of any of claims 192-197, wherein the proximal chamber has a first interior surface geometry and the distal chamber has a second interior surface geometry that is different than the first interior surface geometry.

200. The method of any of claims 192-197, wherein the proximal chamber comprises a non-uniform transition between the proximal chamber and the distal chamber.

201. The method of any of claims 192-197, wherein the dental instrument further comprises an aspiration port exposed to the proximal chamber.

202. The method of claim 201, wherein the aspiration port is disposed along an upper wall of the proximal chamber.

203. The method of claim 201, wherein the dental instrument further comprises an outlet line connected to the suction port.

204. The method of claim 203, wherein the dental instrument further comprises a vent exposed to ambient air, the vent being in fluid communication with the outlet line and positioned along the outlet line at a location downstream of the suction port.

205. The method of any of claims 192-197, wherein directing the flow of liquid comprises directing the flow of liquid to generate pressure waves in the therapeutic fluid within the proximal chamber and the distal chamber, the generated pressure waves having a broadband power spectrum.

206. The method of any one of claims 192, 194 and 195, wherein directing the flow of liquid to impinge on an impingement member of the dental instrument over a transition opening between a proximal chamber and a distal chamber of the dental instrument comprises directing the flow of liquid to impinge on the impingement member at a point of contact above a vertical center of the impingement member.

207. The method of claim 206, wherein redirecting the liquid flow using one or more surfaces of the impingement member comprises redirecting the liquid flow using one or more surfaces shaped to redirect at least a portion of the liquid flow from a location below a vertical center of the impingement member within the proximal chamber.

208. The method of any one of claims 192, 194 and 195, wherein directing the flow of liquid to impinge on an impingement member of the dental instrument over a transition opening between a proximal chamber and a distal chamber of the dental instrument comprises directing the flow of liquid to impinge on the impingement member at a contact point laterally of a horizontal center of the impingement member.

209. The method of claim 208, wherein redirecting the liquid flow using one or more surfaces of the impingement member comprises redirecting the liquid flow using one or more surfaces shaped to redirect at least a portion of the liquid flow within the proximal chamber from a location laterally of a horizontal center of the impingement member on a side of the impingement member opposite the point of contact.

210. The method of any one of claims 192, 194 and 195, wherein directing the flow of liquid to impinge on an impingement member of the dental instrument above a transition opening between a proximal chamber and a distal chamber of the dental instrument comprises directing the flow of liquid to impinge on the impingement member at a point of contact below a vertical center of the impingement member.

211. The method of claim 210, wherein redirecting the liquid flow using one or more surfaces of the impingement member comprises redirecting the liquid flow using one or more surfaces shaped to redirect at least a portion of the liquid flow from a location above a vertical center of the impingement member within the proximal chamber.

212. The method of any one of claims 192, 194, and 195, wherein directing the liquid stream comprises directing a liquid jet, wherein redirecting the liquid jet using one or more surfaces of the impact member comprises redirecting the liquid jet using one or more surfaces of the impact member configured to redirect at least a portion of the liquid jet in the form of a second liquid jet.

213. The method of claim 193, wherein directing the flow of liquid to impinge the impingement member above a transition opening between a proximal chamber and a distal chamber of the dental instrument comprises directing the flow of liquid to impinge the impingement member at a point of contact above a vertical center of the impingement member.

214. The method of claim 213, further comprising redirecting the liquid flow using one or more surfaces of the impingement member shaped to redirect at least a portion of the liquid flow within the proximal chamber from a location below a vertical center of the impingement member.

215. The method of claim 193, wherein directing the flow of liquid to impinge the impingement member above a transition opening between a proximal chamber and a distal chamber of the dental instrument comprises directing the flow of liquid to impinge the impingement member at a contact point laterally of a horizontal center of the impingement member.

