Abstract:
A device adapted to facilitate retention and release of a dental laminate includes an elongated main body having a channel extending through it, a resilient element connected to a first end of the main body for contact with the dental laminate, a connector disposed at a second end of the main body adapted to communicate the channel with vacuum suction, and a particularly configured valve body. The valve body includes a passage defined therein that is selectively rotatable between increased and decreased alignments with the main body channel to permit variable fluid flow through the channel as well as to essentially cut off fluid flow through the channel when desired. A bearing assembly is also disposed between an extension of the connector and a proximal portion of the elongated main body, thereby permitting essentially stress-free rotational movement between the connector and the main body.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0002]    One treatment modality in dentistry involves placement of custom-made porcelain laminates onto tooth enamel for permanent bonding to teeth with resin cement. Such laminates are fabricated to replicate idealized tooth contours, and color designed to correct deficiencies in the appearance, shape, color, or angulation of existing teeth. 
         [0003]    2. Description of Related Art 
         [0004]    U.S. Pat. No. 4,822,278 to Oliva et al. discloses a dental instrument used for dental veneer placement and fixation having a valve port on a hand piece. The Oliva et al. instrument is vacuum operated, with the valve port being opened or closed using a fingertip or a movable valve member to provide controlled pick-up and release of a veneer. 
         [0005]    U.S. Pat. No. 5,118,153 to Allison et al. relates to a vacuum operated pick including a handle and a bellows. Upon contact with a component to be picked up, vents defined in the handle are covered by a user&#39;s finger, thereby creating a vacuum within the bellows to draw the component into a protective shield. 
         [0006]    U.S. Patent Application Publication 2003/0224321 A1 concerns a dental appliance usable to position dental veneers by way of grippers of various types. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0007]    It is one object of the invention to provide an improved aspirator utilizing standard vacuum suction lines forming normal components of a dental unit in a typical dental operatory. A more specific object is to provide a comfortable, hand held pen-like object connected to standard suction tubing lines in order to delicately hold a fragile porcelain veneer, by suction, and transfer the veneer safely and without stress to the tooth of a patient for cementation. 
         [0008]    According to one feature of the invention, upon delivery of a veneer to the tooth, suction is cut off in order to disengage the veneer from the aspirator by way of a minor movement of the operator&#39;s index finger. A primary purpose in providing this feature is to eliminate typical operator stress relating to the security and delicacy of the porcelain and suction cup attachment. 
         [0009]    One device according to the invention includes an elongated main body having a channel extending through it, a resilient element connected to a first end of the main body for contact with a dental laminate, a connector disposed at a second end of the main body adapted to communicate the channel with vacuum suction, and a particularly configured valve body. The valve body, in this configuration, includes a passage defined therein that is selectively rotatable between increased and decreased alignments with the main body channel to permit variable fluid flow through the channel as well as to essentially cut off fluid flow through the channel when desired. 
         [0010]    Pin and recess structure can be provided between the main and valve bodies to limit valve body rotational movement. The valve body preferably has a disc disposed thereon permitting variations in fluid flow through the channel to be simply governed by movement of a user&#39;s finger, and, optimally, is manually insertable into and removable from a bore in the main body that intersects the channel. Markings can be included on the disc, the main body, or both the disc and the main body to provides a visual indication of a valve body on/off status. 
         [0011]    Certain features of the invention also relate to a bearing assembly disposed between an extension of the connector and a proximal portion of the elongated main body permitting essentially stress-free rotational movement between the connector and the main body. The bearing assembly can be at least partially defined by an approximately cylindrical extension of the connector, and can also include a ring secured to the main body and surrounding the extension. 
         [0012]    Other aspects of the invention relate to a process of handling a dental laminate in which the dental laminate is contacted with the resilient element while applying a negative pressure in the main body channel, and the valve body is rotated to variably align the passage defined in the valve body with the channel to adjust the negative pressure. 
         [0013]    By way of features such as those referred to, the ability to essentially simultaneously place multiple laminates is enhanced. Conventionally, during cementation, a dental assistant had to load the laminate with cement and hand the veneer to the doctor with standard cotton pliers. Such a process typically involved difficulties relating to grasping the pliers with the correct amount of force; if too much force was used, the veneer could fracture, while if too little force was used, the veneer could drop. Transferring a veneer successfully to a doctor&#39;s grasp several times over was often accompanied by stress, peril, and uncertainty. This invention eliminates concerns about successful and safe transfer of veneers from the assistant to the doctor and ultimately to the tooth. 
