Source: http://www.google.com/patents/US8062033?dq=7143430
Timestamp: 2013-12-12 04:54:12
Document Index: 400520752

Matched Legal Cases: ['Application No. 60', 'art 1', 'art 1', 'art 1', 'art 1', 'art 2', 'art 1', 'art 1', 'art 1', 'art 1', 'art 2']

Patent US8062033 - Dental and medical instruments comprising titanium - Google PatentsSearch Images Maps Play YouTube News Gmail Drive More »Advanced Patent Search | Sign inAdvanced Patent SearchPatentsEndodontic instruments for use in performing root canal therapy on a tooth are disclosed. In one form, the instruments include an elongate shank having a cutting edge extending from a distal end of the shank along an axial length of the shank. The shank comprises a titanium alloy, and the shank is prepared...http://www.google.com/patents/US8062033?utm_source=gb-gplus-sharePatent US8062033 - Dental and medical instruments comprising titaniumPublication numberUS8062033 B2Publication typeGrantApplication numberUS 11/628,933PCT numberPCT/US2005/019947Publication dateNov 22, 2011Filing dateJun 7, 2005Priority dateJun 8, 2004Also published asEP1753361A1, EP1753361A4, US8083873, US20080032260, US20110120601, US20120118445, US20120272526, WO2005122942A1Publication number11628933, 628933, PCT/2005/19947, PCT/US/2005/019947, PCT/US/2005/19947, PCT/US/5/019947, PCT/US/5/19947, PCT/US2005/019947, PCT/US2005/19947, PCT/US2005019947, PCT/US200519947, PCT/US5/019947, PCT/US5/19947, PCT/US5019947, PCT/US519947, US 8062033 B2, US 8062033B2, US-B2-8062033, US8062033 B2, US8062033B2InventorsNeill Hamilton LuebkeOriginal AssigneeGold Standard Instruments, LLCExport CitationBiBTeX, EndNote, RefManPatent Citations (16), Non-Patent Citations (1), Classifications (4), Legal Events (1) External Links: USPTO, USPTO Assignment, EspacenetDental and medical instruments comprising titaniumUS 8062033 B2Abstract Endodontic instruments for use in performing root canal therapy on a tooth are disclosed. In one form, the instruments include an elongate shank having a cutting edge extending from a distal end of the shank along an axial length of the shank. The shank comprises a titanium alloy, and the shank is prepared by heat-treating the shank at a temperature above 25� C. in an atmosphere consisting essentially of a gas unreactive with the shank. In another form, the endodontic instruments have an elongate shank having a cutting edge extending from a distal end of the shank along an axial length of the shank. The shank consists essentially of a titanium alloy selected from alpha-titanium alloys, beta-titanium alloys, and alpha-beta-titanium alloys. The instruments solve the problems encountered when cleaning and enlarging a curved root canal.
CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This application claims priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/578,091 filed Jun. 8, 2004.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention overcomes the problems encountered when cleaning and enlarging a curved root canal. In one aspect, the invention provides an endodontic instrument for use in performing root canal therapy on a tooth. The instrument includes an elongate shank having a cutting edge extending from a distal end of the shank along an axial length of the shank. The shank comprises a titanium alloy, and the shank is prepared by heat-treating the shank at a temperature above 25� C. in an atmosphere consisting essentially of a gas unreactive with the shank. The shank has high flexibility, high resistance to torsion breakage, maintains shape upon fracture, can withstand increased strain, and can hold sharp cutting edges. Thus, it solves the problems encountered when cleaning and enlarging a curved root canal.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a tooth.
FIG. 3 is a graph showing the results of a study of torsion (Mt) reported in g�cm performed in accordance with �ISO Standard 3630-1 Dentistry�Root-canal instruments�Part 1: General requirements� and �ANSI/ADA Specification No. 28, Endodontic files and reamers� for untreated (Control) files, heat-treated files (TT), and titanium nitride coated files (Ti�N).
FIG. 4 is a graph showing the results of a study of torsion (At) reported in degrees of deflection performed in accordance with �ISO Standard 3630-1 Dentistry�Root-canal instruments�Part 1: General requirements� and �ANSI/ADA Specification No. 28, Endodontic files and reamers� for untreated (Control) files, heat-treated files (TT), and titanium nitride coated files (Ti�N).
FIG. 5 is a graph showing the results of a study of maximum torque at 45� of flexion (Mf) reported in g-cm performed in accordance with �ISO Standard 3630-1 Dentistry�Root-canal instruments�Part 1: General requirements� and �ANSI/ADA Specification No. 28, Endodontic files and reamers� for untreated (Control) files, heat-treated files (TT), and titanium nitride coated files (Ti�N).
