Abstract:
A dental treatment apparatus is disclosed that may include a PTFE strip and at least one applicator tab attached to the PTFE strip wherein the applicator tab can be pulled away from the PTFE strip under the discretion of an operator. The applicator tab may comprise at least one adhesive surface limited to an area of the application tab which is used for attaching the application tab to the PTFE strip. The PTFE strip and the applicator tab may comprise varying shapes, widths, and lengths based on its desired application.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO PRIOR APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application claims priority to and the benefit thereof from U.S. provisional patent application No. 61/769,483, filed Feb. 26, 2013, titled “Sterile PTFE Strips with Application Tab,” the entirety of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The invention relates generally to a strip for use in dental care, and more specifically it relates to a sterile polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) strips and/or sterile PTFE strips with an application tab. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) is commonly sourced for dental procedures as Teflon plumbing tape, such as obtained, e.g., from a hardware store. When PTFE is used from this source, it is cut and handled from a role of Teflon tape. As an example, as a dental assistant and dentist reuse this role of Teflon from patient to patient the Teflon role itself becomes susceptible to contamination and subsequent cross contamination of microbes to other patients as the frequency of its use increases. Subsequently, dentists wear gloves ranging from latex, vinyl, and nitrile to avoid potential contamination to the Teflon role. These gloves make the handling of 2″-5″ pieces of ½″ of Teflon tape cumbersome for the dentist. Additionally, once a piece is cut from the role of Teflon plumbers tape, it is difficult to handle and subsequently use in its applications for a dentist. 
         [0004]    There is an unfulfilled need for an apparatus that enhances ease of use and handling of PTFE and at the same time, minimize cross contamination between patients. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    In one aspect of this disclosure, a PTFE strip and/or an application tab are provided for improving PTFE handling in dental procedures. 
         [0006]    In one aspect, a dental treatment apparatus includes a PTFE strip and at least one applicator tab attached to the PTFE strip wherein the applicator tab can be pulled away from the PTFE strip under the discretion of an operator. The applicator tab may comprise at least one adhesive surface limited to an area of the application tab which is used for attaching the application tab to the PTFE strip. The applicator tab may comprise a plastic, a fabric, or paper based products. The PTFE strip and the applicator tab may comprise varying shapes, widths, and lengths based on its desired application. The PTFE strip may be configured to extend past the attached applicator tab for easier handling by the operator. The applicator tab may be configured to extend past the attached PTFE strip for easier handling by the operator. The PTFE strip may be sandwiched between multiple applicator tabs. The applicator tabs may be inversely aligned to have the adhesive portions of the applicator tab on opposite ends of the PTFE strip. The applicator tabs may be aligned to have the adhesive portions of the applicator tab on same ends of the PTFE strip. 
         [0007]    In one aspect, a dental treatment apparatus is provided that includes a PTFE strip, at least one applicator tab attached to the PTFE strip and a sterile package. The PTFE strip and the attached applicator tab may be stored inside the sterile package. The sterile package may comprise at least one layer of sealable material that is sealed by adhesives. The applicator tab may comprise at least one adhesive surface limited to an area of the applicator tab which is used for attaching the applicator tab to the PTFE strip. The applicator tab may comprise a plastic, a fabric, or paper based products. The PTFE strip and the applicator tab may comprise varying shapes, widths, and lengths based on the desired application of the apparatus. The strip may be configured to extend past the attached applicator tab for easier handling by the operator. The applicator tab may be configured to extend past the attached PTFE strip for easier handling by the operator. The PTFE strip may be sandwiched between multiple applicator tabs. The applicator tabs may be inversely aligned to have the adhesive portions of the applicator tab on opposite ends of the PTFE strip. The adhesive portions of the applicator tab may be on same ends of the PTFE strip. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0008]    The accompanying drawings which are included to provide a further understanding of the invention, are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and together with the detailed description serve to explain the principles of the invention. No attempt is made to show structural details of the invention in more detail than may be necessary for a fundamental understanding of the invention and the various ways in which it may be practiced. In the drawings: 
           [0009]      FIG. 1  shows an example of PTFE strip being adhered, for packaging, to the applicator tab in accordance with the principles of the disclosure. 
           [0010]      FIG. 2  shows an example of a sterile packaging which will house the PTFE strip with the applicator tab in accordance with the principles of this disclosure. 
           [0011]      FIG. 3  shows an example of a PTFE strip with the applicator tab being handled by the operator once it has been removed from its sterile packaging in accordance with the principles of this disclosure. 
           [0012]      FIG. 4  shows an example of PTFE strip with two applicator tabs in accordance with the principles of this disclosure. 
           [0013]      FIG. 5  shows an example of PTFE strip with two applicator tabs being applied to a desired object in accordance with the principles of this disclosure. 
