Syringe needle abstract
A flexible irrigation syringe tip with a "Luer Lock"
or other type of connector commonly used in medical tubing includes
a flexible needle. The needle shaft is preferably made of a material
which is bendable but which returns to its original shape, such
as silicone, polypropylene or other flexible metal alloys and has
an open or a closed tip. The tip may be flat or rounded. The hollow
shaft of the flexible syringe itself is parallel sided with at least
one hole in it to allow the irrigation solution to flush the canal
when inserted. Preferably, to insure backflowing of the fluid from
the tip area of the syringe needle backwards up the tooth canal,
the at least one hole is a lateral side port, which lateral port
causes the exiting of fluid in a direction transverse to the longitudinal
axis of flexible syringe needle. The shaft may have at least one
fluid diverter, such as a flute or groove to help direct the debris
up and out of the tooth. This flute or groove may be straight or
spiraled. The shaft may also have at least one hatch marking or
inscription to show length from tip towards the hub interface of
the flexible syringe needle with the connector to the handle. The
flexible irrigator syringe needle may be alternatively attached
to a precision microprocessor fluid dispensing device to limit the
pressure and temperature of application and the amount of fluid
therethrough.
Syringe needle claims
We claim:
1. An endodontic flexible syringe needle for negotiating the curves
of a tooth canal, and for irrigating and delivering medication to
intra-tooth canals, comprising:
a flexible hollow needle extending between a proximal fluid flow
connection end and at least one distal fluid dispensing port, said
hollow needle being sufficiently flexible over its whole length
to conform to the shape of a tooth canal and removably connected
to said proximal fluid flow connection end permitting replacement
of said hollow needle,
said flexible syringe needle having means for introducing irrigating
or medicating fluid into said hollow syringe needle,
said flexible hollow needle being made from a material capable
of flexing back by being deformable from a first predetermined configuration
during insertion into said tooth canal and returnable to said first
predetermined configuration upon removal from the tooth canal.
2. The endodontic flexible syringe needle for irrigating and delivering
medication to intra-tooth canals, as in claim 1 further comprising:
said flexible hollow needle having a sealed tip, said needle having
at least one fluid dispensing port at a predetermined distance from
said sealed tip for dispensing fluid.
3. The flexible syringe needle of claim 1 wherein said needle comprises
a substantially straight-line shape.
4. The flexible syringe needle of claim 1 wherein said needle comprises
a substantially curvilinear shape.
5. The flexible syringe needle of claim 1 wherein said at least
one dispensing port is disposed substantially at said sealed tip.
6. The flexible needle as in claim 1 wherein said at least one
fluid dispensing port is a lateral side port dispensing fluid substantially
transverse to a longitudinal axis of said flexible syringe needle.
7. The flexible needle as in claim 6 wherein said at least one
fluid dispensing port is a plurality of lateral side ports.
8. The flexible needle as in claim 6 wherein said plurality of
lateral side ports extend between said fluid dispensing end and
said connecting end.
9. The flexible needle as in claim 6 wherein said plurality of
lateral side ports extend in a longitudinally spaced apart relationship
between said fluid dispensing end and said connecting end.
10. The flexible syringe needle of claim 1 wherein said at least
one dispensing port is disposed substantially in the curved portion
of said needle.
11. The flexible syringe needle of claim 2 wherein said sealed
tip is tapered.
12. The flexible syringe needle of claim 1 wherein said at least
one dispensing port comprises a plurality of micropores.
13. The flexible syringe needle as in claim 1 further comprising
at least one measuring marking on an exterior surface thereof to
visually verify a working length thereof.
14. The flexible syringe needle as in claim 13 wherein said at
least one measuring marking on an exterior surface thereof comprises
a plurality of measuring markings thereon.
15. The flexible syringe needle as in claim 2 further comprising
a means for directing fluid dispensing therefrom in a direction
from an inner apical end of said tooth canal towards an outer coronal
end.
16. The flexible syringe needle as in claim 15 wherein said means
for directing fluid dispensing therefrom in a direction from an
inner apical end of said tooth canal towards an outer coronal end
comprises a lengthwise extending groove within an outer surface
of said flexible syringe needle.
