Patents by Inventor Gerald Helfenbein

Gerald Helfenbein has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 11937989
    Abstract: A dental prophylactic treatment device having: a prophylactic contra-angle handpiece having a handle part extending along a longitudinal axis, a head part adjoining the handle part, a tool holder rotatably disposed in the head part and extending along an axis of rotation, wherein the longitudinal axis of the handle part and the axis of rotation of the head part are disposed at an angle to one another, and a dental tool having a tool shaft and a prophylactic treatment section, wherein the tool shaft extends from a handpiece end of the dental tool over a length up to the prophylactic treatment section, wherein at least a section of the tool shaft is detachably received in the tool holder, so that the dental tool together with the tool holder can be rotated about the axis of rotation, and wherein the length of the tool shaft is a maximum of 10.0 mm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2024
    Assignee: W&H Dentalwerk Bürmoos GmbH
    Inventors: Gerald Helfenbein, Gerhard Hochradl, Gernot Ploy, Johann Eibl
  • Publication number: 20200197142
    Abstract: A dental prophylactic treatment device having: a prophylactic contra-angle handpiece having a handle part extending along a longitudinal axis, a head part adjoining the handle part, a tool holder rotatably disposed in the head part and extending along an axis of rotation, wherein the longitudinal axis of the handle part and the axis of rotation of the head part are disposed at an angle to one another, and a dental tool having a tool shaft and a prophylactic treatment section, wherein the tool shaft extends from a handpiece end of the dental tool over a length up to the prophylactic treatment section, wherein at least a section of the tool shaft is detachably received in the tool holder, so that the dental tool together with the tool holder can be rotated about the axis of rotation, and wherein the length of the tool shaft is a maximum of 10.0 mm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 31, 2019
    Publication date: June 25, 2020
    Applicant: W&H Dentalwerk Bürmoos GmbH
    Inventors: Gerald Helfenbein, Gerhard Hochradl, Gernot Ploy, Johann Eibl
  • Patent number: 9377775
    Abstract: A method and device for programming a cordless handpiece used for root canal treatment and having a first memory and a tool holder for a treatment tool are described. The method includes providing a first data volume having a plurality of data sets in a second memory separate from the first memory, each of the data sets comprising at least one parameter assigned to the cordless handpiece and/or to the treatment tool, selecting at least some of the data sets from the first data volume in the second memory, transmitting the selected data sets from the second memory to the first memory of the handpiece, and selecting a data set from the updated first memory for operation of the handpiece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2016
    Assignee: W&H Dentalwerk Bürmoos GmbH
    Inventors: Gerald Helfenbein, Stefan Putz, Rainer Schröck
  • Publication number: 20150105916
    Abstract: A method and device for programming a cordless handpiece used for root canal treatment and having a first memory and a tool holder for a treatment tool are described. The method includes providing a first data volume having a plurality of data sets in a second memory separate from the first memory, each of the data sets comprising at least one parameter assigned to the cordless handpiece and/or to the treatment tool, selecting at least some of the data sets from the first data volume in the second memory, transmitting the selected data sets from the second memory to the first memory of the handpiece, and selecting a data set from the updated first memory for operation of the handpiece.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2014
    Publication date: April 16, 2015
    Applicant: W&H DENTALWERK BÜRMOOS GMBH
    Inventors: Gerald Helfenbein, Stefan Putz, Rainer Schröck
  • Patent number: 8936465
    Abstract: A method and device for programming a cordless handpiece used for root canal treatment and having a first memory and a tool holder for a treatment tool are described. The method includes providing a first data volume having a plurality of data sets in a second memory separate from the first memory, each of the data sets comprising at least one parameter assigned to the cordless handpiece and/or to the operable tool, selecting at least some of the data sets from the first data volume in the second memory, transmitting the selected data sets from the second memory to the first memory of the handpiece, and selecting a data set from the updated first memory for operation of the handpiece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2015
    Assignee: W&H Dentalwerk Bürmoss GmbH
    Inventors: Gerald Helfenbein, Stefan Putz, Rainer Schröck
  • Patent number: 7771544
    Abstract: A connecting device of a cleaning or care apparatus or a cleaning cassette comprises a blocking device which is movable between a first position and a second position and prevents loosening or displacement of an instrument that is to be cleaned during a cleaning or care operation because of the pressure exerted by the cleaning or care media. In some embodiments, a direct or indirect operative connection between the blocking device and a component of the cleaning or care apparatus or between the blocking device and at least a part of the cassette is provided, which transmits to the blocking device the force required to move the blocking device from the first position into the second position. In other embodiments, the blocking device is moved from the first position into the second position by the action of the media in the line, e.g., either by direct contact with the media or indirectly through contact with another intermediate element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2010
