Ultrasonic Patents (Class 433/119)
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Patent number: 6923647Abstract: Method and tool for fracturing the cement interface between a crown and a tooth or the like. The method is accomplished by positioning a piezoelectric driven rapid impacting tool against one side of a portion of a crown covering the tooth. The tool is covered with a malleable metal and is interfacing abutment with said crown. The opposite side of the crown is abutted against an anvil which is covered with a thicker malleable metal interface.Type: GrantFiled: June 17, 2004Date of Patent: August 2, 2005Inventors: Gordon Gould, Jack Goodman, Abraham Ingber
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Patent number: 6910889Abstract: A dental tool for use with an ultrasonic transducer, includes an elongated unitary shaft member having a longitudinal axis, a proximal end and a distal end having an outer surface, an attachment member at the proximal end to enable detachable attachment to an ultrasonic transducer; and a cutting surface defined by a plurality of grooves on the outer surface forming sharp edges.Type: GrantFiled: November 2, 2000Date of Patent: June 28, 2005Assignee: San Diego Swiss Machining, Inc.Inventor: Teresa R. Hickok
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Patent number: 6893261Abstract: The present invention relates to a footswitch which contains all operating elements of an ultrasonic dental scaling system. The footswitch incorporates the circuitry for controlling the frequency of the dental scaling tip and can also provide water and light which is fed to a remote head located either on the dentist or hygienist or on the dental chair adjacent the patient, thereby eliminating the need for a control unit on the counter top in the treatment room. The consolidation of the entirety of the control circuitry in the footswitch eliminates messy cable tangles and because it services a remote head located adjacent the patient allows the handpiece control cable to be shortened, thus lightening the strain on the technician and permitting easier and more efficient dental scaling to be accomplished.Type: GrantFiled: August 28, 2002Date of Patent: May 17, 2005Inventor: James Feine
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Patent number: 6881061Abstract: An improved method for cleaning teeth is disclosed. The method for cleaning teeth includes: applying ultrasonic waves of a first frequency through a liquid media to the teeth for a first period of time; and applying ultrasonic waves of a second frequency through a liquid media to the teeth for a second period of time.Type: GrantFiled: September 30, 2002Date of Patent: April 19, 2005Assignee: McNeil-PPC, Inc.Inventor: Adarrel Omar Fisher
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Patent number: 6872125Abstract: A tool for abrading a workpiece to smooth the surface thereof. The tool has a shank portion and a working portion. The working portion has a smooth and non-abrading surface, with one or more depressions formed therein. Each depression includes an abrading mechanism. The abrading mechanism does not protrude above the smooth surface of the working portion of the tool. During operation, once the workpiece has been smoothed by removal of the raised areas by the abrading mechanism, the smooth surface of the tool engages the workpiece and further abrasion of the workpiece is prevented.Type: GrantFiled: March 19, 2004Date of Patent: March 29, 2005Inventor: Stephen K. Harrel
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Patent number: 6860879Abstract: A light application unit for a combined photodynamic diagnosis and photodynamic therapy of non-malignant diseases of a parodontium and a tooth of a living being having administered a pharmaceutical preparation allowing the photodynamic diagnosis and the photodynamic therapy comprises a light source, a focusing unit for focusing light emitted by the light source, at least one element arrangeable in a light beam path of the light, and at least one wave guide for transmitting the light from the light source to a distal emitting end, the wave guide is configured rigidly in at least a distal handling end section thereof and being curved in a distal end section.Type: GrantFiled: December 19, 2000Date of Patent: March 1, 2005Assignee: Karl Storz GmbH & Co. KGInventors: Klaus M. Irion, Rainer Hahn
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Publication number: 20040265776Abstract: A low flow ultrasonic insert has an internal fluid flow channel which extends between an operative tip geometry and a body portion of insert. The channel terminates at the tip geometry with a fluid flow output. A fluid flow input is provided for the channel in the body portion where a transverse slot intersects the channel.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 10, 2004Publication date: December 30, 2004Inventors: David W. Tipton, Patricia H. Parker, Shu Chen
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Publication number: 20040259054Abstract: A grip for an ultrasonic scaler insert includes a soft grip portion externally attached to a rigid body having front, rear and central portions. The soft grip is attached to the rigid body either by adhesive or ovennolding, and includes a plurality of elongated ridges along an exterior surface of the soft grip. The elongated ridges are spaced apart on the exterior surface in a manner directed to follow finger placement on the grip, so that the grip may be easily manipulated. The material making up the soft grip helps to reduce vibrations transmitted to the user during operation of the ultrasonic scaler.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 20, 2004Publication date: December 23, 2004Inventor: Stanley Mayer
