GB2237743A

GB2237743A - Hand held device for combatting periodontitis

Info

Publication number: GB2237743A
Application number: GB9023846A
Authority: GB
Inventors: J B Barth; Jnr S E Piechota
Original assignee: Colgate Palmolive Co
Current assignee: Colgate Palmolive Co
Priority date: 1989-11-06
Filing date: 1990-11-02
Publication date: 1991-05-15
Also published as: GB9023846D0; AU6553190A; JPH03221037A; DE4034502A1; FR2653991A1; CA2029295A1

Abstract

A device for combatting periodontitis comprises a hand-held device including a squeezable container 18 or hand operated pump means (50, Fig 3) for forcing a viscous gel medicament into gingival openings and like treatable locations in the oral cavity. The device is provided with angulated passageways 22, 24 to enhance visibility of the oral cavity and a handle 20 for holding the device in the proper location while being manipulated. <IMAGE>

Description

P15568GB HAND-HELD DEV;CE FOR 4 COMBATTING PERIODONTITIS

BAC.1KGROUND OF THE INVENTION FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a hand-held device for dispensing medicaments into subgLngival pockets for the prevention and treatment of periodontitis.

1 i t DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART

PerJ-o.ontitJ.s is the major cause of tooth loss 4n adults. Primary among regimens to combat periodonritis is the maintenance of an oral environment that is free of food debris, desquamated or s','ed tissue and bacteria. Brushing the teeth iith a. toothbrush and toothpaste helps in keeping the oral cavity clean; but is less effective in removing debris or bacteria-laden plaque from between the teeth, and has little effect in the subgingival pockets. Plaque remaining in the subgingival pockets results in gingivitis, an inflammation which is recogni:ed zo be the precursor to periodontitis.

Medicaments are available which kill the bacteria in plaque and aid in reducing gingivitis and i periodontitis. However, it is difficult for the consumer to apply these materials to the subgingival areas in a ' AM home environment. In recogni.tion of this problem, one manufacturer has devised an appliance called the "Water Pik11 that uses pressurized water through a small hand-held nozzle, which impinges against the teeth and gums and helps remove food debris. However, this appliance is not. suitable or convenient for delivering medicaments to the subgingival pockets, which will remain in the pockets.

The present invention has the capability of deliveTing viscous or gelled medicaments to subgingival pockets and gingival margins for the treatment of gingivitis and periodontal diseases.

The present invention is an improvement over United States Patent No. 4, 617,918.

SUMMARY OF THE iNVENTION

The present invention is a hand-held squeezable tube filled with appropriate medication which has the rheology of a ge! and is dispensed through a physiologically angled extension tube fitted wi th a flexible rubber or plastic tip containing an appropriately sized crifice.

The device is used by protective cap covering the flexible tip.

removing the The flexible i i 1 i tip is then inserted into the proximal areas pointing towards the subgingival pocket' With the device in this position, the tip is gently Pressed into the subgingival pocket, while squeezing the tube, forcing the medication through the extension tube and flexible tip into the subgingival pocket. This 'procedure is repeated on the lingual and buccal sides of each tooth including the gingival margin.

A. t BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF TEE DRAWINGS embodimenz of the present invention; 1 is an elevational view of an hand-held device according to the Fig. 2 Is a sectional detail view of the flexible tip and replaceable cap therefor; Fig. 3 is an elevational view with a part in 0 section of a modified frorm of the invention; and, Fig. 4 is a sectional detail vi- ew of another form of cap.

4 DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION with continuing reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals designate similar parts throughout the various views, reference numeral 10 generally designates a hand-held device for combatting per-iodontitis in accordance with the concepts of the present invention.

The device 10 includes a housing 12 having a threaded opening 14 for receiving an externally threaded neck 16 of a squeezable tube containing a medicament. The tube 10 may be formed of a plastic or metallic material and may be of a-collapsible type or may be resilient. integral with the housing 12 is a handle 20, which extends alongside the container or tube 18, but also extends slightly divergent therefrom to facilitate manipulation of the device 10 while squeezing the container or tube 18.

In order to -facilitate application of the medication, the housing 12 includes a tubular portion or passageway 22 which extends angularly to the rest of the housing at an angle ranging from 20 degrees to 45 degrees from axial alignment with the container or tube 18 and, preferably, at 30 degrees. A further offset passageway 24 extends angularly to passageway 22 and at a reverse thirty-degree angle to the axis of the container or tube i i i i i 18 in the direction of the passageway 24. The angle may vary from twenty to fortL-five degrees, but the thirty-degree angle is most preferable.

A flexible tip 28 is provided at the end of passageway 24 and the channel 26 for passage of medicament may taper toward the tip 28, as desired, to obtain the desired size and shape of the medicament to be applied.

As can be seen in Fig. 2, a cap 30 may be provided for the end of tip 28, which may have a bead 32 thereon for cooperation with a bead 34 on the tip 28 so as to provide a snap-fitted closure for the tip 28.

In Fig. 4, a modified form of cap uses cooperatin,T internal threads 42 on the cap 40 which threadedly engage threads 44 on tip 281 to form a closure for:he tip 28'.

Refer-ring now to Fig. 3, therein is shown a squeezable refillable bulb 50, which has an externally threaded neck 52 for removable securement to the housing C 12. T Ah e bulb 50 is formed of an elastic, resilient material, such as rubber or a plastic having rubber-like properties. When squeezed, the bulb 50 acts a S a hand-held pump for intermittently forcing medicament to and through the tip and is restored to its original condition through an air intake 56 provided dith a screen 58 and baff-le 60, wh i ch permits air to enter the air intake 56, but prevents exit of medicament. The baffle reduces the possibility of clogging of the air intake 56.

