Endodontic thermal condenser dental instrument US 6270343 B1 Resumen A self-contained root canal dental instrument that combines the

operations of a root canal spreader, a root canal condenser, and a root canal filling material heater in a less expensive and easier to replace plugger unit. A different heating circuit using balanced resistor elements in both the hand piece and the tip makes use of the instrument more cost effective for the dentist. The instrument combines a sterilizable condenser tip with the capability of achieving the correct heating temperature via standard AA alkaline batteries. Imgenes(4)

Reclamaciones(2) I claim: 1. A self-contained root canal heated condenser dental instrument, comprising: a hollow handle component for gripping and including a conductive path substantially from end to end; a removable closure mountable at one end of said handle and having a first terminal therein for connection to said conductive path; a battery power source seated inside the hollow of said handle and having a first terminal in contact with the first terminal of said closure;

a switch mounted on said handle for selectively applying a second terminal of said power source to a balance resistor located inside said handle; a plugger component having a heat-dissipating resistive tip bonded to an extended portion and a pair of conductive leads internal to said extended portion and in contact with said tip, said plugger coPonent being insertable into another end of said handle such that said resistor makes electrical contact with one of said pair of conductive leads, and the other of said conductive leads completes a conductive circuit to said conductive path; whereby upon depression of said switch power is applied through said pair of internal conductive leads to generate heat at the heat-dissipating tip for heating, spreading and condensing root canal filling material when filling root canal cavities. 2. The self-contained root canal heated condenser dental instrument according to claim 1, wherein said plugger component is a heat-resistant unitary member adapted for removal from said handle and sterilization. Descripcin BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to dental treatment equipment and root canal dental instruments. Specifically, it relates to a self-contained root canal dental instrument that combines the operations of a root canal spreader, a root canal condenser, and a root canal filling material heater. 2. Description of the Background A need has existed for a long time for a way to reduce the time involved in filling a prepared root canal of a human tooth with the filling material. The time involved being used in the continual pick up of separate dental tools for spreading filling material, condensing the filling material, and the alternate heating and reheating of the filling material, during the spreading and condensing operations. Equally important is the complete adaptation of the filling material to secure a hermetic seal against leakage. Gutta percha is the usual material that is used for filling root canals. Gutta percha, as with other root canal filling materials, must be spread and condensed in the root canal and heated to improve its flow and adaptation qualities. Gutta percha material deforms when warmed and compressed. It becomes pliable at 25 to 30 degrees Celsius, it becomes soft at 60 degrees Celsius, and it decomposes at 100 degrees Celsius. At such temperatures a phase transition occurs allowing the gutta percha to flow into the many irregularities of the prepared root canal, thus allowing for a three-dimensional obturation and sealing to occur. Such a three-dimensional obturation and sealing is necessary for success in root canal therapy. When the filling material is softened, it is then compressed into the numerous aberrations of the root canal in order to effectively seal the root canal cavity. The compressing of the filling material in the prior art is performed by using root canal filling spreaders and filling condensers of a variety of sizes and with several handle designs (both long and short). The root canal filling spreaders and filling condensers deform the filling material under heat and stress and allow compaction and condensation that leads to the lateral spreading to fill the voids in the root canal. As bits

or points of filling material are placed into the root canal, as hereinbefore described, the heated, spreader tool is forced between the bits or points of material after each such insertion which pushes and compacts the filling material vertically to the apex of the root canal and, concurrently, laterally. The tool is pressed manually and also rotated side to side to achieve the spreading of the material. It also acts as a heat sink cooling down quickly for controlled concentration. The filling spreaders and condensers of the prior art for root canal work are generally of stainless steel or chromium plated brass. The filling spreaders are smooth, flat ended and slightly tapered. For the most part, the prior root canal filling spreaders and condensers had to be heated over a flame, such as over the flame of a Bunsen burner, and then passed into the mouth of a dental patient and then into the prepared root canal where the filling material has been placed. Such tools had to be transported quickly from the Bunsen burner into the mouth of the patient and into the tooth and the root canal and against the cold mass of filling material. There is the constant danger of burning the patient about the mouth each time a heated dental tool is moved from the flame to inside the mouth. Moreover, if it becomes too hot the filling material will stick to the dental tools of the prior art. A few prior art attempts have been made to provide for heating the tools while in the mouth. However, problems have been encountered. For example, the tips have been bulky and too wide. Also, the tips do not wedge lock into place and 360 degree rotation has been encountered which reduces the effectiveness of the condensing operation. Further, the heat control has been unreliable, the system having as many as ten dial settings which required an assistant or required the dentist to stop the condensing operations to attempt to make a better heat selection or to interrupt the heat process. In addition to the above problems, the filling material sticks to the surface of the so called heat control tools, and the system has a cumbersome power box and control means. U.S. Pat. No. 4,392,827 issued Jul. 12, 1983 to the inventor herein proposes a solution in the form of a self-contained dental instrument inclusive of a combination spreader, condenser, and a filling material heating unit, each of which is alternately and/or concurrently useable while inserted within the root canal structure of a patient. The '827 invention generally includes a plugger component or tip which combines the functions of a spreader, a condenser, and a material heating unit; a handle component affixed to the plugger component; a power supply component for producing heat; and a transmission component for transmitting heat produced by the power supply component to the material heating unit of the plugger component. The transmission component has a conveniently located finger operation switch to interrupt the power supply and cut off the flow of heat. A variety of plugger components are provided in a range of sizes to fit the range of internal sizes in different parts of the root canal. The '827 invention reduces the number of entries into the mouth that are necessary during a root canal filling, and also provides for inducing the heat for the tool after the tool is in the tooth at the root canal cavity. The plugger unit or tip is used to heat the filling material and then laterally condense or press the filling material into the root canal areas. Thereafter, the tip may also be used to maintain the heat or reheat the filling material and to vertically condense the filling material into the root canal in a compacting type of operation. While the use of the filling condenser to vertically condense the filling material is often referred to as a plugging operation, the use of the filling spreader to laterally condense the material before the vertical condensing is is also a part of the total plugging operation.

Additional bits or points of filling material are placed into the root canal cavity and then followed by the spreading and condensing operations described hereinbefore for the filling spreader and condenser root canal tools. These operations are continued until the required amount of filling material plugs and seals the root canal in accordance with dental art. The above-described invention eliminates the risk and expense of the many repeated tool exchanges and reheating operations. However, the device itself has proven expensive. The '827 device made use of a tip which housed both heating element and resistor. The presence of the resistor within the tip increased the cost. More significantly, the tip could not be sterilized due to the resistor. It would be greatly advantageous to provide a modified design in which the resistor is moved out of the tip and into the hand piece, along with other design modifications, to thereby make the instrument more cost effective for the dentist and sterilizable for infection control requirements. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to provide A self-contained root canal dental instrument that combines the operations of a root canal spreader, a root canal condenser, and a root canal filling material heater in a less expensive and easier to replace plugger unit. It is another object to accomplish the foregoing by incorporating a heating resistor element in the hand piece rather than the condenser tip, thereby making the tip removable and sterilizable. This in turn satisfies the infection control requirements of the Food and Drug administration, and makes the use of the instrument much more convenient and cost effective for the dentist. It is a necessary object to accomplish the foregoing by employing a different heating circuit within the hand piece, the heating circuit being adapted to provide a proper impedance (inclusive of parallel resistances, proper length and proper amounts of copper flashing) to allow correct heating within the tip. It is a further object to provide an improved insulation system for the tip described above. It is still another object to replace the NiCad batteries and recharger as suggested in U.S. Pat. No. 4,392,827 issued Jul. 12, 1983 to the inventor herein with conventional alkaline batteries, and to adapt the electronics and housing accordingly. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment and certain modifications thereof when taken together with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a pictorial view of a self-contained root canal heated condenser dental instrument according to the present invention; FIG. 2 is a side view of the instrument of FIG. 1; FIG. 3 is an enlarged cross sectional view on line 66 of FIG. 2; FIG. 4 is an enlarged cross sectional view on line 77 of FIG. 2; FIG. 5 is an enlarged side perspective view of the tapered tip 26 of plugger component 16. FIG. 6 is a side partial cut away view of the handle component 17 of dental instrument 15. FIG. 7 is a side cross-section of the handle component 17 of dental instrument 15. DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Gutta percha is a high molecular weight polymer trans polyiosprene. If it is heated above 65 C. it becomes amorphous. It is cooled at 0.5 C. per hour and will slowly recrystallize in the beta form which is the form of dental gutta percha usage. Gutta percha may be applied by the lateral condensation technique. This is a compression of solid gutta percha cones together and adaptation to the root canal walls. Referring now to the drawings and particularly to FIG. 1, an improved self-contained root canal heated condenser dental instrument 15 is shown for practicing the lateral condensation technique. The instrument 15 of FIG. 1 includes a plugger component 16 and a handle component 17. FIG. 2 is a side view of the instrument 15 of FIG. 1 with internal components indicated by dotted lines. Inside the handle component 17 is a power source 18 and a heat transmission coupling 19. The structure of each of the plugger component 16, handle component 17, power source 18, and a coupling 19 for plugger component 16 as described hereinafter. The power source 18 must be sufficient to provide the control heat as hereinafter described. Preferably, the power source 18 comprises a pair of standard alkaline AA batteries that fit inside the end of the handle component 17 at the distal end from the plugger component 16. A screw-on end closure 44 with terminal spring 5A provides an easy access means for inserting the power source 18. When screw-on end closure 44 is installed, a conductive path exists from one output terminal of the power source 18 through terminal spring 5A and handle component 17 (via a conductive metal trace or a conductor wire housed therein). The instant use of ordinary alkaline batteries rather than NiCad batteries and recharger helps to keep the unit cost low. The plugger component 16 is preferably formed as two pieces including a tapered tip 26 joined to an extended portion 30. The tapered tip 26 consists of a main resistive core 20 with a Teflon coating 22, both as shown in FIG. 3, which is an enlarged cross sectional

