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Description  |
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BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention concerns a novel system for dental care, and more
particularly a dental pump system for dispensing a chemical solution for
removing dental plaque and/or caries.
Generally speaking, the chemical removal of such dental plaque and caries
is known in the art, as described for example in U.S. Pat. No. 3,863,628,
issued Feb. 4, 1975, to Vit. In this patent there is disclosed a dental
treatment system which involves the removal of caries preparatory to
filling of teeth. In the disclosed system a diaphragm pump device is
utilized to introduce a liquid solution, preferably comprising an
N-haloamine solution, into contact with the teeth to be treated.
The above-referenced U.S. Patent teaches but a single reservoir for the
N-halomine solution and a pump for drawing the treatment solution from the
reservoir and feeding the solution to a hand-held applicator or handpiece.
Reference is invited to the above-mentioned patent for a more complete
description of the chemical composition of suitable solutions. Briefly,
the selected solution or treatment may be formed from a starting halide
solution such as sodium chloride, sodium bromide or the like, as more
fully described in the above-referenced patent, and a second solution
comprising an amino hydrogen compound, as also more fully described in the
above-referenced patent. Significantly, however, these treatment solutions
are relatively unstable and have a pot life of approximately one hour,
such that the selected treatment solution should be used within a
relatively short time after the mixing of the two ingredients from which
it is formed.
It is also desirable for the dental care specialist to maintain control of
the flow of the solution to the desired areas. Preferably such control is
accomplished by means of some foot-operated control arrangement, thereby
leaving the hands free for application of the solution by way of the
applicator tip or handpiece as well as for holding other instruments if
desired.
The above-referenced patent also describes a reservoir for the pre-mixed
liquid treatment medium, which reservoir may be refilled from time to time
as necessary or desired. However, in accordance with the present invention
premeasured quantities of the liquid treatment medium are provided in
disposable packages, to be introduced into a permanent dispensing
apparatus. That is, the treatment medium never contacts the apparatus, but
remains in a sealed package until dispensed, to maintain hygenic
conditions, Preferably, the two major components or solutions which are
mixed to provide the treatment medium are held in separate compartments or
subdivisions within the disposable package, or in separate packages. These
solutions are dispensd through separate outlets, and are mixed to provide
the treatment medium at or near the dispensing tip or handpiece. In this
way, the relatively unstable treatment medium mentioned above is not mixed
until immediately prior to the time of application to the patient.
Moreover, only an amount of treatment medium corresponding approximately
to the amount required for the desired treatment or procedure need be
mixed, when the components are provided in disposable packages and in
convenient, selectable premeasured quantities in this fashion.
OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, it is a general object of the invention to provide a novel and
improved dental treatment system including a dispensing device for a
two-part disposable container.
A more particular object is to provide a system in accordance with the
foregoing object wherein the two-part container includes separate and
independent portions for containing premeasured quantities of the two
major components of the treatment medium to prevent mixing thereof until
immediately prior to the time of dispensing and application.
A related object is to a system in accordance with the foregoing objects in
which the two-part container comprises a disposable member and may be
cooperatively engaged with a dispenser apparatus to dispense the
premeasured quantities contained therein upon actuation of the dispenser,
preferably by a foot-operated control, by the dental care specialist, and
thereafter removed from the dispenser and disposed of.
A related object is to provide dispensing apparatus in accordance with the
foregoing objects which is relatively simple and inexpensive in its design
and manufacture and yet highly reliable in operation. Other objects and
advantages of the invention will become apparent from the description of
the drawings and the illustrated embodiment which follows.
