Abstract: A driven appliance, such as a contra-angle handpiece for surgical instruments, in particular for dental surgery, includes a handle, a neck and a head for receiving an instrument. The handle and the neck of the contra-angle handpiece each receive a drive shaft, respectively, an input shaft and an output shaft, which are linked to each other by a gear train. The input shaft and the output shaft are slidingly mounted in their respective bodies, which forms a sheath for the two shafts. The shafts are maintained and supported on stops arranged on the corresponding sheathes through a single elastic element which is housed in the bend linking the handle to the neck.

Abstract: A manually-operated, adjustable dental implant torque wrench employs a screw holding sheath for placing a dental screw in a mouth of a patient. A handle offset to avoid opposite teeth to the work area is provided with a bevel gear and pinion set to translate the turning motion from a straight turning shaft in the handle to a perpendicular screw turning head. An assortment of replaceable snap-fit screw turning heads fits the various types of dental screws. An easy turn T-shaped handle with a pivotable turning knob is controlled by a torque limiting device.

Abstract: A method for preventing tooth decay by initially treating the tooth surface with a laser with a coherent or noncoherent light source. This process makes the tooth more resistant to acid and more able to bond fluoride, thus requiring a lower concentration of fluoride. The method allows for a deeper penetration of the tooth then previously accomplished with other methods.

Abstract: A dental bleaching gel composition having a long shelf life for use with an activator system to cause accelerated bleaching action over a shortened time period of a peroxide bleaching agent in the bleaching gel composition when applied upon a tooth surface for cosmetically whitening the tooth and/or for the treatment of stains or discolorations.

Abstract: An identification type instrument assembly detachably connected to a main body of a medical apparatus for use in diagnosis and treatment. The instrument assembly is provided with identification signal output means for actively outputting unique self-identification signals prepared in advance under a predetermined procedure, and the connected instrument assembly can be specified in the main body by the identification signals outputted from the identification signal output means when the instrument assembly is connected to the main body.

Abstract: A handpiece for a rotary tool including a flexible power shaft configured for connection at one end to the rotary tool, and at the other end to the handpiece, with at least one locking formation affixed to the shaft. The handpiece includes a housing having a first end for receiving the shaft, and a second end configured for accommodating a working attachment, the housing defining a central throughbore for rotatably receiving the shaft. At least one locking actuator is disposed in the housing for releasable engagement with the locking formation, the handpiece being provided with a biasing force for biasing the actuator out of engagement with the locking formation, so that a user-applied force on the actuator overcomes the biasing force to enable locking engagement between the actuator and the locking formation. A working end of the handpiece housing has an endcap and is also configured for receiving supplemental attachments.

Abstract: A dental handpiece for the polymerization of photosetting resins or compounds comprising as its polymerizing light source, at least one LED incorporated in the handpiece, the electrical supply signal for the LED light source being drawn from connectors of other types of hand pieces and being processed by means of an appropriate electronic circuit in order to make the electrical supply signal suitable for bias of said LED light source.

Abstract: An auxiliary unit (100) for sanitising treatments can be fitted on dental units (R) comprising: a fluid supply line (1) connected, at one end, to the general water mains (2) and, at the other, to the dental unit by means of a first branch (3) which supplies at least a series of instruments—patient (4) and an air supply line (6) connected at its infeed to a source (7) of compressed air and at its outfeed to the dental unit; the unit (100) comprises a body (8), external to the dental unit, supporting at least one container (9) of disinfectant/sterilising fluid which can be connected, by means of a first conduit (10), to the fluid supply line (1); second means (11) of interception positioned on the fluid supply line (1) and designed to allow closure of the fluid supply at least in the first branch (3) during the treatment using the disinfectant/sterilising fluid; and means (12, 13) for preparing and implementing the treatment, acting at least on the first conduit (10) and on the second means (11) of interc

Abstract: A handle for a dental tool has a sleeve having a first end provided with a head and having a second end. An air turbine, for driving a tool, is arranged in the head of the sleeve. A connector is connected to the second end of the sleeve and is to be attach to a supply hose or an intermediate member. At least one driving air conduit for supplying driving air to the air turbine is provided. The at least one driving air conduit has a conduit end. An insert member is inserted into the sleeve and positioned proximal to the head of the sleeve. The conduit end of the at least one driving air conduit is arranged in the insert member.

