United States Patent
`
`[19]
`
`[11] Patent Number:
`
`5,067,195
`
`
`
` Sussman [45] Date of Patent: Nov. 26, 1991
`
`
`
`[54] DEVICE FOR CLEANING DENTAL
`IMPLANT POSTS
`Inventor: Harold I. Sussman, 64 Popham Rd.,
`Scarsdale, NY. 10583
`
`[76]
`
`4,876,157 10/1987 Barman .............................. 15/ 167.2
`Primary Examiner—Frankie L. Stinson
`Attorney, Agent, or Firm—Frishauf, Holtz, Goodman &
`Woodward
`
`[21] App]. No.: 553,974
`[22] Filed:
`Jul. 16, 1990
`
`[63}
`
`Related US. Application Data
`Continuation-impart ofSer. No. 302,025, Jan. 25, 1989,
`Pat. No. 4,941,227.
`[3% 1‘3"; ads 15/167001D 1|5531:4021
`I
`'
`' """""""15/16015/206- 13/267. 300/21’
`.
`’
`’
`’
`[58] Field of Search .................... 15/167.1, 167.2, 160,
`15/164 206 207. 300/21
`'
`’
`’
`References Cited
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`[
`
`56
`
`1
`
`[57]
`ABSTRACT
`P
`A device for cleaning dental im lant posts, includes a
`handle for grasping the device; and a brush secured to
`one end of the handle. The brush includes (i) a first
`“able, Spmgy “511m“ “me 0’ P135“? member 56'
`cured to the one end of the handle and havmg a substan-
`tially part-circular configuration extending over an are
`greater than 90° and less than 180’, the first member
`having a first inturned free end, (ii) a second flexible,
`springy resilient wire or plastic member secured to the
`.
`.
`same end of the handle and havmg a substantially part-
`circular configuration extending over an are greater
`than 90° and 1eSs than 180“, the second member having
`a second inturned free end in opposing and at
`least
`partially facing relation to the first inturned free end so
`as to define a gap between the first and second intumed
`free ends which is smaller than the distance between
`proximal and distal [sides of an implant post
`to be
`cleaned; and (iii) a plurality of circumferentially ar-
`ranged bristles secured to each wire or plastic member.
`The first and second members may be made as a single
`unitary wire member.
`
`18 Claims, 2 Drawing Sheets
`
`5/1908 Barnes ................................ 15/167.2
`887,181
`2,066,241 12/1936 Trattner et a1.
`...... 15/ 167.2
`
`2,077,392 4/1937 Boyd ................... 15/167.2
`
`...... 15/ 167.2
`2,214,407 9/1940 Deutsch
`
`2,237,694 4/1941 Altstadt ........... 15/ 167.2
`
`
`2,244,615 6/ 1941 Garcin ............. 15/ 167.2
`...... 15/167.2
`2,588,601
`3/1952 Zayagno
`
`2,771,624 11/1956 Ripper ................. 15/167.2
`
`
`1/1979 Northemann et a .
`4,131,967
`...... 15/167.2
`
`4,137,593 2/1979 Porper ............................ 15/167.2
`............. 15/ 167.2
`4,449,266 5/1984 Northemann et a1.
`
`
`
`1
`
`Histologics, LLC
`
`Exhibit 1012
`
`1
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`Nov. 26, 1991
`
`Sheet 1 of 2
`
`5,067,195
`
`
`
`2
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`Nov. 26, 1991
`
`Sheet 2 of 2
`
`5,067,195
`
`B
`
`..
`
`V
`
`,,
`
`.53
`
`
` .\/-|6|
`
`/-
`IGONV/
`
`'.
`
`'
`
`‘
`
`;.\2,';;:::";‘-
`:
`
`FIGJS
`
`PRIOR ART
`
`3
`
`

`

`1
`
`5,067,195
`
`DEVICE FOR CLEANING DENTAL IMPLANT
`POSTS
`
`CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED
`APPLICATION
`
`This application is a continuation-in-part of US. Pat.