In accordance with the invention, a fluid dispensing system comprises a
flexible container for simultaneously dispensing two fluids, and including
means defining a pouch-like container having two separate and independent
compartments, each compartment comprising a reservoir portion for holding
a supply of one of said two fluids, outlet means, and a bi-ended
labyrinthine portion communicating with said reservoir portion at one end
thereof and with said outlet means at the other end thereof. In addition
there is included dispensing apparatus which includes a frame, wall means
mounted to said frame; and container impinging means mounted in facing
relation to, and for movement relative to, said wall means for squeezing a
flexible container therebetween to effect the dispensing of said two
fluids treatment medium substantially simultaneously.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The features of the present invention which are believed to be novel are
set forth with particlarity in the appended claims. The organization and
manner of operation of the invention, together with further objects and
advantages thereof, may best be understood by reference to the following
description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which
like reference numerals identify like elements, and in which:
FIG. 1 is a prespective view of dental treatment apparatus in accordance
with the invention;
FIG. 2 is an enlarged sectional view taken generally along the line 2--2 of
FIG. 1 showng the overall system of the present, with the flexible storage
container mounted to the dispensing apparatus;
FIG. 3 is an enlarged partial perspective view, partially broken away,
illustrating details of an interior portion of the dispensing apparatus of
FIGS. 1 and 2; and
FIG. 4 is a perspective view illustrating the novel container portion of
the system of the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENT
Referring now to the drawings, and initially to FIGS. 1 and 2, a dental
pump system for chemical caries removal in accordance with the invention
is indicated generally by the reference numeral 10. Generally speaking,
the system 10 comprises a dispensing apparatus 12 and a novel flexible,
disposable container member 14, with the apparatus 12 capable of effecting
controllable dispensing of treatment solution from the novel disposable
container means or member 14. The later container 14 is also illustrated
in further detail in FIG. 4. Advantageously, the provision of a disposable
container 14 permits the dispensing of premeasured quantities of the
desired fluid or chemical treatment medium and maintains hygenic
conditions by avoiding any contact whatever between the liquid materials
and the dispensing apparatus 12. Moreover, the respective solutions which
are mixed to provide the treated medium are maintained in a segregated
state until delivery to the handpiece wherein mixing takes place. Thus,
the usual life of the overall package or contaner 14 is prolonged, as only
the approximate amount of treatment medium to be used for each patient is
mixed. As can be appreciated this minimizes waste and overall cost.
Referring initially to the fluid dispensing apparatus 12, a frame portion
16 is provided which generally comprises a lower frame member or portion
16a, which forms a base for the apparatus, elongate vertical intermediate
frame portion 16b and an upper frame portion 16c which generally defines
an enclosed housing containing the disposable container 14 and other parts
of the dispensing apparatus as best viewed in FIGS. 2 and 3. This frame
16, and particularly the upper or housing portion 16c thereof mounts a
first wall or plate member 18, which in the illustrated embodiment
comprises an undersurface of a lid member 20 which is pivotally mounted to
the frame portion 16c at a pivot or hinge 22.
Impinging means 23 is provided for squeezing the container 14 and includes
a generally flat, rectilinear plate-like member 24 mounted to the frame
16c in facing relation to the wall member or plate 18. In the illustrated
embodiment, this impinging plate 24 is pivotally mounted at a pivot 26 for
generally pivotal movement toward and away from the wall 18 so as to
impinge upon the container 14 to squeeze the container 14 between plate 24
and wall 18, thereby urging the liquid in the container through an outlet
opening 30 of the container.
A novel drive means or arrangement designated generally by reference
numeral 32 is provided for actuating or driving the impinging plate 24
between a first condition where it is urged toward the wall 18 so as to
squeeze container 14 therebetween and a second condition, illustrated in
FIG. 2, where it is held away from impingement with container 14 and well
away from wall member 18 to accommodate the liquid or other fluid medium
within container 14.
In the illustrated embodiment, the drive means includes a resilient means
in the form of an elongate compression spring member 40. One end of spring
40 abuts a fitting or linkage 42 which is angled upwardly and operatively
coupled with the plate 24 by a pivot 45 at a strut 46 rigidly coupled to
the underside of plate 24. The other end of spring 40 abuts an internal
wall portion 44 of the frame member or portion 16a about a through
aperture 47 therein. Hence, the resilient spring normally urges the
container impinging plate 24 toward the first condition, that is, toward
the wall 18 for impinging upon or squeezing the flexible container 14
therebetween.
The drive means also includes a selectively actuatable release means
comprising a pivotally movable control lever 50 which is preferably
mounted so as to be foot actuated by a pedal 52 and pivoted to the base or
lower frame member 16a at a pivot 54. The drive means also includes an
elongate shaft member 56 which is pivotally coupled at one end thereof at
a pivot 58 to a mid-portion of lever 50 to be moved in a generally
vertically upward and downward direction thereby as the lever pivots about
pivot 54. The spring 40 is mounted about this elongate shaft or rod member
56, which extends through aperture 47 in wall 44 and rigidly mounts at its
opposite end the linkage arrangement 42.
