Method for Indicating Shelf-Life After Mixing Pre-Dosed, Pre-Packaged Two-Part Dental Compositions

Abstract

A pre-dosed, pre-packaged mixing system and associated method for mixing, storing, and dispensing a two-part dental composition that becomes less stable upon mixing. The mixing system includes a pre-dosed, pre-packaged quantity of a first component contained within a first chamber, and a pre-dosed, pre-packaged quantity of a second component contained within a second chamber. The chambers are separated by separation means so as to separate the two-components prior to mixing. Once mixed, the practitioner is able to record a mixing and/or expiration date on at least a portion of the mixing system so as to indicate a shelf-life of the less stable mixed dental composition.

1 . A syringe system for mixing and for recording the mixing date to permit monitoring of the shelf life of a mixed two-part dental composition, the syringe system comprising:
 a first pre-dosed composition pre-packaged so as to be contained in a first syringe having a barrel with a first plunger slidable within the first barrel;   a second pre-dosed composition pre-packaged so as to be contained in a second syringe having a barrel, with a second plunger slidable within the second barrel, and the separate compositions each having a shelf life significantly greater than the shelf life of the two compositions after they are mixed;   the first and second plungers being operable so that by first sliding the first plunger into the first syringe barrel the first pre-dosed composition is introduced into the second syringe barrel so that it contacts the second pre-dosed composition, the two compositions thereafter being either further mixed using one or both syringe barrels, or else applied in a dental procedure by expressing the mixed contents from the second syringe barrel; and   an activatable label disposed on one of the first or second syringes and having a material which, when exposed by pealing back a cover upon mixing the two compositions, begins to change from a first to a second color as a function of time to thereafter provide a visual indication which automatically changes over time, the second color indicating elapsed time from when the two compositions were mixed so that the shelf life of the mixed compositions is easily ascertainable from the visual indication.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the rate at which the material of the label changes color from the first to the second color is also a function of temperature so that the change to the second color will be delayed when the mixed dental compositions are refrigerated to extend the shelf life of the mixed dental compositions. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the first syringe barrel is connected end-to-end with the second syringe barrel so as to form a syringe-to-syringe mixing system. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the first syringe barrel fits within the second syringe barrel so that the first syringe barrel also functions as the plunger for the second syringe barrel, thus forming a syringe-in-syringe mixing system. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 4  wherein an outlet end of the first syringe barrel comprises a rupturable membrane so that when the plunger is pushed into the first syringe barrel, the pre-dosed dental composition packaged within the first syringe barrel will be expelled under pressure sufficient to create turbulence, into the second syringe barrel, thus mixing the two dental compositions in the second syringe barrel. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 4  wherein the plunger of the first syringe barrel comprises a locking structure so that when the plunger is pushed into the first syringe barrel a sufficient distance, the syringe plunger inhibits the plunger from thereafter being withdrawn from the first syringe barrel. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 6  wherein the locking structure comprises an annular ring formed on a circumference of the plunger of the first syringe barrel which cooperates with a corresponding groove formed inside the first syringe barrel for receiving the annular ring when the plunger is pushed far enough into the first syringe barrel. 
     
     
         8 . A syringe system for mixing and for recording the mixing date to permit monitoring of the shelf life of a mixed two-part dental composition, the syringe system comprising:
 a first pre-dosed dental composition pre-packaged so as to be contained in a first syringe having a barrel with a first plunger slidable within the first barrel;   a second pre-dosed dental composition pre-packaged so as to be contained in a second syringe having a barrel, with a second plunger slidable within the second barrel, and the separate compositions each having a shelf life significantly greater than the shelf life of the two compositions after they are mixed;   the first and second plungers being operable so that by first sliding the first plunger into the first syringe barrel the first pre-dosed composition is introduced into the second syringe barrel so that it contacts the second pre-dosed composition, the two compositions thereafter being either further mixed using one or both syringe barrels, or else applied in a dental procedure by expressing the mixed contents from the second syringe barrel; and   an activatable label having a microchip readable by an associated microchip reader which indicates to a user the time lapsed since mixing the two dental compositions.   
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 8  wherein the microchip is configured to account for differences in temperature so that the lapsed time recorded by the microchip will be delayed when the mixed dental compositions are refrigerated to extend the shelf life of the mixed dental compositions. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 8  wherein the first syringe barrel is connected end-to-end with the second syringe barrel so as to form a syringe-to-syringe mixing system. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 8  wherein the first syringe barrel fits within the second syringe barrel so that the first syringe barrel also functions as the plunger for the second syringe barrel, thus forming a syringe-in-syringe mixing system. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 11  wherein an outlet end of the first syringe barrel comprises a rupturable membrane so that when the plunger is pushed into the first syringe barrel, the pre-dosed dental composition packaged within the first syringe barrel will be expelled under pressure sufficient to create turbulence, into the second syringe barrel, thus mixing the two dental compositions in the second syringe barrel. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 11  wherein the plunger of the first syringe barrel comprises a locking structure so that when the plunger is pushed into the first syringe barrel a sufficient distance, the syringe plunger inhibits the plunger from thereafter being withdrawn from the first syringe barrel. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 13  wherein the locking structure comprises an annular ring formed on a circumference of the plunger of the first syringe barrel which cooperates with a corresponding groove formed inside the first syringe barrel for receiving the annular ring when the plunger is pushed far enough into the first syringe barrel.