WO2001034054B1

WO2001034054B1 - Periotome

Info

Publication number: WO2001034054B1
Application number: PCT/US2000/030401
Authority: WO
Inventors: Christopher Robert; Sheldon A Lerner; Anthony H Handal
Original assignee: Christopher Robert; Sheldon A Lerner; Anthony H Handal
Priority date: 1999-11-05
Filing date: 2000-11-03
Publication date: 2002-01-10
Also published as: AU1915601A; WO2001034054A2; EP1231865A4; CA2390165A1; EP1231865A2; WO2001034054A3

Abstract

A manual periodontal surgical instrument (10) includes a handle (12) with a tool (14, 16) secured to each end. one tool (14) comprises a shank (20) with a first cutting blade (22) to separate the gingival attachment ane enter the PDL space. The angulation and length of are suited to circumscribe the entire periphery of the root structure all the way to the root apices. The other tool (16) comprises a spatula-shaped blade (36). A method of using the instrument (10) for extraction of teeth is also disclosed.

Claims

AMENDED CLAIMS

[received by the International Bureau on 21 August 2001 (21 08 01), original claims 1-23 replaced by amended claims 1 -23 (8 pages)]

1 A dental instrument (10) compπsmg a) a handle having two ends; b) a first tool (14) comprising an blade (22) configured and dimensioned tor severing fibrous bony attachments, said blade being mounted at one of said ends; and c) a second tool (16) mounted at the other end of said handle, said second tool (16); characterized by said blade (22) bemg thin and flattened and by said second comprising a blade (36) having a blade tip portion, said blade tip portion being tapered in a first plane, said tapering in said first plane varying from a very narrow width adjacent said tip to widths progressively larger in the direction towards said other end of said handle, said blade tip portion further comprising a blade base portion having a width m said first plane equal to or less than the widest portion of said tip portion, and having a thickness in a plane transverse to said first plane substantially less than the width of the widest portion of said tip portion, said blade having a size and thickness adapted to create additional space for the introduction of extraction instruments in a controlled manner.

2. A dental instrument (10) according to claim 1 characterized in that said cutting blade (22) is flexible.

3. A dental instrument (10) according to claim 1 characterized in that said first tool (14) has a length and a width and is oriented with said length at an angle with respect to said handle, said angle having a magnitude and said length having a magnitude which render said first tool (14) suited to circumscribe the entire circumference of the root structure to the root apices.

4. A dental instrument according to claim 1 characterized in that said first

-29 - tool (14) comprises: a) a base having a first end and a second end, said first end being connected to said handle; b) a stem having a length, a first stem end and a second stem end, said first stem end being connected to said second end of said base; and c) a blade portion having a first blade end and a second blade end, said first blade end being connected to said second stem end.

5. A dental instrument (10) according to claim 4 characterized in that said blade (22) is oriented at an angle of between 25 and 55 degrees with respect to said stem.

6. A dental instrument (10) according to claim 1 characterized in that said handle (12) weighs approximately 23 grams (0.8 ounces).

7. A method of extracting a tooth characterized by comprising the steps of: a) using a first tool (14) to cut into the periodontal ligaments to provide a space; and b) inserting a second tool (16) into said space and rocking said second tool back and forth to expand a boney socket surrounding said tooth.

8. A dental instrument (10) comprising:

(a) a handle having two ends and adapted to be grasped by the user;

(b) a first cutting tool (14) secured to one end of said handle (12), said cutting tool characterized by comprising : i) a base portion secured to said one end of said handle (12) and extending substantially in the same direction as said handle (12), ii) a second portion extending from said base portion, said second portion being secured integrally with said base portion, said second

-30 - portion extending at an angle in a first direction with respect to said base portion, and iii) a blade (22) portion extending from and integrally secured to said second portion, said blade portion extending at an angle with respect to said base portion in the direction opposite said first direction, the angle between said base portion and said second portion being large relative to the angle which said second portion and said blade portion make, said blade having a flattened configuration angularly aligned to be parallel to an inside surface and made to where said instrument is placed in a convenient position with respect to a tooth during use of the dental instrument (10) on said tooth.

9. The dental instrument (10) as in claim 8 characterized by further comprising a second cutting tool (16) secured to the other end of said handle (12), said second cutting tool (16) having a configuration which is a mirror image of said first cutting tool (14).

10. The dental instrument (10) as in claim 8 characterized in that said blade (22) portion is rotated 20 to 60 degrees relative to the base portion.

