Patents by Inventor Ralf Sutter

Ralf Sutter 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: 11448260
    Abstract: A dental hand piece or angle piece including a rotating tool, which is driven via a rotating drive element disposed in a housing, wherein the rotating drive element is mounted in the housing by a radial rolling bearing, wherein the rolling bearing comprises an axial abutment surface and the housing comprises an axial countersurface, and wherein the rolling bearing is axially preloaded with respect to the housing by a spring element 11 and has a coefficient of friction for the static friction of the abutment surface to the countersurface or the abutment surface and the countersurface to the spring element that is at least 0.16 in the lubricated state and at least 0.25 in the unlubricated state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2022
    Assignee: DENTSPLY SIRONA INC.
    Inventors: Metin Ertugrul, Matthias Rein, Jan-Paul Schermuly, Ralf Sutter
  • Publication number: 20220249211
    Abstract: The present invention provides a treatment apparatus (1) for treating peri-implantitis. Treatment apparatus (1) is characterized by comprising: An application tip (2) that is adapted for insertion into the sub-gingival region between the screw fixture of a dental implant and the surrounding gingiva and/or bone, wherein the length of the application tip (2) is at least equal to the depth of the peri-implant pocket to be treated, and wherein the application tip (2) comprises one or more nozzles (3) for jetting pressurized sterile fluid (4) for removing the bacterial biofilms from the outer surface of the screw fixture of the dental implant in vivo; a handpiece (5) for holding and guiding the application tip (2); and a supply unit (6) for supplying pressurized sterile fluid (4) to the application tip (2).
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2020
    Publication date: August 11, 2022
    Applicant: DENTSPLY SIRONA Inc.
    Inventors: Ralf SUTTER, Christian EBERHARD, Leo SEIFERT
  • Patent number: 11051907
    Abstract: The invention relates to an adapter for connecting a dental instrument to be operated with compressed gas to a compressor supplying the compressed gas, and to a control unit as well as a treatment unit comprising the adapter, wherein the adapter has at least one first input for the compressed gas of a compressor, a second input for a control signal, an output for connecting to the dental instrument, and a valve between the first input and output that is controllable by the control signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2021
    Assignee: DENTSPLY SIRONA Inc.
    Inventors: Matthias Rein, Metin Ertugrul, Ralf Sutter
  • Publication number: 20210000567
    Abstract: A dental laser comprises a hand piece having a grip region and a treatment tip with an outlet point, arranged at a distal end, for laser light, and further comprises a light source and light conduction means for providing laser light at the outlet point. The laser light has a wavelength of 445±20 nm, in particular, 445±10 nm and more particularly 445±5 nm, and an optical power output is provided at the outlet point in a power range of at least 2 W, advantageously at least 3 W and, in particular, 3.5 W. In another dental laser the laser light has a wavelength of 410±10 nm, and an optical power output is provided at the outlet point in a power range of no less than 1 W to no more than 2 W.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 18, 2020
    Publication date: January 7, 2021
    Applicant: DENTSPLY SIRONA Inc.
    Inventors: Ralf SUTTER, Bernd OEHME, Steffen MULLER
  • Patent number: 10736713
    Abstract: A dental handpiece (1) having a drive (3) of a tool (4), which drive is located in a head housing (2), has at least one media-conducting line arranged in the head housing, which media-conducting line has an outlet opening to the tool, and a tool receptacle (16) arranged in a drive chamber, which tool receptacle is rotatably supported by means of a rolling bearing (11) in a support (14) of the head housing (2) on a side of the drive chamber facing the tool. The rolling bearing has an outer race (13), which is supported against the head housing (2) radially in the support (14) in the area of a raceway (22) and which has a sub-area (21), the outside diameter D2 of which is reduced compared to the outside diameter D1 in the area of the raceway (22). The head housing has a housing projection (23), which extends into the area of the reduced outside diameter D2, and the media-conducting line (17) runs at least partially through said housing projection (23).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2020
    Assignee: DENTSPLY SIRONA INC.
