WO2015059651A1

WO2015059651A1 - Dental operating unit consisting of original single equipment joined to each other through hoses and cables which allow operating under absolute sterility conditions

Info

Publication number: WO2015059651A1
Application number: PCT/IB2014/065540
Authority: WO
Inventors: Claudio Continolo
Original assignee: NEDELCU, Florina
Priority date: 2013-10-23
Filing date: 2014-10-22
Publication date: 2015-04-30
Also published as: ITMI20131764A1

Abstract

A dental operating unit is described comprising a cabinet capable of providing sterilized water and decontaminated air to the equipment of the dental operating unit, the air being supplied by a centralised or mono studio compressor; a first movable unit capable of supporting the water/air syringe and the rotating instruments of the dental operating unit; a second movable unit dispensing sterilized water for mouth rinsing and supporting the saliva ejectors, a surgical cannula and a tray for mouth rinsing; an ergonomic dental chair; a cabinet containing a HEPA filter for the decontamination of the air and an autoclave containing distilled and ozone-sterilized water for the spray. The cabinet, the first movable unit and the second movable unit are connected to one another by means of hoses and cables. All the instruments present on the first movable unit and/or on the second movable unit, the holders where the instruments are supported, the hoses supplying water and air to the instruments and the connecting members of such hoses can be easily removed by means of quick couplings, the easiness of removal and insertion allowing for sterilization to be carried out in a very short time. The sterilization has been microbiologically certified, with a destruction of the tested microorganisms higher than 99% in 10 minutes.

Description

DENTAL OPERATING UNIT CONSISTING OF ORIGINAL SINGLE

EQUIPMENT JOINED TO EACH OTHER THROUGH HOSES AND CABLES

WHICH ALLOW OPERATING UNDER ABSOLUTE STERILITY

CONDITIONS

The present invention consists of a dental operating unit consisting of original single equipment, joined to each other through hoses and cables, which allow operating in absolute sterility conditions.

The treatments of teeth and gums are surgical operations like those which are carried out on any other part of the human body and thus require suitable environments that ensure sterility. This is not possible with equipment for dentists used to this day, due to the fact that many parts of this equipment are infected during surgery and, since they are not removable, they cannot be sterilized. It is thus easy for diseases to be transmitted from one patient to another .

Documents WO 03/051265 Al and WO 2010/097649 Al respectively disclose a medical studio, in particular a dentist studio, which is capable of ensuring sterilization. Such a dentist studio is however very complex, in addition to having some drawbacks.

The aim of the present invention is therefore to provide a dental operating unit that is capable of solving the technical drawbacks mentioned above in an extremely thorough, simple, cost-effective and particularly functional manner.

In detail, an object of the present invention is to provide a simplified dental operating unit that can be suitable for all dentist studios, since the problem of sterilization covers a social aspect in terms of health care .

For such a purpose the present invention provides a dental operating unit with equipment that is completely innovative, which ensure the destruction of cross infections .

This aim and these objects according to the present invention are achieved by providing a dental operating unit as outlined in claim 1.

Further characteristics of the invention are highlighted in the dependent claims, which are an integrating part of the present description.

For example, the cabinet that is indicated with reference numeral 4 in figures 1 and 2 has been modified, becoming a service cabinet and greatly simplifying the construction and function with respect to what is disclosed in WO 2010/097649 Al . Beside this cabinet there is a movable unit, indicated with reference numeral 7 in figure 1, which can be moved according to the requirements of the doctor. The inside has been made compact so as to facilitate the use of decontaminated air and water.

An enormous difference is found in the movable unit indicated with reference numeral 7 in figure 1. This movable unit can, instead of being made with a square shape, be made with a rectangular section, while keeping all its characteristics. In figure 5 the drawings show a system for detaching the hoses that supply the air/water syringe, the turbine and the micro-motors. Special quick couplings were made so that the manoeuvring thereof is simple and fast. The detachment of the hoses carrying water and air, so as to sterilize them, eliminates the serious danger of back-aspiration and also contagion that can occur when the operators contaminate (this may occur in an extremely simple manner) the outside of the hoses near the instruments.

Also the removal and the mounting of the holders for hanging the instruments is made easier and faster. In the movable unit dedicated to suction and to mouth rinsing, indicated with reference numeral 110 in figure 1 and in the details in figure 6, a simplification and a reduction of the volume were obtained to make it easier to locate the movable unit 110 near to the patient .

The part concerning the removal of the suction hoses has been completely revised so as to be able to sterilize them more easily, rapidly and in a completely safe manner. The connection of the hoses to the saliva ejectors and to the disposable mouth rinsing cup has been revised, again with the purpose of making the removal simple, rapid and safe. Also this movable unit, shown in the details in figure 6, can be made with a rectangular shape that is identical to that of figure 7, or circular, keeping all its own characteristics.

Even the chair 130 (figure 1 and, in the details, figure 7) has undergone a great improvement. It has been simplified with a reference position that is completely new for the category of dentist chairs.

One of the most important modifications concerns the ozone-sterilization equipment, which is indicated in figure 1 with reference numeral 140 and in the details in figure 8. It has been found that the capacity of the containers, where sterilization takes place, is a fundamental element for the entire system of the studio in which surgery must be carried out with guaranteed sterilization.

Sterilization equipment disclosed in

WO 2010/097649 Al exploited the ozone gas that was directly introduced in the containers in which the packed instruments were located. The application of such a method was not found to be valid, firstly due to the fact that ozone in the gas form has a much lower sterilization effect with respect to that of ozonised water. Moreover, ozone, in the gas form, has a greater aggressive power towards many materials, such aggressive power being lower when the gas is dissolved in water. In order to sterilize the instruments and quite a high number of components of the equipment there is thus the necessity for the container to have large dimensions and for the time to be short. Ozone- sterilization has been found to be the essential part, without which all the other equipment were rendered ineffective .

