WO2022146382A2

WO2022146382A2 - Endodontic endoscope tips

Info

Publication number: WO2022146382A2
Application number: PCT/TR2021/051558
Authority: WO
Inventors: Ali KELES; Cangul KESKIN
Original assignee: Ondokuz Mayis Universitesi
Priority date: 2020-12-31
Filing date: 2021-12-28
Publication date: 2022-07-07
Also published as: WO2022146382A3; TR202022800A2

Abstract

The present invention relates to a metal tip that is used in order to image the inner walls of the root canal, or to perform operations during imaging, that can be attached to the endoscopic telescope and also mounted on the dental mirror stem. In a preferred example of the metal tip according to the present invention, a tip is disclosed which enables the identification of branches within the canal and necks between the canals. In another example of the present invention, a tip is disclosed, which enables entering the branching regions in the canal and the necks between the canals. In another example of the present invention, a tip is disclosed, which allows for removing the dentin around the fractured instrument in the root canal in case the instrument used in the root canal treatment is broken and remained in the canal. In another example of the present invention, a tip is disclosed that allows for detecting and removing the broken instruments and foreign bodies in the canal.

Description

ENDODONTIC ENDOSCOPE TIPS

Technical Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a metal endodontic endoscope tip that is used in endodontics in order to image the inner walls of the root canal or to perform operations in the root canal during imaging, that can be attached to the endoscopic telescope and also mounted on the dental mirror stem.

State of the Art

Endodontic treatment aims to prevent the infection at the root apex or to treat the current infection. In accordance this purpose, it is essential to clean and fill all the canals and the branches thereof in the root canal system. However, the fact that the root canal system has a complex structure and variations makes it difficult to provide these conditions. In order for the treatment to be successful, the clinician should have knowledge about these variations and be able to detect these variations. The clinician should use imaging and magnification tools for the identification of root canal configurations and the correct application of the treatment steps. The detection percentage of the canal variations was increased in line with the success of the root canal treatment by developing the magnification tools.

Endoscopic imaging is used in many different branches of medicine for the purpose of diagnostic and surgical applications. There are limited data on the intraoral use of endoscopy. Endoscope may be used in penodontology and the endoscope tip can be moved easily in periodontal treatments since the tissues surrounding the teeth are examined in this area. In the field of endodontics, on the other hand, the use of endoscopy for imaging in periradicular surgery has been reported. During root canal treatment, the diameters of the most apical parts of the canals vary between 0,25 and 0,50 mm in the enlarged form thereof. In the state of the art, available endodontic telescope tips can image the apical regions of the canals, however, the inner side walls of the canals cannot be imaged sufficiently while said tips moves through the narrow root canal. The movement of the endoscopes is limited, and therefore the endoscope tip cannot be bent in the desired direction due to the narrowness of the internal structure of the canal within the canal. Therefore, the physician has to act on impulse during the manipulation of the displayed canal anatomy, and while this is a problem in terms of the effectiveness of endoscopic imaging, it also causes time loss for both the physician and the patient. The root canal side walls cannot be completely imaged with the operating microscope or radiological methods in endodontics by means of the devices in the state of the art. Furthermore, removing the fractured canal instrument during root canal treatment is a difficult procedure, and in most cases the fractured canal instrument cannot be imaged clearly enough and cannot be removed; and thus, root canal treatment fails.

In the state of the art, the patent application numbered WO2015120348A1 discloses a system and a method for acquiring and sharing in real time video and/or still images with a tooth or tooth root during a dental procedure performed by using an endoscope. Particularly, a dental head was described herein, and it was aimed to assist root canal preparation and irrigation. During the preparation and irrigation, it was ensured that every part of the canal was reached by means of keeping the canal instrument or solution in the canal. In said invention, the endoscopy technology is combined with the dental head, and thus, images can be taken from the root canals during and after the treatment. Patent application numbered JP2019076462A, on the other hand, discloses dental heads with different functions that can be connected to the endoscope, that allows for processing together with the imaging during dental implant treatment. However, particularly the root canal side walls cannot be imaged in both these patent applications, root canals starting from the side walls cannot be accessed, and these areas cannot be treated. Therefore, said heads are insufficient for endodontic operations.