view on line 66 of FIG. 2. Resistive core 20 may be formed of conventional ceramic resistor material. Referring to FIG. 2, the Teflon coating 22 extends from the pointed end of tapered tip 26 to the top 28 of the tapered portion 26. The Teflon coating 22 covers both the end 24 of the core 20 as well as the tapered portion 26. The extended portion 30 is a more or less uniform diameter for the balance of the extension, as hereinafter described, to the an end that inserts into the heat transmission coupling 19. The extended portion 30 is bent in a convenient goose neck like configuration to a straight portion 32 that inserts into the aforementioned coupling 19. It is to be understood that the extended portion 30 may be maintained straight, bent at a right angle, or formed into any other configuration, and all such variations are within the scope and intent of the invention. The plugger component 16 includes tapered portion 26 (core 20 and the Teflon coating 22), as well as the extended portion 30 and straight portion 32. FIG. 4 is an enlarged cross sectional view of the extended portion 30 of plugger component 16 along line 77 of FIG. 2. The extended portion 30 is insulated 74 about the periphery, as shown in FIG. 4. In addition, a central layer of insulation 76 separates two conductive leads 78 a and 78 b. The outer insulation 74, central layer of insulation 76, and conductive leads 78 a and 78 b run the entire extent of the extended portion 30 from the interface with the tapered portion 26 to a point 36 just clear of chuck 38. The outer insulation 74 is preferably a layer of Pyre-ML, which is an enamel used in the motor industry for coating electrical windings. The insulation 74 also provides protection against burning of parts of the mouth of a dental patient while root canal work is being done. In accordance with the present invention, the tapered tip 26 is bonded to extended portion 30 at a junction 28 using Master Bond Epoxy No. EP42Ht. This particular epoxy has been tested under a force gage at 50 lbs. until shearing took place. Thus, using the International standard for hypodermic needles ISO 7864, it has been determined that the tapered tip 26 can withstand an acceptable push-out force of at least 9.25 lbs. This bonding material also acts as a heat shield to confine the heat to the tapered portion 26 and to keep the extended portion cool. This is an important safety feature and it allows almost immediate cold compaction of the root canal filling material. FIG. 4 is a cross-section of the extended portion 30, and FIG. 5 is an enlarged side perspective view of the tapered tip 26 of plugger component 16, both showing the internal conductive leads 78 a. Tapered tip 26 is bonded such that both conductive leads 78 a and 78 b make electrical contact with the resistive core 20 of the tapered portion 26. Heating at the tapered portion 26 is accomplished with the insulated lead 78 a extending downward through the extended portion 30 to the tapered portion 26, and with identical return 78 b. Both conductive leads 78 a and 78 b are insulated. This way, application of power from power source 18 through the conductive leads 78 a and 78 b and into the resistive core 20 generates heat therein which is quickly transmitted outward through the Teflon coating 22. The Teflon coating 22 prevents the root canal filling material from sticking or adhering to the plugger component 16 at the area of contact during a root canal treatment. The heat in the core 20 will readily pass through the Teflon coating 22 to heat the root canal filling material during treatment.

The extended portion 30 of plugger component 16 may be provided in a variety of sizes and shapes for use in root canal work that may vary from near the front of the mouth to the very back of the mouth. For example, a long neck exterior portion 40 facilitates reaching the back teeth. FIG. 6 is a partial cross-section showing the plugger component 16 coupled into the end of the handle component 17 with the conductive leads 78 a and 78 b extending into coupling 19. This is accomplished by inserting the plugger component 16 into the end of the handle with leads 78 a and 78 b inserted into mating receptacles in coupling 19, and then anchoring the plugger component 16 therein by screw-tightening a chuck 38. Once connected, one of the leads 78 b completes an electrical circuit with power source 18 through a balance resistor 21 which allows control over the amount of heat dissipated by the plugger component 16. The other conductive lead 78 a is connected to one terminal of switch 50. The combined conductive leads 78 a and 78 b essentially make a loop down to the end of the plugger component 16, starting as aforementioned at switch 50, running out through the extended portion of plugger component 16, around the gooseneck bend of the extended section 30, then down the tapered section 20, then back through the gooseneck bend of the extended section 30, through the straight section 66 and making the aforementioned contact with the opposite terminal of power source 18. FIG. 7 is a cross-section of the handle component showing the chuck 38 for connecting and holding the plugger component 16 in place. The chuck 38 is affixed to the handle component 17 at an aperture in the handle component 17 through which the end of the plugger component 16 passes to insert into the heat transmission coupling 19. The handle component 17, in addition to serving as the means for a dentist to hold and use the root canal dental instrument 15 manually, also serves as a case or housing for the power source 18 and the heat transmission coupling 19. The chuck 38 is threaded onto the distal end of handle component 17, the tightening or which secures the plugger component 16 (not shown) in place. The power source 18 aforementioned is biased at the leading end by another terminal spring 5B, terminal spring 5B also serving as a conductive path to a spacer switch 50. Depression of the spacer switch 50 further completes the conductive path to the heat transmission coupling 19 as hereinafter described. The switch 50 is preferably a pushbutton activator pad positioned for thumb operation at the neck of the instrument 15 and easily depressed while holding the root canal dental instrument 15 by the handle component 17. A variety of suitable switches are readily available for use as spacer switch 50. The spacer switch 50 is set in a normally off position and depressing it with the finger, as hereinbefore described, turns the switch on to provide power to the heat transmission coupling 19. The switch 50 is spring-loaded and it automatically returns to the off position when the finger is removed or lifted. The switch 50 is connected in series between the power source 18 via terminal spring 5B and through a conventional resistor 21, resistor 21 in turn being connected through the handle component 17 (either directly or by an internal conductor) to the opposite polarity terminal spring 5A. The resistor 21 is an integral part of the heat transmission coupling 19, such that when the end of the plugger component 16 is inserted into the heat transmission coupling 19, the resistance of resistor 21 is in series with that of tapered portion 16, and the two resistances are balanced to provide appropriate heating of the tip as desired. Thus, upon depression of spacer switch 50 approximately 3 volts of power is

applied across the series-coupled heat-dissipating core 20 of tapered portion 16 and the resistor 21, and heat is generated thereby at the tip. The leads of resistor 21 and all other series conductors as necessary are preferably formed from nickel-chrome wire. A conventional 1.4 ohm resistor makes a suitable resistor 21. A layer of insulation encircles the immediate area around the resistor 21. The insulation is preferably a section of polyester shrink tubing with an average wall thickness of 0.00025 inches. Heat transmission coupling 19 is open at the other end to surround the straight portion 32 of the plugger component 16. The heat in the heated tapered portion 26 passes through the Teflon coating 22 for use in heating the root canal filling material, as hereinbefore described, so that the root canal dental work can be performed. Given the above-described configuration, the heat in the heated tapered portion 26 has been found to vary between 150 to 250 degrees Fahrenheit. This is a higher heating capacity when compared to the device of the '827 patent. During clinical testing the heat resulted in thermo-softening of the gutta percha in approximately three seconds. Compacting was then easily accomplished to provide excellent results. Moreover, the utilization of standard AA batteries, and the placement of the resistor 21 inside the handle unit have greatly reduced the cost of the device. Further, inasmuch as the resistor 21 resides within the handle rather than the plugger component 16, the entire plugger component 16 can now be removed and sterilized. This is extremely important inasmuch as the Food and Drug administration and Occupational Safety and Health administration require adequate sterilization to control infection. In clinical testing the instrument 15 has been found to be easy to use, consistent in both heating and compaction, and generally improving of the quality of root canal fills. Having now fully set forth the preferred embodiments and certain modifications of the concept underlying the present invention, various other embodiments as well as certain variations and modifications of the embodiments herein shown and described will obviously occur to those skilled in the art upon becoming familiar with said underlying concept. For example, the range of sizes of the plugger component 16 may provide the range of lengths of the exterior neck 40, as mentioned hereinbefore, and may also provide a range of diameters at the small end of the tapered portion 26. The range of these small end diameters may begin with a very small diameter of less than one-half millimeter that is measured over the end of the core 20 and its Teflon coating 22. It is to be understood, therefore, that the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically set forth in the appended claims. Citas de patentes Patente Fecha de Fecha de Solicitante citada presentacin publicacin US3899830 30 Dic 1971 19 Ago 1975 Malmin Oscar * US4265618 9 Sep 1977 * US4392827 4 Nov 1981 *

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Battery powered condenser for root canals US 4992045 A Resumen A self contained heated root canal dental instrument which combines the operations of a root canal spreader, a root canal condenser and a root canal filling material heater is provided. The instrument has batteries in its handle for use as a power source for heating root canal filling material and employs a non-corrosive dental tool that has a resistive element in its tip to provide the heating when electricity from the batteries is conducted through the tip. A method for making the dental tool is provided which comprises threading a resistive element through a cannula which is used as a dental tool. Imgenes(2)

Reclamaciones(20) It is claimed: 1. A self-contained heated dental instrument comprising: (a) a dental tool means for filling root canal cavities comprising a single piece of electrically conductive tubing, said dental tool means having a first end comprising a tip for working in the root canal, and a second end adapted to be attached to a handle means, said dental tool means being shaped to be adapted for use in the mouth, (b) an element within said dental tool means comprising a conductive portion and a resistive portion, said resistive portion being conductively connected to the tip of said dental tool, wherein said element is provided with insulating substantially throughout its length, (c) a resistor in said conductive portion of said element substantially proximal to said second end of said dental tool, said resistor being provided to control the heating of said first end of said heated tool, (d) handle means having an aperture at one end for receiving said dental tool and (e) a power source means associated with said handle means. 2. The self-contained heated dental instrument of claim 1 in which said resistive element comprises a NiCr wire which is attached to a copper wire through a brazed ball within said dental tool wherein said NiCr wire is about 1/2 to 1/8 the length of said dental tool. 3. The self-contained heated dental instrument of claim 2 in which said NiCr wire comprises about 1/5 of the length of said dental tool. 4. The self-contained heated dental instrument of claim 1 in which said element is plated with electrically conductive material throughout its length except where heating of the element is desired. 5. The self-contained heated dental instrument of claim 1 in which said power source is battery means. 6. The self-contained heated dental instrument of claim 5 in which said power source is rechargeable. 7. The self-contained heated dental instrument of claim 1 in which said tubing is stainless steel. 8. The self-contained heated dental instrument of claim 1 in which said aperture is adapted for removal and attachment of said dental tool. 9. The self-contained heated dental instrument of claim 1 in which said insulation comprises polyimide.

