Combined amalgam carrier and dental handpiece

A dental handpiece comprising a power source, plugger means, and a disposable cartridge assembly removably engagable with the power source, said plugger means being carried by the power source and selectively movable with respect to the cartridge for passing therethrough in a reciprocal movement, said cartridge including a housing preloaded with selected quantities of mercury and silver, or the like, in separate sealed compartments, and means extending through the housing and engagable with the power source for longitudinal and rotatable movement with respect to the housing, said longitudinal movement causing a combining of the initially separated mercury and silver components, said rotatable movement causing both mixing of the components to produce amalgam for denture fillings and discharging of said amalgam from the housing for engagement thereof by the plugger means, and said plugger means being selectively reciprocal through the cartridge for implanting multiple charges of the amalgam in a tooth cavity, or the like, and packing the charges in the cavity.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
1. Field of the Invention 
This invention relates to improvements in dental equipment, and more 
particularly, but not by way of limitation, to a combined amalgam carrier 
and plugger tool for dental use. 
2. Description of the Prior Art 
The usual method in widespread use today for filling a tooth cavity with 
amalgam, or the like, comprises placing a preselected quantity of silver 
and mercury in a suitable vessel or container for mixing thereof to 
produce the amalgam. A carrier tool is then filled with a charge of the 
amalgam and hand carried to the cavity for depositing the amalgam therein. 
Subsequent to placing a charge of amalgam in the tooth cavity, a second 
hand tool commonly known as a plugger, is utilized for compacting or 
packing the amalgam into the cavity. It is usually necessary to place a 
plurality of amalgam charges in the cavity, with a plugging operation 
subsequent to the placing of each amalgam charge in the cavity. In the 
event the cavity is relatively large, it is frequently necessary to refill 
the carrier tool with an additional supply of amalgam. Thus, the filling 
of a tooth cavity becomes tedious and time consuming in that the mixing of 
the components of the amalgam and cleaning of the mixing equipment is time 
consuming, and the use of two separate instruments for placing the amalgam 
in the cavity and for tamping or packing the amalgam into the cavity is 
cumbersome and inefficient. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
The present invention contemplates an amalgam carrier in combination with a 
powered plugger tool particularly designed and constructed for overcoming 
the above disadvantages. The novel combination comprises a powered 
handpiece for removably receiving a disposable cartridge thereon. The 
cartridge is preloaded with the components of the amalgam in separate 
compartments for precluding any premature combining of the ingredients. 
When the cartridge is secured to the power portion of the tool, the 
ingredients are combined, and mixing means within the cartridge is 
actuated by the power tool for thoroughly mixing with the components of 
the amalgam. Plugger means is carried by the power tool and passes into 
and through a transverse passageway provided in the cartridge for engaging 
a quantity or charge of the amalgam and placing the amalgam in a tooth 
cavity. The plugger may then be utilized for compacting or tamping the 
amalgam within the cavity, and for picking up additional charges into the 
cavity until the cavity is efficiently filled. The entire tooth filling 
operation is quickly and easily effected or accomplished with the use of a 
single tool, and subsequent to the filling of the cavity, the cartridge 
may be discarded.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
Referring to the drawings in detail, reference character 10 generally 
indicates a dental hand tool comprising a power tool portion 12 and a 
cartridge 14 removably engageable therewith. Whereas the power tool 
portion 12 may be of any suitable type, such as that used with an electric 
toothbrush, or the usual dentist's handpiece, as shown herein, the portion 
12 comprises a handle member 16 encasing a suitable power supply (not 
shown) which may be either an electric motor, or a battery powered motor, 
or the like, having a rotatable drive shaft 18. The handle 16 is 
preferably removably secured to a sleeve member 20 of a stub member 22 for 
facilitating access to the power source when necessary to repair the motor 
or recharge the batteries, or the like. 