In figure 1 equipment is indicated with reference numeral 160, said equipment making the environment, in which dental surgery is carried out, very similar to an operating room, therefore with a greater protection against cross infections. Every day many people are treated in dentist studios. The water/air spray used for cooling the dentist drill and the tooth forms an aerosol containing bacteria and viruses that are present in the wound. In this aerosol there are also sprays of blood and saliva. All this covers the operation area, becoming dangerous for the dentist and the assistant but also for the patient, who sucks viruses and bacteria directly into his lungs.

The characteristics and the advantages of a dental operating unit according to the present invention shall become clearer from the following description, given by way of example and not for limiting purposes, with reference to the attached schematic drawings, in which: figure 1 is a schematic plan view of a dental operating unit according to the present invention;

figure 2 is a general view of two separate components, indicated with reference numerals 4 and 7, respectively, of the dental operating unit shown in figure 1 ;

figure 3 shows some details of the components indicated with reference numerals 4 and 7 of the dental operating unit shown in figure 1 ;

figure 4 shows further detail views of one of the components, indicated with reference numeral 7, of the dental operating unit shown in figure 1 ;

figure 5 shows some details of the component of the dental operating unit shown in figure 4 ;

figure 6 shows different details of the component of the dental operating unit indicated with reference numeral 110 in figure 1 ;

figure 7 shows different views of the component of the dental operating unit that is indicated with reference numeral 130 in figure 1 ;

figure 8 shows the component of the dental operating unit indicated with reference numeral 140 in figure 1; and

figure 9 shows the equipment that sucks, purifies (by means of a HEPA filter) and returns into the environment bacterial and viral aerosol that forms the water/air spray for cooling the tooth and the dentist drill, nullifying the risk of disease transmission.

In Figure 1, reference numerals 1, 2 and 3 indicate the cabinets that are simply for supporting the original equipment that make up the dental operating unit according to the present invention and that are indicated with reference numerals 4, 7, 110, 130 and 140.

Reference numeral 1 indicates the cabinet containing the compressor. The compressor can also be centralized, but if it is located in such a way, the installation costs are reduced, the problems concerning condensation forming in the presence of long ducts are reduced and, in the case of faults, the whole studio is not blocked.

Reference numeral 2 indicates the cabinet that contains the suction group. Also the suction group can be centralized, but if it is located in this way there are the same advantages as mentioned above.

Reference numeral 3 indicates the cabinet containing the tank for collecting the liquids from the suction means and from the basins.

Reference numeral 5 indicates the cabinet that can be a container for instruments, but it is also possible to use this space to arrange equipment like that indicated with reference numeral 160 again in figure 1 so as to increase the purification of the environment.

Again in figure 1, the reference numerals 4, 7, 110, 130, and 140 indicate the original equipment of the dental operating unit according to the present invention, which are described hereinafter. Figure 2B illustrates an air-water equipment or cabinet indicated with reference numeral 4. In the lower part of the cabinet 4 there is a "HEPA" filter (High Efficiency Particulate Air) , indicated with reference numeral 41.

The air arrives from the mono studio compressor located inside the cabinet indicated with reference numeral 1 in figure 1. The compressor can also be centralized. The hose arriving from the compressor (indicated with reference numeral 42 in figure 2) brings air to a pressure of around 6÷7 bar and enters in the pressure regulator, indicated with reference numeral 43. This pressure regulator 43 provides for reducing and for stabilizing the pressure to a value of 3 bar. Together with the pressure regulator 43 there is a double filter for the condensation and for possible traces of oil.

The air exiting from the pressure regulator 43 arrives at the HEPA filter 41, through a hose 44, it enters the joint 45 and it exits from the joint 46 filtered. The HEPA filter 41 is also provided with a safety valve, indicated with reference numeral 47, which, when suitably regulated, acts so as to discharge air in the case in which a fault or malfunctioning of the pressure regulator group 43 occurs.

From the joint 46, through a hose 48, the air arrives at the manometer/regulator group, indicated with reference numeral 49. This group 49 provides for regulating pressure and flow rate of air and water that then supply the various instruments used by the doctor. Every regulator has a manometer together with it that indicates the pressure. In particular, reference numeral 50 indicates the air pressure regulator for the rotor of the turbine, reference numerals 51 and 52 indicate the water and air flow regulators for the spray of the turbine, reference numerals 53 and 54 indicate the water and air flow regulators for the spray of the syringe, reference numerals 55 and 56 indicate the water and air flow regulators of the spray of the air motor or of the electric motor, and reference numeral 57 indicates a pressure regulator for the air micro motor or for a possible second turbine.

In order to change the operating pressure (to increase or reduce it) it is necessary to open the door of the cabinet indicated with reference numeral 4 in figure 2B in order to access the regulators. In the right door of the cabinet indicated with reference numeral 4 in figure 3B there are two manometers that indicate the air pressure of the turbine and the pressure of the air micro motor. In the left door there are two LEDs . A first LED turns on when the autoclave is low on water, while the second LED indicates the on or off condition of all the equipment. The flow of water and air occurs when the instrument is removed from the holder and no other instrument can operate, except for the syringe which will be described later on in the description. The hoses carrying water and air of the spray of the electric micro motor are external (detail 81 of the movable unit 7 of figure 4B) .

From the joint 46 of the HEPA filter, through the hose indicated with reference numeral 48, the air also reaches the autoclave group: in the point indicated with reference numeral 59, indeed, the hose 48 divides. The autoclave has the task of supplying water to the manometers/regulators group, indicated with reference numeral 73 in the movable unit 7 (figure 2) .

The autoclave, indicated with reference numeral 60, provides water at a stable pressure of 1 bar during normal use and water with a high level of ozone dissolved at a pressure of 0.2 bar during the decontamination operations of the movable unit 7, such operations being described hereinafter. In order for the manoeuvre to be simpler, a second autoclave can be added, indicated in figure 2B/4 with reference numeral 60 bis.

