Lighted Ultrasonic Handpiece and Color Code Grip System
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.
This application is a continuation of U.S. Ser. No. 10/249,165 filed Mar. 19, 2003, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,150,629.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a medical or dental handpiece; specifically to an ultrasonic handpiece providing a independently controlled light source connected through an interchangeable and easily identifiable grip on an ultrasonic insert adjacent the end of the handpiece for illuminating the surface to be engaged by the tip of the handpiece and which may additionally provide a camera lens for viewing the work area without interference with the work performed.
2. Description of the Related Art
The present invention relates to an ultrasonic tool, which can be a dental scaler, or—alternatively—a scalpel, additionally providing a light directed from the handpiece of the tool toward the work surface on which the tip or blade is engaged. For ease of description, applicant discloses the dental scaling embodiment, but an ultrasonic scalpel can be fabricated from the present disclosure without departure from the coverage of this application.
Light emission from an operator's handpiece allows the operator a clear and unobstructed lighted surface on which the dental scaling tip works. This permits the operator of the scaling tip to readily see the teeth and gums or dental appliances (i.e. implants, crowns, bridges or the like) while using the ultrasonic dental scaler. Heretofore, light from an outside source such a pole mounted dental light or headlamp system shines in the back of the working area and is blocked from the working area by the hand or body of the operator or by the patient's body, tongue, or teeth. Light directed from a distal edge of the handpiece will provide the necessary illumination directly onto the working area without shadows or other impediments. Although various prior art devices disclosed mounting a light or light source in the handpiece, so far as known to applicant, no prior art provides a light path through the insert grip to guide remotely generated light to the tip of the scaler. This provides features not heretofore available in the industry. For example, the presence of a bulb in the handpiece is eliminated thereby eliminating the heat associated with this proximal light source.
Each insert tip is retained in a grip which provides a light guide which therefore remains in fixed spatial relationship with the tip to be illuminated. Since the light is driven by its own separate power supply, it may remain illuminated throughout the procedure and is not dependent upon the ultrasonic drive circuit to power the light required by other prior art devices. This feature allows the light to be used for viewing of the mouth of the patient and further allows the light to remain at a fixed intensity throughout the procedure despite variations in electrical power caused by the loading of the coil which energizes the ultrasonic stack, or piezoelectric crystal.
Since the power supply to the light source is separate and apart from the power supply to the coil in the magnetostrictive ultrasonic arrangement, there is no frequency distortion caused by the use or non-use of the lamp to interfere with the power harmonics of the coil. Finally, the inserts will always be useable with the conventional handpieces since the light source connection need not connected to a power supply to operate the magnetostrictive stack. Since the grip provides a light source, it may also provide a camera lens to capture the view of the work surface as the technician performs the necessary operation.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF INVENTIONThe present invention is a lighted ultrasonic handpiece providing a dental scaling tip or alternatively a scalpel, a velocity transducer connected to said tip, an ultrasonic stack connected to said velocity transducer inserted in a grip having a longitudinally aligned light guide from a light source remote from the magnetostrictive stack insert (or an alternative piezoelectric crystal oscillator), and a light conductor connected to said light source for guiding light from a remote light source to the distal end of said insert.
The improved lighted ultrasonic dental scaling insert features a scaling tip, a velocity transducer connected to said scaling tip, an ultrasonic stack connected to said velocity transducer inserted through a grip adapted for connection with a dental scaling handpiece of the present invention. An interchangeable grip sheath can be ergonomically form fitted to more easily allow the operator to grip the ultrasonic device for long periods of time without muscle fatigue or cramping. Additionally, the interchangeable grip sheath may be color coded to permit the operator to readily identify a preferred handpiece from amongst a number of similar designed handpieces. This ability to visually determine the instrument being accessed by virtue of the color coding and the ability to use an ergonimically designed sheath adaptable to the hand of the operator fosters a less stressful clinical setting for both the dental technician and the patient.
