Endodontic Rotary Instruments Made From Hollow Tubes and Methods of Manufacturing Thereof

Abstract

A hollow endodontic instrument having: a file axis; a proximal end; a tip; and a shaft portion between the proximal end and the tip; wherein the shaft portion defines a hollow void at least partially bounded by a plurality of fingers and a plurality of longitudinal spacings, each finger extends from the proximal end and includes an outer surface and an inner surface extending between longitudinal opposing walls; and wherein a portion of at least one of the longitudinal opposing walls includes a cutting edge.

What is claimed: 
     
         1 . A hollow endodontic instrument comprising:
 a file axis;   a proximal end;   a tip; and   a shaft portion between the proximal end and the tip;   wherein the shaft portion defines a hollow void at least partially bounded by a plurality of fingers and a plurality of longitudinal spacings, each finger extends from the proximal end and includes an outer surface and an inner surface extending between longitudinal opposing walls; and   wherein a portion of at least one of the longitudinal opposing walls includes a cutting edge.   
     
     
         2 . The hollow instrument of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of fingers converge at the tip such that there is contact between at least two fingers for joining to one another by at least one binding. 
     
     
         3 . The hollow instrument of  claim 1 , wherein at least one finger includes a plurality of boss portions. 
     
     
         4 . The hollow instrument of  claim 3 , wherein each opposing side wall includes a plurality of boss portions. 
     
     
         5 . The hollow instrument of  claim 4 , wherein upon at least two fingers coming into contact, the plurality of boss portions of a first finger and the plurality of boss portions of a second finger are positioned in a staggered relationship such that a boss portion of the first finger is positioned between two boss portions of the second finger. 
     
     
         6 . The hollow instrument of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of fingers include a transverse width that decreases towards the tip of the shaft. 
     
     
         7 . The hollow instrument of  claim 1 , wherein a first longitudinal spacing extends between a first finger and a second finger, a second longitudinal spacing extends between the second finger and a third finger, and a third longitudinal spacing extends between the third finger and the first finger. 
     
     
         8 . The hollow instrument of  claim 7 , wherein a plurality of bindings join at least two of the first finger, the second finger and the third finger through at least one of the first longitudinal spacing, the second longitudinal spacing, and the third longitudinal spacing. 
     
     
         9 . The hollow instrument of  claim 1 , further comprising a coating of abrasive material to an external surface of the hollow instrument. 
     
     
         10 . A hollow endodontic instrument comprising:
 a file axis;   a proximal end;   a tip; and   a shaft portion extending between the proximal end and the tip, the shaft portion defining a hollow void at least partially bounded by a matrix of channels and a plurality of openings therebetween, the matrix extending from the proximal end and converges at the tip;   wherein each channel includes opposing edges and at least a portion of at least one of the opposing edges includes a cutting edge.   
     
     
         11 . The hollow endodontic instrument of  claim 10 , further comprising a coating of abrasive material to an external surface of the hollow instrument. 
     
     
         12 . The hollow endodontic instrument of  claim 10 , wherein the plurality of openings extend from the exterior surface to the interior surface thereby forming a throughhole in communication with the hollow void. 
     
     
         13 . The hollow endodontic instrument of  claim 10 , wherein the plurality of openings has a shape selected from the group consisting of squares, rectangles, diamonds, triangles, and circles. 
     
     
         14 . The hollow endodontic instrument of  claim 13 , wherein the plurality of openings are different is shape and/or size. 
     
     
         15 . The hollow endodontic instrument of  claim 10 , wherein the channels include an angled exterior surface and a generally flat interior surface extending between the opposing walls.