JP2022179035A - Tooth surface washing device - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a tooth surface washing device that generates a powder mixed gas uniformly and continuously, and injects the powder mixed gas onto a tooth surface to remove dirt in dental treatment.SOLUTION: A tooth surface washing device 100 includes: a powder storage tank 110 for storing tooth surface washing powder; a dental treatment mixing instrument 120 for generating a powder mixed gas M by mixing the powder taken out from the powder storage tank, with the gas A supplied from an outside pressurized gas supply source; and a tooth surface washing handpiece 130 connected to this dental treatment mixing instrument, and washing the tooth surface by the powder mixed gas supplied. The dental treatment mixing instrument includes: a mixer body forming a cylindrical mixing chamber for generating the powder mixed gas, by mixing the powder taken out of the powder storage tank with the gas supplied from the outside pressurized gas supply source; and a truncated-cone-shaped mixing adjustment valve coaxially inserted in the cylindrical mixing chamber of the mixer body with the powder storage tank seated thereon, and oppositely arranged while partially protruding in the powder storage tank.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a tooth surface cleaning apparatus for removing stains by injecting powder mixed gas onto tooth surfaces in dental treatment.

Inflammatory diseases of the gums and oral mucosa, such as periodontal disease and peri-implantitis, caused by the adhesion of contaminants such as plaque and tartar derived from bacteria in the oral cavity, destroy supporting tissues around natural teeth and implants. significantly reduce their lifespan.
Therefore, in clinical dentistry, treatment methods for removing these contaminants adhering to the surfaces of natural teeth and implant bodies are widely used.
As a treatment method, "maintenance therapy" or SPT (Supportive Periodontal (Periimplant) Therapy) is routinely applied in clinical dentistry, and has the effect of significantly extending the life of natural teeth and implants. there is

Concerning the removal of such contaminants in the oral cavity, the effects of ordinary cleaning with running water or the like and detergents are limited.
The reason for this is that contaminants adhering to natural teeth and implants are firmly attached, and on the other hand, as far as cleaning is concerned, first of all, as long as it is in the human oral cavity, when using running water etc., the oral tissue should not damage the body, impede breathing, or adversely affect the respiratory or digestive system.
For this reason, it is necessary to limit the flow rate and pressure of running water alone, and it is difficult to achieve the ability to sufficiently remove stains adhering to natural teeth and implant bodies by itself.

As for washing with detergents, although chemicals such as alkalis and acids are remarkably effective as detergents, the options are limited because chemicals that have an adverse effect on the human body cannot be used.
Also, even detergents with relatively low biotoxicity in detergents should be avoided in high concentrations or in large amounts.

Therefore, the decontamination from the surface of natural teeth and implants currently practiced in clinical dentistry uses a scaler, a small rotating brush, or a tip connected to an ultrasonic transducer, and the stain is manually removed. A method of pinpoint rubbing is used.
However, calculus adheres strongly to the surface of natural teeth or implant bodies, or if calculus is present in the subgingival periodontal pocket, it is difficult to remove using a scaler.
In such cases, the operator inserts a tip with a cutting edge into the periodontal pocket to scrape and remove the contaminated surface. This removal work is extremely labor intensive and time consuming.
Furthermore, when the periodontal pocket is as deep as 5 mm or more, a surgical technique is sometimes used in which the gingiva around the natural tooth or implant body is peeled off and cured, which imposes an extremely heavy burden on the patient and operator.

For this reason, conventionally, there is known a dental abrasive spraying device for effectively removing stains adhering to tooth surfaces (for example, Patent Document 1).

The above-described dental abrasive spraying apparatus has a nozzle device at its tip that ejects a jet consisting of a mixture of compressed air and abrasive powder supplied from a mixing chamber arranged below the outlet of the powder tank. a discharge valve having a closure coupled to the handpiece and biased toward the closed position of the powder tank discharge port to prevent discharge of powder into the mixing chamber; and a discharge valve closure. to mix the powder discharged from the powder tank with the compressed air stream passing through the mixing chamber by alternately moving the closure body between the closed position of the discharge port and the open position of the discharge port by pulses. a powder tank adapted to determine the desired amount of powder to be mixed with the compressed air by selecting the pulse frequency of the drive means connected to the closing body of the discharge valve. ing.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2002-291767

However, in the dental abrasive spraying apparatus described above, the desired amount of powder to be mixed with the compressed air is determined by selecting the pulse frequency of the driving means connected to the closure of the discharge valve. However, it is extremely difficult to make fine adjustments to the complex generation mechanism required to set the pulse frequency. There is a problem in that the intermittent mixing causes intermittent change in the mixing ratio of the powder mixed gas, making it difficult to spray the abrasive of the powder mixed gas onto the tooth surface unevenly, making it difficult to spray the abrasive accurately.

Furthermore, although the above-described dental abrasive spraying device can replace an empty powder tank with a new powder tank filled with dental powder, the discharge port of the powder tank is always open. Therefore, in the case of a new powder tank, if the powder leaks from the discharge port, and if the powder remains in the tank even in the used powder tank, it will be removed from the discharge port in the same way. If the powder leaks out and the powder for cleaning the tooth surface is inadvertently diffused in the dental treatment, the dental treatment environment is significantly contaminated. There is a contradictory problem that uniform mixing with the gas cannot be performed, and as a result, there is a problem that it is difficult to continuously supply the powder mixed gas in which the powder and the gas are mixed to the handpiece.

In addition, the powder tank in the above-described dental abrasive spraying apparatus is merely provided with the inside of the cylindrical tank for containing the tooth surface cleaning powder. There is a problem that the powder is likely to clump, and the discharge port provided in the funnel-shaped portion at the bottom of the tank is clogged with the powder, thereby interfering with mixing with the gas.

Therefore, the present invention solves the problems of the prior art as described above, that is, an object of the present invention is to remove stains by injecting a powder-mixed gas onto the tooth surface in dental treatment. An object of the present invention is to provide a tooth surface cleaning apparatus that uniformly and continuously generates a powder mixed gas.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the invention of claim 1 provides a powder storage tank for storing tooth surface cleaning powder, and an external pressurized gas supply source for the powder taken out from the powder storage tank. a dental treatment mixing instrument for generating a powder mixed gas by mixing with the gas supplied from the dental treatment mixing instrument, and a tooth surface cleaning for cleaning the tooth surface with the powder mixed gas supplied by being connected to the dental treatment mixing instrument and a handpiece for dental treatment, wherein the mixing instrument for dental treatment mixes powder taken out from the powder storage tank and gas supplied from an external pressurized gas supply source to produce powder. A mixer main body having a cylindrical mixing chamber for generating a mixed gas and a cylindrical mixing chamber in which the powder storage tank is seated are coaxially inserted into the cylindrical mixing chamber of the mixer main body to be integrated into the powder storage tank. and a truncated cone-shaped mixing adjustment valve that is arranged oppositely in a protruded state.

The invention of claim 2 is characterized in that, in addition to the structure of the tooth surface cleaning apparatus described in claim 1, the mixer main body of the mixing instrument for dental treatment mixes the gas supplied from the pressurized gas supply source. A gas introduction hole that injects from the tangential direction of the outer peripheral wall surface forming the cylindrical mixing chamber of the main body of the mixer, and the powder mixed gas in the tangential direction of the outer peripheral side wall surface forming the cylindrical mixing chamber of the mixer main body. It is characterized by having a mixed gas outlet hole for leading out.

