CA2182565A1

CA2182565A1 - Dental water and air purification equipment

Info

Publication number: CA2182565A1
Application number: CA002182565A
Authority: CA
Inventors: Jon Dalrymple; Leslie V. Martens; Jan H. Magnusson
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: University of Minnesota
Priority date: 1994-02-02
Filing date: 1995-02-02
Publication date: 1995-08-10
Also published as: WO1995020934A1; DE69523737T2; EP0742707A4; PT742707E; EP0742707A1; DK0742707T3; EP0742707B1; DE69523737D1; ES2167415T3; AU1697895A; US5474451A; BR9506705A; ATE208164T1; GT199600063A; MX9603180A

Abstract

Dental hand tools (140) including disposable water and air treatment cartridges (50). In various construction, cartridges (50) containing selected arrangements of disinfectant media mount to a detachable, hand tool adaptor manifold (2) or to an integral hand tool manifold (142). The cartridges (50) purify water and air discharged from the hand tool (140) and direct liquid and airflow over external surfaces of the cartridge (50) to an interior cavity (156) containing a halogen disinfectant media (e.g. a multivalent iodine resin) and or halogen scavenger media and porous spacers. A retainer may interlock the cartridge to the manifold (142) and means may be included to prevent leaching of the disinfectant by the scavenger media. Various constructions of handpieces, syringes and scalers compatible with alternative detachable, adaptor manifold or having integral cartridge manifolds are disclosed. Spray tips with integral manifolds and detachable cartridge manifolds which align to water and air discharge ports are also disclosed.