10. The self-contained heated dental instrument of claim 1 in which said element is attached to said tip of said dental tool by weld means. 11. A dental tool for heating filling material in a root canal comprising: (a) a single piece of electrically conductive tubing, having a first end comprising a tip for working in a root canal, and (b) an element within said tubing comprising a conductive portion and a resistive portion wherein said element is insulated from said tubing substantially throughout its length, said element having electrical contact with said tubing substantially at said tip, and wherein a resistor is provided in said conductive portion proximal to a second end of said dental tool for controlling the heating of said first end of said dental tool. 12. The dental tool of claim 11 in which said element is attached to said tubing by weld means at one end thereof. 13. The dental tool of claim 11 in which said element comprises NiCr wire which is attached to a conductor within said tubing. 14. The dental tool of claim 13 in which said NiCr wire is about 1/2 to 1/8 the length of said tubing. 15. The dental tool of claim 13 in which said NiCr wire is about 1/5 the length of said dental tool. 16. The dental tool of claim 11 in which said element comprises electrically resistive wire plated with an electrically conductive material throughout its length except where heating is desired. 17. A self-contained heated dental instrument comprising: (a) a dental tool means for high temperature treatment in the mouth comprising a single piece of electrically conductive tubing, said dental tool means having a first end for working in the mouth, and a second end adapted to be attached to a handle means, said dental tool means being shaped to be adapted for use in the mouth, (b) a wire element within said dental tool means comprising a conductive portion and a resistive portion, said resistive portion being conductively connected to said first end of said dental tool, wherein said wire element is insulated from said dental tool substantially throughout its length, (c) a resistor in said conductive portion of said element substantially proximal to said second end of said dental tool, said resistor being provided to control the heating of said first end of said dental tool, (d) handle means having an aperture at one end for receiving said second end of said dental tool and (e) a power source means associated with said handle means. 18. The self-contained heated dental instrument of claim 17 in which said wire element comprising NiCr wire which comprises about 1/5 of the length of said dental tool. 19. The self-contained heated dental instrument of claim 17 in which said element is a resistive element which is plated with an electrically conductive material throughout its length except where heating of the element is desired. 20. The self-contained heated dental instrument of claim 17 in which said dental tool is tapered to facilitate heating of the walls of a root canal cavity. Descripcin DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION With reference now to FIG. 1, the condenser 20 comprises hollow handle 28 having a removable cover 26 which is used to retain batteries 66 within the handle and also, in the preferred embodiment, has means on cover 26 through which the batteries can be recharged when the instrument is placed in a recharger. Dental tool 10 is attached to

hollow handle 28 by collar 24. In the illustrated embodiment, collar 24 is an integral part of dental tool 10 and provides means for removing and attaching various sized dental tools to the aperture 30 of hollow handle 28. Aperture 30 contains conductive means for conveying electric current from the batteries 66 contained in hollow handle 28 to dental tool 10. Switch means 22 is provided for stopping and starting the flow of electric current to dental tool 10. With reference now to FIG. 2, the dental tool 10 of the invention comprises cannula or hollow tapered tubing 12, conductor 17 contained within tapered tubing 12 which provides an electrically conductive path from hollow handle 28 to resistive element 18 in the working tip 15 of tapered tubing 12. Conductor 17 and resistive element 18 together represent the core wire. Insulator 16 separates and electrically insulates conductor 17 from tapered tubing 12. With reference to FIG. 3, in an alternative embodiment, dental tool 10 will comprise hollow tapered tubing 12, which contains a single wire resistive element 18a which is plated with a conductive material 60, such as copper or silver, throughout its length, except in those areas 62 and 64 where it is desired that heating take place. When dental tool 10 is attached to aperture 30 of hollow handle 28, electric current, when switch 22 is closed, travels through conductor 17 to resistive element 18 which generates the heat required for the use of the dental tool in filling a root canal. In the embodiment of FIG. 2, resistive element 18 is connected to conductor 17 through spot weld or brazed ball 19 within tapered tubing 12. To ensure that the electrical circuit travels to tip 15 of dental tool 10, to provide the required power for the heating of tip 15, insulator 16 is provided between tapered tubing 12 and conductor 17 and between tapered tubing 12 and resistive element 18 throughout dental tool 10 except for an electrical junction in tip 15. Resistive element 18 makes electrical contact with tapered tubing 12 in tip 15, and tapered tubing 12 provides a conductive return to the power source to complete an electrical circuit. The end of tubing 12 is welded to provide weld ball which is dressed to size to provide a rounded tip 15 on dental tool 10. The handle 28 of the condenser of the invention, in the illustrated embodiment, uses battery 66 as a power source. Bottom cap assembly 26 is used to close the end of handle 28 and enclose battery 66. Enlarged end 74 of dental tool 10 is retained on handle 28 by collar 24. Enlarged end 74 and collar 24 act as a heat sink for dissipating heat when the dental instrument is used. In the illustrated embodiment, the current in the instrument is controlled by microswitch 76 which is activated by switch means 22. It has been found that in the dental tool of the invention, heat sufficient to plasticize gutta percha is produced using only a 2.5 volt D.C. source (two standard AA batteries) using only about 3 ohm resistance in tip 15, about 0.1 ohm of which is due to the resistance of tapered tubing 12. Although tubing 12 may be more resistive to electrical conductivity than copper or silver, for example, it is preferred that the material of tapered tubing 12 be substantially more conductive than resistive element 18. It has been found that two AA batteries generally produce enough power that, if the switch is closed for a substantial period of time, the tip will overheat, and to avoid this problem, a small resistor is included in tapered tubing 12, near collar 24, to dissipate a fraction of the power before it reaches tip 15. In other embodiments, it is believed that two AAA batteries may be used. The enlarged end 74 and collar 24 dissipate the heat generated by

the small resistor. In the alternative embodiment of FIG. 3 an area 64 may be provided if needed to dissipate any excess heat generation capacity and thereby refine the exact amount of heat capacity available in area 62. In an alternative embodiment, handle 28 may contain a transformer or other similar means for providing a source of power for heating dental tool 10. The heat generation along tip 15 is generally uniform due generally to the heat conductivity and the single piece construction of the material used to make tubing 12. Heat dissipates from the dental tool 10 very quickly when switch 22 is open because of the mass of conductive material in the wider areas of tapered tubing 12 and the collar 24, and this reduces the chances that the practitioner will cause inadvertent burns in the mouth since it is possible to insert the dental tool into the root canal, close the switch to cause heating of the filling material, open the switch and let the heat dissipate, and never have a heated dental tool anywhere in the mouth except in the root canal. Tapered tubing 12 will preferably be made of an electrically conductive, non-corrosive material. In the illustrated embodiment tapered tubing 12 will be a single piece of work hardened austenitic stainless steel tubing which has a diameter of about 0.030 inch and said steel tubing is ground to provide a taper of about 0.020 inch per inch in the tip region to provide a tip having a diameter of about 0.012 to 0.016 inch. In the embodiment of FIG. 2, the NiCr wire core which preferably comprises resistive element 18 will be about 0.005 inch in diameter and will have a length of about 5/8 inch. In the most preferred embodiment, the resistive element 18 will be a special type of NiCr known as Stablohm-800 which has about 30% greater resistivity than standard NiCr wire. The conductive core will preferably be 0.005 inch diameter copper wire. The insulation can be any heat resistive (heat generated by the tip reaches a maximum of about 250 and preferably will be 0.0025 inch thick polyimide. In the embodiment of FIG. 3, which is considered preferred, resistive element 18a will have a diameter of about 0.005 inch and will traverse the full length of the dental tool 10, and will be plated with conductive material throughout its length, except where it is desired that heating take place. In such an embodiment the conductive plating on the outside of the resistive element will carry almost all of the electrical current since the conductivity of the plating material is much greater than the conductivity of the resistive wire. The resistive element, therefore, will provide negligible heating in the areas where plating is retained, but will heat normally where the plating is removed, and current is forced to pass through the resistive material. Accordingly, in the embodiment of FIG. 3, the added expense of providing and brazing two resistive elements in the dental tool 10 will be avoided since the plated resistive wire can be mass produced and the conductive material plating can be chemically or abrasively stripped in the areas where it is desired that heating take place. The chemicals that may be used for chemically stripping the conductive material are well known to those skilled in the art. The stripping process is less labor intensive than the brazing process, and accordingly, it is easier and less expensive to provide a resistive element in a dental tool using the stripping method as compared to the brazing method. In addition, since the brazing method produces a weld or ball that has a tendency to be larger than the diameter of the core wire, the brazed ball has a tendency to cause frictional binding and to abrade in the

