Support System For Dentistry
A dental lamp boom hinge includes a pivot supporting a dental lamp head and a base supporting the pivot where the pivot may be rotated about a substantially vertical axis with respect to the base. The rotational movement between the pivot and the base is damped with a damping device. The damping device in one embodiment is adjustable to provide a variable level of damping.
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This application is a continuation of application Ser. No. 11/173,371, filed on Tune 30, 2005, which claims the benefit of U.S. provisional patent application Ser. Nos. 60/585,224, filed Jul. 2, 2004, entitled “Dental Light Devices With Phase Change Heat Sink”; 60/641,462, filed Jan. 4, 2005, entitled “Boom Hinge For A Dental Lamp”; 60/647,725, filed Jan. 26, 2005, entitled “Automatic Control for a Dental Whitening Lamp”; 60/647,723, filed Jan. 26, 2005, entitled “Boom Hinge For A Dental Lamp”; 60/658,517, filed Mar. 3, 2005, entitled “Apparatus and Method For Radiation Spectrum Shifting in Dentistry Application”; 60/641,469, filed Jan. 4, 2005, entitled “Lamp For Dentistry Applications”; 60/647,580, filed Jan. 26, 2005, entitled “Light Guide For Dental Whitening Lamp”; 60/641,461, filed Jan. 4, 2005, entitled “Support Structure For A Dental Lamp”; 60/641,468, filed Jan. 4, 2005, entitled “Light Guide For A Dental Whitening Lamp”; 60/647,612, filed Jan. 26, 2005, entitled “Light Path Apparatus For A Dental Lamp”; 60/647,593, filed Jan. 26, 2005, entitled “Support Structure For A Dental Lamp”; U.S. design patent application Ser Nos. 29/220,642, filed Jan. 4, 2005, entitled “Lamp For Dentistry Applications”; 29/220,680, filed Jan. 4, 2005, entitled “Light Guide For Dentistry Applications”; 29/220,679, filed Jan. 4, 2005, entitled “Power Pack For Dentistry Applications”; 29/220,712, filed Jan. 4, 2005, entitled “Support Structure For A Lamp For Dentistry”; 29/XXX,XXX filed on Jun. 22, 2005 entitled, “Support Structure For Dental Applications; 29/XXX,XXX filed on Jun. 22, 2005 entitled, “Support Structure for Dental Applications”; U.S. provisional application Ser. No. 60/604,577, filed Aug. 25, 2004, entitled “Lip Retractors”; 60/594,297, filed Mar. 25, 2005, entitled “Curing Light Having A Detachable Tip”; 60/631,267, filed Nov. 26, 2004, entitled “Curing Light Having A Reflector”; 60/594,327, filed on Mar. 30, 2005, entitled, “Curing Light”; and 60/664,696, filed Mar. 22, 2005, entitled “Curing Light Having A Detachable Tip”; the contents of all of which are hereby incorporated by reference.
This application is a continuation of application Ser. No. 11/173,371, filed on Tune 30, 2005, which is a continuation-in-part of the following U.S. design application Ser Nos. 29/220,642, filed Jan. 4, 2005, entitled “Lamp For Dentistry Applications”; 29/220,680, filed Jan. 4, 2005, entitled “Light Guide For Dentistry Applications”; 29/220,679, filed Jan. 4, 2005, entitled “Power Pack For Dentistry Applications”; 29/220,712, filed Jan. 4, 2005, entitled “Support Structure For A Lamp For Dentistry”; 29/XXX,XXX filed on Jun. 22, 2005 entitled, “Support Structure For Dental Applications; 29/XXX,XXX filed on Jun. 22, 2005 entitled, “Support Structure for Dental Applications”; all of which are incorporated herein by reference.