    Inventors: Thomas Bierbaum, Matthias Rein, Ralf Sutter, Siegfried Goisser
  • Publication number: 20180303578
    Abstract: A dental handpiece (1) having a drive (3) of a tool (4), which drive is located in a head housing (2), has at least one media-conducting line arranged in the head housing, which media-conducting line has an outlet opening to the tool, and a tool receptacle (16) arranged in a drive chamber, which tool receptacle is rotatably supported by means of a rolling bearing (11) in a support (14) of the head housing (2) on a side of the drive chamber facing the tool. The rolling bearing has an outer race (13), which is supported against the head housing (2) radially in the support (14) in the area of a raceway (22) and which has a sub-area (21), the outside diameter D2 of which is reduced compared to the outside diameter D1 in the area of the raceway (22). The head housing has a housing projection (23), which extends into the area of the reduced outside diameter D2, and the media-conducting line (17) runs at least partially through said housing projection (23).
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2018
    Publication date: October 25, 2018
    Applicant: DENTSPLY SIRONA Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas Bierbaum, Matthias Rein, Ralf Sutter, Siegfried Goisser
  • Publication number: 20180028276
    Abstract: A dental laser comprises a hand piece (100) having a grip region (100a) and a treatment tip (101) with an outlet point (101a), arranged at a distal end, for laser light (102), and further comprises a light source (103) and light conduction means (105) for providing laser light (102) at the outlet point (101a). The laser light (102) has a wavelength (104) of 445±20 nm, in particular, 445±10 nm and more particularly 445±5 nm, and an optical power output is provided at the outlet point in a power range of at least 2 W, advantageously at least 3 W and, in particular, 3.5 W. In another dental laser the laser light (102) has a wavelength (104) of 410±10 nm, and an optical power output is provided at the outlet point (101a) in a power range of no less than 1 W to no more than 2 W.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 4, 2016
    Publication date: February 1, 2018
    Applicant: DENTSPLY SIRONA inc
    Inventors: Ralf SUTTER, Bernd OEHME, Steffen MULLER
  • Patent number: 9833298
    Abstract: A dental apparatus that includes a turbine, a rotor, and a disruptive contour. The turbine drives a tool by compressed air. The rotor is arranged in a turbine compartment and rotates about its longitudinal axis. The rotor includes a plurality of blades that extend up to a front side of the rotor. The disruptive contour is at least one protrusion on a wall opposite the front side of the rotor which extends over a height in a direction of the longitudinal axis of the rotor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2017
    Assignee: Sirona Dental Systems GmbH
    Inventors: Matthias Rein, Siegfried Goisser, Metin Ertugrul, Ralf Sutter
  • Patent number: 9554870
    Abstract: A dentists' preparation instrument (1) comprises a turbine (4) for driving a tool (3) using compressed air, and a rotor (6) that is arranged in a turbine compartment (5), rotates about a longitudinal axis (7), and has blades (11) extending to a face (13) of the rotor (6). The turbine compartment (5) has a discharge port (12) for the compressed air towards a returning air duct (8). Said discharge port (12) is disposed in such a way that both the face (13) of the rotor (6) and parts of the blades (11) sweep past the discharge port (12) as the rotor rotates about the longitudinal axis (7). For deceleration purposes, the rotor (6) has a deceleration contour (9) on the face (13), said deceleration contour being formed by projections (14), and the turbine compartment (5) has a deceleration contour chamber (15) inside which the deceleration contour (9) is accommodated. The discharge port (12) in part also extends across the deceleration contour chamber (15).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Assignee: SIRONA DENTAL SYSTEMS GmbH
    Inventors: Matthias Rein, Siegfried Goisser, Metin Ertugrul, Ralf Sutter, Alexander Muhlbeyer
  • Publication number: 20160331458