manufacturing process, and this problem is avoided using a single strand of plated resistive wire. In the method of manufacturing the embodiment of FIG. 2, strands of conductive wire are brazed or spot welded to strands of resistive wire to produce a chain wire which is dipped into the polymer used for insulation, and the polymer is cured. The insulation is stripped at the ends where electrical contact is desired and the insulated wire is threaded through the cannula. The wire is then cut to the desired length and the end in the tip of the cannula is welded and the weld ball formed is dressed to size to provide a smooth rounded tip. The cannula is then bent to shape. In the method of manufacturing the embodiment of FIG. 3, a single strand of resistive wire is plated with a conductive material, such as silver or copper, by directing the resistive wire through a plating means such as an electroplating bath. The plating is stripped from the resistive wire chemically or abrasively in those areas where it is desired that heating take place in the resistive wire and the resistive wire is then covered with insulating material as described above. The dental tool of the invention is then assembled as described above. Although a tapered dental tool is shown in the illustrated embodiment, and is most convenient, those skilled in the art will recognize that a dental tool with a uniform diameter of about 0.01 to 0.025 inch may be used. In the illustrated embodiment, switch 22 provides only for opening and closing the electrical circuit. Those skilled in the art will recognize that a variable resistor may be provided in series with switch 22 which may be used to control the heating of tip 15 by reducing the total current that reaches resistive element 18. The dental tool 10 may be fastened to hollow handle 20 at any of four positions relative to switch 22 at 90 being aligned with switch 22. This makes it possible for the practitioner to attach the dental tool in a position that is convenient for working on a particular root canal. The dental tool of the invention may be provided with a gooseneck shape to provide easy access in the mouth and at least two tip designs may be provided; an anterior tip for working on forward teeth is longer than a posterior tip and is provided with an obtuse angle; the angle of a posterior tip is more near 90 teeth. While present embodiments of the invention have been illustrated and described, it will be recognized by those skilled in the art that this invention may be otherwise variously embodied and practiced within the scope of the following claims. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a cutaway view of the hollow handle of the heat condenser of the invention. FIG. 2 is a cutaway view of a dental tool of the invention. FIG. 3 is a cutaway view of an alternative embodiment of the dental tool of the invention.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The invention relates to a self-contained heated root canal dental instrument that combines the operations of a root canal spreader, a root canal condenser, and a root canal filling material heater. 2. Prior Art Masreliez, in U.S. Pat. No. 4,527,560 teaches a dental probe having a resistive, integrally heated tip. The tip itself is a resistive heating element in which an electrically conductive core is surrounded by a non-conductive layer, such as dielectric insulation. The outer resistive heating layer encircles the core and is electrically connected to the core at a leading end of the core. Electrical current passing through the core and into the resistive layer causes the resistive layer to heat up. This reference, at col. 2 lines 10-14 indicates that a tip may be implemented by a resistive core surrounded by a conductive layer, but does not teach how to implement such a tip. Martin, in U.S. Pat. No. 4,392,827 teaches a dental instrument for root canal condensation work. The tool described may be provided with a power supply component for producing heat; and a transmission component for transmitting heat produced by the power supply to a material heating component of a plugger component. The heat transmission component comprises a heating element which is folded and formed to establish a tapered section and the tapered section is covered with teflon. 3. Background Gutta percha is the standard root canal filling material. However, it is to be understood that this invention is usable on other root canal filling materials that are spread and condensed in the root canal and which are heated to improve the flow qualities of the root canal filling material. Gutta percha deforms when warmed and compressed. It becomes pliable at 25 and it decomposes at 100 transitions occur allowing the gutta percha to flow into many irregularities of the prepared root canal, thus allowing for a three-dimensional obturation and sealing to occur. Such a three dimensional obturation and sealing is necessary for success in root canal therapy. When the filling material, such as gutta percha, is softened, it is then compressed into the numerous aberrations of the root canal in order to effectively seal the root canal cavity. The compressing of the filling material in the prior art is performed by using root canal filling spreaders and filling condensers of a variety of sizes and with several handle designs (both long and short). The filling spreaders and condensers of the prior art for root canal work are generally made of stainless steel or nickel-chromium plated brass. The filling spreaders are smooth, flat ended and slightly tapered.

The conventional means for achieving a heated instrument tip is to heat the tip externally, for example, by holding the tip in a flame or in contact with a resistive heater. The primary disadvantage of this approach is that the instrument tip cools off too rapidly, particularly if the tip is narrow. To achieve the desired degree of heating at the end of the tip, it is often necessary to heat the tip to glowing. This degree of heating increases the risk of accidental burns and tends to rapidly destroy the tip. Heating of the tip by contact with a resistive heater sometimes involves contacting the tip between an open circuit so that current flows through the tip and thereby heats the tip. Alternatively, the instrument tip may be placed in contact with a resistive heating element so that heat is transferred to the tip by conduction. This method is similar to the common operation of a soldering iron. A disadvantage of contacting the instrument tip across an open circuit is that sparking of the short circuit may cause "pitting" of the instrument. Also, of course, it is difficult to regulate the temperature of the tip, so the tip may be either overheated or not heated enough. It is also known in the prior art to heat a condenser tip by providing a resistive element in said tip. It is known in the prior art to provide an electrically heated tip in a dental instrument by using a central resistive element in a cannula in a dental instrument tip. In the prior tip, a 22 gauge cannula was crimped to one end of a NiCr element and the other end of said element was crimped in a 25 gauge cannula. Current was carried to the NiCr element by the 22 gauge cannula. A 17 gauge cannula was crimped over the 25 gauge cannula and resistive element to act as a holder for the working heated length of 25 gauge cannula. The return path for the electric current began at the very tip (crimp of 25 gauge cannula to NiCr) and continued through the outermost 17 gauge cannula. The disadvantages of this design were that the NiCr proximal to the main crimp (17 gauge to 25 gauge) was thermally isolated and reached high temperatures since it was dissipating the same high linear power densities as the exposed tip. Also, flexure of the tip had a tendency to cause a short at the crimp. In another prior art instrument that uses a resistive element in the tip, the tip comprises a conductive core within an electrically resistive material, and heat is generated when electricity passes through the resistive material. The concentration of heat in the prior art device relies on current density concentration from cross-sectional changes in a material of uniform volume resistivity. Such prior art devices have the disadvantages that heat is not always generated uniformly in resistive materials and hot or cold spots may form and the large amounts of resistive material needed to cover the outer surface of the tip require relatively large amounts of electricity to provide the necessary heat. Also, electrically resistive materials are not as resistant to corrosion, and cannot be shaped as easily as stainless steel which is conventionally used for such tips. In addition, most such devices use alternating current and must therefore be attached to cumbersome wires which provide a conduit to the power source.

Accordingly, there is a need in the art for a heat condenser having a non-corrosive tip which can be shaped using conventional means, wherein said tip uses lower amounts of electricity than conventional resistive tips, wherein said tip is made of a heat and electrically conductive material which facilitates even heating of the tip, and wherein heating of the tip can more easily be controlled. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides a self contained heated root canal condenser instrument. The instrument comprises a hollow handle which has an aperture at one end and is open at the other end, and removable closure means are provided for the open end. A power source is provided within the hollow handle. A dental tool used for filling root canal cavities having a first end comprising a tip for working in the root canal, and a second end adapted to be attached to the hollow handle is provided. An electrically resistive element is contained within the dental tool and is attached to the dental tool at its tip. In the preferred embodiment, the power source is a battery and the dental tool is a single piece of tapered stainless steel tubing. The dental tool used with the heated condenser is also a part of the present invention. The dental tool of the invention comprises a single piece of electrically conductive tubing and an electrically resistive element within said tubing. The resistive element makes electrical contact with the tubing at one end thereof. The method of the invention for making the dental tool of the invention comprises silver brazing electrically conductive wire to electrically resistive wire to produce a chain wire, insulating the chain wire and threading the insulated chain wire into a single piece tubing which comprises the dental tool. In an alternative embodiment of the method, the silver brazing step may be replaced with the steps of plating an electrically resistive wire with an electrically conductive material, and stripping the electrically conductive material from the plated wire in the areas where heating is desired. The present invention provides an easily carried (because there are no wires attached externally to the condenser) self heated condenser having a highly non-corrosive dental tool which contains a resistive element in its core. The tip of the dental tool of the invention is evenly heated, requires relatively low amounts of electricity to provide said heating, and since power to the resistive element is controlled by a switch on the instrument, heating of the dental tool can be easily controlled. This is a continuation of application Ser. No. 033,323, filed Apr. 1, 1987, now abandoned. Citas de patentes Patente citada US598303 * US1684143 * US1711539 * Fecha de Fecha de presentacin publicacin 7 Ago 1897 1 Feb 1898 16 Dic 1926 20 Dic 1926 11 Sep 1928 Solicitante Ttulo Electric heater Dental instrument Dental instrument structure

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Self-contained root canal heated condenser dental instrument US 4392827 A Resumen The invention is an improved dental instrument for root canal condensation dental work. The instrument is self-contained in that it is a combination tool used as a spreader, a condenser, and a filling material heating unit, each of which is alternately and/or concurrently useable while inserted within the root canal structure of a patient. The invention provides several embodiments, each of which comprises: a plugger component (which use combines the functions of a spreader, a condenser, and a material heating unit); a handle component affixed to the plugger component; a power supply component for producing heat; and a transmission component for transmitting heat produced by the power supply component to the material heating unit of the plugger component. The transmission component has a conveniently located finger operation switch to interrupt the power supply and cut off the flow of heat. The plugger component is provided in a range of sizes to fit the range of internal sizes in different parts of the root canal. Imgenes(2)