From the foregoing it will be appreciated that with the foot pedal in the
depressed condition illustrated in FIG. 2, the impinging plate 24 will be
driven or pulled away from the wall 18 in opposition to the action of the
spring 40 to achieve the second condition or position. This releases any
pressure or squeezing upon the container 14 so as to cease delivery of
material through opening 30. On the other hand, when the foot pedal 52 is
released, the spring 40 will tend to drive the plate 24 upwardly toward
wall 18 squeezing container 14 therebetween. The squeezing of container 14
will urge the treatment material in container 14 outwardly through outlet
opening 30 thereof. As plate 24 reaches its fully upwardly pivoted or
displaced position in response to expansion of spring 40, pedal 52 will
come to a corresponding upwardly displaced position. A piston-and-cylinder
type shock absorber 60 is preferably coupled with the plate 24 so as to
assure relatively smooth movement thereof in response to expansion of the
spring 40 in the one direction and depression of pedal 52 in the other
direction. As will be detailed more fully hereinafter, the flexible pouch
14 includes a main portion, as engaged directly by plate 24 and also a
labyrinthne portion. In order to attain complete dispensing of the
solution in the flexible container, as the plate 24 moves toward its
upward most position it will engage a second pivoted plate 102 which
compresses the labyrinthine portion of container 14.
Referring now more particularly to the flexible container 14, as best
viewed in FIGS. 2 and 4, it will be seen that the container comprises a
pouch-like member having two separate and independent compartments 70 and
72. These compartments in turn each comprise a first or main reservoir
portion 74, 76, each for holding a supply of one of the two fluid
solutions which are mixed together to provide the treatment medium. Each
of compartments 70 and 72 also includes an outlet 30, 30' and a bi-ended
labyrinthine portion 78, 80 communicating with the respective main
reservoir 74, 76 at one end thereof and with the respective outlet 30, 30'
at the other end thereof.
The container 14 is formed as an integral structure, the two compartments
70, 72 being substantially identical in configuration and formed in a
generally side-by-side symmetrical fashion so as to permit fluid to be
simultaneously dispensed therefrom, upon squeezing of the reservoir
portion 74, 76 by the plate 24 of the dispensing apparatus 12. Moreover,
as will be seen presently, the labyrinthine portion 78, 80 may also be
impinged upon or squeezed by the dispensing apparatus 12 to further urge
the treatment medium therein outwardly through outlets 30 and 30'.
Preferably, the integrally formed container structure thus far described is
formed from a pair of substantially flat, generally rectangular and
congruent sheets of flexible material 82, 84 joined together at peripheral
edges thereof as indicated generally by reference numeral 86. These sheets
are also joined along predetermined generally linear portions as indicated
generally at reference numerals 90 and 92 so as to define the two
reservoir portions 74 and 76 the sepentine channels which define the
labyrinthine portions 78 and 80 therein, respectively.
The peripheral dimensions of the container 14 are substantially
complementary with and somewhat smaller than internal dimensions of the
frame housing portion 16c. Moreover, in order to initially position and
thereafter maintain the container 14 in the desired orientation within the
housing, cooperating registration means are formed respectively on the
container and in the housing. In the illustrated embodiment, these
registration means take the form of a row of upwardly extending pins 94
which are mounted to an interior wall portion 96 of the housing 16c.
Complementary registration means of the container 14 comprise a generally
linear array of through apertures 98 which are alignable with pins 94 for
insertion thereover to thereby orient the container in the desired
position relative to housing 16c. This orientation is such as to position
the reservoir portions between the wall 18 and plate 24 to be
simultaneously impinged upon as discussed above.
Referring again to FIGS. 2 and 3, the container impinging means 23
includes, in addition to plate 24, a second impinging plate 102 also
pivotally movable relative to the wall 18 for engaging and squeezing the
labyrinthine portions 78 and 80. This second plate 102 is pivotally
mounted at the same pivot axis 26 as first plate 24.
Hence, the first plate 24 is mounted directly to this pivot axis with the
second plate 102 having a pair of extension members or arms 106, 108
extending to either side of the first plate 24 to the pivot axis 26.
Accordingly, the second plate 102 is mounted and movable independently of
the first plate 24 and directly outwardly of a remote or outermost edge of
this first plate relative to pivot axis 26.
The downward motion movement of the second plate 102 is limited by the
provision of one or more stop members or abutment surfaces 104, also
mounted on the wall 96 described above. This in effect defines a rest
position of second plate 102 in which it normally exerts virtually no
force upon the labyrinthine portions 78 and 80. However, this arrangement
limits or prevents further expansion of the labyrinthine portions 78 and
80 in response to squeezing of reservoir portions 74 and 76 by plate 24,
to assure delivery of fluids through the labyrinthine portions 78 and 80
and out of the outlets 30 and 30'.
