JPH025416B2 - - Google Patents

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention (Industrial Application Field) The present invention relates to a device for abrasive cleaning of tooth surfaces by ejecting pressurized air mixed with abrasive particles and pressurized spray water from a handpiece nozzle. In particular, the present invention relates to an apparatus that prevents abrasive particles from remaining in the pipe flow path leading to the handpiece spout and causing clogging when the abrasive cleaning operation is stopped.

(Prior art) Pressurized air and pressurized spray water mixed with fine grain sand, sodium bicarbonate, etc. are ejected from a handpiece nozzle in order to remove dirt such as plaque or tar from the tooth surface. It is generally done to collide with dental plaque, resin, etc., and peel and remove them from the tooth surface.

As an abrasive, in order to solve the problem of post-treatment of the abrasive after use or the discomfort caused by solid residual abrasive in the patient's mouth,
Water-soluble abrasives such as sodium bicarbonate and sodium glutamate are commonly used (see Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 47850/1985).

(Problems to be Solved by the Invention) By the way, especially when a water-soluble abrasive is used to polish and clean the tooth surface, during the process the abrasive passes through the flow path leading to the handpiece nozzle with pressurized air. However, when the operation is stopped, some of the abrasive will remain in the flow path.

In particular, since the air or water flow path inside the handpiece is complicatedly curved and narrow, abrasive particles tend to remain in the air flow path.

This residual water-soluble abrasive easily absorbs moisture, so it solidifies on the inner wall of the flow path, clogging the flow path, ensuring the smooth flow of the abrasive as before when work resumes. In some cases, the flow path may even become completely blocked, making it impossible to carry out the polishing and cleaning work on the tooth surface.

(Means and effects for solving the problems) The present invention is a device that prevents clogging of the flow path due to residual abrasive when the polishing and cleaning work of the tooth surface is stopped. A device for polishing and cleaning tooth surfaces by ejecting pressurized air mixed with abrasive particles and pressurized spray water from a handpiece nozzle, and the basic air flow from the pressurized air source to the abrasive particle mixing device. a flow path, an abrasive-containing pressurized air flow path from the abrasive particle mixing device to the handpiece nozzle, a water flow path from the pressurized water source to the water spout of the handpiece, and a water flow path branching from the basic air flow path and at its end. In a device comprising a basic air flow path provided and a control signal flow path provided with a manually operated valve that operates an operation valve that automatically opens and closes a pressurized water flow path, the control signal flow on the outlet side of the manually operated valve is An air circuit for cleaning the abrasive-containing pressurized air flow path is provided, the other end of which branches off from the abrasive air flow path and is connected to the middle of the abrasive-mixed pressurized air flow path; When pressurized air mixed with particles and pressurized spray water are ejected from the handpiece nozzle to polish and clean the tooth surface, the pressurized air from the control signal flow path is stored in the air tank. and an air reservoir device for cleaning an abrasive-containing pressurized air passage is provided, which injects compressed air stored in the air tank into the abrasive-containing pressurized air passage when the abrasive cleaning work is stopped. This is a tooth surface polishing and cleaning device characterized by:

Next, specific examples of the present invention will be explained with reference to the drawings.

Figure 1 schematically shows the fluid flow, valve opening/closing status, etc. when the tooth surface polishing cleaning operation is stopped, and Figure 2 shows the state when the tooth surface polishing cleaning operation is being carried out. There is.

In FIG. 2, pressurized air from a pressurized air source 1 flows through elementary air channels 2, 2' and reaches an abrasive particle mixing device 11, where it becomes abrasive-laced pressurized air and flows through its channel A. After that, it is ejected from the nozzle of the hand piece 19.

On the other hand, the pressurized water from the pressurized water source 9 is supplied to the pressurized water flow path 10.
The water reaches the nozzle portion of the hand piece 19, where it is mixed with a portion of the pressurized air from the flow path A, and is ejected as spray water.

A control signal flow path 3 is branched from the middle of the basic air flow path 2, and a manually operated valve 4 is disposed in the middle, and the ends of the outlet flow paths 5 and 7 are connected to the basic air flow paths 2 and 2'. and an automatic opening/closing operation valve 6 for the pressurized water flow path 10,
8 are provided respectively.

The present invention further includes a flow path 13 branching from the control signal flow path 3 for automatically opening and closing the first operation valve 14 and the second operation valve 17 of the abrasive-containing open/closed air flow path cleaning air reservoir device B. , 13' and the first operation valve 14 of the air reservoir device B, and then passes through the check valve 15 and reaches the air tank 16. A compressed air supply channel C for cleaning the abrasive-mixed pressurized air channel A connected from the operating valve outlet to the middle of the abrasive-mixed pressurized air channel A.
is provided.

Therefore, when the manual operation valve 4 is opened, the operation valve 6,
8 and 14 are then open, while 17 is closed;
Air from the pressurized air source 1 enters the abrasive particle mixer 11 through the basic air channels 2, 2', becomes abrasive-laden air, is ejected from the nozzle of the handpiece 19 through the channel A, and is also injected with pressurized water. Pressurized water from source 9 is injected from the nozzle of handpiece 19 through pressurized water flow path 10, and also in air reservoir device B pressurized air from control signal flow path 3 is injected through flow path 10.
2 and the check valve 15, the air flows into the air tank 16 and is stored there under pressure.

