Abstract:
An improved dental elastic handling system is disclosed. The system is directed to the use of one or more assemblies which each include a plurality of elastics interconnected to a runner. The system may comprise an inventive dispenser having a tubular member with a channel therethrough for receiving an elastics runner assembly. The tubular member may include a slot extending from one end to a mid-portion. A cutting edge may be provided at the distal end of the slot. Upon positioning an elastics/runner assembly within the channel of the dispenser, the elastics will extend through the slot a predetermined distance to facilitate grasping by a placement device. By opposing advancement of the dispenser and/or elastics/runner assembly the elastics may selectively contact the cutting edge of the dispenser so as to facilitate disengagement of the elastics. The arrangement provides for enhanced carrying, cutting and installation of dental elastics.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/085,686 filed on May 15, 1998 entitled “SYSTEM FOR HANDLING DENTAL ELASTICS”. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention pertains to the handling of dental elastics, and more particularly, to a system for carrying, dispensing, and installing dental elastics. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Orthodontic ligatures, dental separating rings and synthetic elastics, collectively referred to herein as “dental elastics,” are widely employed to selectively interconnect various orthodontic and dental appliances (e.g., orthodontic brackets, wire, springs and accessories), as may be determined to be appropriate by practitioners on a case-by-case basis. Such elastics are generally toroidally-shaped and fabricated from resilient materials. 
     While early elastics were individually cut from surgical latex tubing, elastics are now generally molded and integrally interconnected to a “stick” carrier, wherein the number of ligatures on a stick is sufficient to fulfill the requirements for a given patient visit. In this regard, the packaging of elastics has been driven by greater awareness of infection control and sterilization requirements, wherein any elastics on a stick that are not utilized in conjunction with a given patient visit may be disposed of at a relatively low waste expense. 
     Typically, the disconnection of elastics from a stick carrier is accomplished by grasping an elastic with a placement tool and pulling the elastic away from the stick. As will be appreciated, such a procedure can stretch and thereby damage the elastics (e.g., due to permanent deformation effects), thereby adversely impacting the intended performance. Further, handling of an elastic via manipulation of a placement tool (i.e., to establish proper grasping of the elastic for installation) can be tedious for dental and orthodontic practitioners. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The primary objective of the present invention is to provide an improved system for carrying, dispensing and/or installing elastics. 
     More particularly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an improved method and device for disconnecting elastics from a carrier. 
     A further object is to provide an improved method and device for facilitating selective grasping of an elastic with a placement instrument so as to facilitate installation of the elastic within a patient&#39;s mouth. 
     Yet another objective of the present invention is to provide for the improved carrying, or packaging, of elastics to provide enhanced ease-of-use by practitioners. 
     One or more of these objectives and additional advantages can be realized by the present invention which is directed to the handling of elastics interconnected to a carrier member or runner. The runner may be sized for hand manipulation by a practitioner and may have a plurality of interconnected via corresponding connectors in an aligned manner along at least one side of the runner. Such elastics will generally have an opening therethrough for selective interconnection with orthodontic componentry (e.g. brackets). 
     In one aspect of the invention, the invention comprises a separate dispenser for receiving an elastics/runner assembly and for engaging one or more of the corresponding connectors to facilitate the selective disengagement of one or more corresponding elastics from the runner. The dispenser may be of a tubular construction with an internal passageway or channel passing therethrough, such channel being sized to matingly and slidably receive at least a portion of the runner therethrough. Further, the dispenser may include a slot that extends from at least one end of the dispenser and through which elastics/connectors that are interconnected to the carrier may project. Preferably such slot is linearly disposed and is of a width that accommodates the passage of elastics and/or connectors therethrough. An end or side portion of the slot may be provided with a cutting edge to facilitate disconnection of the elastics from the runner. The elastics may be shaped so as to define a circular, oval, square, rectangular or other opening shape therethrough. 
     In use, one end of the runner may be inserted into the channel of a slotted end of the dispenser with the interconnected elastics projecting outwardly from the dispenser through the slot thereof. The leading elastic may then be grasped by a placement tool (e.g., held by one hand) and the dispenser may be held (e.g., by the other hand). Either or both of the runner and dispenser may then be opposingly advanced until the leading elastic has engaged the cutting edge of the slot (e.g, at a closed end of the slot) and disengaged from the runner. Preferably, disengagement occurs as a combinative result of a pulling and severing action. 