         [0014]    One particularly advantageous feature of the invention relates to a ball bearing 360° swivel that essentially eliminates torsional resistive forces that would otherwise be transferred from the suction tubing to the operator&#39;s hand, thereby hampering tactility during the delicate veneer placement procedure. 
         [0015]    The veneer can be safely held when conditioning the porcelain surface for bonding. Laminates can be efficiently transferred to a patient&#39;s teeth for initial fittings and then quickly and efficiently removed from the tooth to initiate the bonding process. 
         [0016]    The bellowed suction cup used to hold the veneer is also advantageous; this bellowed cup may be formed of soft silicone. A soft silicone cup tends to resist minor dislodging forces, such as accidental impacts or forces imposed by a stream of forced air from a dental air syringe used to dry and thin resinous materials placed on the veneer for bonding purposes, by deflection and bending of the suction cup, and helps to avoid dislodgement of the veneer resulting from a rigid suction cup attachment. A bellowed suction cup is ideal for additionally serving to apply a cushioned and even force against the veneer for gentle seating onto the tooth. 
         [0017]    An aspirator according to the invention can advantageously be formed primarily of tubular shaped, anodized aluminum, incorporating a one-piece rotary valve featuring a finger operated disc for operation of the cut-off function. All components are designed for repeated steam autoclaving for long service life, although suction cups used in conjunction with the aspirator are designed to be discarded and replaced after each use. 
         [0018]    Certain features of the invention are new and provide new results. These features include the design and construction of the invention, which maximize available suction by maximizing diameters within the device at all points, ergonomic design, a ball bearing 360° swivel for true stress free rotation, a bellowed suction cup design, and a finger operated rotary disc valve providing low profile, aseptic control for both left and right handed users. A direction arrow gives the operator visual indication of the on/off status of the valve. 
         [0019]    A process of handling a dental laminate is also described. 
         [0020]    Other objects, features, and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the present description, the claims, and the drawing figures. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0021]      FIG. 1  is an exploded view showing various components of one embodiment of an aspirator according to the invention. 
           [0022]      FIG. 2  is a side view of an elongated main body forming one component of the aspirator shown in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0023]      FIG. 3  is a top view of the body illustrated in  FIG. 2 . 
           [0024]      FIG. 4  is a sectional view of the body as seen along line IV-IV of  FIG. 3 . 
           [0025]      FIG. 5  is a sectional view of the body as seen along line V-V of  FIG. 2 . 
           [0026]      FIG. 6  is a side view of a valve body receivable in a bore provided in the main body. 
           [0027]      FIG. 7  is a sectional view of the valve body as seen along line VII-VII of  FIG. 6 . 
           [0028]      FIG. 8  is a sectional view of the valve body as seen along line VIII-VIII of  FIG. 6 . 
           [0029]      FIG. 9  is a view of a connector used to secure the aspirator of the invention to a vacuum suction line. 
           [0030]      FIG. 10  is a sectional view of a nozzle or nose adapted to receive a disposable resilient tip designed to contact a dental veneer. 
           [0031]      FIG. 11  is a top view of an aspirator according to the invention after assembly. 
           [0032]      FIG. 12  is a sectional view of the assembled aspirator as seen along line XII-XII of  FIG. 11 . 
           [0033]      FIG. 13  is a sectional view of a commercially available elastomeric element appropriate for use as the resilient tip used to contact the dental veneer. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0034]    The manner in which various components of an aspirator  20  according to this invention cooperate is illustrated in the exploded view provided by  FIG. 1 . The aspirator  20  shown includes an elongated main body  22 , a proximal end connector  24 , a nose or nozzle  26 , a pin  28 , a valve body  30  having an actuation disc  31 , and an outer bearing ring  32 . The function and operation of each of these components is described below. 
         [0035]    One ergonomically configured outer contour of the elongated main body  22  is shown in the side view of  FIG. 2 . The body  22  can be machined or cast to include a front or distal diametrical expansion  34  and a rear or proximal diametrical expansion  36  which facilitate gripping of the body  22  by a user. In one preferred embodiment of the invention, the body  22  is composed of 6061 aluminum. When used, the body  22  is preferably gripped like a toothbrush, for example, so that a user&#39;s index finger conveniently engages both the actuation disc  31  and the front expansion  34 . Rotational movement can easily be imparted to the actuation disc  31  by movement of the tip of the user&#39;s index finger along or with respect to the outer surface of the front expansion  34  while pressing against the outer edge of the actuation disc  31 . Of course, if the user prefers, the body  22  could alternatively be gripped in the manner of a pen or pencil, with the front expansion  34  contacted by a user&#39;s thumb, index finger, and middle finger, and the rear expansion  36  contacted by the outer part of the user&#39;s hand located between the index finger and thumb. A portion of the body  22  is absent or is removed from the front expansion so that, viewed from the side, a notch, kerf, or similar structure  38 , described below, remains or is produced at what will be referred to as the “top” side of the body. The structure  38  will be referred to as a notch in the following description for simplicity. 