17. The flexible syringe needle as in claim 16 wherein said lengthwise
extending groove within an outer surface of said flexible syringe
needle comprises a straight channel.
18. The flexible syringe needle as in claim 16 wherein said lengthwise
extending groove within an outer surface of said flexible syringe
needle comprises a curvilinear channel.
19. The flexible syringe needle as in claim 2 further comprising
an electronic measuring probe attached thereto.
20. The flexible syringe needle as in claim 19 wherein said electronic
measuring probe includes a sensor for sensing physical conditions.
21. The flexible syringe needle as in claim 19 wherein said flexible
needle syringe is connectable to a remote pump for directing fluid
at a controlled rate to the tooth canal.
22. The flexible syringe needle as in claim 21 wherein said remote
pump for directing fluid at a controlled rate to the tooth canal
further comprises a conduit connecting said pump to said flexible
syringe needle.
23. The flexible syringe needle as in claim 21 wherein said remote
pump for directing fluid at a controlled rate to the tooth canal
further comprises a temperature control means for controlling the
temperature of the fluid dispensing therefrom.
24. The flexible syringe needle as in claim 21 wherein said remote
pump for directing fluid at a controlled rate to the tooth canal
further comprises a pressure control means for controlling the flow
pressure of the fluid dispensing therefrom.
25. The flexible syringe needle as in claim 21 wherein said remote
pump for directing fluid at a controlled rate to the tooth canal
further comprises a pulse activating means to deliver said fluid
under intermittent pulses for discharging lodged debris from within
the tooth canal.
26. The flexible syringe needle as in claim 21 further comprising
an ultrasonic vibratory means for removing debris from within the
tooth canal.
27. The flexible syringe needle as in claim 21 further comprising
a flat touch pad control panel.
28. The flexible syringe needle as in claim 21 wherein fluid contact
surfaces therein are non-metallic.
29. The flexible syringe needle as in claim 21 wherein said remote
pump for directing fluid at a controlled rate to the tooth canal
further comprises a feedback safety shutoff means for shutting off
the flow of fluid therefrom if at least one predetermined threshold
conditions is met.
30. The flexible syringe needle of claim 1 wherein said flexible
syringe needle comprises a plurality of user selectable needles
having wherein said at least one dispensing port comprises a range
of aperture sizes for user determination of fluid dispensing flow
rate according to user selected fluid dispensing aperture size.
31. The flexible syringe needle of claim 1 wherein said flexible
needle is comprised of plastic.
32. The flexible syringe needle of claim 31 wherein said flexible
needle is comprised of polyethylene.
33. The flexible syringe needle of claim 31 wherein said flexible
needle is comprised of polypropylene.
34. The flexible syringe needle of claim 1 wherein said flexible
needle is comprised of a flexible metal alloy.
35. The flexible syringe needle of claim 34 wherein said flexible
metal alloy is nitinol alloy.
36. The flexible syringe needle of claim 1 wherein said flexible
needle is comprised of a collapsible fluid-inflatable elongated
dispensing container made of a pharmaceutically suitable material;
said flexible needle assuming its shape when filled with fluid from
said means for introducing irrigating or medicating fluid into said
hollow needle.
37. The flexible syringe needle of claim 1 wherein said flexible
needle is comprised of a chain-like plurality of articulated rigid
segments having a fluid delivery tube running longitudinally therethrough,
said segments and tube being comprised of a pharmaceutically suitable
material.
38. The flexible syringe needle of claim 15 wherein said means
for directing fluid is a concave surface at said tip end of said
needle.
39. The flexible syringe needle as in claim 1 further comprises
at least one bristle fiber extending transverse from said needle
for cleaning debris from within the tooth canal.
40. The flexible syringe needle as in claim 1 wherein said needle
has a hollow shaft with a diameter approximately equal to predetermined
I.S.O. diameters that approximate the size of files and reamers
used to endodontically treat a tooth canal.