     In another aspect of the invention, the elastics/runner assembly and dispenser can be correspondingly sized so that only a predetermined portion of each elastic will project through the slot of the dispenser to facilitate ready grasping by a placement instrument and installation in a patient&#39;s mouth by a practitioner. In this regard, the elastic should project through the slot so that at least a portion of the elastic opening is located outside of the dispenser. Preferably, the exposed portion of the elastic opening should not exceed about one-half of the opening, and most preferably the exposed portion should comprise about one-quarter of the opening. Such positioning facilitates easy and effective grasping of the elastic by the placement device and facilitates subsequent installation of the elastic in a patient&#39;s mouth. That is, for example, by limiting the grasping of an elastic to about one-half, or most preferably one-quarter, of its opening, the elastic opening in the ungrasped portion is still accessible for ready placement over or around an orthodontic or dental appliance during installation. 
     In a related aspect of the present invention, the width of the dispenser slot should preferably be less than the width of the nose or beak of the placement tool utilized to grasp, disconnect and install an elastic. Such relative sizing facilitates the above-noted grasping and installation functions by providing a “positive stop” arrangement. 
     In an additional aspect of the present invention, at least a portion of the slot in the dispenser and an interfacing portion of an elastics/runner assembly may be configured to provide for a slight interference therebetween, wherein the elastics/runner assembly will be lightly restrained from independently sliding out of the dispenser channel after insertion thereinto. Of course, such interface should not prevent advancement of the elastics/runner assembly through the channel or removal therefrom when desired. The noted restraining interface may be provided by reducing the slot width at the open end thereof so as to be slightly less than the width of the resilient elastics and/or resilient connectors extending therethrough. Alternatively, an internal surface of the channel of the dispenser and/or a portion of the runner may be sized so as to provide the noted interference. Further, a retaining interference may be obtained from the frictional engagement of the severed connectors inside the dispenser in order to prevent the runner from independently sliding out of the dispenser after all of the dental elastics have been removed from the runner. Numerous additional techniques for achieving the noted retentive effect are also possible. 
     In yet another aspect of the present invention, a plurality of elastics/runner assemblies may be interconnected and packaged as a unit. By way of example, such plurality of assemblies may be interconnected in an H-shaped configuration. Further, the elastics interconnected to at least one of the plurality of assemblies may be differently sized and/or shaped from the elastics interconnected to the other assemblies. In the later regard, the elastics connected to certain assemblies may be toroidal while the elastics connected to one or more other assemblies may be of a round, rectangular or square configuration. Additionally, one or more of the assemblies may be provided with elastics extending along only one side thereof, while one or more of the assemblies may be provided with elastics extending off of two or more sides thereof. Each of the assemblies may be selectively disconnected from the balance at reduced sections adjoining adjacent runners and readily utilized with a dispenser as noted above. 
     In a further aspect of the present invention, the above-noted dispenser may be provided with a separate extension for facilitating handling of the same. In one arrangement, a ring may be interconnected to the dispenser for positioning about the finger of the practitioner. In another arrangement, the extension could merely comprise a tab for grasping between the fingers of a practitioner. 
     In yet another aspect of the present invention, two or more dispensers may be interconnected for separate receipt of two or more runner carrier/elastic assemblies therethrough. Such an arrangement facilitates ready dispensation of the elastics where two or more colors or sizes are provided by separate assemblies. In such an arrangement, a single extension may be utilized for handling of the interconnected dispensers. Such extension may take the form of a simple adjoining flange having a width sufficient to accommodate the thumb and forefinger of a practitioner. Alternatively, a single ring-shaped extension may be interconnected to one or more of the interconnected dispensers for ready positioning on the finger of a practitioner. 