Abstract: The invention relates to a medical, in particular dental-medical handpiece (3) having a rod-shaped grip part in the forward end region of which there is arranged a holding device (5) having a lateral insertion opening (13) for a working tool (6), whereby the middle axis (5a) of the insertion opening (13) includes, with the middle axis (3c) of the grip part extending rearwardly from the point of intersection with the middle axis (5a), an obtuse angle (W2). In order to improve the suitability of the handpiece (3) also for use in small spaces of the body to be treated, a forward grip section (3b) of the grip part is curved towards the side (14) of the handpiece (3) away from the insertion opening (13), and the obtuse angle (W2) is smaller than 103° and greater than 95°.

Abstract: An identification type instrument assembly detachably connected to a main body of a medical apparatus for use in diagnosis and treatment. The instrument assembly is provided with identification signal output means for actively outputting unique self-identification signals prepared in advance under a predetermined procedure, and connected instrument assembly can be specified in the main body by the identification signals output from the identification signal output means when the instrument assembly is connected to the main body.

Abstract: Disclosed is a lighting device for use with a dental or medical instrument having a tool in the distal part of the instrument for treatment of a site. The lighting device includes a plurality of LEDs and an LED holder encasing the plurality of LEDs and capable of being mounted on a distal part of the instrument. The LEDs are arranged so as to illuminate the site substantially without casting a shadow on the site in treatment when the LED holder is mounted on the instrument. Also disclosed is a dental or medical instrument including a tool in the distal part of the instrument for treatment of a site and a lighting device. The lighting device further includes a plurality of LEDs and an LED holder encasing the LEDs and provided in the distal part of the instrument. The LEDs are arranged so as to illuminate the site substantially without casting a shadow on the site in treatment.

Abstract: In a method for controlling a torque of a motor of dental and surgical handpieces to not exceed a set-point value when screwing in implant members, a motor current for applying the set-point torque is determined immediately before screwing in an implant member with the handpiece and the motor current is limited to the set point value with a motor control during subsequent screwing in of the implant member. The device for carrying out the method has a torque limiter, connectable to a tool receptacle of a handpiece, and a motor current measuring device for measuring a motor current of the motor of the handpiece.

Abstract: An electrically-driven dental injector used in orally injecting such an injection liquid as an anesthetic in dental treatment. Electrically-driven dental injectors includes one having a mechanism for disengaging a pinion (82) from a rack (48) in order to retract a plunger rod (44) upon completion of injection; however, it has heretofore been necessary to manually operate the operating part from outside each time. The inventive electrically-driven dental injector is so arranged that the plunger rod can be manually pushed back directly oupon completion of injection without requiring manual operation, and, to this end, the injector comprises a latch mechanism (84) for engaging/disengaging the ring gear (70) of a planetary reduction gear (50) with/from a casing (52), and an operating rod (94) extending through a support member (20) and functionally cooperating with the latch mechanism (84).

Abstract: An optical conduit is bundled with one or more fluid carrying conduits such that the bundled conduits are axially aligned near their distal ends. Light and fluid emitted from orifices at the terminal ends of said conduits are emitted along substantially coaxial paths. A ferrule is preferably used to bundle the conduits together at the distal ends of the conduits, and elsewhere along their combined lengths if desired. The fluid conduit may comprise an outer tube and a smaller coaxial inner tube, one tube for delivering a first fluid and the other tube for delivering a second fluid. The optical conduit comprises optical fibers for delivering light through the end of the bundle.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are presented for extracting and collecting bone material from an extraction site of a patient. The method and apparatus further provides a readily accessible, and easily harvested, source of bone material without the drawbacks of current extraction methods.

Abstract: A readily disposable aspiration unit that can be connected to various dental instruments of conventional design including ultrasonic scalers. The aspiration unit includes a novel suction means for automatically carrying away from the operative field cooling water and debris generated during the performance of the scaling procedure. The unit further includes a tip-encompassing shroud that uniquely functions as a suction scoop for automatically capturing aerosols in the operative field including aerosols containing saliva, blood, tissue, calculus and like adherent deposits, which are generated during the scaling procedure.