Reclamaciones(8) What is claimed is: 1. A self-contained root canal heated condenser dental instrument, comprising: a handle means, said handle means being hollow, said hollow handle means having an aperture at one end and being open at the opposite end, said handle means having a removable closure means for said open end; a power source means, said power source means being affixed inside said hollow handle means; a dental tool means, said dental tool means being used for filling root canal cavities, said dental tool means having a first end and a second end thereof, said first end being tapered, flexible, and having a memory, said first end being capable of spreading and condensing root canal filling material, said dental tool means being capable of being heated in order to heat said root canal filling material to cause it to be workable, said dental tool means being heated by a heating element means, said heating element means being folded upon itself to form a return loop configuration of two legs, said heating element means at the apex of said return loop being further configured into said taper; an insulating means, said insulating means being located and placed within said dental tool means and between said two legs of said return loop, said insulating means insulating each said leg electrically from the other leg; a coating material, said coating material being applied on said tapered portion of said heating element, said coating material preventing said root canal filling material from adhering thereto; a heat transmission means, said heat transmission means being affixed inside said hollow handle means adjacent to said aperture therein, said heat transmission means being electrically connected to said power source means, said dental tool means having said second end thereof inserted through said aperture in said handle means and into said heat transmission means, said heat transmission means drawing power from said power source means and in turn heating said first end of said dental tool means through said heating element means. 2. A self-contained root canal heated condenser dental instrument as recited in claim 1, wherein said hollow handle means is used for holding said dental instrument manually and manipulating it for root canal filling. 3. A self-contained root canal heated condenser dental instrument as recited in claim 1, and additionally, a chuck means, said chuck means being affixed to said handle means on the outside thereof and centered over said aperture therein, said chuck means being

used to hold said dental tool means in position when inserted into said heat transmission means. 4. A self-contained root canal heated condenser dental instrument as recited in claim 1, and additionally, a switch means, said switch means being located and affixed on the outside of said handle means, said switch means being operable by depressing with one finger, said switch means being used in an electrical circuit through which said heat transmission means draws said power from said power source means, said switch means maintaining an off position in said electrical circuit until said switch means is depressed. 5. A self-contained root canal heated condenser dental instrument as recited in claim 1, wherein said power source means is a battery means. 6. A self-contained root canal heated condenser dental instrument as recited in claim 1, wherein said power source is a commercial electrial service. 7. A self-contained root canal heated condenser dental instrument as recited in claim 6, and additionally a regulator control means to maintain power from said power source within a specific range. 8. A self-contained root canal heated condenser dental instrument as recited in claim 1, wherein said dental tool means inserted into said heat transmission means is held therein by a snap fit. Descripcin BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The invention relates to dental treatment equipment and in particular to root canal dental instruments. Specifically, it relates to a self-contained root canal dental instrument that combines the operations of a root canal spreader, a root canal condenser, and a root canal filling material heater. A need has existed for a long time for a way to reduce the time involved in filling a prepared root canal of a human tooth with the filling material. The time involved being used in the continual pick up of separate dental tools for spreading filling material, condensing the filling material, and the alternate heating and reheating of the filling material, during the spreading and condensing operations. This invention eliminates the problems and reduces the time, thus effectively reducing the cost of root canal work. Gutta percha is the usual root canal filling material that is used for filling root canals. However, it is to be understood that this invention is usable on other root canal filling materials that are spread and condensed in the root canal and which are heated to improve the flow qualities of the root canal filling material. The gutta percha material deforms when warmed and compressed. It becomes pliable at 25 Celsius, and it decomposes at 100 phase transition occurs allowing the gutta percha to flow into the many irregularities of the prepared root canal, thus allowing for a threedimensional obturation and sealing to occur. Such a three-dimensional obturation and sealing is necessary for success in root canal therapy. When the filling material, such as gutta percha, is softened, it is then compressed into the numerous aberrations of the root canal in order to effectively seal the root canal cavity. The compressing of the filling material in the prior art is performed by using root canal filling spreaders and filling condensers of a variety of sizes and with several handle designs (both long and short).

The filling spreaders and condensers of the prior art for root canal work are generally of stainless steel or chromium plated brass. The filling spreaders are smooth, flat ended and slightly tapered. In use in the prior art, the root canal filling spreaders and condensers have to be heated over a flame, such as over the flame of a Bunsen burner, and then passed into the mouth of a dental patient and then into the prepared root canal where the filling material, such as gutta percha, has been placed. There is the constant danger of burning the patient about the mouth each time a heated dental tool is moved from the flame to inside the mouth. The present invention reduces the number of entries into the mouth that are necessary during a root canal filling, and also provides for inducing the heat for the tool after the tool is in the tooth at the root canal cavity. Once a first portion of filling material is in the root canal, the filling spreaders are used to heat the filling material and then laterally condense or press the filling material into the root canal areas. Thereafter, a filling condenser is used to maintain the heat or reheat the filling material and to vertically condense the filling material into the root canal. This is a compacting type of operation. While the use of the filling condenser to vertically condense the filling material is often referred to as a plugging operation, the use of the filling spreader to laterally condense the material before the vertical condensing is also a part of the total plugging operation. Additional bits or points of filling material are placed into the root canal cavity and then followed by the spreading and condensing operations described hereinbefore for the filling spreader and condenser root canal tools. These operations are continued until the required amount of filling material plugs and seals the root canal in accordance with dental art. However, it is to be noted that the repeated changes between filling spreader and filling condenser and the continual reheating of the dental tools increases the risk in the prior art of burning the patient as noted hereinbefore. Regarding the gutta percha, or any similar filling material, the deformation under heat and stress allows compaction and condensation that leads to the lateral spreading to fill the voids in the root canal. As bits or points of filling material are placed into the root canal, as hereinbefore described, the heated spreader tool is forced between the bits or points of material after each such insertion which pushes the filling material to the apex of the root canal and, concurrently, laterally. The tool is pressed manually and also rotated side to side to achieve the spreading of the material. It is to be noted that in this prior art the heated filling spreader, and also the heated filling condenser, must be transported quickly from the Bunsen burner into the mouth of the patient and into the tooth and the root canal and against the cold mass of filling material. The present invention reduces these numerous reheating and transport movements. If hot enough, the filling material will not stick to the dental tools of the prior art. If the filling material retains the heat a cold filling condenser may be used to perform the plugging operation, however, this cold operation also tends to cool the filling material which then requires a reheating. However, general practice also shows that a small amount of the filling material often adheres to the dental tools. The present invention

eliminates this condition as well as many of the repeated tool exchanges and reheating operations. In the prior art some attempts have been made to provide for heating the tools while in the mouth. Problems encountered have been that the tips have been bulky and too wide, requiring some use of the old prior art tools mentioned hereinbefore. Also, the tips do not wedge lock into place and 360 effectiveness of the condensing operation. The heat control has been unreliable, the system having as many as ten dial settings which required an assistant or required the dentist to stop the condensing operations to attempt to make a better heat selection or to interrupt the heat process. In addition to the above problems, the filling material sticks to the surface of the socalled heat control tools, and the system has a cumbersome power box and control means. In the medical/dental profession a self-contained cautery, used for cauterizing, is usable only for cauterizing and is not usable for root canal work, it is also bulky. In the present invention, the self-contained root canal instrument is provided in a range of sizes of small plugger components for use from the area of the apex of the root canal up to and past the area of the mouth or entrance of the root canal from the interior of the tooth proper. The self-contained root canal instrument of the present invention in its range of sizes combines the functions of the prior art filling spreader tool, filling condenser tool, and the heating means. The end portion of the self-contained root canal instrument that is usable for the three operations of spreading, condensing, and heating is the plugging component. Thus, the present invention reduces not only the time and cost of filling root canals, but also reduces the armentarium necessary in the prior art. The plugging component is provided in the aforementioned range of sizes and is provided for in a snap-in or chuck mounted method of attaching to a handle means and to a power source. The plugging component is provided in several embodiments, each of which has a nonstick surface, such as Telfon, to prevent the filling material from adhering to the tool. In the present invention the heating is controlled in order to stay within the range of that required for the filling material being used, so as not to under heat it and also not to char it or destroy it. In that regard, a contoured finger tip switch is conveniently located and provides for instant reheating as and if the filling material begins to cool below the workable deformation point. Also, in the present invention the same instrument is used for softening the filling material by heat and for the compaction without withdrawing the instrument from the root canal of the patient's mouth. In the present invention the range of sizes provides for a memory in the small sizes where it is necessary to have some flexibility in order to work around curves in the root canal. This is not possible in any of the prior art which has made attempts at a selfcontained heating element.

It is, therefore, an object of this invention to provide a dental instrument for root canal work that is completely self-contained. It is another object of this invention to provide a dental instrument for root canal work that combines the qualities and facility of a spreader and a condenser tool for lateral and vertical compacting of root canal filling material. It is also an object of this invention to provide a dental instrument for root canal work that has a built-in means for heating the working portion of the tool. It is a further object of this invention to provide a dental instrument for root canal work that has a range of sizes. It is still another object of this invention to provide a dental instrument for root canal work that has a non-stick surface at the point of contact with root canal filling material. Further objects and advantages of the invention will become more apparent in the light of the following description of the preferred embodiments. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a pictorial view of a self-contained root canal heated condenser dental instrument; FIG. 2 is a side view of a first embodiment of FIG. 1; FIG. 3 is a partial top view of the plugger component of a second embodiment of a root canal dental instrument; FIG. 4 is a partial side view of FIG. 3; FIG. 5 is a partial side view of the power source component of a third embodiment of a root canal dental instrument; FIG. 6 is an enlarged cross sectional view on line 6--6 of FIG. 2; FIG. 7 is an enlarged cross sectional view on line 7--7 of FIG. 2; FIG. 8 is an enlarged cross sectional view on line 8--8 of FIG. 4; FIG. 9 is an enlarged cross sectional view on line 9--9 of FIG. 4; and FIG. 10 is an enlarged cross sectional view on line 10--10 of FIG. 3. DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring now to the drawings and particularly to FIG. 1, an improved self-contained root canal heated condenser dental instrument is shown at 15. In FIG. 1 the root canal dental instrument 15 consists of a plugger component 16 and a handle component 17. Inside the handle component 17 is a power source component 18 and a heat

transmission component 19 which will be shown and described hereinafter in conjunction with other figures. Turning now to FIG. 2, the first embodiment consists of the plugger component 16, handle component 17, power source component 18, and the heat transmission component 19. The structure of these components of the first embodiment is described hereinafter. The plugger component 16 on the first embodiment consists of a main core 20 with a Teflon coating 22, both as shown in FIG. 6, and other elements described hereinafter. The Teflon coating 22 extends from the end 24 of the core 20 along the tapered portion 26 of core 20 to the top 28 of the tapered portion 26. The Teflon coating 22 covers both the end 24 of the core 20 as well as the tapered portion 26. The core 20 beyond the top 28 of the tapered portion 26 is a more or less uniform diameter for the balance of the extension, as hereinafter described, to the end that inserts into the heat transmission component 19. The extended portion 30 is bent in a convenient goose neck like configuration to a straight portion 32 that inserts into the aforementioned heat transmission component 19. It is to be understood that the extended portion 30 may be maintained straight, bent at a right angle, or formed into any other configuration, and all such variations are within the scope and intent of the invention. The plugger component 16, in addition to the core 20 and the Teflon coating 22, includes those portions of the core 20 described hereinbefore as the extended portion 30 and the straight portion 32. The core 20 in the extended portion 30 may be insulated 34, as shown in FIG. 7, to maintain heat within the core 20 that is being conducted to the tapered portion 20. This insulation 34 also provides protection against burning of parts of the mouth of a dental patient while root canal work is being done. The insulation 34 extends from an interface with the Teflon coating 22 at the top 28 of the tapered portion 26 to a point 36 just clear of chuck 38. It is to be understood that the omission of insulation 34 is also within the scope and intent of this invention. The core 20 may be of stainless steel, brass, chromium plated brass, or any other material that has the ability and facility to conduct heat readily. The Teflon coating 22 prevents the root canal filling material from sticking or adhering to the plugger component 16 at the area of contact during a root canal treatment. The conducted heat, as hereinafter described, in the core 20 will readily pass through the Teflon coating 22 to heat the root canal filling material during a treatment. The exterior portion 40 of the extended portion 30 and the straight portion 32 of the core 20 may be provided in a range of lengths in a series of plugger components 16 for use in root canal work that may vary from near the front of the mouth to the very back of the mouth. A long neck exterior portion 40 facilitates reaching the back teeth.