In the state of the art, the utility model numbered CN211023213U discloses a root canal treatment device that can be attached/ detached to an endoscope tip. Here, a detachable instrument insertion head was provided in order to facilitate the change, settle and fix the treatment instrument. A treatment device can be attached to the detachable head, wherein said treatment device may be a root canal device, canal file, curette, or surgical instrument. However, it is not mentioned that detecting root canal lateral walls and canal branching with the endoscope tip. Therefore, endoscope tip disclosed in CN211023213U is insufficient for root canal treatment in endodontic operations.

In the state of the art, due to the reasons such that the endoscope tips are insufficient for imaging the inner and side walls of the root canal, that are not suitable for processing in the root canal during imaging, that have inability to move as desired in the canal, and that are not easily replaceable by being removed from the endoscope during the operation; there is a need for developing endoscope tips that can be replaced easily, that allow for imaging the inner and side walls of the root canal, and that performs operations during root canal imaging.

Brief Description and Objects of the Invention

The present invention relates to a metal endodontic endoscope tip that is used in endodontics in order to image the inner walls of the root canal or to perform operations in the root canal during imaging, that can be attached to the endoscopic telescope and also mounted on the dental mirror stem. The inner and side walls of the canals can be observed, or operative procedures can be performed while the tip is inside the channel by means of the endoscope tip of the present invention.

The first object of the present invention is to allow for imaging the root canal side walls during the operation, or performing an operation in the root canal during imaging. Both the imaging capability of the endoscopic telescope is increased and the endoscopic telescope gains operational efficiency by means of the endodontic endoscope tip of the present invention. The endoscope tip in an example of the present invention allows the identification of the branches in the canal and the necks between the canals by means of the mirror therein. The endoscope tip directs the light receiving from the endoscopic telescope to the side walls by means of the mirror therein and reflects the image of the side walls to the endoscope screen. Thus, it enables direct imaging and magnification within the root canal; and also the imaging angle can be adjusted by means of easily rotating the endoscope tip in the root canal by the operator. By means of another example of the endodontic endoscope tip of the present invention, operative procedures can be performed during imaging by utilizing the endoscopic telescope to show the walls of the root canal. By means of the endodontic endoscope tip in another example of the present invention, the canal instrument can be removed during endoscopic imaging inside the root canal.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an ergonomic endodontic endoscope tip that can be easily used. An endodontic endoscope tip is provided that can be easily attached/ detached to the endoscopic telescope and dental mirror stem, that can be easily used at the bedside, and that can be easily sterilized by means of the endoscope tip of the present invention. The fact that said endoscope tip can be mounted on the dental mirror stem ensures an ergonomic use.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide the operator with the endoscope tip according to the function he/she desires to perform, and to enable the operator to continue the treatment by selecting the tip he/she needs during the operation. The endoscope tip provided with the present invention enables tip selection processes depending on the operation since it has not an integrated structure with the endoscope.

Yet another object of the present invention is to reduce the radiation exposure of the patient by means of decreasing the number of radiographs to be taken during the treatment. Since the endodontic endoscope tip of the present invention provides direct imaging and magnification in the canal, imaging can be performed in the root canal without the need for radiography. The present invention, by means of these aspects, extends the use of endoscopy in non-surgical endodontic treatment, thereby increasing the use of endoscopy in non-surgical endodontic treatment.

An endoscope tip is provided that allows for imaging the inner and side walls of the root canal or easy manipulation during canal imaging, that can be changed easily, and that has a structure mountable to the dental mirror stem by means of the present invention.

Description of the Figures

Figure 1 is the detailed view of the connecting tip (1 ) that allows for attaching metal body (8) on the endodontic endoscope tip to the dental mirror stem (9).

Figure 2 is the view of the endodontic endoscope tip sample that enables the detection of the branches in the root canal and the necks between the canals (A. Right view of the endoscope tip, B. Left view of the endoscope tip, C. Top view of the endoscope tip, D. Three-dimensional view of the endoscope tip from above).