Abstract: A dental equipment for cutting teeth, forming root canals and so on. The dental apparatus includes: an actuator for actuating a cutting tool; a load sensor for sensing a load worked in the cutting tool; and a load indicator for making an operator know the load sensed by the load sensor visually, aurally and/or tactily.

Abstract: A dental handpiece (10) of the type having a body (11), a head (13) and a neck (12), is improved by having at least one portion of the handpiece (10) formed by metal injection molding or MIM. The use of MIM allows for improved fabrication and function. According to one aspect of the invention, the head (13) and neck (12) of the handpiece (10) are MIM-formed as a single or unitary piece.

Abstract: There is disclosed a torque control unit to be used with an instrument for implant surgery, a drilling system including the control unit, and a method for controlling torque with the control unit. The control unit includes a torque limiter that is detachably attached to the bur of the instrument for presetting and shuts off torque transmission from the bur at a preset torque value, and a control section controlling current value of the driving section of the instrument. The control section includes a detector for detecting a current value of the driving section corresponding to the preset torque value when the torque limiter shuts off torque transmission, a memory for storing the detected current value, and a current controller for controlling a current value of the driving section in accordance with the stored current value.

Abstract: The invention relates to a preparation unit for tubeless and cordless dental treatment appliances such as handpieces or the like which comprise at least one charging device that is connected to a pressure source for flowable media in order to charge the treatment appliances.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are presented for extracting and collecting bone marrow from the jawbone of a patient before, during, or after dental procedures. The method and apparatus further provides a readily accessible, and easily harvested, source of bone marrow without the drawbacks of current extraction methods.

Abstract: A dental handpiece to securely detect the load applied to the handpiece itself, and when excessive load is applied to the handpiece cutting operation is suspended. The dental handpiece according to the present invention comprises: a head; a support mounted in the head to support a cutting tool; and a transmission mounted in the head to transmit driving force to the support; wherein the support and the transmission are slidably connected with each other. In the above dental handpiece, the support may be cylindrical and can be provided with a plurality of inclined projections that are arranged in a longitudinal direction of an outer periphery of the cylinder; the transmission may be provided with engaging projections with inclined faces parallel to inclined faces of the plurality of inclined projections; and the transmission can be provided with a resiliency that allows the engaging projections resiliently movable in a direction apart from the inclined projections.

Abstract: The invention relates to a medical, in particular dental-medical handpiece (3) having a rod-shaped grip part in the forward end region of which there is arranged a holding device (5) having a lateral insertion opening (13) for a working tool (6), whereby the middle axis (5a) of the insertion opening (13) includes, with the middle axis (3c) of the grip part extending rearwardly from the point of intersection with the middle axis (5a), an obtuse angle (W2). In order to improve the suitability of the handpiece (3) also for use in small spaces of the body to be treated, a forward grip section (3b) of the grip part is curved towards the side (14) of the handpiece (3) away from the insertion opening (13), and the obtuse angle (W2) is smaller than 103° and greater than 95°.

Abstract: An improved rotary handpiece and endodontic file for cleaning and enlarging a root canal of a tooth are provided by the present invention. The handpiece includes a rotary drive connected to a chuck assembly for rotating the endodontic file and a movable latch assembly for holding the endodontic file while allowing the chuck assembly to rotate the file about its axis. Means for moving the latch assembly towards and away from the chuck assembly at controlled rates and thereby advancing and retracting the endodontic file at controlled rates are attached to the handpiece and to the latch assembly.

Abstract: An inspection equipment is provided by which the endodontic file is examined and judged as to if it reaches to its critical strength. When an appropriately selected endodontic file out of the endodontic files 11, 12, 13 in the kit case 1 is set at the file sample holding portion 5 in the kit case 1 and data corresponding to the endodontic file is input from the data input portion 22, the electric resistance value on the file portion of the endodontic file measured by the resistance measuring portion 20 and the resistance value on the critical strength with correspondence to the data on the file read-out from the RAM 23 are brought together and compared by the inspection unit 30. If the calculating judgement portion 25 makes a judgement to the file to reach its critical level of strength in the cumulative damage, the alarm 19 issues an alarm sound, so that an endodontist or dental assistant knows that the file is not usable any more and should be discarded.