In addition to the structure of the tooth surface cleaning apparatus described in claim 2, the invention of claim 3 is characterized in that a mixed gas outlet hole of the mixing instrument for dental treatment is provided at a position below the cylindrical mixing chamber. It is characterized in that it is provided at a position above the cylindrical mixing chamber relative to the introduction hole.

The invention of claim 4 is characterized in that, in addition to the structure of the tooth surface cleaning apparatus according to claim 2 or 3, the diameter of the mixed gas outlet hole of the mixing instrument for dental treatment is equal to that of the pressurized gas supply source. It is characterized in that the diameter of the gas introduction hole is larger than that of the gas introduction hole through which the gas supplied from is injected.

The invention of claim 5 is characterized in that, in addition to the structure of the tooth surface cleaning apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, a mixing adjustment valve of the mixing instrument for dental treatment is provided in the powder storage tank. It is characterized in that it is provided so that it can be positioned and adjusted in the vertical direction.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in addition to the structure of the tooth surface cleaning apparatus according to any one of the first to fifth aspects, the powder storage tank stores powder for cleaning the tooth surface. It is characterized by comprising a storage tank body, a funnel member provided at the lower end of the storage tank body, and an inner plug provided within the storage tank body.

The invention of claim 7 is the tooth surface cleaning apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the powder storage tank stores powder in the tooth surface cleaning handpiece. It is characterized in that it can be exchangeably attached to a mixing device for dental treatment that feeds a mixed gas.

The invention of claim 8 is the tooth surface cleaning apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the funnel member of the powder storage tank is used as the mixing instrument for dental treatment. It is characterized by being detachable by screwing.

A ninth aspect of the invention provides the tooth surface cleaning apparatus according to any one of the first to eighth aspects, wherein an inner plug of the powder storage tank is erected in the storage tank main body. a rod-shaped plug body extending from the top end of the plug body and integrally fixed to the inner wall of the storage tank body; and a conical powder guide provided around the lower end of the plug body. It is characterized by comprising a guide, a valve that slidably protrudes from the lower end of the plug body, and a spring that is built in the plug body and biases the valve outward from the tank.

The invention of claim 10 is the tooth surface cleaning apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the inner plug of the powder storage tank and the funnel member form a seal ring. It is characterized by being sealed through.

The invention of claim 11, in addition to the structure of the tooth surface cleaning apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 10, is characterized in that the inner plug of the powder storage tank is a funnel of the powder storage tank. It is characterized in that it can be freely opened by pushing up the top of a mixing adjustment valve that is coaxially inserted into the cylindrical mixing chamber of the mixing instrument for dental treatment on which the member is seated.

The invention of claim 12, in addition to the structure of the tooth surface cleaning apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 11, is characterized in that the hole depth dimension of the funnel member of the powder storage tank is is smaller than the diameter of the extraction hole.

According to the tooth surface cleaning apparatus of the present invention, there are provided a powder storage tank for storing tooth surface cleaning powder, powder taken out from the powder storage tank, and gas supplied from an external pressurized gas supply source. and a tooth surface cleaning handpiece connected to the dental treatment mixing instrument to clean the tooth surface with the supplied powder mixture gas. With this device, it is possible not only to remove stains by injecting powder mixed gas, which is a mixture of tooth surface cleaning powder and gas, onto the tooth surface in dental treatment, but also to remove stains. Depending on the configuration, the following special effects can be obtained.

That is, according to the tooth surface cleaning apparatus of the invention according to claim 1, the mixing instrument for dental treatment mixes the powder taken out from the powder storage tank and the gas supplied from the external pressurized gas supply source. By providing a mixer main body that forms a cylindrical mixing chamber for generating a powder mixed gas, the mixing area of the powder and the gas in the mixer main body corresponds to the remaining amount of powder in the powder storage tank. Since it is an independent area from the powder storage tank that is not directly affected by the In addition, uniform mixing can be achieved, and handling such as replenishment of the powder in the powder storage tank can be easily achieved.

The mixing device for dental treatment forms a cylindrical mixing chamber for mixing the powder taken out from the powder storage tank and the gas supplied from the external pressurized gas supply source to generate the powder mixed gas. A truncated conical mixing adjustment valve that is coaxially inserted into the cylindrical mixing chamber of the mixer main body on which the powder storage tank is seated, and that is arranged facing the powder storage tank with a part thereof protruding into the powder storage tank. is provided, the truncated cone-shaped mixing adjustment valve, which is arranged facing the powder storage tank while partially protruding, tries to sink from the powder storage tank into the cylindrical mixing chamber of the mixer main body under its own weight. The powder is temporarily clogged in an annular gap formed between the mixture adjustment valve that partially protrudes into the powder storage tank, and is retained in the powder storage tank. The gas supplied from the powder storage tank is scraped out, and these retention and scraping are repeatedly induced. The powder scraped out from is intermittently and periodically mixed in the gas supplied from the pressurized gas supply source and diffused widely, so that the powder can be mixed continuously and uniformly.

Further, the mixing instrument for dental treatment is provided with a truncated conical mixing adjustment valve that is coaxially inserted into the cylindrical mixing chamber of the mixer main body and arranged facing the powder storage tank in a partially projecting state. As a result, the truncated conical mixing adjustment valve forms an annular gap between itself and the powder storage tank, and the total weight of the powder contained in the powder storage tank spreads over the entire area of this annular gap. Since the load is uniformly distributed, it is possible to prevent the powder from excessively agglomerating to such an extent that the powder cannot be taken out from the powder storage tank.

According to the tooth surface cleaning device of the invention according to claim 2, in addition to the effect of the tooth surface cleaning device according to claim 1, the mixer main body of the mixing instrument for dental treatment is supplied from the pressurized gas supply source. A gas introduction hole that injects the gas from the tangential direction of the outer peripheral wall surface that forms the cylindrical mixing chamber of the mixer body, and a tangent line of the outer peripheral wall surface that forms the cylindrical mixing chamber of the mixer body. In the cylindrical mixing chamber of the mixer main body, the gas injected from the gas introduction hole circulates along the outer peripheral wall surface and flows into the mixed gas outlet hole. A swirling flow is generated while flowing to the part, and the swirling flow becomes an upward flow induced by following the surface of the truncated cone-shaped portion of the mixing adjustment valve, scraping the powder from the powder storage tank and scraping it. Since the discharged powder is mixed with the gas, the powder-mixed gas is continuously generated by mixing the powder and the gas, and the powder-mixed gas is continuously supplied to the tooth surface cleaning handpiece. As a result, in dental treatment, the powder mixed gas can be jetted onto the tooth surface to remove stains, and as a result, the cleanability of the tooth surface in dental treatment can be improved.

In addition, the mixer main body of the mixing instrument for dental treatment has a gas introduction hole through which the gas supplied from the pressurized gas supply source is injected from the tangential direction of the outer peripheral wall surface forming the cylindrical mixing chamber of the mixer main body. , and a mixed gas outlet hole for leading the powder mixed gas in the tangential direction of the outer peripheral wall surface forming the cylindrical mixing chamber of the mixer main body, and is coaxially inserted into the cylindrical mixing chamber of the mixer main body. In the cylindrical mixing chamber of the mixer main body, the gas injected from the gas introduction hole is distributed to the outer periphery of the mixing control valve. A swirling flow is generated while flowing along the side wall surface and flowing to the mixed gas outlet hole, and the flow velocity of this swirling flow is higher in the lower region on the side of the outer peripheral side wall than in the upper region on the side of the truncated cone-shaped mixing adjustment valve. As a result, even heavy powders can be mixed into the swirling flow in the lower region on the side of the outer peripheral wall surface, so that the entire area of the annular gap is filled in the powder storage tank. Since the total weight of the powder contained in the container is uniformly distributed and loaded, the powder can be uniformly mixed even if there is some variation in the weight and particle size of the powder.

