NZ204516A

NZ204516A - Gum treatment device with a flexible tip portion

Info

Publication number: NZ204516A
Application number: NZ204516A
Authority: NZ
Inventors: J J Donohue; W J Dunn; K N Rustogi
Original assignee: Colgate Palmolive Co
Priority date: 1982-06-28
Filing date: 1983-06-09
Publication date: 1986-09-10
Also published as: MX156210A; IT1172271B; FR2529076A1; GB2122500A; DK298083D0; SE8303615L; CA1229509A; AU555833B2; BR8303388A; GR77514B; PH23410A; DK298083A; GB2122500B; AR229647A1; AU1612783A; DK157975C; SE455157B; DE3321763A1; BE897155A; NO832332L

Description

<div class="application article clearfix" id="description"> 2 045 1 6 Priority Date(s): . .?.*? CorrspletG Specification Filed: ^i • % • ^ ?»• Class: .. Ati£Z/o.o. Publication Date: .... U.Q.?£?.!§§§"... P.O. Journal, No: .. /.T? Patents Form No. 5 Number PATENTS ACT 1953 Dated COMPLETE SPECIFICATION DEVICE FOR COMBINED THERAPEUTIC AND STIMULATIVE TREATMENT OF THE GUMS //We COLGATE-PALMOLIVE COMPANY, a corporation organised under the laws of the State of Delaware, United States of America of 300 Park Avenue, New York, New York 10022, United States of America do hereby declare the invention for which }7we pray that a Patent may be granted to xrc/us, and the method by which it is to be performed, to be particularly described in and by the following statement: - 1 - 204516 background Of The Invention F i <_• 1 ■ I of t. h _j i\y i • rit.ii >n This invention relates generally to a device for combined therapeutic urul stimulative treatment of the Rums and particularly to such 11 device enabling effective delivery of an irritant and/or a medicament liquid to the Kinr.ival sulcus. Discussion of the Prior Art Di-viics tor delivering an i r r i g ii n t and/or a niedicument liquid to the gums for treatment of pyorrhea and related gum disease as described in the prior art generally include a handle portion terminating in a tip portion configured to facilitate access to the gingival sulcus. As described in U.S. 1,586,302 (available on ii:(|in.-s r ), the tip portion is provided with a groove lor ri'iti via;; a syringe whose fluid discharge is directed by said groove to one or more outlet apertures provided in the t i pinos t portion in contact with the gum area to be treated. Apparently, the device is manipulated to position Che tip port ion within the ural cavity as determined, at which point Che syringe ib introduced as indicated. The risk of gum injury with such a device is clear. The precise positioning of two separate devices is required under difficult conditions, particularly so as regards the syringe. The dental injection tubes described in I'.S. Patents 1,53ft,797 and 1 ,538 ,798 comprise a bulbous fluid containing central portion necked down to provide an elongated tip portion. Fluid discharge is effected by hand squeezing the fluid portion. As fluid becomes depleted, increased pressures are necessary to expel fluid; the ri uk of /;um injury in unavoidable since erratic 2 I 1 J[I: r. 204516 hand movement attendant to physical strain is likely. Moreover, increased takeup of air by the fluid may severely impair the fluid's effectiveness. Th<- dental tool described in U.S. 1,015,039 (available on re (jiii- si) for delivering coolant water to a wax inlay impression being taken in the ur.i I c .i v i t y comprises an elongated tubular handle containing an internally disposed collapsible cartridge containing coolant fluid. The proximal cartridge end is in 1 1 u i<J flow contact with a proximal tip portion provided with apertures. A mo Lai scrip which overlies the cartridge is integral with an external compression member; compressive force on the latter is transmitted through Che metal scrip collapsing che cartridge forcing fluid through che apertured tip. The cartridge is refilled in founcain pen-like manner through che tip portion by first pressing and then releasing the compression member. The device is not designed for access to the gingival sulcus or for distributing therapeutic agent. When the compression member is released from a compressed condition, air is necessarily taken up. The method of applying pressure is awkward and inefficient since a relatively large area is involved and Local pressure valves may vary. In accordance with the objects of the invention, the foregoing and related disadvantages are minimized if not eliminated, there being provided a device capable of delivering irrigant and/or medicament fluids under pressure to the gingival sulcus by relatively simple means insuring efficient and uniform application of pressure to the treatment fluid, the device being capable of repetitive use. The fore^oinf; objects are attained in accordance with the invention which in its broader aspects provides a device for the 204516 combined therapeutic and stimulative treatment of the gums comprising an elongated handle member terminating proxirr.ally in a flexible tip portion provided vith one or more apertures for the discharge of fluid under pressure and configured to expedite probing contact of said tip portion vith the gingival sulcus, and conduit means connecting said tip portion vith a fluid reservoir portion hermetically sealed by a removable insert cap movable along the longitudinal axis of said reservoir portion by an applied force to decrease the total volume of said reservoir portion and, correspondingly, increase the pressure on the fluid contained therein. In a preferred embodiment, the handle member is of tubular construction and the internal volume defined by the sidevalls of said handle member in conjunction vith the removable insert cap, positioned to hermetically seal the distal