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. 28, 1999
Filed:
Sep. 11, 1998
Donald P Callan, Little Rock, AR (US);
Wendell Victor Ebling, Lake Forest, CA (US);
Ronald Bruce Beckman, Mission Viejo, CA (US);
James Charles Elmore, Mission Viejo, CA (US);
Craig Gordon Edwards, Mission Viejo, CA (US);
International Bioview, Inc., Irvine, CA (US);
Abstract
An improved endoscopic system for visualizing subgingival dental procedures. The device comprises a dilator projection incorporated into or onto the body of a dental instrument utilized to remove plaque and calculus from subgingival tooth surfaces. The projection preferably comprises a thin, flat shield portion having an arcuate shank portion extending therefrom. In use, the shield portion of the dilator projection is operative to dilate or spread the gingiva away from the adjacent tooth surfaces upon which the dental instrument is utilized to remove plaque and calculus. Formed within the shank portion of the dilator projection is at least one lumen for receiving an endoscopic viewing apparatus, that receives and transmits an optical image from the interior of the gingival sulcus or periodontal pocket to an image displaying device positioned outside the patient's body. Additional lumens may be formed within the shank portion of the dilator projection for the infusion of fluid or suction/aspiration.