`application Ser. No. 07/302,025 filed on Jan. 25, 1989,
`which will issue into US Pat. No. 4,941,227 on Jul. 17,
`1990.
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`This invention relates generally to dental cleaning
`apparatus, and more particularly, is directed to a device
`for cleaning dental implant posts.
`Surgery to secure dental implants to the jaw bone of
`a patient has recently become technically and economi-
`cally available. The use of such dental implants is gener-
`ally more desirable than so-called “false teeth” which
`are temporarily adhered to the gum surface. This is
`because the dental implants are permanently secured in
`the mouth of the patient.
`Generally, surgery for such dental implants starts by
`making an incision in the gum of the patient to expose
`the bone over the site of the implant. A special drill then
`drills into the bone and the implant is screwed into
`place. The implant is covered for three to sic months to
`permit undisturbed healing. Thereafter, the top of the
`implant is exposed and a post is attached. A bridge is
`then secured on the post and functions in the same man-
`ner as a natural tooth.
`
`It will be appreciated that a portion of the post is
`generally accessible under the bridge. Thus, as with
`natural—teeth, it is necessary to clean the bridge and
`post, particularly near and at the gum line. Thorough
`cleaning at these areas is required to prevent gingival
`infections around the implant posts, and to prevent
`plaque from building up in the gum crevice surrounding
`the implant posts.
`Various types of tooth cleaning brushes have been
`proposed. Most of such brushes provide a single wire
`element or the like having bristles thereon which are
`adapted to clean the extremities of the teeth and enter
`the interproximal areas between teeth. Brushes of this
`type are shown,
`for example,
`in US. Pat. Nos.
`3,559,226; 3,720,975; 3,939,520; 4,053,959; 4,222,143;
`and 4,319,377; 4,387,479. However, with these brushes,
`only one side of a tooth can be cleaned at any given
`time. In other words, the proximal, distal, buccal and
`lingual sides of the tooth must be cleaned separately.
`This requires a relatively large amount of time, and
`accordingly, the user may not take the time to carefully
`clean all of the tooth surfaces. Further, with such
`brushes, it would be difficult to use the same to clean all
`exposed surfaces of an implant post, particularly toward
`the lingual side. In addition, there is a tendency for a
`single pronged straight brush to bend away from the
`mesial and distal midpoint
`interproximal
`surfaces,
`thereby making cleaning even more difficult.
`US. Pat. No. 3,677,264 discloses a toothbrush having
`two parallel and rotatable, generally conically shaped
`tooth and gum engaging implements. However, it is
`clear that this toothbrush could not be used to clean the
`proximal and distal sides of a tooth, let alone an implant
`post.
`In the art of general brushing and scrubbing imple-
`ments, devices are known having parallel wire elements
`with bristles thereon. Examples of such devices are
`
`5
`
`10
`
`15
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`20
`
`25
`
`30
`
`35
`
`40
`
`45
`
`50
`
`55
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`65
`
`2
`shown in US. Pat. Nos. 1,195,190 and 1,337,819; British
`Patent No. 24,259; French Patent Nos. 117,317 and
`704,414; and Swedish Patent No. 8,281. In the first
`place, these devices are not intended for the cleaning of
`teeth and could not be used as such. Further, the use of
`parallel wire elements would not enable a person to
`clean the lingual side of an implant post, along with the
`remaining sides, in a single cleaning motion.
`Although French Patent No. 117, 317 does disclose
`the use of one wire element being bent at its free end, it
`is noted that this Patent only envisions the use of one
`wire element at a time, the other wire element being
`removed from the device. In any event, a complete
`cleaning of an implant post could not be achieved in a
`single motion with this device.
`Finally, French patent No. 24,259, although disclos-
`ing various bent wires, provides that the free ends of the
`wires are always parallel or slightly bent outwardly
`away from each other. Accordingly, complete cleaning
`of all implant post (or tooth) surfaces with a single
`motion could not be achieved with this brush.
