Dental vibrator and acoustical unit with method for the inhibition of operative pain

• US 20060275739A1
• Filed: 06/03/2005
• Published: 12/07/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 06/03/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Charles D. Ray
• Original Assignee: Charles D. Ray
• Inventors: Ray, Charles D.
• Granted Patent: US 7,654,825 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 433/215
• CPC Class Codes: A61C 1/07 with vibratory drive, e.g. ultrasonic
• CPC Class Codes: A61C 1/081 Pain-alleviating features

Abstract

A patient-controlled device for inhibiting intraoperative dental pain is disclosed. The device includes a removable tooth clamp, an actuator unit, and a control box. The actuator defines unit includes a vibratory actuator and a coupling device for coupling the vibratory actuator to the tooth clamp. The control box is electrically connected to the vibratory actuator and includes at least one controller. In this regard, the removable tooth clamp is configured to be attached to at least one tooth of a patient, and upon final assembly, the controller initiates oscillation of the tooth clamp via the vibratory actuator and vibrates the tooth/teeth to inhibit intraoperative dental pain.

Claims

1. A patient-controlled device for inhibiting intraoperative dental pain comprising:

a removable tooth clamp;

an actuator unit including a vibratory actuator and a coupling device for coupling the vibrating actuator to the tooth clamp; and

a control box electrically connected to the vibratory actuator and including at least one controller;

wherein the removable tooth clamp is configured to be attached to at least one tooth of a patient, and further wherein upon final assembly the at least one controller initials oscillation of the tooth clamp via the vibratory actuator, vibrating the at least one tooth to inhibit intraoperative dental pain.

2. The patient-controlled device of claim 1, wherein the removable tooth clamp includes opposing metal bands and a screw tightening mechanism coupled between the opposing metal bands.

3. The patient-controlled device of claim 1, wherein the vibratory actuator is a piezoelectric actuator.

4. The patient-controlled device of claim 1, wherein the vibratory actuator is a magnetic induction actuator.

5. The patient-controlled device of claim 1, wherein the at least one dial includes a first vibration intensity dial and a second vibration frequency dial.

6. The patient-controlled device of claim 1, wherein the control box includes a panic button configured to selectively trigger at least one of an optical alert and an auditory alert.

7. The patient-controlled device of claim 1, wherein the control box includes an auditory output terminal configured to receive a headphone jack.

8. The patient-controlled device of claim 1, wherein the control box includes an FM receiver.

9. The patient-controlled device of claim 1, wherein the control box includes a water resistant battery compartment.

10. A method of inhibiting intraoperative dental pain comprising:

providing a patient with a control box;

removably attaching a tooth clamp to at least one tooth of the patient, the tooth clamp including a prong;

connecting a prong receptor of an actuator unit to the prong, the actuator unit including a vibratory actuator;

electrically connecting actuator unit to the control box; and

energizing the vibratory actuator to vibrate the tooth to inhibit a sensation of pain.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the method is characterized by the absence of providing the patient with anesthesia.

12. The method of claim 10, wherein the control box includes a controller, the method further comprising:

manipulating the controller by the patient to adjust the amount of vibrating energy delivered to the patient'"'"'s tooth.