Abstract: An Improved Collet Assembly and Manufacturing Process is disclosed. Also disclosed is an improved collet that includes a spindle, a center portion comprising several tabs and a collar. The disclosed collet is manufactured from a single piece of stock, and as such, that the tabs are formed from this unitary piece. The disclosed collet is inserted into a collet housing that is further defined by a bore in its center. The preferred collet housing bore is further defined by a sloped portion that cooperates with the tabs formed on the collet to restrain a burr shaft from rotational or axial movement. The collet assembly of the present invention provides improved balance and therefore wear properties over previous collet assembly. In particular, the disclosed collet assembly is well suited for application inside a cannister assembly of a air-powered dental tool handpiece.

Abstract: A motor and handpiece assembly for driving a dental tool has a contra-angle and a motor. The contra-angle has a handle, a neck connected to the handle, and a head connected to the neck and adapted to hold the dental tool. The motor is adapted to drive the dental tool in different types of movement (e.g., continuous movement and alternating or vibratory movement). The invention provides a dental handpiece that can be used for different types of treatments using different types of dental tools that require different types of movement and different speeds.

Abstract: A crown cage is applied to a ball bearing for high-speed rotation for a dental hand piece or the like. The cage has a cylinder formed by injection molding of a thermoplastic resin, and pockets for holding balls that are formed at a predetermined circumferential pitch in the cylinder. A first recess including a gate cutting trace at the time of molding, and second recesses for correcting rotational imbalance of the cylinder caused by the first recess, are formed in the cylinder. The recesses have almost the same shape, and are arranged at a predetermined circumferential pitch.

Abstract: A manual drive endodontic handpiece includes a housing having proximal end and a distal end provided with an angle head which receives a dental tool. A drive shaft extends through the housing and is coupled to a manual driver such that rotational movement of the manual driver causes rotational movement of the shaft. A pinion gear is provided at the distal end of the drive shaft and enters into the angle head. Rotation of the manual driver relative to the housing causes rotational movement of the pinion gear at the distal end of the shaft. A dental tool provided in the angle head has a head that includes a pinion gear which meshes with the pinion gear at the distal end of the shaft and is rotated by rotational movement of the pinion gear at the distal end of the shaft. According to one embodiment, the housing is provided with windows through which the manual driver may be directly rotated.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are presented for extracting and collecting bone marrow from the jawbone of a patient before, during, or after dental procedures. The method and apparatus further provides a readily accessible, and easily harvested, source of bone marrow without the drawbacks of current extraction methods.

Abstract: An autoclaving collar having a distal end and a proximate end is presented for fastening to the proximate end of a conventional dental handpiece to protect the impeller of the handpiece from the corrosive environment of autoclaving or sterilization. The collar has an opening at its distal end and an axially extending cavity that communicates with the opening and an annular shoulder which is concentric with the longitudinal axis of the collar for captively holding an O-ring member which seals the proximate threaded end of the conventional dental handpiece when the collar having internal mating thread is sufficiently threaded onto the proximate end of the dental handpiece.

Abstract: A medical or dental handpiece having a grip sleeve formed with an outer gripping surface structure which provides improved grippability. The outer gripping surface structure is formed with alternate grooves and corrugations extending circumferentially around the sleeve and which, in cross-section, are axially spaced from each other. The grooves and corrugations are rounded concavely and convexly, respectively.

Abstract: This invention is a new handpiece for performing semi-automatic root canal procedures. The handpiece is a lightweight, low rpm, cordless and rechargeable file motor. The file is spun in a counter clockwise direction while the entire handpiece is moved in a clockwise direction. The reduction in counter torques minimalize breakage of files and prepares the canal walls evenly and equally. Root canals can be performed more efficiently and effectively with this new device and method of using.

