Electrical discharge irrigator apparatus and method
An electrical discharge irrigation includes a power source to produce a first voltage, a circuit coupled to the power source to convert the first voltage to a second voltage, a discharge capacitor to receive the second voltage from the circuit, a transistor and/or a controlled rectifier coupled to the discharge capacitor to receive the second voltage, and an output tip. This tip is coupled to a transistor and/or a controlled rectifier and includes a first end, a second end, a longitudinal axis extending between them, an electrode located in an interior space of the tip to receive an electrical charge from the a transistor and/or a controlled rectifier and to release an electric discharge, and a ground return. The ground return is an outside surface of the tip. A space between the electrode and the ground return holds a conductive medium in contact with the electrode and the ground return.
1. An output tip for an electrical discharge irrigation device, comprising:
a first end and a second end and a longitudinal axis extending between them;
an electrode located in an interior space of the output tip to receive an electrical charge from a power source;
a ground return which is an outside surface of the output tip, wherein disposed between the electrode and the ground return is a conductive medium and wherein the electrode and the ground return are in contact with the conductive medium;
an insulating layer comprising at least one perforation, the insulating layer is coupled to one of the electrode and the ground return, wherein the electrode and the ground return are electrically coupled through the at least one perforation to produce an electric discharge; and
at least one vent extending through the outside surface of the output tip, wherein the output tip is capable of being coupled to a housing of the electrical discharge irrigation device, and wherein based on coupling the output tip to the housing, the output tip is communicatively coupled to at least one of a transistor or a controlled rectifier of the electrical discharge irrigation device, the housing encasing a power source, a circuit, a discharge capacitor, and the at least one of a transistor or the controlled rectifier.
2. The output tip of claim 1 , wherein the electrical discharge creates waves within the conductive medium causing the conductive medium to exit the output tip through the at least one vent, and wherein the conductive medium that exits the output tip further comprises
cavitation byproducts selected from the group consisting of: plasma, compression waves, UV radiation, UV light, hydrated electrons, OH radicals, H2O2, H3O, O2, MnO2, O3, O, HO2, electrons, positive ions, negative ions, super oxides, nanoparticles, and anti-pathogens.
3. The output tip of claim 2 , wherein the outside surface is a non-planar surface configured to facilitate movement of the conductive medium exiting the output tip.
4. The output tip of claim 2 , wherein the at least one vent is configured to direct the conductive medium that exits the output tip to a specific anatomic structure when a portion of the first end of the output tip is inserted into a patient.
5. The output tip of claim 4 , wherein the output tip is comprised of a flexible material for use in positioning the tip to discharge proximate to the specific anatomic structure.
6. The output tip of claim 4 , wherein the specific anatomic structure comprises a lateral canal within a tooth.
7. The output tip of claim 2 , wherein the electrical discharge comprises a spark discharge.
8. The output tip of claim 1 , wherein the conductive medium passes into the output tip through the insulating layer, and wherein when the electrode is coupled to the ground return at least one of cavitation and plasma is produced.
9. The output tip of claim 1 , wherein the at least one vent is a single vent at the first end of the output tip.
10. The output tip of claim 1 , wherein the at least one vent is configured to direct the conductive medium that exits the output tip to target a lateral canal within a tooth when the output tip is inserted into a cavity of a patient.
11. The output tip of claim 1 , wherein the at least one vent is configured to direct the conductive medium that exits the output tip to target biofilm or calculus on a tooth structure.
12. The output tip of claim 1 , wherein the at least one vent is configured at an angle greater than or equal to 0 degrees and less than or equal to 180 degrees relative to the longitudinal axis.
13. The output tip of claim 1 , wherein the at least one vent is configured greater than or equal to 45 degrees and less than or equal to 115 degrees relative to the longitudinal axis.
14. The output tip of claim 1 , wherein the electrode is comprised of a biologically inert material having a toxicity to bacteria.
15. The output tip of claim 1 , wherein the electrode is comprised of a material selected from the group consisting of: silver, copper, stainless steel, ceramic, and iron.