The commands and the operation of the autoclave device in normal operating conditions will now be described in detail. The air coming from the HEPA filter, at the pressure of 3 bar, is reduced to the pressure of 1 bar through the regulator, with relative manometer, indicated with reference numeral 61 in figure 2B. This air is used to pressurise the water in the container indicated with reference numeral 60. When the levers of the pneumatic deviators, indicated with reference numerals 62 and 63, are in a horizontal position, water can flow towards the manometer/regulator group, indicated with reference numeral 49. This is the normal operating condition. Bringing the lever 62 into the vertical position pressure is taken from the water container 60 so as to be able to remove it for replacement or cleaning operations. This is the maintenance or out of order condition .

The commands and the operation of the autoclave device in decontamination conditions will now be described in detail. In order to carry out the decontamination it is necessary to replace the water container, which has been distilled and sterilized through the bubbling of ozone, with another container provided with water with high level of ozone since it has just been treated (it is necessary to clarify that the ozone that is dissolved in the water declines after 40 minutes) . The lever of the left deviator, indicated with reference numeral 62, remains in the horizontal position whereas it is necessary to bring the lever of the right pneumatic deviator, indicated with reference numeral 63, into the vertical position. In such a way the pressure inside the container is modified: from 1 bar, in normal operating conditions, a pressure of 0.2 bar is reached. This operation is carried out simultaneously with the opening of all the water solenoid valves.

The simultaneous opening command of the four solenoid valves is at the back of the movable unit 7 (figure 3C) and it is indicated with reference numeral 96. This makes it possible for decontaminating fluid to circulate in all the hydraulic circuits of the dentist unit, in the flow regulators, in the solenoid valves and, then, in the hoses that supply the rotating instruments and the air/water syringe.

After having passed through the entire circuit, the water comes out from the end hoses and is collected in a special recipient, which is positioned outside the movable unit. The low pressure (0.2 bar) ensures that the decontaminating fluid circulates slowly in the circuit, with an amount of 1000 cc of ozonised water at the value of 2 mg/litre. A permanence of around 20 minutes is obtained, which is enough time to obtain total decontamination.

The autoclave is provided with a further regulator for providing the pressure of 0.2 bar that is necessary for the operation during decontamination. Moreover, there is a safety valve that acts if the pressure rises past the value of 1 bar. This operation can be simplified by placing a second autoclave 60 bis alongside the first autoclave 60. In this case the first autoclave 60 contains sterilized water, whereas the second autoclave 60 bis contains ozonised water. It is thus sufficient to bring the two hoses from the first autoclave 60 to the second autoclave 60 bis after having brought the lever 62 to a vertical position.

Ozone-sterilization just like it has been described so far was found to be essential in order to obtain a microbiological certification, which mentions that "from the analytical results obtained [...] it has been found that the disinfecting action of the ozone bath in the indicated operating conditions is such as to ensure a percentage of destruction of the tested microorganisms higher than 99.9%" in 10 minutes. This occurs in the entire inner water circuit, in all the external tubing of the instruments, in their couplings and in the areas for holding the instruments themselves in the movable unit 7 of figure 4.

The movable unit 7, or movable unit "SR" (rotating instruments), which is located on the side of the doctor will now be described. From the manometer/regulator group, indicated with reference numeral 49 in figure 2B, five hoses come out that carry air and four hoses that carry water. This group of hoses is indicated respectively with reference numerals 64 and 48 and it goes to the movable unit that is indicated with reference numeral 7 in figures 2A and 3A.

Figure 2A shows the movable unit 7 in the rear part, in which there is a wide aperture that is normally closed by two panels (figure 3C) . In figure 3A the movable unit 7 is represented open at the back. In the top part of the movable unit 7 a wide hole is shown, indicated with reference numeral 72, which is a starting and ending point for hoses and electric cables coming from the cabinet 4 of figure 2B and from the power supply panel, indicated with AE again in figure 2B.

By opening the rear door of the movable unit 7 (figures 2A and 3A) it is possible to see the container, indicated with reference numeral 73, of the solenoid valves which control the flow of air and water of the rotating instruments, the relative sprays and the syringe that can be seen in the side part of the movable unit 7, shown in figure 4B.

In the container of the solenoid valves (figure 2D) it is possible to see, on the right, four solenoid valves. The solenoid valve that regulates the water of the spray of the turbine is indicated with reference numeral 74, reference numeral 75 indicates the solenoid valve that regulates the water of the spray of the electric micro motor, reference numeral 76 indicates the solenoid valve that regulates the water of the syringe and reference numeral 77 indicates the solenoid valve that regulates the water of the spray of the air micro motor.

The five solenoid valves highlighted on the left in figure 3A/7 regulate the air. Reference numeral 78 indicates the solenoid valve that regulates the air for the rotor of the turbine, reference numeral 79 indicates the solenoid valve that regulates the air of the spray of the turbine, reference numeral 80 indicates the solenoid valve that regulates the air of the spray of the air micro motor, reference numeral 81 indicates the solenoid valve that regulates the air of the spray of the electric micro motor and, lastly, reference numeral 82 indicates the solenoid valve that regulates the air of the syringe.

The hoses that come out from the solenoid valves converge with the quick couplings arranged on the front side of the movable unit 7, as highlighted in figure 4A. Such quick couplings are indicated with reference numerals 78, 79, 80 and 81. Two hoses come out from the quick coupling 78 for supplying water and air to the syringe, indicated with reference numeral 82. The turbine, indicated with reference numeral 83, is supplied by a hose. A second hose is used for discharging and another two hoses carry the air and water of the spray.

Reference numeral 86 indicates the socket for the cable that brings the current to the electric micro motor, indicated with reference numeral 84. Two hoses for the spray of the same electric micro motor 84 extend from the quick coupling 80. Two hoses extend from the quick coupling 81 for supplying the air micro motor, which is indicated with reference numeral 85. Other two hoses, which again extend from the quick coupling 81, carry water and air of the spray.