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Publication number: 20040259053Abstract: A novel approach to laser-assisted dental scaling methods and apparatus is presented. The invention significantly reduces risk of systemic medical health hazards to patients and dental staff resulting from bacteria contaminated aerosols produced by scaling devices. The method comprises steps for the dynamic treatment of oral sites with photosensitive agents activated by intensive laser light during dental scaling and cleaning procedures. Dual action of photodynamic therapy and intensive laser radiation enhance destruction of pathogenic microorganisms for safer dental procedures.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 18, 2003Publication date: December 23, 2004Inventors: George I. Bekov, Jay A. Goble, Alexandre B. Di Sessa, William R. Gianni
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Publication number: 20040241608Abstract: A dental tool for use with an ultrasonic transducer, the tool comprises a substantially elongate tool defined by a shaft having a proximal end with a coupling attachment at the proximal end for attachment to an ultrasonic transducer, and a distal end having a tip configured for performing a dental procedure, and a fluid passage extending from the proximal end to a port configured and positioned to direct fluid onto the tip.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 30, 2004Publication date: December 2, 2004Applicant: DENTSPLY INTERNATIONAL, INC.Inventor: Teresa R. Hickok
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Publication number: 20040234924Abstract: Systems and methods for building and using ultrasonic dental tips which provide for improved dispensing of water or other fluids at or toward the distal end (working end) of the tip. The tips utilize a water channel generally extending from before the first bend of the tip to a point prior to the working end. The water channel has improved ease of manufacture over other water transfer designs and is usable in tips having shapes where effective water transfer was previously not available.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 17, 2003Publication date: November 25, 2004Inventors: Teresa Hickok, Jay H. Kim
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Patent number: 6817862Abstract: A dental tool for use with an ultrasonic transducer, the tool comprises a substantially elongate tool defined by a shaft having a proximal end with a coupling attachment at the proximal end for attachment to an ultrasonic transducer, and a distal end having a tip configured for performing a dental procedure, and a fluid passage extending from the proximal end to a port configured and positioned to direct fluid onto the tip.Type: GrantFiled: August 26, 2003Date of Patent: November 16, 2004Assignee: Dentsply International, Inc.Inventor: Teresa R. Hickok
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Patent number: 6811399Abstract: An ultrasonic insert insertable into a handpiece for carrying out a dental treatment is easily rotatable by a practitioner with only two fingers. The body of the insert is clamped via a torque lock element which carries a plurality of radially extending barbs which lock a handle thereto. The handle is locked to the torque lock element and is not movable relative thereto either axially or rotatably.Type: GrantFiled: March 4, 2002Date of Patent: November 2, 2004Assignee: Hu-Friedy Mfg. Co., Inc.Inventors: Anisur Mithu Rahman, Shu Chen, Patricia H. Parker
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Publication number: 20040191724Abstract: An ultrasonic insert carries a rotary bearing adjacent to the transducer. The bearing slidably engages an ultrasonic handpiece. When seated in the handpiece, the insert is substantially decoupled, on a rotary axis, from the handpiece. A rotary force need only be applied to the insert to rotate it in the handpiece. Alternately, an adaptor can be inserted into the handpiece. The adaptor slidably receives a conventional ultrasonic insert. The conventional insert can be easily rotated with a force applied only thereto, relative to the handpiece.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 5, 2004Publication date: September 30, 2004Inventors: Anisur Mithu Rahman, Shu Chen, Patricia H. Parker
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Publication number: 20040185412Abstract: The present invention relates to a dental scaling translucent insert which provides a coaxially aligned light adjacent the distal end of such insert for illuminating the tip of the dental scaler which light may be provided by light emitting from a fiber optic light guide from a light source located remotely from the tip. The light provided can also be used to view through a camera lens system located in translucent insert to provide a clear unobstructed view of the work at the tip of the scaler on a remote screen or for recording.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 19, 2003Publication date: September 23, 2004Inventor: James Feine