The insulation 34 may be any suitable insulating material that has a low conductivity of heat. It is to be understood that although the insulation 34 is shown as ending at the point 36, it may be extended through the chuck 38 so as to prevent loss of heat through the chuck 38 and also to prevent the chuck 38 from becoming hot. Such a variation is within the scope and intent of this invention. A chuck 38 is shown as the means for connecting and holding the plugger component in place, however, it is to be understood that the straight portion 32 of the core 20 can be made as a snap-fit into the socket 42 in the heat transmission component 19 instead of using a chuck 38. A chuck 38 or a snap-fit socket 42 are known in the art and either can be used for affixing the plugger component 16 to the heat transmission component 19. If illustrated as a snap-fit type socket 42 instead of the socket 42 the illustration is substantially the same, except that the chuck 38 would be omitted. As noted, both connection and holding structures are known in the art. The chuck 38 is affixed to the handle component 17 at an aperture in the handle component 17 through which the end of the plugger component passes to insert into the heat transmission component 19. The handle component 17, in addition to serving as the means for a dentist to hold and use the root canal dental instrument 15 manually, also serves as a case or housing for the power source component 18 and the heat transmission component 19. As shown in FIG. 2, the power source component 18 fits inside the end of the handle component 17 at the distal end from the plugger component 16. A simple end closure 44 provides an easy access means for inserting the power source component 18. The power source component 18 may be any available power unit 46, such as a single cell or a pair of such cells or other similar power unit, to provide a battery-like source of power. The power unit 46 used must be sufficient to provide the control heat as hereinafter described. The power unit 46 aforementioned has a terminal means 48 at one end for transmitting power to the heat transmission component 19 as hereinafter described. The power source component 18, consists of at least one power unit 46, having the terminal means 48, and a switch means 50. The switch means 50 is a simple on-off switch of a contour configuration that is easily depressed by a finger of the hand while holding the root canal dental instrument 15 by the handle component 17. The switch means 50 is set in the "off" position and depressing it with the finger, as hereinbefore described, turns the switch "on" to provide power to the heat transmission component 19. The switch means 50 is spring-loaded and it automatically returns to the "off" position when the finger is removed or lifted. If more than one cell is used to form the power unit 46, the arrangement is made to provide the battery-like action as is known in the art. Likewise, the switch means 50 is connected to the power unit 46 in circuit arrangement as known in the art in order to supply power to the heat transmission component 19. The heat transmission component 19 has a terminal means 52 that interfaces and connects to the terminal means 48 of power source component 18 when the components 18 and 19 are assembled in the handle component 17. The electrical circuit then runs

through the heat transmission dispensing means 54 as part of the total electrical circuit of the power source component 18 and the heat transmission component 19. Thus, when the switch means 50 is depressed the power from the power unit 46 passes through the heat transmission dispensing means 54, such as a heating coil, which then produces heat. The heat dispensing means 54 surrounds the straight portion 32 of the plugger component 16. The heat generated and dissipated by the heat transmission dispensing means 54 passes to the straight portion 32 and is conducted through the core 20 to the tapered portion 26. The heat in the heated tapered portion 26 passes through the Teflon coating 22 for use in heating the root canal filling material, as hereinbefore described, so that the root canal dental work can be performed. The range of sizes of the plugger component 16 may provide the range of lengths of the exterior neck 40, as mentioned hereinbefore, and may also provide a range of diameters at the small end of the tapered portion 26. The range of these small end diameters may begin with a very small diameter of less than one-half millimeter that is measured over the end of the core 20 and its Teflon coating 22. Turning now to the second embodiment of the self-contained root canal instrument 15, the primary difference is in the structure of the plugger component 16 and the heat transmission component 19. All other components and elements of the second embodiment are substantially the same as in the first embodiment: the handle component 17, power source component 18, and the following elements--chuck 38 or the snap-in provision, end closure 44 of handle component 17, power unit 46, terminal means 48, and switch means 50. Certain other elements of the second embodiment are similar to the elements in the first embodiment, but with minor variations as will be described hereinafter. Turning to FIGS. 3, 4, 8, 9, and 10, the plugger component 16 is seen in FIGS. 3 and 4, with sectional views of it in FIGS. 8, 9, and 10. The heat transmission component 19 is partially seen in FIG. 4 with other elements of it in FIGS. 8, 9, and 10. The heat transmission component 19 consists primarily of a body member 56 and a heating element 58. The body member 56 can be seen in FIG. 4 with the heating element 58. Other cross sectional views of the heating element are shown in FIGS. 8, 9, and 10, the details of which are described hereinafter. The body member 56 is of any suitable non-conductive material, such as a thermoset plastics or other similar material. The body 56 member of the heat transmission component 19 is affixed inside the handle component 17 in the same approximate position as the heat transmission component 19 in the first embodiment. The body member 56 has a first terminal means 60 affixed therein. The first terminal means 60 makes contact with the aforementioned terminal means 48 of the power unit 46. A second terminal means 62 in the body 56 provides the other connection to the electrical circuit of the root canal dental instrument 15, the first and second terminal means 60 and 62 of the body member 56 thus connecting the heat transmisssion component 19 of the second embodiment to the power source component 18 of the second embodiment.

The heating element 58 is the heat transmission dispensing means for the second embodiment. The heating element 58 is substantially a heating wire means that starts at its interface contact with first terminal means 60 inside the body member 56, as seen in FIG. 4. The other end of the heating element 58 is also seen in FIG. 4 making interface contact with second terminal means 62 inside the body member 56. The heating element 58 essentially makes a loop down to the end 64 of the plugger component, starting as aforementioned at first terminal means 60, running out through the straight section 66 of plugger component 16, through the chuck 38, around the gooseneck bend of the extended section 68, then down the tapered section 70, across the end 64 and up the other side of the tapered section 70, then back through the gooseneck shaped extended section 68, through the straight section 66 and making the aforementioned contact with the second terminal 62. An insulator 72 is located between the outgoing and returning sections of heating element 58 in order to maintain the circuit. The heating element 58 in the tapered section 70 is folded and formed so as to establish the tapered section 70 configuration that is comparable to the tapered portion 26 of the core 20 of the first embodiment. The tapered section 70 is then covered with a Teflon coating 74 in a manner similar to the Teflon coating 22 in the first embodiment. The dimensional size of the end 64 is comparable to the aforementioned dimensional size for the end 24 in the first embodiment. The Teflon coating 74 ends at the top 76 of the tapered section 70. The exposed heating element 58 between the top 76 of the tapered section 70 and the chuck 38 is insulated 80 (and may be insulated through the chuck 80) in the same manner as the insulation 34 in the first embodiment. The detail of the heating element 58 loop, insulator 72 between portions of the heating element 58 in the loop, the Teflon coating 74, and the insulator 80 are also shown in detail in the enlarged sectional views of FIGS. 8, 9, and 10. In a manner similar to the first embodiment, when the switch means 50 is depressed in the second embodiment the power flows from the power unit 46 through terminals 48 and 60, then through the heating elment 58 which heats up, then through terminal 62 to complete a circuit back to the power unit 46. As in the first embodiment the heat passes through the Teflon coating 74 for use in working the root canal filling material. Regarding the third embodiment, the only difference is in the power source component and a small modification in the heat transmission component. the third embodiment may use either the plugger component of the first or second embodiment. Referring now to FIG. 5, the power source component 18 of the third embodiment is seen as drawing power from a commercial power source through its electrical plug 82 for an electrical receptacle. The power source component 18 of the third embodiment consists of a regulator control unit 84, designed and set as known in the art, to maintain the flow of power at a specific range to the heating elements of the plugger components first and second embodiments, whichever is used with the third embodiment. An electrical cord 86 from the regulator control unit 84 connects to the electrical plug 82.

