GB2550219A

GB2550219A - A dental device

Info

Publication number: GB2550219A
Application number: GB1608649.8A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Patel Rita
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2016-05-13
Filing date: 2016-05-13
Publication date: 2017-11-15
Also published as: GB201608649D0

Abstract

A dental inspection mirror for examining a patient's mouth and for retraction of flesh during an oral examination has a rotating dual-sided reversible mirror head 3 comprising two mirror faces, one of which may be planar 9 and one of which may be a convex magnifying mirror face 5, held in a frame 6 which is adjustably mounted on an angled neck 2 to allow for 360 degree movement, such as through intermediate stepped 90 degree intervals, relative to an elongate handle 1. The head 3 may be removable from the handle 1 for cleaning. The handle 1 may be in two sections, 12,13 which rotate relative to each other.

Description

A DENTAL DEVICE

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a dental device, in particular a device for dentists or similar users; more particularly but not exclusively a device for examining patient’s mouths and retraction of flesh during examination.

Background

Increasing awareness of dental issues and the importance of good mouth hygiene is concurrent with improving healthcare standards in many parts of the world. A dental inspection mirror required in routine cosmetic, dental or hygiene practice to view dental disease and used during treatment.

Using current, conventional, dental mirrors, vision is limited and there is a higher risk of repetitive strain injury (RSI) to the operator or user when over-twisting the wrist and/ or shoulder whilst viewing or accessing areas of their patient’s mouth.

When dentists are performing lengthy dental work they can encounter problems with RSI and lack of visibility with existing mirrored dental equipment.

In addition or the alternative viewing parts of the mouth effectively can be problematic, particularly in relation to retraction mouth flesh in the way of visibility.

Prior Art /Vccordingly a number of patent applications have been filed in an attempt to resolve the problem or similar, including the following;

Chinese utility model CN 202 235 287 (XIANLU) discloses a novel dental mirror which belongs to a medical oral sanitary appliance, and comprises a mirror handle; and the novel dental mirror is characterized in that the mirror handle is provided with a telescoping rod, the top of the mirror handle is provided with a lens, the lens is provided with a convex mirror, and a certain angle is formed between the lens and the mirror handle. Compared with the prior art, the new dental mirror disclosed by the Utility model is low in cost, sanitary and safe, and can observe lesions more clearly and improve the accuracy of diagnosis.

International patent application WO 2012 016 373 (UN) discloses a mouth mirror for use by dentists includes a stem type handgrip with a mounting end and a gripping end, and the handgrip is connected to a mirror frame by the mounting end. The mounting end extends outward with an appropriate angle. The mirror frame has two opposite mounting surfaces, and each of the mounting surfaces is respectively provided with a mirror. The mirror frame with two mirrors can provide dentists with more light reflective angles and reduce wrist turning during treatment so as to protect the wrists and necks of dentists.

United States patent application US 4 512 635 (MELDE) discloses a dental mirror apparatus comprising, in combination: handle means, including a stem; mirror means, including a first mirror and a second mirror, and at least one of which mirrors comprises a front surface miror, and having an outer periphery; holder means secured to the stem of the handle means for holding the mirror means, and including-a rim deformable for releasably holding the mirror means,- an inner periphery for receiving the outer periphery of the minOr means,- a midiine extending about the inner periphery, and- a plurality of faces on the inner periphery and extending generally upwardly and downwardly from the midline, including a first plurality of vertical faces and a second plurality of sloping faces alternating about the inner periphery.

Summary of the Invention

According to the present invention there is provided a dental device comprising an elongate handle and a head, the head and handle connected at a neck; wherein the head comprises two mirror faces, a first mirror face and a second mirror face; and wherein the neck permits variation in arrangement of the faces with respect to the handle.

The neck may comprise an elongated member stretching between the handle and head.

In some embodiments the neck may comprise an angular deviation. Such deviation may be defined as deviating from, or placing the head on, an angle defined by the handle’s axis. in this way the neck may displace the head from the handle axis. In some embodiments the head may be situated on a neck axis.

In some embodiments the head and/or neck may be arranged to displace wholly from the handle. In this way the handle may be reusable and the head and/or neck capable of cleaning, for example in an autoclave.