According to the tooth surface cleaning device of the invention according to claim 3, in addition to the effects of the tooth surface cleaning device according to claim 1 or claim 2, the mixed gas outlet hole of the mixing instrument for dental treatment is cylindrical. Since the cylindrical mixing chamber is provided at a position above the gas introduction hole provided at the lower position of the mixing chamber, the gas injected through the gas introduction hole from the lower position in the cylindrical mixing chamber is cylindrically mixed. When a swirl flow is generated along the outer peripheral wall surface forming the chamber, this swirl flow spirally rises along the truncated cone-shaped mixing adjustment valve and flows toward the mixed gas outlet hole. As a result, the spirally ascending swirling flow scrapes away the powder that has temporarily stayed in the vicinity of the funnel member into the cylindrical mixing chamber while reliably dispersing and diffusing the powder in the cylindrical mixing chamber. It is possible to continuously and reliably lead out the powder mixed gas in which the powder is uniformly mixed with the gas supplied and jetted from the outlet through the mixed gas lead-out hole.

According to the tooth surface cleaning device of the invention according to claim 4, in addition to the effects of the tooth surface cleaning device according to claim 2 or 3, the hole diameter of the mixed gas outlet hole of the mixing instrument for dental treatment is The hole diameter of the gas introduction hole for injecting the gas supplied from the pressurized gas supply source is larger than the hole diameter of the gas introduction hole, so that the flow velocity of the powder mixed gas discharged from the mixed gas introduction hole is equal to that of the gas injected from the gas introduction hole. As a result, the time required for mixing the powder and gas in the cylindrical mixing chamber is sufficiently secured, so that the powder and gas are mixed more uniformly and reliably in the cylindrical mixing chamber. can be made

According to the tooth surface cleaning device of the invention according to claim 5, in addition to the effects exhibited by the tooth surface cleaning device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, a mixing adjustment valve of a mixing instrument for dental treatment However, since it is provided so that the position can be adjusted in the vertical direction with respect to the powder storage tank, the area of the annular gap between the powder storage tank and the mixing adjustment valve, that is, the opening area can be adjusted. When powder is scraped off from the powder storage tank into the cylindrical mixing chamber of the main body of the mixer by the swirl flow, even various powders with different components, shapes, etc. can be smoothly stored in the powder storage tank. can be scraped off.

According to the tooth surface cleaning device of the invention according to claim 6, in addition to the effect that the tooth surface cleaning device according to any one of claims 1 to 5 exhibits, the powder storage tank is a tooth surface cleaning device. The powder storage tank is provided with a storage tank body for storing powder for dental treatment, a funnel member provided at the lower end of the storage tank body, and an inner plug provided in the storage tank body. During storage and transportation until it is attached to the mixing instrument and used, the powder for cleaning the tooth surface is contained in the storage tank body and sealed by the inner plug so that it does not leak outside, and is used for dental treatment. When the device is attached to a mixing device for tooth cleaning, the tooth surface cleaning powder can be taken out sequentially from a funnel member provided at the lower end of the storage tank body.

According to the tooth surface cleaning apparatus of the invention according to claim 7, in addition to the effects exhibited by the tooth surface cleaning apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6, the powder storage tank can For a dental treatment mixing instrument for sending a powder mixture gas to a tooth surface cleaning handpiece by being exchangeably attached to the dental treatment mixing instrument for sending a powder mixture gas to a tooth surface cleaning handpiece Since the powder storage tank can be exchangeably attached and the powder for cleaning the tooth surface can be easily supplied, the powder for cleaning the tooth surface can be cleaned without carelessly spreading during dental treatment. A dental treatment environment can be secured.

According to the tooth surface cleaning apparatus of the invention according to claim 8, in addition to the effects exhibited by the tooth surface cleaning apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7, the funnel member of the powder storage tank is Since the funnel member of the powder storage tank is detachably screwed to the mixing instrument for dental treatment, when the powder storage tank is attached to and detached from the mixing instrument for dental treatment, the funnel member of the powder storage tank is engaged with the mixing instrument for dental treatment. When the powder is supplied from the powder storage tank to the dental mixing instrument, the powder in the powder storage tank settles to the funnel member by its own weight. The attachment/detachment operation of the powder storage tank to/from the instrument can be easily accomplished, and all the powder in the powder storage tank can be reliably and completely transferred to the funnel member.

According to the tooth surface cleaning device of the invention according to claim 9, in addition to the effect that the tooth surface cleaning device according to any one of claims 1 to 8 exhibits, the inner plug of the powder storage tank is A rod-shaped plug body erected in the storage tank body, a fixed wing piece laterally provided on the top end of the plug body and integrally fixed to the inner wall of the storage tank body, and a conical shape provided around the lower end of the plug body. , a valve that slidably protrudes from the lower end of the plug body, and a spring that is built into the plug body and biases the valve. With the fixed wing piece fixed to the inner wall of the storage tank body, the valve of the inner plug opens and closes the funnel member through the elastic biasing force of the spring provided in the plug body of the inner plug, and the plug body of the inner plug The fixed wing pieces provided break up the lumps of powder remaining in the storage tank body, which is also called the bridging phenomenon, and the conical powder guidance guide provided in the plug body feeds the mixer through the funnel member. In order to disperse and guide the powder that tends to settle into the cylindrical mixing chamber of the main body by its own weight over the entire peripheral area of the funnel member, it is possible to prevent the powder from excessively hardening in the funnel member to the extent that the powder cannot be taken out. The plug is always present in the powder storage tank, and there is no need to store the inner plug separately when using the powder storage tank, so that the usability of the powder storage tank can be greatly improved.

According to the tooth surface cleaning device of the invention according to claim 10, in addition to the effects of the tooth surface cleaning device according to any one of claims 1 to 9, the inner plug and funnel of the powder storage tank are provided. Since the members are sealed via the seal ring, when the powder storage tank is closed with the inner plug, there is some misalignment or misalignment in fitting between the funnel member and the inner plug. Even if it occurs, the seal ring elastically absorbs the misalignment that tends to occur between the funnel member and the inner plug to sufficiently exhibit the sealing function, or to open the inner plug from the powder storage tank. When the powder storage tank is stored or carried, the inner plug securely seals the funnel member of the powder storage tank to prevent powder from leaking out. Therefore, when attaching the powder storage tank to the dental mixer, the powder storage tank can be easily opened without applying an excessive pressing load to the dental mixing instrument.

According to the tooth surface cleaning device of the invention according to claim 11, in addition to the effect that the tooth surface cleaning device according to any one of claims 1 to 10 exhibits, the inner plug of the powder storage tank is A cylindrical mixing chamber of a mixing instrument for dental treatment in which the funnel member of the powder storage tank is seated. Since the inner plug can be freely opened and closed by the vertical movement of the mixing adjustment valve in the mixing chamber, the funnel member of the powder storage tank can be closed even after the dental treatment mixing instrument is attached, and the powder remains in the storage tank. It is possible to suppress the quality deterioration of the powder to be processed.

