Anesthesia applicators/injectors for dental and other applications and methods of use

Abstract

Disclosed are applicators and methods injecting of a liquid anesthetic into a dental patient with no or minimal pain. In accordance with one embodiment the applicator is for intraligamentary injection and includes an elongated, thin member having an open distal free formed of a resilient and somewhat conformable material suitable for producing a substantially fluid-tight interface with the anatomic structures at the gingival sulcus to inject the anesthetic therein. In another embodiment the applicator includes a flexible skirt surrounding a sharpened cannula, with the cannula being movable with respect to the skirt. The skirt is arranged to receive the anesthetic to anesthetize the gum, whereupon the cannula can then pierce the gum to inject the anesthetic into the underlying anatomic structure.

1 . (canceled) 
     
     
         2 . An apparatus for effecting an intraligamentary injection of a liquid anesthetic into the gingival sulcus proximate a tooth of a dental patient, the apparatus comprising:
 a body having an elongated, thin and generally planar tip, the tip having an atraumatic free end and a passageway extending therethrough terminating at the free end of the tip, the free end of the tip being arranged for producing a substantially fluid-tight interface with anatomic structures at the gingival sulcus; and   an applicator couple with the body and arranged to secure a source of the liquid anesthetic, the applicator being configured to be operated to selectively introduce the liquid anesthetic from the applicator through the passageway through the body and out of the free end of the tip to enter into the gingival sulcus so that it is directed downward along the root of the tooth and is prevented from flowing upward and outward.   
     
     
         3 . The apparatus in accordance with  claim 2 , wherein the tip is formed of a flexible material. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus in accordance with  claim 2 , wherein the free end of the top is rounded to be atraumatic. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus in accordance with  claim 2 , wherein the applicator includes a syringe with a plunger that allows for the selective introduction of the liquid anesthetic. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus in accordance with  claim 2 , wherein the passageway includes a cannula having a sharp end that extends beyond the free end of the tip.