11. A surgical kit characterized by comprising a) a dental instrument (10) comprising: i) a handle having two ends; ii) a first tool (14) comprising an blade (22) configured and dimensioned for severing fibrous bony attachments, said blade being mounted at one of said ends; and iii) a second tool (16) mounted at the other end of said handle, said second tool (16); characterized by said blade (22) being thin and flattened and by said second comprising a blade (36) having a blade tip portion, said blade tip portion being tapered in a first plane, said tapering in said first plane varying

- 31- from a very narrow width adjacent said tip to widths progressively larger in the direction towards said other end of said handle, said blade tip portion further comprising a blade base portion having a width in said first plane equal to or less than the widest portion of said tip portion, and having a thickness in a plane transverse to said first plane substantially less than the width of the widest portion of said tip portion, said blade having a size and thickness adapted to create additional space for the introduction of extraction instruments in a controlled manner; and b) a dental instrument (10) comprising:

(i) a handle having two ends and adapted to be grasped by the user;

(ii) a first cutting tool (14) secured to one end of said handle (12), said cutting tool comprising :

1. a base portion secured to said one end of said handle (12) and extending substantially in the same direction as said handle (12),

2. a second portion extending from said base portion, said second portion being secured integrally with said base portion, said second portion extending at an angle in a first direction with respect to said base portion, and

3. a blade (22) portion extending from and integrally secured to said second portion, said blade portion extending at an angle with respect to said base portion in the direction opposite said first direction, the angle between said base portion and said second portion being large relative to the angle which said second portion and said blade portion make, said blade having a flattened configuration angularly aligned to be parallel to an inside surface and made to where said instrument is placed in a convenient position with respect to a tooth during use of the dental instrument (10) on said tooth, said blade (22) portion being rotated 20 to 60 degrees relative to the base portion.

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12. A scalpel for dental surgerv, comprising:

(a) an elongated handle (12) having first and second ends extending in a first direction and adapted to be grasped by a dentist during oral surgery, said elongated handle (12) defining an axis which extends in the same direction in which said handle (12) extends;

(b) a flat elongated cutting blade having two elongated cutting edges, and an axis disposed between said elongated cutting edges and extending in the same direction has said elongated cutting edges, said two elongated cutting edges defining a first plane; and

(c) a support mechanically coupling said first end of said elongated handle (12) to said flat elongated cutting blade with said flat elongated cutting blade positioned with its axis at a first angle to be axis of said elongated handle (12), the axis of said elongated handle (12) and the axis of said flat elongated cutting blade defining a second plane, said elongated cutting blade being supported with respect to said handle (12) at a position where said second plane is at a second angle with respect to said first plane.

13. A surgical kit characterized by comprising: a) a dental instrument (10) comprising i) a handle having two ends; ii) a first tool (14) comprising a blade (22) configured and dimensioned for severing fibrous bony attachments, said blade being mounted at one of said ends; and iii) a second tool (16) mounted at the other end of said handle, said second tool (16); said blade (22) being thin and flattened and by said second comprising a blade (36) having a blade tip portion, said blade tip portion being tapered in a first plane, said tapering in said first plane varying from a very narrow width adjacent said tip to widths progressively larger in the direction towards said other end of said handle, said blade tip portion further comprising a blade

-33 - base portion having a width in said first plane equal to or less than the widest portion of said tip portion, and having a thickness in a plane transverse to said first plane substantially less than the width of the widest portion of said tip portion, said blade having a size and thickness adapted to create additional space for the introduction of extraction instruments in a controlled manner; and b) a dental instrument (10) comprising:

(i) an elongated handle (12) having first and second ends extending in a first direction and adapted to be grasped by a dentist during oral surgery, said elongated handle (12) defining an axis which extends in the same direction in which said handle (12) extends;

(ii) a flat elongated cutting blade having two elongated cutting edges, and an axis disposed between said elongated cutting edges and extending in the same direction has said elongated cutting edges, said two elongated cutting edges defining a first plane; and

(iii) a support mechanically coupling said first end of said elongated handle (12) to said flat elongated cutting blade with said flat elongated cutting blade positioned with its axis at a first angle to be axis of said elongated handle (12), the axis of said elongated handle (12) and the axis of said flat elongated cutting blade defining a second plane, said elongated cutting blade being supported with respect to said handle (12) at a position where said second plane is at a second angle with respect to said first plane.

14. A motorized dental instrument (410) comprising: a) a support member; b) a dental tool, characterized in that said dental tool extending from said support member and being seated in said support member such that the dental tool is capable of linear motion; and, c) at least one mechanical link between the motor and said dental tool in said support member, whereby the dental tool is driven in reciprocating

. -34 - motion.

15. A motorized dental instrument (410) as in claim 14 characterized in that said mechanical link comprises at least one cam, shaft and tappet coupled to each other.

16. A motorized dental instrument (410) as in claim 14 characterized in that said tool is a blade.

17. A motorized dental instrument (410), comprising: a) a support member; b) a dental tool, characterized in that said dental tool extending from said support member and being seated in said support member such that the dental tool is capable of linear motion; c) a tappet seated in said support member, said tappet contacting said tool, whereby said contact extends said tool outward from said support member; d) at least one shaft rotatably seated in said support member, whereby said shaft is driven by said motor; and e) a cam coupled to said shaft, said shaft contacting said tappet.

