APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR DENTAL OPERATIONS

• US 3,634,937 A
• Filed: 05/22/1970
• Issued: 01/18/1972
• Est. Priority Date: 05/22/1970
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Dental EZ Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Edward J. Green
• Inventors: Green, Edward J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Peshock, Robert
• Application Number:
  US05/039,632
• Time in Patent Office: 606 Days
• Field of Search: 206/72,DIG.29 32/1
• US Class Current: 434/263
• CPC Class Codes: A61C 19/02 Protective casings, e.g. boxes for instruments; Bags A61C5/44 takes precedence

Abstract

An apparatus and method for performing dental operations includes provided, kit defined by a sterilizable metal tool tray, an accessory tray for holding accessories to be used in performing a predetermined dental operation and a set of tools for use in performing the predetermined dental operation. Each tool in the set and each tray is provided with a common color identification symbol. A plurality of such kits may be provided with each kit containing tools and accessories for performing a different dental operation. Each kit then has a different color identification. An untrained assistant can readily locate and position the proper kit for performing a particular dental operation by means of the common color identification. Tools are easily returned to a proper tray after washing and sterilization by means of the common color identification.

Claims

1. A method of training a dental assistant in operating procedures involving the use of sterilizable metallic dental tool trays and nonmetallic accessory trays, comprising the steps of;

providing a plurality of tool trays and a plurality of accessory trays, providing a first of said tool trays with a first set of tools for performing a first type of dental operation, providing a second of said tool trays with a second set of tools for performing a second type of dental operation, providing a first of said accessory trays with accessories for use in performing said first type of dental operation, providing a second of said accessory trays with accessories for use in performing said second type of dental operation, providing each of said first trays with a common first color identification, and providing each of said second trays with a common second color identification.

2. The method of claim 1 and further including the steps of providing each tool in said first set of tools with said first color identification, aNd providing each tool in said second set of tools with said second color identification.

3. The method of claim 1 and further including the steps of providing said first color identification in a different arrangement on each of said tools in said first set of tools, and providing said second color identification in a different arrangement on each of said tools in said second second set of tools.

4. The method of claim 3 wherein said tool trays include a plurality of spaced-apart tool-supporting stations and further including the steps of providing said first color identification on said first tool tray in a different arrangement adjacent each of said tool-supporting stations, each of said first color identification different arrangements on said first tray corresponding in shape with one of said different arrangement first color identifications on said first set of tools, and providing said second color identification on said second tool in a different arrangement adjacent each of said tool-supporting stations, each of said different arrangement second color identifications on said second tray corresponding with one of said different arrangement second color identifications on said second set of tools.

5. The method of claim 1 and wherein said tool trays include a plurality of spaced-apart tool-supporting stations and further including the steps of providing said first color identification on said first tool tray in a different arrangement adjacent each of said tool-supporting stations, and providing said second color identification on said second tool tray in a different arrangement adjacent each of said tool-supporting stations.

6. A method of training a dental assistant in operating procedures involving the use of a sterilizable metallic dental tool trays having a plurality of spaced-apart tool-supporting stations, comprising the steps of;

providing a plurality of tool trays, providing a first of said trays with a first color identification on an exterior surface thereof, providing said first color identification in a different arrangement adjacent each of said tool-supporting stations on said first tray, providing a second of said trays with a second color identification on an exterior surface thereof, and providing said second color identification in a different arrangement adjacent each of said tool-supporting stations on said second tray.

7. The method of claim 6 and further including the steps of providing said first tray with a first set of tools for performing a first type of dental operation, providing each of said tools in said first set of tools with said first color identification in a different arrangement, each color identification arrangement on each of said tools corresponding with one color identification arrangement adjacent one of said tool-supporting stations on said first tray, providing a second set of tools for performing a second type of dental operation, and providing each of said tools with said first color identification in a different arrangement, each color identification arrangement on each of said tools corresponding with one color identification arrangement adjacent one of said tool-supporting stations on said second tray.

8. A rectangular dental tool tray having a bottom, first and second parallel spaced-apart sidewalls upstanding from said bottom, third and fourth parallel spaced-apart sidewalls upstanding from said bottom and extending perpendicular to said first and second sidewalls, tool support means in said tray for supporting a plurality to tools in parallel spaced-apart relationship between said first and second sidewalls, at least one of said sidewalls having tray color code means on its exterior surface, said tray including tool alignment color code means adjacent said tool support means, and said tray color code means being the same color as said tool alignment color code means.

9. The tray of claim 8 and further including a plurality of different tools supported by said support means, each of said tools haVing a tool color code thereon of the same color as said tray color code and said tool alignment color code.

10. The tray of claim 8 wherein said tool support means includes a plurality of spaced-apart tool-supporting stations and said tool alignment color code means is provided in a different arrangement adjacent each of said stations.

11. The tray of claim 19 and further including a plurality of different tools supported by said support means, each of said tools having a tool color code thereon in a different arrangement and of the same color as said tray color code and said tool alignment color code, each color code arrangement on each of said tools corresponding with one tool alignment color code arrangement one of said tool-supporting stations.

12. In a dental operating kit including a sterilizable metal tool tray, a set of dental tools for performing a predetermined dental operation, and a nonmetallic accessory tray for receiving accessories to be used in performing said operation, the improvement comprising;

a common color identification symbol on said tool tray and said accessory tray and each of said tools in said set of tools.

13. The kit of claim 12 wherein said tool tray includes a plurality of spaced-apart tool-supporting stations, said common color identification symbol being located in a different arrangement adjacent each of said stations, said common color identification symbol on each of said tools in said set of tools being in a different arrangement and corresponding to one of said arrangements adjacent said stations.