In figure 5 it can be noted that above the thread of the turbine an adapter 90 has been screwed on having, on the outside, a threading with a wide pitch. A ring 91A, screwing on to the thread of the turbine, joins the latter to the four hoses carrying air for the rotor, water and air for the spray and for discharging air coming out from the rotor.

In figure 5 only two hoses are shown in order to make it easier to understand the removal of the hoses themselves, for the sterilization and for the subsequent insertion. The four hoses are entirely removed .

When operating on the patient, the dentist almost always gets his gloves dirty with saliva and blood and, by handling the instrument, he also contaminates the first part of the hoses. By hanging the instrument in the holder, indicated with reference numeral 94 in figure 5 and described hereinafter, he also contaminates said holder.

The sole inner sterilization of the hoses does not solve the problem of cross infections at all. The removal of the hoses, which become contaminated during the operation, so as to be able to sterilize them (and not simply disinfect them) is absolutely necessary.

The elements illustrated in figure 5 are completely new, due to the fact that they provide the possibility of releasing the hoses that are inserted in the instruments from the cabinet. A very important factor is the releasing simplicity and rapidity, of the instrument but also of the hoses and the holders for hanging the latter, as specified hereinafter in the description. The operation described is extremely important for the destruction of cross infections. Continuing now with the description of the movable unit 7 it is possible to see the holders, indicated with reference numeral 94 in figure 4B, where the instruments are hung. In figure 5 the details of these holders 94 are indicated with reference numerals 95 and 96. The part indicated with reference numeral 94 is fixed to the front part of the movable unit 7 (figure 5) . In its upper part there is a slot where the part A of the holder is inserted which houses the instrument, indicated with 84 in figure 5. In order to insert the holder indicated with reference numerals 95 and 96 in figure 5 it is necessary to move the lever indicated with B laterally. Once the holder is completely inserted, the lever B is lowered so that the parts 94 and 95 become a stable single body during the use of the instrument. The holder is easily taken so as to be sterilized.

When the instrument is inserted, the part A of the holder moves towards the wall that is fixed to the movable unit 7 and actuates a microswitch. This device ensures that the dedicated electronics detect the presence of the instrument in the hanging position and prevent it from rotating in an undesired manner. Vice versa, by removing the instrument from its support it is possible to activate it through a command pedal. The system is structured so that only a single rotating instrument can function at a time. If a second rotating instrument were to be taken, the system would be temporarily blocked. In any case, it is foreseen that, together with any one of the three instruments, the air/water syringe can operate simultaneously.

On the upper part of the movable unit 7 there are two pushbutton stations that are indicated with reference numerals 97 and 98 in figure 4D. The pushbutton station 97 regulates the electric motor. The pushbutton station 98 practically controls everything, from the light of the lamp to the movements of the chair, it activates the spray of the turbine and of the micro-motors, it activates the surgical aspirator system and the water of the cup for mouth rinsing. There are, moreover, two commands that are dedicated to the syringe with which it is possible to activate only the water, or only the air or both when the spray is needed .

Moreover, as already mentioned, the syringe can operate together with another instrument and this is very useful in surgery, where the jet of the syringe can be added for cooling the tissues. The jet may not only be sterilized water (water treated with ozone) but also ozonised water (2 mg/litre) which acts as a sterilizing agent.

During assembly or during maintenance operations it is possible to lift the top part of the movable unit, as illustrated in figure 4E/7. This facilitates the access to the electronics that control the system.

The hoses that come out from the group of the solenoid valves, indicated with 73 in figure 2A/7 and 2D/7, converge at the four quick couplings that are indicated with reference numerals 78, 79, 80 and 81 in figure 4E. The coupling 81 receives from the solenoid valves 76 and 82 (figure 2D) respectively the water and the air that supply the syringe that is indicated with 82 in figure 4E/7.

In figure 5 reference numeral 90 indicates the enlarged thread of the turbine that, joining with the female thread of the coupling, is joined to the hoses for supplying water/air. It has already been mentioned that, by unscrewing in an anti-clockwise direction, the syringe is detached from the hoses that are indicated with 92 and 93. On the opposite side of the coupling 91A of figure 5 there is another coupling that is indicated with reference numeral 97 again in figure 5. This coupling is separated into 2 parts: a part inside the wall of the movable unit 7, which is indicated with reference numeral 98, receives the hoses coming from the solenoid valves 74, 78, 79 of the panel 73 of figure 2D and that bring water and air to the turbine. One part of the inner coupling 98 (figure 5) on the other hand comes out from the wall of the cabinet with a threaded area indicated with reference numeral 99. A plate with four screws, indicated with reference numeral 100, fixes the inner part of the coupling 98 to the outer threaded portion 99. The external part of this coupling that holds the hoses 92, 93 joins with the thread 99 by means of a female threaded ring 101 (detail in figure 5A/7) .

By unscrewing the female thread indicated with reference numeral 102 (figure 5B/7) the part of the hoses that holds the turbine is freed up, in such a way facilitating the sterilization both of the turbine, and of the hoses themselves, inside and outside. The turbine is detached from the hoses by unscrewing the screw 91A.

When operating on the patient, the dentist dirties his gloves with saliva and blood. When handling the instrument he also contaminates the first part of the hoses. When hanging the instrument inside the holder indicated with reference numeral 94 in figure 5, which shall be described hereinafter, he contaminates the latter with saliva and blood as well. The sole inner sterilization of the hoses does not solve the problem of cross infections at all.

In figure 4E the reference numeral 80 indicates the coupling with two hoses for the spray of the electric micro motor and, in the same figure 4E, the reference numeral 86 indicates the electric socket for the micro motor .

The present invention seeks maximum sterilization so as to destroy cross infections, but also has the objective of not shocking the patient, when entering the studio and seeing what he considers to be "torture" instruments. We can see a panoramic view in figures 4F, 4G, 4H/F.