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Patent number: 6793490Abstract: 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.Type: GrantFiled: May 24, 2002Date of Patent: September 21, 2004Assignee: Mectron S.r.l.Inventors: Fernando Bianchetti, Domenico Vercellotti
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Publication number: 20040170944Abstract: The invention concerns an ultrasonic shaping instrument comprising: a mount structure (10), a sonotrode (14) elastically mounted on the mount structure (10), a tool (16) fixed to the sonotrode (14) for carrying out shaping operations, and a control member (12) for controlling and powering the sonotrode (14). The instrument is dimensioned so that the assembly consisting of the sonotrode (14) and the tool (16) has a resonance ultrasonic frequency fo, in a mode selected among traction-compression and torsion, variable between a lower limit fomin and an upper limit fomax, and it does not have itself any other resonance frequency in a range between a frequency fpmin<fomin and a frequency fpmax>fomax.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 30, 2004Publication date: September 2, 2004Inventors: Gerard Huguenin, Pierre Pasche
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Publication number: 20040126738Abstract: An ultrasonic dental insert for an ultrasonic dental tool is provided. The ultrasonic dental insert includes a transducer, a connecting body, a hand grip, at least one O-ring and a removable tip. The transducer generates ultrasonic vibrations. The connecting body has a proximal end attached to the transducer and a distal end. The distal end has an engagement portion formed thereon. The hand grip envelopes at least a portion of the connecting body. At least one O-ring is for shock absorption, and is mounted between the connecting body and the hand grip and around the engagement portion. The removable tip engages the engagement portion.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 12, 2003Publication date: July 1, 2004Inventors: Benjamin Atkin, Haim Levy
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Publication number: 20040126737Abstract: An ultrasonic dental handpiece for holding a transducer is provided. The transducer converts electrical energy into ultrasonic vibrations. The dental handpiece includes a body, a rotator head, and a retainer ring. The body rotatably receives the transducer. The rotator head engages the transducer for rotation thereof. The retainer ring is fixedly coupled to one of the body and the rotator head and rotatably coupled to the other of the body and the rotator head, such that the rotator head is rotatably coupled to the body.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 12, 2003Publication date: July 1, 2004Inventors: Benjamin Atkin, Haim Levy
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Publication number: 20040126735Abstract: Systems and methods related to ultrasonic microtube dental instruments designed to cut around a broken instrument by allowing the broken instrument to be placed within a lumen of the microtube instrument while simultaneously boring with the broken instrument and being guided by the broken instrument.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 14, 2003Publication date: July 1, 2004Inventors: Teresa Hickok, Clifford Ruddle
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Publication number: 20040126736Abstract: An insert for an ultrasonic dental unit is provided. The insert includes a transducer for generating ultrasonic vibrations, and a tip for applying the ultrasonic vibrations at a location inside the mouth of a patient. A connecting body is disposed between and attached to the transducer and the tip. The connecting body transmits the ultrasonic vibrations from the transducer to the tip. A retaining ring is snapped onto the connecting body. A hand grip is fitted at least partially over the connecting body and the retaining ring.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 12, 2003Publication date: July 1, 2004Inventors: Benjamin Atkin, Haim Levy
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Patent number: 6752629Abstract: An air-driven dental instrument (10) includes a replaceable vibrator module (16) detachably accommodated in an axial lodgment defined by an elongated outer casing (14) comprised of a frontal cap (22A) and a main body (26A) coupled with each other. When the cap (22A) is coupled, the module (16) is axially positioned against the cap (22A) by a positioning sleeve (90A) and is rotationally locked against the sleeve (90A) by a hexagonal formation (128) engaging into cutouts (136) formed on a housing (134). When the cap (22A) is disconnected from the main body (26A), the module (16) is retained by the housing (134) but is partly exposed therefrom. This permits a user to grip the module to thereby facilitate replacement of the module (16).Type: GrantFiled: January 30, 2002Date of Patent: June 22, 2004Assignee: Micron Co., Ltd.Inventors: Eiji Suzuki, Yutaka Kadota
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Patent number: 6726531Abstract: A tool for abrading a workpiece to smooth the surface thereof. In one embodiment, the tool is an ultrasonic tip (12) having plural grooves (16) formed in a smooth surface (14) thereof. Each groove (16) includes an abrasive material (24) coating the depression thereof. Rough surface areas of a workpiece projecting into the groove (16) are abraded to thereby result in a smooth workpiece surface. Once the surface roughness of the workpiece has been removed, the smooth areas (14) of the ultrasonic tip (12) are engaged, thereby preventing further abrasion of the workpiece.Type: GrantFiled: March 23, 2000Date of Patent: April 27, 2004Inventor: Stephen K. Harrel