FIG. 6 is a graph showing the results of a study of angle of permanent deformation after the flexion test (ADP) reported in degrees of deflection performed in accordance with �ISO Standard 3630-1 Dentistry�Root-canal instruments�Part 1: General requirements� and �ANSI/ADA Specification No. 28, Endodontic files and reamers� for untreated (Control) files, heat-treated files (TT), and titanium nitride coated files (Ti�N).
FIG. 7 is a graph showing the results of a study of fatigue reported in cycles (revolutions) to failure for untreated (Control) files, heat-treated files (TT), and titanium nitride coated files (Ti�N). This study was performed in accordance with the �ISO Standard 3630-2 Dental root-canal instruments�Part 2: Enlargers� and �ANSI/ADA Specification No. 95, for Root canal enlargers�.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION One embodiment of the invention provides an improved endodontic instrument for use in performing root canal therapy on a tooth. This embodiment of the invention is an endodontic instrument as shown in FIG. 1 a that includes an elongate shank 42 mounted at its proximate end 47 to a handle 43. The shank 42 may be about 30 millimeters long. The proximate end 47 may have a diameter of about 0.5 to about 1.6 millimeters. The shank 42 may include calibrated depth markings 45 and further includes a distal end 48. The shank 42 includes two continuous helical flutes 51 as shown in FIG. 1 b that extend along its lower portion. The flutes 51 define a cutting edge. A helical land 53 is positioned between axially adjacent flutes as shown in FIG. 1 b. The shank 42 comprises a titanium alloy, and is prepared by heat-treating the shank at a temperature above 25� C. in an atmosphere consisting essentially of a gas unreactive with the shank. Preferably, the temperature is from 400� C. up to but not equal to the melting point of the titanium alloy, and most preferably, the temperature is from 475� C. to 525� C. Preferably, the gas is selected from the group consisting of helium, neon, argon, krypton, xenon, and radon. Most preferably, the gas is argon. In one example embodiment, the shank is heat-treated for approximately 1 to 2 hours. In another example embodiment, the shank is heat-treated at 500� C. for 75 minutes. However, other temperatures are suitable as they are dependent on the time period selected for heat exposure.
The coating processes may include but not limited to the following processes: composite electroless plating (see, e.g., U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,820,547; 4,997,686; 5,145,517; 5,300,330; 5,863,616; and 6,306,466); chemical vapor deposition (see, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 4,814,294); microwave deposition (see, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 4,859,493); laser ablation process (see, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 5,299,937); ion beam assisted deposition (see, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 5,725,573); physical vapor deposition (see, e.g., U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,670,024, 4,776,863, 4,984,940, and 5,545,490); Molybdenum Disulfide Coating (MoS2) (see, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 5,037,516 or SAE Standard AMS2526); electropolishing; coatings including titanium nitride and titanium aluminum nitride commercially available under the trademark Firex�; coatings such as titanium nitride (TiN), titanium carbonitride (TiCN), titanium aluminum nitride (TiAlN), aluminum titanium nitride (AlTiN); or multiple coatings or combinations of coatings.
One example process of this aspect of the present invention for such instruments is a titanium nitride coating. This coating process is done with physical vapor deposition with an inherent heat-treatment. Another process is a multilayer process utilizing a titanium nitride coating and then a titanium aluminum nitride coating. This last coating process is commercially available under the trademark FIREX�.
Example 1 Thirty ISO size SX files, thirty ISO size S1 files, thirty ISO size S2 files, thirty ISO size F1 files, thirty ISO size F2 files and thirty ISO size F3 files were used in a study of torsion (Mt) reported in g�cm performed in accordance with �ISO Standard 3630-1 Dentistry�Root-canal instruments�Part 1: General requirements� and �ANSI/ADA Specification No. 28, Endodontic files and reamers�. The results are shown in FIG. 3. The files were made from a titanium alloy comprising 54-57 weight percent nickel and 43-46 weight percent titanium, and included an elongate shank having a cutting edge extending from a distal end of the shank along an axial length of the shank. Ten of each ISO size were untreated (Control) files. Ten of each ISO size were heat-treated in a furnace in an argon atmosphere at 500� C. for 75 minutes. These are labeled �TT� in FIG. 3. Ten of each ISO size were coated with titanium nitride using physical vapor deposition with an inherent heat-treatment. These are labeled �Ti�N� in FIG. 3. Mt was determined for each of the thirty files in each size, and the mean and standard deviation for each group (Control, TT, Ti�N) of ten files were calculated. The ten files in all but one size that were heat-treated in a furnace in an argon atmosphere at 500� C. for 75 minutes showed the best result with the highest Mt.