In this example, a check valve 21 is further provided in the middle of the compressed air supply flow path C, so that the abrasive particles in the pressurized air flow path A containing abrasive particles flow into the flow path C and the second operating valve This prevents the liquid from flowing into the 17. This is because if even a small amount of abrasive particles enters the second operating valve 17, the sliding part of the operating valve 17 becomes difficult to move, resulting in inaccurate operation of the valve 17. .

Next, when the polishing and cleaning work of the tooth surface is completed and the manual operation valve 4 is closed, each operation valve is switched as shown in FIG. That is, the pressurized air filled in each control signal flow path is released into the atmosphere from the air outlet 20 of the manually operated valve 4, thereby closing the operating valves 6, 8, and 14, and closing the other operating valve. 1
7 is opened, and the compressed air stored in the air tank 16 is injected through the compressed air supply channel C to the abrasive-containing pressurized air channel A, which is empty of pressurized air.

As a result, the abrasive particles remaining in the flow path A immediately after finishing the polishing and cleaning work on the tooth surface and closing the manual operation valve 4 are transported by the compressed air to the abrasive particle mixing device 11 and to the handpiece nozzle. It is instantly discharged to the outside, and the inside of the flow path A is completely cleaned.

At this time, it is preferable that the connection between the flow path C and the flow path A is made at an acute angle as shown in the figure so that the compressed air is strongly injected toward the hand piece 19 side. In the illustrated example, all the operating valves are air-operated valves, but those skilled in the art will easily understand that electromagnetic valves and other known valves may be used instead as needed.

(Effects of the Invention) According to the present invention, when a considerable amount of time has passed after finishing the polishing and cleaning work on the tooth surface and starting the same work again, the flow path is not blocked by residual abrasive particles as in the conventional case. This eliminates troubles such as when abrasive particles are not properly ejected from the handpiece nozzle.

Moreover, the operation is sufficient simply by performing the general procedure of opening and closing the manual operation valve when starting and finishing the polishing and cleaning work on the tooth surface, and does not require any additional operations. There is no need to add it.

Further, as shown in the figure, the pressurized air used for polishing and cleaning the tooth surface can also be used for controlling each operating valve.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

Figure 1 schematically shows the flow of fluid and the opening/closing status of various operating valves when the tooth surface polishing and cleaning work is stopped, and Figure 2 shows the same state when the tooth surface polishing work is being carried out. This is what is expressed. 1: Pressurized air source, 4: Manual operation valve, 6: Basic air flow path automatic opening/closing operation valve, 8: Water flow path automatic opening/closing operation valve, 9: Pressurized water source, 11: Abrasive particle mixing device,
19: handpiece, A: abrasive-mixed pressurized air channel, B: air reservoir device, C: compressed air supply channel.

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] 1. A device for abrasive cleaning of a tooth surface by ejecting pressurized air mixed with abrasive particles and pressurized spray water from a handpiece nozzle, the device Basic pressurized air flow path from the abrasive particle mixing device to the handpiece nozzle, water flow path from the pressurized water source to the water spout of the handpiece, and the basic air flow path from the abrasive particle mixing device to the handpiece nozzle. In a device consisting of a control signal flow path branched from a flow path and provided with a manual operation valve that operates an operation valve that automatically opens and closes a basic air flow path and a pressurized water flow path provided at the end thereof. an air circuit for cleaning the abrasive-containing pressurized air flow path that branches from the control signal flow path on the outlet side of the manual operation valve and whose other end is connected to the middle of the abrasive-mixed pressurized air flow path; The control signal flow path is provided in the air circuit when pressurized air mixed with abrasive particles and pressurized spray water are ejected from the handpiece nozzle to perform polishing and cleaning work on the tooth surface. Pressurized air from the air tank is stored in an air tank, and when the abrasive cleaning operation is stopped, the compressed air stored in the air tank is injected into the abrasive-mixed pressurized air flow path. A tooth surface polishing and cleaning device characterized by being provided with an air reservoir device for cleaning air flow paths. 2 The air reservoir device for cleaning the flow path of pressurized air mixed with abrasive is composed of a first operation valve, a check valve, an air tank, and a second operation valve, and the first operation valve has an inlet connected to the manually operated valve outlet side control. The second operating valve is connected to the signal channel and opens and closes as the manually operated valve opens and closes, and the second operating valve has an outlet connected to the middle of the abrasive-containing pressurized air channel and closes as the manually operated valve opens and closes. When the manual operation valve is opened, air is stored under pressure through a check valve, and when the manual operation valve is closed, air is stored under pressure through a second operation valve, and the air is mixed with the abrasive. The tooth surface polishing and cleaning device according to claim 1, wherein the device injects the compressed air into a compressed air flow path. 3. A check valve that prevents the inflow of abrasive-containing pressurized air is provided in the flow path that connects the abrasive-containing pressurized air flow path cleaning air reservoir device and the abrasive-containing pressurized air flow path. A tooth surface polishing and cleaning device according to claim 1 or 2.