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Patent number: 6722882Abstract: An ultrasonic dental instrument or tip is disclosed for performing endodontic procedures. The instrument has a hub adapted to be operatively coupled to the output of an ultrasonic handpiece and a shank portion extending from the hub. A first portion of the shank extends in a generally axial direction from the hub and tip portion extends from the first portion. The shank has a bend therein between the first portion and the tip portion ranging between about 90° and about 140°. One embodiment of the tip has an enlarged, bulbous free end, with the latter having an end face cross sectional area larger than the cross sectional area of the tip portion proximate the enlarged free end. The enlarged free end has an abrasive coating thereon so that upon activation of the instrument by the transducer, the tip portion and the enlarged free end vibrates in a plane including the shank and tip portions.Type: GrantFiled: February 14, 2003Date of Patent: April 20, 2004Assignee: Earth City Technologies, Inc.Inventor: L. Stephen Buchanan
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Patent number: 6716028Abstract: An ultrasonic insert carries a rotary bearing adjacent to the transducer. The bearing slidably engages an ultrasonic handpiece. When seated in the handpiece, the insert is substantially decoupled, on a rotary axis, from the handpiece. A rotary force need only be applied to the insert to rotate it in the handpiece. Alternately, an adaptor can be inserted into the handpiece. The adaptor slidably receives a conventional ultrasonic insert. The conventional insert can be easily rotated with a force applied only thereto, relative to the handpiece.Type: GrantFiled: July 27, 2001Date of Patent: April 6, 2004Assignee: Hu-Friedy Mfg. Co., Inc.Inventors: Anisur Mithu Rahman, Shu Chen, Patricia H. Parker
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Publication number: 20040063064Abstract: An ultrasonic dental scaler automatically supplies a frequency to match a handpiece connecting thereto. A handpiece connector includes one or more passive elements, which affect the resonant frequency produced by the generator. Multiple handpieces, each operating at a different resonant frequency, may thus be used with the same ultrasonic generator. The ultrasonic dental scaler also supports two footswitches. One footswitch includes a foot-controlled power level adjuster. When connected, the footswitch automatically disables the manual power adjuster. Another on-off footswitch includes no power adjustment mechanism. When connected, the manual power adjustment feature of the generator is maintained. Orders for different handpiece frequencies and footswitch types can thus be filled with an inventory of one generator model.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 30, 2002Publication date: April 1, 2004Inventor: James Feine
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Publication number: 20040038175Abstract: A dental tool for use with an ultrasonic transducer, the tool comprises a substantially elongate tool defined by a shaft having a proximal end with a coupling attachment at the proximal end for attachment to an ultrasonic transducer, and a distal end having a tip configured for performing a dental procedure, and a fluid passage extending from the proximal end to a port configured and positioned to direct fluid onto the tip.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 26, 2003Publication date: February 26, 2004Applicant: Dentsply International, Inc.Inventor: Teresa R. Hickok
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Publication number: 20040023187Abstract: A dental tool for use with an ultrasonic transducer, includes an elongated unitary shaft member having a longitudinal axis, a proximal end and a distal end having an outer surface having a surface area configuration taken from the group consisting of cylindrical, spherical, teardrop, bell and conical, an attachment member at the proximal end to enable detachable attachment to an ultrasonic transducer; and a cutting surface at the distal end defined by a plurality of grooves on the outer surface forming cutting edges. The cutting surface is formed by running threads around the shank of the tool in one or both directions.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 2, 2002Publication date: February 5, 2004Inventor: Teresa R. Hickok
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Publication number: 20030219697Abstract: The invention is an improved endodontic adapter for a sonic scaler consisting of a talon having a threaded end for insertion into the handle of the sonic scaler. A pair of downwardly pointed barbs protrudes radially from the side of the adapter for receiving an elastic ligature, which firmly holds the dental instrument such as file to the talon. The opposite end of the talon has a tapered shaft that receives an aperture drilled into the side of the dental instrument. The ligature is simply wrapped around the dental instrument on opposite sides of the talon and then the ends are wrapped around the downwardly pointing barbs.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 24, 2002Publication date: November 27, 2003Inventor: Kenneth G. Hudak, D.D.S.