Description

WO 951~093~ 9~

2~g5 DENTAL WATE:R AND A~ PURIFICATION hUu~
BACKGROUND O~ TXE INVENTION
The present invention relates to dental air and water line :-purifica~ion a9semblies and, in p~rticular, to manifold :~
5 a6semblies which support disposable disinfec~ant cartridges to a variety of dental hand tools, such as air-powered, high speed " han~pieces, air-water syringes and scalers. Alternative constructions integrate the cartridge manifolds into hand tool adaptors, hand tool handles o~ discharge tips.
The presence of microorganisms within dental unit water lines (DUWI ) has been documented in medical and aental literature and discussed at rela~ed symposia. Studies have rrnfi 1 the presence of varieties of bacterium, viruse6 and protozoa at nutrient rich biofilms that form over time on the l5 tubing walls of the water supply lines that feed hand tools of dental and medical practitioners. Biofilms also exist within the flow channels oL the hand tools. Such microorganisms can include non-pathogenic microbes, as well as pathogenic microbes.
The microbes can be admitted to the water lines and 20 hand tools from municipal water supplies and the patients being treated. The later rrnt~min~tion occurs with backflow conditions that exist during typical patient treatments and the use of conventional hand tools. Backflow or passive retraction arises for a variety of reasons such as laminar flow, eddy 25 currents, vortexes, and venturi eifects within the hand tool and associated tubings which draw microorganisms that are present in the moisture laden working space into the water and air lines.
Although most practitioners commonly employ procedures to periodically flush the water lines at the start of a week, with 30 the beginning of each day, and/or between patients, the involved SU8SllT~E ~HEET (RU~E 26) -Wo gs/2093~ 5 C ~ 2 1 8 2 5 6 ~ PCT/US9~01293 fluid mechanics principally remove only loosely attached microbes which may form between ~111Qh;n~S. During normal use, a laminar ~low at the walls, otherwise, provides a stationary flow condition, which does roc particularly affect the growing microbes. MicroDe concentrations of 1 x 10~ per ml have been obYerved in sampled water from DUWL ' s .
DernnrAmin~tion efrrrts directed to minimize and contain the potential health risks represented by micrcbial colonies dwelling in most DUWL's have included attempts to flush cnemical disinfectants through ~he DUWL; sterilize selected hand tool OEntQ (e.g by autoclaving), including the DUWL; mount anti-retraction systems or check valves into che DUWL to prevent backflow; and use unit dose, sterilized and~or distilled water or saline packs with each patient.
The problem and some of the foregoing attempts to find solutions to contain the problem are discussed in the following articles: "Den~al Unit Rater Lines", K. Scarbeck, AGD Impact, pp. 3, 6-12, November, -1993; "Microbial rnnt=min~tion of Dental llnit Water Lines-Prevalence, " Intenslty and Microbiological Characteristics", JP. Williams et al, JADA, Vol. 124, pp. 59-65 ~October 1993); "~ An~inrJ the Bubble", L.H. Meskin, ~ADA, Vol.
124, pp. g-12 (October 19931; and "Dental Unit Water Lines Under ~eview--ADA Workshop Looking at Ways to Limit Bacterial Presence", J. Jakush, ADA IVews, pp. 14, }5 (September 20, 1993) .
NASA has consider~d the problem with respect to space travel. Various commercial vendors of water t~f'A' t chemicals also provide different assemblies and packaging arrangements of disinfectants to treat water ar the point of entry to a ~uilding or water supply f ixture.
Water purification assemblies for single and multi-patient SUBSIT~ !~IEET ~RULE 26) WO95/20934 ` (:~A2182565 ~ 2~ P~ )..,'vl29~
treatment stations are al50 known. Such assemblies are sold by Ecomas~er Corporation, St. Paul, MN and include cartridge based filtration materials and multi-valent iodine resin bactericides .~
and virucides for purifying relatively large volumes of water --s supplied to medical and dental treatment stations. Although the latter assemblies minimize f-r~ntAmi n~ntc introduced from a water -----supply source, microbial growth and biofilms can still exist in the conduits intermediate the treatment assembly and the hand tools contacting the patient.
Various devices are also known which mount to the tubing sections of the DU~L. U.S. Patent 5,204,004 discloses a microporous membrane filter and assembly for retaininy a microbe filter to the DUWL tubing. U.S. Patent 5,230,624 discloses an iodinated cartridge that includes a single bed of disinfectant 15 media and couples to the DUW~ tubing to admit a residual amount of disinfectant to liquid passing through the tubing.
In appreciation of the foregoing problems and limitations of e~isting water and air disinfectant devices, the present invention provides alternative c h~n; ~ for treating or :
20 purifying the water and air that contacts a dental or medical patient directly at a discharge port o~ a hand tool or as close as physically possible to the discharge port. The viability of such treatment devices has been confirmed in studies of water periodically sampled from hand tools equipped with the 25 invention.
SUMM~RY OF T~E INVENTION
It iq accordingly a primary object of the invention to provide a means for purifying liquids and air distributed to dental and medical patients directly at or closely adjacent to 3 o the water and air discharge ports of a hand tool .
SUBSIll~ SHEEl (RIJLE 26) Wogsl20934 ~ C A 2 ~ 8 2~ 6~ PcTlus9slol293 It i9 a fu.r~l$r cbject of the invention to provide -n~ni~ inr~ iin~ dlsposable cartridges which contain one o-more beds of halogen disinfectant media and/or halogen scavenger media that are selected and arranged to devitali:ze undesired s microbes, especially, pathogenic bacterium, viruses an~
protozoa, and remove residuals o_ the disinfectant media.
It is a further object of the~ invention to provide mani~old assemblies which are compatible with conventional handle sections of dental hand tools, for example, high speed handpieces, scalers and air-water syringes.
It is a further object of the invention to provide manifold assemblies which are compatible with the dispensing tips of air-water syringes.
It is a further object of the invention to provide manifold constructions which sesregate air and warer flow at the discharge ports of a hand tool.
It is a further object of the invention to provide an adaptor manifold which accepts single use unit dose disposab~e cartridges ~ i . e . replaced af ter treatment of each patient ), and which mounts to a variety of conventional dental and medical hand tools to purify delivered air and water, It is a further object of the invention to provide hand tools including integral, cartridge receiving manifolds.
It i~ a further ooject o~ the invention to provide unit dose cartridge constru~ctions which cooperate wlth the manifold eO interrupt air and/or liquid flow conduits to re-direct liauid and air flow through an internal cartridge column cnnr~;n;n~ one or more beds of disinfectant media, halogen scavengers, filtrates and/or inter~lening porous spacers.
It is a ~urther o~ject to provide means for rFtaining the SUBSrrTl~E 9HEET (RULE 26) WO95/2093-1 C A 2 1 8 2 5 65 -; ~, PCrJUS95101293 disinfectant cartridge to the manifold. ~ 5 It is a further object to provide means for preventing leeching of ~ne disinfectant media by an included b.tlVt~
media .
5Variations of the foregoing objects, advantages and dis~inc~ions of the inven~ion are achieved in alternative adaptor constructions which thread mount to a hand tool handle.
The adaptors provide a disposable, unit dose cartridge receiving _~
manifold that interrupts a liquid and/or alr flow conduit to or l0within a dental hand tool. Seals at the cartridge cooperate with the manifold to re-direct flow along exterior surfaces of the cartridge to inlet ports to an internal fIow column. One or . =--more beds of halogen disinfectant, halogen scavenger media and intervening porous spacers ~ nnt~ i n~d within the cartridye purify 15the discharged liquid and/or air. The media assures a supply of air and liquids free of undesired microbes, pathogens and disinfectant residuals and can prevent reverse migration of microbes into the DI~WL. In combination with periodic hand tool sterilization, disease transmission is controlled.
20~lternative constructions of ri; ~posAh~ e, unit dose cartridges are also disclosed. In a preferred cartridge construction, the disinfectant and/or scavenger media and porous spacers coaxially mount within the cartridge housing. The cartridge may also include means to prevent leeching of the 25disin~ectant by the scavenger media. In another cons~ruction, liquid flow lS direc~ed through annularly arranged oeds of disinfec~an~ and halogen scavenger media to a center bore. In still another cartridge, multiple columns ~-nn~inin~ separate arrangements o~ air and water treatment media are provided.
30Surfaces of the cartridge are formed to mate~ and coopera~e with SUBSIl~E SHEET (RULE 26) WO 95120934 ~ C A 2 1 8 2 ~ ~ 5 PCT~s9510l293 the manifold to conin~ ana direct water and air flow and retain the cartridge to the manifold.
In various hand tool constructions, cartridge receiving manifolQs are formed in[:o the handl es of dental hand tools .
Exemplary kigh speed handpieces, scalers and air-water syringes are disclosed. The cartridges are alternatively supported at acute angular displA~ -~ltC to a longitudinal handle axis and rrntAinf-d conduits or in coaxial alignment to provided water and air conduits.
In still other constructions, modified air and water discharge tip pieces and detachable cartridge receiving tip manifolds are providea for air-water syrlnges Variations of the tip manifolds alternatively provide a cartridge manifold inte~l -1; At~ a rl~tArhAhl e tip section and a syringe handle, 15 within the body of a unitary tip piece or directly at the air-water discharge ports of the tip piece. Sealed and isolated air and water supply conduits are formed upon securing the cartridge to the manifold.
Still other objects, advantages and distinctions of the 20 invention are more apparent from the following description of various assemblies depicted in the appended drawings. To the extent various modifications and ~ ~ uve lle~ltS have been considered, they are described as appropriate. The description should not be strictly construed in limitation of the invention.
2~ Rather, the scope of the invention should be interpreted ln view of the appended claims.
~RIEF DESCRIPTION OF T~E DRAWING5 Figure 1 is a longitudinal cross section view through a high speed dental handpiece and attached adaptor of the 30 inven.ion which includes a disinfectan~ cartridge.
SU~SllTl~E 9HEET ~ E 26) W0 95l2093~ C A 2 1 8 2 5 6 5~ r ~ PCTIU~9~ 1293 Figure 2 is a plan view shown in exploded assemDly of the aàap~or of Figure 1 and a preferred disinfectatnt cartridge.
Figure 3 is an end view of tne adaptor of Figure 2.
Figure ~ is a longitudinal cross section view through a the S carr:ridge of Figure 2.
Figure 5 is a plan view of the car~riage of Figure 2.
- Figure 5 is a longitudinal crc~ss section vlew through an alternative disinfectant cartridge useable with the manifolds of the invention. ~
Figure 7 is a plan view shown in partial longitudinal cross section through a high 9peed handpiece and wherein the handle includes an integraI, aisinfectant ~cartridge manifold.
Figure ~ is a plan view shown in partial longitudinal cross section view through a handpiece including a coaxial disinfectant cartridge manifold.
Figure 9 is a drawing of an air driven sonic scaler including a dlsinfectant cartridge adaptor.
Figure 10 is a drawing of an air driven sonic scaler including an integral disinfectant cartridge housing.
Figure 11 is a drawing of an electric ultra-sonic scaler =---~
including a detachahle adaptor and disinfectant cartridge.