         [0036]    The view of the top side of the body  22  provided by  FIG. 3  shows the configuration of the notch  38 , which includes a flat top surface  40 . The surface  40  extends circumferentially around the opening of a stepped or grooved valve receiving bore  42 , configured and dimensioned to receive the valve body  30  in a manner to be described. A portion of the flat top surface  40  is provided with a circumferentially extending recess  44 , defining an arc which may be 30°-45°, for example, but which could be of any desired but appropriate radial extent. The recess extends into the body  22  in a direction substantially parallel to the center axis of the bore  42 . 
         [0037]    The sectional view of the body  22  provided by  FIG. 4  shows the stepped or grooved bore configuration. The bore  42  has larger diameter recesses or grooves  46 , designed to receive o-ring seals mounted on the valve body  30 , separating smaller diameter sections  48  that fit closely, with a small clearance, around a stem or shaft of the valve body  30 .  FIG. 4  also shows the manner in which the recess  44  extends from the top surface  40  into and terminates within the body  22 . 
         [0038]    A longitudinally extending fluid transmission orifice, bore, or channel  50 , referred to below as a channel for simplicity, is formed in the body  22  and intersects the valve receiving bore  42  as shown in  FIG. 4 . The channel  50  may have a stepped or grooved configuration, and, as illustrated, includes a first, distal section  52  dimensioned to receive the nose or nozzle  26 , a second, proximal section  54  dimensioned to receive components of a ball bearing or similar structure to be described, and a third, intermediate section  56  interconnecting the distal and proximal bore sections  52  and  54 . A position of intersection between the distal section  52  of the channel  50  and the bore  42  according to one embodiment of the invention is evident from  FIG. 5 . The recesses or grooves  46  in the valve receiving bore  42  are also indicated in  FIG. 5 . 
         [0039]      FIG. 6  is a side view of the valve body  30  that is to be received for limited rotation within the bore  42  of the elongated main aspirator body  22 . The valve body  30  includes a cylindrical stem  60  having recesses or grooves  62  machined or formed therein that align with the recesses or grooves  46  provided in the valve receiving bore  42 . Elastic O-rings or other seals  65 , shown in  FIG. 11 , are to be received in the aligned recesses or grooves  46  and  62 .  FIG. 6  also shows the actuation disc  31  located at the top end of the valve body  30 . 
         [0040]    A passage  64  extends through an appropriate portion of the stem  60 . When the valve body  30  is mounted in the valve receiving bore  42 , the passage  64  can be selectively aligned, partially or completely, with the channel  50  to permit variable fluid flow through the channel  50 . The passage  64  can also be rotated out of alignment with the channel  50  to essentially cut off fluid flow through the channel  50 . 
         [0041]    The sectional views provided by  FIGS. 7 and 8  show the manner in which the passage  64  extends diametrically through the stem  60  of the valve body.  FIG. 8  also illustrates a cylindrical or other appropriate bore  66 , defined in an underside  68  of the actuation disc  31 , that is adapted to receive the pin  28 . As shown in  FIG. 8 , the bore  66  is offset to one side of the passage  64 . The cross sectional shape and exact dimensions of the bore  66  depend, of course, on the cross sectional shape and dimensions of the pin  28 , which may be secured within the recess  66  by press fitting or in any other appropriate manner. 
         [0042]    To secure the valve body  30  to the main body  22 , the pin  28  attached to the actuation disc  31  is aligned with the recess  44 . The stem  60  of the valve body  30 , with O-rings  65  mounted in the recesses or grooves  62 , is then pushed or otherwise inserted into the bore  42 . Insertion continues until the O-rings  65  snap into the recesses or grooves  46  and the underside  68  of the actuation disc  31  abuts against the flat surface  40 . After the stem  60  of the valve body is properly positioned within the bore  42  in this way, the pin  28  will abut against ends of the recess  44  provided in the flat surface  40  of the notch  38  to limit rotational movement of the actuation disc to the particular arc delimited by the recess  44 . The particular configuration of the valve  30  and the actuation disc  31  cooperate to produce a finger operated rotary disc valve having a low profile that permits aseptic control for both left and right handed users. Removal of the stem  60  from the bore  42  can be performed by contacting the underside  68  of the disc, for example with fingernails, and popping the stem  60  out of the bore. 
