Abstract: An apparatus for controlling asymmetrical coasting of an endodontic reciprocating motor includes a controller operatively connected to the endodontic motor. The controller may include a processing unit that is configured to direct the rotation of the endodontic motor in the forward direction for a coast time and configured to direct the rotation of the endodontic motor in the reverse direction for a coast time. The forward coast time is separately calculated from the reverse coast time. A method for asymmetrically coasting a reciprocating endodontic motor includes rotating an endodontic motor in a forward direction and calculating a forward coast time for the forward direction and coasting the endodontic motor in the forward direction for the calculated forward coast time. After coasting the endodontic motor in the forward direction, the endodontic motor is rotated in a reverse direction. The reverse coast time is different than the forward coast time.

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling asymmetrical coasting of an endodontic reciprocating motor includes a controller operatively connected to the endodontic motor. The controller may include a processing unit that is configured to direct the rotation of the endodontic motor in the forward direction for a coast time and configured to direct the rotation of the endodontic motor in the reverse direction for a coast time. The forward coast time is separately calculated from the reverse coast time. A method for asymmetrically coasting a reciprocating endodontic motor includes rotating an endodontic motor in a forward direction and calculating a forward coast time for the forward direction and coasting the endodontic motor in the forward direction for the calculated forward coast time. After coasting the endodontic motor in the forward direction, the endodontic motor is rotated in a reverse direction. The reverse coast time is different than the forward coast time.

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling asymmetrical coasting of an endodontic reciprocating motor includes a controller operatively connected to the endodontic motor. The controller may include a processing unit that is configured to direct the rotation of the endodontic motor in the forward direction for a coast time and configured to direct the rotation of the endodontic motor in the reverse direction for a coast time. The forward coast time is separately calculated from the reverse coast time. A method for asymmetrically coasting a reciprocating endodontic motor includes rotating an endodontic motor in a forward direction and calculating a forward coast time for the forward direction and coasting the endodontic motor in the forward direction for the calculated forward coast time. After coasting the endodontic motor in the forward direction, the endodontic motor is rotated in a reverse direction. The reverse coast time is different than the forward coast time.

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling asymmetrical coasting of an endodontic reciprocating motor includes a controller operatively connected to the endodontic motor. The controller may include a processing unit that is configured to direct the rotation of the endodontic motor in the forward direction for a coast time and configured to direct the rotation of the endodontic motor in the reverse direction for a coast time. The forward coast time is separately calculated from the reverse coast time. A method for asymmetrically coasting a reciprocating endodontic motor includes rotating an endodontic motor in a forward direction and calculating a forward coast time for the forward direction and coasting the endodontic motor in the forward direction for the calculated forward coast time. After coasting the endodontic motor in the forward direction, the endodontic motor is rotated in a reverse direction. The reverse coast time is different than the forward coast time.

Abstract: Method for manufacturing a dental instrument having a desired machined configuration, without twisting the instrument. A blank of superelastic material is brought to an annealed state comprising a phase structure including a rhombohedral phase alone or in combination with austenite and/or martensite, or a combination of martensite and austenite. In this annealed state, a portion of the annealed material is removed at low temperature, for example less than about 100° C., and advantageously at ambient temperature, to form a final machined configuration for the instrument. The instrument is then heat treated and rapidly quenched to a superelastic condition.

Abstract: An apparatus for dispensing material during a dental or endodontic procedure includes a housing having a motor with an output. A needle heating member including a chamber may receive a prefilled needle of dispensing material. A heater at least substantially surrounds the chamber for heating the material in the needle. A plunger is used to expel the material from the needle during activation of the motor. A reusable protective sheath is provided for disposition on the outside of the housing. A method of manufacturing a needle for use and dispensing a material during a dental or endodontic procedure includes drawing a blank of metal having a closed distal end, bending the blank at a desired angle, and removing a portion of the drawn metal from the distal end to open the distal end thereby forming the dispensing needle.

Abstract: A system of linkages for a beam-type straight axle drive arrangement which accurately control the vehicle steering as well as axle location throughout its full range of suspension compression. This system can be retrofitted onto existing vehicles as a “bolt-on” retrofit kit, thereby dramatically improving the handling characteristics of such vehicles.

Abstract: Method for manufacturing endodontic instruments having either helical or non-helical flutes with hard surfaces and resilient cutting edges by either an EDM or ECM process, wherein material is removed from the instrument blank in the desired flute pattern. The EDM or ECM process disintegrates the surface material, and as it cools, at least a portion of the removed material re-deposits onto the surface being machined to form a recast layer having a surface hardness that is at least about 15% greater than the hardness of the material forming the instrument blank.

Abstract: A non-landed endodontic instrument has flutes formed along a working length of the instrument shaft. The flutes define cutting edges for shaping a root canal of a tooth. The cutting edges lie at a major diameter of the shaft and peripheral flute surfaces behind the cutting edges extend along decreasing radial distances from the center of the shaft, in a direction opposite the cutting direction of the instrument.

Abstract: Method for manufacturing endodontic instruments having either helical or non-helical flutes. A method is provided for forming superelastic endodontic instruments having helical flutes, wherein a wire of superelastic material is formed into an instrument blank, and before twisting, the superelastic alloy is brought to an annealed state comprising a phase structure including a rhombohedral phase alone or in combination with austenite and/or martensite, or a combination of martensite and austenite. In this annealed state, the instrument blank is twisted at low temperature, for example less than about 100° C., and advantageously at ambient temperature to the final desired twisted configuration. The twisted instrument is then heat treated and rapidly quenched to a superelastic condition.