`
`OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
`
`It is an object of the present invention to provide a
`device for cleaning dental implant posts that overcomes
`the problems in the prior art and which is easy and
`economical to manufacture.
`
`It is another object of the present invention to pro-
`vide a device for cleaning dental implant posts in which
`all post surfaces can be cleaned with a single cleaning
`motion.
`
`It is still another object of the present invention to
`provide a device for cleaning dental implant posts in
`which lingual, buccal, proximal and distal sides of an
`implant post can be cleaned with a single cleaning mo-
`tion.
`
`It is still another object of the present invention to
`provide a brush specifically designed for cleaning the
`neck of the implant post and keratinizing (toughening
`the outer tissue layer of the gum) the gingival crevice to
`make the area more resistant to infection, and to de-
`plaque the entire circumference of the implant post
`while requiring access from only one side of the post.
`It is yet another object of the present invention to
`provide a device for cleaning dental implant posts that
`can be made on existing manufacturing equipment,
`using existing and/or readily available manufacturing
`techniques, so that the resulting article is easy and eco-
`nomical to manufacture.
`
`The above and other objects, features and advantages
`of the present invention will become readily apparent
`from the following detailed description which is to be
`read in connection with the accompanying drawings.
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`A device for cleaning dental implant posts comprises
`a handle for manually grasping said device; and brush-
`ing means secured to one end portion of the handle. The
`brushing means includes a flexible, resilient, spring-like
`brush member connected to said one end of said handle
`means and having a generally semicircular or U-shaped
`configuration, said generally semicircular or U-shaped
`configuration defining a receiving space therein for
`receiving an implant post to be cleaned and resiliently
`surrounding a ma]or portion of the received implant
`post, said brush member having first and second free
`ends at the ends of said generally semicircular or U-
`
`4
`
`

`

`5,067,195
`
`3
`shaped configuration which are in opposing and in at
`least partially facing relation to each other so as to
`define a gap between said first and second free ends for
`insertion of an implant post to be cleaned through said
`gap between said free ends and into said receiving 5
`space. The brushing means further includes a plurality
`of bristles secured to said brush member, said bristles at
`least being directed inwardly and downwardly of said
`generally semicircular or U-shaped configuration. The
`inwardly directed bristles extend into said receiving
`space for engaging an implant post received in said
`receiving space over substantially the complete extent
`of said generally semicircular or U-shaped configura-
`tion so as to simultaneously brush a major portion of the
`received implant post. The downwardly directed bris- 15
`tles engage gum tissue for Iteratinizing the outer layer of
`the engaged tissue.
`Also disclosed is a method for making the cleaning
`device of the present invention.
`
`10
`
`20
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`4
`of adhesive or any other suitable securing means, while
`the user grasps the opposite end 12b of handle 12.
`Brush member 14 includes first and second flexible,
`resilient, springy, wire members 16 and 18 secured to
`end 12a of handle 12, wire members 16, 18 each having
`a convex configuration. In this regard, each of the wire
`members 16, 18 can have a substantially part-circular
`configuration extending over an are greater than 90°
`and less than 180°, as shown in FIG. 1. Alternatively,
`wire members 16, 18 can each have a substantially U-
`shaped configuration, as shown in FIG. 3 or a generally
`oval shape as shown in FIG. 4. Other suitable shapes
`could be used. In any case, first wire member 16 has a'
`first intumed or inwardly directed free end 16a, and
`second wire member 18 has a second intumed or in-
`wardly directed free end 18a.
`In the embodiments of FIGS. 1, 3 and 4, it is prefera-
`ble that wire members 16 and 18 be formed from a
`single, continuous, integral wire member 17 extending
`over an arc greater than 180°.
`It will be appreciated that because first and second
`wire members 16 and 18 have mirror image convex
`configurations,
`the second intumed or inwardly di-
`rected free end 1811 of wire portion 18 is in opposing and
`at least partially facing relation to first intumed free end
`160 of wire portion 16 so as to define a gap 20 therebe-
`tween. The size of gap 20 is smaller than the distance
`between proximal and distal sides 22 and 24 (see FIGS.
