Nickel titanium dental needle

• US 6,494,713 B1
• Filed: 09/01/2000
• Issued: 12/17/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 11/08/1999
• Status: Expired

• Current Assignee: Inter-Med Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Gary J. Pond
• Inventors: Pond, Gary J.
• Primary Examiner(s): WEHNER, CARY ELLEN
• Application Number:
  US09/654,201
• Time in Patent Office: 837 Days
• Field of Search: 433/80, 433/81, 433/224, 433/91
• US Class Current: 433/81
• CPC Class Codes: A61C 17/02 Rinsing or air-blowing devices, e.g. using fluid jets or comprising liquid medication combined with receptacles for spittle A61C17/14; combined with power-driven cleaning or polishing devices A61C17/16
• CPC Class Codes: A61C 5/40 Implements for surgical treatment of the roots or nerves of the teeth; Nerve needles; Methods or instruments for medication of the roots
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/158 Needles for infusions; Accessories therefor, e.g. for inserting infusion needles, or for holding them on the body

Abstract

An autoclavable needle assembly and method of making the same is provided for endodontic surgical procedures. The needle assembly includes a supporting hub member containing an adhesive in which one end of the needle is embedded. The surgical needle is preferably fabricated from NiTi alloy and includes, at its distal end, a side vent in the form of a skived portion extending a predetermined distance inwardly from the tip from the distal end of the needle. One or more coatings may be applied to the needle. An angle-adjustment sleeve can be bent to hold a desired angle in the needle.

Claims

1. A surgical needle assembly for endodontic procedures, said assembly comprising:

a needle having one end encapsulated and grippingly supported by a hub member and including a coextensive bore;

said needle further including a protruding hollow shaft portion of predetermined length;

an angle-adjustment sleeve surrounding a portion of said needle;

the distal end of said needle including an arcuate longitudinal skived portion having an arcuate height of a predetermined proportional ratio relative to the diameter of said bore.

2. The needle assembly of claim 1, wherein the angle-adjustment sleeve is formed from an annealed stainless steel.

3. The needle assembly of claim 1, wherein the angle-adjustment sleeve is secured to said hub member.

4. The needle assembly of claim 1, wherein the angle-adjustment sleeve is adhesively secured to said hub member.

5. The needle assembly of claim 1, wherein the angle-adjustment sleeve is secured to said needle using a pressure stressed connection.

6. The needle assembly of claim 1, wherein the angle-adjustment sleeve surrounds approximately one-third of the needle protruding hollow shaft portion.

7. A method of fabricating a surgical needle assembly for endodontic procedures including the steps of:

providing a tubular shaft;

die cutting said shaft to provide a surgical needle of predetermined length;

machining one end of said needle to provide a skived portion of predetermined length;

providing a hub member having a cup-like interior;

supplying an autoclavable adhesive to the cup-like interior of said hub member; and

inserting the opposite end in said adhesive for retention and support thereof by said hub member;

providing an angle-adjustment sleeve;

placing said angle-adjustment sleeve over the needle and into said adhesive for retention and support thereof by said hub member.

8. A method of fabricating a surgical needle assembly for endodontic procedures including the steps of:

providing a tubular shaft;

die cutting said shaft to provide a surgical needle of predetermined length;

machining one end of said needle to provide a skived portion of predetermined length;

providing a hub member having a cup-like interior;

supplying an autoclavable adhesive to the cup-like interior-of said hub member; and

inserting the opposite end in said adhesive for retention and support thereof by said hub member;

providing an angle-adjustment sleeve;

positioning said angle-adjustment sleeve over said needle;

forming a pressure stressed connection between said angle-adjustment and said needle by deforming said angle-adjustment sleeve.