Figure 12 is a plan view of an air-water syringe inr~ inr an integral disinfectant cartridge manifold.
Figure 13 is a plan view shown in partial longitudinal -~
cross section of an air-wa~er 5yringe including a st~ri 1 i 7:~hl purif ication tip .
Figure 14 is a plan view shown in partial longitudinal cross section of an alternative sterilizahle purification tip for an air-water syringe.
Figure 15 is a plan view shown in exploded asselr~hly and SUBS~ll~E SHEET ~RULE 26) Wo 95~2093~ 8~ A 2 1 8 2 5 6 y ~ s!0l293 partial longitudinai croæs section of a disinfecta~t cartridge r~n~=inin~ tip which segregates water and air flow for an air-water syringe.
~igure 16 is a FIan view shown in partial longitudinal s cross sectlon of a disinfectant cart-idge adaptor which mounts to the tip of an air-water syringe and which segregates water and air f low .
Figure 17 is a bar chart of test data, comparing the water samples taken from various hand tools with and without the benefit of the invention.
Figure 18 is an e~d view of an adaptor similar to that of Figures 1 - 3 having separate air and water disinfectant cartridge manifolds. ~
Figure 19 is a longitudinal cross section view through an adaptor manifold having separate, coaxially arranged air and water disinfectant cartridges.
Figure 20 is a plan view shown in partial longitudinal cross section view through a handpiece including separate, coaxial air and water disinfectant cartridges.
Figure 21 is a longitudinal cross section view through an adaptor manifold simiIar to Figures 1 - 3 r-~n~=;nin~ a disinfectant cartridge~having separate air and water treatment columns .
Figure 22 is an end view of the adaptor of Fig~re 21. -DESC~IPTIO~ OF THE PREFERRED EM~30DIMENT
With attention to Figures 1 through 6, views are shown of a presently preferred adaptor assembly 2 and disinfectant cartridges 50 and 100 which mount to the adaptor 2~ The adaptor 2 Cinds application with a variety of dental hand tools. In various forms, the adaptor 2 has been in~egrated into air driven SUBSIl~ SHEET (RUEE 26) WO95t20934 C A 21 8 2 5 65 r f~ '' PCTtl~S95tO1293 handpieces, reference Figures 1, 7 and 8; air driven sonic scalers, re~erence Figures 9, 10 and ll; and air-water syringes, re~erence Figures 11 through 16. Dual, air and water treatment, adaptor and hand tool constructions are shown at Figures 18 5 through 22. The details of such adaptor, hand tool and further cartridge constructions are described below with respect to the related drawings.
As regards air driven dental handpieces, a variety of types and styles of handpieces or drills 4 are commercially available, 10 Figures l, 2 and 3 depict one common style. Thé handpiece 4 generally pro~-ides a shaped handle 6, which is configured to facilitate manipulation by a dentist within the confined space of a patient ' s mouth. ~rt~n~i n~ from a neck 8 of the handle 6 is a head or chuck lO which supports a suitable burr 12. A
15 supply of pressurized drive air is provided to the handle 6 and an internal conduit 14 ~rom an air source and hosing ~not shown ) .
The conduit 14 extends through the handle 6 to the head lO
and powers a rotary drive assembly (not shown) at a suitable 20 speed in relation to the regulated air source to operate the burr 12 and shape de6ired surfaces o~ a tooth, remove decay, etc.. An exhaust air conduit 16, which is typically sized to a slightly larger diameter than the drive air conduit 14, receives and conveys the exhaust air from the drive assembly through the 25 handpiece 4 and away from the patient. For some hand tools, exhaust air may be partially discharged at the head 10.
Also extending within the handpiece 4 is a coolant conduit 18 and through which water is typically conducted. A liquid outlet or discharge port 20 is positioned adjacent the tooth anc 30 burr 12 and from which a pressurized spray is emitted to cool SUBSllIUI~ SHE~T (RULE ~6) WO 95/2093~S ~ ~ f~ , 2 ~ 6 ~ C ~ 2 1 ~ 2 ~ ~ 5 PCT/IJS95/01293 the too~h and burr 12 aIld ~ermit a degree of rlrsing of debris whlch cQllects in the vicinl~y of the tooth under repair.
Depending upon ~he complexity of the handpiece 4, additional conduits or members may ex~end within the handle '., S such as an optical iiber 22, reference Figure 2 The fiber 22 is commonly used in various handpieces .o conduct light and provide additional ilIumination to the work area, beyond the reflected background light and room light The handpiece 4 is typically formed from chrome plated 10 brass, stainless steel or other suitable materials. The handpiece 4 and many of the other hand tools ,1; qc~lcse~ below are construc~ed to withstand repeated cleanings and St~rili7~t;nnq, such as by steam autoclaving. The latter rlr~ningc are typically performed on a periodic basis established by the 15 practitioner. Prefera~y, such rl~n;n~q occur after each patient, although may occur semi-weekly or weekly. If performed after each patient, preferably any microbial cnnt~rni n~tion within the har~d tool is 6terilized and subser~uent microbe tran6mission concerns need only be directed to the air and 20 liquids discharged from the hand tool.
Where a practitioner does not sterilize each hand tool for each patient, the practitioner typically flushes at least the coolant conduit 18 in between patients Rf~l ~n~ i standards est~hl i ch~fi by the American Dental ~Rqori :~t i on are set out in a 25 publication entitled Re~ ed Infection Cont~-ol Practices For Dentis~rY (1993).
Because a non-steri 1 e coolant water is typically provided at the conduit 18, over time, a biofllm typicaIly develops along the interior surfaces of the conduit 18 and the supply water 3 0 lines to the handpiece 4 . Varieties of pathogenic and non-SU~SIIl~ 91iEET (RULE 26) W095/20934 CA21825~ g~5~S~
pathogenic microbes, which are collectively referred to below asmicrobes or mlcroorganisms, may include among other con~min~C, pathogenic and non-pathogenic bacterium, viruses and protozoa. The microbes commonly found in such biofilms are 5 admitteà with the supply water and may also migrate into the handpiece 4 from the patient via the discharge port 2~. Such - migration can occur due to the rather moist, humid environment of the work area, equipment contact with the patient ' s mouth or saliva or normal prolonged exposure of the port 20 to room air.
10 Some of the documented types of microbes are discussed in the earlier referenced papers. It is these microbes that can be transmit~ed to a broad range of individuals through the normal day to day activities of a dentist or physician.
In appreciation of the foregoing health hazards and to 15 provide a Ir ~h~ni - ~ for treating air and water from dental hand tools, the h~n~pi ~rl~ 4 includes a disinfectant nnn~ i ng treatment adaptor 2. The adaptor 2 is shown in longitudinal cross section at Figure 2 and in end view at Figure 3. The adaptor 2 is secured to the handpiece 4 with a coupler 24. The 20 coupler 24 comprises a threaded sleeve or nut 26 which has a center bore 28 that contains a split, snap ring 3 0 . A body piece 32 contains a number of bores 14a, 18a, and an exhaust air bore (not shown~, which mate to portions of conduits 14 , 16 and 18, and an optical fiber 22 that extend from the aft end of the 25 handle 6. The e~ctensions handle 6. The extensionc of the condults 14 within the bores 14a, 18a and the bore which mates with the exhaust cDnduit 16. Tubular, stub or extension pieces 14b, 16b and 18b project from the inlet end of the adap~or 2. The optical fiber 22 abuts a section of optical fiber 23 at the --30 adaptor 2.
SUb~lllUlt SHEET~ E 26) 4 ~ ;3, ~ 8~fi~ ` `C~21 825~5,~ Y~
The nut 26 i6 retained to the body 22 with the snap ring 30 in a double capture al~ That is, the snap ring 30 first ma~es wlth an annular groove 34 in a fore-end 36 of the body 32. Once the snap rlns 30 is seatec, the fore end 36 ls s retracted slightly to cause the snap riny 30 to seat within a second annular s~oove 38, which is pFoviàed in a bore 40 of the nut 26.
The nut 26, in tu~n, is secured to the handle 6 at a threaded surface 42, after aligning the conduits 14, 14a; 16, 16a; 18, 18a; and fibers 22, 23. The nut 26 is then free to rotate without conflicting with the various conduits and fibers.
A similar mounting aLLGLly~ t is provided at a threaded coupler (not shown) that is secured to the air, water and optical supply lines which mount to the inlet end of the adaptor 2. An exemplary coupler 236 of this type is shown at Figure 12.
The coupler mounts to a threaded surface 46 at the inlet end of the body 32. The supply lines are typically nonta;n~n in a 6ingle tubular flexible cover, although may separately attach to the coupler in the manner of Figure 12. The supply lines 20 provide the necessary regulated air and water to the hand tool.
~ manifold 48 pro ~ects from the adaptor body 32 and receives a disinfectant cartridge 50 at a bore space 52. The bore space 52 interrupts the coolant bore 18a at an lnlet port s4 and an outlet port 56. The cartridge 50 is typically 25 constructed in a unit dose, ~icr~s~le form and mounts within the bore space 52. The cartridge 5D is typically replaced after each patient treatment to assure a suf'icient Cupply Of disinfected and purified water to each patIent. Coolant water is directed into the manifold 48 from the port 54, through the 30 cartridge 50, to the ou~tlet port 56, and to the handpiece 4.
St~TlUTE 9HEET (RULE 26) W0 95l2093~ C ~A 2 l 8 2 ~ PCT/US95/01293 Before the water is admitted to the handpiece 4, one or more beds of disinfecrant media rnnt~in~.~l within the cartridge ~ :
50 treats the water to devitalize substantially all microbial -rnnr~min~nts and contained in the coolant water. Residual S disinfectant in the water is also typically removed. However, :~
r~.r,~n~lin3 upon the cartridge construction, if a residual of the -~
disinfectant media is permitted, the residual also treats any biofilm reslaent in the conduit 18. For the cartridge 50, such residuals are normally removed in preference to frequent autoclavings of the hand tool.
With continued use and normal cleaning of the handpiece 4, sample ~esring, reference Figure 17, has demonstrated that the water supplied from the cartridge 50 is substantially free of all microbial rnnt~min~ntq The potential cnnt~min~tion and transmission of disease to a dentist ' s or physician ' s patient population is thereby reduced.
~ith reference to Figure 17, a bar graph of comparative samples taken from hand tools adapted to include the disinfectant cartridges of the invention are shown. Sampleq were taken before and after mounting cartridges to each hand tool on a number of di~:ferent days. Various samples were permitted additional incubation time to confirm the effectiveness of the irvention. The samples 2, 5, 8, 11, 14, 17, 20, 23, 26, 29, 32, 35, 38 and 41, were taken from hand tools c~n~in;n3 a disinfectant cartridge, and as depicted no - --bacterlal growth was observed. Thus demonstrating the efficacy of the invention to purify the discharged water of undesired microbes .
Other relevart no~es to Figure 17 are that the samples 1, 3, 7 -9, 13 - 15, 19 - 21, and 25 - 27 were taken for air/warer SUBSllTU~ SHET (RULE 26) Wo 95l2093~ C Q 2 1 8 2 5 6 5 P~s9s/~)1293 syringes and all others were taken for high speed handpieces.
The samples 13 - 18 are the same as the samples 7 - 12, but incuba~ed an additional 14 days; and the samples 25 - 30 are the same as the samples 19 - 24, but incubated an additional 5 days.
Appreciatlng that many alrborne mlcrobes may also nnnt~min~te tne handpiece 4, an air ~urifier~49 may be fltted ~o the air llnes which supply the handpiece 4. The purifier 49 removes microbes from the air supplied to the head. Althougn the exhaust air 18 normally conducted away from the handpiece 4, 10 leakage commonly occurs at the head; and thus a desire to also protect a patlent from airborne microbes. Alternatively, an air purifier may be fitted within the adaptor 2 or within the handplece 4. n~r~n~ln~ upon dimensional tolerances, Figures 18 through 22 show exemplary constructions of adaptors and hand 1~ tools whlch have been converted to contaln multiple or duplex disinfectant cartridges. Such cartridges interrupt the water and air conduits.
