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EP-4311515-B1 - SYSTEM FOR PRODUCING A POWDER-GAS JET FOR PERFORMING A DENTAL TREATMENT

EP4311515B1EP 4311515 B1EP4311515 B1EP 4311515B1EP-4311515-B1

Inventors

  • BEANI, Florent

Dates

Publication Date
20260506
Application Date
20220729

Claims (11)

  1. A system (100) for producing a powder-gas jet for performing a dental treatment, wherein the system comprises a powder gas jet device, wherein the system (100) is configured for being connected to a dentist chair by a connection, wherein the connection of the system (100) to the dentist chair allows the system (100) to be fed by a pressurized gas flow, the system (100) comprising a compressed gas circuit configured to direct the pressurized gas flow into a powder-gas-mixing chamber (14) of the powder gas jet device to form a gas-powder mixture, wherein the compressed gas circuit comprises at least a pressure regulation device (1) having an inlet (41) and an outlet (42), the pressure regulation device (1) being configured to provide the pressurized gas flow with a pressure at its outlet (42) that is independent of the pressure of the gas flow at its inlet (41), when it is fed by the pressurized gas flow, wherein the pressure regulation device (1) is configured to adapt a ratio between the pressure at the inlet (41) and the pressure at the outlet (42), wherein the system comprises a handpiece (11), wherein the pressure regulation device (1) is incorporated into the handpiece (11).
  2. The system (100) according to claim 1, characterized in that the pressure of the gas flow at the outlet (42) of the pressure regulation device (1) is independent from any variation of pressure of the gas flow at the inlet (41).
  3. The system (100) according to any one of claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the handpiece (11) comprises a nozzle for ejecting the powder-gas mixture, the handpiece (11) being configured for being connected to the dentist chair through a supply line (15) designed for supplying at least a gas flow to the handpiece (11).
  4. The system (100) according to claim 3, characterized in that the powder chamber (14) is incorporated into the handpiece (11).
  5. The system (100) according one of the preceding claims, wherein the pressure regulation device (1) comprises - a basic body (21, 22) and - a valve element (10), which can be moved relative to the basic body (21, 22) between an open position and a closed position, wherein the valve element (10) separates an inlet section (41) of the pressure regulation device (1) from an outlet section (42) of the pressure regulation device (1), when the valve element (10) is in the closed position, and wherein a fluid can be transferred from the inlet section (41) to the outlet section (42), when the valve element (10) is in the open position.
  6. The system (100) according to claim 5, wherein the pressure regulation device is configured such that, when the valve element (10) is in the closed position, the fluid in the inlet section (41) generates forces, which act on the valve element (10) and wherein the forces in the inlet section (41), acting on the valve element (10), compensate each other.
  7. The system (100) according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the valve element (10) contacts the basic body (21, 22) in a first sealing region (51), being located in the inlet section (41) of the pressure regulation device (1), and in a second sealing region (52), the second sealing region (52) being established in the closed position and being intended for sealing the inlet section (41) from the outlet section (42), wherein a first inner cross section of the valve element (10) in the first sealing region (51) corresponds to a second inner cross section of the valve element (10) in the second sealing region (52), in particular with respect to size cross-section surface and/or shape, wherein preferably a ratio between the difference between a first extension of the first inner cross section and a second extension of the second inner cross section to a mean of the first extension and the second extension has a value, being smaller than 0,2, preferably smaller than 0,1 and most preferably smaller than 0,05.
  8. The system (100) according to claims 5 to 7, wherein the basic body (21, 22), in particular a core element (22) of the basic body (21, 22), includes a channel (40) having a first part (40') in the inlet section (41) and a second part (40") in the outlet section (42).
  9. The system (100) according to one of the claims 5 to 8, wherein the valve element (10) surrounds at least partially the basic body (20, 21) and a cavity (40) is formed between an inner side (45) of the valve element (10) and the basic body (21, 22), the fluid passing the cavity (43) in the open position of the valve element (10) for being transported from the inlet section (41) to the outlet section (42), wherein the basic body (20, 21) has preferably an opening (46), being in fluid connection with the cavity (43), wherein preferably the cavity (43) is formed between the first sealing region (51) and the second sealing region (51), when the valve element (10) is in the closed position.
  10. The system (100) according to one of the claims 5 to 9, wherein the basic body (21,22) is formed by a core element (22) and wherein the valve element (10) surrounds the core element (22) in both the inlet section (41) and the outlet section (42), a further cavity (43') being formed between the valve element (10) and the core element (22) in the outlet section (42).
  11. The system (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the pressure regulation device (1) comprises a membrane or a sliding seal, being mechanically connected to a moveable valve element.

