US 5,204,004 A · Method and apparatus for preventing bacteriological contamination by a dental tool water line

Abstract

A method and apparatus are disclosed for preventing bacterial contamination from being introduced into a dental patient's mouth from water flowing through a dental tool water line. A flexible water line typically used for supplying water to a dental syringe, high-speed hand piece, or ultrasonic scaler has been found to support and encourage the growth of a significant biofilm that serves as a source of bacteria. To prevent the bacteria from being introduced into a patient's mouth by water flowing through the line, and thus into the patient's system, an in-line water filter is installed within the water line supplying water to the dental tool, at a point adjacent thereto. Conventional Luer fittings on the in-line water filter facilitate its quick installation and replacement. In addition, a cap protects the sterility of the outlet port of the in-line water filter during the installation process. The in-line water filter includes a microporous membrane that blocks bacteria and other particulate matter larger than approximately 0.2 microns, so that water flowing from the outlet port of the in-line water filter is substantially sterile.

Claims20

Dependent claims

Apparatus for use in connection with dental tools that employ a water line for conveying water to a patient's mouth, said apparatus protecting a patient from bacteriological contamination that may be present in the water line, comprising:

(a) a housing in which are formed an inlet port and an outlet port, said outlet port being in a sterile condition prior to use and installation of the apparatus in a water line;
(b) a quick-connect inlet fitting formed on the inlet port;
(c) a quick-connect outlet fitting formed on the outlet port;
(d) means for bacteriological sterilization of water flow through the housing, including a microporous membrane having a porosity selected to block a predefined size of particulate matter, including bacteria, without substantially restricting water flow through the membrane, said membrane being disposed within the housing between the inlet port and the outlet port and sealingly extending between an internal periphery of the housing so that all water flowing in the inlet port passes through the membrane before flowing out the outlet port;
and
(e) a sterile cap sized to fit over the outlet port to protect it from being contaminated by exposure to a non-sterile environment when the housing is handled during installation in a water line, said apparatus being thus installable in a water line that has an internal surface capable of supporting a bacterial growth, so that bacteria within the water entering the inlet port are substantially blocked and prevented from reaching a patient's mouth through a dental tool used therein, said apparatus thereby protecting a patient from exposure to potentially harmful bacteria that might cause illness.

3 more elements

A method for minimizing bacteriological contamination of a patient's mouth from bacteria that may be present in a water line supplying water to a dental tool used in the patient's mouth, comprising the steps of:

(a) cutting the water line adjacent to the dental tool, leaving a relatively short section of the water line coupled to the dental tool;
(b) installing a quick-connect fitting on each end of the water line where it was cut;
and
(c) installing means for bacteriologically sterilizing water flow to the dental tool, including an in-line water filter having quick-connect fittings that mate with those installed in the water line in step (b), said in-line water filter substantially blocking bacteria from a biofilm that may exist in the water line upstream of the in-line water filter from being carried by the water into a patient's mouth.

1 more element

A method of removing bacteriological contamination from water that flows through an elastomeric line to a dental tool to provide sterile water at a patient's mouth, said bacteriological contamination being substantially produced by a bacterial growth in a biofilm that may exist on an interior surface of the elastomeric line, comprising the steps of:

(a) installing means for bacteriologically sterilizing water flow to the dental tool into the elastomeric line at a point adjacent to the dental tool, said means comprising a readily replaceable in-line filter, said in-line filter including a microporous membrane having a porosity selected to filter particles and harmful bacteria from water flowing therethrough without substantially restricting water flow therethrough;
(b) sterilizing at least an outlet port of the in-line filter prior to its installation in the elastomeric line, said outlet port being coupled to the dental tool by a section of the elastomeric line that is in a sterile condition prior to installation of the in-line filter;
and
(c) maintaining the sterility of the outlet port during installation of the in-line filter by using a cap to enclose the outlet port until immediately prior to coupling the outlet port to the dental tool, said in-line filter substantially blocking bacteria introduced by any bacterial growth in the elastomeric line upstream of the in-line filter from being introduced into a patient's mouth by the water flowing through the elastomeric line to the dental tool.

1 more element

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Method and apparatus for preventing bacteriological contamination by a dental tool water line

Life of this patent

Method and apparatus for preventing bacteriological contamination by a dental tool water line

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims20