FR2707869A1 - Novel apparatus and instrument for removing subgingival bacteria - Google Patents

Abstract

Dental treatment apparatus consisting of a pulsed liquid (3) generator (1) connected via a thin elastic tube (4) of length greater than 50 cm to an elongate instrument (5), making a fluid connection between the liquid (3) coming from the pulsed liquid generator (1) and one end (10, 15) of the instrument (5), the said end of the instrument including a hollow probe (10) or adapter system (15, 17) for a hollow probe (10) for irrigating the subgingival cavity, and dental treatment instrument designed for the above apparatus.

Description

This application concerns a new device and instrument

  elimination of subgingival bacteria

  for the purpose of treating inflammation related to periodontal, endodontic, traumatic or infective lesions.

  Periodontal disease is characterized by the formation, along the tooth, of a more or less deep pocket, bringing the root directly into contact with an accumulation of pathogenic bacteria.10 There is currently no device and instrument allowing the irrigation of this cavity in

  good conditions and at an affordable price.

  The ideal instrument should be handy, vibration-free and sterilizable; it should allow the operator to focus only on his work without having to look beyond the tooth to be treated, and not risk causing additional trauma by excess pressure of the irrigation liquid or poor angulation of the 'needle.20 FR-A-2 565 816 describes a special tip adaptable to all existing hydropulsors, on any turbine cord, on any roller pump, or any device comprising an air and water inlet by means of a part connection intermediate, said end piece comprising a hollow probe having a rounded end allowing

  insertion and irrigation under the gum.

  However, such a nozzle in particular transmits the vibrations of the hydropulsor and action on the controls placed thereon is required when it is desired to modify or block the irrigation jet; this results in a

risk of cross contamination.

  This is why the present application relates to a dental treatment device characterized in that it consists of a pulsed liquid generator connected using

  a hose of thin elastic material, of longer length

  less than 50 cm, to an elongated instrument, bringing together

  fluid cation the liquid from the generator

  pulsed liquid and one end of the instrument, said end of the instrument comprising a hollow probe or a system for adapting a hollow irrigation probe to the subgingival cavity.

  The pulsed liquid generator is preferably the device commonly called "hydropulsor". A conventional hydropulsor comprises a reservoir and a pump taking the liquid from the reservoir, to propel it by jerks, under pressure, towards the nozzles, via a pipe with rigid walls usually coiled. The adaptation of a simple probe to the end of such a pipe does not allow professional use in conditions of acceptable comfort and safety.15 The pipe made of elastic material used in the present invention, taking into account the length and the flexibility of its material transmits practically no vibration at the level of the elongated instrument. By "elastic material" is meant a material

  expandable and compressible with moderate force.

  For example, a silicone plastic hose such as that sold by the company AIREL under the reference "Silicone origin Rhône Poulenc" is used. The external diameter of the pipe can range, for example, from 3 to 7 mm, and is preferably approximately 4 to 5 mm for a thin thickness of its walls, for example from 0.3 to 0.9 mm, in particular from 0, 4 to 0.8 mm, preferably about

0.5 to 0.8 mm.

  Its length can range, for example, from 0.5 to 2 m

  and preferably about 1.5 to 2 m.

  By "elongated instrument" is meant an instrument for example of a length of 10 cm or more, for a section of 1 cm; the instrument advantageously has the shape and dimensions of a pen, possibly bent. 35 In order to allow the flow of irrigation liquid to be stopped without the operator's gaze having to

  leave the gum, the elongated instrument has advantageously

  a means of adjusting the flow rate of liquid flowing to the probe, which is preferably a compressible hose whose

  at least one section is accessible to a compression element

  sion, said compressible hose connecting fluid communication with an irrigation liquid inlet and an irrigation liquid outlet which is either an irrigation probe, namely a hollow needle at the blunt end, or a system of adaptation, for example with screw or bayonet or

  by simply tightening such a probe.

  The compression element can be one of the fingers of the manipulator, crushing the compressible hose. It can be any suitable mechanical device, and advantageously a wheel which can be moved preferably along the longitudinal axis of the elongated instrument using a guide structure constituted by at least one guide allowing compression.

of said compressible hose.

