Endodontic instrument with controlled flexibility and method of manufacturing same
US6712611B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 5, 2001 |
| Grant date | Mar 30, 2004 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 11, 2022 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T408/898
- WIPO fieldMachine tools
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
An endodontic instrument and method of manufacturing an instrument including an elongate member having a longitudinal axis, a proximal end, a distal end and a working length between the proximal and distal ends. The working length is formed with a plurality of surface portions ground from the outer surface thereof along paths extending along the longitudinal axis. One or more edges formed during the initial grinding operations are then at least partially ground down. The ground blank is then physically twisted to form helical cutting and/or debris removal edges extending around the longitudinal axis. The instrument may be a file or reamer used in root canal procedures and may have three, four or more longitudinally extending surface portions and multiple edges. Flexibility of the instrument may also be easily varied according to the invention.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.