216. The method of claim 215, further comprising redirecting the flow of liquid using one or more surfaces of the impingement member shaped to redirect at least a portion of the flow of liquid within the proximal chamber from a location laterally of a horizontal center of the impingement member on a side of the impingement member opposite the point of contact.

217. The method of claim 193, wherein directing the flow of liquid to impinge the impingement member above a transition opening between a proximal chamber and a distal chamber of the dental instrument comprises directing the flow of liquid to impinge the impingement member at a point of contact below a horizontal center of the impingement member.

218. The method of claim 217, further comprising redirecting the flow of liquid using one or more surfaces of the impact member shaped to redirect at least a portion of the flow of liquid within the proximal chamber from a position above a vertical center of the impact member.

219. The method of claim 193, wherein directing the liquid stream comprises directing a liquid jet, the method further comprising redirecting the liquid jet using one or more surfaces of the impingement member configured to redirect at least a portion of the liquid jet in the form of a second liquid jet.

220. The method of claim 196 or 197, wherein directing the liquid stream comprises directing the liquid stream to impinge on an impingement member of the dental appliance.

221. The method of claim 220, wherein directing the flow of liquid to impinge the impingement member comprises directing the flow of liquid to impinge the impingement member at a point of contact above a vertical center of the impingement member.

222. The method of claim 221, further comprising redirecting the liquid flow using one or more surfaces of the impingement member shaped to redirect at least a portion of the liquid flow within the proximal chamber from a location below a vertical center of the impingement member.

223. The method of claim 220, wherein directing the flow of liquid to impinge the impingement member comprises directing the flow of liquid to impinge the impingement member at a contact point laterally of a horizontal center of the impingement member.

224. The method of claim 223, further comprising redirecting the flow of liquid using one or more surfaces of the impingement member shaped to redirect at least a portion of the flow of liquid within the proximal chamber from a location laterally of a horizontal center of the impingement member on a side of the impingement member opposite the point of contact.

225. The method of claim 220, wherein directing the flow of liquid to impinge the impingement member comprises directing the flow of liquid to impinge the impingement member at a point of contact below a vertical center of the impingement member.

226. The method of claim 225, further comprising redirecting the liquid stream using one or more surfaces of the impact member shaped to redirect at least a portion of the liquid stream within the proximal chamber from a location above a vertical center of the impact member.

227. The method of claim 220, wherein directing the liquid stream to impinge the impingement member comprises directing a liquid jet to impinge the impingement member, the method further comprising redirecting the liquid jet using one or more surfaces of the impingement member configured to redirect at least a portion of the liquid jet in the form of a second liquid jet.

228. A method for operating a dental instrument, the method comprising:

providing an access opening of the dental appliance, the access opening configured to be placed in fluid communication with a treatment area of the tooth;

directing a liquid jet within a chamber of the dental instrument to impinge an impingement surface of an impingement member at a point of contact above a vertical center of the impingement surface; and

Redirecting at least a portion of the liquid jet within the chamber from a location below a vertical center of the impingement surface using the impingement surface.

229. The method of claim 228, wherein directing the liquid jet to impinge the impingement surface comprises directing the liquid jet to impinge the impingement surface at a contact point laterally of a horizontal center of the impingement surface.

230. The method of claim 229, wherein redirecting the liquid jet comprises redirecting at least a portion of the liquid jet within the chamber from a location laterally of a horizontal center of the impingement surface on a side of the impingement surface opposite the point of contact.

231. The method of claim 229, wherein an angle between a vertical axis of the impact surface and a radial line extending from a center point of the impact surface through the contact point is between-45 ° and 45 °.

232. The method of claim 231, wherein the angle is between-30 ° and 30 °.

233. The method of claim 232, wherein the angle is between-15 ° and 15 °.

234. The method of claim 228, wherein directing the liquid jet to impinge the impingement surface comprises directing the liquid jet to impinge the impingement surface at the contact point at a radial distance less than 0.63 inches from a center point of the impingement surface.