Abstract: The present invention provides an improved rotary handpiece for cleaning and enlarging the root canal of a tooth with a rotary endodontic file. The handpiece includes a retractable support rod attached to and extending from the handpiece positioned adjacent and substantially parallel to the endodontic file. The support rod is adapted to rest on a tooth whereby the retraction of the support rod controls the advance of the endodontic file into the root canal. The control of the advance of the endodontic file insures that the file does not self thread into the canal or become excessively loaded whereby it sticks or breaks off while the root canal is being cleaned and enlarged.

Abstract: A general purpose dental handpiece comprises a shank portion rigidly fixed to a nonarticulatable head portion adapted to removably support a drill burr along a burr axis disposed at an angle of 105.degree..+-.2.degree. with respect to the axis of the shank portion. The angle of orientation of the burr axis is an optimum angle for performing most routine dental procedures in contrast to the right angle orientation of conventional general purpose dental handpieces.

Abstract: A dental handpiece has a coupling member in which a passage for delivering a coolant to a discharge nozzle at the head part is provided. In order to prevent a flow-back of contaminated fluid with bacteria past the handpiece, a check valve is provided and comprises a check valve member disposed in a recess that extends radially inward from an outer surface of the coupling member and receives a flexible portion for closing a portion of the passage. The flexible portion is such that when the fluid is turned off, a suction in the fluid line will cause the flexible member to be pressed against the base of the recess and to prevent dripping from the exit nozzle.

Abstract: A dental handpiece having a cleaning unit contains a turbine gas supply passage for supplying a gas under pressure to a turbine for rotationally driving a dental tool, a rinsing liquid supply passage for supplying a rinsing liquid to a turbine head, a chip-scattering gas supply passage for supplying a gas for scattering cut chips produced by operation of the dental tool, and a cleaning unit for cleaning at least one of the gas and the liquid provided in at least one of the turbine gas supply passage the rinsing liquid supply passage and the chip-scattering gas supply passage.

Abstract: A medical tool such as a prophy angle is provided having primarily plastic parts to make disposing more economical. A portion of the drive shaft is made of metal to eliminate detrimental deformation. The housing is made of two plastic halves which snap-fit together and have projecting portions which surround a pair of oversized plastic beveled gears. A prophy cup having a locking projection is provided so that the locking projection fits into locking cavity on a stud of the tool. Vanes are disposed on the inside of the cup and have a step-like configuration to aid in retaining polishing paste in the cup.

Abstract: A disposable hand tool of the compressed air drive type is disclosed for use in performing dental procedures on a workpiece. An elongated body has conduits penetrating a base at one end of the body. The conduits allow entry of a light beam, a pressurized water stream, and a compressed air stream into the body. The base includes attachment threads for securing the body to a source of the light beam, pressurized water stream, and compressed air stream. A plurality of passageways are in communication with the conduits for conducting the light beam, the water stream, and the air stream through the body. A head at the opposite end of the body contains bearings attached to a supporting shaft. The shaft includes a turbine impeller and a clamping hole for removable attachment of a dental bur to the shaft. The air stream drives the impeller at a high speed for rotating the bur about a rotational axis.

Abstract: A housing of the device receives a pressurized air flow which is filtered and directed past a pressure reducing valve prior to delivery to a purge valve assembly. The purge valve assembly includes a connector configured for endwise engagement with the specific handpiece being purged. The connector is removably mounted in the purge valve assembly which also includes a valve member displaced by the connector during a purging operation from a spring biased closed position. Various connectors are interchangeable to adapt the device to service a variety of dental handpieces.

Abstract: An apparatus for driving the turbine and for purging debris from the air and water spray channels of an air driven turbine-type dental handpiece in preparation for sterilizing the handpiece includes a purging chamber for confining the aerosol together with any microorganisms, bacteria, or other contaminents issuing from a handpiece being purged.

Abstract: Dentistry instrument with visual control having in its handle (2) pressure fluid supply lines (11, 12) as well as an optical device (14) for lighting and visualization with video transmission leading to an observation window (15), protected by a zone of turbulence generated by a pressure fluid, the instrument also including an image transmission unit and a data processing unit followed by a monitor for visualizing and processing the image.