A central passageway 24 extends longitudinally through the stub member 22 
into communication with the interior of the sleeve member 20 for receiving 
one end of a bushing sleeve 26 therethrough. The bore or passageway 24 is 
enlarged at 28 to provide an annular shoulder for receiving one end of an 
outer housing 32 thereagainst which is concentrically disposed around the 
outer periphery of the bushing 26 and preferably extends longitudinally 
therebeyond as shown in FIG. 1, but not limited thereto. An inwardly 
directed annular shoulder 34 is preferably provided on the inner periphery 
of the outer housing 32 in the proximity of the outer extremity of the 
bushing 26 for receiving the bushing 26 therethrough to support the 
bushing 26 concentrically within the housing 32. The outer extremity of 
the housing 32 is preferably inwardly tapered to provide a reduced opening 
36 for a purpose as will be hereinafter set forth. 
A rotatable shaft 38 extends through the bushing 26 and is provided with an 
enlarged head member 40 at one end thereof disposed within the sleeve 20 
for operable engagement with a suitable drive gear or transmission element 
42 carried by the drive shaft 18 whereby rotation of the drive shaft 18 
will be transmitted to the shaft 38. The opposite end of the shaft 38 is 
provided with a suitable coupling member 44 which may be in the form of an 
enlarged socket for removably receiving the cartridge 14 therein as will 
be hereinafter set forth. The socket or coupling member 44 is preferably 
disposed within the reduced opening 36 and is rotatable simultaneously 
with the shaft 38. Of course, a suitable starter switch (not shown) may be 
provided on the outer periphery of the outer housing 32 with suitable 
electrical connection (not shown) extending through the annular space 
between the bushing 26 and housing 32 and through the stub member 22 in 
any suitable manner for connection with the power source in order that 
actuation of the power source may be controlled by the operator of the 
tool 10 in the usual or well-known manner. Alternately, internal switch 
means (not shown) may be provided which may be actuated during operation 
of the tool 10 as will be hereinafter set forth. In addition, an angularly 
and outwardly extending prod or support member 46 is secured to the 
housing 32 in any suitable manner, preferably in the proximity of the 
outer extremity thereof as shown in the drawings. A plugger member 48 is 
secured to the outer end of the support 46 and extends substantially 
radially outwardly therefrom in a manner and for a purpose as will be 
hereinafter set forth. As clearly seen in FIG. 1, it is preferable that 
the plugger member 48 be of a longitudinally arcuate configuration, but 
not limited thereto. 
The cartridge 14 is preferably disposable, but not limited thereto, and as 
shown herein comprises a first sleeve or housing 50 preferably constructed 
from a suitable plastic material and having one end thereof closed by a 
wall 52 having a port 54 (FIG. 2) provided therein. A transversely 
extending diametrically disposed tubular member 56 having a central 
passageway 58 extending therethrough is secured to the exposed surface of 
the wall 52 or may be integral therewith, as desired, and the passageway 
58 is preferably of a longitudinally arcuate configuration for receiving 
the plugger member 48 therethrough for a purpose and in a manner as will 
be hereinafter set forth. The sleeve or tube member 56 is provided with an 
aperture 60 in the sidewall thereof disposed in substantial alignment with 
the port 54, and it is preferable to provide a removable plug member 62 in 
one end of the passageway 58 for at least temporarily sealing the 
apertures 54 and 60. 
The opposite end of the sleeve or housing 50 is open for receiving one end 
of a second housing 64 therein. The housing 64 is preferably constructed 
from a suitable plastic material and may be secured to the housing 50 in 
any suitable manner, such as by a press fit, cementing, or the like, and 
is provided with a central bore 66 therein open to and in substantial 
alignment with a central bore 68 provided in the housing 50. A rod or 
shaft member 70, preferably constructed from a suitable plastic material, 
extends longitudinally through the bore 66 and terminates substantially at 
the juncture between the housings 64 and 50, as shown in FIG. 2. From an 
inspection of FIG. 2, it will be apparent that the diameter of the bore 66 
is preferably slightly less than the diameter of the bore 68, and the 
inner diameter of the sleeve 64 is reduced at 72 to provide a bore portion 
having a diameter slightly less than the diameter of the chamber 66 for a 
purpose as will be hereinafter set forth. 