235. The method of claim 234, wherein directing the liquid jet to impinge the impingement surface comprises directing the liquid jet to impinge the impingement surface at the contact point at a radial distance of between 0.010 inches and 0.05 inches from a center point of the impingement surface.

236. The method of claim 228, wherein directing the liquid jet to impinge the impingement surface comprises directing the liquid jet to impinge the impingement surface at the point of contact at a radial distance between 1% and 49% of a diameter of the impingement surface.

237. The method of claim 236, wherein directing the liquid jet to impinge the impingement surface comprises directing the liquid jet to impinge the impingement surface at the contact point at a radial distance between 5% and 45% of a diameter of the impingement surface.

238. The method of claim 237, wherein directing the liquid jet to impinge the impingement surface comprises directing the liquid jet to impinge the impingement surface at the point of contact at a radial distance between 8% and 40% of a diameter of the impingement surface.

239. The method of claim 238, wherein directing the liquid jet to impinge the impingement surface comprises directing the liquid jet to impinge the impingement surface at the contact point at a radial distance between 15% and 25% of a diameter of the impingement surface.

240. The method of claim 238, wherein directing the liquid jet to impinge the impingement surface comprises directing the liquid jet to impinge the impingement surface at the contact point at a radial distance between 20% and 40% of a diameter of the impingement surface.

241. The method of claim 228, wherein the chamber comprises a proximal chamber, wherein the impingement member is angled downward toward a transition opening between a proximal chamber and a distal chamber of the dental apparatus.

242. The method of claim 228, wherein a central axis of the impingement member is angled downward from a front-rear axis of the chamber at an angle between 0 ° and 10 °.

243. The method of claim 242, wherein a central axis of the impingement member is angled downward from a front-rear axis of the chamber at an angle between 0 ° and 6 °.

244. The method of claim 243, wherein a central axis of the impingement member is angled downward from a front-rear axis of the chamber at an angle between 0 ° and 3 °.

245. The method of claim 228, wherein a central axis of the impact member is laterally angled relative to an up-down axis of the chamber.

246. The method of claim 228, wherein directing the liquid jet to impinge on the impingement surface comprises directing the liquid jet along a jet axis that is angled upward relative to a front-to-rear axis of the chamber.

247. The method of claim 246, wherein directing the liquid jet to impinge the impingement surface comprises directing the liquid jet along a jet axis that is at an angle between 0 ° and 10 ° upward relative to a front-to-rear axis of the chamber.

248. The method of claim 247, wherein directing the liquid jet to impinge the impingement surface comprises directing the liquid jet along a jet axis that is at an angle between 0 ° and 6 ° upward relative to a front-to-rear axis of the chamber.

249. The method of claim 248, wherein directing the liquid jet to impinge on the impingement surface includes directing the liquid jet along a jet axis that is at an angle between 0 ° and 4 ° upward relative to a front-to-back axis of the chamber.

250. The method of claim 228, wherein directing the liquid jet to impinge on the impingement surface comprises directing the liquid jet along a jet axis that is laterally angled relative to an up-down axis of the chamber.

251. The method of claim 228, wherein the impingement surface is shaped to redirect at least a portion of the liquid jet as a second liquid jet within the chamber.

252. The method of claim 228, wherein the impact surface is angled at the contact point to redirect at least a portion of the liquid jet in the chamber in the form of a second liquid jet.

253. The method of claim 228, wherein directing the liquid jet to impinge the impingement surface comprises directing the liquid jet to impinge the impingement surface at an angle relative to the impingement surface, the angle configured such that the liquid jet is redirected from the impingement surface in the form of a second liquid jet.

254. The method of claim 228, wherein the impact surface is hemispherical.

255. The method of claim 228, wherein the impact surface is concave.

256. The method of claim 228, wherein the liquid supply port of the dental instrument and the impingement member are arranged relative to one another to create turbulence of liquid within the chamber.