Figure 3 is the view of the endodontic endoscope tip sample, which allows for imaging the root canal and being entered inside the root canal, in which the canal file is inserted into the operating tube (4), and in which the canal file tip is shown as a canal instrument tip (5) (A. Right view of the endoscope tip, B. Left view of the endoscope tip, C. Top view of the endoscope tip, D. Three-dimensional view of the endoscope tip from above).

Figure 4 is the view of the endodontic endoscope tip sample that is used in case the root canal instrument is broken and remained in the canal, that enables removing dentin around the fractured instrument in the root canal (A. Right view of the endoscope tip, B. Left view of the endoscope tip, C. Top view of the endoscope tip, D. Three- dimensional view of the endoscope tip from above).

Figure 5 is the view of the endodontic endoscope tip sample that is used in case the root canal instrument is broken and remained in the canal, that enables removing fractured instruments and foreign bodies in the canal (A. Right view of the endoscope tip, B. Left view of the endoscope tip, C. Top view of the endoscope tip, D. Three- dimensional view of the endoscope tip from above).

Description of Elements/Parts of the Invention

The parts and components in the figures are enumerated for a better explanation of the endodontic endoscope developed with the present invention, and correspondence of every number is given below:

1. Connecting tip

2. Endoscope tube

3. Mirror

4. Operation tube

5. Canal instrument tip

6. Dentin cleaning tip

7. Canal instrument grip ring

8. Metal body 9. Dental mirror stem

Detailed Description of the Invention

The present invention discloses a metal endodontic endoscope tip that is used in endodontics in order to image the inner walls of the root canal, or to perform operative operations in the root canal during imaging, that can be attached to the endoscopic telescope and also mounted on the dental mirror stem. Endodontic endoscope tip of the present invention comprises metal body (8), connecting tip (1 ) for attaching the metal body (8) to the dental mirror stem (9), and endoscope tube (2) into which the endoscope telescope enters on the metal body (8). Said endoscope tip is shaped and sized to be mounted on dental mirror stems (9) used in the clinic, and it is produced from a metal that can be sterilized in dry air and autoclave and is resistant to corrosion. There are four preferred exemplary embodiments of the invention within the scope of the present invention.

In an embodiment of the present invention, as seen in Figure 1 and Figure 2, said endoscope tip is an endoscope tip with mirror that enables detecting the branches in the channel and the necks between the channels. Said endoscope tip with mirror comprises;

• metal body (8),

• a connecting tip (1 ) for attaching the metal body (8) to the dental mirror stem (9),

• endoscope tube (2) into which the endoscope telescope enters on the metal body (8). and

• mirror (3) fixed at an angle of 45° to the endoscope tube (2).

Said endoscope tip with mirror allows for imaging the root canals. It is possible to image all the side walls by rotating the mirror (3) in the canal.

In another embodiment of the present invention, as seen in Figure 3, said endoscope tip is an operation endoscope tip with mirror that enables entering the branching regions in the canal and the necks between the canals. Said endoscope tip with mirror comprises; • metal body (8),

• endoscope tube (2) into which the endoscope telescope enters on the metal body (8),

• mirror (3) fixed at an angle of 45° to the endoscope tube (2),

• operation tube (4) in a 45° outward facing cut form on the metal body (8) into which the canal instrument enters.

The aforementioned operation tube (4) guides the canal instruments, and any canal instrument desired to be used in the operation can enter into the operation tube (4). An exemplary embodiment of the present invention in Figure 3 preferably illustrates the use of a canal file. Herein, the canal instrument inserted into the operating tube (4) is shown as a canal file, and the canal instrument tip (5) that protrudes from the end of the operating tube (4) is shown as the canal file tip. The canal instrument referred to herein may be any instrument used in the root canal such as a canal file, reamer, canal broach, spreader, or plugger. While the mirror (3) allows for directly imaging the canal, the canal instrument, which is passed through the operation tube (4), also allows for entering the determined side canals and necks between the canals.

