EP1725182A1

EP1725182A1 - Offset tip elevator/luxator

Info

Publication number: EP1725182A1
Application number: EP05708344A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Russell Khan-Sullman
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2004-02-14
Filing date: 2005-02-14
Publication date: 2006-11-29
Also published as: CA2556310A1; WO2005079693A1; GB2410902A; RU2006132819A; GB0403319D0; GB2410902B; CN1917825A

Abstract

An Offset Tip Dental Elevator comprising a handle, an active elevating component (with a tip end and a rear end), a rigid connecting element interconnecting the handle and the elevating component, with a bend (having an inner curve and an outer curve) incorporated at the elevating component rear-end/rigid connection component junction point, wherein the handle and rigid connection element share the same longitudinal axis, the rear-end of the elevating component, the bend, connection element and handle all exist in the same plane, the longitudinal axis of the elevating component is different from the longitudinal axis of the handle-connection arrangement, and where the plane of the active elevating edge/surface(s) exist at an angle (preferably but not exclusively of 90 degrees) to the plane in which the bend-connection-handle arrangement exists. The elevating edge can be of current or future style, or may be provided as a luxating component.

Description

OFFSET TIP E EVATQR/LUXATOR

(RUSSELL SULLMAN- 10/02/04)

BACKGROUND

Dental elevators and luxators are dental tools used to loosen and displace teeth and tooth debris in the course of dental extractions. They are structurally similar, but differ according to the positioning of the active tip in operation.

Elevator function involves the insertion of the active elevating tip, carrying the active elevating surface and edge, into the inter-dental spaces between the mesial (front- facing) surface of the tooth to be extracted and the distal (rear-facing) surface of the adjacent tooth in front.

Luxator function involves the insertion of the active luxating tip, carrying the active luxating surface and edge, into the periodontal ligament space (i.e. the space containing the ligament between the tooth root surface and the bone to which the tooth attaches).

Current styles of elevators and luxators are comprised of an active tip and a handle, and a rigid connection between the tip end and the handle, characterised in that both the component parts (active tip, rigid connection and handle) and the plane of the active elevating or luxating surfaces exist in the same plane.

Current styles are difficult to use where there is a limitation of space, e.g. at the back of the mouth, so there is the need for a dental elevator/dental luxator that is designed for use where there is limited access.

DESCRIPTION AND TECHNICAL FEATURES

An Offset Tip Elevator comprising a handle, an active elevating edge having a tip end and a rear end, and a rigid connection between the handle and the rear end of the of the elevating edge, where there exists a bend between the elevating edge and the rigid connection.

The device is characterised by the following features: - 1. The elevating edge, bend, rigid connection and handle all exist in the same plane; 2. The rigid connection and the handle exist in-line with each other (i.e. they share the same longitudinal axis); 3. The longitudinal axis of the elevating edge component (i.e. from tip end to rear end) is different from the longitudinal axis of the connection-handle arrangement; 4. As the plane of the active elevating edge/surfaces exists at an angle, preferably of 90 degrees, to the plane in which the bend-connection-handle arrangement exists; 5. The plane of the active elevating surface is bisected by the plane in which the bend-connection-handle arrangement exists; The active elevator component may incorporate the features, parts and surfaces found in current or future styles of dental elevator. Dental luxators are special types of dental elevator, so they are substantially the same as elevators in general structure, with the difference being in the active functional tip. It is possible then, by the incorporation of the dental luxator elevating components, to make a Luxator form of the Offset Tip Elevator. The Offset Tip Elevator/Luxator will be hereinafter referred to as the 'invention'. The invention may incorporate more than one bend along its length, and be also thickened for strength and/or handling along part or all of the bend and or connection- handle. ♦ The rigid connection and/or handle may be rectilinear if desired. The arc of the concavity of the active el^'evatmg/luxating surface may exist in the tip end to rear end axis, or may exist in the side-to-side axis. The active elevating surface (i.e. that surface on the elevating tip that is placed against the mesial or front surface of the tooth to be extracted during operation) on the elevating tip of the invention exists on the opposite side of the plane of the active elevating surface to the connection-handle arrangement. This means that when in function the active elevating surface faces away from the teeth anterior to the tooth to be extracted, and faces away from the clinician.

The cutting edge of the active luxating tip may also be located on either side of the tip end to rear end axis (i.e. on the longitudinal sides of the luxating component/tip).

Brief Description of the Drawings

By way of example, a number of embodiments will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 shows at (A) a perspective view of an embodiment of the invention of the

Offset Tip Elevator, and at (B), (C) and (D) directional views of the embodiment in the directions marked X, Y and Z respectively,

Figure 2 shows at (A) a perspective view of an embodiment of the invention of the

Offset Tip Elevator (as a Luxator), and at (B), (C) and (D) directional views of the embodiment in the directions marked X, Y and Z respectively,

Figure 3 shows a perspective view of another example of the invention,

Figure 4 shows a perspective view of yet another example of the invention,

Figure 5 shows a perspective view of still another example of the invention,

Figure 6 shows a perspective view of a further example of the invention,

Figure 7 shows at (A) a perspective view of the invention, and at(B) an enlarged view of the invention's active tip,