Description

The present invention deals with a system for producing a powder-gas jet for performing a dental treatment. Powder gas jet devices are well-known in the technical field of dental treatments. These powder gas jet devices are intended to provide a powder gas mixture, being ejected via a nozzle element, for air polishing of teeth. Especially, the powder being used in the powder gas mixture includes abrasive material, being intended to remove biofilm, plaque or other materials and/or colorations from a surface of teeth. The powder gas mixture is thereby generated by the powder gas jet device by swirling pressurized gas and powder inside a powder gas mixing chamber. For example, the powder gas mixing chamber is realized as a powder chamber storing powder while the pressurized gas enters the powder chamber for creating the powder gas mixture inside the powder gas mixing chamber. The powder gas mixture exits the powder chamber and is provided to the nozzle element. Preferably, the powder gas jet devices include a handpiece, having a powder gas mixing chamber and/or powder chamber. The handpiece can be orientated and placed by an operator to direct the nozzle element such that the ejected powder gas mixture streams onto the surface of the teeth. The handpiece is supplied by pressurized gas via a supply line, being connected to a gas source. Preferably, the gas pressure source is part of a dentist chair providing pressurized gas also to a plurality of other dental instruments. For example, the gas pressure source is incorporated into a chair system, which is used for placing the patient, as well as for providing all necessary instruments to the operator. This system also includes supply lines, providing electrical energy and/or materials such as fluids, for example water or gas. However, those systems usually provide a pressurized gas at the gas source, the pressure level of the pressurized gas being significantly larger than the pressure level being needed for the powder gas jet device. As a result, the operator needs to adapt the pressure level at the gas pressure source such that it can be used for the powder gas jet device. This results in a loss of time and creates additional effort for the operator. Alternatively, the prior art also knows flow regulation devices, which can adapt the flow rate at their outlet. However, if the powder gas jet device, especially the nozzle element is partially or fully obturated or blocked, for example when the nozzle element is in contact with gum, the flow regulation devices will become inefficient and the pressure inside the powder gas mixing chamber will rise. In this case a risk of emphysema increases. Further, the device of the prior art suffers pressure variations as the gas source is subject to variations. JP 2020 191 939 A discloses a powder sprayer and FR 62 257 E an apparatus for drilling teeth. US 2004 0 202 980 A1 concerns a dental prophylaxis appliance and US 2005 0019724 A1 deals with a tooth powdering applicator with nozzle spray. US2600137A shows a pressure regulating valve. Considering the prior art, it was an object of the present invention to provide a way of simplifying the attachment of the powder gas jet device or a handpiece to a gas source, especially in a dental treatment system, without using a flow regulation device as it is known from the prior art. It was also an object of the present invention to provide a device that delivers a constant pressure and that is not subject to pressure variations of the pressurized gas flow feeding the system This object is achieved by the system with a powder gas jet device according to claim 1. Preferred embodiments are incorporated in the dependent claims, the description and the figures. According to the present invention a system for producing a powder-gas jet for performing a dental treatment is provided, wherein the system comprises a powder gas jet device and is configured for being connected to a dentist chair by a connection, wherein the connection of the system to the dentist chair allows the system to be fed by a pressurized gas flow, the system comprising a compressed gas circuit configured to direct the pressurized gas flow into a powder-gas-mixing chamber of the powder gas jet device to form a gas-powder mixture, wherein the compressed gas circuit comprises at least a pressure regulation device having an inlet and an outlet, the regulation device being configured to provide the pressurized gas flow with a pressure at its outlet that is independent of the pressure of the gas flow at its inlet, when it is fed by the pressurized gas flow, wherein the pressure regulation device is configured to adapt a ratio between the pressure at the inlet and the pressure at the outlet, and wherein the system comprises a handpiece, wherein the pressure regulation device is incorporated into the handpiece. Contrary to the prior art, the present invention suggests to use the pressure regulation device as part of the system fo