Abstract: Dental handpieces, motors, couplers and other dental instruments and methods having multiple very small, high output, LEDs in a single lamp assembly to facilitate incorporation of a plurality of wavelengths emitted from these devices to allow dentists to select between the benefits of multiple wavelength light outputs to the working area in a single device.

Abstract: A non Q-switched erbium laser operating on the I11/2→I13/2 transition produces laser output pulses characterized by a single spike containing approximately 90% of the energy, rather than a series of multiple spikes. The laser includes an optical gain medium with erbium being the lasing species, such as an erbium doped YAG rod. The gain medium is pumped with a flashlamp, with the voltage applied to the flashlamp and the duration of the applied voltage being carefully controlled to produce the single spike laser output. Depending upon the operating conditions, the full width half maximum (FWHM) of the spikes can be varied between 0.1 and 10 microseconds. The output of the erbium has fewer than 10 transverse modes. Output from the erbium laser may be directed onto corneal tissue in a preferred corneal sculpting procedure, in which the ablation rate is limited to no more than about 3 microns per laser pulse.

Abstract: A laser surgical apparatus is disclosed in which laser energy can be directed at an angle relative to the longitudinal axis of the probe. The probe includes a reflecting surface directing the laser energy. The reflecting surface is transparent to visible light. In a preferred embodiment, the reflecting surface is on a rod cut at an angle to form a wedge, and a collimator is used to collimate the light beam before it reaches the reflecting surface.

Abstract: A system for supplying optical power uses an optical switch or shutter at the handpiece. The optical switch is positioned between an open light-transmitting position and a closed light-reflecting position. A detector at the base of the system can be used to detect the position of the optical shutter in some situations. This can be used to control the operation of a high-intensity light source. In this manner, the system can be controlled at the handpiece without using electrical power at the handpiece.

Abstract: A push-type expanding mandrel apparatus that includes an expandable member with a tapered mandrel and a pushing member with a push rod. The body of the pushing member is held within a bore in a collet adapter that fits within the bore of a machine spindle, and the push rod enters a bore in the expanding member and tapered mandrel. Force applied to the back of the collet adapter is transferred to the pushing member at the interface of a tapered, inward facing shoulder in the bore of the collet adapter and a tapered hip on the body of the pushing member. As force is transferred to the pushing member, the push rod within the bore of the tapered mandrel exerts an outward force on the mandrel, causing leaves on the mandrel to expand outward and grip a workpiece from within a bore in the workpiece.

Abstract: A dental/medical instrument holder with an internal imaging or video system wherein the body of the instrument is readily detachable from a connector portion. The instrument holder preferably contains a swivel feature which allows the body to swivel or rotate 360 degrees relative to the connector, and any hoses or cables attached to the connector, while the instrument is in use. The body of the instrument contains a collet or other feature which allows reversible attachment of various instrument tips. Illumination is provided to the instrument tip and adjacent work area, and images therefrom are transferred to an imaging system which includes a CCD camera within the instrument holder.

Abstract: A dental/medical instrument with an internal imaging or video system wherein the body of the instrument is readily detachable from a connector portion. The instrument preferably contains a swivel feature which allows the body to swivel or rotate 360 degrees relative to the connector, and any hoses or cables attached to the connector, while the instrument is in use. The body of the instrument contains a drill or other operative tool. Illumination is provided to the drill and work area adjacent the tool, and images therefrom are transferred to an imaging system which includes a CCD camera within the instrument.

Abstract: A high speed dental handpiece turbine spindle assembly in which a generally cylindrical spindle is rotatably mounted within a housing for actuation by a supply of pressurized air acting upon turbine blades associated with the spindle. The spindle includes a longitudinal bore which accommodates a drill bit or bur, with one end of the spindle being tapered and threaded to fit a matching chuck nut. The spindle and chuck nut have interfering geometry so that the chuck nut cannot be inadvertently removed while changing drill bits, and so that the chuck nut cannot be inadvertently tightened so far that the spindle is permanently deformed.

Abstract: A dental handpiece grips a removable dental tool by teeth within the end of a resilient quill carried within the spindle of said handpiece and when rotated in one direction by the handpiece turbine providing an axial force on the dental tool tending to draw the tool axially into the quill despite any opposite pull due to teeth on the dental tool.

Abstract: An elongated dental handpiece with an air turbine at one end and a supply hose at the other end has two disconnectable casings coupled to swivel about its longitudinal axis. The various supplies for the turbine, including turbine drive air, chip air, water and light, extend through the swivel. Exhaust air from the turbine is carried through all of one casing and is released to the atmosphere in the area where the casings can be disconnected.

Abstract: A dental handpiece includes two hollow casings arranged to swivel with respect to each other about an axis. A hub connected to one casing has a carefully finished exterior surface that has a close fit with a surrounding interior surface on the other casing. Various grooves around the hub are supplied with turbine drive air, with water and with auxiliary air. Registering ports in the other casing conduct these fluids to the vicinity of an air turbine at the end of the other casing. No O-rings or comparable seals are used between the fluid connections at the hub, but the positioning of the several grooves and ports and the relative pressures of the fluids are arranged so that any minor leakage is not harmful.