Syringe delivery system for dispensing a dental composite or other highly viscous material

• US 20060223027A1
• Filed: 04/01/2005
• Published: 10/05/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 04/01/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ultradent Products Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Ultradent Products Incorporated
• Inventors: Fischer, Dan E., Smith, Wade, McLean, Bruce S.
• Granted Patent: US 7,261,559 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 433/90
• CPC Class Codes: A61C 5/62 Applicators, e.g. syringes or guns
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2005/3121 via the proximal end of a syringe, i.e. syringe end opposite to needle cannula mounting end
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/31586 performed by rotationally moving or pivoted actuator, e.g. an injection lever or handle

Abstract

A syringe delivery system for dispensing a highly viscous material through a syringe delivery opening. The system includes a syringe barrel having a delivery opening, a plunger including a threaded shaft that threadably engages the syringe barrel for selectively dispensing a viscous material through the delivery opening, and a plunger gripping member in griping communication with the plunger that includes means for sealing the threaded shaft of the plunger so as to prevent contamination by foreign matter. According to one embodiment, a sheath may be included that covers the threaded shaft of the plunger so as to hide the plunger beneath the sheath. The sheath provides a sealed environment for the threaded shaft so as to prevent entrance or contamination by foreign matter.

Claims

1. A syringe delivery system for dispensing a viscous material through a syringe opening comprising:

a syringe barrel having a delivery opening;

a plunger including a threaded shaft that threadably engages said syringe barrel for selective dispensing of a viscous material through the delivery opening; and

a plunger gripping member in gripping communication with said plunger that includes means for sealing said threaded shaft of said plunger so as to prevent contamination by foreign matter.

2. A syringe delivery system as recited in claim 1, wherein said means for sealing said threaded shaft of said plunger comprises a sheath that covers said threaded shaft of said plunger so as to shield said plunger beneath said sheath.

3. A syringe delivery system as recited in claim 2, wherein at least one of said barrel or said sheath is ellipsoidal in cross section so as to allow a user to more easily grip said sheath and rotate said syringe barrel during use.

4. A syringe delivery system as recited in claim 3, wherein said sheath is ellipsoidal.

5. A syringe delivery system as recited in claim 3, wherein said syringe barrel is ellipsoidal.

6. A syringe delivery system as recited in claim 2, wherein said sheath is enlarged relative to said syringe barrel.

7. A syringe delivery system as recited in claim 2, wherein said syringe barrel and/or said sheath comprise one or more gripping portions formed of a grippable material.

8. A syringe delivery system as recited in claim 1, wherein said syringe barrel includes a threaded nut for threadably engaging said threaded shaft of said plunger.

9. A syringe delivery system as recited in claim 1, further comprising a cap.

10. A syringe delivery system as recited in claim 9, wherein said cap comprises a flip-top cap.

11. A syringe delivery system as recited in claim 2, wherein said sheath of said plunger gripping member further comprises at least one level indicator window.

12. A syringe delivery system as recited in claim 11, wherein said threaded shaft includes at least one level indicator tab that rides within at least one groove formed on an inside surface of said sheath, said at least one groove being opposite said level indicator window.

13. A syringe delivery system as recited in claim 12, wherein said plunger further comprises at least one gripping tab that rides within at least one groove formed on an inside surface of said sheath, said plunger gripping member being in gripping communication with said plunger via said at least one level indicator tab and said at least one gripping tab of said plunger riding within said grooves formed on an inside surface of said plunger gripping member.

14. A syringe delivery system as recited in claim 2, wherein said sheath and said syringe barrel comprise a material that blocks transmission of curing light wavelengths.

15. A syringe delivery system as recited in claim 1, further comprising a plurality of intersecting planar vanes at the distal end of said syringe barrel for defining separate compartments of a viscous material as the material is pushed through said syringe barrel.

16. A syringe delivery system as recited in claim 15, wherein said intersecting planar vanes comprise a material that blocks transmission of curing light wavelengths.

17. A syringe delivery system as recited in claim 15, wherein said intersecting planar vanes comprise a material that is sufficiently similar in color to the viscous material being dispensed as to be essentially unnoticeable in comparison to the viscous material.

18. A syringe delivery system for dispensing a viscous material through a syringe opening comprising:

a syringe barrel having a delivery opening;

a plunger including a threaded shaft that threadably engages said syringe barrel for selective dispensing of a viscous material through the delivery opening; and

a plunger gripping member in gripping communication with said plunger that includes a sheath that covers said threaded shaft of said plunger so as to shield said plunger beneath the sheath;

wherein said sheath provides a sealed environment for said threaded shaft so as to prevent entrance or contamination by foreign matter.

19. A method of using a syringe delivery system comprising:

providing a syringe delivery system comprising;

a syringe barrel having a delivery opening;

a plunger including a threaded shaft that threadably engages said syringe barrel for selective dispensing of a viscous material through the delivery opening; and

a plunger gripping member in gripping communication with said plunger that includes a sheath that covers said threaded shaft of said plunger so as to hide said plunger beneath the sheath;

wherein said sheath provides a sealed environment for said threaded shaft so as to prevent entrance or contamination by foreign matter;

manipulating the syringe barrel of said syringe delivery system so as to selectively dispense a viscous material through the delivery opening of said syringe delivery system; and

cleaning the syringe barrel and sheath of syringe delivery system.

20. A method as recited in claim 19, wherein said syringe barrel and said sheath are cleaned with a towelette.