    Abstract: The invention relates to a laser handpiece 1, an exchangeable fiber-optic insert 10, and a control unit 70 therefor. The laser handpiece 1 comprises a optical waveguide 35, which is connected to a light coupling site in a base member 21 and in which the application element 10 for laser light is exchangeably attached to the base member 21. The base member 21 is mounted in a sleeve-type grip 3 for axial displacement therein. The light guide 10 can be wound around a control device 70 which has an annular gap 73 for this purpose and a lower housing part 75 which is offset from an upper housing part 74. An exchangeable fiber-optic insert 10, 27 acting as an application element is provided with a sleeve 80 serving as protection during transportation and as an assembling tool.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2016
    Publication date: November 17, 2016
    Inventors: Thomas Bierbaum, Siegried Goisser, Hermann Landgraf, Matthias Rein, Ralf Sutter, Thomas Jerger, Joachim Peuckert
  • Patent number: 9433475
    Abstract: The invention relates to a laser handpiece 1, an exchangeable fiber-optic insert 10, and a control unit 70 therefor. The laser handpiece 1 comprises a optical waveguide 35, which is connected to a light coupling site in a base member 21 and in which the application element 10 for laser light is exchangeably attached to the base member 21. The base member 21 is mounted in a sleeve-type grip 3 for axial displacement therein. The light guide 10 can be wound around a control device 70 which has an annular gap 73 for this purpose and a lower housing part 75 which is offset from an upper housing part 74. An exchangeable fiber-optic insert 10, 27 acting as an application element is provided with a sleeve 80 serving as protection during transportation and as an assembling tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2016
    Assignee: SIRONA DENTAL SYSTEMS GMBH
    Inventors: Thomas Bierbaum, Siegfried Goisser, Hermann Landgraf, Matthias Rein, Ralf Sutter, Thomas Jerger, Joachim Peuckert
  • Publication number: 20160157959
    Abstract: The invention relates to an adapter for connecting a dental instrument to be operated with compressed gas to a compressor supplying the compressed gas, and to a control unit as well as a treatment unit comprising the adapter, wherein the adapter has at least one first input for the compressed gas of a compressor, a second input for a control signal, an output for connecting to the dental instrument, and a valve between the first input and output that is controllable by the control signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2015
    Publication date: June 9, 2016
    Inventors: Matthias Rein, Metin Ertugrul, Ralf Sutter
  • Publication number: 20150173851
    Abstract: Disclosed is a dentists' preparation instrument (1) comprising a turbine (4) for driving a tool (3) using compressed air, and a rotor (6) that is arranged in a turbine compartment (5), rotates about a longitudinal axis (7), and has blades (11) extending to a face (13) of the rotor (6). The turbine compartment (5) has a wall (10) opposite the face (13), and a discharge port (12) for the compressed air in the direction of a returning air duct (8). The discharge port (12) is disposed in such a way that at leasts parts of the blades (11) swipe past the discharge port (12) as they rotate about the longitudinal axis (7). The turbine compartment (5) also has a disruptive contour chamber (15) that adjoins the face (13). The face (13) of the blades (11) of the rotor (6) that faces the disruptive contour chamber is open towards the disruptive contour chamber (15).
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 17, 2013
    Publication date: June 25, 2015
    Applicant: Sirona Dental Systems GmbH
    Inventors: Matthias Rein, Siegfried Goisser, Metin Ertugrul, Ralf Sutter
  • Publication number: 20150164613
    Abstract: A dentists' preparation instrument (1) comprises a turbine (4) for driving a tool (3) using compressed air, and a rotor (6) that is arranged in a turbine compartment (5), rotates about a longitudinal axis (7), and has blades (11) extending to a face (13) of the rotor (6). The turbine compartment (5) has a discharge port (12) for the compressed air towards a returning air duct (8). Said discharge port (12) is disposed in such a way that both the face (13) of the rotor (6) and parts of the blades (11) sweep past the discharge port (12) as the rotor rotates about the longitudinal axis (7). For deceleration purposes, the rotor (6) has a deceleration contour (9) on the face (13), said deceleration contour being formed by projections (14), and the turbine compartment (5) has a deceleration contour chamber (15) inside which the deceleration contour (9) is accommodated. The discharge port (12) in part also extends across the deceleration contour chamber (15).
