Time-indicating syringe-in-syringe mixing devices and related methods for storing and dispensing two-part dental compositions

• US 20070255200A1
• Filed: 05/01/2006
• Published: 11/01/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 05/01/2006
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Ultradent Products Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Ultradent Products Incorporated
• Inventors: McLean, Bruce, Fischer, Dan
• Application Number:
  US11/414,964
• Publication Number:
  US 20070255200A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 604/82
• CPC Class Codes: A61C 5/68 Mixing dental material components for immediate application to a site to be restored, e.g. a tooth cavity
• CPC Class Codes: A61C 9/0026 Syringes or guns for injecting impression material; Mixing impression material for immediate use
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/6063 Optical identification systems
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/31511 Piston or piston-rod constructions, e.g. connection of piston with piston-rod A61M5/5066 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 25/082 the partition being in the form of a plug or the like which is removed by increasing or decreasing the pressure within the container B65D81/3211 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 77/0486 the inner container being coaxially disposed within the outer container B65D81/3876 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 83/0005 Containers or packages provided with a piston or with a movable bottom or partition having approximately the same section as the container B65D83/0072 takes precedence

Abstract

A time-indicating syringe-in-syringe mixing system for mixing, storing and dispensing a two-part composition that, when mixed together, yields a time-sensitive dental composition. The system includes a first plunger, a hollow second plunger configured to contain a first component, a syringe barrel configured to contain a second component, structure for recording a date when a first component was mixed with a second component, and structure for protecting the recorded date from damage or alteration. The first plunger is slidably disposed within the hollow second plunger, and the hollow second plunger is slidably disposed within the syringe barrel during use. A second syringe may be coupled to the system to provide syringe-to-syringe mixing.

Claims

1. A time-indicating mixing, storing and dispensing system for use with a two-part dental composition that, when mixed together, yield a time-sensitive dental composition, the system comprising:

a first plunger;

a hollow second plunger configured to contain therein a first component, the hollow second plunger being adapted to receive the first plunger therein in slidable engagement;

a syringe barrel configured to contain therein a second component, the syringe barrel being adapted to receive the hollow second plunger therein in slidable engagement;

means for indicating a recorded date when a first component initially contained within the hollow second plunger is mixed with a second component initially contained within the syringe barrel; and

means for protecting the recorded date from damage or alteration.

2. A time-indicating mixing, storing and dispensing system as recited in claim 1, wherein the means for indicating a recorded date is disposed on the first plunger.

3. A time-indicating mixing, storing and dispensing system as recited in claim 2, wherein the first plunger comprises an elongate stem and a sealing plug at a distal end of the elongate stem, the means for indicating a recorded date comprising an indented label surface formed into a portion of the elongate stem on which can be recorded a date.

4. A time-indicating mixing, storing and dispensing system as recited in claim 3, wherein the indented label surface is formed near a proximal end of the elongate stem.

5. A time-indicating mixing, storing and dispensing system as recited in claim 1, wherein the means for protecting the recorded date from damage or alteration comprises a transparent or translucent portion of the hollow second plunger that covers the recorded date once the first plunger is inserted into the hollow second plunger.

6. A time-indicating mixing, storing and dispensing system as recited in claim 5, further comprises a locking mechanism for preventing, or at least inhibiting, the first plunger from being withdrawn from the hollow second plunger once fully inserted into the hollow second plunger.

7. A time-indicating mixing, storing and dispensing system as recited in claim 6, wherein the locking mechanism comprises a plurality of interlock ribs formed near a proximal end of the first plunger, the plurality of interlock ribs being configured for insertion into the hollow second plunger so as to prevent the first plunger from being withdrawn once the plurality of interlock ribs have been, inserted into the hollow second plunger.

8. A time-indicating mixing, storing and dispensing system as recited in claim 6, wherein the locking mechanism comprises an annular interlock ring formed near a proximal end of the first plunger, the annular interlock ring being configured for insertion into the hollow second plunger so as to prevent the first plunger from being withdrawn once the annular interlock ring has been inserted into the hollow second plunger.

9. A time-indicating mixing, storing and dispensing system as recited in claim 1, further comprising a second syringe barrel coupleable to a distal end of the syringe barrel so as to allow syringe-to-syringe mixing of a first component with a second component.

10. A time-indicating mixing, storing and dispensing system as recited in claim 1, further comprising separation means for initially separating a first component within the hollow second plunger from a second component within the syringe barrel.

11. A time-indicating mixing, storing and dispensing system as recited in claim 10, wherein the separation means comprises a rupturable membrane.

12. A time-indicating mixing, storing and dispensing system as recited in claim 11, wherein the rupturable membrane comprises a thermoplastic elastomer.

13. A time-indicating mixing, storing and dispensing system as recited in claim 10, wherein the separation means comprises a valve.

14. A time-indicating mixing, storing and dispensing system for use with a two-part dental composition that, when mixed together, yield a time-sensitive dental composition, the system comprising:

a first plunger comprising an elongate stem and a sealing plug at a distal end of the elongate stem;

a hollow second plunger configured to contain therein a first component, the first plunger being slidably disposed within the hollow second plunger during use, the second plunger including a transparent or translucent window portion;

a syringe barrel configured to contain therein a second component, the hollow second plunger being slidably disposed within the syringe barrel during use; and

an indented label surface formed into a portion of the elongate stem on which can be recorded a date when a first component initially contained within the hollow second plunger is mixed with a second component initially contained within the syringe barrel,

wherein a date recorded on the label surface can be viewed through the transparent or translucent window portion of the hollow second plunger once the first plunger is fully inserted into the hollow second plunger.

15. A time-indicating mixing, storing and dispensing system as recited in claim 14, further comprising a locking mechanism formed near a proximal end of the cylindrical elongate stem, the locking mechanism being configured for insertion into the hollow second plunger so as to prevent the first plunger from being withdrawn once the locking mechanism has been fully inserted into the hollow second plunger.

16. A time-indicating mixing, storing and dispensing system as recited in claim 15, further comprising a rupturable membrane for separating a first component within the hollow second plunger from a second component within the syringe barrel.

17. A time-indicating mixing, storing and dispensing system as recited in claim 16, wherein a force required to rupture the rupturable membrane is approximately equal to a force required to insert the locking mechanism of the cylindrical elongate stem into the hollow second plunger.

18. A method of mixing, storing and dispensing a time-sensitive composition formed by mixing together a two-part dental composition, the method comprising:

providing a time-indicating mixing, storing and dispensing system as recited in claim 14;

recording a date when a first component initially contained within the hollow second plunger is mixed with a second component initially contained within the syringe barrel on the label surface of the elongate stem; and

pressing the elongate stem of the first plunger into the hollow second plunger so as to cause the first component within the hollow second plunger to be mixed with the second component within the syringe barrel.

19. A method as recited in claim 18, wherein the date when the first component is mixed with the second component is written directly onto the indented label surface of the elongate stem.

20. A method as recited in claim 18, wherein the date when the first component is mixed with the second component is written on an adhesive label, the method further comprising adhering the adhesive label to the indented label surface of the elongate stem.

21. A method as recited in claim 18, further comprising:

inserting a locking mechanism on the elongate stem into the hollow second plunger so as to lock the first plunger within the hollow second plunger.