According to the tooth surface cleaning device of the invention according to claim 12, in addition to the effects exhibited by the tooth surface cleaning device according to any one of claims 1 to 11, the hole of the funnel member of the powder storage tank Since the depth dimension is smaller than the diameter of the extraction hole of the funnel member, it is easier to take out the powder from the powder storage tank than when the depth dimension of the hole of the funnel member is larger than the diameter of the extraction hole of the funnel member. Therefore, when scraping off powder from the funnel member of the powder storage tank into the cylindrical mixing chamber of the mixing instrument for dental treatment, even if various powders with different components, shapes, etc. It can be scraped off smoothly without being stuck in the funnel member.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The perspective view which shows the outline|summary of the tooth surface cleaning apparatus which is one Embodiment of this invention. 2 is an exploded view of the powder storage tank and dental mixing instrument shown in FIG. 1; FIG. FIG. 2 is a side view of the dental mixing instrument with the powder storage tank shown in FIG. 1 attached; FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line IV-IV in FIG. 3; FIG. 5 is an enlarged view of the periphery of the funnel member in FIG. 4; The figure which showed the assembly procedure of a powder storage tank. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VII-VII in FIG. 3; FIG. Fig. 3 is a perspective view of a mixing adjustment valve; Explanatory drawing which shows the mounting|wearing procedure of the powder storage tank with respect to the mixing instrument for dental treatment. FIG. 9B is an enlarged view around the funnel member in FIG. 9A. FIG. 9B is an enlarged view of the periphery of the funnel member in FIG. 9B. FIG. 4 is an operation explanatory diagram of a state before a swirling flow is generated in the cylindrical mixing chamber; FIG. 4 is an explanatory view of operation in a state in which a swirling flow is generated in the cylindrical mixing chamber; Explanatory drawing which shows the mixing operation|movement of powder and gas.

The present invention comprises a powder storage tank that stores powder for cleaning tooth surfaces, and a powder mixture that mixes the powder taken out of the powder storage tank and the gas supplied from an external pressurized gas supply source. A tooth surface cleaning apparatus comprising a dental treatment mixing instrument that generates gas and a tooth surface cleaning handpiece that is connected to and supplied to the dental treatment mixing instrument and that cleans the tooth surface with the supplied powder mixed gas , a mixing device for dental treatment forming a cylindrical mixing chamber for mixing powder taken from a powder storage tank and gas supplied from an external pressurized gas supply source to produce a powder mixed gas A truncated conical mixing adjustment valve that is coaxially inserted into the cylindrical mixing chamber of the mixer main body on which the powder storage tank is seated, and that is arranged facing the powder storage tank with a part thereof projecting into the powder storage tank; and can uniformly and continuously generate a powder mixed gas for removing stains by injecting the powder mixed gas onto the tooth surface in dental treatment, the specific embodiment is , can be anything.

Here, the tooth surface cleaning powder used in the tooth surface cleaning apparatus of the present invention includes granules such as silica, calcium carbonate, hydroxyapatite, β-TCP (β-tricalcium phosphate), plastic powder, and agar powder. However, when used in the oral cavity, plastic powder, agar powder, etc. are more preferable from the viewpoint of ensuring safety such as toxicity.
In particular, when agar powder is used, it is easy to add detergents and retention agents and antibacterial agents. However, it dissolves and disappears when warm water is given, so it is highly safe in the oral cavity, has a sufficient cleansing effect, and has no adverse effect on the object.

As for the powder storage tank used in the tooth surface cleaning apparatus of the present invention, if the funnel member can be seated coaxially with the cylindrical mixing chamber of the mixer main body, It may be of a type that is fixed by pressing or a type that is replaceably mounted in the form of a cartridge.

Also, the gas supplied from the external pressurized gas supply source may be air or a gas other than air.

Furthermore, as the tooth surface cleaning handpiece used in the tooth surface cleaning apparatus of the present invention, if it can clean the tooth surface with the powder mixed gas supplied by being connected to the dental treatment mixing instrument, It doesn't matter what it is.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION An embodiment of a tooth surface cleaning apparatus of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
In addition, in the following description, it may be assumed that configurations denoted by the same reference numerals in different drawings are the same, and descriptions thereof may be omitted.

embodiment

A tooth surface cleaning apparatus 100 according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. 1 to 12. FIG.

<Overview of tooth surface cleaning device 100>
First, the tooth surface cleaning apparatus 100 of this embodiment is used for dental treatment. Contaminants adhering to the surfaces of natural teeth and implants are removed by blowing a powder mixed gas mixed with the powder P of .
Here, FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an outline of a tooth surface cleaning device 100 which is one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the powder storage tank 110 and dental mixing device 120 shown in FIG. FIG. 3 is a side view of the dental mixing instrument 120 with the powder storage tank 110 shown in FIG.

That is, as shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the tooth surface cleaning apparatus 100 of this embodiment is connected to the powder storage tank 110, the dental treatment mixing instrument 120, and the dental treatment mixing instrument 120 to clean the tooth surface. and a well-known tooth surface cleaning handpiece 130 that cleans the tooth surface cleaning handpiece 130, and sends the powder mixed gas M generated by the dental treatment mixing instrument 120 to the tooth surface cleaning handpiece 130 to clean the tooth surface cleaning handpiece 130 Through 130, the powder mixed gas М is sprayed onto the tooth surface.
The tooth surface cleaning apparatus 100 of this embodiment is installed at a position that is easy for the operator to use, for example, around the work table of a dental treatment unit having a plurality of dental instruments.

(1) Specific Configuration of Powder Storage Tank 110 A specific configuration of the powder storage tank 110 will be described with reference to FIGS. 2 to 4. FIG.
Here, FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along line IV--IV in FIG.

First, the powder storage tank 110 includes a cylindrical storage tank body 111 for storing the tooth surface cleaning powder P, an inverted conical funnel member 112 provided at the lower end of the storage tank body 111, and a storage tank body. It has an inner plug 113 provided inside 111 and an upper cap 114 that closes the upper end opening of the storage tank main body 111 .

The storage tank main body 111 is provided with a threaded portion 111a to be screwed with the upper cap 114 on the outer peripheral surface of the upper end portion, and a fitted portion 111b to be fitted with the funnel member 112 is provided on the lower end portion. .
Further, an outer peripheral groove is formed around the lower end of the threaded portion 111a provided in the storage tank main body 111, and a seal ring is fitted in the outer peripheral groove for sealing the gap with the upper cap 114.

On the other hand, the fitted portion 111b is provided by enlarging the inner diameter of the storage tank body 111 upward from the opening lower end of the storage tank body 111 so that the fitting portion 112aa of the funnel member 112 is fitted inside.

The funnel member 112 of the powder storage tank 110 described above has a columnar large-diameter fitting portion 112a and a large-diameter fitting portion 112a on the terminal side where an extraction hole 112ca serving as an extraction port for the powder P is formed. It is composed of a small-diameter fitting portion 112b connected to the large-diameter fitting portion 112a with a smaller outer diameter.

The large-diameter fitting portion 112a includes a fitting portion 112aa that is fitted to the fitted portion 111b of the storage tank main body 111, a screw portion 112ab that is screwed into the fixing screw hole 121a of the mixer main body 121, is provided.

On the other hand, the small-diameter fitting portion 112b is a portion to be fitted into the outer peripheral side wall surface 121c of the cylindrical mixing chamber C, and the small-diameter fitting portion is a seal ring for sealing the gap with the outer peripheral side wall surface 121c. 112b is fitted into a groove formed on the outer peripheral surface of the plate.

The funnel member 112 is penetrated in a funnel shape from one end where the powder P flows down from the storage tank main body 111 to the terminal end where the extraction hole 112ca serving as an extraction port for the powder P is formed. A powder guiding portion 112c is provided.
The powder guide portion 112c has a maximum diameter at the end surface of the large diameter fitting portion 112a, which is the upstream side in the flow direction of the powder P, and has a small diameter fitting portion formed with an extraction hole 112ca serving as an outlet for the powder P. It has the smallest diameter at the end face of 112b.