257. The method of claim 228, wherein the dental instrument includes a suction port exposed to the chamber.

258. The method of claim 257, wherein the suction port is disposed along an upper wall of the chamber.

259. The method of claim 257, wherein the dental instrument includes an outlet line connected to the suction port.

260. The method of claim 259, where the dental instrument includes a vent exposed to ambient air in fluid communication with the outlet line and positioned along the outlet line at a location downstream of the suction port.

261. The method of claim 228, wherein the fluid within the chamber comprises a substantially degassed fluid.

262. The method of claim 228, wherein directing the liquid jet to impinge on the impingement surface includes generating a pressure wave in the fluid within the chamber, the generated pressure wave having a broad band power spectrum.

263. A method for operating a dental instrument, the method comprising:

providing an access opening of the dental appliance, the access opening configured to be placed in fluid communication with a treatment area of the tooth; and

a liquid jet is directed within the chamber of the dental instrument to impinge an impingement surface of an impingement member to redirect at least a portion of the liquid jet from the impingement member in the form of a second liquid jet.

264. The method of claim 263, wherein directing the liquid jet to impinge the impingement surface comprises directing the liquid jet to impinge the impingement surface at a point of contact above a vertical center of the impingement surface.

265. The method of claim 263, wherein directing the liquid jet to impinge the impingement surface comprises directing the liquid jet to impinge the impingement surface at a contact point laterally of a horizontal center of the impingement surface.

266. The method of claim 265, wherein the impingement surface is shaped to redirect at least a portion of the liquid jet within the chamber from a location laterally of a horizontal center of the impingement surface on a side of the impingement surface opposite the point of contact.

267. The method of claim 265, wherein an angle between a vertical axis of the impact surface and a radial line extending from a center point of the impact surface through the contact point is between-45 ° and 45 °.

268. The method of claim 267, wherein the angle is between-30 ° and 30 °.

269. The method of claim 268, wherein the angle is between-15 ° and 15 °.

270. The method of claim 263, wherein directing the liquid jet to impinge the impingement surface comprises directing the liquid jet to impinge the impingement surface at the contact point at a radial distance less than 0.63 inches from a center point of the impingement surface.

271. The method of claim 270, wherein directing the liquid jet to impinge the impingement surface comprises directing the liquid jet to impinge the impingement surface at the contact point at a radial distance of between 0.010 inches and 0.05 inches from a center point of the impingement surface.

272. The method of claim 263, wherein directing the liquid jet to impinge the impingement surface comprises directing the liquid jet to impinge the impingement surface at the point of contact at a radial distance between 1% and 49% of a diameter of the impingement surface.

273. The method of claim 272, wherein directing the liquid jet to impinge the impingement surface comprises directing the liquid jet to impinge the impingement surface at the contact point at a radial distance between 5% and 45% of a diameter of the impingement surface.

274. The method of claim 273, wherein directing the liquid jet to impinge the impingement surface comprises directing the liquid jet to impinge the impingement surface at the contact point at a radial distance between 8% and 40% of a diameter of the impingement surface.

275. The method of claim 274, wherein directing the liquid jet to impinge the impingement surface comprises directing the liquid jet to impinge the impingement surface at the contact point at a radial distance between 15% and 25% of a diameter of the impingement surface.

276. The method of claim 274, wherein directing the liquid jet to impinge the impingement surface comprises directing the liquid jet to impinge the impingement surface at the contact point at a radial distance between 20% and 40% of a diameter of the impingement surface.

277. The method of claim 263, wherein the chamber comprises a proximal chamber, wherein the impact member is angled downward toward a transition opening between a proximal chamber and a distal chamber of the instrument.

278. The method of claim 263, wherein a central axis of the impact member is angled downward from a front-rear axis of the chamber at an angle between 0 ° and 10 °.

279. The method of claim 278, wherein a central axis of the impact member is angled downward from a front-to-rear axis of the chamber at an angle between 0 ° and 6 °.