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Patent number: 6619957Abstract: The invention provides an ultrasonic scaler, comprising: a scaler tip, actuator material, a coil, a hand-piece housing, and an air driven electrical current generator. The actuator material, the coil and the air driven electrical current generator are enclosed by the hand-piece housing. The scaler tip is connected to the actuator material. Preferably the actuator material is [Tb0.30Dy0.70Fe1.92]. The invention provides an ultrasonic scaler including a scaler tip, actuator material, a coil, a hand-piece housing, and a frequency control circuit. The actuator material, the coil and the frequency control circuit are enclosed by the hand-piece housing. The scaler tip is connected to the actuator material.Type: GrantFiled: February 15, 2000Date of Patent: September 16, 2003Assignee: Dentsply Research & Development Corp.Inventors: James G. Mosch, Allen G. Hoube, Peter H. Werner, Robert F. Hecht
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Patent number: 6616450Abstract: The invention relates to a medical or dental-medical treatment instrument (1) having a grip sleeve (11), an oscillatory rod (13) which extends longitudinally in the grip sleeve (11) and is mounted therein in a radially or also axially elastically yielding manner, and an oscillation generator (31) for transmitting oscillations to the oscillatory rod (13). In order to attain a compact construction, the oscillatory rod (13) is of a base part and an attachment part which is fixed on the base part.Type: GrantFiled: August 8, 2001Date of Patent: September 9, 2003Assignee: Kaltenbach & Voigt GmbH & Co.Inventors: Walter Mössle, Bernhard Schilling, Gerd Löhn
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Publication number: 20030157458Abstract: An ultrasonic dental instrument or tip is disclosed for performing endodontic procedures. The instrument has a hub adapted to be operatively coupled to the output of an ultrasonic handpiece and a shank portion extending from the hub. A first portion of the shank extends in a generally axial direction from the hub and tip portion extends from the first portion. The shank has a bend therein between the first portion and the tip portion ranging between about 90° and about 140°. One embodiment of the tip has a n enlarged, bulbous free end, with the latter having an end face cross sectional area larger than the cross sectional area of the tip portion proximate the enlarged free end. The enlarged free end has an abrasive coating thereon so that upon activation of the instrument by the transducer, the tip portion and the enlarged free end vibrates in a plane including the shank and tip portions.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 14, 2003Publication date: August 21, 2003Inventor: L. Stephen Buchanan
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Publication number: 20030124485Abstract: This invention provides a device for removing a broken piece left in the root canal of a tooth comprising a handle to be held by the operator, a portion for fastening the broken piece, and operating means for operating the fastening portion.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 17, 2002Publication date: July 3, 2003Inventor: Yoshitsugu Teraushi
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Publication number: 20030108844Abstract: An ultrasonic insert carries a rotary bearing adjacent to the transducer. The bearing slidably engages an ultrasonic handpiece. When seated in the handpiece, the insert is substantially decoupled, on a rotary axis, from the handpiece. A rotary force need only be applied to the insert to rotate it in the handpiece. Alternately, an adaptor can be inserted into the handpiece. The adaptor slidably receives a conventional ultrasonic insert. The conventional insert can be easily rotated with a force applied only thereto, relative to the handpiece.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 17, 2003Publication date: June 12, 2003Inventors: Anisur Mithu Rahman, Shu Chen, Patricia H. Parker
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Publication number: 20030099917Abstract: Electrically-powered, hand-held, piezoelectric, dental scaler apparatus for its manufacture and use, wherein the apparatus includes a handle assembly having an elongated shaft passing through a bore within an inertial resistant mass, and one or more piezoelectric ceramic discs juxtaposed between the elongated shaft and the inertial resistant mass.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 26, 2001Publication date: May 29, 2003Applicant: Aseptico, Incorporated, a Division of North Pacific DentalInventor: Jan Wietecha
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Publication number: 20030096213Abstract: A dental tool for use with an ultrasonic transducer, the tool being substantially elongated and defined by a shaft having a proximal end with a coupling attachment at the proximal end for attachment to an ultrasonic transducer, and a distal end having a tip configured for performing excavation, finishing, removal and a dental polishing procedures, and a fluid passage extending from the proximal end to the distal end and exiting at a port at or proximate the tip.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 20, 2001Publication date: May 22, 2003Inventors: Teresa R. Hickok, Clifford J. Ruddle
