Pre-charged prophy angle

Abstract

A prophy angle for storing prophy paste in a controlled releasable manner, the angle having a first drive mechanism comprising a drive shaft for delivering mechanical energy to a rotatable head assembly at a distal end of prophy angle and an independent second drive mechanism configured to deliver a controlled amount of paste from a chamber to the distal end of the prophy angle, the second drive mechanism comprising an index wheel engaging an actuator so that the wheel may be driven in a stepped rotational manner upon actuation of the actuator by the clinician.

1 . A hand-held oral hygiene applicator for conveniently providing a clinician user the ability to express prophy paste while the applicator is in therapeutic use within a patient's mouth, the applicator comprising:
 a prophy angle housing comprising a distal end and a proximal end, the prophy angle housing configured to permit the clinician to conveniently handle the prophy angle housing at the proximal end while the distal end is placed within a patient's mouth during use, the prophy angle housing being further configured to permit the clinician to simultaneously control the expression of paste while providing the desired treatment to the patient;   a first drive mechanism positioned within the prophy angle housing comprising a drive shaft for delivering mechanical energy to a rotatable head assembly provided at the distal end of the prophy angle housing;   a chamber substantially enclosed within the prophy angle housing, the chamber configured to store paste in a controlled releasable manner such that the paste is not in contact with the first drive mechanism, the chamber being configured to permit expression of paste by the clinician from the proximal end of the prophy angle housing; and   an independent second drive mechanism provided within the prophy angle housing and positioned substantially coaxially with the first drive mechanism, the second drive mechanism configured to deliver a controlled amount of paste from the chamber to the distal end of the prophy angle housing for as needed expression thereof to the patient by the clinician, the second drive mechanism comprising an actuator positioned at or proximate the proximal end of the prophy angle housing, an index wheel engaging the actuator so that the wheel may be driven in a stepped rotational manner upon actuation of the actuator by the clinician, the index wheel further engaging a barrel within the chamber, the barrel axially exerting pressure against the paste within the chamber for delivering a controlled quantity of paste toward the distal end of the prophy angle.   
     
     
         2 . The applicator of  claim 1  wherein the secondary drive mechanism comprises a shaft comprising a helical thread rotatably supporting the barrel, whereby the chamber and helical thread are sized to deliver a pre-set amount of paste for each actuation of the actuator. 
     
     
         3 . The applicator of  claim 2  wherein the drive shaft of the first drive mechanism is positioned co-linearly with the helical thread and positioned therewithin. 
     
     
         4 . The applicator of  claim 1  wherein the chamber is configured to be rechargeable. 
     
     
         5 . The applicator of  claim 1  wherein the actuator comprises a finger press comprising a member for engaging the index wheel.