WO2015086660A1

WO2015086660A1 - Use of a measuring device for dental cavities

Info

Publication number: WO2015086660A1
Application number: PCT/EP2014/077177
Authority: WO
Inventors: Joachim Fritze; Melanie WITTEN
Original assignee: Transcodent GmbH & Co. KG
Priority date: 2013-12-11
Filing date: 2014-12-10
Publication date: 2015-06-18
Also published as: DE112014005639A5

Abstract

The invention relates to the use of a measuring device for dental cavities (21) for determining a layer thickness in a dental cavity (21). The measuring device comprises a probe (14) that is to be introduced into the dental cavity (21). The probe (14) includes distance marks (191, 192, 193, 194) that relate to a distal end (15) of the probe (14). According to the invention, the probe (14) is designed as a cannula.

Description

Use of a measuring device for tooth cavities

The invention relates to a use of a measuring device for dental cavities. The measuring apparatus comprises a probe which is adapted to be ^¬ converted into the tooth cavity to be. The probe has a spacer mark related to a distal end of the probe. The measuring device is used to determine a layer thickness in a tooth cavity ^¬.

Dental cavities are regularly filled by the dentist by a substance in a liquid or pasty state in the

Tooth cavity is introduced, and the substance is then ^¬ cured. The curing can be done for example by means of UV light. In one possible procedure, the tooth cavity is not filled by means of a single substance, but instead a layer build-up takes place. The layer structure may be at ^¬ play such a manner that in the lower portion of the dental cavity another substance is introduced as in the upper portion. This makes it possible to take into account that different requirements are placed on the material inside the tooth than on the surface. So is about at the tooth surface a particular mechanical strength Shaped ^¬ changed, which is not required in the interior of the tooth. With such a layer structure, it should be noted that the layers each have the correct thickness. For every

Layer, therefore, the appropriate amount of material must be introduced into the tooth cavity. The top layer makes it easy to determine if the amount of material will fit by checking for a flush finish between the top layer and the surrounding surface of the tooth. For the lower layers, this is more difficult because there are no points where the eye can reliably orient itself.

Dentists therefore use a measuring device to determine the thickness of the lower layers. The measuring device is regularly a probe, which is provided on its outer surface with markings. The probe is inserted with its distal end in front of the stop in the tooth cavity, wherein the probe is immersed in the introduced substance. The markings on the outside of the probe allow the dentist to see how deep the probe is immersed in the substance. He can therefore estimate the layer thickness ^¬ .

The problem arises that the immersion of the probe into the substance falsifies the measurement result. The probe displaces substance, causing the filling level in the dental cavity to increase. It is therefore read on the outside of the probe a layer thickness which is greater than the actual layer thickness. In addition, such a measuring device is cumbersome to handle.

Cannulae with markings on the outer surface are known from the prior art, see WO 01/93773 A2, US Pat. No. 6,162,202 or WO 2007/060024 A2. These are used in root canal treatments used to estimate how far the cannula has been inserted into the Wur ^¬ zelkanal.

The invention is based on the object to present an application friendly measuring device for use in Zahnkavitä- th. Based on the above-mentioned prior art, the object is achieved with the features of the independent claim. According to the invention, the probe is designed as a hollow needle. Advantageous embodiments are specified in the subclaims.

First, some terms are explained. The cavity introduced into the toothed end of a probe is characterized as distal be ^¬. If a distance marking is related to the distal end of the probe, the distance to the distal end can be estimated on the basis of the marking. It may, for example, be a marking which extends in the circumferential direction around the probe. If the ^distal end of the probe abuts a stop, the distance mark indicates the distance to the stop.

The term substance refers to the material to be introduced into the dental cavity. It is preferably a material that can be cured. In the initial state the material has a liquid or pasty Konsis ^¬ competence.

The measuring device according to the invention has the advantage that it can be used so that upon immersion of the hollow needle, the substance penetrates into the interior of the hollow needle. A correspondingly reduced volume is displaced on immersion to the outside, so that the layer thickness, which can be read on the outside of the hollow needle, is less distorted.

Inside the probe, a continuous channel is preferably formed, which extends between a distal end of the probe and a proximal end of the probe. In ei ^¬ ner preferred embodiment, the probe is round in cross section. Other cross-sectional shapes are possible. The channel can be used to suck in excess substance from the tooth cavity if necessary. It can be provided for this purpose a to the proximal end of the de Son ^¬ connected suction means to generate a negative pressure. For example, the suction mechanism may be connected to the proximal end of the probe via a flexible tube. The suction mechanism may have a receiving space for the excess substance. The negative pressure can be generated by a guided in the receiving space piston.