Example 2 Thirty ISO size SX files, thirty ISO size S1 files, thirty ISO size S2 files, thirty ISO size F1 files, thirty ISO size F2 files and thirty ISO size F3 files were used in a study of torsion (At) reported in degrees of deflection performed in accordance with �ISO Standard 3630-1 Dentistry�Root-canal instruments�Part 1: General requirements� and �ANSI/ADA Specification No. 28, Endodontic files and reamers�. The results are shown in FIG. 4. The files were made from a titanium alloy comprising 54-57 weight percent nickel and 43-46 weight percent titanium, and included an elongate shank having a cutting edge extending from a distal end of the shank along an axial length of the shank. Ten of each ISO size were untreated (Control) files. Ten of each ISO size were heat-treated in a furnace in an argon atmosphere at 500� C. for 75 minutes. These are labeled �TT� in FIG. 4. Ten of each ISO size were coated with titanium nitride using physical vapor deposition with an inherent heat-treatment. These are labeled �Ti�N� in FIG. 4. At was determined for each of the thirty files in each size, and the mean and standard deviation for each group (Control, TT, Ti�N) of ten files were calculated. The ten files in each size that were heat-treated in a furnace in an argon atmosphere at 500� C. for 75 minutes showed the best results with the highest At.
Example 3 Thirty ISO size SX files, thirty ISO size S1 files, thirty ISO size S2 files, thirty ISO size F1 files, thirty ISO size F2 files and thirty ISO size F3 files were used in a study of maximum torque at 45� of flexion (Mf) reported in g�cm performed in accordance with �ISO Standard 3630-1 Dentistry�Root-canal instruments�Part 1: General requirements� and �ANSI/ADA Specification No. 28 , Endodontic files and reamers�. The shank is held in a torque meter, flexed at an angle of 45�, and then torque is measured. The results are shown in FIG. 5. The files were made from a titanium alloy comprising 54-57 weight percent nickel and 43-46 weight percent titanium, and included an elongate shank having a cutting edge extending from a distal end of the shank along an axial length of the shank. Ten of each ISO size were untreated (Control) files. Ten of each ISO size were heat-treated in a furnace in an argon atmosphere at 500� C. for 75 minutes. These are labeled �TT� in FIG. 5. Ten of each ISO size were coated with titanium nitride using physical vapor deposition with an inherent heat-treatment. These are labeled �Ti�N� in FIG. 5. Mf was determined for each of the thirty files in each size, and the mean and standard deviation for each group (Control, TT, Ti�N) of ten files were calculated. It can be seen that the heat-treated files in each size impart less torque when bent and appear to have higher flexibility than untreated (control) files.
Example 4 Thirty ISO size SX files, thirty ISO size S1 files, thirty ISO size S2 files, thirty ISO size F1 files, thirty ISO size F2 files and thirty ISO size F3 files were used in a study of angle of permanent deformation after the flexion test (ADP) reported in degrees of deflection performed in accordance with �ISO Standard 3630-1 Dentistry�Root-canal instruments�Part 1: General requirements� and �ANSI/ADA Specification No. 28, Endodontic files and reamers�. The results are shown in FIG. 6. The files were made from a titanium alloy comprising 54-57 weight percent nickel and 43-46 weight percent titanium, and included an elongate shank having a cutting edge extending from a distal end of the shank along an axial length of the shank. Ten of each ISO size were untreated (Control) files. Ten of each ISO size were heat-treated in a furnace in an argon atmosphere at 500� C. for 75 minutes. These are labeled �TT� in FIG. 6. Ten of each ISO size were coated with titanium nitride using physical vapor deposition with an inherent heat-treatment. These are labeled �Ti�N� in FIG. 6. ADP was determined for each of the thirty files in each size, and the mean and standard deviation for each group (Control, TT, Ti�N) of ten files were calculated. The ten files in each size that were heat-treated in a furnace in an argon atmosphere at 500� C. for 75 minutes showed the highest ADP. Thus, the heat-treated files significantly maintain the acquired (test deformed) shape rather than the shape memory exhibited in the untreated control (nickel-titanium instruments).
Example 5 Six groups of thirty ISO size SX, S1, S2, F1, F2 and F3 files were used in a study of the fatigue reported in cycles (revolutions) to failure performed in accordance with the �ISO Standard 3630-2 Dental root-canal instruments�Part 2: Enlargers� and �ANSI/ADA Specification No. 95, for Root canal enlargers�. The results are shown in FIG. 7. The files were made from a titanium alloy comprising 54-57 weight percent nickel and 43-46 weight percent titanium, and included an elongate shank having a cutting edge extending from a distal end of the shank along an axial length of the shank. Ten files of each ISO size were untreated (Control) files. Ten files of each ISO size were heat-treated in a furnace in an argon atmosphere at 500� C. for 75 minutes. These are labeled �TT� in FIG. 7. Ten files of each ISO size were coated with titanium nitride using physical vapor deposition with an inherent heat-treatment. These are labeled �Ti�N� in FIG. 7. Fatigue cycles were determined for each of the files in each size, and the mean and standard deviation for each group (Control, TT, Ti�N) of the six file sizes were calculated. The ten files in all but one size that were heat-treated in a furnace in an argon atmosphere at 500� C. for 75 minutes showed the best result with the highest fatigue cycles (revolutions) to failure.
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