The air and water flows are at the assemblies of Flgures 18 through 20 are partlcularly segregated to separate cartridges 20 nnnt~inin~ beds of disinfectant media. Figureg 21 and 22 show an adaptor 460 that supports a single duplex cartridge 462. The cartridge 462 contains separate, flow columns which support preferred beàs of disinfectant media.
Returning attention to Figures 1, 2 and 4 to 6 views are 2S shown of alternative ~isinfectant cartridges 50 and loo .
Figures 4 and ~ depict longitudinal cro6s section and plan views of a preferred disinfectant cartridge ~o. Figure 6 depict6 an alternative cartridge construction loo With attention first to Figure 6, the cartridge loO is principally comprised of a 30 handgrip 51, a tubular body ~3 and end cap 55. Multiple seals SI~TI~E SHEET ~RULE 26) WO 95/20934 C Q 2 1 8 2 5 6 5 ~ ` i PCTIUS95/01293 57, 58 project as integral annular surfaces from the end cap 55 and handgrlp 51. The seals 57, 58 retain the cartridge 100 to the manifold 48 and direct liquid flow within the bore space 52.
The seals 57, 58 particularly direct water admitted at the por~
s 54 within a channelway or space 60 defined between an external -surface 62 of the body 53 and an lnterior wall 64 of the bore space 52.
Upon bei~g admitted to the channel space 60, water is directed to a plurality of port5 66 which radially project through the body 53. As water is admitted through the ports 66, the wa~er is directed through an outer bore 86 which contains a series of beds of halogen disinfectant and halogen residual scavenger media 78 and 80 and spacerb 76, 77 before being re-directed through a center bore 82 and to the outlet port 56.
The bore 82 is provided within an integral, tubular extension piece 84 that extends from a center region of the end cap 55, and which is concentrically positioned within the bore 86.
The handgrip 51, body 53, and end cap 5~ are molded as separate, unitary, integral structures from various non-reactive, resilient materials, such as elastomers, polyethylenes and the like. Selected ~q~ ` 1 i,oq of such materials may be impregnated with othe- materials, for example, --t~ari j~l q which prevent leeching of the disinfectant by the S~ V=~I~=L media.
Preferably, the material used to construc~ the handgrip 51 and boày 53 should accommodate sonic weldins and/or adhesive bonding to assure retention of one to the other. The seals 57 and 58 therefore possess sufficient resilience to compress upon mounting the cartridge 100 to the manifold 48.
The nominal dimensions of the seals 57 and ~8 are selected to assure a liquid tight seal with the manifold 48 and to retain SU~ ~HEET (RULE 26) Wogs/20934 ~ s'.~ 5 _ PCT/I~S9~101293 the cartridge 100 to the adaptor 2. Cartridge retent-ion can be ~urther facilitated by including additional sealinr surfaces, such as the seals 57, 58 or other ---hAnir_l fasteners referenced below Se-,,arate O ' ring seals may be provided in lieu s of the integral seals 57, sa.
The spacers 76, 77 comprise porous annular disks and re~ain the disinfectant media 78 within the bore 86 and the scavenger media 80 within the hand grip 51. The spacers are typically constructed from a variety of fibrous materials and/or porous 10 polymers. I~ach is con~igured to an annular shape to mount within the cavity 86 and exhibits a suitable porosity to pass the coolant water and filter undesired cnnt-m;n-ntq. A number of longitudinal bores 50 are radially positioned about the spacer 77 to further facilitate liriuid flo~ into the S~_~Vt:llYnL
15 media 80.
The disinfectant media 78 presently comprises a multi-valent iodine resin. ~' Other exemplary disinfectants might comprise a multi-valent iodine resin with bromide, a hromide derivative particulate, riuaternary ammonium-silver-chlorine-20 bromine-bromide bearing medias, other halogen resins or halogen derivatives. The media is provided in sufficient volume to ;Irl ';It.- a useful cartridge life on the order of S gallons of water. The volume of media 78 may be varied and/or the type of di6infectant or mixtuFes of multiple disinfectants to devitalize 25 anticipated types of microbes.
The scavenger media 80 comprises a cast or loose granular porous carbon material, which exhibits a nominal porosity of 0 . 3 to 10 . 0 microns . The media 80 mounts within a cavity 92 formeà in~o the hand grip 51. The media 80 removes any iodine 30 ta6te imparted by the disinfectan~ 78 to the water and any SU~E SHEET (RULE 26) WO 95l20934 ' ' '` ~ ` PCTIUS9S101293 residual iodine or iodide which might otherwise become entrapped into the liquid Presently considered scavenger materials are, for example, fine mesh GAC, silver composites, starch, anion resins, cation resins and other halogen scavenger media.
s As presently cons~ructed, the cartridge 100 exhibits a nominal, ~otal length in the range of l 1/2 to 2 1/2 inches and a body length between the seals 57 anà 58 in the range of 1/2 to 1 1/2 inches. The diameter of the seals 57, 58 are sized in a range of 0.18 to O.S00 inches. Such ~i ci~nq permit a nominal volume of 0 . 3 to 1. 5 ml of disinfectant within the cartridge 100 .
Turning attention next to Figures 4 and 5, the presently preferred cartridge 50 is depicted. The cartridge 50 is constructed to nominal dimensions comparable to the cartridge lS 100, although exhibits a distinguishable arrangement of disinfectant and halogen scavenger media 102 and 104 within a bore 106 of a tubular body 108. A multi-valent, iodine resin serves as the disinfectant media 104. A resin based, silver composite comprises the halogen scavenger media 102. Various singular types or mixtures of disinfectant and halogen scavenger media may be included in granular, resin or cast form at the media beds 102, 104.
A hand grip 110 projects from one end of the body 108 and is integrally formed with the ~ody 108. A number of ribs 111 protrude frDm the grip 110 to facilitate gripping by the f ingers .
A series of annular grooves 112, 114 and 116 are formed - into the body 108 to receive a number of O-ring seals 118. Like the seals 57, ~ 58, the seals 118 contain liquid flow within the bore space 52 and the channel space 60 formed between an SWSTIT~E Sl IEET (RULE 26) Wo 95~2093~ ~ 1 8 C A ~ 1 8 2 ~ 6 5 s9~01293 ex~ernal surface 120 of the body 108 and the bore wall 64.
~iquid flow is partIcularly direc~ed to one or more lnlet ports 122. The ports 122 radially extend through the body 108 into the bore 106, adjacent the hand grip llo.
s Upon entering the bore 106, liquid is directed to a head space 127 and then through a number of porous spacers 124, 126 and 128, which are sequentially arranged to separate and retain the beds of disinfectant and 5~o.Ve~ L ~edia 102 and 10~. The spacers 124, 126 and 128 are adhesively bonded, press fit or sonically welded to the body 108. The spacer 126 may be impregnated with a powdered ac~iva~ed carbon, carbon composite or other material which prevents leeching of the disinfectant 102 by the scavenger media 104 over prolonged storage and/or exposure to heat.
The cartridge 50 ls noml nally sized to provide a bore 106 having a diameter in the range of 0.175 to 0.500 inches and a length ln the range of 0 . 75 to 2 . 0 inches . Such a cavity space ~: ' tes a total volume of bactericide in the range of 0 . ~
to 1.5 ml and a nominal useful cartridge life on the order of 5 gallons of water.
Although the seals can retain the cartridge so to the manifold 48, a pair of protrusions 81 also extend from the handgrip llo to interlock with a pair of mating channels 83 (only one of which shown) at the manifold 48, reference Figure 2. Upon fi'ting the protrusions 81 to the channels 83 and twisting the hand grip llo, the cartridge so is securely retained to the manifold 48.
Appreciating the potential extension of the adaptor 2 in~o a hand ~ool, at~ention is direc~ed to Figure 7. Figure 7 depicts a handpiece 14~ in partial longitudinal cross section.
SU~ SltEET ~RULE 26) Wo95~20934 C~2~82~6~19 ~ Ç ~ 5~'~
The handpiece 140 is formed to include a manifold 142 that is -~
integrally cas. into a handle 144. = Either of the car~ridges S0 or lQ0 can mount to the manifold 142 in the manner described ~ =
above. A coolant conduit 146, drive air condui. 148 and exhaust 5 air conduit 150 project from a sealed end cap 151. Liç~uid flow is directed from inle~ anç~ outlet ports 152 and 154, along the conduit 146, to a cavity space 156 at the manifold 142. Within the cavity 156, the liç~uid is directed through the cartridge 50, out the port 154 to a discharge port 157, positioned adjacent a burr 158 at a drive head 159. ==
The handpiece 140 is essentially the same in all functional re6pects as the handpiece 4, except the handpiece 140 integra~es the adaptor 2 into the handle 144. As with the adaptor 2, the manifold 142 projects from a longitudinal center axis of the 15 handle 144 at an angle in the range of 15 to 45 degrees. The manifold 142 extends from an upper surface of the handle 144 and is positioned to not obstruct normal manipulation and use of the handpiece 140 ~r potential dislodgement of the disinfectant cartridge S0. The manifold 142 is also positioned to avoid 20 obstruction of room light or the practitioner's view of the work area. Depending upon the construction of the handpiece 140 and the number and posltioning of the various conduits 146, 148, 150 ~7 or others, the positioning of the manifold 142 may be varied.
In that regard, Figure 8 depicts yet another handpiece 160, 25 which is shown in partial longitudinal cross section. The handpiece 160 includes a disinfectant cartridge i62 that coaxially aligns with a coolant supply conduit 164. The - cartridge 162 mounts within a tubular cavity 166 at a handle 161 and extends through a sealed end cap 168. An aperture at the 30 end cap 168 seals about the external surface 170 of the SU~SmUTE SHgT ~ E 26) W095l2093-1 -- C A 2 l g 25 ~ us9slol293 cartridge 162 and aligns~e cl~tridge 162 to the internal conduit 164. An annuIar seal 172 at a fore-ena of the cartridge 162 mounts to a tubular stub piece 174 of the handle 161 to re~air. the car~ridge 162 to the handle 161 and provide a liauid S tight seal.
An external water supply conduit can mount directly over the exposed end of the cartridge 162. Aajoining F.Y~onq;nn pieces 165 and 167 couple to internal supply air and exhaust conduits (not shown) .
Liquid flow is directed through a pair of disinfectant and halogen scavenger media beds 180, 182. The beds 180, 182 are separated by porou9 spacer5 184, 186 and 188. The spacers are appropriately secured to the wall9 of the cartridge housing 190.
The media 180 typically comprises a multi-valent iodine resin, and the media 182 typically comprises a halogen scavenger media.
The porosity of the media 180, 182 and spacers 184, 186 and 188 are configured to provide a suitable li~uid flow characteristic at the handpiece 160, yet obtain a desired devitAl;7~tinn of any admitted microbes.
Figures 9, 10 and 11 depIct alternative "sonic" scalers 200, 201 and 202 which are adapted to include the present invention. The scaler 200 includes an adaptor 204 having a threaded coupler 206. The adaptor 204 couples to the scaler 200 in a f ashion comparable to the coupler 24 to the adaptor 2 . A
25 disinfectant cartridge 50 is securea to the adaptor 204, alternatively the cartridge 100 can be u~ed with the adaptor 204. 3ecause, too, dental scalers do not typicalIy require as many internal conduits as the handpieces 4, such as for fiber optic illllmin~tlnnl it is anticipated the adaptor 204 can be 30 more readily integrated into a typical scaler.
SU~SITME SHEET (RULE ~6) - -Wog5/20934 21 ., ,L ..' 2~