In some embodiments the device allows relative displacement of the faces. Such displacement may comprise rotation, reversal or flipping of the head, so as to arrange the first or second mirror face for use. Such reversal may comprise displacing the head from the neck wholly or partially, and/or may comprise 180 degree rotation of the face in use with respect to rotation around the neck axis.

In some embodiments the head comprises a frame, for example a perimetric frame, wherein the faces may be held therebetween.

In some embodiments the faces may rotate in the head, for example wherein the head comprises a frame with a spindle or pin extending from the frame.

The frame may be used for measuring or indication purposes. For example the frame may have a measuring rule on each side, or with reference to each face, wherein markings on each side of the frame allow for the user to measure within a patient’s mouth.

In some embodiments the rotation may allow for incremental positioning, for example wherein the mirror faces may be arranged about the neck angle so as to allow for a plurality of potential viewing angles for the user.

It may be envisaged that the device is used in the conventional way as a known dental mirror would be used but as the mirror head is longer and flatter, it can be used for better retraction of soft tissues also. The dual-face mimor provides adjustability such that the dentist can use the first plain surfaced mirror face for inspection and simple procedures, or the convex or magnifying face for more difficult to see areas.

In some embodiments the neck may comprise further articulation, for example in order to allow pivoting about the neck axis. In this way further angling of the head and faces may be enabled for the user, with concomitant improvement in viewing angles.

In some embodiments the neck may comprise a flexible and/or incrementally moveable member. For example in some embodiments the neck may comprise a gooseneck member, resiliently deformable or multipartite member.

The device may therefore provide a device with a head and two variant mirror faces, shaped for viewing different angles of the mouth and retracting soft tissues, and enabling flexibility in use. a consequence it may be envisaged that the device may promote better user positioning during use and improved posture therefore, to limit the risk of RSIs, such as tennis elbow or frozen shoulder, whilst increasing visibility of the patient’s mouth for the user.

The device thereby makes retracting soft tissue easier which reduces trauma to the patient, and provides the ability to measure lesions intraorally easily i.e. lumps and bumps, as well as spaces in the mouth and rotations of teeth.

In some embodiments the faces may comprise a first face that is a flat mirror for normal use, and a second face that is either concave or convex, so as to better allow the user to either magnify the patient’s mouth or get a wider field of view.

The double sided mirror allow for better vision and retraction thus also limiting trauma to the patient.

The interlocking system allows the mirror head to be used with the same mirror handle but allows the mirror to be reversible so whichever mirror side can be used as required. A raised bump on the inner surface of the guide locates within a cross shaped groove on the top of the rotating arm. As the mirror is twisted, the raised bump is forced out of the groove and spins 90 degrees until it positions into the next channel. A blue plastic guide sits within the mirror frame. X shaped grooves on the handle allow the plastic guide, and subsequently the mirror, to rotate at 90 degree intervals.

In use there are three simple steps: 1. Screw on the head and/or the neck. 2. Rotate handle to vary angle of viewing. 3. Rotate head or faces to vary mirror characteristics.

After use and to reuse the device, the user takes the head and/or neck off the handle to sterilise in an autoclave.

Brief Description of Figures

Figure 1 shows an exploded isometric view of a first embodiment of the device according to the present invention;

Figure 2 shows an isometric view of the embodiment shown in Figure 1;

Figure 3 shows a second exploded isometric view of the embodiment shown in Figure 1;

Figures 4 show isometric views of the embodiment shown in Figure 1;

Figure 5a shows a detail sketch view of an isometric exploded view of the distal end of the handle, with a translucent insert;

Figure 5b shows a detail sectional sketch view of the neck and head joint of the embodiment shown in Figure 1;

And

Figures 6 show sketches of a second embodiment of the device according to the present invention.

Detailed Description of Figures

With reference to the figures there is shown an embodiment of the device comprising an elongate handle member, defining a straight handle axis, having a blunt proximal end and tapering distal end, wherein the distal end provides a root for the neck, which neck comprises a deviation in the range of 15 to 45 degrees from the handle axis to provide a neck axis.

In this way there is a greater and more productive force along the full length of the head with less effort and twisting to the operator thus limiting long term muscular and skeletal problems A lozenge-shaped head is at the distal end of the neck, comprising a perimetric frame and neck collar.