The present application includes claims that may be related to the claims of co-pending U.S. patent application Ser Nos. 10/XXX,XXX, to be concurrently filed, entitled “Dental Light Devices Having an Improved Heat Sink”; 10/XXX,XXX, to be concurrently filed, entitled “Voice Alert System for Dentistry Applications”; 10/XXX,XXX, to be concurrently filed, entitled “Retracting Devices”; 10/XXX,XXX, to be concurrently filed, entitled “Curing Light Capable of Multiple Wavelengths”; 10/XXX,XXX, to be concurrently filed, entitled “Curing Light”; 10/XXX,XXX, to be concurrently filed, entitled “Illumination System for Dentistry Applications”; and 10/XXX,XXX, to be concurrently filed, entitled “Light Guide for Dentistry Applications”; 10/XXX,XXX, to be concurrently filed, entitled “Automatic Control For Dental Applications”; the contents of all of which are hereby incorporated by reference.
FIELD OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention relates to dental equipment and more particularly to positioning apparatus for dental equipment.
BACKGROUNDThe practice of dentistry remains highly labor-intensive. Moreover, the labor involved is highly skilled. Although some activities can be delegated and others automated, many of the important activities in dentistry must still be performed by a dentist. Whether a dental procedure is performed by a dentist or by other dental professional, the dentist or other dental professional must operate in a time-efficient manner in order to provide desired dental services at a sustainable cost.
This need for efficient operation is reflected in the design of the dental office. An adjustable dental chair allows for positioning of a patient in an orientation that permits easy access to the patients mouth. Dental instruments are provided in pre-packaged kits adapted for use in particular dental procedures. Storage cabinetry for materials and dental tools are placed in proximity to the patient for ready access by the dentist and/or his or her assistant.
In addition, work trays and shelves for supporting dental instruments and work lights for illuminating the patients' mouth are provided with adjustable support structures that are adapted to keep the instruments within easy reach and the work area well illuminated.
It is known to use a variety of articulated support structures in the context of a dental office. Examples of these structures are shown in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,013,328 to Wolf, 4,097,919 to Bobrick et al., 4,260,376 to Litel et al., 4,332,557 (reissued as 31548 to Watanabe, 4,437,144 to Guenther, 4,494,177 to Matthews, 4,581,698 to Oram, 4,934,933 to Fuchs, 5,497,295 to Gehly, 5,803,905 to Allred et al., 6,213,671 to Chang et al., 6,361,320 to Yarborough, 6,543,914 to Sander and 6,568,836 to Wahl. The disclosures of the foregoing patents are herewith incorporated by reference in their entirety.
The support structures described in these references include a variety of articulating joints adapted to provide adjustable spatial positioning of a load, such as a lamp or instrument tray. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,907,919 shows a track-mounted illumination system with a telescoping boom. U.S. Pat. No. 6,543,914 shows a boom and strut arrangement mutually coupled to a gas pressure spring for supporting a surgical microscope and lamp. U.S. reissue Pat. No. 31548 shows a dental operatory system in which a dental operatory lamp is suspended from a pivotable bracket, and U.S. Pat. No. 4,437,144 shows a height adjustable support arm with a parallelogram linkage.
These afore-mentioned load-supporting systems offers certain characteristics that may be beneficial in the context of a particular use. They show by their variety, the importance of the problem of effective load positioning in allowing economically efficient dental activities.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONIn light of the background discussed above, the present invention is related to improving the efficiency of operations in a dental office.
The present invention includes a support system for dentistry applications adapted to support a variety of dental process equipment and ancillary dental equipment including, for example, a dental whitening system, a dental curing system, a dental examination system, a dental viewing and cleaning instrument; an imaging equipment; an X-ray equipment, a root canal apex locator, or similar, or combinations thereof.
The support system includes a mast and boom system, with the boom being pivotally mounted on a mast about a location spaced away from its ends. The boom includes at least one formation adapted for engaging with at least one corresponding inter-engaging formation towards one end of the mast to form the pivot mount.
In one aspect, the boom includes at least one formation towards one end, adapted for inter-engaging at least one formation of a dental instrument or equipment; and at least one formation towards a second end adapted for engaging a counterbalancing object or weight including at least one correspondingly inter-engaging formation, for counterbalancing the dental instrument or equipment and permitting the dental instrument or equipment to be balance in a series of varying positions.