end of said handle, comprise the fluid reservoir. The invention is described in detail by reference to the accompanying dravings vherein like reference numerals designate similar parts throughout the vievs and vherein: Brief Description of the Prayings Fig. 1 schematically illustrates embodiments of the invention wherein the fluid reservoir portion comprises a physically separate member; Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional viev of the tip portion of Fig. 1; Fig. 2a is a top viev (shown in full) of the tip portion of Fig. 2; Fig. 3 is a side viev taken in section illustrating an *045/6 an additional embodiment of the invention; Fip. 3a is a top view of an insert cap in accordance with the invention; Figs. h and Ua illustrate in vertical section,shown partly broken away, a valve actuated tip portion in accordance with the invention; Figs. 5 and 5a illustrate in vertical section, shown partly broken away, a valve actuated tip portion in accordance with an additional embodiment of the invention. Detailed Description of the Invention The present device as illustrated schematically in the embodiment of Fig. 1 comprises an elongated probe element indicated generally at 10 comprising a handle member 12 which may be of solid or tubular construction as will be explained and may be circular, rectilinear, etc., in cross section to expedite hand gripping. The probe 10 terminates proximally in a flexible tip portion 1^ through a neck portion l6, angled as illustrated to facilitate positional maneuvering of the tip portion l1* within the oral cavity. As illustrated in Figs. 2 and 2a, the tip portion 1^ consists of a cylindrical neck portion 18 for fixedly receiving a conduit 20 to a depth within a channel 22 as is consistent with structural integrity. Attachment may be secured by adhesive or other suitable means, as is known. Stepped cylindrical portions 2h and 26 provide a configuration consistent with structured stability and avoid corner portions which might otherwise be injurious to the gum during use of the device. The tip portion 1 It is secured to the handle member 12 via a ring portion 28 integral with the neck 16. The tip lH converges downwardly as illustrated at 26, terminating at the outer end 23 of the ch annel. 5 5045f6 The conduit 20 connects the tip portion it. vith the outlet port 30 of a fluid reservoir 32, the latter as illustrated in Fig. 1 being a component physically separate from the probe 10 and generally comprising a syringe type device of cylindrical cross section. A removable cap insert 3^ comprises a lid 36 having a diameter greater than that of the tip k0 of the reservoir 32 thus providing a peripheral portion 38 for facilitating hand removal of the cap 3*» , as for example, when recharging the reservoir 32. The sidevall k2 of the cap 3^ is provided at it leading or lower edge portion Ub with a washer U6 sized to functionally engage at its outer vertical edge the inner surface of the sidevall k8 of the fluid reservoir 32 thereby hermetically sealing the fluid contents of the reservoir. Use of the Fig. 1 device is as follows. Fluid such as irri gant water or medicament is charged to the fluid reservoir 32 and the cap 3^ is positioned as illustrated. The diameters of the conduit 20 and the channel 22, and particularly the latter, are relatively small, to the extent that flow of charged fluid through the channel 22 is prevented principally by virtue of fluid surface tension effects unless and until the requisite pressure is applied causing dovnvard displacement of the cap 3*» along its longitudinal axis. The probe 10 is positioned in the oral cavity so that the outer end of the channel portion of the tip 1^ is inserted into the gingival sulcus indicated at 50 in Fig. 1, i.e. , the space between the gum 52 and the tooth 5*» , also referred to as the tooth socket. The locus thus having been determined, the user forcibly depresses the cap 31* ; the application of relatively slight pressure suffices to overcome the aforementioned flov resistance thereby resulting in the discharge of fluid through the channel 22 to the determined area 2045lfc " r. thi? manner, ir.ed i carr.ent or irrigant fluid is delivered tt a point below the gum line. In further embodiments, the conduit 20 may be attached to the handle member 12 at points 56 or 58 respectively as indicated by the phantom lines in Fig. 1. In such cases, the handle 12 is of tubular construction to establish a continuous flow path between the fluid point of entry and the channel 22. Distal end connection as indicated at 58 is preferable being less likely to obstruct the user's gripping or nanipulation'of the device. The device may be used to the point of substantially complete exhaustion of fluid. As will be apparent, air present in the reservior 32 provides a cushion sufficient to enable the cap 3^ to function as a piston despite the total absence of fluid in the reservoir. In any event, the ratio of the total volume of reservoir to total volume of conduit is usually quite large and thus waste due to unused conduit fluid is insignificant. Manipulation of the Fig. 1 device by the user requires both hands as opposed to the Fig. 3 device requiring but one hand. In the latter device generally designated 60 the handle 62 is of tubular construction the distal end portion thereof serving as the fluid reservoir 6b. The latter is in fluid flow communication with the aperture 66 via the conduit 68 proceeding through the neck portion 70, angled as previously described, and then through the tip portion 72 convergent downwardly terminating in the aperture 66. The diameter of the reservoir 6b is relatively