18. A motorized dental instrument (410) as in claim 17, characterized by further comprising: f) a second shaft rotatably seated in said support member, whereby said second shaft is driven by said motor; g) a first gear coupled to said second shaft; h) a second gear coupled to said first shaft, said first and second gears being mechanically linked.

19. A motorized dental instrument (410) as in claim 17, characterized by

- 35 - further comprising: f) at least one ball bearing member, said member comprising a plurality of ball bearings, said ball bearing member being positioned and configured in said support member such that said shaft contacts the ball bearings as the shaft rotates.

20. A motorized dental instrument (410) as in claim 15, characterized in that said support member further comprises a plurality of support sections, each of said support sections having an upper coupling device and a lower coupling device, whereby each of said support sections are attachable to another support section.

21. A motorized dental instrument (410) as in claim 17, characterized in that said support member further comprises a plurality of ball bearing members, each of said ball bearing members comprising a plurality of ball bearings and each of said ball bearing members having an upper coupling device and a lower coupling device, whereby each of said ball bearing members are attachable to another ball bearing member or said support sections.

22. A motorized dental instrument (410) as in claim 21, characterized in that the upper and lower coupling devices on the support sections and the ball bearing members comprise corresponding male/ female threading.

23. A motorized dental instrument (410) comprising: a) a support member; b) a dental tool, characterized in that said dental tool extending from said support member and being seated in said support member such that the dental tool is capable of motion in a closed loop path; and, c) at least one mechanical link between the motor and said dental tool in said support member, whereby the dental tool is driven in reciprocating motion.

- 36 - STATEMENT UNDER ARTICLE 19(i)

The International Search Report dated June 23, 2001 has cited three reference, Wagner U. S. Patent No. 1,369,582 , Wiland U. S. Patent No. 4,270,902, and Mueller ("Gingival Peritomy") as being relevant. Wagner is clearly distinguished by applicant's amended claims. Wagner's device was designed for trimming wax impressions or amalgam fillings. Specifically, it should not be sharp, to eliminate the danger of cutting soft tissues such as the gums, or marring the tooth. The instrument of the claimed invention is specifically designed to allow for the introduction, between the gingiva and the tooth, of a blade to sever soft tissues, namely the periodontal ligament. Additionally, where the first tool in Wagner is round in cross section, the first tool defined in claims 1, 8, 11, 12 and 13 is thin and flattened for insertion into the space between the tooth and the boney socket with minimal bone distortion. The second tool of Wagner is "rounded in cross section at all points and therefore has no sharp edges". In contrast, the second tool of the claimed invention comprises a thin, flattened blade, designed to enter into the space between the tooth and the boney socket and sever the periodontal ligament. The first tool can then be inserted into the space created by the second tool allowing the tooth to be extracted with minimal bone distortion. Therefore, Wagner is clearly distinguished from claims 1-6 as amended.

Wiland is clearly distinguished by applicant's amended claims. Specifically, Wiland' s dental instruments was designed to contour dental restorations. For that purpose, Wiland's instruments have concave and convex surfaces to conform to the surfaces of the tooth. The carving sections of Wiland's instrument being straight extensions from the second portion. The claimed instrument provides for a thin blade defined in claim 1, 8, 11, 12, and 13, thin enough to be able to enter the space between the tooth and boney socket. The blade portion coming off the second portion at an angle, thus not being a direct extension of the second portion as is disclosed in Wiland. Wiland's three or more cutting surfaces are specifically designed for the shaping of a restoration in a shaving action, rather then slicing action. Instruments that are used to cut or shave hard surfaces generally do not cut

-37- soft surfaces, such as would be the case with an orthopedic cast saw which will cut off a cast and leave the delicate skin underneath intact. The three or more cutting surfaces of the present invention are specifically for the cutting of the periodontal ligament, having a function and structure different from Wiland. Therefore, Wiland is not remotely relevant to new claims 8 and 9 as amended.

Mueller is clearly distinguished by applicant's amended claims. Specifically, the Mueller device is something that the current invention is designed to overcome. In Mueller, the first instrument is inserted to cut away the gum tissue from the tooth to be extracted, to prevent/ minimize injury to the gums. In the claimed invention, the first instrument defined in claim 1, 8, 11, 12, and 13, is used to sever the periodontal ligament, a fibrous attachment between the tooth to be extracted and the boney tooth socket, minimizing the need for gross osteo-compressive forces by allowing the tooth to be extracted easier. The second tool utilized in Mueller is forceps, which when rocketed back and forth provide gross osteo-compressive forces utilizing the subject tooth as the fulcrum with all the disadvantages described in the application. The claimed invention when inserted and rocked provides minimal osteo- compressive forces, thus preserving the boney architecture of the socket and allowing the tooth to escape with minimal trauma to the surrounding tissues. Therefore, Mueller is not remotely relevant to claims 7 and 12 as amended.

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