41. A flexible syringe needle for negotiating through curved body
cavities and for irrigating and delivering medications to said body
cavities, comprising:
a flexible hollow needle insertable within a body cavity, said
flexible syringe needle extending between a proximal fluid flow
connection end and at least one dispensing port, said hollow needle
being sufficiently flexible over its whole length to conform to
the shape of a selected body cavity and removably connected to said
proximal fluid flow connection end permitting replacement of said
hollow needle,
said flexible syringe needle having means for introducing irrigating
or medicating fluid into said hollow syringe needle;
said flexible hollow needle being made of a material capable of
flexing back by being deformable from a first predetermined configuration
during insertion into the body cavity and returnable to said first
predetermined configuration upon removal from the curved body cavity.
42. An endodontic flexible syringe needle in combination with a
syringe for irrigating and delivering medication to an intra-tooth
canal, comprising:
a flexible hollow needle extending from a proximal fluid flow connection
end of said syringe, said hollow needle being sufficiently flexible
over its whole length to conform to the shape of a tooth canal and
removably connected to said syringe permitting replacement of said
hollow needle,
said syringe having means for introducing irrigating or medicating
fluid into said hollow syringe needle, and
said flexible hollow needle being made from a material capable
of flexing back to its original shape after being removed from said
canal.
Syringe needle description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a flexible syringe needle for
insertion into a body cavity, such as a tooth canal, during medical
or dental treatment, such as, for example endodontic dental treatment.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Endodontic therapy consists of filing and shaping the canal with
instruments such as files, reamers, etc. This process produces shavings
and debris made up of dentin and soft tissue (vein, nerve and capillary
which makes up "pulp"). To prevent compacting and clogging
of the canal with debris, it is necessary to irrigate the canal
to keep it clean.
Traditionally the irrigation is done with a rigid irrigator tip
made of metal, such as a hypodermic needle in various diameters.
The problem with this is that the rigid metal or plastic tubes cannot
negotiate to the end of the canal especially if the canal is curved.
Also, the rigid metal end/plastic end has an edge which serves to
bind the canal walls which can gouge and prevent adequate access.
Another problem is that the opening at the end directs the pressure
outward toward the apex of the root which can send debris and or
irrigation fluid beyond the apex and into soft tissues causing medical
complications.
Outside of the medical and dental field, flexible silicone needles
of Technitool Company include hollow, flexible silicone needles
for dispensing lubricating fluids to computer components.
Moreover, various attempts have been made to provide flexible fluid
delivery conduits with discharge ports in the medical and dental
field. Among these devices include U.S. Pat. No. 5127831 of Bab
for a dental irrigation probe having a flexible tube attached to
a rigid curved handle for forcibly delivering fluid between the
outer periodontal surfaces of teeth, not within definitive body
cavities, such as canals within the teeth. In Bab '831 the fluid
is directed out axially through the probe.
U.S. Pat. No. 4512769 of Kozam describes a flexible needle having
a single axially aligned fluid discharge port for cleaning between
the teeth not necessarily within a definitive body cavity, such
as a tooth canal. It includes a semi-rigid conical nozzle member
at the fluid discharge end.
U.S. Pat. No. 4702260 of Wang describes a flexible bronchoscopic
needle for retrieval of body tissues and body fluids therethrough.
It includes a rigid needle attached to a flexible conduit. However,
it is used to retrieve bodily fluids, and tissues, not to irrigate
or provide medicine to a definitive body cavity, such as a tooth
canal.
U.S. Pat. No. 4735619 of Sperry describes a rigid needle attached
to a flexible conduit for intravenous introduction of fluids to
the body. Since, the needle is not flexible, it may lodge against
the walls of a tooth canal and break it, and it can't negotiated
curved canals.
U.S. Pat. No. 4274555 of Sneider describes a feminine douche
applicator with a hollow nozzle having lateral side ports for delivery
of fluid therefrom. However, the applicator in Sneider is not on
a scale of size for use within a tooth canal.
U.S. Pat. No. 3884230 of Wulff a flexible needle aiming device
comprising a rigid needle within a helical spring member for aiming
the needle properly to an injection site upon the skin of a recipient
of fluids therefrom. However, Wolff '230 is inflexible and can't
negotiate curved tooth canals.