Here, as shown in FIG. 5, the hole depth dimension S1 of the funnel member 112 is set smaller than the diameter S2 of the extraction hole 112ca of the funnel member 112. As shown in FIG.
That is, the depth of the take-out hole 112ca, which is the minimum diameter of the lower end of the powder guide portion 112c, is set shallow.

Next, the inner plug 113 of the powder storage tank 110 described above is composed of a plug body 113a, a fixed wing piece 113b, a powder guide 113c, a valve 113d and a spring 113e.

Here, the plug body 113a is rod-shaped and arranged in the storage tank body 111 in an upright state.
More specifically, the plug body 113a has a cylindrical shape as a whole, and when standing in the storage tank body 111, the upper end is closed by a substantially conical wall and the lower end is open.

The fixed wing piece 113b is laterally provided on the top end of the plug body 113a and integrally fixed to the inner wall of the storage tank body 111. As shown in FIG.
That is, the plug body 113a is fixed at a predetermined height within the storage tank body 111 by the fixed wing piece 113b.
The plug main body 113a is fixed at a height position in the storage tank main body 111 near the lower end where the outlet hole 112ca serving as the powder P outlet is formed.

The powder guiding guide 113c of the powder storage tank 110 described above is a conical portion provided around the lower end of the plug body 113a.

The valve 113d is held by the plug body 113a in a state in which a part thereof is inserted into the lower end opening of the plug body 113a so as to slidably protrude from the lower end of the plug body 113a.
The valve 113d has a cylindrical shape as a whole, and a seal ring 113da is fitted in a groove formed in the outer peripheral surface of the lower end to seal the gap with the outlet hole 112ca.

A spring 113e is contained in the plug body 113a and biases the valve 113d.
The spring 113e has one end in contact with the closed upper inner surface of the plug body 113a and the other end in contact with the valve 113d. is energized.

(2) Procedure for assembling powder storage tank 110 The procedure for assembling the powder storage tank 110 in this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.
Here, FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the procedure for assembling the powder storage tank 110. As shown in FIG.
The powder storage tank 110 may be assembled manually, or may be automatically assembled using an automatic assembly device.

First, the inner plug 113 is fixed at a predetermined position inside the storage tank main body 111 shown in FIG. 6(A).
Here, as shown in FIG. 6B, the inner plug 113 is inserted into the storage tank main body 111 from the lower end side thereof, and the fixed wing piece 113b is fixed to the inner wall of the storage tank main body 111. As shown in FIG.
In this work, since the mounting position of the inner plug 113 inside the tank is near the lower end of the storage tank main body 111, the inner plug 113 should be inserted into the tank from the lower end side, not from the upper end side of the storage tank main body 111. I have to.

After that, as shown in FIG. 6C, the funnel member 112 is assembled to the storage tank main body 111 .
Here, the fitting portion 112aa of the funnel member 112 is fitted to the fitted portion 111b of the reservoir tank main body 111 while the valve 113d is passed through the extraction hole 112ca from the upper end to the lower end of the funnel member 112. .
Then, the valve 113d is biased toward the extraction hole 112ca by the spring 113e, and seals the extraction hole 112ca via the seal ring 113da provided at the lower end thereof.

After that, as shown in FIG. 6(D), a predetermined amount of powder P is introduced through the opening at the upper end of the storage tank main body 111 .
Here, although the powder P introduced into the storage tank body 111 flows down toward the extraction hole 112ca, the powder P leaks out from the extraction hole 112ca because the extraction hole 112ca is sealed by the valve 113d. never.

Finally, as shown in FIG. 6(E), the assembly of the powder storage tank 110 is completed by attaching the upper cap 114 to the upper end of the storage tank main body 111 .
Here, when the upper cap 114 is screwed onto the upper end of the storage tank main body 111, the upper end opening of the storage tank main body 111 is completely closed by the seal ring provided around the lower end of the screw portion 111a of the storage tank main body 111. is sealed to

(3) Specific configuration of the mixing instrument for dental treatment 120 The mixing instrument for dental treatment 120, which is the most characteristic feature of the tooth surface cleaning apparatus 100 of this embodiment, is shown in FIGS. A specific configuration thereof will be described.
Here, FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line VI--VI in FIG. FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the mixture adjustment valve 122. As shown in FIG.
As shown in FIGS. 2, 4 and 5, the dental treatment mixing instrument 120 used in this embodiment is composed of powder P taken out from the powder storage tank 110 and an external pressurized gas supply source (not shown). Mixer main body 121 forming cylindrical mixing chamber C for generating powder mixed gas M by mixing gas A supplied from A truncated cone-shaped mixing adjustment valve 122 that is coaxially inserted into the cylindrical mixing chamber C and disposed facing the funnel-shaped funnel member 112 formed in the powder storage tank 110 while partially protruding. I have.

As shown in FIG. 2, the mixer main body 121 of the dental treatment mixing instrument 120 has a block shape as a whole, and the powder storage tank 110 containing the powder P is mounted on the upper surface side. It's becoming
A holder 121h for holding a tooth surface cleaning hand piece 130, for example, is provided on the upper surface of the mixer main body 121, and pressurized gas supplied from a pressurized gas supply source (not shown) is guided on the side surface. and a mixed gas guide pipe 150 for guiding the powder mixed gas M generated in the cylindrical mixing chamber C to the tooth surface cleaning hand piece 130 are connected. Connecting portions 121f and 121g are provided.

As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the cylindrical mixing chamber C is provided in a mixer main body 121 independent of the powder storage tank 110, and has an inner peripheral side wall surface 121b and an inner peripheral side wall surface 121b. It is formed in a cylindrical shape by an outer peripheral side wall surface 121c provided on the outside of the .
The inner peripheral side wall surface 121b is formed by the peripheral surface of a truncated conical portion 122a of the mixture control valve 122, which will be described later.
On the other hand, the outer peripheral side wall surface 121c is a wall surface that forms a columnar space in the mixer main body 121 .

Further, as shown in FIG. 7, the mixer main body 121 injects the gas A supplied from the pressurized gas supply source from the tangential direction of the outer peripheral wall surface 121c forming the cylindrical mixing chamber C of the mixer main body 121. It has a gas introduction hole portion 121d and a mixed gas discharge hole portion 121e for discharging the powder mixed gas M in the tangential direction of the outer peripheral side wall surface 121c forming the cylindrical mixing chamber C of the mixer main body 121 .

Here, the gas introduction hole portion 121d of the mixer main body 121 introduces the pressurized gas supplied from the pressurized gas supply source into the cylindrical mixing chamber through the pipe connection portions 121f and 121g to which the pressurized gas guide pipe 140 is connected. It is a hole forming part of the flow path in the mixer main body 121 leading to the mixing chamber C, and is formed in the outer peripheral side wall surface 121c of the cylindrical mixing chamber C. As shown in FIG.
This gas introduction hole portion 121d is provided at a lower position of the cylindrical mixing chamber C. As shown in FIG.
Further, the gas introduction hole portion 121d has a smaller diameter than the diameter of the upstream flow path that guides the pressurized gas into the mixer main body 121 from the pipe connection portion 121f to which the pressurized gas guide pipe 140 is connected. is set. In other words, the gas introduction hole portion 121d is connected to the cylindrical mixing chamber C by reducing the diameter of the flow path of the gas A supplied from the pressurized gas supply source.