280. The method of claim 279, wherein a central axis of the impact member is angled downward from a front-rear axis of the chamber at an angle between 0 ° and 3 °.

281. The method of claim 263, wherein a central axis of the impact member is laterally angled with respect to an up-down axis of the chamber.

282. The method of claim 263, wherein directing the liquid jet to impinge the impingement surface comprises directing the liquid jet along a jet axis that is angled upward relative to a front-to-rear axis of the chamber.

283. The method of claim 282, wherein directing the liquid jet to impinge the impingement surface includes directing the liquid jet along a jet axis that is at an angle between 0 ° and 10 ° upward relative to a front-to-rear axis of the chamber.

284. The method of claim 283, wherein directing the liquid jet to impinge the impingement surface comprises directing the liquid jet along a jet axis that is at an angle between 0 ° and 6 ° upward relative to a front-to-rear axis of the chamber.

285. The method of claim 284, wherein directing the liquid jet to impinge the impingement surface includes directing the liquid jet along a jet axis that is at an angle between 0 ° and 4 ° upward relative to a front-to-rear axis of the chamber.

286. The method of claim 263, wherein directing the liquid jet to impinge the impingement surface comprises directing the liquid jet along a jet axis that is laterally angled relative to an up-down axis of the chamber.

287. The method of claim 263, wherein the impingement surface is shaped to redirect at least a portion of the liquid jet in the form of the second liquid jet within the chamber.

288. The method of claim 263, wherein the impact surface is angled at the contact point to redirect at least a portion of the liquid jet in the chamber in the form of the second liquid jet.

289. The method of claim 263, wherein directing the liquid jet to impinge the impingement surface comprises directing the liquid jet to impinge the impingement surface at an angle relative to the impingement surface, the angle configured such that the liquid jet is redirected from the impingement surface in the form of the second liquid jet.

290. The method of claim 263, wherein the impact surface is hemispherical.

291. The method of claim 263, wherein the impact surface is concave.

292. The method of claim 263, wherein the liquid supply port of the dental instrument and the impingement member are arranged relative to one another to create turbulence of liquid within the chamber.

293. The method of claim 263, wherein the dental instrument comprises a suction port exposed to the chamber.

294. The method of claim 293, wherein the suction port is disposed along an upper wall of the chamber.

295. The method of claim 293, wherein the dental instrument comprises an outlet line connected to the suction port.

296. The method of claim 295, wherein the dental instrument includes a vent exposed to ambient air, the vent being in fluid communication with the outlet line and positioned along the outlet line at a location downstream of the suction port.

297. The method of claim 263, wherein the fluid within the chamber comprises a substantially degassed fluid.

298. The method of claim 263, wherein directing the liquid jet to impinge on the impingement surface comprises generating a pressure wave in the fluid within the chamber, the generated pressure wave having a broad band power spectrum.

299. An apparatus for applying a platform to a tooth, the apparatus comprising:

one or more surfaces configured to receive a conformable material;

a handle extending proximally from the one or more surfaces;

A pin extending distally from the one or more surfaces and configured to be received within an access opening of the tooth; and

a vent path extending through the pin and the shank.

300. The apparatus of claim 299, further comprising:

an upper rim comprising an upper surface, a lower surface, and an outer edge extending therebetween; and

a lower rim extending downwardly from the upper rim and comprising a lower surface and an outer edge extending between the lower surface and the upper rim, wherein the one or more surfaces configured to receive the conformable material comprise the lower surface of the upper rim, the outer edge of the lower rim, and the lower surface of the lower rim.

301. The apparatus of claim 300, wherein the upper edge has a larger cross section than the lower edge.

302. The apparatus of claim 300, wherein the upper edge and the lower edge are each shaped in the form of a disk.

303. The apparatus of claim 300, wherein the upper edge has a circular cross-section and the lower edge has a circular cross-section.

304. The apparatus of claim 300, wherein an outer edge of the upper rim extends radially beyond an outer edge of the lower rim.