Furthermore, U.S. Pat. No. 4026025 of Hunt descibes an air powered
fluid delivery nozzle for thrusting a fluid and air mix or just
air forcefully therefrom into the intraoral mouth cavity of a dental
patient. In Hunt '025 the nozzle is inflexible and the fluid is
directed out axially through the nozzle. The nozzle is not on a
scale of size for use within a tooth canal.
Therefore, the aforementioned prior art devices are not suitable
for intra-canal irrigation of a tooth during endodontic treatment.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the present invention to provide an endodontic
flexible syringe needle for irrigating and delivering medication
to a definitive body cavity, such as an intra-tooth canal.
It is also an object of the present invention to provide an irrigator
to irrigate the tooth canal to keep it clean.
It is also an object of the present invention to prevent compacting
and clogging of the tooth canal with debris.
It is also an object of the present invention to provide a flexible
needle to negotiate to the end of the tooth canal, especially if
the canal is curved.
It is also an object of the present invention to prevent flow of
debris and/or irrigation fluid beyond the apex of the tooth canal
and into soft tissues, causing medical complications.
It is yet another object to provide a flexible fluid conducting
needle with a laterally placed discharge port.
It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a
collapsible fluid-inflatable elongated dispensing needle, which
assumes its shape when filled with fluid.
It is yet another object to provide an electronic delivery system
with a flexible needle, to push irrigation fluids and chemicals
through the flexible needle.
It is also an object to provide irrigation fluids to a tooth canal
at varied temperature, pressure and flow rates.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
To improve on the disadvantages of the prior art, the present invention
is a flexible irrigation syringe tip with a "Luer Lock"
or other type of connector commonly used in medical tubing. The
shaft is preferably made of silicone, polypropylene or other spring-type
metal alloys, such as nitinol and others, and in a preferred embodiment
has a closed tip. The tip may be flat or rounded. The diameters
of the hollow shaft may range in predetermined I.S.O. conventional
diameters that approximate the files and reamers that are used to
file and shape the tooth canal to be endodontically treated.
The flexible syringe needle is made of a flexible needle material
with a bendable memory therein. Therefore, the flexible syringe
needle flexes back and is deformable from a first predetermined
configuration such as a straight or curved shape, during insertion
into a curved body cavity, such as a tooth canal. Because of the
bendable memory, it flexes back and returns to the predetermined
shape upon removal from the body cavity.
The hollow shaft of the flexible syringe itself is parallel sided
with at least one hole in it to allow the irrigation solution to
flush the canal when inserted. Preferably, to insure backflowing
of the fluid from the tip area of the syringe needle backwards up
the tooth canal, the at least one hole is a lateral side port, which
lateral port causes the exiting of fluid in a direction transverse
to the longitudinal axis of flexible syringe needle. The shaft may
have at least one fluid diverter, such as a flute or groove to help
direct the debris up and out of the tooth. This flute or groove
may be straight or spiraled. The shaft may also have at least one
hatch marking or inscription to show length from tip towards the
hub interface of the flexible syringe needle with the connector
to the handle, such as the Luer lock.
The shaft of the flexible needle syringe may have at least one
bristle fibre or other attachment to facilitate a scrubbing action.
The shaft may also have at least one hole directed at an angle
and in sequence with others to create a swirling action to help
remove debris.
The flexible syringe needle can be color coded for I.S.O. instrumentation,
such as, for example:
______________________________________ Blue .30 mm tip Red .25
mm tip Yellow .20 mm tip White .15 mm tip Black .40 mm tip etc.
______________________________________
The flexible irrigator syringe needle may be alternatively attached
to a precision microprocessor fluid dispensing device to limit the
pressure of application and the amount of fluid therethrough. This
embodiment may be used in conjunction with a foot or finger valve
dispenser or flat touch pad input and output control panels that
are easily sterilized and sanitized. The flexible irrigator syringe
needle are disposable and may be sized smaller to provide easier
movement.
Heat controls to regulate temperature and activate chemicals, such
as, for example, chelating agents, are also used.
Pressure controls may be optionally added, since if fluid is applied
through the flexible syringe needle under too much pressure, fluid
may be expressed out through the apex of the tooth canal and into
the surrounding tissues, if there is too much fluid flow power from
the instrumentation, and the apex is open. Increasing the pressure
may also be necessary to allow adequate flow in smaller diameter
needles. If the user extends a needle beyond the apex of the tooth
canal without knowing of this, damage to the soft and hard tissues
below the apex may occur.