On the other hand, the mixed gas outlet hole portion 121e of the mixer main body 121 is a hole that constitutes a part of the flow path in the mixer main body 121 that guides the gas A from the cylindrical mixing chamber C to the mixed gas guide pipe 150. , are formed on the outer peripheral wall surface 121c of the cylindrical mixing chamber C. As shown in FIG.
This mixed gas lead-out hole 121e is provided at a position above the cylindrical mixing chamber C than the gas introduction hole 121d.
Further, the hole diameter of the mixed gas lead-out hole portion 121e is set larger than the hole diameter of the gas introduction hole portion 121d.

In this embodiment, the gas introduction hole portion 121d and the mixed gas discharge hole portion 121e are formed at different heights. You may make it form.

Next, as shown in FIG. 8, the mixing adjustment valve 122 of the mixing instrument 120 for dental treatment described above is provided with a truncated conical portion 122a at its upper portion, and a cylindrical portion below the truncated conical portion 122a. 122b is provided continuously to the lower end.
Here, the truncated conical portion 122a of the mixing control valve 122 has a peripheral surface forming the inner peripheral side wall surface 121b of the cylindrical mixing chamber C, as described above. The truncated conical portion 122a has a diameter at its lower end, which is the maximum diameter, set smaller than the diameter of the outer peripheral side wall surface 121c.

On the other hand, in the columnar portion 122b, the diameter of the continuous portion with the truncated conical portion 122a around the lower end of the truncated conical portion 122a is substantially equal to the diameter of the cross-sectional circle of the outer peripheral side wall surface 121c, so that the cylindrical portion 122b slides against the outer peripheral side wall surface 121c. It is set to fit to the extent that it can move.
Further, the cylindrical portion 122b has a screw thread that is screwed into a screw groove formed in the lower portion of the outer peripheral side wall surface 121c on a peripheral surface that is a lower region with respect to a fitting portion with the outer peripheral side wall surface 121c. .
Further, a groove 122c with which a flat-blade screwdriver or the like can be engaged is formed in the bottom surface of the cylindrical portion 122b.
Further, the mixture adjustment valve 122 is provided along its axis with a shaft pin 122d that protrudes from the upper end surface of the truncated conical portion 122a and constitutes the tip portion of the mixture adjustment valve 122. As shown in FIG.

Such a mixing adjustment valve 122 engages a flat-blade screwdriver or the like in the groove 122c on the bottom surface, is operated to rotate about the axis, and is moved along the outer peripheral side wall surface 121c, thereby moving the funnel member of the powder storage tank 110. 112, the positioning can be adjusted in the vertical direction.

(4) Attachment procedure of powder storage tank 110 to dental treatment mixing instrument 120 Regarding the attachment procedure of powder storage tank 110 to dental treatment mixing instrument 120 used in this example, Figs. 10B.
FIG. 9 is an explanatory view showing the procedure for attaching the powder storage tank 110 to the mixing instrument 120 for dental treatment. FIG. 10A is an enlarged view around the funnel member 112 in FIG. 9(A). FIG. 10B is an enlarged view around the funnel member 112 shown in FIG. 9(B).

For example, when the powder storage tank 110 attached to the mixer main body 121 of the dental treatment mixing instrument 120 becomes empty and is replaced with a new powder storage tank 110, the empty powder storage tank 110 is After removing from the mixer main body 121, a new powder storage tank 110 is attached.

Here, as shown in FIG. 9(A), the new powder storage tank 110 is opened with the bottom surface of the funnel member 112 of the new powder storage tank 110 facing the fixing screw hole 121a of the mixing adjustment valve 122. is lowered and rotated about its axis to screw the screw portion 112ab of the funnel member 112 into the fixing screw hole 121a of the mixer main body 121, as shown in FIG. 9B.
Thereby, the powder storage tank 110 is fixed to the mixer main body 121 .
When the powder storage tank 110 is fixed to the mixer main body 121 in this manner, the large-diameter fitting portion 112a of the powder storage tank 110 is screwed into the fixing screw hole 121a of the mixer main body 121, and the powder is The small-diameter fitting portion 112b of the body storage tank 110 is fitted along the outer peripheral side wall surface 121c of the cylindrical mixing chamber C, and the cylindrical mixing chamber C is sealed by a seal ring formed on the outer peripheral surface of the small-diameter fitting portion 112b. A space with the outer peripheral side wall surface 121c is sealed.

Further, when attaching a new powder storage tank 110 to the mixer main body 121 while lowering it toward the mixer main body 121, as shown in FIG. As shown, it abuts against the top of the mixture control valve 122, that is, the shaft pin 122d, and is moved upward against the elastic biasing force of the spring 113e.
Then, an annular gap G is formed between the funnel member 112 of the powder storage tank 110 and the mixing adjustment valve 122 .
In this embodiment, the annular gap G is set so that the powder P clogs the annular gap G, so the powder P stays in the annular gap G in a state of being temporarily clogged.

Thus, the operation of replacing the empty powder storage tank 110 with a new powder storage tank 110 is completed.

In addition, in the description of the specific handling of this powder storage tank 110, the procedure for attaching a new powder storage tank 110 to the mixer main body 121 was described, but the empty powder storage tank 110 is replaced by the mixer main body. When removing from 121, this procedure is reversed.
That is, the powder storage tank 110 screwed into the fixing screw hole 121a of the mixer main body 121 is moved upward while being rotated about its axis in the direction in which the screwing is released.
Then, the valve 113d, which is urged by the spring 113e and has its lower end abutted against the top of the mixture adjustment valve 122, is moved toward the position where the extraction hole 112ca is sealed, and the top of the mixture adjustment valve 122 is extracted. When it leaves the position outside the hole 112ca, the extraction hole 112ca is sealed by the valve 113d.

(5) Operation of Mixing Powder P and Gas A in Mixing Instrument 120 for Dental Treatment 7, with reference to FIGS. 11A, 11B and 12. FIG.
Here, FIG. 11A is an operation explanatory diagram of the state before the swirling flow is generated in the cylindrical mixing chamber C. FIG. FIG. 11B is an explanatory diagram of operation in a state where a swirling flow is generated in the cylindrical mixing chamber C. FIG. 12A and 12B are explanatory diagrams showing the operation of mixing the powder P and the gas A. FIG.

As shown in FIG. 11A, the mixing instrument for dental treatment 120 before operation is in the setting state, and the powder storage tank 110 containing the powder P is attached to the mixer main body 121, and the powder P is stored in the powder container. It stays in a ring-shaped gap G formed between it and the mixture adjustment valve 122 partially protruding into the funnel member 112 of the storage tank 110 in a clogged state.
On the other hand, the mixing adjustment valve 122 is positioned vertically with respect to the funnel member 112 of the powder storage tank 110 so that the funnel member 112 of the powder storage tank 110 and the mixing adjustment valve 122 form an annular shape. The area of the gap G is adjusted to a desired size.
Therefore, in such a setting state of the dental treatment mixing instrument 120, when the operator performs an operation to start the operation of the dental treatment mixing instrument 120, as shown in FIG. Gas A is started to be supplied to the mixer main body 121 through the gas guide pipe 140 .

Then, when the supply of the gas A from the pressurized gas supply source to the mixer main body 121 is started, as shown in FIG. Since the fuel is injected from the tangential direction of the outer peripheral wall surface 121c forming the cylindrical mixing chamber C, a swirling flow is generated in the cylindrical mixing chamber C along the outer peripheral wall surface 121c.
Here, since the gas introduction hole portion 121d is connected to the cylindrical mixing chamber C with a narrower diameter than the flow path on the upstream side, the gas A is introduced into the cylindrical mixing chamber C at an increased flow rate. .