The use of the measuring device of the invention only leads to increased accuracy when the sub ^¬ substance can penetrate well into the interior of the probe during immersion and can escape from the interior when removing the probe again. It is advantageous if the substance has a liquid consistency. It is also conducive to the ^¬ sen purpose if the interior of the hollow needle has a large diameter as possible. At too klei ^¬ nem diameter of the interior of the hollow needle consists However, depending on the properties of the substance, the risk that the substance is either not enter the interior of the probe or remains when pulling in the interior of the probe. The latter can often be caused by a jerky movement of the Probe to be fixed. In addition, the penetration or leakage of the substance can be promoted by a negative pressure or overpressure to the proximal end of the probe is ^¬ sets. If the probe is connected to a receiving space, the application of the negative pressure or overpressure can be carried out by slightly displacing a piston guided in the receiving space in the relevant direction. The measuring device according to the invention can also be used to supply a substance into the tooth cavity, independently of the increase in the measuring accuracy. For this purpose, the probe is inserted into the tooth cavity, so that the substance emerging at the distal end is located directly in the correct region of the tooth cavity. In particular, this makes it possible to supply the substance to deeper portions of the dental cavity, without the overlying area is contaminated by the substance. Before ^¬ preferably the probe for this purpose on a recording is broaching a auszubringende substance connected.

When supplying the substance to the dental cavity, the rising level can be observed on the outside of the probe. By being able to measure simultaneously with the delivery of the substance, it is no longer necessary to penetrate into the tooth cavity several times with different instruments. It can thus achieve a significant simplification of the workflow. The proximal opening of the probe can be designed so that it serves as a receptacle for the Ausbringspitze a sub ^¬ stanzvorrats. When the dispensing ^{tip is} inserted into the ^proximal opening, the dispensing ^tip emerges leaking substance through the hollow needle into the tooth cavity.

The substance supply can be designed in a conventional manner. For example, it may be a syringe, in which the substance is pressed by a piston from the syringe barrel in the direction of Ausbringspitze. Alternatively, the substance supply may also be contained in a so-called composite capsule. The capsule encloses a receiving space which has a connection to a dispensing tip to one side and which can be closed to the other side with a piston. If the substance is introduced into the receiving space and the receiving space closed by the piston, the composite capsule forms a connected unit off, the stored as such or can be transported ^¬ advantage. To dispense the substance from the composite capsule, the composite capsule is inserted into an associated dispensing gun. The dispensing gun includes egg ^¬ NEN plunger which is adapted to act on the piston of the com- posite capsule. When the plunger pushes the plunger into the receiving space, the substance exits at the opposite end of the composite capsule.

In a further embodiment of the invention, the probe according to the invention forms a single instrument with the receiving space for the ^¬ for For-generating substance. Preference ^{¬ way, there} is a closed channel between the probe and the receiving space, so that the substance can not escape to the side, but moves completely to the outlet opening at the distal end of the probe. The receiving space may be part of a syringe in which a syringe barrel surrounds the receiving space. The probe according to the invention can be connected to the delivery tip of the syringe. to be the one or the donor tip. In the syringe barrel, a piston may be received, which seals the receiving space. The receiving space can also be part of a composite capsule, wherein the probe according to the invention can be connected to the dispensing tip of the composite capsule or can form the dispensing tip of the composite capsule. For both the syringe and the composite capsule, it is advantageous if the axis of the probe encloses an angle with the axis of the receiving space. The angle may for example be between 20 ° and 70 °, preferably between 30 ° and 60 °. The probe may be made of a bendable material so that the orientation of the distal end of the probe can be adapted to the requirements.

The spacer mark preferably extends around the probe so that it is equally visible from all directions. For example, the distance mark may be at a distance of between 0.5 mm and 7 mm, preferably between 1 mm and 4 mm, from the distal end of the probe. In an advantageous embodiment, a plurality of distance markings is provided which, for example, can have a spacing of between 0.5 mm and 2 mm from each other.

The distance marker may be, for example, a depression or elevation that is placed on the outer surface of the probe on ^¬. The spacing mark may also be produced by a surface treatment, such as etching, which changes the visual appearance of the surface. The spacing mark may further have an extension parallel to the axis of the probe, such that the first end of the distance mark has a first distance and the first distance second end of the distance mark identifies a second distance. The extent parallel to the axis of the probe can be, for example, between 0.8 mm and 3 mm. The probe can be made of metal or a plastic material, for example.

The invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings by way of advantageous embodiment. Show it:

Fig. 1: an embodiment of an inventive

Measuring device ·

FIG. 2 shows a first application example of a erfindungsge ^¬ MAESSEN measuring device;

3 shows a second application ^{example of} a measuring device according to the invention;

4 shows a third application ^{example of} a measuring device according to the invention;

Fig. 5: an aid for the application example

Fig. 4;

Fig. 6 and 7: alternative tools for the application ^¬ example of Fig. 4;

FIG. 8 shows another embodiment of a erfindungsge ^¬ MAESSEN measuring device;

Figures 9 to 14: a detail of an inventive

Measuring device in an enlarged view.

A measuring device according to the invention shown in FIG. 1 comprises a probe 14 configured as a hollow needle. The interior of the probe 14 forms a continuous channel extending between a first opening at the distal end 15 of the probe 14 and a second opening at the proximal end 16 Probe 14 extends. From the outer wall of the probe 14 extends a shaft 17 whose front portion encloses an angle of about 45 ° with the axis of the probe. After a bend, the shaft 17 merges into a grip section 18, which is shown in FIG. 1 only in the cutout.

On the outside of the probe 14, two distance markings 191, 192 are formed. The spacing marks 191, 192 are ribs which extend around the circumference of the probe 14 and which project slightly opposite to the otherwise smooth surface of the probe 14. The first clearance mark 191 is spaced 2 mm from the distal end 15 of the probe 14, the second distance mark 192 is spaced 4 mm from the distal end 15 of the probe 14.

The measuring device according to the invention can be used according to FIG. 2 to determine a layer thickness in a tooth cavity. A tooth 20 shown in cross-section, after removal of decay, has a tooth cavity 21 which is to be refilled by the dentist. For the filling a multilayer structure is provided, wherein the bottom layer should have a thickness of 2 mm. After introducing a substance, the probe 14 is immersed in the substance, so that the distal end 15 of the probe 14 rests on the bottom of the tooth cavity 21. The substance enters the interior of the probe 14, which is why the filling level in the tooth cavity 21 changes only insignificantly due to the immersion of the probe 14. On the outside of the probe 14, the dentist can see that the filling level of the first Ab ^¬ level mark corresponds to 191 and the layer thus has the desired thickness of 2 mm. When pulling out the probe 14 from the tooth cavity 21, the substance again runs out of the interior of the probe 14, so that the layer thickness remains at 2 mm. after the

Layer was hardened example by application of UV light, the further layer structure can then Shen ^¬ Shen.

If an excessive amount of the substance was inadvertently introduced into the tooth cavity 21, then the measuring device according to the invention can be used to remove the excess amount again. This can be done, for example, as shown in FIG. 3, in that a tube section 22 is plugged onto the proximal end 16 of the probe 14, the opposite end of which is connected to a suction device 23. As a rule only small amounts of the sub ^¬ substance must be extracted, the tube section 22 can be sized so that it can receive the entire amount, so no contaminated substance penetrates into the Saugein ^¬ direction 23rd

According to Fig. 4, the measuring apparatus according to the invention can also be used to introduce an additional quantity of sub ^¬ punched into the tooth cavity. It can to be supplied to the proximal end 16 of the probe 14 with egg ^¬ ner thin needle 24, the substance so that the substance enters through the probe 14 into the tooth cavity 21st

The opposite end of the needle 24 is connected to an up ^¬ receiving space 25 for the substance from which the substance can be discharged through the needle 24th The receiving space 25 can be formed according to FIG. 5, for example in the interior of a composite capsule 26. The composite capsule 26 comprises a plastic Injection molded part designed housing that surrounds the interior 25. From the front end of the housing, the needle extends 24 at the rear end of the housing a Publ ^¬ voltage is formed, a piston is introduced into the interior 25 through the 27, the 25 sealingly closes ^¬ from the interior.

To dispense the substance, the composite capsule 26 is inserted into a dispensing gun 28, which is designed to exert pressure on the piston 27 with a plunger 29. When the piston 27 moves forward, the sub ^¬ substance moved by the needle 24 and exits from the front end. Alternatively, the receiving space 25 may also be arranged in a syringe 30, in which a syringe cylinder 31 encloses the receiving space 25. The receiving space 25 is closed at the rear by a syringe plunger 32, through which the substance in the receiving space 25 can be pressurized so that it moves through the needle 24 and exits at the front end of the needle 24. Another embodiment of a syringe is shown in FIG. The needle 24 is connected to an attachment 33. The attachment 33 is connected to the fuel cylinder 31 via a Luer-lock connection.