`5 and 6) of an implant post 26 to be cleaned.
`Further, brush member 14 includes a plurality of
`bristles 28 secured to each wire member 16 and 18. The
`brush member 14 can be a twisted wire brush, such as
`shown in US. Pat. Nos. 3,559,226 or 4,319,377, for
`example. Although it is only necessary from the stand-
`point of the present invention to provide inwardly di-
`rected bristles 28, it is preferable that bristles 28 extend
`circumferentially around each wire member 16 and 18
`at any point thereon. In this manner, the gingival sur-
`face and adjacent tooth surfaces will also be cleaned.
`In use, as shown in FIG. 7, and with respect to the
`embodiment of FIG. 1, intumed ends 160 and 180 are
`moved into contact with the buccal side 23 of a post 26.
`Upon application of a force toward the lingual side 25
`of post 26, wire members 16 and 18 are resiliently forced
`apart and around post 26 and “spring” back to the posi-
`tion shown in FIG. 6. Thereafter, all surfaces of post 26
`are cleaned by moving brush member 14 only a small
`amount in the direction of double-headed arrow 30.
`As shown in FIG. 8, the brush member 14’, formed of
`members 16’, 18’, may be provided with outwardly
`turned free ends 31, 32 which serve as “camming” sur-
`faces to facilitate sliding of the brush member 14 over
`the post 26. The free end portions 31, 32 may have
`bristles 28 thereon, or may be free of bristles, as desired.
`The modified device of FIG. 8 is shown as being made
`of plastic material,
`instead of wire members such as
`twisted wire members, to show an alternate embodi-
`ment. Also, when the brush member 14’ is made of
`plastic material, the camming surfaces 31, 32 may more
`easily slide over the post 26. The plastic material from
`which the brush member 14 is made can be any of the
`biologically safe springy plastic materials, such as poly-
`ethylene, polypropylene, or other suitable materials.
`It will be appreciated that, with all of the embodi-
`ments of the invention, complete cleaning of all exposed
`surfaces of implant post 26 occurs with a single insertion
`of the post into the opening between the wire (or plas-
`tic) cleaning members, and With a single rotating or
`
`35
`
`FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a device for cleaning
`dental implant posts according to the present invention;
`FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the device of FIG. 1;
`FIG. 3 is a top plan view of a device according to 25
`another embodiment of the present invention;
`FIG. 4 is a top plan view of a device according to yet
`another embodiment of the present invention;
`FIG. 5 is a side elevational view of a side of a tooth
`implant with post with which the present invention is 30
`used;
`FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view, along line 6—6 of
`FIG. 5, showing the device of FIG. 1 used to clean the
`post 26;
`FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the post of FIG. 5,
`showing the start of operation of the device of FIG. 1
`for wrapping around the implant post;
`FIG. 8 shows a modified device of the present inven-
`tion;
`FIG. 9 shows a perspective view of a further modi-
`fied device of the present invention;
`,
`FIG. 10 is a plan view showing an embodiment of the
`invention formed of a single wire brush member having
`the end portion thereof bent into a generally U-shape
`which extends at an angle to the handle portion thereof;
`FIG. 11 is a side elevational view as per line 11—11
`taken in FIG. 10;
`FIG. 12 is a plan view, similar to FIG. 10, showing a
`similar embodiment as FIG. 10 but having re-entrant
`end portions;
`FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a conventional han-
`dle-type brush holder, with some parts shown in spaced
`relation, for holding a brush according to the present
`invention, the brush being removably and replaceably
`mounted in the reusable brush holder;
`FIG. 14 shows a modified embodiment using two
`cooperating brush members mounted in a single handle
`member; and
`FIG. 15 shows a conventional straight brush from
`which the brush of the present invention can be made.
