Patent Publication Number: US-2021186317-A1

Title: Instrument handle with component holder

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     The present disclosure relates to a dental instrument and methods of using the same, and more particularly to a dental mirror handle with additional functionality. 
     SUMMARY 
     The foregoing general summary is intended to provide an overview or framework for understanding the nature and character of the embodiments disclosed herein. This summary is not intended to identify essential inventive concepts of the claimed subject matter or limit the scope of the claimed subject matter. Additional features and advantages of the embodiments disclosed herein will be set forth in the detailed description that follows, and in part will be clear to those skilled in the art from that description or recognized by practicing the embodiments described herein, including the detailed description that follows, the claims, and the appended drawings. 
     In various embodiments, an instrument handle is provided. The instrument handle includes an elongated structure extending between a first end and a second end, the first end extending to a functional head component or is configured to couple to a removable functional head component, and the elongated structure is interrupted by a holding assembly having a through-hole configured to receive a solid object. The holding assembly can have one or more connectors configured to securably retain the solid object therein. 
     In various embodiments, a dental mirror is including the instrument handle is also provided. In some embodiments, the holding assembly comprises one or more connectors configured to securably retain the solid object therein. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       A complete understanding of the present embodiments and the advantages and features thereof will be more readily understood by reference to the following detailed description, appended claims, and accompanying drawings, wherein: 
         FIG. 1  shows a side view of an instrument handle and dental mirror according to embodiments described herein; 
         FIG. 2  shows a top view of the instrument handle and dental mirror of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  shows a partial perspective view of a holding assembly of the instrument handle or  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 4  shows a top view of a holding assembly on the instrument handle of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 5  shows a sectional view of the holding assembly along the A-A line shown in  FIGS. 2 and 4 ; 
         FIG. 6  shows a sectional view of the holding assembly along the B-B line shown in  FIG. 4 ; 
         FIG. 7  illustrates a top environmental view of a holding assembly on the instrument handle of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 8  illustrates a perspective environmental view of a holding assembly on the instrument handle of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 9  shows a side view of an instrument handle and dental mirror according to embodiments described herein; 
         FIG. 10  shows a top view of the instrument handle and dental mirror of  FIG. 9 ; 
         FIG. 11  shows a partial perspective view of a holding assembly of the instrument handle or  FIG. 9 ; 
         FIG. 12  shows a sectional view of the holding assembly along the C-C line shown in  FIG. 10 ; 
         FIG. 13  a top view of an instrument handle and dental mirror according to embodiments described herein; 
         FIG. 14  shows a holding assembly and dental mirror according to some embodiments described herein; 
         FIG. 15A  shows a partial top view of an instrument handle and dental mirror, according to some embodiments disclosed herein; 
         FIG. 15B  shows a top view of an alternative holding assembly for the instrument handle and dental mirror in  FIG. 15A ; 
         FIG. 15C  shows a top view of an alternative holding assembly for the instrument handle and dental mirror in  FIG. 15A ; and 
         FIG. 15D  shows a side view of the holding assembly in  FIG. 15C . 
     
    
    
     The drawings are not necessarily to scale, and certain features and certain views of the drawings may be shown exaggerated in scale or in schematic in the interest of clarity and conciseness. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Reference will now be made in detail to the exemplary embodiment(s), examples of which is/are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Whenever possible, the same reference numerals will be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like parts. 
     Before describing the exemplary embodiments, it is noted the embodiments reside primarily in combinations of components and procedures related to the apparatus. Accordingly, the apparatus components have been represented where appropriate by conventional symbols in the drawings, showing only those specific details that are pertinent to understanding the embodiments of the present disclosure so as not to obscure the disclosure with details that will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of the description herein. 
     The specific details of the various embodiments described herein are used for demonstration purposes only, and no unnecessary limitation or inferences are to be understood therefrom. Furthermore, as used herein, relational terms, such as “first” and “second,” “top” and “bottom,” and the like, may be used solely to distinguish one entity or element from another entity or element without necessarily requiring or implying any physical or logical relationship, or order between such entities or elements. 
     In various embodiments, a multifunctional instrument handle and dental mirror comprising the same is provided.  FIGS. 1-15D  illustrate the various features included with some embodiments described herein. For example,  FIGS. 1, 2, 9, 10, and 13  show an instrument handle  100  in the form of a dental mirror. In some embodiments, the instrument handle  100  (e.g.,  100   a ,  100   b ,  100   c ,  100   d ) comprises an elongated structure extending from a first end  116  to a second end  111 . In various embodiments, the elongated structure is interrupted by a holding assembly  105  (e.g.,  105   a ,  105   b ,  105   c ,  105   d ,  105   e ) having a through-hole configured to receive a solid object. In some embodiments, the elongated structure comprises a first portion  115  extending between the first end  116  and the holding assembly  105 , and a second portion  110  extending between the holding assembly  105  and the second end  111 . 
     The instrument handle  100  can be any suitable length. In particular, the first portion  115  and the second portion  110  can be any suitable length, and the holding assembly  105  can be located at any suitable position between the first and second portions  115 ,  110 , as shown in  FIGS. 3 and 11 . The first portion  115  and the second portion  110  of the elongated instrument handle  100  can have any suitable cross-sectional shape, including, for example, cylindrical, hexagonal, square, triangular, etc. In some embodiments, as shown in  FIGS. 1-3, 7-11, 13, and 15A , the first and second portions  115 ,  110  have a cylindrical or generally cylindrical shape. 
     In some embodiments, the first and second portions  115 ,  110  of the instrument handle  100  can have any suitable surface texture. For example, in some embodiments, as shown in  FIGS. 3-6, 11, and 13 , the first and second portions  115 ,  110  have a smooth surface. In some embodiments, as shown in  FIGS. 1, 2, 9, and 10 , the first and second portions  115 ,  110  can have a rough surface. In such embodiments, the rough surface covers the entire surface of the first and second portions  115 ,  110 . In some embodiments, the rough surface covers only a section of the surface for each of the first and second portions  115 ,  110 . In such embodiments, the rough surface can cover a majority of the entire surface, a minority of the entire surface, less than the entire surface, or at least part of the surface for each of the first and second portions  115 ,  110 . In some embodiments, the rough surface can include any suitable pattern (e.g., lines and rows of dimples, spiral grooves, ribs, etc.). In this context, a suitable pattern is one that would provide the user with a sufficient gripping surface to hold the instrument handle  100  during use. 
     The holding assembly  105  interrupting the first and second portions  115 ,  110  of the elongated structure can be any suitable shape and size. In some embodiments, as shown in the overhead and perspective views in  FIGS. 2-4, 7, and 8 , the holding assembly  105  has a circular or generally circular shape. Such embodiments are particularly useful for holding cylindrically shaped solid objects, including, for example, a cup of toothpaste for an electric toothbrush. Other shapes for the holding assembly  105  are contemplated, including, for example, triangular, square, pentagonal, hexagonal, etc. 
     In various embodiments, the holding assembly  105  is connected to the first and second portions  115 ,  110  at opposing sides of the holding assembly. In such embodiments, because the instrument handle  100  has an elongate structure, the first and second portions  115 ,  110  contact and/or connect to the holding assembly  105  along the longitudinal axis of the elongate structure. 
     In some embodiments, the holding assembly  105  comprises one or more connectors configured to securably retain a solid object therein. For example, in some embodiments, the holding assembly  105   a  comprises one or more, or a pair of, connectors configured to securably retain the circular shaped solid object therein. In some embodiments, as shown in  FIGS. 1-8 , for example, each connector  106 ,  107  is a snap joint comprising a protruding member that is temporarily deflected to a stressed position while the solid object is inserted into the through-hole, and which returns to a stress-free position after the holding assembly has been joined to the solid object. In some embodiments, each connector  106 ,  107  is a cantilever snap-fit joint comprising a protruding member that securably retains the solid object after the solid object has been inserted into the through-hole. In some embodiments, the solid object is a circular shaped container. For example,  FIGS. 7 and 8  show a container  555  inserted into the holding assembly, and the protruding member of each of the cantilever snap-fit connectors  106 ,  107  has a lip that reaches over and retains the top surface of the container  555 . 