Figure lO depicts a scaler 201 hav~'n?g''an..integral manifold 212. Irhe scaler 201 includes a handle 210 and from which the manifold 2' 2 projects . A disinfectant cartridge 50 is secured to the manifold 212. A water supply conduit 214 and respec~ive S supply and exhaust air conduits 216 and 218 project from a threaded end piece 220 and sealed end cap 221.
Figure 11 depicts an electri~ or ultra-sonic scaler 202.
~he scaler 202 includes a detachable adaptor 221 having a manifold 222 that supports a disinfectant cartridge 50. Power 10 and coolant liouid are coupled to the scaler 202 through a supply line 224. Appropriately shaped tool heads 225, 226 and 228 are fitted in conventional fashion to the scalers 200, 201 and 202.
Figures 12 through 16 depict yet other adaptations of the 15 invention to dental hand tools. Figure 12 depicts an air-water syringe or ~triplex~' 3yringe 230 which has been adapted to include an integral cartridge manifold 232 at a handle 234. A
disinfectant cartridge 50 projects from the manifold 232. A
threaded supply line coupler 236 is fitted to the end of the 20 handle 234. Air and water supply conduits 238 and 240 extend from the coupler 236 in conventional fashion. A head piece 242 contains a selector valve assembly 244, which appropriately directs either air, water or a mixture of air and water from a spray tip 245 and separate air and water discharge ports 246 and 25 248.
Although the syringe 230 has been adapted to include an integral manifold 232, it is to be appreciated the adaDtor 2 described at Figure 2 can be readily mounted to the threaded inlet ends of most commercially available air-water syringes. A
30 microbe free supply of water is thereby obtained from dental ~ ult StlET ~RU~E 26) Wo9s~2093~ ; L ~ ~ 65 PCTNS95101293 syringes . ~ 5 6 S22 C A 2 other al~ernative cons~ructions of dlsinfectan~ car~ridge adaptors useabie with air-water syringes are shown at Figures ~ 3 ~hrough i6. Figure 13 depicts a syringe 250 which suppor~s an S adaptor assembly 252 intermediate a handle 254 and a spray tip 256. The handle 254 is of conventional constrlction anà
includes a removeable nut 258. The adaptor 252 includes a housing 262 which mounts over and is secured in the same fashion as a 6tandard tip.
A nozzle piece 264 proiects from the houslng 262, mounts in the bore 260 and mates with seals 26s ~nn~Ain.-rl in conventional fashion beneath the nut 258. The nozzle piece 264 includes a liquid flow bore 266 which opens to an inlet port 26B at a manifoid cavity space 270. An outlet port 271 directs li~uid lS from the cartridge S0 to the spray tip 256 and a liquid discharge port 257.
The tip 256 is assembled in conventionaI fashion. The tip includes a nut 257 whic~. has a threaded surface 272 that interlocks with threads 274 at the adaptor 252 . An O ~ ring seal 20 283 mounts about a nozzle piece 259 within the nut 257. A stub portion 274 of the nozzle 259 projects into the housing 262 and is sealed at an O'ring seal 2B8.
Air flow is separately directed from a channel 282, that aligns to ports lnot shown~ at the handle 254 and an extension 25 channel 284 in the adaptor 252 The channel 284 aligns with a channel (not shown) in the nozzle 25g to separately direct the air to air discharge por~s 286 in the tip 256.
A particular advantage of adapting the coupler 252 to use with a tip 256 is that the tips 256 ahd adap~or 252 can be 3 0 separately autoclaved . Most dentists also main~ain a large Ult SHEET ~RULE 26) WO 95120934 ` ' ~3'` ' ` ' supply of tips 256 and as a normal practice.. changs the tips with each patien~. The adaptor 252 can thus be readily i~troduced ~ ~-into the practitioner ' s normal practice routine as it pertains to infection cDntrol. The ability to use a disinfeGtant cartridge 50 and separately autoclave the adaptor 252 and tip 256 assures a mlcrobe-free supply of water with each use of the -~
- syringe 250 for each new patient . Figure ~ 4 depicts another adaptor 280 which can be used with the autoclavable tip 256. The adaptor 280 includes a manifold 282 which supports a cartridge 50. A threaded surface (not shown) extends from the adaptor 28Z to mate with an autoclavable handle 283 at a syringe -2~34. The tip 256 is secured to the adaptor 280 and O'rings 283 seal about the nozzle 259. Water and air conduits (not 6hown) at the handle 283 align with a liquid conduit 285 and an air conduit 286 in the adaptor 280. A stub extension 287 at the nozzle 259 mounts through an annular seal 288 at the adaptor 280 to isolate liquid flow from the syringe handle 283 through the conduit 285 from air flow through the conduit 286.
Figure 15 depicts another conventional air-water syrinye 254 and to which a ~t~-h~hl e spray tip 290 is shown in exploded : --assembly and partial longitudinal cross section. The tip 290 includes a nozzle cap 292 which mounts to a cartridge chamber 294. The chamber 294 supports a disposable treatment cartridge 300. The cap 292 seals to the chamber 294 and the ~hamber 294 2s mounts to a syringe handle 296 in conventional fashion at a threaded surface 298. Air and water conduits at the handle 296 (not shown), align ~o an air channel 297 and a liquid channel :~
299 at the chamber 294. ~
The cartridge 300 contains disinfectant and halogen scavenger media and mounts within the chamber 294. ~ stub piece -:-SUBSI~E SHEET ~RULE 26) wo gsnog34 ~ 1 8 2 5 6 5 PCWS9510129 r ~ 24 C A 2 302 having a bore 299 ~ctends into a cavity space 304 of the chamber 294 and ma~es with an annula- end fieal 3Q6 at the cartridge 300. An annular seal 3Q~ at the opposite end of the stub p1ece 30Z mates tO ~he nandle 296 Upon securing the s chambe~ 294 to the handle 296, the seals 3Q6 and 307 isolate floh1 through the air and water channels.
The isolation of the air and water is n~inr~in~d at the chamber 294 upon attaching the nozzle cap 292 The cap 292 concentrically retains the cartridge 300 to the cap 292 at a lo bored projection 308. The projection 308 mounts within an annular seal 310 at an outlet end of the cartridge 300. Liquid flow is thereby constrained to flow through the cartridge 300 and be discharged at a liquid discharge port 313.
Air flow is directed around the exterior of the cartridge 300 via voids 319 in an end surface 304 of the body 312. The voids 319 align to the air channel 311 and permit air flow to a channel 321 in the cap 292 afte~r attaching the noz-zle cap 292 to the chamber 294. The air is discharged at discharge ports 315.
The cartridge 300 includes a cylindrical body 312 which supports a series of porous spacers 314, 316 and 318.
Disinfectant and halogen scavenger media 320 and 322 are positioned between the spacers 314, 316 and 318. The disinfectant media 320 may comprise a multi-valen'c iodlne resin and the ~ V~llyc:L media 322 may comprise a silver-carbon resin.
The cartridge is sized to contain a nominal quantity of total bactericide in the range of 0.3 to 1.5 ml, which suppo-ts a nominal flow volume of: 5 gallons of water. ~ The cartridge exhibits a diame~er in the range of 0.18 to 0.50 inches and a to~:al iength of O . 75 t=o 2 O inches 3Q Figure 16 depicts yet another air-water~ syringe assembly SUBSrlTi~'E SHEET ~RULE 26) W095l2093~ CA2i82~65 25 2-1t~2~ PCT/US95/01293 330 which includes a detachable spray tip 332. The tip 332 is of conventional construction and mounts in conventional fashion to a nut 334 at a handle 336.
Secured co the discharge end of the tip 332 is a cartridge 5 chamber 340. The chamber 340 is retained to the tip 332 with a set screw 342 or other suitable retainer An annular seal 344 provides an air tight connection to the tip 332. Air and li~id discharge ports 343 and 345 are appropriately isolated upon securing a disinfectant cartridge 346 to the chamber 340. A
10 cavity space 348 within the chamber 340 receiv 8 the cartridge 346 .
The cartridge 346 includes a cylindrical body 350 which supports a numoer of porous 6pacers 352, 354 and 356 to seal quantities of disinfectant and halogen S~:CIV~L1geL media 358, 360 15 within the body 350. The disinfectant media 358 may comprise a quantity of a multi-valent iodine resin and the halogen scavenger may comprise a silver based composite media.
A cover 362 mounts to a fore end of the ehamber 340 at a pair of projections 364. The projections 364 align with slotted 20 grooves 366 cut into the cover 362 such that, upon mounting the eover 364 to t}Le projections 364 and rotating the cover 362, the eover 362 is retained to the ehamber 340. Simultaneously, a bored projeetion 368 of the spaeer 356 mounts through an orifice - -370 in the cover 362 and provides a liquid discharge port 372.
25 Air, in turn, is directed from the ports 343 to a channel 374 and out an ori~ice 376 that surrounds the orifice 370.
Although a pair of media beds are depicted lor the disclosed cartridges, the disinfectant and halogen scavenger _=
media may comprise a singIe media ~ed containlng singular 3 o concentracions of any of the noted materials or mixtures of the SIIBSllT~ 911EET (RULE ~6) W095/20934 ~ ~ 26 CA2~