Next, when a swirling flow is generated in the cylindrical mixing chamber C, as shown in FIGS. The powder P is scraped off from the funnel member 112 of the powder storage tank 110 by circling along the annularly exposed lower surface of the P group.
Then, the swirling flow generated in the cylindrical mixing chamber C scrapes off the powder P clogged in the annular gap G from below, and the powder P settled by its own weight stays in the portion where the powder P is scraped off. , and the operation of scraping off the stagnant powder P by the swirling flow is repeated.

By the way, a so-called bridge formed by compacting the powder P may occur at the lower end of the powder storage tank 110, that is, around the funnel member 112. FIG.
This bridge occurs at a position more inward of the funnel member 112 than the position where the powder P is clogged without the bridge.
Even when such a bridge occurs, the swirling flow follows the peripheral surface of the truncated conical portion 122a of the mixing control valve 122, and the viscosity of the gas A induces an upward flow, which is further inside the funnel member 112. position.
For this reason, the bridges of the powder P are scraped by the swirling flow acting to a position further inward of the funnel member 112, and the bridges are collapsed. An operation in which the sedimented powder P stays and the staying powder P is scraped off by the swirling flow is repeated.

Then, the powder P scraped out into the gas A intermittently and periodically by the swirling flow falls into the cylindrical mixing chamber C and is mixed with the gas A. The mixed gas M flows toward the mixed gas outlet hole 121e and is delivered to the tooth surface cleaning handpiece 130 through the mixed gas outlet hole 121e.

<Effects of the tooth surface cleaning device 100 of the present embodiment>
The effects of the tooth surface cleaning apparatus 100 of this embodiment as described above are as follows.

(1) In the mixing instrument for dental treatment 120, the mixing area of the powder P and the gas A in the mixer main body 121 is directly affected by the remaining amount of the powder P in the powder storage tank 110. By forming an area independent of the powder storage tank 110 without any contamination, the remaining amount of the powder P in the powder storage tank 110 is continuously and uniformly without affecting the mixing degree of the powder mixed gas M. can be mixed.

(2) In the mixing instrument 120 for dental treatment, the mixing adjustment valve 122 allows the powder P to settle from the funnel member 112 of the powder storage tank 110 into the cylindrical mixing chamber C of the mixer body 121 by its own weight. The annular gap G formed between 112 and the mixing adjustment valve 122 is retained in a state of being temporarily clogged, and the retained powder P is supplied with the gas A supplied from the pressurized gas supply source. Scrape out, and repeatedly induce these retentions and shavings.
As a result, the mixing ratio of the powder P and the gas A, the so-called solid-gas ratio, changes periodically. It is intermittently and periodically mixed in the gas A supplied from , and diffuses widely, so that it can be mixed continuously and uniformly.

(3) In the dental treatment mixing instrument 120 described above, the truncated conical portion 122a of the mixing adjustment valve 122 forms an annular gap G between the funnel member 112 of the powder storage tank, and this annular gap Since the entire weight of the powder P stored in the powder storage tank 110 is uniformly distributed over the entire gap G, the powder P is excessively loaded in the funnel member 112 of the powder storage tank 110 to the extent that the powder P cannot be taken out. can be suppressed.

(4) In the mixing instrument for dental treatment 120, the mixer main body 121 has the gas introduction hole portion 121d and the mixed gas discharge hole portion 121e. While the gas A injected from the introduction hole portion 121d circulates along the outer peripheral side wall surface 121c and flows to the mixed gas discharge hole portion 121e, a swirling flow is generated, and the swirling flow flows into the truncated conical portion of the mixture adjustment valve 122. The powder P is scraped out from the funnel member 112 of the powder storage tank 110 by an upward flow along the peripheral surface of the powder storage tank 110, and the scraped-out powder P is mixed with the gas A, and the powder P and the gas A are mixed. The mixed powder mixed gas M can be continuously generated.

(5) In the dental treatment mixing instrument 120, the gas A injected from the gas introduction hole portion 121d in the cylindrical mixing chamber C of the mixer main body 121 circulates along the outer peripheral side wall surface 121c and flows through the mixed gas outlet hole. A swirling flow is generated while flowing to the portion 121e, and the flow velocity of this swirling flow is relatively faster in the lower region on the side of the outer peripheral side wall surface 121c than in the upper region on the mixing adjustment valve 122 side of the truncated conical portion 122a. .
As a result, even heavy particles of the powder P can be mixed into the swirling flow in the lower region on the side of the outer peripheral side wall surface 121c, and are stored in the powder storage tank 110 over the entire area of the annular gap G. Since the entire weight of the powder P is uniformly distributed and loaded, even if there is some variation in the weight and particle size of the powders, they can be uniformly mixed.

(6) In the dental treatment mixing instrument 120, the gas A jetted from the lower position in the cylindrical mixing chamber C through the gas introduction hole 121d spirally rises along the truncated conical portion of the mixing control valve 122. while flowing toward the mixed gas outlet hole 121e as a swirling flow.
As a result, the spirally ascending swirling flow scrapes away the powder P that has temporarily stayed in the vicinity of the funnel member 112 into the cylindrical mixing chamber C and reliably disperses and diffuses it in the cylindrical mixing chamber C. Therefore, the powder mixed gas M in which the powder P is uniformly mixed with the gas A can be continuously and reliably led out from the mixed gas lead-out hole 121e.

(7) Since the hole diameter of the mixed gas lead-out hole 121e described above is larger than the hole diameter of the gas introduction hole 121d, the flow velocity of the powder mixed gas M led out from the mixed gas lead-out hole 121e is controlled by the gas introduction hole 121d. It is made slower than the flow velocity of the gas A injected from.
As a result, the time required for mixing the powder P and the gas A in the cylindrical mixing chamber C is sufficiently ensured, and the powder P and the gas A in the cylindrical mixing chamber C are mixed more uniformly and reliably. can be done.

(8) The mixing adjustment valve 122 of the mixing instrument 120 for dental treatment is provided so as to be vertically adjustable with respect to the funnel member 112 of the powder storage tank 110, so that the funnel member of the powder storage tank 110 The area of the annular gap G between 112 and the mixture adjustment valve 122, that is, the opening area can be adjusted.
Therefore, when scraping off the powder P from the funnel member 112 of the powder storage tank 110 into the cylindrical mixing chamber C of the mixer main body 121 by the swirling flow, various powders P having different components, shapes, etc. Even if there is, it can be scraped off smoothly without staying in the funnel member 112 of the powder storage tank 110 .

(9) Since the powder storage tank 110 includes the storage tank main body 111, the funnel member 112, and the inner plug 113, the powder storage tank 111 is attached to the dental treatment mixing instrument 120 and used. When storing or carrying, the tooth surface cleaning powder P is contained in the storage tank main body 111 and is sealed by the inner plug 113 so as not to leak outside, and is attached to the dental treatment mixing instrument 120. In the case of using it as a tooth surface washing powder P, it is possible to sequentially take out the powder P from the funnel member 12 of the storage tank main body 111 .

(10) The powder storage tank 110 is replaceably attached to the mixing instrument 120 for dental treatment, so that the powder storage tank 110 is replaceably attached to the mixing instrument 120 for dental treatment. The powder P for cleaning the tooth surface can be easily supplied.

(11) The funnel member 112 of the powder storage tank 110 is detachably attached to the mixing instrument 120 for dental treatment by screwing the funnel member 112 thereon. The attachment/detachment operation of the powder storage tank 110 with respect to the mixing instrument 120 for dental treatment can be easily accomplished when attaching/detaching the powder storage tank 110 by using the powder storage tank 110 .

