Apex locator attachment

Abstract

An apex locator attachment for connection to an apex locator for measurement of the position of the length of a root canal during endodontic treatment. A shape, structure and dimensions of the attachment are configured to maximize the ease of use of the attachment and to enable mechanical and electrical coupling of a dental instrument to an apex locator while allowing the apex locator attachment to be easily cleaned, disinfected and autoclaved.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An apex locator attachment for electrically coupling a dental instrument to an apex locator comprising:
 an electrode made of an electrically conductive material having a first portion and   a second portion; and   an insulating overmold;   wherein the first portion includes a clamping element with a spring back mechanism for clamping or hooking said apex locator attachment to the dental instrument for root canal measurement and   wherein said second portion is constructed as a jack-style connector or constructed to receive a jack-style connector for connection to an electrical connector of the apex locator.   
     
     
         2 . The apex locator attachment of  claim 1 , wherein the insulating overmold is made of Ultem. 
     
     
         3 . The apex locator attachment of  claim 1 , further comprising a window in the insulating overmold wherein the window exposes a portion of the electrode for electrically coupling the dental instrument to an apex locator at a location of the exposed electrode. 
     
     
         4 . The apex locator attachment of  claim 1 , wherein a whole or part of the apex locator attachment is constructed to be bendable. 
     
     
         5 . The apex locator attachment of  claim 4 , wherein the electrode comprises a memory alloy to allow the attachment to automatically straighten to a predetermined shape after heating above a predetermined temperature. 
     
     
         6 . The apex locator attachment of  claim 5 , wherein the electrode comprises NiTi material. 
     
     
         7 . The apex locator attachment of  claim 1 , wherein a shape of an outer profile of the apex locator attachment is constructed to be generally tweezer-like. 
     
     
         8 . The apex locator attachment of  claim 1 , further comprising gripper jaws at the first portion for clamping the dental instrument. 
     
     
         9 . The apex locator attachment of  claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of openings for clamping different shaft diameters of dental instruments. 
     
     
         10 . An apex locator attachment for electrically coupling a dental instrument to an apex locator comprising:
 an electrode made of an electrically conductive material having a first portion and   a second portion;   an insulating overmold; and   a spring made of an electrically conductive material,   wherein the spring is coupled to the electrode at the first portion for grasping the dental instrument and   wherein said second portion is constructed as a jack-style connector or constructed to receive a jack-style connector for connection to an electrical connector of the apex locator.   
     
     
         11 . An apex locator attachment for electrically coupling a dental instrument to an apex locator comprising:
 a metal element made of an electrically conductive material having a first portion,   a second portion and a generally tweezer-like shape;   gripper jaws at a first portion of the metal element; and   a removable coating component housing a part of the metal element,   wherein the removable coating component is constructed to be slid in order to open or close the gripper jaws for clamping or hooking said apex locator attachment to the dental instrument for root canal measurement and   wherein said second portion of the metal element is constructed to receive a jack-style connector for connection to an electrical connector of the apex locator.