In use, the angular direction of the passageways and location of the tip 28 or 281 facilitates L_ placement of the tip in its desired location, the angled passageways facilitating visibility of the oral cavity.

A suitable yield point for the gelled medicament greatly improves the effectivene.Ss of the product used. If the yield point is too low, the product will not be as effectively retained within the subgingival pocket or gingival margin. If the yield point is too high, then the product will be difficult to dispense through the small opening in the tip. Low thixotropy is a t desirable characteristic of the medicament. The medicament undergoes extensive shear as it is forced :ice in the tip. Rapid redevelopment through the small ori.1 of the solid structure will improve the retention of the product within the_subgingival pockets and on the gingival margins.

The gelled medicament used in the treatment of the aforementioned gum diseases may consist of suitable cerial agents, oxygenating agents, antibiotics, antibact anti-inflammatory agents, ant-i-calculus agents, s6dium bicarbonate or other materials recognized to be effective in the treatment of gum diseases. The device may also be used zo treat subgingival caries and remove subgingival calculus W i th gelled medicaments, such as fluoride, calcium chelating and antinucleating ingredients or other suitable materials. The use of local anesthetics, such as benzocaine, -ray also be used to relieve tenderness of inflamed areas.

G.

1 I f dest red the device may be used to deliver medicaments that do not have a yield point and have a rheology even as low as water. Medicaments with this kind of rheolog-y are easily dispensed with this device.

t -7 P15568GB 8

Claims

1. A device for combatting periodontitis comprising a housing, means on the said housing f or removably and replaceably attaching a medicament container thereto, the said housing including angled passageways and further including a flexible tip for applying medication to a gingival opening.

2. A device for combatting periodontitis comprising a housing, means on the said housing for removably and replaceably attaching a medicament container thereto, the said housing including angled passageways and further including a flexible tip for applying medication to a gingival opening, the said housing including a handle located so that when a container is attached to the attachment means the handle is at least partially and preferably partially coextensive with the container for facilitating holding the device in a desired location while squeezing the container.

3. A device for combatting periodontitis comprising a housing, means on the said housing for removably and replaceably attaching a medicament container thereto, the said housing including angulated passageways for facilitating visualization of the oral cavities and further including a flexible tip for applying medication to a gingival opening,, the said housing including a handle extending slightly diverging i P15568GB 9 from the said container and partially coextensive therewith for facilitating holding the device in a desired location while squeezing the container.

4. A device according to Claim 1, 2 or 3 wherein said medicament is a viscous gel.

5. A device according to Claim 1, 2 j 3 or 4 wherein said container is a squeezable tube.

6. A device according to any one of Claims 1 to 4 wherein said container is a resilient and elastic rubber-like bulb.

7. A device according to any one of Claims 1 to 4 wherein said container is a hand operable pump.

8. A device according to any one of Claims 1 to 4 wherein said container is a hand operable pump, said pump being a resilient and elastic rubberlike bulb.

9. A device according to any one of Claims 1 to 4 wherein said container is a hand operable pump, said pump being a resilient and elastic rubberlike bulb, said bulb having a viscous gel-like medicament therein.

10. A device as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 9 in which a removable cap is provided for the said tip.

P15568GB

11. A device for combatting periodontitis comprising a housing means on the said housing for removably and replaceably attaching a medicament container thereto, said housing including angulated passageways for facilitating visualization of the oral cavities and further including a flexible tip for applying medication to a gingival opening, the said housing including a handle extending slightly diverging from said container and partially coextensive therewith for facilitating holding the device in a desired location while squeezing the container, said container having a viscous gel medicament therein and a removable cap for said tip.

12. A device as claimed in Claim 10 or Claim 11, wherein said cap is snap fitted on said tip.

13. A device as claimed in Claim 10 or Claim 11, wherein the said cap is threaded on the said tip.

14. A device for combatting periodontitis comprising a housing means on the said housing for removably and replaceably attaching a medicament container thereto, said housing including angulated passageways for facilitating visualization of the oral cavities and further including a flexible tip for applying medication to a gingival opening, the said housing including a handle extending slightly diverging from said container and partially coextensive therewith for facilitating holding the device in a desired location while squeezing the container, said passageways having a first passageway extending aC P15568GB substantially thirty degrees to the axis of said container, and a second passageway extending angularly to said first passageway at an angle of substantially thirty degrees to said axis of said container.

15. A device as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 14 wherein said container is a hand operable pump, said pump being a resilient and elastic rubber-like bulb, said bulb having a viscous gel-like medicament therein, said passageways having a first passageway extending at substantially thirty degrees to the axis of said container, and a second passageway extending angularly to said first passageway at an angle of substantially thirty degrees to said axis of said container.

16. A device as claimed in Claim 1 substantially as specifically described herein with reference to Figures 1 and 2 or 1, 2 and 4, or 3 or 3 and 4 of the accompanying drawings.

Pubitshed 1991 at The Patent 01fice, State House. 66/71 High liolbom. London WC I R4TP. Further copies Tnay be obtained from Sales Branch, Unit 6. Nine Mile Point. Cwmi'clinlach. Cross Keys. Newport, NP1 7HZ. Printed by Multiplex techniques ltd. St Mary Cray. Kent.