Clinical dispenser and applicator

Abstract

The present invention relates to a clinical dispenser and applicator and, more particularly, to a clinical dispenser and applicator that is structured to hold and dispense a micro amount (one to several drops) of liquids/solvents in a clinical setting.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A clinical dispenser and applicator comprising:
 an elongated distal shaft extending along a longitudinal axis, a portion of which is hollowed-out defining a material reservoir beginning at a proximal end thereof, wherein the hollowed out portion comprises a first section including a diameter that is smaller than a diameter of an adjacent section that is proximal to the first section or a diameter of an adjacent section that is distal to the first section;   a proximal applicator portion comprising:
 a tubular neck portion attached to the proximal end of said distal shaft, and 
 a proximal tube portion comprising an exit hole; and 
   wherein said hollowed-out portion of said distal shaft is configured to be squeezable to create a vacuum to suction a material into said material reservoir through said exit hole from a well containing the material and to dispense the material from said material reservoir through said exit hole onto a predetermined area of interest.   
     
     
         2 . The clinical dispenser and applicator of  claim 1 , wherein the tubular neck portion comprises a bend at an angle from the longitudinal axis 
     
     
         3 . The clinical dispenser and applicator of  claim 1 , wherein said proximal applicator portion further comprises a fiber applicator tip. 
     
     
         4 . The clinical dispenser and applicator of  claim 1 , wherein said fiber applicator tip comprises a filament flocked with bristles and connected to said proximal applicator portion. 
     
     
         5 . The clinical dispenser and applicator of  claim 1 , wherein the tubular neck portion comprises a deflector portion connecting the proximal applicator portion to the elongated distal shaft, wherein the deflector portion is configured to be a point of bendability allowing the proximal applicator portion to bend at an angle from the longitudinal axis upon use. 
     
     
         6 . The clinical dispenser and applicator of  claim 5 , wherein the deflector portion is arcuate shaped. 
     
     
         7 . The clinical dispenser and applicator of  claim 5 , wherein the deflector portion comprises circumferential rib portions on an exterior surface of the deflector portion forming channels therebetween. 
     
     
         8 . The clinical dispenser and applicator of  claim 1 , wherein the elongated distal shaft is tapered from the proximal end to the distal end thereof. 
     
     
         9 . The clinical dispenser and applicator of  claim 1 , wherein said material comprises a dental composition. 
     
     
         10 . The clinical dispenser and applicator of  claim 9 , wherein said dental composition comprises a composition selected from the group consisting of bonding materials, primers, silane and hemostatic agents. 
     
     
         11 . The clinical dispenser and applicator of  claim 1 , wherein said predetermined area of interest comprises a tooth structure. 
     
     
         12 . The clinical dispenser and applicator of  claim 1 , wherein said proximal shaft is closed off at a distal end thereof. 
     
     
         13 . A clinical dispenser and applicator comprising:
 an elongated distal shaft extending along a longitudinal axis, a portion of which is hollowed-out defining a material reservoir beginning at a proximal end thereof;   a proximal applicator portion comprising:
 a tubular neck portion attached to the proximal end of said distal shaft, and 
 a proximal tube portion comprising an exit hole; 
   wherein the tubular neck portion comprises a deflector portion connecting the proximal applicator portion to the elongated distal shaft, wherein the deflector portion is configured to be a point of bendability allowing the proximal applicator portion to bend at an angle from the longitudinal axis upon use; and   wherein said hollowed-out portion of said distal shaft is configured to be squeezable to create a vacuum to suction a material into said material reservoir through said exit hole from a well containing the material and to dispense the material from said material reservoir through said exit hole onto a predetermined area of interest.   
     
     
         14 . The clinical dispenser and applicator of  claim 13 , wherein the deflector portion is arcuate shaped. 
     
     
         15 . The clinical dispenser and applicator of  claim 14 , wherein the deflector portion comprises circumferential rib portions on an exterior surface of the deflector portion forming channels therebetween. 
     
     
         16 . A clinical dispenser and applicator comprising:
 an elongated distal shaft extending along a longitudinal axis, a portion of which is hollowed-out defining a material reservoir beginning at a proximal end thereof;   a proximal applicator portion comprising:
 a tubular neck portion attached to the proximal end of said distal shaft, 
 a proximal tube portion comprising an exit hole; and 
 circumferential rib portions at least partially extending around the circumference of an exterior surface of the proximal tube portion forming channels therebetween; and 
   wherein said hollowed-out portion of said distal shaft is configured to be squeezable to create a vacuum to suction a material into said material reservoir through said exit hole from a well containing the material and to dispense the material from said material reservoir through said exit hole onto a predetermined area of interest.   
     
     
         17 . The clinical dispenser and applicator of  claim 16 , further comprising a channel extending along the exterior surface of the proximal tube portion. 
     
     
         18 . A method of applying a dental composition to a tooth or gum structure, comprising the steps of:
 providing a clinical dispenser and applicator comprising:
 an elongated distal shaft extending along a longitudinal axis, a portion of which is hollowed-out defining a material reservoir beginning at a proximal end thereof, wherein the hollowed out portion comprises a first section including a diameter that is smaller than a diameter of an adjacent section that is proximal to the first section or a diameter of an adjacent section that is distal to the first section; and 
 a proximal applicator portion comprising:
 a tubular neck portion attached to the proximal end of said distal shaft, and 
 a proximal tube portion comprising an exit hole; 
 
   placing said exit hole into a mixing well, wherein said mixing well comprises a cavity that is closed on a bottom and open at a top, containing the dental composition;   mixing the dental composition within the mixing well with the proximal tube portion;   squeezing said hollowed-out portion of said distal shaft;   releasing said hollowed-out portion of said distal shaft in order to aspirate an amount of the dental composition into said material reservoir from said mixing well through said exit hole;   placing said exit hole next to the tooth or gum structure; and   squeezing said hollowed-out portion of said distal shaft in order to dispense at least a portion of the dental composition onto the tooth or gum structure.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , further comprising the step of spreading the dental composition on the tooth or gum structure with the proximal tube portion.