The cabinets are positioned below a shelf that is always beside the doctor (figure 4I/F) . The cabinet of figure 4F/7 is a cabinet of the studio that can be suitable for different functions, like for example also containing the basin. Figure 4H/7 shows the cabinet 3B/4 of figure 3 that is dedicated for the equipment so as to have sterilized water and air. Figure 4G/7 shows the movable unit (figure 4A/7) on the side like in figure 4B/F, made to slide under the shelf of figure 4I/F.

In the space in figure 4G/F where the movable unit (figures 4A, 4B and 4C) is positioned there is a container that houses it. This container has two lateral doors that slide distally out of sight, thus allowing the movable unit to enter and exit. By making the doors slide at the front, the central part that folds towards the centre appears, hiding the instruments completely. When used, the doors are made to return, allowing the movable unit to be positioned in the operating position, with the instruments at the front as shown in figure 4A. This also makes it possible to isolate the instruments from the environment, again to protect sterility.

It is worth underlining that the shape of the movable unit 7 described thus far, just like the elements that shall be described hereinafter, can vary according to the requirements, without affecting the fundamental components of the movable unit 7 itself.

Figure 1 and the details of figure 6 illustrate the movable unit 110 called "AW" (aspiration/water) . This movable unit 110 is located on the side of the assistant .

At the top of the movable unit 110 (figure 6E) a (disposable) tray can be seen, which is indicated with reference numeral 111 in figures 6A and 6B, where the cup for mouth rinsing is located. This cup receives, from a fountain, indicated with reference numeral 112, sterilized water that comes from the autoclave 60 of figure 2B. Below the tray there is a filter 113 (figure 6B) that is located inside a box, to which the three suction cannulas, indicated with reference numeral 119 in figures 6A and 6B, converge, which are inserted at the sides of the box with three couplings, indicated with 120, and that are seen come out from the lateral part of the movable unit 110 (figure 6A) . From the bottom of this box a hose 117 comes out that is located inside the hose 118 so as to connect to the suction group .

The suction group can be mono studio, located inside the cabinet indicated with reference numeral 2 in figure 1, or centralised. In such a case the suction always arrives inside the cabinet 2 of figure 1.

The mono studio or centralized suction group, discharges the liquids in a container that is located in the cabinet indicated with reference numeral 3 in figure 1. Sodium hypochlorite is automatically added to this container so as to destroy the bacterial content before being discharged in the sewage by means of a pump .

A hose container, indicated with reference numeral 118, extends from behind the movable unit 110 (figures 6A and 6B) , said container housing the suction hose, beginning at the mono studio or centralized suction group, and the hose of the sterilized water (figure 6A) .

In figure 6B, reference numeral 113 indicates the filter from which three hoses extend, with a diameter of 16 mm and a length of around 40 cm. Each of the hoses 119 is inserted in a first connecting member, which is indicated with reference numeral 120 in figure 6B . In this connecting member (which is a coupling) the hose having a 16 mm diameter that is indicated with reference numeral 119 again in figure 6B enters upstream. Downstream, a hose having 10 mm diameter is inserted indicated again with reference numeral 119 again in figure 6B . This second hose is inserted in a second connecting member, indicated with 121, which brings the third and last hose, which is indicated with 127 and is around 20 cm long. The hose 127 ends with a third connecting member on which the saliva ejector holder for the saliva ejector or the spittoon is inserted. The last portion of hose is short and is detached for every patient together with the instrument and its connecting member so as to be sterilized. Also the hose between the quick couplings 121 and 120 can be detached so as to be sterilized or replaced, since it is disposable.

On the side of the movable unit 110 (figure 6B) it is possible to identify, on the side of the suction cannula, indicated with reference numeral 114, another cannula for the saliva ejectors, which is indicated with 115, and again further on the right the connecting member that receives the disposable tray used as a spittoon, indicated with 116 in figure 6A. The three suction instruments described are hung in holders that are identical to those described with 94, 95 and 96 in figure 5 and shown also in figure 6D.

The part with the holder for receiving the instrument is indicated with reference numerals 95 and 96 and is inserted above the cylinder 94 fixed to the wall of the movable unit. The cylinder 94, in this case, does not have the microswitch.

The cylinder with the holder 95 can be removed, just like the connecting member (saliva ejectors/hose) and the part of hose beginning at the coupling indicate with 121 can also be removed. These three parts can be removed so as to be able to be replaced after every patient, all this with great ease and speed. In such a way it is not possible for there to be supports for the infected instruments and hoses, contaminated by the gloves of the doctor and of the assistant that are dirty with blood and saliva, a few centimetres from the saliva ejectors in the mouth of the patient, often with a bleeding wound.

To sum up, figure 6A shows three suction hoses that come out from one side of the movable unit 110, whereas the top is seen from above. The old-fashioned spittoon has been replaced with a disposable cup, indicated with reference numeral 116. A cylinder indicated with 123 in figure 6E has an upper hole A and a lower hole B. The lower part of the cylinder 123 (figure 6E) is engaged in the upper end part, which is indicated with reference numeral 130 in figure 6C, of the saliva ejector holder. The upper hole A of the cylinder 123 houses a perforated cap, which is indicated with reference numeral 129 in figure 6E, which fixes the cup, indicated with 116, to the cylinder 123. The suction occurs at the bottom of the cup through holes in the lower part of the cap 129.

The disinfection of the inner part of the movable unit 110 occurs by dipping the three suction hoses into a container recently filled with ozonised water and activating the suction. The ozonised water passes through the inner hoses and the filter, carrying out an optimal disinfection. The access to the filter occurs by lifting the tray that is indicated with reference numeral 111 in the upper part of the movable unit 110 in figure 6B .

The movable unit 110 rests on wheels and in this case, as already specified for the movable unit 7, the shape can vary, of course maintaining the internal and external arrangement.