In another embodiment of the present invention, as seen in Figure 4, the endoscope tip is a canal instrument release endoscope tip that allows for removing the dentin around the fractured instrument in the root canal in case the instrument used in the root canal treatment is broken and remained in the canal. Said canal instrument release endoscope tip comprises:

• metal body (8) comprising dentin cleaning tip (6),

• dentin cleaning tip (6), which is an extension of the metal body (8) in the form of a screwdriver blade. The canal instrument release endoscope tip allows for removing dentin around a fractured instrument in the root canal and exposing the neck of the fractured instrument. Said canal instrument release endoscope tip has a metal body (8) that is thinner and longer than other examples of the present invention. Thus, it is ensured that the tip reaches the apical regions of the canals. The dentin cleaning tip (6) is a thin and stable metal tip. The dentin cleaning tip (6) is brought near the broken instrument and the dentin is removed by means of performing endoscopic imaging with said canal instrument release endoscope tip. Ultrasonic energy, which is currently frequently used in endodontics, is used for the operation of said canal instrument release tip.

In another embodiment of the present invention, as can be seen in Figure 5, the endoscope tip is a canal instrument removal endoscope tip that enables the detection and removal of fractured instruments and foreign bodies in the canal. Said canal instrument removal endoscope tip comprises:

• Metal body (8) comprising a grip ring (7) at the end thereof,

• canal instrument grip ring (7) that is an extension of the metal body (8)

. Said canal instrument grip ring (7) is thin, long, and stable. It is provided that the endoscope tip reaches the apical regions of the canals by means of the canal instrument grip ring (7), which is the extension of the metal body (8), and by performing endoscopic imaging, the upper parts of the fractured canal instruments and foreign bodies in the canal are grasped with the canal instrument grip ring (7) and removed from the canal. Ultrasonic energy, which is frequently used in endodontics, is also used for the effective operation of said canal instrument grip ring.

Claims

CLAIMS An endodontic endoscope tip that can be attached and removed from the endoscopic telescope for imaging the side walls of the root canal or for processing while imaging the inside of the canal in endodontics, characterized in that, it comprises metal body (8), connecting tip (1 ) for attaching the metal body (8) to the dental mirror stem (9), endoscope tube (2) into which the endoscope telescope located on the metal body (8) enters, and

• mirror (3) fixed at an angle of 45° to the endoscope tube (2) for detecting the branches within the canal and the necks between the canals, or

• mirror (3) fixed at an angle of 45° to the endoscope tube (2) for detecting the branches in the canal and the necks between the canals and entering to the branching regions within the canal, operation tube (4) in a 45° outward facing cut form on the metal body (8) into which the canal instrument enters, or

• dentin cleaning tip (6), which is an extension of the metal body (8) in the form of a screwdriver blade for removing dentin around the fractured instrument in the root canal, or

• canal instrument grip ring (7) that is an extension of the metal body (8) for removing the broken instruments and foreign bodies in the canal. An endodontic endoscope tip according to Claim 1 , characterized in that, it comprises metal body (8), connecting tip (1 ) for attaching the metal body (8) to the dental mirror stem (9), endoscope tube (2) into which the endoscope telescope located on the metal body (8) enters, and mirror (3) fixed at an angle of 45° to the endoscope tube (2). An endodontic endoscope tip according to Claim 1 , characterized in that, it comprises metal body (8), connecting tip (1 ) for attaching the metal body (8) to the dental mirror stem (9), endoscope tube (2) into which the endoscope telescope located on the metal body (8) enters, mirror (3) fixed at an angle of

9 45° to the endoscope tube (2), and operation tube (4) in a 45° outward facing cut form on the metal body (8) into which the canal instrument enters. An endodontic endoscope tip according to Claim 1 , characterized in that, it comprises metal body (8), connecting tip (1 ) for attaching the metal body (8) to the dental mirror stem (9), endoscope tube (2) into which the endoscope telescope located on the metal body (8) enters, and dentin cleaning tip (6) in the form of a screwdriver blade, which is an extension of the metal body (8). An endodontic endoscope tip according to Claim 1 , characterized in that, it comprises metal body (8), connecting tip (1 ) for attaching the metal body (8) to the dental mirror stem (9), endoscope tube (2) into which the endoscope telescope located on the metal body (8) enters, and canal instrument grip ring (7) that is an extension of the metal body (8). An endodontic endoscope tip according to Claim 1 or 3, characterized in that, canal instrument is a canal file, reamer, plugger, spreader, or canal broach used in the root canal.