    Assignee: W&H Dentalwerk Bürmoos GmbH
    Inventors: Gerald Helfenbein, Daniel Schaffarzick
  • Publication number: 20100161955
    Abstract: A method and device for programming a cordless handpiece used for root canal treatment and having a first memory and a tool holder for a treatment tool are described. The method includes providing a first data volume having a plurality of data sets in a second memory separate from the first memory, each of the data sets comprising at least one parameter assigned to the cordless handpiece and/or to the operable tool, selecting at least some of the data sets from the first data volume in the second memory, transmitting the selected data sets from the second memory to the first memory of the handpiece, and selecting a data set from the updated first memory for operation of the handpiece.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2009
    Publication date: June 24, 2010
    Inventors: Gerald Helfenbein, Stefan Putz, Rainer Schröck
  • Patent number: 7575432
    Abstract: The invention concerns a handpiece for a surgical or dental tool (3), which can be inserted in the head of the handpiece (1) through an insertion hole (14) into a tool holder (2) and is rotationally supported by means of two axially separated bearings (12, 13), with positive torque transmission (8) to the tool (3) by the drive (9) installed in the handpiece, such that the tool possibly has a longitudinal bore (6) for supplying cooling liquid to the work site, and the handpiece (1) possibly has a short, fixed feed tube (7), which extends into the longitudinal bore and is sealed from the tool (3). To increase the torque that can be transmitted, the invention is characterized by the fact that the torque transmission (8) occurs in the region of the bearing (13) that is adjacent to the insertion hole (14). The invention also concerns the development of suitable tools.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2009
    Assignee: W & H Dentalwerk Bürmoos GmbH
    Inventor: Gerald Helfenbein
  • Publication number: 20080012291
    Abstract: A connecting device of a cleaning or care apparatus or a cleaning cassette comprises a blocking device which is movable between a first position and a second position and prevents loosening or displacement of an instrument that is to be cleaned during a cleaning or care operation because of the pressure exerted by the cleaning or care media. In some embodiments, a direct or indirect operative connection between the blocking device and a component of the cleaning or care apparatus or between the blocking device and at least a part of the cassette is provided, which transmits to the blocking device the force required to move the blocking device from the first position into the second position. In other embodiments, the blocking device is moved from the first position into the second position by the action of the media in the line, e.g., either by direct contact with the media or indirectly through contact with another intermediate element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 16, 2006
    Publication date: January 17, 2008
    Inventors: Gerald Helfenbein, Daniel Schaffarzick
  • Publication number: 20070031778
    Abstract: A care or cleaning device for a medical instrument and a process for determining whether an instrument is connected to one or more coupling devices of the care or cleaning device. Compressed air supplied to each coupling device through a compressed air line causes a backpressure and an increase in the air pressure applied in the compressed air line. If no instrument is connected to a coupling device, then the compressed air can escape through the comparatively large opening in the coupling device and without any great resistance, so there is no increase in the air pressure in the compressed air line. When an instrument is connected, a sensor element senses the air pressure applied in the compressed air line and sends an input signal to a control device. By analyzing the received input signal, the control device detects whether or not the coupling device is occupied by an instrument. In the same way, this process can also be used to differentiate different types of instruments.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 24, 2006
    Publication date: February 8, 2007
    Inventors: Gerald Helfenbein, Daniel Schaffarzick
  • Publication number: 20040161723
    Abstract: The invention concerns a handpiece for a surgical or dental tool (3), which can be inserted in the head of the handpiece (1) through an insertion hole (14) into a tool holder (2) and is rotationally supported by means of two axially separated bearings (12, 13), with positive torque transmission (8) to the tool (3) by the drive (9) installed in the handpiece, such that the tool possibly has a longitudinal bore (6) for supplying cooling liquid to the work site, and the handpiece (1) possibly has a short, fixed feed tube (7), which extends into the longitudinal bore and is sealed from the tool (3).
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 19, 2004
    Publication date: August 19, 2004
    Inventor: Gerald Helfenbein
  • Patent number: 6227854
    Abstract: A releasable chucking device for a rotating medical or dental tool includes a tool shaft with a chucking end, wherein the chucking end of the tool shaft has a flattened portion and an annular groove in the area of the flattened portion, wherein the chucking device further includes a holding member protruding radially inwardly into the annular groove during operation, and an additional frictionally engaging support of the tool, for example, by providing the sleeve surrounding the circular cylindrical portion of the tool shaft with a collet or to construct the sleeve as a collet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2001
    Assignee: Dentalwerk Bürmoos Gesellschaft m.b.H.
    Inventors: Gerald Helfenbein, Norbert Schatz