Patent ID: 8328552
Filing Date: 2012-12-11
Classification: A61C

Abstract:
1. A tool for activating intracanal irrigants during an endodontic procedure, the tool comprising: a coupler having an upper surface and a lower surface; said coupler defining an upwardly opening cavity which extends into said coupler from said upper surface; said cavity being sized, shaped and configured to removably and snappingly engage a driven member of a sonic driver to which the tool is connected when in use; a shield comprised of a surface the entirety of which extends upwardly and outwardly from said upper surface of said coupler; said shield having a bottom defining a junction with said coupler and a top; said bottom of said shield surrounding said upwardly opening cavity; said top of said shield defining a distal end of said tool; and a flexible activator extending distally from the lower surface of the coupler; the activator comprising an elongate activating portion having an elongate side wall; said activator portion having a length such that the activator portion can extend to an end of a prepared canal of a tooth and a diameter sufficiently smaller than the diameter of the prepared root canal such that a most distal tip of the activation portion can vibrate in solution in the root canal when activated; the activating portion being made from a flexible, non-cutting material having a hardness less than the hardness of a root canal wall such that the will not damage the walls of the canal during use of the tool; the activator a being shaped to transmit sonic vibrations to said activating portion of the activator when sonically vibrated; said activating portion being shaped, such that when it is sonically vibrated it will agitate fluid in a fluid-filled root canal of a tooth to enhance deep lateral cleaning of the root canal system of the tooth.