Abstract: A device for disinfecting dental drills having an air turbine motor, or like handpiece, includes a housing having air and water passages extending therein for coupling a flexible supply hose to the handpiece. A first conduit extends from the housing and provides a passageway in fluid communication with the pressurized air inlet passageway of the dental handpiece leading to the air turbine motor. The conduit includes a cap releasably secured to the end of the conduit. The nozzle of a disinfectant reservoir may be inserted within the conduit after temporarily removing the cap for permitting the nozzle to be advanced through the housing and into the handpiece for disinfecting the air passages leading to and from the turbine motor. A second conduit extends from the housing and communicates with the water passage of the housing. The nozzle of the disinfectant reservoir may be inserted into the second conduit, after removing its cap, to disinfect the water passage extending through the dental handpiece.

Abstract: Process and apparatus for producing a dental filling for restoration of a tooth crown, the dental filling being fitted to a cavity prepared in the tooth for filling the cavity. The apparatus includes a cutting device for preparing the cavity, the cutting device including a cutting element for cutting the tooth for the cavity preparation, and a cutting-element position sensor for monitoring movement of the cutting element for the cavity preparation and thereby producing a batch of outline form data representing a three-dimensional outline form of the cavity; a memory device for storing the batch of outline form data; a machining device for machining a prefabricated filling blank into the dental filling; and a control device for controlling operation of the machining device according to the batch of outline form data, so that the filling blank is machined into the dental filling having an outline form identical with the outline form of the cavity.

Abstract: A sleeve that has the shape seen in the longitudinal direction that deviates in cross section and/or has an outside diameter that changes from a shape with a rotational symmetry to a shape with a non-rotational symmetry and has a ridge extending at least a portion of the length of the sleeve to form ledges between the ridge and adjacent curved surfaces. A method for manufacturing the sleeve includes inserting a workpiece in a die having the desired contour for the outer surface of the sleeve, heating the material and subjecting the material to internal pressure to deform the workpiece into the contour of the die to form the sleeve.

Abstract: A rotating bur is disposed in a small-diameter tissue removing suction tube to grind tissue drawn into an entrance end of the tube. The bur includes a grinding head recessed from the entrance end, and is closely spaced between the internal sidewalls of the suction tube to grind tissue entrained into the tube. The entrance end of the suction tube includes an annular sharp edge to facilitate removal of tissue strands from a tissue mass. The ground tissue is then conducted through the suction tube by the suction, and discharged into a remotely located container.

Abstract: Atomizing process and device for dentistry handpieces or angle pieces, characterized in that it involves generating, in the region of the receptacle of the tool in the handpiece or angle piece, a suction effect putting the vicinity of the cutter receptacle under a slight vacuum under the effect of an air cone of which the apex is situated at the point where the tool is working, the other function of this air cone being to direct the cooling fluid by means of an effect of the COANDA type, thereby reducing the consequences of turbulences attributable to the rotation of the tool or instrument.

Abstract: An air motor assembly driven by compressed air for using pencil type handy grinder, comprising an outer jacket casing made of a synthetic resin to cover a metal-made cylindrical housing to house an air turbine cylinder having air jetting nozzles into the turbine rotor thereof and air discharging apertures at opposite side of the air jetting nozzles, the compressed air feeding passages provided along the axis to the air turbine cylinder and the discharged air exhausting passages provided in parallel with the air feeding passages, the feeding air control mechanism including an air valve tube with air communicating orifices and a flange shaped valve, an air controlling knob made of a synthetic resin having double cylindrical structure consisting of an inner cylindrical body and an outer cylindrical body which is to be inserted into the enlarged portion of the outer jacket casing to form the discharged air exhausting passage between the inner and outer cylindrical bodies, and a noise silencing baffler made of a f

Abstract: A device for enabling visualization of the frontal proximity of the turbine housing of a dental drill, which comprises an air turbine dental drill, a coherent fiberoptic imaging scope, and an electronic means of video registration. By functioning as an integral unit, the device allows the combined control of visualization and drilling capabilities with just one hand.