The heat transmission component 19 of the third embodiment is similar (with minor changes) to the heat transmission component 19 of either the first or second embodiment, depending upon which plugger component 16 is used in the third embodiment. For purposes of illustration the second embodiment arrangement is used. A body member 88, similar to the body member 56 of the second embodiment, is modified in regard to the terminals 60 and 62 of the second embodiment. First and second terminals 90 and 92 from the regulator control unit 84 plug directly into the body member 88 to interface and connect with the aforementioned ends of the heating element 58. Separately (not shown) the switch means 50 is connected into the circuit of the regulator control unit 84 to interrupt the circuit, and to complete the circuit when the switch means 50 is depressed. It is to be noted that the manner of electrically connecting the regulator control unit 84 to the portion of the electrical circuit in the body member 88 and to the switch means 50 may be accomplished in numerous ways, all of which are within the scope and intent of the present invention. It is to be noted that the extremely small size of a portion of the range of sizes of the plugger component 16 makes them flexible for following the curves of a root canal to spread and/or condense root canal filling material. These small size plugger components 16 have a memory for returning to their original configuration. As can be readily understood from the foregoing description of the invention, the present structure can be configured in differenct modes to provide the ability to heat, spread, and condense root canal filling material in a root canal plugging and sealing operation. Accordingly, modifications and variations to which the invention is susceptible may be practiced without departing from the scope and intent of the appended claims: Citas de patentes Patente Fecha de Fecha de citada presentacin publicacin US1792121 20 Sep 1926 10 Feb 1931 * US3841311 2 Nov 1973 15 Oct 1974 * US3899830 30 Dic 1971 19 Ago 1975 * * Citada por examinador Citada por Fecha de Fecha de Patente citante presentacin publicacin US4480996 * US4527560 * 4 Ene 1983 6 Nov 1984

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Alcon Drug casting Research, Ltd. Alcon Ophthalmic injection US7887521 1 Ago 2007 15 Feb 2011 Research, Ltd. system Battery operated Alcon US8118790 9 Oct 2007 21 Feb 2012 surgical hand piece Research, Ltd. with disposable end 15 May Alcon Method and apparatus US8177747 30 Nov 2010 2012 Research, Ltd. for drug delivery Multi-layer heat Alcon US8372036 5 May 2010 12 Feb 2013 assembly for a drug Research, Ltd. delivery device Dentsply Battery powered EP0285069A1 * 28 Mar 1988 5 Oct 1988 International, condenser for root Inc. canals Method for the production of a chemically bounded ceramic product, a tool Doxa Certex EP0559627A2 * 26 Ene 1993 8 Sep 1993 to be used for the Aktiebolag carrying out of the method, and an interchangeable part on the tool Filling element for use WO2002078562A1 Megadent Endo 2 Abr 2002 10 Oct 2002 in a root canal * Products B V treatment Endodontic thermal condenser dental instrument US 6270343 B1 Resumen A self-contained root canal dental instrument that combines the operations of a root canal spreader, a root canal condenser, and a root canal filling material heater in a less expensive and easier to replace plugger unit. A different heating circuit using balanced resistor elements in both the hand piece and the tip makes use of the instrument more cost effective for the dentist. The instrument combines a sterilizable condenser tip with the capability of achieving the correct heating temperature via standard AA alkaline batteries. Imgenes(4)

Reclamaciones(2) I claim: 1. A self-contained root canal heated condenser dental instrument, comprising: a hollow handle component for gripping and including a conductive path substantially from end to end; a removable closure mountable at one end of said handle and having a first terminal therein for connection to said conductive path; a battery power source seated inside the hollow of said handle and having a first terminal in contact with the first terminal of said closure; a switch mounted on said handle for selectively applying a second terminal of said power source to a balance resistor located inside said handle; a plugger component having a heat-dissipating resistive tip bonded to an extended portion and a pair of conductive leads internal to said extended portion and in contact with said tip, said plugger coPonent being insertable into another end of said handle such that said resistor makes electrical contact with one of said pair of conductive leads, and the other of said conductive leads completes a conductive circuit to said conductive path; whereby upon depression of said switch power is applied through said pair of internal conductive leads to generate heat at the heat-dissipating tip for heating, spreading and condensing root canal filling material when filling root canal cavities. 2. The self-contained root canal heated condenser dental instrument according to claim 1, wherein said plugger component is a heat-resistant unitary member adapted for removal from said handle and sterilization. Descripcin BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to dental treatment equipment and root canal dental instruments. Specifically, it relates to a self-contained root canal dental instrument that combines the operations of a root canal spreader, a root canal condenser, and a root canal filling material heater. 2. Description of the Background A need has existed for a long time for a way to reduce the time involved in filling a prepared root canal of a human tooth with the filling material. The time involved being used in the continual pick up of separate dental tools for spreading filling material, condensing the filling material, and the alternate heating and reheating of the filling material, during the spreading and condensing operations. Equally important is the complete adaptation of the filling material to secure a hermetic seal against leakage. Gutta percha is the usual material that is used for filling root canals. Gutta percha, as with other root canal filling materials, must be spread and condensed in the root canal and heated to improve its flow and adaptation qualities. Gutta percha material deforms when warmed and compressed. It becomes pliable at 25 to 30 degrees Celsius, it becomes soft at 60 degrees Celsius, and it decomposes at 100 degrees Celsius. At such temperatures a phase transition occurs allowing the gutta percha to flow into the many irregularities of the prepared root canal, thus allowing for a three-dimensional obturation and sealing to occur. Such a three-dimensional obturation and sealing is necessary for success in root canal therapy. When the filling material is softened, it is then compressed into the numerous aberrations of the root canal in order to effectively seal the root canal cavity. The compressing of the filling material in the prior art is performed by using root canal filling spreaders and filling condensers of a variety of sizes and with several handle designs (both long and short). The root canal filling spreaders and filling condensers deform the filling material under heat and stress and allow compaction and condensation that leads to the lateral spreading to fill the voids in the root canal. As bits or points of filling material are placed into the root canal, as hereinbefore described, the heated, spreader tool is forced between the bits or points of material after each such insertion which pushes and compacts the filling material vertically to the apex of the root canal and, concurrently, laterally. The tool is pressed manually and also rotated side to side to achieve the spreading of the material. It also acts as a heat sink cooling down quickly for controlled concentration. The filling spreaders and condensers of the prior art for root canal work are generally of stainless steel or chromium plated brass. The filling spreaders are smooth, flat ended and slightly tapered. For the most part, the prior root canal filling spreaders and condensers had to be heated over a flame, such as over the flame of a Bunsen burner, and then passed into the mouth of a dental patient and then into the prepared root canal where the filling material has been placed. Such tools had to be transported quickly from the Bunsen burner into the mouth of the patient and into the tooth and the root canal and against the cold mass of filling material. There is the constant danger of burning the patient about the mouth each time a heated dental tool is moved from the flame to inside the mouth. Moreover, if it becomes too hot the filling material will stick to the dental tools of the prior art.

A few prior art attempts have been made to provide for heating the tools while in the mouth. However, problems have been encountered. For example, the tips have been bulky and too wide. Also, the tips do not wedge lock into place and 360 degree rotation has been encountered which reduces the effectiveness of the condensing operation. Further, the heat control has been unreliable, the system having as many as ten dial settings which required an assistant or required the dentist to stop the condensing operations to attempt to make a better heat selection or to interrupt the heat process. In addition to the above problems, the filling material sticks to the surface of the so called heat control tools, and the system has a cumbersome power box and control means. U.S. Pat. No. 4,392,827 issued Jul. 12, 1983 to the inventor herein proposes a solution in the form of a self-contained dental instrument inclusive of a combination spreader, condenser, and a filling material heating unit, each of which is alternately and/or concurrently useable while inserted within the root canal structure of a patient. The '827 invention generally includes a plugger component or tip which combines the functions of a spreader, a condenser, and a material heating unit; a handle component affixed to the plugger component; a power supply component for producing heat; and a transmission component for transmitting heat produced by the power supply component to the material heating unit of the plugger component. The transmission component has a conveniently located finger operation switch to interrupt the power supply and cut off the flow of heat. A variety of plugger components are provided in a range of sizes to fit the range of internal sizes in different parts of the root canal. The '827 invention reduces the number of entries into the mouth that are necessary during a root canal filling, and also provides for inducing the heat for the tool after the tool is in the tooth at the root canal cavity. The plugger unit or tip is used to heat the filling material and then laterally condense or press the filling material into the root canal areas. Thereafter, the tip may also be used to maintain the heat or reheat the filling material and to vertically condense the filling material into the root canal in a compacting type of operation. While the use of the filling condenser to vertically condense the filling material is often referred to as a plugging operation, the use of the filling spreader to laterally condense the material before the vertical condensing is is also a part of the total plugging operation. Additional bits or points of filling material are placed into the root canal cavity and then followed by the spreading and condensing operations described hereinbefore for the filling spreader and condenser root canal tools. These operations are continued until the required amount of filling material plugs and seals the root canal in accordance with dental art. The above-described invention eliminates the risk and expense of the many repeated tool exchanges and reheating operations. However, the device itself has proven expensive. The '827 device made use of a tip which housed both heating element and resistor. The presence of the resistor within the tip increased the cost. More significantly, the tip could not be sterilized due to the resistor. It would be greatly advantageous to provide a modified design in which the resistor is moved out of the tip and into the hand piece, along with other design modifications, to thereby make the instrument more cost effective for the dentist and sterilizable for infection control requirements. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to provide A self-contained root canal dental instrument that combines the operations of a root canal spreader, a root canal condenser, and a root canal filling material heater in a less expensive and easier to replace plugger unit. It is another object to accomplish the foregoing by incorporating a heating resistor element in the hand piece rather than the condenser tip, thereby making the tip removable and sterilizable. This in turn satisfies the infection control requirements of the Food and Drug administration, and makes the use of the instrument much more convenient and cost effective for the dentist. It is a necessary object to accomplish the foregoing by employing a different heating circuit within the hand piece, the heating circuit being adapted to provide a proper impedance (inclusive of parallel resistances, proper length and proper amounts of copper flashing) to allow correct heating within the tip. It is a further object to provide an improved insulation system for the tip described above. It is still another object to replace the NiCad batteries and recharger as suggested in U.S. Pat. No. 4,392,827 issued Jul. 12, 1983 to the inventor herein with conventional alkaline batteries, and to adapt the electronics and housing accordingly. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment and certain modifications thereof when taken together with the accompanying drawings in which: FIG. 1 is a pictorial view of a self-contained root canal heated condenser dental instrument according to the present invention; FIG. 2 is a side view of the instrument of FIG. 1; FIG. 3 is an enlarged cross sectional view on line 66 of FIG. 2; FIG. 4 is an enlarged cross sectional view on line 77 of FIG. 2; FIG. 5 is an enlarged side perspective view of the tapered tip 26 of plugger component 16. FIG. 6 is a side partial cut away view of the handle component 17 of dental instrument 15. FIG. 7 is a side cross-section of the handle component 17 of dental instrument 15. DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Gutta percha is a high molecular weight polymer trans polyiosprene. If it is heated above 65 C. it becomes amorphous. It is cooled at 0.5 C. per hour and will slowly recrystallize in the beta form which is the form of dental gutta percha usage. Gutta percha may be applied by the lateral condensation technique. This is a compression of solid gutta percha cones together and adaptation to the root canal walls. Referring now to the drawings and particularly to FIG. 1, an improved self-contained root canal heated condenser dental instrument 15 is shown for practicing the lateral condensation technique. The instrument 15 of FIG. 1 includes a plugger component 16 and a handle component 17. FIG. 2 is a side view of the instrument 15 of FIG. 1 with internal components indicated by dotted lines. Inside the handle component 17 is a power source 18 and a heat transmission coupling 19. The structure of each of the plugger component 16, handle component 17, power source 18, and a coupling 19 for plugger component 16 as described hereinafter. The power source 18 must be sufficient to provide the control heat as hereinafter described. Preferably, the power source 18 comprises a pair of standard alkaline AA batteries that fit inside the end of the handle component 17 at the distal end from the plugger component 16. A screw-on end closure 44 with terminal spring 5A provides an easy access means for inserting the power source 18. When screw-on end closure 44 is installed, a conductive path exists from one output terminal of the power source 18 through terminal spring 5A and handle component 17 (via a conductive metal trace or a conductor wire housed therein). The instant use of ordinary alkaline batteries rather than NiCad batteries and recharger helps to keep the unit cost low. The plugger component 16 is preferably formed as two pieces including a tapered tip 26 joined to an extended portion 30. The tapered tip 26 consists of a main resistive core 20 with a Teflon coating 22, both as shown in FIG. 3, which is an enlarged cross sectional view on line 66 of FIG. 2. Resistive core 20 may be formed of conventional ceramic resistor material. Referring to FIG. 2, the Teflon coating 22 extends from the pointed end of tapered tip 26 to the top 28 of the tapered portion 26. The Teflon coating 22 covers both the end 24 of the core 20 as well as the tapered portion 26. The extended portion 30 is a more or less uniform diameter for the balance of the extension, as hereinafter described, to the an end that inserts into the heat transmission coupling 19. The extended portion 30 is bent in a convenient goose neck like configuration to a straight portion 32 that inserts into the aforementioned coupling 19. It is to be understood that the extended portion 30 may be maintained straight, bent at a right angle, or formed into any other configuration, and all such variations are within the scope and intent of the invention. The plugger component 16 includes tapered portion 26 (core 20 and the Teflon coating 22), as well as the extended portion 30 and straight portion 32. FIG. 4 is an enlarged cross sectional view of the extended portion 30 of plugger component 16 along line 77 of FIG. 2. The extended portion 30 is insulated 74 about the periphery, as shown in FIG. 4. In addition, a central layer of insulation 76 separates two conductive leads 78 a and 78 b. The outer insulation 74, central layer of insulation 76, and conductive leads 78 a and 78 b run the entire extent of the extended portion 30