  In order to limit the liquid pressure to the level

  of the irrigation tip, the new device according to the invention

  tion advantageously comprises a pressure limiting system which consists of a bypass of the pipe connecting the hydropulsor to the instrument, for example a so-called "T" bypass. This derivation is itself advantageously provided with a return pipe bringing back part of the liquid coming from the pulsed liquid generator into a

  tank in which the latter pumps the liquid.

  Such a device makes it possible, in addition to limiting the pressure below a traumatic value, stirring and permanent mixing of the liquid at the level of the hydropulsor reservoir, thus introducing oxygen molecules of

  the air to which anaerobic bacteria are sensitive.

  The end of the return pipe advantageously comprises a ballast whose essential function is to hold the end of the return pipe on the bottom or at

near the bottom of the tank.

  The end of the return pipe advantageously includes a system for adjusting the return flow rate, preferably located on the ballast, also allowing the maximum pressure of the liquid in the probe to be adjusted.5 The two above functions are advantageously fulfilled by a single element of ballast which is an element

  heavy hollow and therefore resting at the bottom of a tank, one end of the element being connected to the return pipe, said element comprising an adjusting screw allows both to close all or part, as desired, of the light of said element.

  Said element may also include at its periphery

  laughs perforations, serrations or others to ensure the return of the liquid whatever the position. He can by

  example have the shape of a cylinder or a parallelepiped such as a cube.

  In order to allow the best maneuverability of the instrument, the return branch is installed near the hydropulsor, for example 20 or 30 cm from it, while generally the length of the pipe connecting the hydropulsor to the instrument will be 50 cm long at

  2 meters and more and advantageously 1.5 to 2 meters.

  In order to control the flow of irrigation liquid

  tion satisfactorily and easily, the elongated instrument advantageously comprises a wheel making it possible to crush the pipe, preferably internal to the aforementioned instrument, connecting the pipe made of elastic material coming from the hydropulsor

  adaptation system of a hollow irrigation probe.

  The embodiments of adjusting or stopping the flow are for example the following: - the wheel is guided by one or more guides according to a movement which is gradually brings the wheel closer to the internal pipe until it completely crushes and blocks the circulation of liquid, the internal pipe being leaned in this case with a buttress, for example parallel to said pipe, or while the movement of the wheel is done in parallel

  to the axis of the instrument lying at this level while the pipe cooperates with a buttress to get closer progress-

  of said axis. The same pinching effect of the pipe is obtained in both cases. 5 The adjustment and stop wheel is located on the instrument, advantageously near for example 2 cm from the irrigation probe, in order to allow manipulation. -

  easy lation for example by thumb, index or middle finger.

  The present invention also relates to a dental treatment instrument specially designed for

  the dental treatment apparatus described above, character-

  laughed at in that it consists of a handpiece comprising

  a compressible hose of which at least one section is accessible

  ble to a compression element, said compressible hose putting in fluid communication an inlet for irrigation liquid and an outlet for irrigation liquid which is either an irrigation probe, namely a hollow needle at the blunt end, either an adaptation system, for example with a screw or bayonet or by simply tightening a

such probe.

  The end of the instrument intended to carry the irrigation probe advantageously comprises a system for attaching said probe allowing it to adapt

  firmly and tightly at the end of the instrument.

  This is why the end of the instrument advantageously comprises either a thread or a system called "bayonet" allowing adaptation and blocking.

a probe.

  Centered on the fixing and blocking system there is preferably a part in fluid relation with the compressible hose and the hydropulsor, bringing the liquid into the probe. This room is advantageously provided with a

  sealing system such as an O-ring. The compressed hose

  sible is advantageously internal to the handpiece which preferably has the general shape of a tube or a pen,

possibly bent.

  Other characteristics of the elongated instrument are set out above in the context of the description of

  the treatment apparatus which is the subject of the invention as well as below in the examples. The apparatus and the instrument according to the present

  invention have remarkable qualities.

  Thanks to the adaptation system which is provided with the instrument according to the invention, it is possible to removably install all kinds of hollow probes or needles, of various shapes, advantageously of angled shape (for per-surgical irrigation in oral surgery and in

  implant bone surgery etc ...).

  All the elements, both piping, probe, instrument and its different parts are made of

sterilizable materials.