The dental chair 130, shown in figure 7, has been completely revised. It is called "RC" (relax chair) . Firstly, all the parts of the chair 130 can be easily reached for cleaning and disinfecting. The proposed objective is for the chair 130 to be ergonomic and completely different with respect to conventional dentist chairs. In the chair 130, as soon as the patient lies down, a complete relaxed position is obtained which allows him/her to face the treatment with a different attitude, as if he/she were not in a dentist studio.

Figures 7A and 7B illustrate the chair 130 seen from above. Such a chair 130 is divided into many parts. Reference numerals 131 and 132 respectively indicate the cervical and the podalic portion. These two parts can be lengthened for particularly tall patients. This makes it possible to have an average- sized chair, with the possibility of becoming longer indicated with 136, 137 (figure 7B) and consequently saving space inside the studio.

Reference numeral 133 indicates the cushion, to be placed precisely at the neck. This is one of the reasons why the patient is considerably comfortable.

Figure 7E highlights the actuators of the base of the chair lifted without "Trendelenburg". In figure 7D the chair is lowered, but it has a high "Trendelenburg". Figure 7E illustrates the chair in the same position as in figure 7C, without "Trendelenburg" but with the chair that is higher after two actuators of the base lifted it. In figure 7F there is the chair raised to the maximum height possible with the same "Trendelenburg" as in figure 7D. It is possible to further raise the chair 130, but there would be less "Trendelenburg" .

The backrest of the chair 130 is hinged in the point 134 and an actuator, not shown in the attached figures, can position it independently so as to have it higher or lower, as can be seen in figures 7C and 7D. Of course, sensors are positioned in the two sides of the chair 130 so that, if there are legs or objects below the seat or the backrest its movement is immediately stopped.

The rectangular metal base of the chair 130 rests on the ground. There is no need to carry out any masonry, plumbing and electrical work because the chair 130 is completely free and can be moved easily. In conventional dental chairs a big hole in the ground is necessary for arranging all the electricity and water lines. Hygiene in the studio is compromised because this big hole right under the chair represents a collection of dirt that jeopardises the hygiene that is essential in a medical studio.

By carrying out small modifications (adding a hinge in the area indicated with 135 in figure 7B) it is possible to transform the chair into an operating medical bed for almost all treatments even hospital surgery .

In figure 1, indicated with reference numeral 140, a device is schematically shown intended for ozone sterilization, called "Ozonoklave" (ozonizer) . Figure 8 illustrates the details of such a device, indicated with 140, which is internally provided with one or more containers for containing and carrying out the sterilization of the instruments and of many other parts of the equipment which are infected during surgery, such instruments and such parts of equipment having to be removed in order to be decontaminated. This destroys cross infections. The world literature recognises dental treatments as being one of the primary causes of these infections.

The ozonizer device 140 is configured for supplying ozone at a high concentration, equal to at least 2 mg/litre. Ozone is bubbled in a tank, indicated with 146 in figure 8B, containing distilled water. The ozone concentration in water is such as to ensure over a short time (10 minutes) a microorganism destruction higher than 99.9% in the instruments and in the parts of the equipment that are infected during surgery.

Reference numeral 141 in figure 8A indicates a cabinet base that is closed with a door. Above this door, indicated with 142, there is a pushbutton station that is part of the cabinet base. The pushbutton station 142 (visible in the details in figure 8D) comprises, starting from the left, a switch for turning it on with the relative indicating light 153, then a general fuse 154. Straight after there is a flow meter (that is indicated with 144 in the ozonizer device 140 of figure 8A) which shall be described hereinafter. Continuing now to the right it is possible to see a timer 155, then an indicating light 156 that indicates the emission of ozone, straight after there is another indicating light 157 that indicates that the device is ready for sterilization. Lastly, there is a button 158 that starts the emission of ozone.

Above the indicating lights described so far there are other two indicating lights that are part of the safety system of the ozonizer device 140. The main purpose of the present invention is indeed safety, so as to prevent sick patients transmitting their illness to the following patients. In the ozonizer device 140, which needs to sterilize the instruments and all the parts of the equipment that can be infected during surgery, there are thus different tests that ensure that sterilization has occurred. The two upper indicating lights are alarms. The left indicating light, indicated with reference numeral 159A in figure 8D, turns on together with the activation of an alarm when the oxygen concentrator, illustrated hereinafter, does not work. The second indicating light, indicated with 159B again in figure 8D, turns on together with the alarm when the ozone gas generator indicated with 145 in figure 8B does not work.

Inside the cabinet base 141, below the pushbutton station and indicated with reference numeral 143 in figure 8B, there is the molecular oxygen concentrator (O2) · Air enters in the molecular oxygen concentrator 143, with 21% Oxygen, and it comes out with 80% O2. The oxygen that is generated by the concentrator is carried to the flow meter 144 that stabilizes the flow rate at 0.5 litres a minute. The outlet of the flow meter goes directly to the ozone generator 145.

At the outlet of the generator 145 the ozone gas is directly brought to the tank indicated with reference numeral 146, contained in the cabinet indicated with 147 arranged above the cabinet base 141. On the airtight cover of the tank 146 there are the quick couplings for the inlet and outlet of ozone and for flushing air. A paper strip, soaked with an ozone detector, by changing colour, indicates the presence of ozone gas in the exhaust air. The paper strip is placed in a transparent container that is inserted in the discharge hose. This makes it possible to keep the production of gas for saturating water under control. It is advisable to insert a reader of the amount of ozone that is dissolved in the water, continuously reading it on a display, or taking a sample of water and reading the dosage on a display or also with a colorimeter .

In addition to this, the ozonizer device 140 provides for controlling that the cover is sealingly closed. On the cover of the tank 146, shown in figure 8C, there are three quick couplings. The one indicated with 150 receives the hose that conveys the ozone gas inside the tank 146. This hose reaches the bottom of the tank 146, ending with a bubbler that has the task of splitting the ozone gas for facilitating its diffusion in water. The second quick coupling 151 receives the hose that conveys the residue gas outside. The third quick coupling 152 receives the hose that conveys the flushing air outside.