In one embodiment, the invention includes a support system adapted to support a plurality of dental instrument or equipment adapted for performing a varying series of dental processes including at least one formation for inter-engaging the corresponding formation on the boom, where the plurality of instrument or equipment may be adapted for interchangeable connection with the support system by varying the counter-balancing object or weight.
In one aspect, the support system may be adapted to cooperate in a novel fashion with novel and/or conventional equipment to establish and maintain respective position of processing equipment and a patient's mouth, through the use of, for example, a reference device and/or a spacer.
In another aspect, the support system provides an integrated system for the support, presentation and operation of various dental processing equipment, individually or concurrently.
In another embodiment, a system according to the invention includes an organized storage system for storing and retaining interchangeable process equipment when not in use.
In a further embodiment, the support system includes an integrated power and control module referred to, for example, as a power pack. The power pack may be adapted to provide power such as electrical power to the one or more dental instrument or equipment adapted to be supported by the support system of the present invention. The power pack includes at least one formation for inter-engaging at least one corresponding formation of the mast spaced away from the ends.
In one aspect, the power pack may be adapted to provide control functionality including, for example, operative control communications between the power pack and one or more dental processing apparatus.
In another aspect, the power pack may be adapted to provide intelligent communications with one or more dental processing apparatus such that an operative control communications between the power pack and the dental processing apparatus may be adapted to include communication features appropriate to a particular processing apparatus.
In a further aspect, the power pack may include user interface components adapted to receive control inputs from an operator and provide status and control feedback to the operator.
In other aspects, the features of the support system of the present invention may include desirable ergonomics, transportability, strength, optimal weight, ease of assembly, storability, maintainability, adjustability or positionability, one or more of which may contribute in varying degrees to the efficacy of resulting dental processing.
The present invention also provides a support system that is unobtrusive, enabling an office to be equipped with a number of such support systems, thus improving the efficiency of operations in a dental office.
The present invention further includes a boom hinge for allowing easy adjustment of any dental equipment adapted to be mounted on the support system, for example, a dental whitening illumination source. In various aspects, the boom hinge may be adapted to provide equipment positioning suitable for a wide variety of dental patients and dental professionals. In other aspects, a boom hinge according to the invention may be readily adjusted to allow a particular spatial positioning of any dental equipment, and once positioned, to hold the equipment substantially fixedly in space until a further adjustment of equipment position is desired.
In one embodiment, the invention includes a boom hinge for a dental whitening lamp having a pivot, a yoke with two sides, a shaft, and at least one internally threaded knob adapted to compress the two sides of the yoke onto the pivot.
In another embodiment, the invention further includes a plug to receive the shaft, for the pivot to rotate with respect to the plug.
In another embodiment, the invention includes a device for damping the rotational motion of the pivot. In one aspect, the device for damping may be a friction washer disposed between the pivot and the plug. In another aspect, the device for damping includes a friction pad disposed between the pivot shaft and the plug.
In a further embodiment, a spanner plug may be adapted to push the pivot shaft against the friction pad. In one aspect of this embodiment, the spanner plug may be adjustable thereby providing adjustable damping of the rotational movement of the pivot with respect to the plug. In another aspect of this embodiment, a spring may be adapted to push the friction pad against the shaft.
In yet another embodiment of the invention, the shaft includes a damping device. In one aspect of this embodiment, friction rings may be mounted to the shaft.
These and other advantages and features of the invention will be more readily understood in relation to the following detailed description of the invention, which is provided in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood to one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. Although any methods, devices and materials similar or equivalent to those described herein can be used in the practice or testing of the invention, the preferred methods, devices and materials are now described.
All publications mentioned herein are incorporated herein by reference for the purpose of describing and disclosing, for example, the designs and methodologies that are described in the publications which might be used in connection with the presently described invention. The publications listed or discussed above, below and throughout the text are provided solely for their disclosure prior to the filing date of the present application. Nothing herein is to be construed as an admission that the inventors are not entitled to antedate such disclosure by virtue of prior invention.
