Abstract: A predictive maintenance system and method for a dental handpiece includes a condition sensor for sensing a condition of the handpiece to obtain sensor data and providing wired communication of the sensor data and a device identifier from the handpiece to a delivery unit. The system is configured to store sensor data, a device identifier and a time stamp in data logging equipment to obtain a usage history for the handpiece. The system determines a maintenance condition of the handpiece based on the sensor data and/or the usage history of the handpiece. In response to a severity of the maintenance condition, the system provides a preventative maintenance indication of a future failure for the handpiece or stops operation of the handpiece.

Abstract: A handpiece maintenance system and method identifies a dental handpiece and operates in a diagnostic cycle to power the handpiece and determine predictive maintenance condition thereof. The handpiece maintenance system includes a temperature sensor and/or an acceleration sensor to measure the conditions of the handpiece during the diagnostic cycle. The predictive maintenance condition of the handpiece is based on data from the diagnostic cycle and other stored data for the identified handpiece. A system is also configured to determine a predictive maintenance condition of the handpiece based on sensor data read from a handpiece and historical usage data thereof.

Abstract: A modular dental system, methods for controlling a modular dental tool, a dental system, a control module, and a treatment unit. In one embodiment, the modular dental system includes a modular dental system including a control module and a battery module. The control module includes a first end, a second end, a control sub-system, and a charging sub-system. The control sub-system is configured to communicatively couple to an attachment, detect an attachment identifier associated with the attachment when the attachment is removably attached to the first end of the control module, and control the attachment based on the attachment identifier. The battery module is configured to removably attach to the second end of the control module.

Abstract: Devices and methods for dispensing material from a dental handpiece. In one example, the method includes receiving an input that indicates that an amount of the material is to be dispensed from the container of the dental handpiece. The method also includes rotating an electric motor to rotate an imbalanced mass to vibrate a vibration transmission element that vibrates the material in the container. The method also includes dispensing the amount of the material from the container with a piston based on the input.

Abstract: A handpiece maintenance system and method identifies a dental handpiece and operates in a diagnostic cycle to power the handpiece and determine predictive maintenance condition thereof. The handpiece maintenance system includes a temperature sensor and/or an acceleration sensor to measure the conditions of the handpiece during the diagnostic cycle. The predictive maintenance condition of the handpiece is based on data from the diagnostic cycle and other stored data for the identified handpiece. A system is also configured to determine a predictive maintenance condition of the handpiece based on sensor data read from a handpiece and historical usage data thereof.

Abstract: A universal controller for controlling dental devices includes a memory having a graphical user interface generator and control software for a plurality of dental devices. The universal controller includes a transceiver, a display for displaying graphical user interfaces and for receiving inputs, and an electronic processor connected to the memory, the transceiver, and the display. The electronic processor is configured to provide a graphical user interface to the display in response to a selection received from the display. The universal controller is configured to display a plurality of dental devices to be controlled and enable selection thereof. Further, multiple devices are displayable on the universal controller, along with a patient information.

Abstract: A disinfecting system including a delivery unit having a dental instrument holder, a dental instrument engagable with the dental instrument holder, a fluid supply line fluidly coupled to the dental instrument to provide fluid to the dental instrument, and a disinfecting device in fluid communication with at least one of the supply lines and the dental instrument.

Abstract: A predictive maintenance system and method for a dental handpiece includes a condition sensor for sensing a condition of the handpiece to obtain sensor data and providing wired communication of the sensor data and a device identifier from the handpiece to a delivery unit. The system is configured to store sensor data, a device identifier and a time stamp in data logging equipment to obtain a usage history for the handpiece. The system determines a maintenance condition of the handpiece based on the sensor data and/or the usage history of the handpiece. In response to a severity of the maintenance condition, the system provides a preventative maintenance indication of a future failure for the handpiece or stops operation of the handpiece.

Abstract: A disinfecting device including a conduit configured to carry a flowing liquid. The conduit has a first index of refraction. A sheath surrounds the conduit and has a second index of refraction. The second index of refraction is lower than the first index of refraction. The disinfecting device also includes a light source configured to produce disinfecting light and arranged to send the disinfecting light into the conduit.

Abstract: A coupling device for selectively coupling a dental handpiece to a dental base station. An electrical power source is housed by the coupling device. A first end of the coupling device is selectively coupleable to the dental base station and configured to receive a gaseous or fluid medium from the dental base station. A second end of the coupling device is selectively coupleable to the dental handpiece and configured to output the gaseous or fluid medium from the dental base station to the dental handpiece and to output electrical power from the electrical power source to the dental handpiece.

Abstract: A tool recognition system includes a tool and a dental drill. The tool includes a fluted portion and a shank portion. The tool has one or more colored identifiers at least partially circumscribing a part of the shank portion. The dental drill includes a tool rotating portion, a light transmitter located in the tool rotating portion, and a light sensor. With the tool removably coupled to the tool rotating portion, the one or more colors present a sequence of one or more colors to the light sensor for identifying the tool to the light sensor when the tool rotates a predetermined number of turns. The dental drill includes a handpiece and a console in another embodiment.

Abstract: A modular dental system, methods for controlling a modular dental tool, a dental system, a control module, and a treatment unit. In one embodiment, the modular dental system includes a modular dental system including a control module and a battery module. The control module includes a first end, a second end, a control sub-system, and a charging sub-system. The control sub-system is configured to communicatively couple to an attachment, detect an attachment identifier associated with the attachment when the attachment is removably attached to the first end of the control module, and control the attachment based on the attachment identifier. The battery module is configured to removably attach to the second end of the control module.

Abstract: A disinfecting device including a conduit configured to carry a flowing liquid. The conduit has a first index of refraction. A sheath surrounds the conduit and has a second index of refraction. The second index of refraction is lower than the first index of refraction. The disinfecting device also includes a light source configured to produce disinfecting light and arranged to send the disinfecting light into the conduit.

Abstract: A disinfecting system including a delivery unit having a dental instrument holder, a dental instrument engagable with the dental instrument holder, a fluid supply line fluidly coupled to the dental instrument to provide fluid to the dental instrument, and a disinfecting device in fluid communication with at least one of the supply lines and the dental instrument.

Abstract: Devices and methods for dispensing material from a dental handpiece. In one example, the method includes receiving an input that indicates that an amount of the material is to be dispensed from the container of the dental handpiece. The method also includes rotating an electric motor to rotate an imbalanced mass to vibrate a vibration transmission element that vibrates the material in the container. The method also includes dispensing the amount of the material from the container with a piston based on the input.

Abstract: A kit for setting turbine probe depth. The kit may include a male measurement fixture having an extended leg and an alignment barrel and a female measurement fixture having a depth rod.

Abstract: A kit for setting turbine probe depth. The kit may include a male measurement fixture having an extended leg and an alignment barrel and a female measurement fixture having a depth rod.