The flushing air, coming from a HEPA filter, passes through a reducer that is indicated with reference numeral 148 (figure 8B) , which provides for reducing the air pressure from 3 bar to 0.5 bar. Below the pressure regulator there is a safety valve, which is indicated with reference numeral 149 again in figure 8B, which acts when the air pressure rises above the predetermined value of 0.5 bar. In work routine safety foresees a frequent dosage of ozone dissolved in the water. This dosage must verify that the ozone dissolved in the water is comprised between 1.8 mg/litre and 2 mg/litre. For this problem different solutions have already been evaluated.

If during the sterilization cycle one of the three fundamental elements is lacking (air, oxygen, ozone) , the ozonizer device 140 stops, keeping however the internal ventilation system operative, while it emits acoustic and luminous signals indicating malfunctioning and the relative cause. Making the ozonizer device 140 required the study and the construction of particular elements, the use of gas resistant materials (silicons, Teflon^®, Viton^®) and coupling systems that were quick and secure.

In order to avoid possible loss of ozone during sterilization cycles, the ozonizer device 140 is provided with a control circuit that operates through depression. During the entire sterilization cycle, the control circuit keeps the inner environment of the tank 146 and of the containers of the instruments at a negative pressure of around -0.1 bar. This depression promotes the perfect adhesion of the hermetic covers of the tank 146 and of the containers of the instruments and ensures that, at the quick couplings for discharging ozone, there is a gas that is very diluted and thus easier to eliminate.

With the initial values indicated above of ozone gas dissolved in water there is the advantage of having a sterilizing fluid that keeps its properties for a useful time period of around 30 minutes. Indeed, according to specific deterioration curves obtained with tests in the laboratory, after the aforementioned time period there is still a value of ozone concentration in water equal to around 1-1.2 mg/litres. All the scientific literature on this topic relating to the sterilization of dental instruments certifies that it is sufficient to have much lower concentrations, in the order of 0.2 mg/litre, and shorter time periods, in the order of 5 minutes, to inactivate legionella pneumophila and all the most common types of bacteria and viruses. Since the ozonizer device 140 produces sterile water with which also the dental operating unit is supplied, a further result is obtained that, when in such an ozonizer device 140 a container is inserted that has just undergone a sterilization cycle and the dental operating unit is used no more than 30-40 minutes later, there is a further sterilization of the unit in addition to those that are specially carried out at the end of the working day.

The ozonizer device 140 in figure 1 is positioned inside the studio to best illustrate the newly conceived dental operating unit described thus far. Such a device can be preferably located in a room that is adjacent to the studio, that is to say a room that is dedicated to sterilization.

The parts of the equipment to be sterilized after every patient can be many and very often it would be useful to have a second ozonizing unit. In order to limit the costs and also for space reasons, a cabinet base was added, indicated with reference numeral 141 in figure 8E, which is identical to the one indicated again with 141 in figure 8B. The sole variation lies in the pushbutton station 142, that is arranged in the lower part of the cabinet. In the cabinet 147 of figure 8E a second tank 146 was added, so that the ozonizer device 140, which is only slightly greater than that described so far, is capable of exerting a sterilization capacity that is exactly double that of the ozonizer device 140 provided with a single tank 146.

A third solution can be that of adding, in the cabinet 147 of the ozonizer device 140 of figure 8A, a second tank that is identical to that indicated with 146, as visible in the cabinet 147 of figure 8E. The three hoses that come out from the cover of figure 8C converge to a deviator that conveys the ozone, produced by the device that is indicated with reference numeral 145 in figure 8B, into the tank 146A or into the tank 146B. This can give the advantage of always using ozonised water in order to be able to sterilize.

Microbiological research has highlighted that the action of the ozone bath is such as to ensure a microorganism destruction that is higher than 99.9% in 10 minutes.

It has thus been seen that the dental operating unit according to the present invention achieves the aim and objects that were previously highlighted. Basically, the dental operating unit according to the present invention is capable of eliminating the old dental chair that is responsible for a high number of cross infections. Current dental units, on which 90% of dentists operate, obtain the certification CE (UNI EN ISO 7494-2), which specifies that from a microbiological point of view the problem has not been solved. There are many parts of the equipment used to this day that can be infected during surgery on the patient and there is not the possibility of removing them so as to sterilize them. It can be stated that all dental units certified to this day can be responsible of many cross infections.

The dental operating unit according to the present invention eliminates the conventional equipment joined to the chair, called dental chair, that supported the rotating instruments, the air/water syringe, the suction group and the spittoon. All the parts of the dental operating unit according to the present invention, that can be infected during surgery, can be removed so as to be sterilized. Even the hoses that supply the rotating instruments, the syringe, the saliva ejectors and the tray (disposable) that acts as a spittoon, can be removed so as to be sterilized. The water and air that supply the equipment are sterilised and decontaminated, since it is unthinkable to use mains water on an open wound.

It is thus possible to eliminate the "dental chair", substantially modifying the services that this provided. The services have been enriched and distributed around the dentist with cabinets and movable units that are joined to one another through hoses and cables. In such a way, with the addition of an ozone-sterilizer, which is safe, effective and quick, the dentist studio is transformed giving the dentist the possibility of operating safely and with a sterility that was impossible until now.

As previously mentioned, the operations that the dentist carries out every day in the oral cavity are identical to those that the surgeon carries out on other parts of the body. Therefore it is necessary to use special precaution. Sterilization is the primary necessity. In a dental studio many people are treated every day. The water/air spray that is used for cooling the dentist drill and the tooth forms an aerosol containing bacteria and viruses that are present in the wound. In this aerosol there are also sprays of blood and saliva. All this covers the operating area, becoming dangerous for the dentist and the assistant but also for the patient, who directly sucks viruses and bacteria in his/her lungs.