         [0043]    The proximal end connector  24  illustrated in  FIG. 9  has a body portion  70 , which is tapered so as to be visually appealing. A cylindrical extension  72  having ridges  74  defined on its outer circumference extends rearward from the body portion. A conventional vacuum suction line, through with fluids from the mouth of a patient are removed, fits over the extension  72 . The vacuum suction line is typically formed of fluid tight, elastomeric material, and frictional retention of the suction line in proper position over the extension  72  is facilitated by the ridges  74 . Another extension  80  is defined at a forward end of the body portion  70 . The extension  80  is roughly cylindrical and constitutes an inner bearing ring cooperating with the outer cylindrical ring  32  and bearing elements (not shown) to provide the aspirator  20  with a pivotal end structure defining a bearing assembly once the aspirator is assembled. Both the valve body  30  and the proximal end connector  24  can be made of the same material as the elongated main body  22 , such as 6061 aluminum. 
         [0044]    The nose  26  shown in  FIG. 10  includes a straight section  82 , adapted to be press fit or otherwise secured within part of the distal section  52  of the channel  50 , and a curved section  84 , adapted to receive a disposable, deformable elastomeric suction cup or tip (not illustrated in  FIG. 10 ) used to contact the dental veneer. In one embodiment of the invention, the nose  26  is composed of 3/16 inch outer diameter  304  stainless steel pipe having a 0.02 inch wall thickness. 
         [0045]      FIGS. 11 and 12  show the aspirator  20  following assembly of its components. Referring initially to the proximal end of the aspirator illustrated in the sectional view provided by  FIG. 12 , after assembly, both the outer bearing ring  32  and the inner bearing ring formed by the extension  80  of the proximal end connector  24  are received within the proximal bore section  54 . The outer bearing ring is press fit or otherwise secured within the bore section  54 , and bearing elements such as balls, cylinders, etc. (not shown) are received in races defined in the ring  32  and the extension  80 . The bearing elements are thus interposed between the inner circumferential surface of the outer bearing race  32  and the outer circumferential surface of the extension  80 , and permit a 360° swivel for true stress free rotation. The nose  26  is received as shown in the distal channel section  52 , and the valve body  30  is mounted in the bore  42  with the O-rings  65  located in the aligned recesses or grooves  46  and  62 . 
         [0046]    As shown in the view of the top of the aspirator provided by  FIG. 11 , the top of the actuation disc  31  may be inscribed or otherwise provided with a direction-indicating line or arrow  90 . This line or arrow can be aligned with a corresponding marking or corresponding markings  92  on the barrel formed by the main body  22  to give an operator a visual indication of the on/off status of the valve. 
         [0047]    In one preferred way of using the aspirator, with the line or arrow  90  at 12 o&#39;clock, a veneer for the upper jaw of a patient is placed on the suction cup so that the gingival aspect of the veneer points at 9 o&#39;clock for right-handed users and 3 o&#39;clock for left handed users. For the lower jaw, 3 o&#39;clock is appropriate for right-handed users, while 9 o&#39;clock is appropriate for left-handed users. 
         [0048]      FIG. 13  is a sectional view of a bellowed suction cup  100  that may be used to hold the dental veneer. The suction cup  100  has a base portion, with a cylindrical inner bore  102  adapted to be received over the end of the curved section  84  of the nose  26 , and a bellowed section extending from the base portion. The suction cup  100  is commercially available, may be formed of soft silicone, and resists minor dislodging forces produced by accidental impacts or a stream of forced air from a dental air syringe used to dry and thin resinous materials placed on the veneer for bonding purposes, since such forces result in deflection and bending of the suction cup rather than the dislodgement of the veneer that would likely result from a rigid suction cup attachment. The bellowed suction cup referred to is ideal for applying a cushioned and even force against the veneer for gentle seating onto the tooth. 
         [0049]    The foregoing disclosure has been set forth merely to illustrate the invention and is not intended to be limiting. Since modifications to the disclosed embodiments incorporating the spirit and substance of the invention may occur to persons of ordinary skill in the art, the invention should be construed to include everything within the scope of the appended claims and equivalents thereof.