`
`45
`
`50
`
`55
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION
`
`Referring to the drawings, a device 10 according to
`one embodiment of the present invention for cleaning
`dental implant screws or posts (hereinafter generally
`referred to as “post") includes an elongated handle 12
`with which a person can grasp device 10. A brush mem-
`ber 14 is secured to one end 1th of handle 12 by means
`
`65
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`

`5
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`5,067,195
`
`reciprocating cleaning motion over only a small angle
`in the direction of arrow 30 in FIG. 6. At the same time,
`gingival surface 33, the underside of tooth 34 and any
`adjacent tooth surfaces are also cleaned.
`An important feature of the present invention is the
`spring action provided by the resilient wire or plastic
`members 16, 18. By virtue of the spring action provided
`by members 16, 18, the device effectively has a “mem-
`ory” so that when the members 16, 18 are forced apart
`or deformed when passing around post 26, the member
`16, 18 spring back to their initial positions to effectively
`wrap at least partly around the post 26 so as to provide
`excellent cleaning characteristics without the necessity
`of inserting the device from the lingual side.
`The wire or plastic members 16, 18 may be integrally
`formed as a single member. Instead of the single unitary
`member adhered to the handle 12 in the manner shown
`in FIGS. 1—4, the members 16, 18 can have a connection
`member 35 extending therefrom, as shown in FIG. 9,
`and the elongated connecting member 35 may be con-
`nected to a handle member in a manner similar to that
`shown in any one of US. Pat. Nos. 4,387,479; 4,319,377;
`or 4,222,143; or in any other suitable manner. The con-
`nection member 30 is made of the same material (i.e.,
`wire or plastic) as member 16, 18. Additionally, bristles
`are connected to the wire (i.e. twisted wire) member in
`the same manner as is known in the art, for example as
`shown by the above-mentioned patents, or as shown in
`U.S. Pat. No. 3,5559,226, for example, or are embedded
`in plastic members 16, 18.
`While the members 16, 18 were described above as
`being made of wire, preferably twisted wire with bris-
`tles thereon, they could be fabricated of any other suit-
`able material, such as plastic material, having the bristle
`portions embedded therein or otherwise attached
`thereto. When made of plastic material, the material
`should be biologically safe for use in the mouth, and
`should have the necessary resiliency and spring charac-
`teristics so as to provide the springy action described
`hereinabove.
`
`In a preferred embodiment, the implant screws or
`posts which are to be cleaned are generally around 4
`mm, and range generally from between about 3.5 to
`about 4.5 mm in diameter. Preferably, the gap 20 is
`about 2.5 mm, and when the device is generally circular
`as shown in FIG. 2, the inner diameter of the circle
`(from wire-to-wire) should be about 4 mm or slightly
`less so as to provide a tight fit. If the bristles 28 are
`sufficiently stiff,
`the inner diameter of the “circle”
`formed by the members 16, 18 (FIG. 2) may be slightly
`larger than 4 mm, and the bristles will still give suffi-
`cient brushing against the rod or post to provide proper
`cleaning.
`When the device is attached to a handle in the manner
`shown,
`for example,
`in US. Pat. Nos. 4,22,143;
`4,319,377; or 4,387,479, the handle may be re-used and
`the wire member portion 14 can be made as a replace-
`able unit.
`
`10
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`25
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`30
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`35
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`4O
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`Referring to FIGS. 10 and 11, an embodiment of the
`invention includes a twisted wire handle member 110
`having a loop 111 at the end portion thereof. The loop
`111 is optional, and could instead be straight. The
`twisted wire handle has at its distal end portion a brush
`portion 112 formed on the twisted wire member in a
`conventional manner. Initially,
`the distal end brush
`portion 112 is formed as a straight brush as shown in
`FIG. 15, as is conventional, for example manufactured
`by E—Z Floss, Palm Springs, Calif. As can be seen from
`
`65
`
`6
`FIG. 10, the handle and support portion for the brush is
`made of twisted wire. Preferably, the brush of the pres-
`ent invention utilizes twisted wire of 0.020 inches diam-
`eter, to provide sufficient stiffness while also providing
`sufficient resilience. After formation of the conven-
`tional brush, the distal brush end 112 is bent or other-
`wise formed in a generally U-shape or generally semi-
`circular shape as shown in FIG. 10 by means of a bend-
`ing machine or the like. The generally U-shape or semi-
`circular shape of portion 112 is preferably at approxi-
`mately right angles to the longitudinal axis of handle
`portion 110, as seen in FIG. 10. FIG. 10 illustrates the
`use of the brush with implant posts 120. FIG. 10 shows,
`for example, three adjacent posts, the brush of the pres-
`ent invention being mounted around the center post
`120.
