Device, system and method for dental treatment

Abstract

A device and system for use in a root canal treatment is provided. The device has a probe member and a handpiece for holding the elongate probe member. The probe member has an elongate distal portion capable of being accommodated in a root canal. The probe member has at least one treatment channel with a distal opening in the elongate distal portion. The at least one treatment channel is configured for enabling operation of a suitable root canal treatment tool via the distal opening. At least one illumination channel includes a first light guide having a first proximal end configured for optical coupling to a light source system, and a second distal end in the distal portion for illuminating internal regions of the root c anal during operation of the device. At least one light collection channel includes a second light guide having a first proximal end configured for optical coupling to an imaging system, and a second distal end located in the distal portion for collecting and transmitting light reflected from internal regions of the root canal to the proximal end during operation of the device. A number of methods for monitoring and carrying out various dental treatments are provided.

1 .- 20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . A device for use in a root canal treatment, the device comprising:
 an elongate probe member and a handpiece for holding the elongate probe member, the probe member having an elongate distal portion capable of being accommodated in a root canal, the probe member comprising:   at least one treatment channel having a distal opening in the elongate distal portion, the at least one treatment channel being configured for enabling operation of a suitable root canal treatment tool via the distal opening;   at least one illumination channel comprising a first light guide having a first proximal end configured for optical coupling to a light source system, and a second distal end in the distal portion for illuminating internal regions of the root canal during operation of the device;   at least one light collection channel comprising a second light guide having a first proximal end configured for optical coupling to an imaging system, and a second distal end located in the distal portion for collecting and transmitting light reflected from internal regions of the root canal to the proximal end during operation of the device.   
     
     
         22 . The device according to  claim 21 , wherein the elongate distal portion comprises a length dimension along an elongate direction generally correlated with a depth of a root canal. 
     
     
         23 . The device according to  claim 22 , wherein the length dimension is between about 10 mm and about 30 mm. 
     
     
         24 . The device according to  claim 22 , wherein the elongate distal portion comprises a distal tip having a transverse dimension in a direction orthogonal to the elongate direction generally smaller than a width of a root canal at the apex thereof. 
     
     
         25 . The device according to  claim 22 , wherein the treatment channel comprises a suitable bore configured for accommodating and enabling operation of an item selected from the group consisting of: a laser tool, a dental drill, a dental file, an ultrasonic tool, an RHF cutting tool, a reaming tool, a grasping tool, and a syringe needle. 
     
     
         26 . The device according to  claim 22 , wherein the light source system is optically coupled to the first light guide. 
     
     
         27 . The device according to  claim 22 , wherein the first light guide comprises at least one of: at least one optical fiber; any suitable optical waveguide arrangement. 
     
     
         28 . The device according to  claim 22 , wherein the imaging system is optically coupled to the second light guide. 
     
     
         29 . The device according to  claim 22 , wherein the second light guide comprises at least one optical fiber. 
     
     
         30 . The device according to  claim 22 , further comprising at least one auxiliary channel having a first proximal end configured for operative connection to at least one of a fluid source and a vacuum source, and a second distal end in the distal portion for providing fluid or a vacuum, respectively, to internal regions of the root canal during operation of the device. 
     
     
         31 . The device according to  claim 22 , wherein the handpiece comprises a longitudinal axis set an angle α with respect to a longitudinal axis of the probing member. 
     
     
         32 . A system for root canal treatment, comprising
 the device according to  claim 21 ;
 a light source system coupled to the proximal end of the first illumination system; 
 an imaging system coupled to the proximal end of the second illumination system; 
 a root canal treatment tool comprised in the treatment channel, the tool having a treating portion associated with the distal outlet. 
   
     
     
         33 . The system according to  claim 32 , wherein the tool comprises an item selected from the group consisting of: a laser tool, a dental drill, a dental file, an ultrasonic tool, an RHF cutting tool, a reaming tool, a grasping tool, and a syringe needle. 
     
     
         34 . A method for monitoring a root canal treatment, comprising:
 illuminating the root canal with an illumination radiation and acquiring at least one image of the root canal illuminated thereby, in association with a root canal treatment.   
     
     
         35 . The method according to  claim 34 , wherein the illumination and the image acquisition are carried out by means of a suitable probe member inserted into the root canal. 
     
     
         36 . A method for monitoring a root canal treatment, comprising:
 illuminating the root canal with an illumination radiation and acquiring at least one image of the root canal illuminated thereby, in association with a root canal treatment, wherein the illumination and the image acquisition are carried out by means of a suitable probe member inserted into the root canal, comprising using the system according to  claim 27 .   
     
     
         37 . The method according to  claim 36 , wherein the image acquisition is carried out while performing a root canal treatment. 
     
     
         38 . A method for treating a root canal, comprising
 illuminating the root canal with an illumination radiation and acquiring at least one image of the root canal illuminated thereby; and   performing a root canal treatment.   
     
     
         39 . The method according to  claim 38 , wherein the image acquisition is carried out while performing a root canal treatment. 
     
     
         40 . The method according to  claim 38 , wherein the illumination and the image acquisition are carried out by means of suitable probe member inserted into the root canal.