  The combination of the material, its dimensions and the length of the pipe connecting the hydropulsor to the instrument according to the present invention

  prevents the transmission of vibrations to the instrument

  ment, leaving the practitioner with great precision in the medical procedure, especially since access to the bottom of the pockets of the

  periodontal disease and in the back of the mouth is difficult.

  The invention will be better understood if reference is made to the appended drawings in which FIG. 1 shows diagrammatically the mounting of the apparatus according to the present invention, and FIG. 2 represents an instrument according to the invention in longitudinal section. In FIG. 1, a distinction is made on the one hand, the hydropulsor block 1, comprising a reservoir 2. The liquid 3 propelled by the block is conveyed, by means of the flexible pipe 4 made of silicone plastic (internal diameter 1.5 mm , external diameter 3 mm, length 1.80 m), up to

the dental instrument 5.

  This pipe 4 on the one hand is connected to the liquid outlet of the hydropulser by an adapter 6 and comprises, near the hydropulsor, a T-branch 7 bringing part of the flow into the tank 2 in which is pumped

  the liquid to be propelled, via a return pipe 8, the end of which is provided with a ballast 9 resting on the bottom of the tank 2. The end of the instrument5 5 is provided with a probe 10 of irrigation.

  In the section of FIG. 2 which represents the instrument according to the invention, the handle of the instrument is distinguished, which here comprises three parts 11a, 11b, 11c. The pipe 4 is fixed at the end of one of the two ends of a junction piece 12 allowing the circulation of the liquid 3 from the pipe 4 to the internal pipe 13 of the instrument, this piece 12 is secured to the part llb the handle with a small screw 14, the other end of the internal pipe 13 is

  fixed to an end piece of a second junction piece 15 solida-

  laughing at one of the lic parts of the handle thanks to another small screw 16. The other end piece, outside the instrument, of the second part 15 is also used to adapt a probe

  not shown here. It attaches to the outside

  mite from part 15 by insertion then screwing on the

  thread 17 which comprises the part llb of the handle, the

  cheeness being ensured by an O-ring 18 located in

  a groove formed on the outer end of this part 15.

  The internal pipe 13 rests partially on a buttress 19 whose thickness increases in the direction of the part of the instrument on which the probe is fixed. A thumbwheel 20 guided laterally parallel to the axis AA ′ of the instrument and whose extreme displacements in the direction AA ′ are limited by stops 21 and 22, makes it possible to adjust the flow of liquid; shown here in solid lines, it lets through the entire flow. Moved to the position shown in dotted lines, it crushes the pipe 13 against the buttress 19

to stop the flow.

Claims (9)

  1. Dental treatment instrument adaptable to a pulsed liquid generator, characterized in that it   consists of a handpiece with a compressed hose   sible (13) of which at least one section is accessible to a compression element (20), said compressible pipe putting   in fluid communication an arrival of irrigation liquid   tion and an irrigation liquid outlet (3) which is either an irrigation probe (10) or an adaptation system (15, 17), of such a probe.   2. Instrument according to claim 1, character-   laughed at in that the compression element is a device   mechanical (20) compression of the compressible hose (13).   3. Instrument according to claim 2, character-   risé in that the mechanical compression device is a wheel (20).   4. Instrument according to claim 3, character-   laughed in that the thumbwheel cooperates with a buttress (19)   located in front of it to compress the compressible hose (13).   5. dental treatment apparatus characterized in that it consists of a generator (1) of pulsed liquid (3) connected by means of a pipe (4) of thin elastic material, of length greater than 50 cm , to an instrument of   elongated dental treatment (5) according to one of the claims   1 to 4, putting the liquid (3) coming from the generator (1) of pulsed liquid into fluid communication and one end (10, 15) of the instrument (5), said end of the instrument comprising a hollow probe (10) or an adaptation system (15, 17) of a hollow probe (10) for irrigation of sub-gingival cavity.   6. Apparatus according to claim 5, characterized in that the elongated instrument comprises a compressible hose (13). 7. Apparatus according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that the hose made of thin elastic material (4) has a length of 1.5 to 2 m.   8. Apparatus according to one of claims 5 to 7,   characterized in that the hose of thin elastic material   (4) has walls from 0.4 to 0.8 mm thick.   9. Apparatus according to one of claims 5 to 8, characterized in that the pipe comprises a branch provided   a return line bringing back part of the liquid coming from the pulsed liquid generator into a tank in which the latter pumps the liquid.