For a long time now the sterility of instruments has been the subject of much attention and this too must be revised to ensure safety. The present invention proposes to solve the sterilisation of the equipment. In figure 1, reference numeral 160 indicates an equipment or a movable unit that proposes to improve the environment for a defence against cross infections both for the patients, and for the operators. In figure 9A the movable unit 160 is shown with the door 161 open. Inside, indicated with reference numeral 162, there is a suction motor that is arranged in the lower part of the movable unit 160. Above the suction motor there is a HEPA filter, indicated with reference numeral 163. In the top part of the movable unit 160, at the centre, a rigid cylinder is provided that is indicated with reference numeral 165. This rigid cylinder 165 is firmly fixed to the top part in sheet metal of the movable unit 160 and it is connected to the HEPA filter 163. From the upper part of the cylinder 165 a flexible hose extends, indicated with reference numeral 166, which ends with a further rigid cylinder 167 of the movable unit 160 of figure 9A.

When the doctor is preparing to operate on the patient, lying on a chair, the cylinder 167 is detached from the relative support 168 and is brought exactly above the head of the patient, indicated with X, which rests on the cervical portion 131 of the chair 130. Reference numeral 170 indicates a cylinder that is fixed to the movable unit 160. The cylinder 170 carries an extensible arm 171 that ends with a hook, which is indicated with G in figure 9B . This hook G supports the flexible hose 166, keeping it in the best position.

By actuating the motor 162 the aerosol created by the spray is sucked from the operating area. Such an aerosol passes through the HEPA filter 163, which purifies it so as to reintroduce the air in the environment through openings that are made on the rear wall of the cabinet. It is therefore a simple equipment that destroys cross infections and that can be made bigger: a second movable unit 160 can indeed be located in the place of the cabinet indicated with reference numeral 5 in figure 1. In this case the air in the room is filtered in addition to the HEPA filters that are located at the outlet of the "fan coil" for conditioning .

In figure 9C the operating unit described above is arranged on a ceiling and the flexible hose 166 is always hung back over the working area.

The dental operating unit of the present invention thus conceived can in any case undergo numerous modifications and variants, all covered by the same inventive concept; moreover, all the details can be replaced by technically equivalent elements. In practice the materials used, as well as the shapes and sizes, can be any according to the technical requirements. The scope of protection of the invention is thus defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. Dental operating unit, capable of solving the problem of cross infections, comprising:

an ozonizer device (140), which is configured for sterilizing distilled water through ozone and is internally provided with one or more containers suitable for containing the instruments, of said dental operating unit, which are infected during surgery, so as to sterilize said instruments with said ozonised water;

an equipment (4) comprising a HEPA filter (41) configured for purifying air, said equipment (4) being capable of providing the distilled and sterilized water through said ozonizer device (140) and the decontaminated air through said HEPA filter (41) to at least part of the instruments of the dental operating unit ;

a first movable unit (7) supporting an air/water syringe and a plurality of rotating instruments of the dental operating unit;

a second movable unit (110) dispensing sterilized water for mouth rinsing and supporting the saliva ejectors, a surgical cannula and a tray for mouth rinsing; and

- an ergonomic dental chair (130),

wherein said equipment (4), the first movable unit (7) and the second movable unit (110) are connected to one another by means of hoses and cables,

the dental operating unit being characterised in that all the instruments present on the first movable unit (7) and/or on the second movable unit (110), the holders supporting said instruments, the hoses supplying water and air to said instruments and the connecting members of said hoses are provided with quick couplings (78, 79, 80, 81, 120, 121), so that said instruments can be easily removed by means of said quick couplings (78, 79, 80, 81, 120, 121) and can be sterilized inside said ozonizer device (140), the easiness of removal and insertion allowing said instruments to be sterilized in very short times.

2. Dental operating unit according to claim 1, wherein the quick couplings (78, 79, 80, 81, 120, 121) are provided with threaded connection means for a quick disengagement .

3. Dental operating unit according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the holders are provided with an electronically controlled microswitch, said microswitch allowing for detecting the presence of the instrument hanging on the relative holder, so as to allow, for safety reasons, the use of a single instrument.

4. Dental operating unit according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the device (140) intended for ozone sterilization is configured for supplying ozone at a concentration of between 1.8 mg/litre and 2 mg/litre and comprises a tank (146) containing distilled water within which ozone is bubbled, the ozone concentration in water being such as to ensure a microorganism destruction higher than 99.9% in the instruments and in many parts of the equipment belonging to the dental operating unit.

5. Dental operating unit according to claim 4, wherein the device (140) intended for ozone sterilization further comprises a molecular oxygen (O2) concentrator (143), a flow meter (144), stabilizing the molecular oxygen (O2) flow rate, and an ozone generator (145) .

6. Dental operating unit according to claim 5, wherein the tank (146) is located downstream of the ozone generator (145), on the airtight cover of said tank (146) quick couplings being provided for the ozone inlet and outlet and for the flushing air, so as to prevent ozone from being released in the environment.

7. Dental operating unit according to any one of claims 4 to 6, wherein said tank (146) comprises a paper strip, soaked with an ozone detector, indicating, by changing its colour, the presence of ozone gas in the exhaust air in order to ensure the sterilizing effect .

8. Dental operating unit according to claim 6 or

7, wherein the device (140) intended for ozone sterilization comprises three alarm indicators, respectively controlling whether the cover is sealingly closed, an oxygen flow is present and the ozone generator (145) is properly functioning, in order to be sure that sterilization occurs.

9. Dental operating unit according to any one of claims 4 to 8, wherein the tank (146) is internally provided with a diffuser capable of splitting the ozone gas for facilitating its diffusion in water and reaching the predetermined concentration.

10. Dental operating unit according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising an equipment (160) adapted to suck bacterial and viral aerosol generated by the spray instruments for cooling teeth and dental drills during surgery, the sucked aerosol being introduced through a HEPA filter (163) for being decontaminated and being subsequently reintroduced in the environment, so as to reduce the risk of infections for the dentist, the assistant but also for the patient, who does not introduce bacteria and viruses in his/her lungs.