Periodontal lavage delivery system

Claim 1

Apparatus for use in therapeutic lavage of periodontal pockets comprising: a generally cylindrical grip member; a delivery tip comprising a base portion and a capillary tube fixed at the proximal end thereof to said base portion, said base portion being detachably mounted to said grip member, said capillary tube being formed of stainless steel of 25 to 30 gauge having a central bore opening directly into the distal end of said delivery tip, and having an elbow defining an obtuse angle in the range of 120 to 150 degrees at a predetermined distance of at least 10 mm from said distal end to facilitate insertion of said tube into a periodontal pocket, said capillary tube being further provided with indicia, in the form of alternately colored bands around said capillary tube, of the distance from said distal end; a base unit containing reservoir means for holding a therapeutic lavage fluid; electric pump means for actuating flow from said reservoir means; duct means in flow communication with said delivery tip and said reservoir means; and touch-sensitive switch means positioned on said grip member to be actuated by finger or thumb pressure when the grip member is grasped for use, said switch means being connection to actuate said electric pump means thereby producing a controlled flow of therapeutic lavage fluid from said reservoir means through said delivery tip for delivery to the depths of a periodontal pocket.