from the interface with the tapered portion 26 to a point 36 just clear of chuck 38. The outer insulation 74 is preferably a layer of Pyre-ML, which is an enamel used in the motor industry for coating electrical windings. The insulation 74 also provides protection against burning of parts of the mouth of a dental patient while root canal work is being done. In accordance with the present invention, the tapered tip 26 is bonded to extended portion 30 at a junction 28 using Master Bond Epoxy No. EP42Ht. This particular epoxy has been tested under a force gage at 50 lbs. until shearing took place. Thus, using the International standard for hypodermic needles ISO 7864, it has been determined that the tapered tip 26 can withstand an acceptable push-out force of at least 9.25 lbs. This bonding material also acts as a heat shield to confine the heat to the tapered portion 26 and to keep the extended portion cool. This is an important safety feature and it allows almost immediate cold compaction of the root canal filling material. FIG. 4 is a cross-section of the extended portion 30, and FIG. 5 is an enlarged side perspective view of the tapered tip 26 of plugger component 16, both showing the internal conductive leads 78 a. Tapered tip 26 is bonded such that both conductive leads 78 a and 78 b make electrical contact with the resistive core 20 of the tapered portion 26. Heating at the tapered portion 26 is accomplished with the insulated lead 78 a extending downward through the extended portion 30 to the tapered portion 26, and with identical return 78 b. Both conductive leads 78 a and 78 b are insulated. This way, application of power from power source 18 through the conductive leads 78 a and 78 b and into the resistive core 20 generates heat therein which is quickly transmitted outward through the Teflon coating 22. The Teflon coating 22 prevents the root canal filling material from sticking or adhering to the plugger component 16 at the area of contact during a root canal treatment. The heat in the core 20 will readily pass through the Teflon coating 22 to heat the root canal filling material during treatment. The extended portion 30 of plugger component 16 may be provided in a variety of sizes and shapes for use in root canal work that may vary from near the front of the mouth to the very back of the mouth. For example, a long neck exterior portion 40 facilitates reaching the back teeth. FIG. 6 is a partial cross-section showing the plugger component 16 coupled into the end of the handle component 17 with the conductive leads 78 a and 78 b extending into coupling 19. This is accomplished by inserting the plugger component 16 into the end of the handle with leads 78 a and 78 b inserted into mating receptacles in coupling 19, and then anchoring the plugger component 16 therein by screw-tightening a chuck 38. Once connected, one of the leads 78 b completes an electrical circuit with power source 18 through a balance resistor 21 which allows control over the amount of heat dissipated by the plugger component 16. The other conductive lead 78 a is connected to one terminal of switch 50. The combined conductive leads 78 a and 78 b essentially make a loop down to the end of the plugger component 16, starting as aforementioned at switch 50, running out through the extended portion of plugger component 16, around the gooseneck bend of the extended section 30, then down the tapered section 20, then back through the gooseneck bend of the extended section 30, through the straight section 66 and making the aforementioned contact with the opposite terminal of power source 18.

FIG. 7 is a cross-section of the handle component showing the chuck 38 for connecting and holding the plugger component 16 in place. The chuck 38 is affixed to the handle component 17 at an aperture in the handle component 17 through which the end of the plugger component 16 passes to insert into the heat transmission coupling 19. The handle component 17, in addition to serving as the means for a dentist to hold and use the root canal dental instrument 15 manually, also serves as a case or housing for the power source 18 and the heat transmission coupling 19. The chuck 38 is threaded onto the distal end of handle component 17, the tightening or which secures the plugger component 16 (not shown) in place. The power source 18 aforementioned is biased at the leading end by another terminal spring 5B, terminal spring 5B also serving as a conductive path to a spacer switch 50. Depression of the spacer switch 50 further completes the conductive path to the heat transmission coupling 19 as hereinafter described. The switch 50 is preferably a pushbutton activator pad positioned for thumb operation at the neck of the instrument 15 and easily depressed while holding the root canal dental instrument 15 by the handle component 17. A variety of suitable switches are readily available for use as spacer switch 50. The spacer switch 50 is set in a normally off position and depressing it with the finger, as hereinbefore described, turns the switch on to provide power to the heat transmission coupling 19. The switch 50 is spring-loaded and it automatically returns to the off position when the finger is removed or lifted. The switch 50 is connected in series between the power source 18 via terminal spring 5B and through a conventional resistor 21, resistor 21 in turn being connected through the handle component 17 (either directly or by an internal conductor) to the opposite polarity terminal spring 5A. The resistor 21 is an integral part of the heat transmission coupling 19, such that when the end of the plugger component 16 is inserted into the heat transmission coupling 19, the resistance of resistor 21 is in series with that of tapered portion 16, and the two resistances are balanced to provide appropriate heating of the tip as desired. Thus, upon depression of spacer switch 50 approximately 3 volts of power is applied across the series-coupled heat-dissipating core 20 of tapered portion 16 and the resistor 21, and heat is generated thereby at the tip. The leads of resistor 21 and all other series conductors as necessary are preferably formed from nickel-chrome wire. A conventional 1.4 ohm resistor makes a suitable resistor 21. A layer of insulation encircles the immediate area around the resistor 21. The insulation is preferably a section of polyester shrink tubing with an average wall thickness of 0.00025 inches. Heat transmission coupling 19 is open at the other end to surround the straight portion 32 of the plugger component 16. The heat in the heated tapered portion 26 passes through the Teflon coating 22 for use in heating the root canal filling material, as hereinbefore described, so that the root canal dental work can be performed. Given the above-described configuration, the heat in the heated tapered portion 26 has been found to vary between 150 to 250 degrees Fahrenheit. This is a higher heating capacity when compared to the device of the '827 patent. During clinical testing the heat resulted in thermo-softening of the gutta percha in approximately three seconds. Compacting was then easily accomplished to provide excellent results. Moreover, the utilization of standard AA batteries, and the placement of the resistor 21 inside the handle unit have greatly reduced the cost of the device. Further, inasmuch as the resistor 21 resides within the handle rather than the plugger component 16, the entire plugger component 16 can now be removed and sterilized. This is extremely important inasmuch as the Food and Drug administration and Occupational Safety and Health

administration require adequate sterilization to control infection. In clinical testing the instrument 15 has been found to be easy to use, consistent in both heating and compaction, and generally improving of the quality of root canal fills. Having now fully set forth the preferred embodiments and certain modifications of the concept underlying the present invention, various other embodiments as well as certain variations and modifications of the embodiments herein shown and described will obviously occur to those skilled in the art upon becoming familiar with said underlying concept. For example, the range of sizes of the plugger component 16 may provide the range of lengths of the exterior neck 40, as mentioned hereinbefore, and may also provide a range of diameters at the small end of the tapered portion 26. The range of these small end diameters may begin with a very small diameter of less than one-half millimeter that is measured over the end of the core 20 and its Teflon coating 22. It is to be understood, therefore, that the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically set forth in the appended claims. Citas de patentes Patente Fecha de Fecha de Solicitante citada presentacin publicacin US3899830 30 Dic 1971 19 Ago 1975 Malmin Oscar * US4265618 9 Sep 1977 *

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