     Numerous additional embodiments of the present invention are possible. For instance, a plurality of dispensers may be interconnected so that a corresponding plurality of different colors of dental elastic/runner assemblies are readily available for installation according to a patient&#39;s color preference. In addition, dispensers may be constructed of a transparent material so that the color of a dental elastic/runner assembly can be readily observed. Alternatively, the dispenser may be of a color to match the color of the elastics dispensed thereby. Moreover, the dispenser of the present invention may include a mounting arrangement so that it can be mounted to the wall or other stationary fixtures, such as an operatory furniture structure. Further, the dispenser may have a tongue and a complementary groove (or dovetail features) formed along the outer surface of the tubular member to permit multiple dispensers to slide together and lock as a single dispensing unit. Furthermore, a display rack may be provided to releasably support a plurality of dispensers, each dispenser containing elastics of a different color. In this way, patients are able to select the colors they want. The dispensers chosen by the patient can be taken from the display rack and engaged to each other via the tongue and groove (or dovetail) features. The connected dispensers may then be clipped onto a ring for finger dispensing. Alternatively, the connected dispensers may be fitted onto a clip rigidly mounted to a operatory equipment to permit one-handed dispensing. 
     Numerous extensions and additional advantages will become apparent upon further consideration of the embodiments which follow. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1A is a perspective view of an elastics/runner assembly comprising one embodiment of the present invention. 
     FIG. 1B is a perspective view of a dispenser comprising one embodiment of the present invention. 
     FIG. 2 is a front cross-sectional view of the elastics/runner assembly of FIG. 1A positioned within the dispenser of FIG.  1 B. 
     FIG. 3A is a partial front view of the nose of a placement device grasping an elastic projecting from a dispenser in one embodiment of the present invention. 
     FIG. 3B is a partial enlarged view of the nose of a placement device grasping a disconnected elastic. 
     FIG. 3C is a plan view of a placement device having an elastic grasped thereby. 
     FIG. 3D is a front view of a disconnected elastic being positioned on an orthodontic bracket via manipulation of the nose of a placement device. 
     FIG. 4A illustrates an H-configuration of a plurality of interconnected elastics/carrier assemblies comprising an embodiment of the present invention. 
     FIG. 4B illustrates two interconnected dispensers having separate elastic/runner carrier assemblies positioned therewithin. 
     FIG. 4C illustrates an alternative configuration for a dental elastic in one embodiment of the present invention. 
     FIG. 5A illustrates two slotted dispensers interconnected by a central flange adapted for finger-held manipulation. 
     FIG. 5B illustrates two interconnected dispensers having a ring-shaped extension interconnected therewith. 
     FIG. 6A illustrates another embodiment of an H-configuration of a plurality of interconnected elastic/runner assemblies. 
     FIG. 6B is a cross-sectional elevational view of the elastic/runner assemblies taken along the line A—A of FIG.  6 A. 
     FIG. 6C is a cross-sectional elevational view of the elastic/runner assemblies taken along the line B—B of FIG. 6A and a top plan view of corresponding dental elastics extending from the runners. 
     FIG. 7 illustrates another embodiment of two dispensers interconnected by a T-shaped flange. 
     FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a slot of a dispenser comprising one embodiment of the present invention. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     FIG. 1A illustrates an elastics/runner assembly  10  that includes an elongated runner  12  and a plurality of ring-shaped elastic members  14  extending from one side of runner  12  in an aligned fashion. Each of the elastics  14  are interconnected by a corresponding connector  16  to the runner  12 . As will be appreciated, the assembly  10  may be integrally molded from any of a plurality of elastomeric materials (e.g., a urethane or other synthetic material). 
     FIG. 1B illustrates a dispenser  20  for use in handling an elastics/runner assembly, such as assembly  10  and disconnecting the elastics  14  from runner  12 . More particularly, the dispenser  20  includes an elongated, tubular member  22  having an opening  24  extending therethrough. Dispenser  20  further includes a slot  26  extending from one end  32  of the tubular member  22 . A cutting edge  28  is provided at the closed end of slot  26 . One or more of the longitudinally extending side edges of slot  26  may also comprise a cutting edge. Dispenser  20  may be fabricated from a metal (e.g., aluminum or stainless steel), or a plastic (e.g., polystyrenes or polycarbonates). Other plastics such as polyesters or polyethersulfones may also be employed to facilitate sterilization for re-use after a given patient visit. Fabrication from a plastic material is particularly apt for disposable implementations. It should be noted that both cold sterilization (e.g. gluteraldehyde) and heat sterilization methods (e.g. including dry heat sterilization) and autoclave sterilization are possible with the dispensers molded from the plastics mentioned above. In one embodiment, the dispenser may be molded from a transparent material so that the color of dental elastic/runner assembly can be readily observed. 