The light source terminus in the handpiece abutts the translucent grip body and is connected to a light transmission cable permitting the transmission through the terminus into the interior of the grip covered by the sheath. A light source, which may be switched on or off and regulated to increase or decrease light intensity through the light transmission cable provides illumination through cable to the light source terminus. As previously noted, an ergonomic resilient and opaque sheath is retained over the translucent grip body to permit comfortable use of the ultrasonic device and also blocks ambient light from escaping from the translucent grip at any point except the distal end of the grip adjacent the tip.
Alternatively, the lighted ultrasonic handpiece can provide a partially translucent grip body providing a longitudinal passage through which an ultrasonic velocity transducer is connected to a tip and energized by an ultrasonic generator driving a in said handpiece having a light source terminus abutting said translucent grip body providing illumination through the grip body to a distal end of the grip body adjacent a tip and a light cable connected to said light source terminus providing illumination from a remote source to the light source terminus; and, a resilient ergonomic opaque sheath covering said grip thereby preventing the light from leaving the translucent grip body at any position except its distal tip. Since the sheath may be readily and easily slip on and off the grip, it can be colored to provide visual identification to the operator of the type and configuration of the tip and light system being utilized. This facilitates easy and quick use of a number of tips for busy dental hygienists who may prefer one tip over an alternative design for a given problem.
The ultrasonic handpiece grip system of the present invention can also be fashioned with a molded body having a longitudinal passage therethrough; and, a translucent insert, such as a fiber optic channel, to transmit light from the handpiece light terminus to the grip insert, which provides an exterior surface for engaging an elastomeric opaque sheath and further providing a passage for the insertion of a velocity transducer and water path to the distal tip of the grip system and permitting the passage of light through the interior of the molded body to the distal end of the grip body to illuminate the adjacent distal tip.
Additionally, the ultrasonic handpiece grip system of the present invention can be fashioned with a lens located at the distal end of the grip and an optical image transmission path for connection to a video or photographic viewing system mounted at a remote location.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS
The present invention relates to a dental scaling insert providing a translucent path from a light source to the end of the handpiece through a translucent grip covered by an ergonomically designed resilient sheath. In a preferred embodiment shown in
The handpiece H is connected with cable bundle C which provides the electrical connection to the remote power supply (not shown) to drive the magnetostrictive insert, a water supply to cool stack 14 and rinse the affected area in the patient's mouth or gum being cleaned through the water pathway 26, and to the light source by either fiber optic cabling FO or liquid light cabling (not shown).
Translucent grip 10 provides a light path for light provided at its proximal end 30 by light ring 20 to a distal end of grip 10 where the light emitted is adjacent the tip of dental scaler 18. Light ring 20 is positioned adjacent the proximal end of translucent grip 10 and retained there by a recessed lip 31 in handpiece H, as more closely described in
Insert grip alone 10 is hard and difficult to hold over an extended period of time. Accordingly, a sheath 15 is engaged over the translucent grip 10 to provide a larger diameter material that is more readily conformable to the hand of the operator to reduce the fatigue associated with long extended treatment processes. This sheath can be manufactured using many types of sterilizable soft or semisoft materials such as silicon rubber. The color and hardness of the material of sheath 15 can be controlled during the manufacturing process or molding of the sheath by selection of appropriate color and durometer raw material for the fabrication of the sheath. The ColorID® system of the applicant, as more fully described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,328,566, which is incorporated herein by reference as if fully copied herein, can be coordinated in this grip system to provide an easily identifiable system of scaling tip and shape to the dental hygienist.
Additionally, sheath 15 can be fabricated to provide a number of differing shapes of exterior surfaces to conform more ergonomically to the hand and preference of the dental hygienist. A variety of shapes will be more fully described herein. To retain sheath 15 on grip 10, the exterior surface of grip 10 can be roughened or ribbed 46 to provide resistance to movement of the sheath on the grip. Since sheath 15 is resilient, the operator will slip the desired shape and color on grip 10 and the roughened or ribbed exterior surface 46 of the grip will allow sheath 15 to remain fixed on grip 10 without substantial movement.