     In some embodiments, the holding assembly  105   a - 105   e  comprises one or more tapered pin(s)  104 . In such embodiments, the pins  104  project out from the inner surface of the holding assembly from a one or more spaced apart positions. During use, when a component is inserted into the holding assembly, the component will be releasably held in place by the pins  104 . For example, if the component is a container having a conical structure tapering from top to bottom, the component will be insertable into the holding assembly  105  and will slide further into the holding assembly until the tapered surface of the container has a larger diameter than the diameter defined by the pins  104 . 
     In some embodiments, the instrument handle  100   a  is connected to a functional head component  120 . As shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , for example, the functional head component  120  is configured for a dental mirror. In such embodiments, the functional head component  120  comprises a reflective surface. For example, in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the first end  116  extends to the functional head component  120  comprising a reflective surface (a mirror component). 
     In various embodiments, the functional head component  120  is integrated into the first portion  115  during the manufacturing process. In some embodiments, the first and second portions  115 ,  110 , the holding assembly  105 , and the functional head component  120  are integrated as a unitary piece during the manufacturing process. For example, the first and second portions  115 ,  110 , the holding assembly  105 , and the functional head component  120  are integrated as a unitary piece using a single mold during the manufacturing process. 
     In some embodiments, the functional head component  120  is manufactured as a separate component. In such embodiments, the functional head component  120  comprises a coupling component configured for coupling the head component  120  to the first portion  115 . In such embodiments, the functional head component  120  is a removable functional head component that can be attached and detached from the instrument handle  100  at the first end  116 . For example,  FIGS. 13-15A  each show an independent functional head component  130  having a connecting component  135  that can be joined with a complementary connecting component  125  located at the first end  116 , as shown in  FIGS. 1, 2 and 13 . In some embodiments, the connecting component  135  is a threaded post, which is configured to be threaded into a complementary threaded hole  125  located at the first end  116  of the instrument handle  100 . In such embodiments, the threaded component  135  and the instrument handle  100  are removably joined to form a unitary instrument. 
     In some embodiments, as shown in  FIGS. 13 and 15A-15E , a dental mirror  200  is provided. In such embodiments, the holding assembly  105  is a separate component from a shank component  150  and the functional head component  120 . The holding assembly  105  can be configured with various features. For example, as shown in  FIG. 13 , the holding assembly  105   b  comprises a threaded hole  125  on one side and a threaded post  135  on the opposite side. In such embodiments, the threaded hole  125  is configured to receive a threaded post  135  from the functional head component  130 , and the shank  150  comprises a threaded hole  125  configured to receive the threaded post  135  on the holding assembly  105   b . As shown in  FIG. 13 , the circular shape of the holding assembly  105   b  intercepts the elongated structure of the dental instrument. 
     In some embodiments, as shown in  FIG. 14 , the functional head component  120  is combined with the holding assembly  105  to form a multifunctional component  140 . In such embodiments, the multifunctional component  140  comprises a threaded post  135  for connecting to a shank  150 . 
     In some embodiments, as shown in  FIGS. 15A-15D , the holding assembly  105  can have any suitable orientation when configured to be joined on one end with a shank  150  and on the opposing end with a functional head component  120 . For example, the holding assembly  105   c  in  FIG. 15A  comprises an opening for receiving a component that is merged into a body component; the holding assembly  105   d  is joined to a side of the body component, and in  FIGS. 15C and 15D , the holding assembly  105   e  is joined a surface of the body component. 
     In some embodiments, the functional head component  120  comprises the first portion  115 , which projects away from the first end  116  along a longitudinal axis defined by the elongated structure before projecting at an angle between 10 and 70 degrees relative to the longitudinal axis defined by the elongated structure. For example, the side view in  FIG. 1  shows the functional head component at an angle ranging from about 20 degrees to 50 degrees. 