In order to effect operation of the second plate 102, a catch member 112
protrudes laterally outwardly from either lateral side of the plate 24 at
a bottom, outer end portion thereof. These catch members 112 are arranged
for engaging respective arms 106 and 108 so as to urge these arms and the
connected second plate 102 upwardly following a major portion of the
upward motion of first plate 24. This action results in the liquid being
substantially evacuated from reservoir portions 76 and 78 and from
labyrinthine portions 78 and 80 generally in sequence. That is, after the
reservoir portions 76 and 78 are substantially collapsed or emptied due to
the squeezing thereof by plate 24 the plate 24 will engage plate 102, and
thereafter both plates move in unison to completely evacuate the liquid
from and collapse both the reservoir portions 74 and 76 as well as the
labyrinthine portions 78 and 80. Hence, when the first plate 24 has been
advanced by the action of the spring 40 substantially into registry with
the rest position of second plate 102, catch members 112 come into play
thereafter advancing plates 24 and 102 together in the direction of wall
This results in a substantially sequential actuation of these plates for
evacuation of the reservoirs and labyrinthine portions respectively.
Referring briefly to FIG. 1, it will be seen that outlets 30 and 30' are
coupled to elongate tubular hoses or extensions 106, 108 which in turn are
connected to a handpiece or applicator 110, wherein the two fluid
components from reservoir portion 70 and 72 are permitted to intermix. A
removable applicator tip 112, which may be any of a variety of
interchangeable types, is removably affixed to the end of the applicator
or handpiece 110.
In the preferred embodiment illustrated, a solenoid schematically
illustrated at 120, FIG. 2, may be utilized to obtain a pulsing or
pulsating flow of the treatment medium from the container 14 by impinging
in a pulsating fashion upon the respective outlets 30, 30' and/or hose
members 106, 108. Also, in the preferred form of the invention
illustrated, heating means in the form of a flat, elongate heating plate
130 mounted in the cover 20 behind wall 18 and a further similar heating
plate 132 mounted to the underside of the first impinging plate 24 may be
utilized for maintaining the liquid in the container at a desired,
predetermined temperature close to, or at body temperature. The heating
means also may include a second similar flat heating plate 134 mounted to
an underside of the second impinging plate member 102. It will be noted
that the first elongate heating element or plate 130 overlies both the
reservoir and labyrinthine portions of the container. The heating plates
and labyrinthine portions thus cooperate to assure that adequate heat
energy is imported to the fluid to elevate the fluid solutions in the
flexible container 14 to the desired temperature prior to dispensing.
Preferably, this desired temperature is on the order of human body
temperature to promote patient comfort during treatment.
Also in accordance with the preferred form of the invention illustrated
herein a linkage assembly or arrangement designated generally by reference
numeral 140 operatively couples the foot pedal actuated lever 50 with a
latching structure (not shown) for the lid 20. Preferably, the linkage
arrangement 140 is such that the lid member 20 is latched in a closed
position when the foot pedal 52 is released. However, when the foot pedal
is actuated to the position illustrated in FIG. 2, wherein the impinging
plate 24 is held away from the wall member and not impinging upon the
container 14, the linkage 140 releases the latch mechanism to permit
opening of the lid 20 for access to the container 14. The illustrated
linkage 140 includes a pivotally mounted generally horizontally oriented
linkage member 142, one end of which mounts a pin 144 which rides in an
arcuate slot 148 in lever 50. Hence, upon release of the pedal 52 from the
fully depressed position shown in FIG. 2, linkage member 142 will be
permitted to pivot upwardly with the pedal. An opposite end of linkage
member 142 is pivotally coupled at 143 to an elongate upwardly extending
linkage member or rod 146 which may be spring-loaded to urge pivot 143
downwardly and which is operatively coupled at its opposite end (not
shown) with a latch or locking mechanism (now shown) for the lid 20.
Accordingly, with the linkage assembly 140 in the position illustrated in
FIG. 2, the elongate linkage member 146 will be held in a position for
releasing a latch or locking mechanism for lid 20. On the other hand, when
the pedal is released from this fully depressed position, the pivotally
mounted linkage 142 will be tilted somewhat in a counterclockwise
direction as viewed in FIG. 2 and the elongate linkage 146 travels
downwardly to actuate the latch or other lid locking mechanism to a closed
or latched position. As mentioned, suitable spring loading may be provided
upon linkage 146 and/or an associated lock or latching mechanism for lid
20 for this purpose.
While a particular embodiment of the invention has been shown and described
in detail, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that changes and
modifications of the present invention, in its various aspects, may be
made without departing from the invention in its broader aspects, some of
which changes and modifications being matters of routine engineering or
design, and others being apparent only after study. As such, the scope of
the invention should not be limited by the particular embodiment and
specific construction described herein, but should be defined by the
appended claims and equivalents thereof. Accordingly, the aim in the
appended claims is to cover all such changes and modifications as fall
within the true spirit and scope of the invention.
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