Abstract: Method for manufacturing endodontic instruments having either helical or non-helical flutes. A method is provided for forming superelastic endodontic instruments having helical flutes, wherein a wire of superelastic material is formed into an instrument blank, and before twisting, the superelastic alloy is brought to an annealed state comprising a phase structure including a rhombohedral phase alone or in combination with austenite and/or martensite, or a combination of martensite and austenite. In this annealed state, the instrument blank is twisted at low temperature, for example less than about 100° C., and advantageously at ambient temperature to the final desired twisted configuration. The twisted instrument is then heat treated and rapidly quenched to a superelastic condition.

Abstract: An endodontic instrument and method of manufacturing an instrument including an elongate member having a longitudinal axis, a proximal end, a distal end and a working length between the proximal and distal ends. The working length is formed with a plurality of surface portions ground from the outer surface thereof along paths extending along the longitudinal axis. One or more edges formed during the initial grinding operations are then at least partially ground down. The ground blank is then physically twisted to form helical cutting and/or debris removal edges extending around the longitudinal axis. The instrument may be a file or reamer used in root canal procedures and may have three, four or more longitudinally extending surface portions and multiple edges. Flexibility of the instrument may also be easily varied according to the invention.

Abstract: Devices and methods for the application of materials to an interior space of a tooth, such as the extirpated pulp chamber and/or root canals of the tooth subsequent to root canal surgery. The device has one or more syringe-like pistons and associated chambers for drawing a vacuum within an extirpated pulp chamber and applying cleansing, sealing, and/or filler materials into the tooth under continued vacuum pressure to ensure complete and thorough application.

Abstract: A non-landed endodontic instrument has flutes formed along a working length of the instrument shaft. The flutes define cutting edges for shaping a root canal of a tooth. The cutting edges lie at a major diameter of the shaft and peripheral flute surfaces behind the cutting edges extend along decreasing radial distances from the center of the shaft, in a direction opposite the cutting direction of the instrument.

Abstract: Devices and methods for the application of materials to an interior space of a tooth, such as the extirpated pulp chamber and/or root canals of the tooth subsequent to root canal surgery. The device has one or more syringe-like pistons and associated chambers for drawing a vacuum within an extirpated pulp chamber and applying cleansing, sealing, and/or filler materials into the tooth under continued vacuum pressure to ensure complete and thorough application.

Abstract: Method for manufacturing endodontic instruments having either helical or non-helical flutes. A method is provided for forming superelastic endodontic instruments having helical flutes, wherein a wire of superelastic material is formed into an instrument blank, and before twisting, the superelastic alloy is brought to an annealed state comprising a phase structure including a rhombohedral phase alone or in combination with austenite and/or martensite, or a combination of martensite and austenite. In this annealed state, the instrument blank is twisted at low temperature, for example less than about 100° C., and advantageously at ambient temperature to the final desired twisted configuration. The twisted instrument is then heat treated and rapidly quenched to a superelastic condition.

Abstract: An endodontic instrument and method of manufacturing an instrument including an elongate member having a longitudinal axis, a proximal end, a distal end and a working length between the proximal and distal ends. The working length is formed with a plurality of surface portions ground from the outer surface thereof along paths extending along the longitudinal axis. One or more edges formed during the initial grinding operations are then at least partially ground down. The ground blank is then physically twisted to form helical cutting and/or debris removal edges extending around the longitudinal axis. The instrument may be a file or reamer used in root canal procedures and may have three, four or more longitudinally extending surface portions and multiple edges. Flexibility of the instrument may also be easily varied according to the invention.

Abstract: Devices and methods for the application of materials to an interior space of a tooth, such as the extirpated pulp chamber and/or root canals of the tooth subsequent to root canal surgery. The device has one or more syringe-like pistons and associated chambers for drawing a vacuum within an extirpated pulp chamber and applying cleansing, sealing, and/or filler materials into the tooth under continued vacuum pressure to ensure complete and thorough application.

Abstract: An endodontic instrument including an elongate member having a longitudinal axis, a proximal end, a distal end and a working length between the proximal and distal ends. The working length is formed with a plurality of surface portions cut from the outer surface thereof along paths extending along at least partially around the longitudinal axis. The cut surface portions are then physically twisted to form helical cutting and/or debris removal edges extending around the longitudinal axis. The instrument may be a file or reamer used in root canal procedures and may have three, four or more longitudinally extending surface portions and corresponding edges. The cutting edges define grind angles that vary along the working length. Flexibility of the instrument may also be easily varied according to the invention. Methods of manufacturing the instrument may include grinding flats on the outer surface of a wire blank, with the flats partially twisting around the longitudinal axis.

Abstract: A handheld medical instrument for rotating a tool including a support structure having a portion that may be gripped by a user, and an electric motor having an output rotatable at a first speed. A tool rotating shaft extends from the support structure and is adapted to be coupled to a tool to rotate the tool at a second speed. A variable speed transmission is operatively coupled between the output of the electric motor and the tool rotating shaft to transfer rotation therebetween and is selectively adjustable between at least two different ratios of the first speed relative to the second speed.