`In use,
`the general U-shaped or semicircular
`shaped brush portion 112 is placed around a post, as
`shown, to engage a major portion of the circumference
`of a post 120, and the cleaning tool is swung over an arc
`from position A to position B, or vice versa. The brush
`may be swung several times, back and forth, through
`said arc in order to clean most of the exposed peripheral
`surfaces of the post 120 about which it is mounted. If a
`large swinging arc is permitted, due to restraint of adja-
`cent teeth, posts, etc., almost all of the post can be
`cleaned by one insertion and by swinging between
`points A and B. If a portion of the post remains un-
`cleaned, the cleaning tool of the present invention can
`be removed from the tooth, flipped over by 180°, placed
`over the other side of the post, and swung again over
`the are from A to B, and back and forth, as required. As
`used herein, the term “major portion” describes engag-
`ing the brush over about 180‘ (or more) of the circum-
`ference of the post 120 when the brush is placed on the
`post. Preferably, the brush resiliently engages or resil-
`iently “snaps over” the post 120 to engage more than
`180° so that it positively stays in place during use, with-
`out inadvertently slipping off the post.
`The brush may also be lifted up and down in the
`direction of arrow C shown in FIG. 11 to provide a
`vertical brushing motion relative to the post, to enhance
`cleaning of the post 120 and to also clean the gingival
`area, the gum crevice surrounding the implant post and
`the underside of the artificial tooth mounted on the post
`120.
`
`The advantage of the embodiment of FIGS. 10 and 11
`is that a conventional brush having a straight brush
`portion can be easily bent and modified to take the form
`of the present invention as illustrated in FIGS. 10 and
`11. Only a simple bending technique is required after
`formation and manufacture of the basic straight brush,
`thereby greatly lowering the cost of manufacture and
`making manufacture thereof relatively simple.
`FIG. 12 shows a modified embodiment wherein the
`end portions of the U-shaped or generally semicircular
`shaped brush are re-entrant. This means that U-shape or
`the semicircle defined by the brush is greater than 180°.
`The embodiment of FIG. 12 can be manufactured by
`a simple bending technique from a conventional straight
`brush, as described above with respect to FIG. 10. In
`the embodiment of FIG. 12, the generally semicircular
`shaped brush portion is bent back further by around an
`additional 90° as compared to the embodiment of FIG.
`10. In some applications, this arrangement is advanta-
`geous. For example, since the embodiment of FIG. 12
`has re-entrant ends 131, 132, the additional leverage
`provided by the orientation of the handle 130 in FIG. 12
`will make it easier to “snap” the resilient brush portion
`
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`5,067,195
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`7
`133 over the post. Since the ends 131, 132 are re-entrant
`slightly, a small amount of resilient yielding of the brush
`portion 133 may be required to mount the brush over
`the post. After mounting, the brush of FIG. 12 is swung
`over the are as illustrated with respect to FIG. 10 to 5
`provide brushing of the post, as well as the gum and
`tooth areas. The brush of FIG. 12 can be moved up and
`down in the direction of arrow C of FIG. 11, to provide
`improved brushing effects.
`FIG. 13 illustrates an embodiment of the invention
`for use in connection with a reusable handle member,
`such as the El HANDLE® manufactured by E-Z
`Floss, Palm Springs, Calif. The handle shown in FIG.
