The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Dec. 23, 1997
Filed:
Jul. 06, 1995
Shannon E Mills, San Antonio, TX (US);
Randy Shaffer, San Antonio, TX (US);
Michael T Freeman, San Antonio, TX (US);
Thomas J Plamondon, San Antonio, TX (US);
Barry L Oakes, Jr, San Antonio, TX (US);
Abstract
A new apparatus and method for delivering sterile irrigating solution to dental sites during restorative and surgical procedures is disclosed. A new sterilizable handpiece line adapter is connected between prior art dental handpieces and dental unit air-water hoses. The handpiece line adapter includes an input port for sterile irrigating solution and an outlet port for the sterile irrigating solution replacing a prior art outlet port for tap water. A standard IV bag containing sterile irrigating solution is pressurized with a standard infuser bag. Standard IV tubing connects the IV bag to the input port of the line adapter. An air-controlled, normally-closed pinch valve girdles part of the IV tubing. The pinch valve is connected to a spare outlet of a standard foot pedal controlled dental unit so that, when the foot pedal is depressed to operate the dental handpiece, the pinch valve automatically opens to allow delivery of sterile irrigating solution from the IV bag.