     The cross-sectional configuration and size of the runner  12  can be established in relation to the cross-sectional configuration and size of opening  24  through tubular member  22  such that the runner  12  may be conformly and slidably received within opening  24  at the first end  32  of tubular member  22 . While not shown, the open end  34  of slot  26  may be slightly reduced in width to provide for a slight interference with the resilient elastics  14  and/or connectors  16 , thereby serving to slightly retain assembly  10  in dispenser  20 . Further in this regard, and as best illustrated in FIG. 2, the relative dimensions of the elastics/runner assembly  10  and dispenser  20  can be advantageously established so that the elastics  14  will extend through the slot  26   a  of predetermined amount for ready grasping by a placement device, as will be further described. 
     With further reference to FIG. 2, the cutting edge  28  at the distal end of the slot  26  is shown near engagement with a connector  16   a  of one of the elastics  14   a . As will be appreciated, opposing advancement of either the dispenser  20  or assembly  10  will cause cutting edge  28  to engage connector  16   a . Such engagement together with the noted opposing advancement serve to disconnect elastic  14   a  from the runner  12 . 
     In this regard, and as illustrated in FIG. 3A such advancement may occur while a hand manipulated placement device  30  has engaged the elastic  14   a . In this regard, the nose of the placement device  30  should preferably engage the elastic  14   a  so that the tip of the nose does not extend more than half way across the opening  40   a  through the elastic  14   a  (i.e., the nose should be within the range designated as “k” in FIG.  3 B), and most preferably the nose should be located about one-quarter across opening  40   a . As will be appreciated, the above-noted relative sizing of the elastics/runner assembly  10  and dispenser  20  serves to provide an arrangement whereby the elastics  14  project outward from the slot  26  of the dispenser  20  a predetermined amount so as to facilitate the noted, desired engagement or grasping of elastics  14  by the nose of a placement device  30 . Further in this regard, the width of slot  26  is established so that elastics  14  and connectors  16  will slidably pass therethrough during use, but so that the nose of the placement device  30  will not project therethrough and instead will contact the outer surface of the tubular member  22  to ensure the desired grasping of elastics  14  for installation. 
     Further in this regard, FIG. 3C illustrates an exemplary placement device  30  having an elastic  14   a  grasped thereby in accordance with the present invention. The placement device  30  illustrated in FIG. 3C is of a hemostat-type configuration. As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, a variety of other placement devices may be utilized in conjunction with the present invention. In any case, by accommodating the grasping of an elastic  14  within a predetermined position range “k” on an elastic  14 , a system is provided that facilitates ready placement of the grasped elastic  14  in a patient&#39;s mouth. 
     More particularly, and as shown by way of example in FIG. 3D, the opening  40   a  of an elastic  14   a  may be readily positioned on the gingival tie wings of a bracket  50  positioned on a tooth in the upper arch of a patient&#39;s mouth, wherein the elastic  14   a  may then be elastically pulled over the occlusal tie wings of the bracket  50  to secure an arch wire  52  within the slot of the bracket  50 . Numerous additional applications will be apparent to those skilled in the art. 
