Heated compule

Abstract

A compule for storing dental composite material to be extruded from the compule using a standard dispenser in the preparation or repair of a dental restoration. The compule comprises: a cylindrical body having an orifice at one end thereof through which the dental composite material is extruded and a means at the opposite end thereof to facilitate the extrusion of said dental composite material using the dispenser. The body of the compule may be surrounded by an electrically conductive plastic or composed of a thermally and electrically conductive plastic having a thermal conductivity in the range of between 1.0 w/mk and 500 w/mk and electrical resistivity in the range 0.01-10,000 ohm-cm.

1 - A compule for storing dental composite material to be extruded from the compule using a dispenser in the preparation or repair of a dental restoration, said compule comprising: 
 A cylindrical body having an orifice at one end thereof through which the dental composite material is extruded and a head having means at the opposite end thereof to facilitate the extrusion of said dental composite material using said dispenser, said body being composed of a thermally conductive plastic having a thermal conductivity in the range of between 1.0 w/mk and 500 w/mk.    
   
   
       2 - A compule as defined in  claim 1  further comprising a heating element composed of an electrically conductive material contiguous with or defining the body of said compule and a pair of electrical contacts connected to said heating element to form a series electrical circuit through said heating element when connecting said contacts to an external power supply.  
   
   
       3 - A compule as defined in  claim 2  wherein said heating element is formed of an electrically conductive plastic.  
   
   
       4 - A compule as defined in  claim 2  wherein said heating element is formed of an electrically conductive plastic material, which is both electrically conductive and thermally conductive.  
   
   
       5 - A compule as defined in  claim 1  wherein said heating element is arranged in a spiral geometry  
   
   
       6 - A compule as defined in  claim 5  wherein said heating element surrounds the body of said compule.  
   
   
       7 - A compule as defined in  claim 2  further comprising an insulating plastic material for separating the heating element into sections.  
   
   
       8 - A compule as defined in  claim 7  wherein said insulating plastic material extends lengthwise of the body of said compule.