A pair of spaced flanges or discs 74 and 76 are secured to the rod 70 for 
selective engagement with the inner periphery of the housing 64. The disc 
74 is preferably of a smaller diameter than the diameter of the disc 76, 
whereby the disc 74 may be initially disposed in engagement with the 
periphery of the bore 72, and the disc 76 may be disposed in engagement 
with the bore 66, thus separating the iterior of the sleeves 64 and 80 ito 
separate and sealed compartments 78 and 80, for a purpose as will be 
hereinafter set forth. 
As shown in FIG. 2, the rod 70 terminates substantially at the juncture 
between the sleeves 50 and 64 and is provided with a suitable spiral 
mixer-wiper member 82 which extends longitudinally from the shaft 70 and 
and is provided with a suitable spiral mixer-wiper member 82 which extends 
longitudinally from the shaft 70 and through the sleeve 50. The spiral 
element 82 is preferably constructed from a suitable plastic material and 
is secured to the shaft 70 in any suitable manner for rotation 
simultaneously therewith and wipes the inner periphery of the sleeve 50 
during rotation thereof for a purpose as will be hereinafter set forth. In 
addition, a stub shaft member 83 is suitable secured to the inwardly 
directed surface of the wall 52 offset from the center thereof and extends 
longitudinally into the chamber 80 for receiving the free end of the mixer 
member 82 therearound for facilitating the mixing operation. 
The outer extremity of the shaft 70 extends axially outwardly from the wall 
65, and a circumferential flange 84 is spaced slightly from the outer end 
of the rod 70 for engagement with the end of the housing 32 when the rod 
70 is inserted within the socket or coupling member 44. A reduced diameter 
portion is provided around the outer periphery of the rod 70 interposed 
between the flange 84 and the wall 65 to provide flexibility for the rod 
70 exteriorly for the housing 64 for a purpose as will be hereinafter set 
forth. Of course, it is to be understood that whereas the shaft 70 as 
shown herein is of a substantially cross-sectional configuration, the 
shaft may be of substantially any desired cross-sectional configuration, 
and the reduced portion may be of any configuration as required to provide 
a flexing or pivot point in the shaft 70. 
The cartridge 14 is preloaded with selected quantities of silver and 
mercury, or any other suitable ingredients desired for use in producing 
amalgam or other material for filling tooth cavities, or the like. For 
example, the housing 64 may be placed in a mercury bath, and the rod 70 
and discs 74 and 76 inserted therein, whereby mercury is sealed within the 
chamber 78. The desired quantity of silver may then be placed or deposited 
within the housing 50 in any well-known manner, and the filled housing 64 
may be press fitted in the open end of the housing 50 for sealing the 
silver in the chamber 80. Of course, plug 62 seals the ports 64 and 60, 
and in this manner the silver and mercury ingredients or components are 
stored within the cartridge 14 and are efficiently maintained in sealed 
chambers for precluding any accidental premature combining of the two 
components. The filled or preloaded cartridge 14 may be stored until it is 
desired to mix the components therein for use in the filling of a tooth 
cavity, or the like. 
When it is desired to use the apparatus 10 for filling a cavity 88 in a 
tooth 90 (FIGS. 4 and 5), the handpiece 12 may be held in the hand 89 of 
the dentist or operator of the equipment in the usual manner. As 
hereinbefore set forth, the powered handpiece 12 may be the dentist's 
usual powered handpiece, and there is no intention of limiting the 
invention to an independent handpiece as shown herein. The shaft 70 may be 
inserted within the coupling or socket 44 and removably retained therein 
in any well-known manner. The shaft 70 is inserted within the socket 44 
until the flange 84 engages the outer end of the housing 32 as shown in 
FIG. 1. The shaft 70 is thus held against longitudinal movement, and the 
housings 50 and 64 may be manually moved slightly further in a direction 
toward the housing 32 whereby the disc 76 will be displaced from its 
sealed position against the bore 66. The disc 76 will be moved into the 
chamber 80, and the mercury contained within the chamber 78 will be 
admitted into the chamber 80 therearound. The disc 74 will slide along the 
bore 72, but will preferably maintain a sealing engagement thereagainst 
for precluding loss of the mercury from the chamber 78 therearound. In 
addition, the disc 74 will facilitate the discharge of the mercury from 
the chamber 78 and into the chamber 80. 