`13 comprises an elongated body member 150 having a
`tapered end portion 152 with an anchor slot 153 therein.
`A collet 154 having a tapered inner surface is slidably
`mounted over the tapered portion 152 and is frictionally
`locked thereon. The brush of the present invention,
`designated as item 160 in FIG. 13, has an elongated
`portion 161 (similar to handle 110, 130), with a bent
`handle-engaging portion 162 (optional) at the remote
`end thereof.
`In use,
`the elongated portion 161 is
`mounted into the anchor slot 153 with the bent portion
`162 received in the slot for engagement purposes. Then,
`the collet is slid thereover to lock same into the anchor
`slot. The bent end 162 can instead be made straight, in
`which case it will still fit in the anchor slot 153. The
`user, can, if desired, make the bend 162 by hand.
`The brush 160 of the present invention has a gener-
`ally U-shaped or generally semicircular working brush 30
`portion, similar in shape to either the embodiment of
`FIG. 10 or the embodiment of FIG. 12. The only differ-
`ence between the embodiments of FIGS. 10 and/or 12
`is that the loop 111 at the end of the handle portion (see
`FIG. 10) is eliminated, and the end portion of the “han-
`dle” of the brush is bent inwardly (as shown by 162 in
`FIG. 14) to engage an anchor slot in the handle 150.
`The apparatus of FIG. 14 is used in the same manner as
`the apparatus of FIG. 10 or FIG. 12. After the brush
`becomes worn or if the brush breaks, the collet 154 is 40
`removed (slid off), and a new brush member is inserted
`to “renew” the cleaning device.
`.
`The handle 150 of FIG. 13 has mounting portions 152
`and associated collets 154 at both opposite ends thereof.
`Therefore, two brushes of the present invention can be 45
`mounted at opposite ends of the device, or one brush of
`the present invention can be mounted at one end, and a
`conventional cleaning device can be mounted at the
`other end, as desired.
`As shown in FIG. 14, a device similar to the embodi- 50
`ment of FIGS. 1 and 9 can be fabricated using two
`brush members 170, 180, each of which is similar to the
`brush member 160 of FIG. 13, except for the shape of
`the brush portion at the brush-end thereof, as will be
`explained below. The brush members 170, 180 each 55
`have respective twisted wire handle or handle engaging
`portions 171, 181, and also respectively have brush end
`portions 172, 182, respectively. The brush end portions
`172, 182 cooperate to define a brush end similar to that
`shown in FIGS. 1-4 and/or 6—9. The brush members 60
`170, 180 are preferably used with the handle 150 of
`FIG. 13. In use, the brush members are placed adjacent
`each other, substantially as shown in FIG. 14, and are
`inserted through the elongated opening of the collet
`154. The handle portions 171, 181 are then placed in the 65
`anchor slot 153 of the handle 150, and the collet is slid
`thereover to frictionally engage tapered portion 152 to
`essentially lock the two brush members 170, 180 in
`
`35
`
`8
`place, with their brush portions 172, 182 oriented in the
`position shown in FIG. 14. The tip ends 173, 183 of the
`brush members 170, 180 can be inwardly directed (that
`is, re-entrant) as shown in FIGS. 1-4 and 6—9, and/or as
`shown in FIGS. 10, 12 and 13. The brush of FIG. 14 is
`used in the same manner as the other brushes of the
`present invention.
`It should be clear that all of the brushes of all of the
`figures could extend around substantially 180“ or more
`of a generally circular or generally U—shape, it being
`preferred that the brush extends more than 180° to en-
`gage a larger extent of an engaged post. The wire or
`other material from which the brushes are made is pref-
`erably of resilient wire so that better engagement and
`retention on the post is achieved.
`In the embodiment of FIG. 14, the ends 174, 184 of
`the respective brushes 170, 180 can be straight
`(as
`shown) or bent over in the same manner as bent portion
`162 of FIG. 13, as desired. If the end portions are
`straight, they can be bent over (similar to bent portion
`162) by the user (by hand) just prior to mounting in the
`anchor slot 153 of the handle 150.