     In some embodiments, the instrument handle  100  is integrated into a dental instrument. For example, a dental mirror comprising the instrument handle  100  is contemplated. In such embodiments, the dental mirror comprises a functional head component  120  having a reflective surface and the instrument handle  100 . In such embodiments, the instrument handle  100  comprises an elongated structure extending between a first end  116  and a second end  111 , wherein the first end  116  extends to the functional head component  120 . In such embodiments, the elongated structure of the instrument handle  100  is interrupted by a holding assembly  105  having a through-hole configured to retain a solid object. 
     In some embodiments, the holding assembly  105  comprises one or more connectors configured to securably retain the solid object therein. In some embodiments, each connector is a snap joint comprising a protruding member that is temporarily deflected to a stressed position while the solid object is inserted into the through-hole, and which returns to a stress-free position after the holding assembly has been joined to the solid object. For example, in  FIGS. 1-8 , the holding assembly  105  comprises a pair of connectors  106 ,  107 , and each connector is a cantilever snap-fit comprising a protruding member that securably retains the solid object after the solid object has been inserted into the through-hole. 
     In some embodiments, the dental instrument comprises a functional head component  120  that is sized to fit inside a human mouth. In some embodiments, for example, the functional head component  120  is a universal, small, medium, or large size. 
     In some embodiments, the instrument handle  100  comprises a measuring component. For example, in some embodiments, a surface of the instrument handle  100  comprises a ruler. In some embodiments, the ruler is sufficiently long enough to measure a root canal file, or the working portion of a root canal file. During a root canal procedure, the user may hold the instrument handle  100  in one hand and the root canal instrument in the other canal. Occasionally, as the user works through the canals of a tooth, there is a need to measure how far the root canal file has penetrated into the tooth. Accordingly, having a ruler on the instrument handle  100  is very convenient for measuring instruments such as a root canal file. 
     The instrument handle disclosed herein can be comprised of any suitable material. Those skilled in the art would appreciate the material suitable for medical use. Such materials include surgical grade stainless steel, plastics, etc. In some embodiments, the instrument handle is designed and manufactured as a single-use instrument, as a multi-use instrument that can be sterilized before use (e.g., autoclave, ethylene oxide), or a long-term use instrument that can be sterilized before use. 
     The instrument handle disclosed herein, having a functional head with a reflective surface or otherwise, provides a convenient holding assembly for items needed during a procedure, such as a dental procedure. For example, when a dental hygienist is cleaning a patient&#39;s teeth with an electric toothbrush, both of their hands are usually occupied, with one hand holding the toothbrush and the other hand holding a dental (mouth) mirror. When the toothbrush needs to be refreshed with additional toothpaste, the hygienist must pivot away from the patient to replenish the toothpaste. The instrument handle provided herein, however, allows the hygienist to replenish the toothpaste without moving away from the patient&#39;s mouth. During use, their hand holding the toothbrush will be able to easily access additional toothpaste from the holding assembly located on the instrument handle, which is held in their other hand. 
     Other uses of the holding assembly located on the instrument handle are contemplated. For example, the holding assembly is useful for retaining a sponge adapted for cleaning the tip of an instrument. During a procedure, the user will be able to continue the procedure without disruption when the instrument needs to be cleaned. The holding assembly on the instrument handle is further useful for holding restoration materials, such as cements and liquids, or endodontic files and/or measuring instruments used during a root canal procedure. 
     Many different embodiments have been disclosed herein, in connection with the above description and the drawings. It will be understood that it would be unduly repetitious and obfuscating to describe and illustrate every combination and subcombination of these embodiments. Accordingly, all embodiments can be combined in any way and/or combination, and the present specification, including the drawings, shall be construed to constitute a complete written description of all combinations and subcombinations of the embodiments described herein, and of the manner and process of making and using them, and shall support claims to any such combination or subcombination. 
     An equivalent substitution of two or more elements can be made for any one of the elements in the claims below or that a single element can be substituted for two or more elements in a claim. Although elements can be described above as acting in certain combinations and even initially claimed as such, it is to be expressly understood that one or more elements from a claimed combination can in some cases be excised from the combination and that the claimed combination can be directed to a subcombination or variation of a subcombination. 
     It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that the present embodiment is not limited to what has been particularly shown and described hereinabove. A variety of modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teachings without departing from the following claims.