Dental explorer

• US 4,048,723 A
• Filed: 09/15/1975
• Issued: 09/20/1977
• Est. Priority Date: 09/14/1974
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Palle Thorup
• Original Assignee: Palle Thorup
• Inventors: Thorup, Palle
• Primary Examiner(s): Peshock, Robert
• Application Number:
  US05/613,293
• Time in Patent Office: 736 Days
• Field of Search: 32/40 R, 32/50, 32/58, 128/276
• US Class Current: 433/82
• CPC Class Codes: A61C 19/04 Measuring instruments specially adapted for dentistry A61C5/44 takes precedence; testing vitality of teeth A61B5/0534; radiation diagnosis specially adapted for dentistry A61B6/51

Abstract

A dental explorer comprising a handle with a generally tapered explorer portion which terminates in a point has been provided with a passage extending through the handle and through and/or alongside the explorer portion so that it terminates spaced from and generally directed against the point of the explorer portion. The other end of the passage is connected to a source of pressurized air through a light and flexible connection. In the passage or the connection is provided at least one valve which may be operated by the dentist for selectively admitting air therethrough. The explorer portion comprising the point may be detachably secured to the handle so as to allow it to be replaced by another similar or different explorer portion.

Claims

1. In a dental explorer assembly for use in dentistry, the explorer including a handle or butt portion and a generally tapered explorer portion terminating in a point which is to be brought into contact with surfaces of teeth of a patient, the improvement comprising a passage having a first orifice and a second orifice, said passage extending at least partially through said handle or butt portion with said first orifice spaced from and directed toward said point for directing a stream of compressed air onto surface of a tooth adjacent said point to blow away chips and maintain this surface dry;

a compressed-air source;

a light and flexible connection connected between said second orifice of said passage and said compressed air source for feeding compressed air to said passage;

at least one valve arranged in said handle or butt portion between said compressed-air source and said first orifice for selectively allowing compressed air to flow through said passage under control of one using the assembly, said valve including a valve seat arranged in axial symmetry in said handle or butt portion and having (1) an axial bore and generally concave seat surface and (2) a valve body in axial position when said valve is closed and having a convex valve surface whose convexity is greater than concavity of said seat surface of said valve seat;

means for resiliently urging said valve surface against said seat surface; and

finger-operable means for causing displacement of said valve body away from its axial closed position.

2. An improved dental explorer assembly according to claim 1, wherein said at least one valve comprises a valve for selectively varying the volume of air passing through said passage.

3. An improved dental explorer assembly according to claim 1, wherein said explorer portion is removably attached to said handle or butt portion.

4. An improved dental explorer assembly according to claim 3, including a plurality of removable and interchangeable explorer portions for selective attachment to said handle or butt portion.

5. An improved dental explorer assembly according to claim 1, wherein a portion of said passage is provided within said explorer portion.

6. An improved dental explorer assembly according to claim 1, wherein a portion of said passage proximate said first orifice is separate from said explorer portion.

7. An improved dental explorer assembly according to claim 6, wherein said portion of said passage proximate said first orifice is adjustable in relation to said point of said explorer portion.

8. An improved dental explorer assembly according to claim 1, wherein at least said explorer portion is made from thermic sterilizable material.

9. An improved dental explorer assembly according to claim 1, wherein said explorer portion is configured in conventional manner, said point forming an angle with respect to the longitudinal axis of said handle or butt portion.

10. An improved dental explorer assembly according to claim 1, wherein said concave seat surface of said valve seat is a truncated cone face having an apex angle, wherein said valve body is a ball having a diameter less than that of said seat surface of said valve seat and several times greater than the diameter of said bore therein.

11. An improved dental explorer assembly according to claim 1, wherein said apex angle is greater than 120°

.

12. An improved dental explorer assembly according to claim 1, wherein said valve body is a ball and said valve surface of said valve body is a ball segment face forming part of said ball.