materials. On occasion and depending upon the available wa~er supply, 1_ may be deslred to use a cartridge whlch contains oniy a hologen disinfectant or a halogen scavenger media. Various other sequential bed arrangements of the same or other materials s may also be provided. Other materials, such as a blocker material which prevents disinfectant leeching may be mounted in~ermediate the disinfectant and scavenger media, p,or~llinr, that the air passing through the adaptors and hand toois discussed above may also contain undesired microbial 10 cnnt~min~ntql Figures 13 through 22 depict assemblies that have been adapted to separately treat the air and water flow. Figure 18 depicts an end view of an adaptor 380 of subs~antially similar construction to the adaptor 2, except that a pair of cartridge receiving manifolds 382 and 384 acutely project from 15 the body 386. The manifold 382 i5 a~igned to interrupt a liquid conduit 388 and the manifold 384 is aligned to interrupt an air conduit 390 in the body 386. An exhaust air corlduit 392~ and optical fiber 394 also project from the adaptor body 386.
Disinfectant cartridges (not shown), but similar to the 20 cartridges 50 and 100, separately mount to the manifolds 382, 384. Identical cartridges can be provided at each manifold.
Alternatively, appreciating the differences in the flow characteristics of air, ~the rrnrontr~t;nnC:, types and arrangement of the disinfectant media within the air cartridge 2s may necessarily be taiIored to optimize treatment o~ l i r;onry ior common airbor~e rnntAm;n:lntc Figure 19 depicts :another ada~tor 400 having a threader coupler 402 and a body 404. A pair of water and air treatment cartridges 406, 408 are coaxially supported within a pair of 30 cavi;ies 410 and 41Z. The cartridges 406, 408 mount through a SUBSrl~E SHEET (RULE 26) WO 9~/20934 r ~ 2 1 8 2 5 ~ 5 2~ PCT/US9S/01293 bore 411 of the coupler 402 and align to liquid and air supply condui~s 414, 416. An exhaus- air conduit 418 and optical fibe~
420 also extend from the adaptor 400. Annular seals 4Z2 are provided at the inlet and outlet ends of each of the cartridges =-s 406, 408~and isolate flow, upon securing the adaptor ~o a hand ~ool .
Each cartridge 406, 408 contains a pair of treatment media beds 424, 426 and 428, 430. At least one of the beds at each cartridge includes a disinfectant. Although the air cartridge shows a pair of media beds 428, 430, a single disirlfectant bed --may be provided.
Figure 20 depic~s a handpiece 440 that has been adapted in -a fashion similar to the handpiece 160 to receive a pair of air and wa~er cartridges 442 and 444. The cartridges 442, 444 are retained at separate flow cavities 446, 448 which align to water =~
and air conduits 450, 452. The cartridges 442, 444 project from an end seal 454. Mating bores of an air/water supply conduit mount to the exposed ends of the cartridges 442, 444.
Although Figures 18 and 20 depict separate air and water cartridges, it is to be appreciated that a single cartridge ~ ntl inin~ segregated air and water flow channels might be mounted to an adaptor or hand tool. In this regard, Figures 21 and 22 respectively depict longitudinal section and cross ~ection views through a cartridge adaptor a~sembly 460. ~he assembly 460 is of a compara41e construction to the adaptor 2, although is arranged to support a single cartridge 462 which contair.s separate flow cQlumns 461, 463 for the water and air - within a single cartrldge body 464. A cartridge manifold 466 includes a cavity 468 that ~eceives the cartridge 462 As seen at Figure 22, ~he manifold 466 is Iaterally offsec SUBSrlT~ SHEET (RllLE 26) Wo 9~/20934 ~j, C ~ 2 1 ~ 2 5 6 5 PcTlus9~ol293 from the vertical cenc~r o~ the adaptor 460 to align with separate liquid and air conduits 470, 472. The conduits 470, 472, are bored within an adaptor body 474. Stub pieces 476, 478, 480, 482 extend from the body 474 and mate to appropriate s supply conduits~ (not s31own) . The~outlet end of the adaptor 460 is fitted with a threaded coupler 484 in a fashion similar to that of the coupler 24. Press fit into ;he base of the cavity 468 are a pair of stub pieces 486, 488 that align to continuations 471, 473 of the 0 condulcs 470, 472.
The cartridge body 464 is formed to include a number of annular cavities 489 which support a number of O'ring seals 490.
The seals 490 isolate the exterior surface of the cartridge 460 into a pair of regions 492, 494. The air and water flow through 15 the conduits 4~2, 470 1s interrupted at the regions 492, 494 and directed to provided ports 496, 498.
Upon entering the body 464, the air and water are directed to the separate flow columns 461, 463 which are separated at a center baffle 500. As water enters the port 494, the water is 20 directed from a head space 495 through a pair of media beds 502, 504, which are separated by a number of hal~ moon spacers 506.
From the bed 504, the water is directed to the stub piece 486.
O'ring seals 508 separately seal the stub pieces 486, 488.
Air flow is directed from the inlet port 496 along an 25 internal channel 510 to a head space 512. The air is re-directed at the head space through a single media bed 514 and half-moon, end spacers 506 to the stub piece 488 The adaptor : :
460 thus provides a slngle carcridge 462 ~hich is able to purify both of the supplied air and water p-1or to discharge 30 from a supported hand tool ~not shown) .
SU~III~ SHEET (RULE 26) WO9S/20934 CA2182565 2- 21~6~ i293 Appreciating the offsec mounting of the c-avity 468, it is also necessary that the car~ridge 462 activeIy interlock w;th the manifold 466. A resilient pin 516 is provided to this end.
The pin 516 also aligns the cartridge 462 to the manifold 466 and the stub pieces 486, 488. The pin 516 projects from the cartridge 460 and mates with a bore 518 at the manifold 466.
Cartridge release is effected by depressing the pin 516, while pulling on a handgrip 520. A positive attachment is thereby obtained which assures that the cartridge 462 is not inadvertently ejected, such as in the event of a blocked air passage .
Although Figures 18 through 22 depict adaptors and hand tools of comparable or~n;7~t;nn~ to the assemblies of Figures 1 through 16, still other dlL~ny. R are possible. Preferably any aLLc~lly. t should ~ ' te one or more disposable air and water treatment cartridges and be compatible with existing hand tools without adding undue bulk. The assemblies should also permit placement of the cartridges as physically close as possible to the air and water discharge ports of the hand tool to assure the delivery of microbe free air and water. Desirably any arrangement should also be constructed to ~: ' te cost PffiriPnt manufacturing practices.
While the invention has been described with respect to various presently consldered constructions and variouS
alternative modifications and i".~,v. tq thereto, still other =
constructions may be suggested to those skilled in the art. The following claims should ther~fore be interpreted to include all e~uivalent constructions within the spirit and scope thereof. ---What is claimed is:
SU~I~E SHEET (Rl)LE 26)