large compared to that of the conduit 68 for the reasons previously described. As well as to practically limit the length of the device. The handle 62 terminates distally in an outwardly flared or trumpeted portion 7^ providing a funnel type end to facilitate charging of fluid to the reservoir 6b. The insert 204-516 cap 1G is similar in configuration to the cap 3^ of Fig. 1 comprising a lid 78 having a diameter greater than that of the trumpeted section 7^ as indicated by the dotted lines in Figs. 3 and 3a thus providing a gripping area 80 for removal of the cap 76 from the fully closed (inserted) position. The sidevall 82 is provided at its leading or lower end portion 8U vith a washer 86 having a vertical edge adapted upon insertion to functionally engage the inner surface 88 of the handle 62 to thereby hermetically seal the fluid contents of the reservoir 6h and to stabilize the position of the cap 76. The Fig. 3 device is used as follows. Fluid of the type described is charged to the reservoir 6U in the amount desired. In the absence of pressure, fluid flow through the aperture 66 does not occur due to surface tension effects as described. The cap 76 is inserted into the reservoir 61* to a depth penetration sufficient to stabilize its placement. Some albeit minor fluid flow through the aperture 66 may occur indicating the attainment of fluid discharge pressure. The device is positioned in the oral cavity in the manner previously described using the thumb or forefinger of the gripping hand to depress the cap 76 to initiate and sustain fluid discharge through the aperture 66. In a further embodiment, the reservoir 6b may be charged with a rupturable packet, cartridge or other suitable container encasing the irrigant or medicament fluid under pressure. The packet, configured in accordance with the internal dimensions of the reservoir 6h so as to snugly fit therewithin, is inserted into the reservoir so as to engage abutting means provided therein such as the annular flange 90 (Fig. 3) integrated vith the handle 62 and defining an included flowpath 92 at least equal in diameter to the conduit 68. The cap 76 204514. i r. this embodiment is configured so that when substantially fully inserted sufficient pressure is exerted upon the packet either by direct contact or air cushion to cause its rupture. Thus, the proximal end wall of the packet which engages the flanpe 90 may be designed so as to be rupturable under the pressure conditions extant at substantial cap insertion thereby releasing the auto-pressured fluid contents. Instead of abutting means, the internal diameter of the reservoir 61* may be necked down proximally so that closure of the cap 76 forces the packet into the smaller space, the resultant increased pressure causing rupture. In the packet embodiments, flexible tip portions of the type illustrated in Figs. U and 5 are recommended. In fig. b, a flexible tip portion 9^ is provided with a gate type valve 96 which is normally closed to prevent fluid flow between the conduit sections 99 and 98a, the latter terminating in the outlet apperture 100. The valve 96 is provided with a central horizontal slit to define equal upper and lower sections indicated at 102 and 10It in Fig. ^a. In closed position, the valve 96 provides a pressure resistant hermetic seal positionally stable against the pressure exerted by the contents of the reservoir 6U. However, when the tip 9^ is rotated as indicated by the directional arrow in Fig. ba, as would be the case when the surface 106 of the tip 9^ is pressed against a tooth, flexure of the tip 9^ causes the valve 96 to open to the position indicated by the valve sections 102 and 10^ in Fig. Ua. In Fig. 5, an inner surface 108 of the tip 110 is provided with normally closed slits 112, arranged substantially perpendicularly to the surface 108. In closed position, the slits provide an hermetic seal as described. However, when the surface 204516 108 is pressed acainst a tooth, flexure of the tip 110 as indicated by the directional arrow of Fig. 5a causes the slits 21? to open providing the outlet aperture 112a for the pressurized fluid as indicated in Fig. 5a. The tip portions as illustrated in Figs. 5 and 5a are useful in the fluid as well as packet embodiments. In the former case, the cap member is inserted and depressed to the maximum depth permitted by the resultant back pressure. This indicates maximum depth consistent with stable positioning of the cap. In use, the operator need only flex the tip portion in the manner described to initiate and sustain fluid discharge, there being no need to depress the cap. The tip portions herein may be of hard rubber or similar polymeric material having equivalent resiliency and strength. The material selected should in any event be inert to the contained fluid. The outer surface of the tip should be non-irritating to the gums and tasteless. The tip may be interchangeable and may be attached to the device by simply inserting the proximal end of the handle member thereinto. The charged fluid may be simply irrigant water or therapeutic agent for treatment of infected gum and may be in liquid or semisolid form. In a further modification, valve means provided in the tip portion may be manipulated by control means suitably provided in the handle portion and mechanically connected thereto. In a further preferred embodiment, the handle member is constructed of transparent material, e.g., inert film-forming synthetic organic polymer of types well known in the art enabling visual metering of dosage. Such handle may be graduated, bearing indicia enabling relatively precise assessment of dosage. </div>