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 17, 2013
    Publication date: June 18, 2015
    Inventors: Matthias Rein, Siegfried Goisser, Metin Ertugrul, Ralf Sutter, Alexander Muhlbeyer
  • Publication number: 20150140504
    Abstract: In dentistry very often soft tissue has to be cut. It has become customary to cut soft tissue, in particular gum or gingiva, or to disinfect pockets in the gingiva that exist at the neck of teeth with the help of laser light. The same applies to a disinfection of the channel in the root of teeth (endodontic treatment). Prior art concepts of cutting soft tissue rely on the use of red or infrared diode lasers and lead to an excessive heating the tissue and damaging of surrounding tissue. We suggest a device for treatment comprising a laser diode with a wavelength of 445±15 nm, in particular 445±10 nm, for providing the laser light. The use of e.g. 445 nm for cutting soft tissues has numerous advantages.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 18, 2014
    Publication date: May 21, 2015
    Inventors: Ralf SUTTER, Bernd Oehme, Thomas Jerger, Francesco Zanata
  • Publication number: 20150064648
    Abstract: A dental handpiece (1) having a drive (3) of a tool (4), which drive is located in a head housing (2), has at least one media-conducting line arranged in the head housing, which media-conducting line has an outlet opening to the tool, and a tool receptacle (16) arranged in a drive chamber, which tool receptacle is rotatably supported by means of a rolling bearing (11) in a support (14) of the head housing (2) on a side of the drive chamber facing the tool. The rolling bearing has an outer race (13), which is supported against the head housing (2) radially in the support (14) in the area of a raceway (22) and which has a sub-area (21), the outside diameter D2 of which is reduced compared to the outside diameter D1 in the area of the raceway (22). The head housing has a housing projection (23), which extends into the area of the reduced outside diameter D2, and the media-conducting line (17) runs at least partially through said housing projection (23).
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 2, 2013
    Publication date: March 5, 2015
    Inventors: Thomas Bierbaum, Matthias Rein, Ralf Sutter, Siegfried Goisser
  • Publication number: 20100216088
    Abstract: The invention relates to a laser handpiece 1, an exchangeable fiber-optic insert 10, and a control unit 70 therefor. The laser handpiece 1 comprises a optical waveguide 35, which is connected to a light coupling site in a base member 21 and in which the application element 10 for laser light is exchangeably attached to the base member 21. The base member 21 is mounted in a sleeve-type grip 3 for axial displacement therein. The light guide 10 can be wound around a control device 70 which has an annular gap 73 for this purpose and a lower housing part 75 which is offset from an upper housing part 74. An exchangeable fiber-optic insert 10, 27 acting as an application element is provided with a sleeve 80 serving as protection during transportation and as an assembling tool.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 4, 2010
    Publication date: August 26, 2010
    Applicant: SIRONA DENTAL SYSTEMS GMBH
    Inventors: Thomas Bierbaum, Siegfried Goisser, Hermann Landgraf, Matthias Rein, Ralf Sutter, Thomas Jerger, Joachim Peuckert
  • Patent number: 5723090
    Abstract: A method for cleaning medical instruments including dental instruments having internal channels and internal moving parts comprises cleaning the external surface and internal channels and parts by a jet of cold water followed by a jet of preheated water, then intensely after-cleaning and disinfecting followed by lubricating the moving parts, then sterilizing and drying and cooling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 3, 1998
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Lutz Beerstecher, Ralf Sutter, David Hruza, Raimund Stetter-Alle, Karl Trackl
  • Patent number: 5571488
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for cleaning medical instruments including dental instruments having internal channels and internal moving parts comprises cleaning the external surface and internal channels and parts by a jet of cold water followed by a jet of preheated water, then intensely after-cleaning and disinfecting followed by lubricating the moving parts, then sterilizing and drying and cooling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 1994
    Date of Patent: November 5, 1996
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Lutz Beerstecher, Ralf Sutter, David Hruza, Raimund Stetter-Alle, Karl Trackl
  • Patent number: 5543119
    Abstract: A cassette for the acceptance of medical instruments, and preferably dental instruments, to enable a hygienic treatment of the instruments when the cassette is placed into a chamber of an apparatus that is capable of being closed pressure-tight. The cassette contains at least one adapter for holding at least one instrument. The adapter will have line channels for the delivery of treatment agents to the interior of the instrument and the adapter can contain a control valve that will close the line channels given an adapter not occupied with an instrument.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 6, 1996
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Ralf Sutter, Lutz Beerstecher, David Hruza, Raimund Stetter-Alle, Karl Trackl