The head further comprises two mirror faces held between the frame. The first mirror face comprises a flat mirror, and the second face comprises a convex mirror.

The angled neck screws Into the distal end of the handle for use, thereby allowing the complete device to be disassembled and hygienically sterilised as separate components in an autoclave as standard in the profession.

In particular the pictured embodiment of the device comprises the following parts:

Stainless steel dental handle member 1, which is formed in two sections 12,13; wherein the sections may be mutually rotatable so as to permit spinning.

Rotating dual-sided mirror head 3.

Convex magnifying mirror face 5.

Flat mirror face 9.

Mirror frame 6.

Angled neck 2 arranged to allow 360 degree movement at 90 degree intervals.

Frame neck collar 4.

Plastic insert 7 permanently attached to the collar.

Screwthread connecting shoulder 11 to join to handle screwthread female connector 15 at the distal end of the handle wherein the proximal end 10 is for receipt in the user’s hand, and chamfered therefor.

Angled arm 14.

Cap 19 with cinched waist 17.

Cross shaped female grooves 18.

Cross shaped bump 20.

The angled arm thereby has a cap end that engages with the plastic insert. The raised bump on the inner of the insert sits within 1 of 4 grooves of the cross head of the cap, allowing for 360 degree movement, with increments of 90 degrees. When using the device, the user may simply rotate the head at 90 degree intervals for the desired angle allowing the dentist total visibility in and around the patient’s mouth.

Advantageously therefore the mirror faces can be arranged in 4 orientations, whilst not affecting the user’s hold of the handle, allowing for greater comfort and ease of use.

The arm is pushed into plastic insert. An inner lip 21 on the plastic insert snaps into place on the cinch, aibwing for 360 degree movement of the mirror head.

The plastic insert is adhered to the inside of the frame using a standard medical grade adhesive. The handle is constructed of an autoclave-abb stainless steel and compliant with current HTM01-05 cross infection regulations and guidelines.

As the mirror head is longer and flatter than the conventional dental mirror, it retracts soft tissues better so visibility for the operator is better. Owing to the smoothed and brger rounded edges of the frame and head, this is more comfortable for the patient.

As there is a larger surface area of retraction, this is partbularly useful for the tongue which is a strong muscb. This can be retracted by the nurse or dentist and avoids the patbnt swallowing as much and keeps the tongue better retracted and hence decreases the risk of trauma from the drill to the tongue. Owing to the bngth of the device, the user can see more and have better control of the soft tissues.

Advantageously as the mirror handle and mirror head are along the same axis, better control of retraction is achieved and better comfort to the operator as the wrist is not twisted as with the conventional mirror hence limiting problems with RSI and elbow/shoulder problems.

The interlocking system allows the mirror head to be used with the same mirror handle but allows the mirror to be reversible so whichever mirror side can be used as required.

The handle is along the same axis as the mirror head so there is a greater and more productive force along the full length of the mirror head with less effort and twisting to the operator thus lirniting long term muscular and skeletal problems.

With reference to the second embodiment there is shown an embodiment of the device with a wholly detachable head, wherein the neck is a fixed arm angled away from the distal end of the handle.

The invention has been described by way of examples only and it will be appreciated that variation may be made to the above-mentioned embodiments without departing from the scope of invention as defined by the claims.

Claims

1. A dental device comprising an elongate handle and a head, the head and handle connected at a neck; wherein the head comprises two mirror faces, a first mirror face and a second mirror face; and wherein the neck permits variation in arrangement of the faces with respect to the handle.

2. A device according to claim 1 wherein the first face comprises a flat mirror face and the second face comprises a convex mirror face.

3. A device according to claim 1 or 2 wherein the head comprises a frame for the faces.

4. A device according to claim 3 wherein the faces are reversibly mounted within the frame.

5. A device according to claim 4 wherein faces may be arranged into intermediate stepped positions between reversal.

6. A device according to any of the preceding claims wherein the handle describes a substantially linear handle axis, and the neck comprises a deviation from the handle axis to displace the head therefrom.

7. A device according to any of the preceding claims wherein the head or neck is displaceable from the handle for cleaning or maintenance purposes.

8. A device substantially as described herein with reference to Figures 1 to 4.

9. A device substantially as described herein with reference to Figures 5.