305. The apparatus of claim 299, wherein the pin tapers between a proximal end of the pin and a distal end of the pin.

306. The apparatus of claim 299, wherein the vent path extends from a proximal-most end of the handle to a distal-most end of the pin.

307. The apparatus of claim 299, wherein the handle comprises an elongated handle top.

308. The apparatus of claim 299, wherein the handle comprises one or more circumferential ridges.

309. The apparatus of claim 299, wherein the vent path comprises a first vent path, wherein the apparatus comprises a second vent path.

310. The apparatus of claim 309, wherein the first vent path extends along a first axis and the second vent path extends along a second axis that is transverse to the first axis.

311. The apparatus of claim 310, wherein the second axis is perpendicular to the first axis.

312. The apparatus of claim 309, wherein the second vent path comprises a recess extending downwardly from an uppermost surface of the handle and extending at least partially laterally relative to the first vent path.

313. The apparatus of claim 309, wherein the second vent path comprises a channel extending laterally through a portion of the handle and extending at least partially laterally relative to the first vent path.

314. The apparatus of claim 313, wherein the channel comprises a through-hole.

315. The apparatus of claim 309, wherein the second vent path is in fluid communication with the first vent path.

316. The apparatus of claim 299, wherein the one or more surfaces are shaped to form a platform from the conformable material, the platform comprising a bottom surface, an access opening extending through the bottom surface, and a ridge extending upwardly from the bottom surface.

317. The apparatus of claim 316, wherein the bottom surface is configured to receive a dental therapeutic instrument.

318. The apparatus of claim 317, wherein the ridge is configured to limit lateral movement of the dental treatment instrument across a bottom surface of the platform.

319. A method for treating teeth, the method comprising:

applying a conformable material to one or more surfaces of an applicator about a pin extending distally beyond the surface of the applicator;

Advancing the applicator toward the tooth to position a pin of the applicator within an access opening of the tooth and apply the conformable material to a top surface of the tooth; and

curing the conformable material while the conformable material is positioned on the top surface of the tooth to form a platform on the top surface of the tooth.

320. The method of claim 319 wherein the conformable material comprises a photocurable resin.

321. The method of claim 319, wherein curing the conformable material to form the platform on the top surface of the tooth while the conformable material is positioned on the top surface of the tooth includes forming a platform including a bottom surface, an access opening extending through the bottom surface, and a ridge extending upward from the bottom surface.

322. The method of claim 321, wherein the access opening of the platform is aligned with the access opening of the tooth.

323. The method of claim 322, further comprising positioning a dental treatment instrument on the platform such that the dental treatment instrument is in fluid communication with the inlet opening of the tooth via the inlet opening of the platform.

324. The method of claim 323, wherein the ridge of the platform is configured to limit lateral movement of the dental treatment instrument across the bottom surface of the platform.

325. The method of claim 321, further comprising:

removing the applicator from the platform; and

the size or shape of the access opening of the platform is adapted.

326. The method of claim 325, wherein sizing and shaping the access opening of the platform comprises sizing and shaping the access opening of the platform to conform to the access opening of the tooth.

327. The method of claim 319, wherein the applicator includes:

one or more surfaces of the applicator, wherein the one or more surfaces are configured to receive the conformable material;

a handle extending proximally from the one or more surfaces;

the pin, wherein the pin extends distally from the one or more surfaces; and

a vent path extending through the pin and the shank.

328. The method of claim 327, wherein the applicator further comprises:

an upper rim comprising an upper surface, a lower surface, and an outer edge extending therebetween; and

A lower rim extending downwardly from the upper rim and comprising a lower surface and an outer edge extending between the lower surface and the upper rim, wherein the one or more surfaces configured to receive the conformable material comprise the lower surface of the upper rim, the outer edge of the lower rim, and the lower surface of the lower rim.