(12) By providing the inner plug 113 in the powder storage tank 110, the fixed wing piece 113b provided in the inner plug 113 is provided inside the inner plug 113 while being fixed to the inner wall of the storage tank main body 111. The inner plug 113 opens and closes the funnel member 112 via the elastic biasing force of the spring 113e, and the fixed wing piece 113b provided on the inner plug 113 causes the powder P remaining in the storage tank main body 111 to remain in the storage tank body 111. The powder guide 113c of the inner plug 113 separates the powder P from the funnel member 112, and the powder P that is about to settle into the cylindrical mixing chamber C of the mixer main body 121 through the funnel member 112. Distributed and guided in the surrounding area.
For this reason, it is possible to suppress excessive solidification of the powder in the funnel member 112 to such an extent that the powder cannot be taken out. There is no need to store the plug 113 separately, and the usability of the powder storage tank 110 can be greatly improved.

(13) The inner plug 113 and the funnel member 112 are sealed via the seal ring 113da. Even if there is some misalignment or mounting misalignment in fitting between them, the seal ring 113da elastically absorbs the misalignment that tends to occur between the funnel member 112 and the inner plug 113, thereby ensuring a sufficient sealing function. to demonstrate.
Alternatively, when opening the inner plug 113 from the powder storage tank 110, the seal ring 113da is elastically deformed to facilitate opening.
Therefore, when the powder storage tank 110 is stored or carried, the inner plug 13 reliably seals the funnel member 112 of the powder storage tank 110 to prevent the powder P from leaking out. is attached to the mixing instrument 120 for dental treatment, the powder storage tank 110 can be easily opened without applying an excessive pressing load to the mixing instrument 120 for dental treatment.

(14) The inner plug 113 of the powder storage tank 110 can be opened by pushing up the mixing adjustment valve 122, so that the mixing adjustment valve 122 in the cylindrical mixing chamber C of the dental treatment mixing instrument 120 Since the inner plug 113 can be freely opened and closed by vertical movement, the funnel member 112 of the powder storage tank 110 can be closed even after the dental treatment mixing instrument 120 is attached, and the powder remaining in the powder storage tank 110 can be closed. quality deterioration can be suppressed.

(15) Since the hole depth dimension of the funnel member 112 of the powder storage tank 110 is smaller than the diameter S2 of the extraction hole 112ca of the funnel member 112, the hole depth dimension S1 of the funnel member 112 is the diameter of the extraction hole of the funnel member 112. It becomes easier to take out the powder P from inside the powder storage tank 110 as compared with the case where the diameter is larger than the diameter S2.
Therefore, when scraping off the powder P from the funnel member 112 of the powder storage tank 110 into the cylindrical mixing chamber C of the mixing instrument 120 for dental treatment, various powders P having different components, shapes, etc. However, the funnel member 112 of the powder storage tank 110 can be scraped off smoothly.

Although the embodiment of the tooth surface cleaning apparatus according to the present invention has been described above, the present invention is not limited to this embodiment. In addition, the present invention can be implemented with various improvements, modifications, and changes based on the knowledge of those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100... Tooth surface cleaning apparatus 110... Powder storage tank 111... Storage tank main body 111a... Screw part 111b... Fitted part 112... Funnel member 112a... Large diameter fitting Joining portion 112aa Fitting portion 112ab Threaded portion 112b Small-diameter fitting portion 112c Powder guide hole 112ca Extraction hole 113 Inner plug 113a Plug main body 113b ... fixed wing piece 113c ... powder guiding guide 113d ... valve 113da ... seal ring 113e ... spring 114 ... upper cap 120 ... mixing instrument for dental treatment 121 ... mixing Container main body 121a...Fixing screw hole 121b...Inner peripheral side wall 121c...Outer peripheral side wall 121d...Gas introduction hole 121e...Mixed gas discharge hole 121f...Pipe connecting part 121g . . . Tube connection portion 122 . ... Pressurized gas guide tube 150 ... Mixed gas guide tube C ... Cylindrical mixing chamber G ... Annular gap P ... Powder A ... Gas M ... Powder mixed gas S1: Hole depth dimension S2: Extraction hole diameter

Claims (12)

A powder mixed gas is generated by mixing a powder storage tank containing powder for cleaning tooth surfaces, and powder taken out of the powder storage tank and gas supplied from an external pressurized gas supply source. A tooth surface cleaning apparatus comprising a dental treatment mixing instrument and a tooth surface cleaning handpiece for cleaning the tooth surface with the powder mixed gas connected to and supplied to the dental treatment mixing instrument,
The mixing device for dental treatment forms a cylindrical mixing chamber for mixing the powder taken out from the powder storage tank and the gas supplied from an external pressurized gas supply source to generate a powder mixed gas. A truncated cone-shaped mixing adjustment device is coaxially inserted into a cylindrical mixing chamber of a mixer main body in which the main body of the powder and the powder storage tank are seated, and is arranged to face the powder storage tank with a part thereof protruding into the powder storage tank. A tooth surface cleaning device comprising: a valve; a gas introduction hole through which the mixer main body of the mixing instrument for dental treatment injects the gas supplied from the pressurized gas supply source in a tangential direction to the outer peripheral wall surface forming the cylindrical mixing chamber of the mixer main body; , and a mixed gas outlet port for leading out the powder mixed gas in a tangential direction of the outer peripheral wall surface forming the cylindrical mixing chamber of the mixer main body. Tooth cleaner. A mixed gas outlet hole of the mixing instrument for dental treatment is provided at a position above the cylindrical mixing chamber relative to a gas introduction hole provided at a lower position of the cylindrical mixing chamber. Item 3. The tooth surface cleaning device according to item 2. 2 or 3, wherein the hole diameter of the mixed gas outlet port of the mixing instrument for dental treatment is larger than the hole diameter of the gas inlet port for injecting the gas supplied from the pressurized gas supply source. 3. The tooth surface cleaning device according to 3. 5. The mixing adjustment valve of the mixing instrument for dental treatment is provided so as to be vertically adjustable with respect to the powder storage tank. tooth cleaning device. The powder storage tank includes a storage tank body for storing tooth surface cleaning powder, a funnel member provided at the lower end of the storage tank body, and an inner plug provided in the storage tank body. The tooth surface cleaning device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that: 7. The powder storage tank according to claim 1, wherein said powder storage tank is replaceably attached to a mixing instrument for dental treatment that feeds a powder mixture gas to said tooth surface cleaning handpiece. 1. A tooth cleaning device according to one. 8. The tooth surface cleaning according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the funnel member of the powder storage tank is detachably attached by being screwed to the mixing instrument for dental treatment. Device. The inner plug of the powder storage tank comprises a rod-shaped plug body erected in the storage tank body, and a fixed wing piece laterally provided at the top end of the plug body and integrally fixed to the inner wall of the storage tank body. a conical powder guiding guide provided around the lower end of the plug body; a valve slidably protruding from the lower end of the plug body; 9. The tooth surface cleaning device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, further comprising a spring that biases the tooth surface. 10. The tooth surface cleaning apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the inner plug of the powder storage tank and the funnel member are sealed via a seal ring. The inner plug of the powder storage tank can be opened by pushing up the top of a mixing adjustment valve that is coaxially inserted into the cylindrical mixing chamber of the mixing instrument for dental treatment in which the funnel member of the powder storage tank is seated. 11. The tooth surface cleaning device according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that: The tooth surface cleaning apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the hole depth dimension of the funnel member of the powder storage tank is smaller than the diameter of the extraction hole of the funnel member.

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