Paul H Lewis

US Patent:

6382972, May 7, 2002

Filed:

Oct 30, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/703248

Inventors:

Dan E. Fischer - Sandy UT
Richard N. Rachal - Sandy UT
Paul Lewis - Midvale UT

Assignee:

Ultradent Products, Inc. - South Jordan UT

International Classification:

A61C 504

US Classification:

433 90, 401271, 604310

Abstract:

A dental instrument is configured to be positioned adjacent the teeth and gums of a patient without injuring or causing pain to sensitive teeth or gums. The dental instrument includes: (i) a main body having a proximal end and a distal end, the main body being configured to be grasped by a practitioner; (ii) an elastomeric member coupled to the distal end of the main body such that abutment of the elastomeric member against the teeth or gums of a patient does not injure or cause pain to the teeth or gums; and (iii) a plurality of fibers disposed on the elastomeric member. The fibers can be used to remove air bubbles from impression material, or for a variety of other uses. The instrument may be in the form of an applicator or delivery tip, for example. The instrument can have a non-slip gripping surface.

US Patent:

6450810, Sep 17, 2002

Filed:

Oct 30, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/702284

Inventors:

Dan E. Fischer - Sandy UT
Richard N. Rachal - Sandy UT
Paul Lewis - Midvale UT

Assignee:

Ultradent Products, Inc. - South Jordan UT

International Classification:

A61C 504

US Classification:

433 80, 433 89, 604 1

Abstract:

A dental instrument is configured to be positioned adjacent the teeth and gums of a patient without injuring or causing pain to sensitive teeth or gums. The dental instrument includes: (i) a main body having a proximal end and a distal end, the main body being configured to be grasped by a practitioner; (ii) an elastomeric member coupled to the distal end of the main body such that abutment of the elastomeric member against the teeth or gums of a patient does not injure or cause pain to the teeth or gums; and (iii) a plurality of fibers disposed on the elastomeric member. The fibers can be used to remove air bubbles from impression material, or for a variety of other uses. The instrument may be in the form of an applicator or delivery tip, for example. The instrument can have a non-slip gripping surface.

US Patent:

6964603, Nov 15, 2005

Filed:

Mar 21, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/103528

Inventors:

Dan E. Fischer - Sandy UT, US
Paul Lewis - Midvale UT, US

Assignee:

Ultradent Products, Inc. - South Jordan UT

International Classification:

B24D011/00

US Classification:

451532, 451529, 433125, 433166, 151671, 152072

Abstract:

A dental polishing tip is adapted to be coupled to a dental drive apparatus. The apparatus rotates the tip, thereby polishing the teeth. The tip includes: (i) a post having a proximal end and an opposing distal end, the proximal end being adapted to be coupled to the dental drive apparatus; (ii) an electrostatically flocked polishing head. The electrostatic flocking material on the polishing head at least temporarily increases the retention of the polishing material on the polishing head, thereby deceasing splattering.

US Patent:

6968619, Nov 29, 2005

Filed:

May 13, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/436938

Inventors:

Paul Lewis - Midvale UT, US
Barry L. Hobson - Grantsville UT, US

Assignee:

Ultradent Products, Inc. - South Jordan UT

International Classification:

A61C005/02
B23P013/00

US Classification:

298961, 433102, 216 91

Abstract:

A method of manufacturing endodontic files involves a chemical milling process to yield endodontic files having a desired taper. The process involves the steps of (a) providing a metallic rod having a cutting portion with a polygonal cross section; (b) torsioning the rod so as to form helical cutting surfaces in the cutting portion of the metallic rod; and (c) chemically milling the cutting portion of the rod so as to taper the cutting portion. The rod may be formed of any desirable metallic material, for example stainless steel or a nickel-titanium alloy.

US Patent:

7097449, Aug 29, 2006

Filed:

Mar 4, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/793145

Inventors:

Neil Jessop - Sandy UT, US
Bruce S. McLean - Sandy UT, US
Paul Lewis - Midvale UT, US
Dan Bills - Salt Lake City UT, US
Dan E. Fischer - Sandy UT, US

Assignee:

Ultradent Products, Inc. - South Jordan UT

International Classification:

A61C 3/00

US Classification:

433 8, 433 9, 433229

Abstract:

The present invention is directed to a dental bracket and associated kit used to attach a medicament-releasing pellet on a tooth. The kit is designed to provide slow release of fluoride or other medicament over a desired period of time. The medicament release kit includes a medicament-releasing pellet and a dental bracket. The bracket comprises a base and a socket configured to receive and retain the pellet at least partially therein. The device may be installed by a dental practitioner and remain attached to a patient's tooth for a few months or up to 20 years. The medicament-releasing pellet, designed to slowly release small quantities of fluoride or another medicament, may be replaced, for example, every 6 months to 2 years. Replacement of the medicament-releasing pellet may be performed at home or at a dentist's office.

US Patent:

7198623, Apr 3, 2007

Filed:

Jan 10, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/340198

Inventors:

Dan E. Fischer - Sandy UT, US
Paul Lewis - Midvale UT, US

Assignee:

Ultradent Products, Inc. - South Jordan UT

International Classification:

A61M 31/00

US Classification:

604500

Abstract:

A method for controlling bleeding during dental procedures using a medicament delivery system having a medicament under pressure and a hollow cannula having a fiber coated distal delivery end through which the medicament is dispensed, includes: (i) applying under hydraulic pressure a medicament to a desired area of tissue using the medicament delivery system so as to infuse medicament into exposed capillaries; and (ii) rubbing the tissue with the medicament delivery system.

US Patent:

7322105, Jan 29, 2008

Filed:

Nov 18, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/282852

Inventors:

Paul Lewis - Midvale UT, US

Assignee:

Ultradent Products, Inc. - South Jordan UT

International Classification:

B23P 15/00
B23P 15/28

US Classification:

298961, 29 27 C, 409 73, 409 76, 409213, 433102

Abstract:

A method for manufacturing endodontic instruments by milling. A provided metallic (e. g. , a nickel-titanium alloy or stainless steel) thread or wire having a longitudinal axis is advanced along its longitudinal axis at a feedrate while contacting at least a portion of the metallic thread or wire with a plurality of rotating milling heads so as to remove portions of the thread or wire and yield a metallic rod including a cutting portion having a plurality of cutting edges.

US Patent:

7367804, May 6, 2008

Filed:

Aug 25, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/467418

Inventors:

Paul Lewis - Midvale UT, US

Assignee:

Ultradent Products, Inc. - South Jordan UT

International Classification:

A61C 5/12
A61C 3/00
A61C 5/08
A61C 5/00

US Classification:

433141, 433139, 433153, 433163, 433152, 433220, 433215, 433127

Abstract:

An endodontic instrument extractor tool is configured for removing a fragment of a broken endodontic instrument that has become lodged within a root canal of a tooth. The extractor tool comprises an elongate shaft, including a hollow gripping body at a distal end, and a proximal handle portion. The hollow gripping body includes an inside diameter that is initially greater than a cross-sectional dimension of a fragment of a broken endodontic instrument to be removed from a root canal of a tooth. The inside diameter of the hollow gripping body defines a hollow interior cavity portion into which at least a portion of the fragment is receivable. At least the hollow gripping body of the body is formed of a shape memory alloy (e. g. , nickel-titanium) or polymer in an expanded configuration so that upon heating, the shape memory alloy or polymer returns to its unexpanded configuration, tightly gripping around a proximal end of the fragment.