329. The method of claim 328, wherein the upper edge has a larger cross-section than the lower edge.

330. The method of claim 328, wherein the upper edge and the lower edge are each shaped in the form of a disk.

331. The method of claim 328, wherein the upper edge has a circular cross-section and the lower edge has a circular cross-section.

332. The method of claim 328, wherein an outer edge of the upper rim extends radially beyond an outer edge of the lower rim.

333. The method of claim 327, wherein the vent path extends from a proximal-most end of the handle to a distal-most end of the pin.

334. The method of claim 327, wherein the handle comprises an elongated handle top.

335. The method of claim 327, wherein the shank comprises one or more circumferential ridges.

336. The method of claim 327, wherein the vent path comprises a first vent path, wherein the applicator comprises a second vent path.

337. The method of claim 336, wherein the first ventilation path extends along a first axis and the second ventilation path extends along a second axis that is transverse to the first axis.

338. The method of claim 337, wherein the second axis is perpendicular to the first axis.

339. The method of claim 336, wherein the second vent path comprises a recess extending downwardly from an uppermost surface of the handle and extending at least partially laterally relative to the first vent path.

340. The method of claim 336, wherein the second vent path comprises a channel extending laterally through a portion of the handle and extending at least partially laterally relative to the first vent path.

341. The method of claim 340, wherein the channel comprises a through-hole.

342. The method of claim 336, wherein the second vent path is in fluid communication with the first vent path.

343. The method of claim 319, wherein the pin tapers between a proximal end of the pin and a distal end of the pin.

344. An apparatus for treating teeth, the apparatus comprising:

a chamber having an access opening to provide fluid communication with a treatment area of the tooth;

a liquid supply port arranged to direct a liquid jet into the chamber to generate a pressure wave within the chamber; and

at least one oscillating member exposed to fluid movement in the chamber, the fluid movement causing the at least one oscillating member to oscillate.

345. The apparatus of claim 344, wherein the at least one oscillating member is configured to oscillate to amplify an amplitude of at least one frequency of pressure waves within the chamber.

346. The apparatus of claim 345, wherein the at least one oscillating member is configured to oscillate at a natural frequency corresponding to at least one frequency of the pressure waves.

347. The apparatus of claim 344, wherein the liquid supply port is configured to direct the liquid jet into the chamber to create fluid movement in the chamber.

348. The apparatus of claim 344, wherein the apparatus comprises an impingement member disposed within the path of the liquid jet, the impingement member having one or more surfaces positioned to redirect at least a portion of the liquid jet within the chamber.

349. The apparatus of claim 344, wherein the at least one oscillating member comprises a plurality of oscillating members.

350. The apparatus of claim 349, wherein each of the plurality of oscillating members is configured to oscillate to amplify amplitudes of different frequencies of pressure waves within the chamber.

351. The apparatus of claim 350, wherein each of the plurality of oscillating members comprises a different shape.

352. The apparatus of claim 350, wherein each of the plurality of oscillating members comprises a different size.

353. The apparatus of claim 350, wherein each of the plurality of oscillating members is positioned at a different location.

354. The apparatus of claim 350, wherein each of the plurality of oscillating members is configured to oscillate at a different natural frequency.

355. The apparatus of claim 344, wherein the pressure wave comprises a frequency range effective to clean a treatment region of the tooth, wherein the at least one oscillating member is configured to oscillate to amplify an amplitude of at least one frequency in the frequency range.

356. The apparatus of claim 355, wherein the at least one oscillating member is configured to oscillate at a natural frequency corresponding to at least one frequency in the frequency range.

357. The apparatus of claim 355, wherein the at least one oscillating member comprises a plurality of oscillating members.

358. The apparatus of claim 357, wherein each of the plurality of oscillating members is configured to oscillate to amplify amplitudes of different frequencies within the frequency range.

359. The apparatus of claim 357, wherein each of the plurality of oscillating members is configured to oscillate at a different natural frequency corresponding to frequencies within the frequency range.