The power source may then be activated in the usual manner for transmitting 
rotation to the shaft 70 whereby the mixer-wiper element 82 will be 
rotated within the chamber 80 for mixing the sliver and mercury together 
for producing the amalgam for filling the cavity 88. The mixer element 82 
wipes the periphery of the chamber 80 and constantly agitates the mixture 
therein for assuring an efficient mixing of the silver and mercury. 
The tip 92 (FIG. 2) of the tube 56 may then be manually placed against the 
finger of the operator, or the like, and the application of manual 
pressure of the tip 92 against the finger will cause the shaft 70 to flex 
at the point 86 whereby the longitudinal axis of the handpiece 12 will 
become angularly disposed with respect to the longitudinal axis of the 
cartridge 14 as particularly shown in FIG. 5. This action causes the 
plugger member 48 to move into and through the passageway 58. The outer 
end of the plugger member 48 will engage the plug 62, and continued 
application of manual pressure will cause the plugger 48 to move the plug 
62 out of the passageway 58 for opening the ports 54 and 60. The pressure 
may then be released for removing the plugger 48 from the passageway 58. 
The tip 92 may be placed against the edge of the tooth 90 with the 
passageway 58 being disposed in substantial alignment with the cavity as 
shown in FIG. 4. Manual pressure may then be applied against the tooth 90 
whereby the plugger 48 will again enter the passageway 58. Substantially 
simultaneously with the application of the additional pressure against the 
tooth, the power source may again be activated for rotating the shaft 70, 
whereby the mixer member 82 will urge the amalgam within the chamber 80 in 
a direction toward the wall 52, and a portion of the amalgam will be 
forced into the passageway 58. Of course, the timing of the ejection of 
the amalgam into the passageway 58 is preferably such that a charge of 
amalgam is deposited within the passageway 58 just before the plugger 48 
passes therethrough. Thus, the outer end of the plugger 48 will engage the 
amalgam within the passageway 58 and carry the amalgam into the cavity 88. 
The plugger 48 may be reciprocated slightly within the passageway by a 
slight rocking action of the handpiece 12 without a complete withdrawal 
thereof from the passageway, whereby the outer end of the plugger 48 will 
pack or tamp the amalgam within the cavity 88. When it is necessary to 
inject more amalgam into the cavity 88, the plugger 48 may be withdrawn 
from the passageway 58 a sufficient distance for clearing the ports 54 and 
60 in order that an additional charge of amalgam may be ejected into the 
passageway 58, and the procedure may be repeated until the cavity 88 has 
been efficiently filled and packed with amalgam. Of course, the cartridge 
14 may be discarded subsequent to the tooth filling operation and replaced 
with a new cartridge prior to initiating another tooth filling operation 
Referring now to FIGS. 6, 7 and 8, a modified plugger assembly 92 is shown 
which is of a multiple-plugger construction comprising a first support arm 
94 generally similar to the arm 46 and having one end thereof suitably 
secured to the outer end of the housing 32 in the proximity of the tapered 
end portion thereof. The free end of the support arm 94 is provided with a 
substantially radially extending relatively small plugger member 96 of a 
longitudinally arcuated configuration and either integral therewith or 
secured thereto in any suitable manner. A flexible or spring-like 
substantially tubular arm member 98 having a longitudinally extending 
opening or slit 100 is loosely disposed over the outer periphery of the 
support arm 94 oppositely disposed with respect to the cartridge 14, and 
is secured to the housing 32 in the proximity of the support arm 94 as 
shown in FIGS. 6 and 7. A pivot-notch 102 is provided in the spring-arm 
100 preferably in substantial alignment with the flex point or pivot point 
86 of the shaft 70. The outer end of the spring-arm 98 is provided with a 
substantially radially extending tubular plugger member 104 having a 
longitudinally arcuate configuration complementary to the configuration of 
the relatively small plugger member 96. In addition, the plugger 104 is 
provided with a longitudinally extending slit or opening 106 (FIG. 8) for 
transversely receiving the plugger 96 therethrough upon assembly of the 
plugger 96 with the plugger 104. The internal diameter of the plugger 104 
is preferably substantially the same size as the outer diameter of the 
plugger 96 whereby the pluggers 96 and 104 may be used complementary to 
one another to provide a relatively large plugger member, but is of a size 
to provide sufficient clearance between the pluggers 96 and 104 whereby 
the plugger 96 may be extended beyond the plugger 104 for independent use 
of the relatively small plugger 96. 