           [0014]      FIG. 6  shows an example of PTFE strip applied to a desired object with two applicator tabs being pulled away in accordance with the principles of this disclosure. 
           [0015]      FIG. 7  shows an example of a completed process of the PTFE strip secured on a desired Object and the applicator tabs removed from the PTFE strip in accordance with the principles of this disclosure. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0016]    The embodiments of the invention and the various features and advantageous details thereof are explained more fully with reference to the non-limiting embodiments and examples that are described and/or illustrated in the accompanying drawings and detailed in the following attached description. It should be noted that the features illustrated in the drawings are not necessarily drawn o scale, and features of one embodiment may be employed with other embodiments as the skilled artisan would recognize, even if not explicitly stated herein. Descriptions of well-known components and processing techniques may be omitted so as to not unnecessarily obscure the embodiments of the invention. The examples used herein are intended merely to facilitate an understanding of ways in which the invention may be practiced and to further enable those of skill in the art to practice the embodiments of the invention. Accordingly, the examples and embodiments herein should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention, which is defined solely by the appended claims and applicable law. Moreover, it is noted that like reference numerals represent similar parts throughout the several views of the drawings. 
         [0017]    The terms “including”, “comprising” and variations thereof, as used in this disclosure, mean “including, but not limited to”, unless expressly specified otherwise. 
         [0018]    The terms “a”, “an”, and “the”, as used in this disclosure, means “one or more”, unless expressly specified otherwise. 
         [0019]    Although process steps, method steps, or the like, may be described in a sequential order, such processes and methods may be configured to work in alternate orders. In other words, any sequence or order of steps that may be described does not necessarily indicate a requirement that the steps be performed in that order. The steps of the processes or methods described herein may be performed in any order practical. Further, some steps may be performed simultaneously. 
         [0020]    When a single device or article is described herein, it will be readily apparent that more than one device or article may be used in place of a single device or article. Similarly, where more than one device or article is described herein, it will be readily apparent that a single device or article may be used in place of the more than one device or article. The functionality or the features of a device may be alternatively embodied by one or more other devices which are not explicitly described as having such functionality or features. 
         [0021]    An aspect of the disclosure includes a novel sterile PTFE strip with one or more application tabs. The invention may be used in, for example, the dental field. 
         [0022]    According to a further aspect of the disclosure, a design of the PTFE strip with an application tab includes an application tab and a PTFE backer that serve to enhance the PTFE strip handling. The application tab may be made of a material that provides reinforcing support to the PTFE e.g., a paper, a plastic, a fabric, a metal, a carbon fiber, and the like. A section of the applicator tab that is in contact with the PTFE may further include an adhesive product to allow the PTFE to adhere to the tab as it is handled. The adhesive may be e.g., glue, cement, mucilage, paste, bond or any other adhesive chemical, bioadhesive, and the like. 
         [0023]    As seen in  FIGS. 1-7 , the exemplary designs of the present disclosure solve the concern of cross contamination of microbes among patients. The designs may be reinstituted from rolls to individual packets housed in sterile environment similar to, for example, the packaging used in first aid bandages. 
         [0024]      FIG. 1  shows an example of a PTFE strip adhered to an applicator tab that is constructed according to the principles of this disclosure. Reaming to  FIG. 1 , a PTFE strip  10  may be adhered to an applicator tab  20  for, e.g., handling, application, packaging, carrying, storing, and the like. The PTFE strip  10  may include various geometric shapes (e.g., circular, triangular, rectangular, pentagon, and so on) and sizes based on its purpose and/or object to be applied onto. The adhesive  25  is a portion of the applicator tab  20  that may hold the PTFE strip  10  together with the applicator tab  20  during application of PTFE strip  10  onto a desired object (e.g., a tooth or other body parts, watch, shoe, valve, door handle, and the like). The adhesive may be placed at the end of the applicator tab and/or other areas of the tab as appropriate. The end portion of the applicator tab  20  may grasped by an operator. The end portion of the applicator tab  20  may further be configured to extend beyond the edge of the PTFE strip  10  so that it may be grasped by, e.g., the operator&#39;s fingers, without contacting the PTFE strip  10 . The PTFE strip  10  may be applied directly onto a desired area of an object following or during the removal of the applicator tab  20 . 
         [0025]      FIG. 2  shows an example of a PTFE strip that is stored within a sterile package in accordance with the principles of this disclosure. As seen in  FIG. 2 , a PTFE strip  10  with and/or without an adhering applicator(s) tab  20  (not shown) may be contained iii a sterile package  30 . The sterile package  30  may further include multiple (e.g., two) layers that sandwich and/or seal the PTFE strip  10  between them. Alternatively, sterile package  30  may include one continuous sealable package that can be opened from either ends or sides. 