Figure 8 shows the invention in a luxator embodiment/manifestation when in use in the mouth, Figure 9 shows the invention in an elevator embodiment/manifestation when in use in the mouth, Figure 10 shows a perspective view of yet another example of the invention. Detailed Description of examples of the Invention Figure 1 shows at (A) a Sullman Offset Tip Elevator 1 embodying the invention, with an active elevating tip 2, a bend 3, rigid connection 4 and handle 5. Figures 1(B), 1(C) and 1(D) provide views of the embodiment from each of the three mutually orthogonal directions X, Y and Z that are marked in 1(A). Figure 2 shows at (A) an embodiment of the invention when employed as a luxator, with an active luxator tip 6, a bend 3, rigid connection 4 and handle 5. Figures 2(B), 2(C) and 2(D) provide views of the embodiment from each of the three mutually orthogonal directions X, Y and Z that are marked in 1(A).

Figures 3, 4 and 5 show perspective views of a variety of different examples of the luxator manifestation of the invention. Figures 4 and 5 shows that the bend and rigid connection is thicker than the active tip for the purposes of structural strength.

Figure 6 shows a perspective view of another embodiment of the elevator form.

Figure 7 shows at (A) the characteristic and innovative features of the invention, wherein the common axis KL of the rigid connection 4 and handle 5 shares the same plane EFGH as the axis MN of the active elevating tip 2.

The axis of the tip MN is different from the connection-handle axis KL, and the plane ABDC of the active elevating tip surfaces is bisected by the plane EFGH containing the connection-handle axis.

The Figure 7(B) shows an enlarged view of the tip-bend-connection part of -the elevator shown in 7(A), illustrating the innovative active surface to connection-handle axis relationship being claimed for ( e. the plane of the active surfaces ABDC existing at an angle of more than 30 degrees to the plane EFGH containing the connection-handle axis).

Figure 8 shows the invention in function when.heing_^us.ed s.a luxator in the displacement and extraction of a lower left first molar tooth 7 in the lower dental arch, with the active luxator tip 6 being inserted into the periodontal ligament space.

Figure 9 shows the invention in function when being used as an elevator, in the removal of an upper left wisdom tooth 8 in the upper dental arch, with the placement of the active tip 2 into the inter-dental space between the second and third molars, in the space between the occlusal (biting) surface and the gingival mucosa.

Figure 10 shows another embodiment of the invention, as an elevator.

Other modifications and embodiments of the invention, which will be readily apparent to those skilled in this art, are to be deemed within the ambit and scope of the invention, and particular embodiments hereinbefore described may be varied in construction and detail, e.g. interchanging (where appropriate or desired) different features of each, without departing from the scope of the patent monopoly hereby sought.

Claims

CLAIMS 1. An Offset Tip Elevator comprising an active elevating component (with a tip end and a rear end), a bend, a rigid connection and a handle (in that order), wherein all the components exist in a single plane, although the tip to rear end axis of the active elevating tip is different to the rigid connection-handle axis, and where the plane of the active elevating surface is bisected by the plane of the longitudinal axis of the in-line rigid connection-handle arrangement; 2. An Offset Tip Elevator as claimed in claim 1 wherein the elevating tip may be replaced by an active luxating component so that the device can act as an Offset Tip Luxator; 3. An Offset Tip Elevator/Luxator as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the angle between the tip axis and the connection-handle arrangement axis is greater than 30 degrees; 4. An Offset Tip Elevator/Luxator as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the active elevating surfaces/active luxating surfaces are of the same style as those found in current styles of dental elevators and luxators, i.e. the invention can incorporate existing styles of elevating/luxating surface; 5. An Offset Tip Elevator/Luxator as claimed in any preceding claim wherein future types of active elevating/luxating surfaces can be incorporated in the invention; 6. An Offset Tip Elevator/Luxator as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the plane of the active elevating/luxating surface(s) exists at an angle of more than 30 degrees to the plane containing the longitudinal axis of the in-line rigid connection-handle arrangement; 7. An Offset Tip Elevator/Luxator as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the device may incorporate more than one handle; 8. An Offset Tip Elevator/Luxator as claimed in any preceding claim wherein one or more finger or thumb rests are incorporated for guidance and for improving the direction of applied pressure; 9. An Offset Tip Elevator as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the surface of the active elevating edge and the connection-handle arrangement exist on opposite sides of the plane of the active elevating tip edge; 10. An Offset Tip Luxator as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the active luxating edges exist on the sides of the active luxating tip, on either side of the tip end to rear end axis; 11. An Offset Tip Elevator/Luxator as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the device may incorporate more than one active elevating/luxating component; 12. An Offset Tip Elevator/Luxator as claimed in any preceding claim wherein there may exist more than one bend aLong the length of the rigid connection- handle arrangement; 13. An Offset Tip Elevator/Luxator as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the cross-sectional area thickness may be constant or variable, as may be dictated and desired by functional and operational needs (e.g. thickening the bend and/or connection-handle arrangement for strengthening and to provide resistance to stressful forces during use); 14. The Offset Tip Elevator/Luxator substantially as described herein with reference to the embodiments, by way of example, in the accompanying drawings.