For example, most tooth cavities, such as the cavity 88a shown in FIGS. 6 
and 7, comprise cavity portions 88b of relatively small size and in open 
communication with cavity portions 88c of relatively large size. In the 
filling of these cavities, it is usually necessary to use a relatively 
small plugger for packing the amalgam into the cavity 88b, and a 
relatively large plugger for packing the amalgam in the cavity 88c. In any 
event, it is usually necessary to utilize a relatively large plugger 
member for completing the packing of a tooth filling, even in the event 
the entire cavity area is sufficiently small for use of only a small 
plugger. 
The use of the plugger assembly 92 is substantially identical to the use of 
the plugger 46-48 as hereinbefore set forth. However, the advantage of the 
multiple-plugger assembly 92 is that multi-sized pluggers may be provided 
in a single dental hand tool. When the relatively small plugger 96 is to 
be used, the plugger 104 will be engaged by the sides of the larger cavity 
portion 88c as shown in FIG. 7, and continued pressure of the cartridge 14 
against the tooth 70 will cause the plugger 96 to move longitudinally with 
respect to the plugger 104 for extension of the plugger 96 axially 
outwardly therefrom for insertion into the smaller cavity portion 88b. 
This assures that the amalgam will be deposited in the cavity portion 88b 
and efficiently packed therein. When the relatively large plugger 104 is 
needed, the pressure of the cartridge 14 against the tooth 90 may be 
lessened whereby the plugger 96 and plugger 104 function together, as 
shown in FIG. 6 for assuring an efficient placement and packing of the 
amalgam in the larger cavity portion 88c. 
Whereas only two size pluggers are shown in the plugger assembly 92 as 
shown herein, it will be apparent that substantially any desired number of 
plugger members may be similarly arrange for cooperation to provide 
substantially any desired plugger sizes for efficiently filling a tooth 
cavity with amalgam, or the like. 
From the foregoing, it will be apparent that the present invention provides 
a novel dental handpiece comprising a power portion for removably 
receiving a preloaded cartridge member therein, said cartridge member 
being provided with the proper ingredients or components for producing 
amalgam, or the like, for filling a tooth cavity. When the cartridge is 
properly assembled with the power portion, the components of the amalgam 
contained therein are combined and mixed for producing amalgam, and 
charges of the amalgam are ejected from the mixing chamber. Plugger means 
is carried by the power portion and is particularly constructed for 
reciprocal movement through the cartridge assembly for moving a charge of 
amalgam from the cartridge into the tooth cavity and for tamping or 
packing the amalgam therein. A multiple number of charges of amalgam may 
be deposited in the tooth cavity and individually packed therein, as 
required for the efficient filling of the tooth cavity. Subsequent to the 
filling of the cavity, the cartridge may be discarded, and a new cartridge 
may be utilized for performing a second or succeeding tooth filling 
operation. The novel dental handpiece is simple and efficient in operation 
and economical and durable in construction. 
Whereas the present invention has been described in particular relation to 
the drawings attached hereto, it should be understood that other and 
further modifications, apart from those shown or suggested herein may be 
made within the spirit and scope of this invention.