         [0026]    The layers of sterile package  30  may include any sealable materials (e.g., paper, plastic, rubber, metal, carbon fiber, silk and the like) and be sealed or affixed to each other by e.g., glue, bond, adhesive, chemical, thread, screw, clamp, and the like. The sterile package  30  may include an end portion  35  that can be grasped by, e.g., an operator&#39;s fingers or a grasping tool, without contacting the PTFE strip  10 . The operator may grasp one and/or both end portion(s)  35  with e.g., a hand, and pull the end portion(s)  35  apart to expose the PTFE strip  10  with the adhering applicator(s) tab  20 . 
         [0027]    Alternatively, the package  30  may only contain the PTFE strip  10  which may then be applied directly onto a desired object. Afterwards, the layers of the package  30  may be peeled away (or opened) to leave PTFE strip  10  secured onto the object. 
         [0028]      FIG. 3  illustrates an example of a PTFE strip  10  adhered to an applicator tab  20  being handled by an operator in accordance with the principles of the disclosure. The applicator tab  20  may include an end portion  27  which can be grasped by an operator. The end portion  27  may also be configured to extend beyond the edges of the PTFE strip  10  when adhered to PTFE strip  10 . This makes it possible for the operator to grasp the tab  20  without contacting the PTFE strip  10 . The operator may grasp tab end  27  with one hand and pull apart to expose the PTFE strip  10 . 
         [0029]    Alternatively, the PTFE strip  10  may include an end portion  17  that can be grasped by the operator. The end portion  17  may be configured to extend beyond the edges of the tab  20  when adhered to tab  20 . This makes it possible for the operator to grasp PTFE strip  10  by grabbing the end portion  17  and thereby easily handle the PTFE strip  10 . 
         [0030]    In a case of multiple applicator tabs  20 , the grasp-able tab ends  27  may be configured at opposite ends of the PTFE strip  10 , near the edges of the PTFE strip  10 , but positioned such that each applicator tab end may be grasped by the operator&#39;s fingers simultaneously and pulled apart to expose the PTFE strip. Alternatively, the edge of one or both of the tab ends  27  may be substantially aligned with and proximate to an edge of the PTFE strip. 
         [0031]      FIG. 4  shows an example of an exploded view of a PTFE strip  10  that is sandwiched between a pair of applicator tabs  20  and how the structure may be assembled in accordance to the principles of this disclosure. As seen in  FIG. 4 , the invention may include multiple (e.g., two) applicator tabs  20 . The applicator tabs  20  may be identical but flipped to have adhesive portions  25  attached to opposing sides of the PTFE strip, with one on the top and the other on the bottom. As previously described, end portions of the tabs  20  may be configured to extend past the PTFE strip  10  so that it can be easily grasped and handled by an operator. Alternatively, the end portions of the PTFE strip  10  may be configured to extend past the applicator tab  20 . 
         [0032]      FIGS. 5-7  show an example of an application of a PTFE strip  10  according to the principles of this disclosure. As seen in  FIG. 5 , after the PTFE strip  10  with application tabs  20 A-B are removed from their package (if provided in a package), an operator may be able to manipulate and apply the PTFE strip  10  with ease to a desired object  40  by grasping an end portion  27 A of a first applicator tab  20 A and an end portion  27 B of a second applicator tab  20 B, aligning the PTFE strip  10  to a desire position, and affixing or contacting the PTFE strip  10  on or to a desired location on the object  40 . 
         [0033]    Referring to  FIG. 5-7  concurrently, the applicator tabs  20 A and  209  may be pulled to firmly secure the PTFE strip  10  to the object  40  and further peel away the applicator tabs  20 A-B from the PTFE strip  10 . An operator may pull the applicator tabs  20 A and  20 B away from the secured PTFE strip  10  simultaneously. As shown, the adhesive portions  25 A and  25 B keeps the applicator tabs  20 A and  20 B attached to the PTFE strip  10  until it is completely peeled off. The operator will not have to handle the PTFE strip  10  during both the placement and removal of the applicator tabs  20 A and  20 B. The process may be completed by having the PTFE strip  10  secured to an object  40  and then pulling on the applicator tabs  20 A and  20 B until the applicator tabs  20 A and  20 B are completely removed from the PTFE strip  10 . This results in PTFE strip  10  firmly secured to the object  40 . This also allows handling of PTFE strip  10  by the operator without potential contamination since the operator avoids direct contact with PTFE strip  10 . 
         [0034]    While the invention has been described in terms of exemplary embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the invention can be practiced with modifications in the spirit and scope of the appended claims. These examples given above are merely illustrative and are not meant to be an exhaustive list of all possible designs, embodiments, applications or modifications of the invention.