Claims

1. Disinfectant apparatus comprising:
a) an adaptor housing including a plurality of flow bores, means mountable to a dental hand tool for coupling said flow bores to mating conduits of the hand tool at an outlet end of said housing and to air and water supply conduits at an inlet end to said housing, and wherein a manifold cavity interrupts at least one of said flow bores which conveys water;
b) cartridge means having inlet and outlet ports for containing a halogen disinfectant media; and c) means for non-permanently sealing said cartridge means within the manifold cavity in flow communication with the water conveying one of said flow bores to convey water through said inlet and outlet ports, whereby water is directed through said cartridge and purified prior to discharge from said hand tool.

2. Apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said cartridge means includes a scavenging media which removes residuals of said disinfectant media from the water.

3. Apparatus as set forth in claim 2 wherein said housing includes a threaded annular coupler, wherein an annular ring secures said coupler to a first groove in said housing, and wherein said coupler includes a second groove for retaining said ring.

4. Apparatus as set forth in claim 2 wherein said housing includes a plurality of stub conduits which extend from said flow bores, and wherein said housing includes a threaded surface concentric to said stub conduits which surface mounts to a threaded coupler which supports said air and water supply conduits.

5. Apparatus as set forth in claim 1 including means for interlocking said cartridge to said housing.

6. Apparatus as set forth in claim 5 wherein a protrusion at a cartridge body interlocks with a channel at said adaptor housing.

7. Apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said cartridge means includes a tubular body having a longitudinal bore, wherein said bore contains said disinfectant media, wherein said bore terminates at one end at said outlet port, wherein said inlet port transversely projects through the cartridge body and, communicates with the longitudinal bore, and further including a plurality of annular seals mounted to the cartridge body such that a flow channel communicating with said inlet port is defined within the manifold cavity upon securing the cartridge means thereto.

8. Apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein the cartridge means includes a plurality of spacers arranged within said longitudinal bore to separate first and second treatment media, wherein said first treatment media comprises a multi-valent iodine disinfectant, wherein the second treatment media comprises a halogen scavenger media which removes free iodide ions.

9. Apparatus as set forth in claim 8 wherein said first media comprises media selected from a class of media including multi-valent iodine resins, multi-valent iodine resins with bromide, quaternary ammonium-silver-chlorine-bromine-bromide bearing medias and other halogen derivatives and said second media comprises media selected from a class of media including fine mesh GAC, silver composites, starch, anion resins, cation resins and other halogen scavenger media.

10. Apparatus as set forth in claim 7 wherein the cartridge means includes a handgrip, and wherein a protrusion at the cartridge body interlocks with a channel at the adaptor housing, whereby the cartridge means is retained to the adaptor housing.

11. Apparatus as set forth in claim 10 wherein said handgrip includes a region which defines one of said annular seals.

12. Apparatus as set forth in claim 7 wherein an end cap to the tubular body includes a seal and further includes a tubular projection having a bore, wherein said projection mounts within the longitudinal bore of said tubular body and wherein a disinfectant scavenger media is retained within said bore.

13. Apparatus as set forth in claim 7 wherein the cartridge body includes a plurality of annular grooves which receive a plurality of O'ring seals, and wherein the longitudinal bore includes a multi-valent iodine disinfectant media and a halogen scavenger media which removes free iodide ions.

14. Apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said adaptor housing includes a threaded annular coupler, wherein an annular ring secures said coupler to a first groove in said housing, and wherein said coupler includes a second groove for retaining said ring.

15. Apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said manifold cavity acutely extends from a longitudinal axis of the adaptor housing in a range of 15 to 45 degrees.

16. Apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said manifold cavity is coaxial with a longitudinal axis of said adaptor housing.

17. Apparatus as set forth in claim 16 wherein said cartridge means comprises a tubular body having a longitudinal bore, wherein said bore includes a multi-valent iodine disinfectant media, a halogen scavenger media, a plurality of porous spacers which separate said disinfectant and scavenger media from one another, first and second end caps containing through apertures, and seal means concentric to said apertures

18. Apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said manifold cavity interrupts first and second bores which convey water and air, and including means for securing said cartridge means to said adaptor housing in flow communication to at least one of said first and second bores .

19. Apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said cartridge means comprises a tubular body having first and second longitudinal bores, wherein said body includes a plurality of annular seals, wherein at least one of said seals at an outer surface of said body defines a first flow channel at the manifold cavity which communicates water from the water supply conduit to a first aperture in flow communication with said firgt bore, wherein at least a second of said seals at an outer surface of said body defines a second flow path at the manifold cavity which communicates air from the air supply conduit to a second aperture in flow communication with said second bore, and wherein said first and second bores include a multi-valent iodine disinfectant media.

20. Apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said adaptor housing includes first and second manifold cavities, wherein said first cavity interrupts a bore which conveys water and said second cavity interrupts a bore which conveys air, and wherein first and second cartridge means, each containing a disinfectant media, mount within said first and second bores.

21. Apparatus as set forth in claim 2 wherein said cartridge means includes means for blocking the leeching of the disinfectant by said scavenging media.

22. Apparatus as set forth in claim 21 wherein the blocking means comprises a spacer impregnated with activated carbon.

23. Disinfectant apparatus comprising:
a) an adaptor housing including a plurality of flow bores, a coupler which mounts to a hand tool for coupling said flow bores to mating conduits of the hand tool at an outlet end of said housing, and a plurality of stub conduits which extend from said flow bores at an inlet end of said housing, and wherein a manifold cavity acutely extends from a longitudinal axis of the housing and interrupts at least one of said flow bores; and b) a disinfectant cartridge including a tubular body having a longitudinal bore, wherein said bore contains a disinfectant media and a halogen scavenger media, wherein said bore terminates at one end at an outlet port, wherein an inlet port projects through the cartridge body and communicates with the longitudinal bore, and further including a plurality of seals mounted to the cartridge body such that a flow channel is defined within the manifold cavity which communicates with said inlet port upon securing the cartridge thereto.

24. Disinfectant apparatus comprising:
a) a housing including a manifold cavity having an inlet bore to said cavity, an end cap including a discharge port, and means for securing said end cap to said housing;
b) a cartridge mounted within said housing having a eubular body containing a plurality of spacers arranged within a bore to separate first and second treatment media, wherein said first treatment media comprises a disinfectant, and wherein said second treatment media comprises a halogen scavenger which removes residuals of said disinfectant media; and c) means for sealing and retaining said housing and cartridge to a nozzle piece of a dental hand tool in flow, communication to a water conveying conduit, whereby purified water is discharged from the discharge port.

25. Apparatus as set forth in claim 24 wherein said first treatment media comprises a multi-valent iodine resin and wherein said second treatment media comprises a silver composite media.

26. Apparatus as ret forth in claim 24 wherein said housing includes a set screw for retaining said housing to said nozzle piece.

27. A dental hand tool comprising:
a) a handle including a plurality of flow bores for conveying air and water, means for coupling said flow bores to mating air and water supply conduits, and including a manifold cavity in flow communication with one of said flow bores;
b) a cartridge means having inlet and outlet ports for containing a disinfectant media; and c) means for non-permanently sealing said cartridge means within the manifold cavity in flow communication with the water conveying one of said flow bores to convey water through said inlet and outlet ports, whereby water is directed through said cartridge means and purified prior to discharge from said hand tool.

28. Apparatus as set forth in claim 27 wherein said cavity acutely extends from a longitudinal axis of said handle, and wherein said cartridge means includes a handgrip, whereby said cartridge can be secured to or removed from said handle.

29. Apparatus as set forth in claim 28 wherein said cartridge means includes a tubular body having a longitudinal bore, wherein said bore contains said disinfectant media, wherein said bore terminates at one end at said outlet port, wherein said inlet port projects through the cartridge body and communicates with the longitudinal bore, and further including a plurality of annular seals mounted to the cartridge body such that a flow channel communicating with said inlet port is defined within the manifold cavity upon securing the cartridge means thereto.

30. Apparatus as set forth in claim 27 wherein said cartridge means comprises a tubular body having a longitudinal bore, wherein said bore includes a multi-valent iodine disinfectant media, a halogen scavenger media, a plurality of spacers which separate said disinfectant and scavenger media from one another, first and second end caps containing through apertures, and seal means concentric to said apertures.

31. Apparatus as set forth in claim 27 wherein said cartridge means comprises a tubular body having a longitudinal bore, wherein said bore includes a halogen disinfectant media, a halogen scavenger media, and means for separating said disinfectant and scavenger media from one another and for preventing the leeching of said disinfectant by said scavenger media.

32. Disinfectant apparatus comprising:
a) an adaptor housing including a plurality of flow bores, coupler means for coupling said flow bores to mating conduits of a hand tool at an outlet end of said housing and to air and water supply conduits at an inlet end to said housing, and wherein a manifold cavity interrupts at least one of said flow bores;
b) cartridge means having inlet and outlet ports for containing a treatment material selected from a class of materials containing a halogen disinfectant and a halogen scavenger media; and c) means for non-permanently sealing said cartridge means within the manifold cavity in flow communication with the one of said flow bores, whereby either said water and/or air is directed through said cartridge and purified prior to discharge from said hand tool.

33. Apparatus as set forth in claim 32 wherein said cartridge means includes means for blocking the leeching of the disinfectant by said scavenging media.