`An advantage of the devices of FIGS. 10—14 is that
`they are easily and economically manufactured using
`presently available brush making techniques for making
`straight brushes. After the straight brush is made, or
`during the manufacturing process for the straight brush,
`the end portion can be bent in a generally U-shaped or
`generally semicircular shape, as shown in FIG. 10—14,
`to produce the brush of the present invention in a sim-
`ple, economical manner, while using presently existing
`manufacturing equipment and techniques, and without
`requiring new, expensive manufacturing machinery.
`Thus,
`the present
`invention, as illustrated in FIGS.
`10-14, can be quickly and readily brought to market to
`benefit the public.
`Having described specific preferred embodiments of
`the invention with reference to the accompanying
`drawings, it will be appreciated that the present inven-
`tion is not limited to those precise embodiments, and
`that various changes and modifications may be effected
`therein by one of ordinary skill in the art without de-
`parting from the scope or spirit of the invention as de-
`fined in the appended claims.
`What is claimed is:
`
`1. A device for cleaning dental implant posts, said
`cleaning device comprising:
`_
`handle means for manually grasping said device; and
`brushing means secured to one end portion of said
`handle means, said brushing means including:
`i) a flexible, resilient, spring-like brush member means
`connected to said one end of said handle means and
`having a generally semicircular or U-shaped con-
`figuration, said generally semicircular or U-shaped
`configuration defining a receiving space therein for
`receiving an implant post to be cleaned and resil-
`iently surrounding a major portion of the periphery
`of the received implant post, said brush member
`means having first and second free ends at the ends
`of said generally semicircular or U-shaped configu-
`ration which are in opposing and in at least par-
`tially facing relation to each other so as to define a
`gap between said first and second free ends for
`insertion of an implant post to be cleaned through
`said gap between said free ends and into said re-
`ceiving space; and
`ii) a plurality of bristles secured to said brush member
`means, said bristles at least being directed inwardly
`
`7
`
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`

`9
`and downwardly of said generally semicircular or
`U-shaped configuration, said inwardly directed
`bristles extending into said receiving space for en-
`gaging an implant post received in said receiving
`space over substantially the complete extent of said
`generally semicircular or U-shaped configuration
`so as to simultaneously brush a major portion of the
`periphery of the received implant post; and said
`downwardly directed bristles engaging gum tissue
`adjacent the implant post for keratinizing the outer
`layer of the engaged tissue;
`said flexible,
`resilient,
`spring-like brush member
`means with said plurality of bristles secured thereto
`being dimensioned so as to be receivable between
`adjacent teeth at
`least at the gingival area, and
`being arranged to brush a dental implant post sup-
`porting a tooth at the lingual surface of said post, at
`the buccal surface of said post, and at the gingival
`margin adjacent said post, said brush member
`means and said bristles together engaging around
`said received post over said major portion of the
`periphery of said post; said brush member means
`being resiliently deflectable or spreadable apart
`when passed between teeth and over a post to
`engage over said major portion of the received
`post.
`2. The device of claim 1, wherein said bristles further
`comprise upwardly directed bristles, whereby said
`brushing means is reversible to brush not only said im~
`plant post, but also said gum tissue for keratinizing the
`outer layer of the engaged tissue.
`3. The device of claim 1, wherein said handle means
`comprises a twisted wire member means, and wherein
`said brush member comprises a continuation of said
`twisted wire member with said bristles thereon.
`4. The device of claim 3, wherein said generally semi-
`circular or U-shaped configuration is formed by bend-
`ing said brush member means relative to said handle
`means.
`
`5. The device of claim 4, wherein said receiving space
`opens through said gap in a direction substantially per-
`pendicular to said handle means.
`6. The device of claim 4, wherein said generally semi-
`circular configuration defines said receiving space
`which opens in a direction substantially parallel to said
`handle means.
`7. The device of claim 1, wherein said brush member
`means of said brushing means comprises first