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Publication number: 20030073055Abstract: A two-part, modular dental handpiece cable connector system that provides a convenient method for fast field replacement of worn or defective handpiece cables without disassembling the dental device. The two parts include a female connector element that mounts within the device housing and a male connector element to attach the cable. The female connector is further defined into two categories: snap-in mounting for enclosed, confined space cabinets and threaded panel mounting for universal attachment.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 17, 2002Publication date: April 17, 2003Inventors: David Pollock, Matthew Barto
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Patent number: 6514077Abstract: A method for dental plaque removal intended for consumer use comprises filling the mouth with a physiologically acceptable cleaning solution, solvent, or wash, holding such solution in the mouth under voluntary muscular control, thereafter inserting through the lips an elongate acoustically excitable probe forming, under muscular control, a seal with the lips. The probe is energized and a sonic or ultrasonic cleaning action in the mouth removes incipient plaque deposits from the teeth, without the necessity of visiting each tooth individually with a manual or partially automatic mechanical cleaning implement, such as a toothbrush. In an alternative embodiment, fluid fill is provided through a channel in the probe and filling of the mouth is accomplished following insertion. The method may be used in a more general sense to acoustically clean articles in a flexible portable enclosure by means of a portable probe or tool.Type: GrantFiled: November 8, 1999Date of Patent: February 4, 2003Inventor: Peter J. Wilk
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Publication number: 20030022129Abstract: An ultrasonic insert insertable into a handpiece for carrying out a dental treatment is easily rotatable by a practitioner with only two fingers. The body of the insert is clamped via a torque lock element which carries a plurality of radially extending barbs which lock a handle thereto. The handle is locked to the torque lock element and is not movable relative thereto either axially or rotatably.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 4, 2002Publication date: January 30, 2003Inventors: Anisur Mithu Rahman, Shu Chen, Patricia H. Parker
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Patent number: 6503081Abstract: The present invention relates to a microprocessor-controlled ultrasonic control apparatus used to sweep a range of operating frequencies and to identify, store and tune to the resonant frequency of a magnetostrictively driven handpiece. This allows the user to change tip systems as desired and the device is not limited to a preset or switch selectable frequency. The unit automatically finds and adjusts to the frequency which corresponds to the resonant acoustic frequency of the magnetostrictive coil insert tip system.Type: GrantFiled: June 29, 2000Date of Patent: January 7, 2003Inventor: James Feine
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Publication number: 20030003418Abstract: A handpiece (3a, 3b) includes an ultrasonic vibrator (21A) driven by an ultrasonic oscillator (40A) for vibration at an ultrasonic frequency in the range of 20 to 100 kHz, a low-frequency vibrator (21B) driven by a low-frequency oscillator (40B) for vibration at a low frequency, and a contact blade (10) connected to both the vibrators. Only the ultrasonic vibrator (21A) is driven for vibration and the contact blade (1) is brought into contact with an affected part for the mechanical anesthetization of the affected part. When the low-frequency vibrator (21B) is driven together with the ultrasonic vibrator (21A), low-frequency vibrations effective in separating the affected part, such as an affected tooth, are applied to the affected part in the mechanically anesthetized condition. The ultrasonic vibration of the ultrasonic vibrator (21A) does not stop and hence an operation, such as a tooth-extracting operation, is not interrupted even if the operator exerts large force on the contact blade (10).Type: ApplicationFiled: July 10, 2002Publication date: January 2, 2003Inventor: Masaru Kumabe
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Patent number: 6494714Abstract: The invention provides a method of making a transducer activated tool tip, comprising, providing a substantially linear tip body having a fluid inlet end and a fluid outlet end. The tip body has an inlet end and a subgingival outlet end. The tip body is bent in a first direction. In the tip body is formed a fluid passageway internal to the tip. The tip body is bent in a second direction, which is opposite to the first direction.Type: GrantFiled: January 24, 2000Date of Patent: December 17, 2002Assignee: Dentsply Research & Development Corp.Inventor: Leonard Copeland
