Method and apparatus for cleaning and storing endodontic tools

Abstract

An endodontic instrument servicing system may comprise a socket-forming member that may include spaced wall members that define a socket. An at least partially open-cell foam body may be secured within the socket that is configured for cleaning contaminated instruments. The body may have an indentation force deflection greater than 120 pounds force (lbf) and be configured to substantially grip a rotating contaminated instrument in contact with the body without tearing the foam body.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method of cleaning contaminated instruments, comprising:
 providing a porous material with an at least partially open-cell foam body having an interior region and a surface, wherein the body has an IFD within a range of 121 lbf to 198 lbf;   contacting the contaminated instrument such that the porous material substantially grips the instrument;   rotating the contaminated instrument while being gripped by the porous material to remove contaminants; and   removing the instrument from the porous material after rotating the instrument, wherein the removed instrument is substantially free of contaminant and of the porous material.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising inserting the contaminated instrument into the interior region, whereby the porous material substantially grips the rotating instrument. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising depressing the contaminated instrument substantially horizontally onto the surface of the porous material, whereby the porous material substantially grips the rotating instrument. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the instrument is rotating before contacting the porous material. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising removing at least about ninety percent of bioburdens on the contaminated instrument after a single insertion of the contaminated instrument into an interior region of the porous material. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 5 , further comprising removing over ninety-five percent of bioburdens on the contaminated instrument after two insertions of the contaminated instrument into the interior region. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 6 , further comprising removing over ninety-seven percent of bioburdens on the contaminanted instrument after three insertions of the contaminated instrument into the interior region. 
     
     
         8 . A method of cleaning an endodontic file comprising:
 providing an endodontic file having a flute portion and a handling portion,   installing the handling portion of the file in a rotary motor driven dental hand piece,   rotating the file,   providing a cushion member comprised of foam, the cushion member having a file-receiving surface,   stabbing the flute portion of the file through the file-receiving surface into the cushion member, and   removing the file from the cushion member, wherein at least part of the rotating step is performed between the stabbing and removing steps.   
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the rotating step is started before the stabbing step. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the file is rotated at approximately 100 to 1000 RPM while the flute portion of the file is penetrating the file-receiving surface of the foam. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the file is rotated at approximately 300 to 350 RPM while the flute portion of the file is penetrating the file-receiving surface of the cushion member. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the stabbing step is performed at least twice. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the stabbing step is performed at least three times. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the file is rotated in the foam for at least approximately 2 seconds. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the file is rotated in the foam for at least approximately 3 seconds.