While the present invention is designed to be used for intra-canal
irrigation of the interior of a tooth canal, it may also be used
to introduce fluids or medicine into body cavities, such as a vascular
blood vessel or vessels during vascular surgery, or into foramina
holes in bones during bone surgery, or to negotiate within body
cavities around rigid surfaces of bones or artificial steel plates
during orthopedic surgery.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The present invention can best be described in conjunction with
the accompanying drawings in which:
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a syringe with a flexible needle
thereon;
FIG. 2 is a closeup detail view of the flexible needle as in FIG.
1 with optional lateral side ports and measurement markings thereon,
shown within a tooth canal;
FIG. 3 is a closeup detail view of a curvilinear orientation of
a flexible needle;
FIG. 4 is a closeup detail view of another embodiment for a flexible
needle with longitudinally extending ports;
FIG. 5 is a closeup detail view of another embodiment for a flexible
needle with micropores;
FIG. 6 is a closeup detail view of another embodiment for a flexible
needle with a low directing channel;
FIG. 7 is a closeup detail view of another embodiment for a flexible
needle with an axial discharge port;
FIG. 8 is a closeup detail view of another embodiment for a flexible
needle with a back flow enhancer and,
FIG. 9 is a flow chart for a flexible needle and syringe connected
to an electronic pump, wherein fluid flow pressure and temperature
are electronically controlled.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
As shown in FIG. 1 the present invention is an endodontic syringe
1 with flexible needle for irrigating and delivering medication
to intra-tooth canals during endodontic root canal treatment, including
flexible hollow needle 10 extending between a proximal connection
end 12 and a distal fluid discharge end 14. Flexible syringe needle
10 has plunger means 16 for introducing irrigating or medicating
fluid through conduct 18 into hollow needle 10. Plunger means 16
is removably connected to proximal connection end 12 of flexible
needle 10.
Alternatively, a disposable flexible syringe needle may have the
needle and plunger means integrally connected, so that the entire
syringe is disposable after use.
As shown in FIG. 2 in another embodiment, endodontic syringe 1a
needle for irrigating and delivering medication to intra-tooth canal
C includes a flexible hollow needle 10a extending between a proximal
connection end 12a and a distal end 14a having a sealed tip 15.
Flexible syringe needle also has plunger means (not shown) for introducing
irrigating or medicating fluid into said hollow needle 10a wherein
the plunger means is removably connected to proximal connection
end 12a of flexible needle 10a.
Flexible syringe needle boa may have a substantially straight-line
shape as in FIG. 2 or a curvilinear shape as with flexible needle
10b of syringe 1b of FIG. 3. Furthermore, if flexible needle 10a
is straight, it bends while encountering a curved tooth canal within
a tooth, such as a canal.
Flexible syringe needles 10a, 10b preferably have at least one
laterally placed fluid dispensing port, such as a plurality of ports
17a or 17b at a predetermined distance from sealed tip 15a or 15b
for laterally dispensing fluid, such as in the direction of arrows
"A" of "AA" shown. Dispensing ports 17a or 17b
are disposed substantially at sealed tips 15a or 15b.
As shown in FIG. 4 flexible syringe needle 10c of syringe 1c may
have dispensing ports as lateral side ports dispensing fluid substantially
transverse to a longitudinal axis of flexible syringe needle 10c,
or a plurality of longitudinally extending, spaced apart lateral
side ports 17c wherein the plurality of lateral side ports 17c extend
between the fluid discharge end 15c and connecting end 12c.
The plurality of lateral side ports 17c may extend in a longitudinally
spaced apart relationship between end 15c and connecting end 12c.
As also shown in FIG. 3 if flexible syringe needle 10b is curved,
dispensing ports 17b may be disposed substantially in the curved
portion of flexible needle 10b In addition the tip 15b of flexible
syringe needle 10b may have a sealed tip which is tapered.
As shown in FIG. 5 flexible syringe needle 10d of syringe 1d may
have at least one dispensing port such as a plurality of micropores
17d between tip end 15d and connecting end 12d of needle 10d.