In an alternative embodiment of a measuring device according to the invention designed as a hollow needle probe 14 is connected directly to the receiving space 25. In Fig. 7, this is the example of a composite capsule 26 ge ^¬ shows, with the front end of the probe 14 is firmly connected. The probe 14 encloses an angle of about 60 ° with the longitudinal axis of the receiving space 15. These execution Shape has the advantage that in one operation, the substance can be introduced into the tooth cavity 21 and the amount can be read using the distance markings 191, 192. It also eliminates the need to handle a variety of instruments. In analog

Example, the probe 14 ^¬ verbun also fixed with a syringe to be, as shown in Fig. 6, or shown with a cap 33 for a syringe as shown in Fig. 7. In Fig. 9, the distal portion of a probe 14 is shown in ei ^¬ ner alternative embodiment of a measuring device according to the invention. The probe 14 comprises four Ab ^¬ state markings 191, 192, 193, 194, each of which are formed as det of the surface of the probe 14 projecting ribs. The first distance marking 191 has an From ^¬ was of 1 mm to the distal end 15, wherein the second distance marker 192, the distance is 2 mm, the third distance marker 193, the distance is 3 mm and at the fourth distance marker 194, the distance is 4 mm ,

In Fig. 10, the distance markers 191, 192 colored markers on the surface of the probe 14. The first Ab ^¬ level mark 191 has a distance of 2 mm and the second distance marker 192 a distance of 4 mm to the distal end 15. In Fig. 11, the distance markings 191, 192 have an extension of 1 mm parallel to the axis of the probe 14. Thus, a distance of 2 mm to the distal end 15 can be read at the front end of the distance marking 191 and a distance of 2 mm at the rear end of the distance marking 191 , The distance markings 191, 192 are produced by a color-changing surface treatment, as in ^¬ example etching. In Fig. 12 there is a surface spacing mark 191, the front end speaks ent ^¬ a distance of 2 mm and whose rear end res ^¬ a distance of 4 mm from the distal end 15. In the embodiment according to FIG. 13, the probe 14 has three distance markings 191, 192, 193, wherein a distance of 1 mm adjoins the distance marking 191, a distance of 2 mm or 3 mm on the distance marking 192 and on the distance marking 193 Distance of 4 mm or 5 mm can be read. Accordingly, in FIG. 14, a distance of 2 mm can be read off at the first distance marking 191 and distances of 4 mm and 6 mm at the second distance marking 192. In all embodiments, the distance markings are arranged so that the layer thicknesses typically occurring in tooth cavities can be measured.

Claims

Patent claims

Use of a measuring device for determining a layer thickness in a tooth cavity (21), the measuring device comprising a probe (14) for insertion into the tooth cavity (21), the probe (14) being applied to a distal end (15) of the probe (14 ) related starting level marking (191, 192, 193, 194), characterized in that the probe (14) is designed as a hollow ^needle .

Use according to claim 1, characterized in that a continuous channel is formed inside the probe (14), which extends between a distal end (15) of the probe (14) and a proximal end (16) of the probe (14).

Use according to claim 2, characterized in that the proximal end of the probe (14) is connected to a ^suction device (23).

Use according to claim 3, characterized in that the probe (14) is connected to the suction device (23) via a flexible hose (22).

Use according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the measuring device is used to suction excess substance from the tooth cavity (21).

Use according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the probe (14) is connected to a receiving ^space (25) for a substance to be ^dispensed .

7. Use according to claim 6, characterized in that the receiving space (25) is arranged in a syringe.

8. Use according to claim 6, characterized in that the receiving space (25) is arranged in a composite capsule.

Use according to one of claims 6 to 8, characterized in that the axis of the probe (14) ^forms an angle between 20 and 70°, preferably between 30° and 60°, with the axis of the receiving space (25).

Use according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the measuring device is used to supply a substance into the tooth cavity (21).

Use according to claim 10, characterized in that the layer thickness is measured at the same time as the substance is fed into the tooth cavity (21).

Use according to one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the distance marking (191, 192, 193, 194) extends in the circumferential direction around the probe (14).

13. Use according to one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that the probe (14) has a plurality of distance markings (191, 192, 193, 194). Use according to one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that the distance marking (191, 192, 193, 194) has a distance between 0.5 mm and 7 mm, preferably between 1 mm and 4 mm, to the distal end (15). probe

(14) has.

15. Use according to one of claims 1 to 14, characterized in that the distance marking (191, 192, 193, 194) has an extension of between 0.8 mm and 3 mm parallel to the axis of the probe (14).