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Publication number: 20020168611Abstract: A dental tool for use with an ultrasonic transducer, includes a substantially elongate shaft having a proximal end with a coupling attachment at the proximal end for attachment to an ultrasonic handpiece or transducer, and a distal end having a tip configured as a cutting blade having an elongated substantially straight cutting edge, where, upon energization of the transducer, the cutting blade vibrates in a direction substantially coplanar to its cutting edge.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 9, 2001Publication date: November 14, 2002Inventor: Syngcuk Kim
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Publication number: 20020127512Abstract: An adapter for use with a piezoelectric and/or magnetostrictive ultrasonic unit can be coupled between the handpiece and the cable. The adapter includes a symmetrically oriented flow path with offset ends to mate with the handpiece and the cable respectively. The adapter also includes a rotary electrical connection facilitating the transfer of energy from the cable to the handpiece while the handpiece is being rotated. The rotary connection of the adapter can be integrated into either of the handpiece or the cable termination.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 21, 2002Publication date: September 12, 2002Inventors: Shu Chen, Richard H. Paschke, Anisur M. Rahman, David W. Tipton
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Publication number: 20020106608Abstract: A dental prophylaxis device (10) has a drive unit (11) a removable connecting cable (12) and a removable handpiece (13) which can be employed with an air polishing insert (15) or alternatively, an ultrasonic scaling insert (14). By removing the handpiece (13) from its insert (14, 15) and it cable (12), handpiece 13 can be sterilized in a conventional manner.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 5, 2001Publication date: August 8, 2002Inventors: David Pollock, Matthew Barto
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Publication number: 20020072035Abstract: A dental tool for use with an ultrasonic transducer, the tool comprises a substantially elongate tool defined by a shaft having a proximal end with a coupling attachment at the proximal end for attachment to an ultrasonic transducer, and a distal end having a tip configured for performing a dental procedure, and a fluid passage extending from the proximal end to a port configured and positioned to direct fluid onto the tip.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 4, 2002Publication date: June 13, 2002Applicant: DENTSPLY International Inc.Inventor: Teresa R. Hickok
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Publication number: 20020072034Abstract: A dental tool for use with an ultrasonic transducer, includes a substantially elongate shaft having a proximal end with a coupling attachment at the proximal end for attachment to an ultrasonic transducer, and a distal end having a tip configured as a cutting blade having an elongated substantially straight cutting edge.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 7, 2000Publication date: June 13, 2002Inventors: Teresa R. Hickok, Syngcuk Kim
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Patent number: 6386866Abstract: A method of lighting a scaling tip including providing a light source electrically connected to a secondary coil, and providing a scaling tip having an arm extending into a primary coil and adapted to be ultrasonically vibrated by the primary coil.Type: GrantFiled: November 9, 2000Date of Patent: May 14, 2002Assignee: Dentsply Research & Development Corp.Inventors: Robert F. Hecht, Horacio R. Cabana, Peter H Werner
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Publication number: 20020031744Abstract: The invention relates to a medical or dental-medical treatment instrument (1) having a grip sleeve (11), an oscillatory rod (13) which extends longitudinally in the grip sleeve (11) and is mounted therein in a radially or also axially elastically yielding manner, and an oscillation generator (31) for transmitting oscillations to the oscillatory rod (13). In order to attain a compact construction, the oscillatory rod (13) is of a base part and an attachment part which is fixed on the base part.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 8, 2001Publication date: March 14, 2002Inventors: Walter Mossle, Bernhard Schilling, Gerd Lohn
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Publication number: 20020028421Abstract: The invention relates to a medical or dental-medical treatment instrument (1) having a rod-like handpiece (2) with the forward end region of which a tool (3) can be releasably coupled by means of a tool coupling (4), and the rearward end region of which can be releaseably coupled with a connection part (6) by means of a handpiece coupling (5), preferably a plug-in/turn coupling, the handpiece having: a grip sleeve (11) which forms an outer body of the handpiece (2), an oscillatory rod (13) which extends longitudinally in the grip sleeve (11) and is mounted therein radially or also axially elastically yieldingly, an in particular pneumatic oscillation generator (31) for transmitting oscillations to the oscillatory rod (13), and a sleeve (14) surrounding the oscillation generator (31). For reducing noise emissions, the sleeve (14) is of elastically compressible or sound-absorbing material.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 8, 2001Publication date: March 7, 2002Inventors: Bernhard Schilling, Gerd Lohn, Bernd Gugel, Walter Mossle