Claims

<div class="application article clearfix printTableText" id="claims"> 20^5'© WHAT WR CLAIM IS:

1. A device for combined therapeutic and stimulative treat-mfiit of the gums comprising an elongated handle member terminating proximally in a flexible tip portion provided with one or more apertures for the discharge of fluid under pressure and configured to expedite probing contact of said tip portion with the gingival sulcus, and conduit means connecting said tip portion with a fluid reservoir portion hermetically sealed by a removable insert cap movable along the longitudinal axis of said reservoir portion by an applied force to decrease Che total volume of said reservoir portion and correspondingly increase the pressure on the fluid contained therein.

2. A device according to Claim I wherein said fluid reser- | voir portion comprises a physically separate member directly connected to said tip portion by said conduit means.

3. A device according to Claim 2 wherein said fluid reser- j j voir is connected to said handle member by said conduit means.

4. A device according to Claim I wherein said handle member is tubular and comprises said fluid reservoir portion for receiving said fluid directly or alternatively for receiving rupturable packet means containing said fluid under pressure, said removable insert cap hermetically sealing the distal end of said handle member and said reservoir portion.

5. A device according to Claim 4, the proximal end portion of said handle member being provided internally with abutting means positioned to engage the proximal end of said rupturable packet means when said packet is positioned within said fluid reservoir portion.

6. A device according to Claim 5 wherein said abutting means comprises an annular flange integral with the inner surface of said handle member. « Jul jyvS 204516

7. A device according Co Claim 5, wherein said tip portion includes internal, normally closed valve means rotable to open position upon torque flexure of said tip portion. H .

A device according Co Claim 7 , wherein said valve k means comprises normally closed slics expandable to open position by corque flexure of said tip portion.

9. A device according to Claim 1 wherein the sidewalIs ot said fluid reservoir portion are transparent enabling visual detection of the extent of depletion of fluid within said reservoir portion during use.

10. A device according to Cluim 9 wherein said sidewalls bear pre-printed graduated indicia for indicating dosage.

11. A device for combined therapeutic and stimulacive treatment of gums, substantially as herein described with reference to che accompanying drawings. WEST-WALKER, McCABE per ATTORNEYS SefPTfiE APPLICANT. M-Z- PATENT OFFICE 1 11 jr. .; , D CVM* M </div>