Patent ID: 8235719
Filing Date: 2012-08-07
Classification: A61C

Abstract:
1. A tool for activating intracanal irrigants during endodontic procedures, the tool comprising: a coupler; said coupler being a snap-on coupler shaped and configured to receive or be received by a portion of a sonic driver to positively connect the tool directly to a vibrated member of the sonic driver, a flexible activator extending distally from the coupler; the activator being shaped such that when said sonic driver is activated, said sonic driver will induce vibrations in at least a portion of the activator; the activator comprising tapered activating portion having an elongate tapered side wall and being sized to extend through prepared root canals of teeth; said activating portion being shaped to induce cavitation and acoustic streaming in a fluid-filled root canal of a tooth when vibrations of a sonic frequency are induced in said activator to enhance deep lateral cleaning of the root canal system of the tooth; the activating portion being made from a flexible, non-cutting material, a flow path, said flow path comprising a lumen which extends through at least a part the activator and an exit opening on a surface of the activator; said exit opening being sized such that fluid exits the activator portion through the exit opening as a mist; the exit opening comprises a plurality of pores, said pores being formed only on the activating portion of the activator; the pores having a diameter substantially smaller than the diameter of the lumen; said flow path including pores at a distal end of the activating portion, wherein the pores at the distal end of the activating portion are smaller than pores above the distal end of the activating portion.