Sheath 15 can also be installed by slipping it over other manufacturer's ultrasonic inserts to give the operator the ability to use the ColorID® system to identify the insert for the hygienist. Since sheath 15 can be readily slipped on and off the grip 10 of the present invention, any number of differing color schemes and shapes may be used by the operator to suit the operator's preferences. The sheath may be marketed in assorted packages or ordered in one preferred color and style as the hygienist prefers. Once received the sheaths may be inserted over the grip 10, sterilized and used by the hygienist.
As may be readily appreciated from
As previously noted, the insert system I of the present invention can provide a number of alternative arrangements which remain within the scope and intent of the present disclosure. For example,
Another embodiment permitting the connection of the fiber optic bundle FO through a bayonet connection 12 in handpiece H to a female receptacle 11 in insert 10 is disclosed in
In the embodiment of tubing 110 inserted into grip 10, connector 120 mates with the tube through connector 30B in the light ring 30A. Other methods of providing a path to and a connection with the fiber optic cabling FO can be provided without departing from the spirit or intent of the present disclosure.
Further, it may be useful to provide a lighted camera which may be readily held by the hygienist for viewing the gums, teeth or other portions of the mouth either before or after the procedure.
One skilled in the art will realize that the embodiments disclosed are illustrative and that the scope and content of the invention is to be determined by the scope of the claims.
Claims
1. An ultrasonic apparatus comprising:
- an ultrasonic driver connected to a velocity transducer;
- an annular translucent insert disposed on the velocity transducer; and
- a light source abutting a proximal end of the annular translucent insert.
2. The ultrasonic apparatus of claim 1 further comprising an opaque sheath over the annular translucent insert.
3. The ultrasonic apparatus of claim 1 wherein the annular translucent insert is formed with one or more fiber optic bundles running therethrough.
4. The ultrasonic apparatus of claim 2 wherein the annular translucent insert provides external ridges to inhibit movement of the opaque sheath positioned thereon.
5. The ultrasonic apparatus of claim 2 wherein the annular translucent insert provides an indented external surface to restrain movement of the opaque sheath retained thereon.
6. The ultrasonic apparatus of claim 1 wherein the velocity transducer is connected to a scaling tip.
7. The ultrasonic apparatus of claim 1 wherein the velocity transducer is connected to a scalpel.
8. The ultrasonic apparatus of claim 1 wherein the ultrasonic driver is a magnetostrictive stack device.
9. The ultrasonic apparatus of claim 1 wherein the ultrasonic driver is a piezoelectric crystal device.
10. The ultrasonic apparatus of claim 1 wherein the annular translucent insert provides a light path from the proximal end to a distal end of the annular translucent insert.
11. The ultrasonic apparatus of claim 1 wherein the annular translucent insert is an at least partially translucent annular insert.
12. The ultrasonic apparatus of claim 1 wherein the velocity transducer is optically opaque.
13. The ultrasonic apparatus of claim 1 wherein the annular translucent insert further provides a camera lens on a distal end optically connected through the annular translucent insert to the proximal end.
14. The ultrasonic apparatus of claim 14 wherein an optical connection in the annular translucent insert and a fiber optic bundle are mated to permit transmission of images from the camera lens to a remote image processing system.
15. An ultrasonic handpiece grip comprising:
- a molded grip body having a longitudinal passage therethrough; and
- a light guide comprising an annular translucent insert disposed on a velocity transducer and providing an exterior surface for engaging the molded grip body within the longitudinal passage and permitting passage of light through the molded grip body to a distal end of the molded grip body.
16. The ultrasonic handpiece grip of claim 16 wherein the velocity transducer is optically opaque.
17. The ultrasonic handpiece grip of claim 16 wherein the molded grip body is an interchangeable, user-selected, molded grip body.
18. The ultrasonic handpiece grip of claim 16 wherein the molded grip body is selectively colored for visually distinguishing the ultrasonic handpiece grip from a similar handpiece grip having a differing colored exterior surface.
19. The ultrasonic handpiece grip of claim 16 wherein the annular translucent insert further provides a camera lens on a distal end optically connected through the annular translucent insert to a proximal end.
Type: Application
Filed: Dec 18, 2006
Publication Date: Jun 28, 2007
Inventor: James Feine (Houston, TX)
Application Number: 11/612,330
International Classification: A61C 3/03 (20060101);