     FIG. 4A illustrates an embodiment  100  having a plurality of commonly-configured elastics/runner assemblies  110  interconnected via a cross-member elastics/runner assembly  120 . More particularly, four pairs of elastics/runner assemblies  110  and a single cross-member elastics/runner assembly  120  may be interconnected in an H-shaped configuration, wherein the assemblies  110  are each oriented so that their corresponding interconnected elastics  114  project outwardly from the corresponding runners  112 . Further, the cross-member assembly  120  may be provided with elastics  124 ,  134  extending outward from the carrier  130  on two opposing sides thereof. The elastics  124 ,  134  may be conveniently sized differently for different applications than the elastics  114  extending from the assemblies  110 . By way of example, the elastics  114  of assemblies  110  may have a 3 millimeter inside opening diameter while the elastics  124  and  134  may have an inside opening diameter of 9 millimeters and 6 millimeters, respectively. Further in this regard, the elastics  124  and  134  may be provided in shapes other than a round or toroidal shape as is customary. By way of example, the elastics  124 ,  134  may be generally square or rectangular in shape as per FIG.  4 C. As will be appreciated, the rectangular shape of elastics  124 ,  134  illustrated in FIG. 4C may more closely reflect the configuration to be resiliently assumed upon installation of elastics  124 ,  134 , thereby yielding enhanced performance (e.g., extended wear). In one arrangement elastics  124  may have a 3 mm×9 mm rectangular opening while elastics  134  may have a 3 mm×6 mm rectangular opening. It is also noted that the various assemblies  110 ,  120  may be provided in differing colors (e.g., via a selectively gated molding production process). 
     In one embodiment and as shown in FIG. 6A, the horizontal cross member  620  comprises a pair of elastics/runner assemblies  640  and  660 . Each assembly has elastics projecting from one side of the runner. The runners  680  of the cross member are substantially similar in diameter to each of the four pairs of runners  690  as shown in FIGS. 6B and 6C. 
     More generally, and as will be appreciated, the embodiment  100  may be integrally molded and conveniently packaged as a single unit. In use, each of the assemblies  110  may be readily disconnected at the reduced cross-sectional adjoining regions  140  and then utilized with a dispenser, such as that shown in FIG. 1B in the manner described hereinabove. 
     FIG. 4B illustrates two interconnected dispensers  220   a  and  220   b . By way of example, if dispensers  120   a ,  120   b  are metal, interconnection may be established via brazing or soldering; if the dispensers  120   a ,  120   b  are plastic, interconnection may be via molding. It should be noted that the metal dispensers may also be casted unitarily such as with a cast aluminum version. Each of the dispensers  220   a  and  220   b  are illustrated with separate elastics/runner assemblies  210   a ,  210   b  positioned therewithin. Such an arrangement may be conveniently utilized when two different colors of elastics  214   a ,  214   b  may be desired by a patient (e.g., for purposes of displaying school colors, seasonal/holiday colors, or other personal expressions). That is, the elastics  214   a  on runner  212   a  may be one color while the elastics  214   b  on the runner  212   b  may be another color. The provision of a single interconnected dispenser structure for handling each of the two colors of elastics provides manipulation and other handling advantages to a practitioner. 
     Further in this regard, FIG. 5A illustrates a dual dispenser  300  having two dispensers  320   a  and  320   b  interconnected via a flange member  350 . The flange member  350  may be sized for grasping between the thumb and index finger of a practitioner. The flange member may take any other suitable shape as would be appreciated by those skilled in the art. For example, FIG. 7 illustrates another embodiment of a dual dispenser  700  having two dispensers  720   a  and  720   b  interconnected via a T-shaped flange member  750 . 
     FIG. 5B illustrates another dispenser arrangement  400 . More particularly, a ring-shape extension  460  is interconnected to interconnected dispensers  420   a  and  420   b  and may be readily positioned on a finger of a practitioner during use. Such an arrangement facilitates chair-side procedures by conserving real-estate and by allowing a practitioner to handle other equipment while still conveniently holding the elastics/runner assemblies  610   a ,  610   b  near the patient. That is, the dispenser  400  may be placed on a finger of the left hand of a practitioner while the right hand manipulates a placement tool. Obviously, the ring-shaped extension  460  shown in FIG. 5B may also be utilized with a single dispenser arrangement. 
     In one embodiment and as shown in FIG. 8, the open end  860  of the slot  820  has a funnel configuration to help facilitate loading of the dispenser  800  with the dental elastic/runner assembly. The slot  820  includes two side walls  840  terminating in a tapered opening  880  of a predetermined width. The tapered opening  880  is sized to aid in slidably receiving of the elastic members and corresponding connectors into the slot. 
     Numerous additional embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art and are intended to be within the scope of the present invention.