As also shown in FIG. 2 flexible syringe needle 10a may have at
least one measuring marking 19a on an exterior surface thereof to
visually verify a working length thereof. The at least one measuring
marking 19a on an exterior surface thereof comprises a plurality
of measuring marking 19a thereon.
As shown in FIG. 6 syringe 1e may have flexible needle 10e with
a back flow means 21e for directing fluid discharged therefrom in
a direction from an inner apical end of said tooth canal towards
an outer coronal end, in the direction of arrows D shown, such as
a lengthwise extending groove 21e within an outer surface of flexible
syringe needle 10e.
Lengthwise extending groove 21e within an outer surface of flexible
syringe needle 10f may be a straight channel, as shown in FIG. 7
with an axially positional discharge end 15f, or may be a curvilinear
channel such as a spiral (not shown). Alternatively, as shown in
FIG. 8 back flow means 21g of needle 10g of syringe 1g may be a
concave barrier 21g at the bottom 15g of needle 10g, to direct fluid
flow backwards.
For sophisticated use, as shown in FIG. 9 the flexible syringe
needle 1h may have electronic measuring probe 100 attached thereto
for sensing physical conditions for measurement or fluid flow control.
Also in FIG. 9 flexible syringe needle 10h is connectable to a
remote pump 200 for directing fluid at a controlled rate to the
tooth canal through conduit 300 which connects pump 200 to flexible
syringe needle 1h.
Pump 200 is preferably typically those used in intravenous pumps,
wherein the solution being pumped is isolated from any metal pumping
and transporting parts, to prevent corrosion of the solution, especially
if the solution includes chelating agents susceptible to deterioration
upon exposure to metal.
The pump has a temperature control that can heat a solution containing
chelating agents to increase their effectiveness. The pump also
has a pressure control to increase pressure to allow flow through
smaller gauge needles and for safely avoiding excess pressure.
Flexible syringe needle 1h may have temperature control means 400
communicating with temperature sensor 450 for controlling the temperature
of the fluid discharged from flexible needle 10h.
Flexible syringe needle 10h may also have a pressure control means
500 communicating with pressure sensor 550 for controlling the flow
pressure of the fluid discharged from flexible needle 10h.
Remote pump 200 for directing fluid at a controlled rate to the
tooth canal may also communicate with a pulse activating means 600
such as a fluid pulse generator to deliver fluid under intermittent
pulses for discharging lodged debris from within the tooth canal.
Pump 200 may have an auxiliary ultrasonic vibratory means for removing
debris from within the tooth canal.
Furthermore, flexible syringe needle 10h may have a feedback safety
shutoff means 700 for shutting off the flow of fluid from flexible
needle 10h if at least one predetermined threshold condition is
met, such as a predetermined fluid flow pressure or temperature.
optionally, the flexible syringe needle 10h may be a plurality of
user selectable needles (not shown) having a range of aperture sizes
for user determination of fluid dispensing flow rate according to
user selected fluid dispensing aperture size.
To be flexible, flexible needle 10h is made of plastics, such as
polyethylene or polypropylene. Needle 10h may also be a silicone,
or a flexible metal, such as nitinol.
In another embodiment a flexible syringe needle may be a collapsible
fluid-inflatable elongated dispensing container (not shown) made
of a pharmaceutically suitable material, wherein the flexible needle
assumes its shape when filled with fluid from a means for introducing
irrigating or medicating fluid into the hollow needle.
In yet another embodiment, a flexible syringe needle may include
a chain-like plurality (not shown)of articulated rigid segments
having a fluid delivery tube running longitudinally there through,
wherein the segments and tube are comprised of a pharmaceutically
suitable material.
As shown in FIG. 7 the flexible syringe needle may further include
at least one bristle fiber 23 or a plurality of fibers 23 extending
transverse from said needle for cleaning debris within the tooth
canal. This feature is not limited to the embodiment shown in FIG.
7 and can be added to any of the embodiment showing FIGS. 1-9.
It is finally noted that other modifications may be made to the
present invention, without departing from the scope of the invention,
as noted in the appended claims. |