Abstract: A method for controlling a magnetostrictive ultrasonic transducer of the type used in a magnetostrictive ultrasonic dental scaler includes generating a drive signal for a resonant circuit using a full bridge synchronous class D amplifier. The electrical signal output by the resonant circuit drives an excitation coil that generates an electromagnetic field that causes the magnetostrictive ultrasonic transducer to vibrate. A feedback wire is rendered unnecessary by measuring current and voltage outputs of the resonant circuit and quadrature sampling the measured current and voltage outputs at the same sampling rate as used for the generation of the electrical signal by the resonant circuit. A pulse width modulated signal is generated from the quadrature sampled sensed current and voltage that represents a pulse train approximation of a sine wave of the drive signal for, in turn, being applied to the full bridge synchronous class D amplifier to generate the drive signal for the resonant circuit.

Abstract: A dental handpiece and a dental cleaning procedure are disclosed. The dental handpiece includes an inner barrel for rotatably retaining an ultrasonic insert, the inner barrel configured for contacting the ultrasonic insert with a cooling fluid in the inner barrel, a coil unit arranged and disposed to apply an alternating magnetic field to the ultrasonic insert when positioned in the inner barrel, an outer sheath extending around at least a portion of the coil unit. The dental handpiece includes flow regions permitting steam, chemicals, and heat to flow into the inner barrel and out of the inner barrel during a sterilization technique. The dental cleaning procedure includes operating the dental handpiece and autoclaving the dental handpiece.

Abstract: A method for controlling a dental instrument includes a foot pedal responsive to commands from a user. An operating mode is selectable between normal and boost cycle. A conventional mode is selectable by pressing and holding the foot pedal to a first level to operate in normal mode. The foot pedal operates in a boost mode when the pedal advances to a second level. Maintained mode is selectable by tapping the foot pedal to change modes between idle, normal and boost mode. Each mode is switched by tapping the foot pedal. The pedal switches between the second process and the first process by pressing and holding the foot pedal at the desired level corresponding to normal or boost mode. The pedal switches from the first process to the second process by tapping the foot pedal at the level corresponding to normal or boost.

Abstract: A dental insert (10) has a nozzle (30) supporting a grip sleeve (80). Nozzle 30 may include several components (31, 32, 33) that are assembled without the need for a weld. A grip retaining ring 60 is positioned at a nodal location.

Abstract: A method for controlling a dental instrument includes a foot pedal responsive to commands from a user. An operating mode is selectable between normal and boost cycle. A conventional mode is selectable by pressing and holding the foot pedal to a first level to operate in normal mode. The foot pedal operates in a boost mode when the pedal advances to a second level. Maintained mode is selectable by tapping the foot pedal to change modes between idle, normal and boost mode. Each mode is switched by tapping the foot pedal. The pedal switches between the second process and the first process by pressing and holding the foot pedal at the desired level corresponding to normal or boost mode. The pedal switches from the first process to the second process by tapping the foot pedal at the level corresponding to normal or boost.

Abstract: A hard-wired and wireless system for operating a dental or medical treatment apparatus is provided. The system includes a footswitch device and a dental/medical base unit, each having a communication element for transmitting and receiving signals. The footswitch and base unit are each programmed to have an initial identification address Then, the footswitch and base unit are reprogrammed to know the identification address of the other. The footswitch and base unit can be reprogrammed in the field by the end user. Subsequent communications between the footswitch and base unit include both identification addresses. The footswitch includes two switches that are activated by depressing the upper cover of the footswitch to a first position and second position respectively. The footswitch is particularly suitable for operating an ultrasonic dental scaler.

Abstract: A method for controlling a dental instrument includes a foot pedal responsive to commands from a user. An operating mode is selectable between normal and boost cycle. A conventional mode is selectable by pressing and holding the foot pedal to a first level to operate in normal mode. The foot pedal operates in a boost mode when the pedal advances to a second level. Maintained mode is selectable by tapping the foot pedal to change modes between idle, normal and boost mode. Each mode is switched by tapping the foot pedal. The pedal switches between the second process and the first process by pressing and holding the foot pedal at the desired level corresponding to normal or boost mode. The pedal switches from the first process to the second process by tapping the foot pedal at the level corresponding to normal or boost.

Abstract: A hard-wired and wireless system for operating a dental or medical treatment apparatus is provided. The system includes a footswitch device and a dental/medical base unit, each having a communication element for transmitting and receiving signals. The footswitch and base unit are each programmed to have an initial identification address Then, the footswitch and base unit are reprogrammed to know the identification address of the other. The footswitch and base unit can be reprogrammed in the field by the end user. Subsequent communications between the footswitch and base unit include both identification addresses. The footswitch includes two switches that are activated by depressing the upper cover of the footswitch to a first position and second position respectively. The footswitch is particularly suitable for operating an ultrasonic dental scaler.

Abstract: The present application relates to an apparatus and method in the field of dentistry and in particular to optical tools for diagnosis and imaging. It is a problem of the prior art that the use of fibre optic components yield a bulky dental camera with poor resolution. It is an object of the present invention to provide an imaging device (55) for dental instruments comprising a chamber adapted to be secured to the head of a dental instrument and for receiving and removing an imaging device (1), the chamber also adapted for isolating said imaging device from said dental instrument without compromising sterility of the dental instrument, comprising an optical window (53). The imaging device is easily removable from the dental instrument and electronic image detection occurs at the instrument head.

Abstract: A hard-wired and wireless system for operating a dental or medical treatment apparatus is provided. The system includes a footswitch device and a dental/medical base unit, each having a communication element for transmitting and receiving signals. The footswitch and base unit are each programmed to have an initial identification address. Then, the footswitch and base unit are reprogrammed to know the identification address of the other. The footswitch and base unit can be reprogrammed in the field by the end user. Subsequent communications between the footswitch and base unit include both identification addresses. The footswitch includes two switches that are activated by depressing the upper cover of the footswitch to a first position and second position respectively. The footswitch is particularly suitable for operating an ultrasonic dental scaler.

Abstract: The invention provides a dental scaler system and method of use. The dental scaler system has a dental scaler apparatus and a scaler handpiece enclosing a coil. The dental scaler apparatus has a housing and a scaler power control circuit. The coil is connected through an electrical conductor to the scaler power control circuit. The housing has a holder side, and a first and a second base side each having a plurality of first base feet extending therefrom. The first base side is connected to the second base side at an angle greater than 30 degrees. The second base side is connected to the holder side. The holder side has a scaler handpiece holder integrally formed therein. In the method the system is supported on the first feet, and then on the second feet.