Local anesthetic applicator

An applicator to deliver and hold anesthetic to the gums of a teething infant. In a first embodiment, an open ended trough having a sponge lining has a handle, so that medicament may be applied to the sponge lining and then held against the gum. In a second embodiment, a tube and syringe are provided in place of the handle, and the trough has a passage where the tube attaches, so that medicament within the syringe may be measurably delivered and held to the gum. Handle and tube may be flexible, or if not flexible, attached to the trough by a joint. Orientation of the handle is preferably within 44 and 96 degrees from a normal to the trough.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
1. Technical Field 
This invention relates generally to applicators of oral anesthetic and 
specifically to the local application and holding of anesthetic to the 
gums of a teething infant. 
2. Background Art 
The miseries of a teething infant and those in its vicinity are universally 
known. 
The effectiveness of simply rubbing or otherwise distributing anesthetic on 
the gums is offset by the fact that it quickly dissipates into the rest of 
the mouth. It is also possible to deliver too much anesthetic. For 
example, too much 2% xylocaine gel (a common prescription anesthetic) will 
cause seizures. 
It is desirable to have a device locally deliver anesthetic to an infant's 
gums, and to hold it there, preventing dissipation into the rest of the 
mouth. It is also desirable in the same device to be able to accurately 
deliver a specific amount of said anesthetic. 
Dentifrice and medicament applicators are known, but an applicator which 
satisfies these desires is not found. 
U.S. Pat. No. 4,628,564, issued Dec. 16, 1986 to Youssef, herein 
incorporated by reference, shows a toothbrush with a liquid-storing sponge 
for improved tooth cleaning. 
U.S. Pat. No. 4,620,528, issued Nov. 4, 1986 to Arraval, herein 
incorporated by reference, teaches a toothbrush which fits on a fingertip 
and has a bulb reservoir so that fluid can be squeezed into the toothbrush 
as it is being used. 
U.S. Pat. No 4,472,141, issued Sep. 18, 1984 to Dragan, herein incorporated 
by reference, shows an all purpose gun-like dental syringe which can be 
used to administer anesthesia. 
U.S. Pat. No. 4,194,290, issued Mar. 25, 1980 to Vallhourst, herein 
incorporated by reference, teaches a disposable tooth cleaning implement 
for flossing, picking, and cleaning with a foam pad or brush. 
U.S. Pat. No. 3,267,512, issued Aug. 23, 1966 to Wiley, herein incorporated 
by reference, teaches an improved disposable folded sponge type toothbrush 
having recesses in the inside faces of the folded sponge to carry 
dentifrice or mouth medicaments. 
U.S. Pat. No. 2,754,590, issued Jul. 17, 1956 to Cohen, herein incorporated 
by reference, teaches a piston and cylinder to apply a preservative 
pain-inhibiting composition to the teeth until the services of a dentist 
can be had. 
U.S. Pat. No. 683,075, issued Sep. 24, 1901 to Schneider, herein 
incorporated by reference, shows a syringe which is attached to a curved 
tube shaped to correspond with the rows of teeth, for distribution of 
mouthwash, disinfecting liquid, or the like, to the teeth. 
DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION 
In a first embodiment, an open ended trough having a sponge lining has a 
handle, so that medicament may be applied to the sponge lining and then 
held against the gum of the teething infant. 
In a second embodiment, a tube and syringe are provided in place of the 
handle, and the trough has a passage where the tube attaches, so that 
medicament within the syringe may be measurably delivered and held to the 
gum. Handle and tube may be flexible, or if not flexible, attached to the 
trough by a joint.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT INVENTION 
As shown in FIG. 1, a first embodiment of the inventive applicator includes 
handle 10, attached to delivery portion 12. Delivery portion 12 is in the 
form of a trough with open ends, able to accommodate an infant's gum 
within it, and has a sponge lining 16. Handle 10 is situated at an angle A 
from reference N normal to delivery portion 12. Handle 10 is flexible 
enough to allow positioning of trough 12 to any portion of the baby's 
gums. 
In use, a measured amount of anesthetic, such as 2% xylocaine gel, is 
dispensed onto sponge lining 16, and is applied to the ailing gum by 
holding handle 10 and mating trough 12 to the gum. 
FIG. 2 shows a second embodiment, where handle 10 is replaced by syringe 18 
and tube 20. In this embodiment, an accurate measurable amount of 
anesthetic is dispensed directly from within syringe 18 through tube 20, 
and into and through sponge lining 16 while trough 12 is held in mating 
relationship with the ailing gum. 
FIG. 3 illustrates how a joint 14 may be incorporated, socket 22 engaging 
ball 24. This makes possible higher rigidity in handle 10 while preserving 
maneuverability within the mouth. 
As shown in FIG. 4, flexible tube 20 may be integrally formed with trough 
12. 
FIG. 5 shows how ball 22 and socket 24 may accommodate tube 20. Trough 12 
has passage 26 to accept delivery into sponge lining 16. The delivery path 
is illustrated by arrow 30. 
FIG. 6 shows tube 20 installed around nipple 28. Trough 12 has passage 26 
to accept delivery into sponge lining 16. 
Tube 20 attaches to syringe 18 by slipping around it, for example, as 
detailed in FIGS. 7-8. Syringe 18 of FIG. 7 has no needle. FIG. 8 shows 
how syringe 18 with needle 32 may be used. This embodiment is handy as a 
conventional hypodermic syringe may be used to withdraw a measured amount 
of anesthetic from a conventional medical bottle having a sealed rubber 
stopper, and then fitted into tube 20 for delivery to the gum. 
Alternatively, tube 20 may have a sealed end, requiring needle 32 to 
pierce it for delivery. 
We wish it to be understood that handle 10 and joint 14 must be rigid 
enough to hold trough 12 against the gum. Tube 20 may be flexible or 
rigid, so long as enough rigidity is preserved for holding trough 12 
against the gum. Angle A may be fixed or variable, but is preferably 
within 44 to 96 degrees. The inventive applicator is preferably made out 
of plastic by well known methods and machinery, but other constructions 
are possible. Trough 12 is preferably around 1.0 cm long and 8 mm wide and 
is substantially semi-circular in cross section, as shown in the drawings. 
Handle 10 is preferably about 4 cm long. 
We also wish it to be understood that this invention may also be used to 
deliver medicament other than an anesthetic to the gums of adults as well 
as children. 
While there is shown and described the present preferred embodiment of the 
invention, it is to be distinctly understood that this invention is not 
limited thereto but may be variously embodied to practice within the scope 
of the following claims.