The detailed description set forth below is intended as a description of the presently preferred device provided in accordance with aspects of the present invention and is not intended to represent the only forms in which the present invention may be practiced or utilized. Rather, it is to be understood, that the same or equivalent functions and components may be accomplished by different embodiments that are also intended to be encompassed within the spirit and scope of the invention.
The support system of the present invention may be adapted to support a wide variety of equipment for dentistry. For example, the support structure of the present invention is adapted to support Chemical activation equipment such as dental whitening and dental curing radiation sources; dental imaging equipment such as x-ray positioning equipment, x-ray sensing equipment including film and electronic sensors, endoscopic imaging equipment, ultrasonic imaging equipment, and various other imaging equipment such as now exists or may come to exist in the field of dentistry.
The support system includes a boom, a mast, and a base in, for example, a modular form.
The boom includes at least one formation spaced away from its ends, adapted for inter-engaging a corresponding formation towards one end of the mast for pivotally mounting the boom to the mast, when the mast and the boom become apposed.
The boom includes at least one formation towards one end, adapted for inter-engaging a corresponding formation on a dental instrument or equipment, for mounting the dental instrument to the boom, when the boom and the instrument become apposed.
The boom further includes at least one formation towards a second end, adapted for inter-engaging a corresponding formation of a counter-balancing object or weight, when the boom and object become apposed.
The mast includes at least one formation spaced away from its ends, adapted for inter-engaging a corresponding formation on a power pack when the mast and the power become apposed.
The mast includes at least one formation towards a second end, adapted for inter-engaging a corresponding formation of a support base when the mast and the support base become apposed.
The word formation as used herein in relation to the reference device, spacer, the lamp system, the mast, the boom, the power pack, the base and the counter-balance object or weight or any other components of the support system refers to the portion of one component which is shaped to inter-fit with a corresponding part of an adjoining component. It includes portions of the above listed components which may be shaped by molding, casting, machining, or any other appropriate method, or portions which are formed separately and then subsequently assembled.
Suitable inter-engaging formations include, but is not limited to, tongues and grooves, posts and sockets, swingable hooks and sockets, resilient clips and sockets, tongue or wing-like members and slots, ball and cavity, ball and socket, screw and washer, depressions and protrusions, channels and rods or cables, and so on, some of which are more specifically exemplified in detail below.
The light system of the present invention may be easily aligned to a subject and is ergonomically compatible for both right-handed and left-handed users. Further, the pieces of the light system are separable and modular, as mentioned above, so that the light system is easy to assemble, disassemble, pack, ship or transport. In addition, individual pieces or modules may be sent in for repair or for updating.
In one embodiment, the articulated support member includes a mast 101 and a boom 103. The mast 101 and boom 103 are coupled to one another by a boom joint 105 that includes boom joint knobs 109, 111.
In the embodiment of
In various embodiments, the boom 103 of the support structure 100 includes a second formation, such as a boom-control feature adapted to offset a gravitational torque produced by a load mass being coupled to the apparatus-coupling feature. For example, in the illustrated embodiment, a posterior end of the boom 103 includes a boom counterweight 107. One of skill in the art will appreciate, however, that a wide variety of boom-control features, such as for example torsion springs and tension springs, are applicable to control of the boom 103, and are within the scope of the invention.
In one embodiment, as illustrated, the body portion 106 includes a plurality of beams 110 disposed in a radial orientation with respect to one another, such that a respective plurality of proximal ends 112 of the beams 110 are disposed proximate to the coupling feature 108, and a respective plurality of distal ends 114 of the beams 110 are disposed distal to the coupling feature 108. In various embodiments, the beams 110 and/or the body portion 106 may consist of a single integral member, or may be an assembly of discrete components.
According to one embodiment of the invention, as illustrated, the base 102 includes five beams 110 arranged radially in a substantially symmetrical, substantially coplanar, substantially horizontal orientation. A different number of beams is also envisioned.
In another embodiment of the invention, the body portion 106 may include a component having a disk shape, a hemispherical shape, a truncated hemispherical shape, a hemi-ellipsoid shape, a truncated hemi-ellipsoid shape, a conical shape, a truncated conical shape, and a wide variety of other shapes according to the various requirements, including functional and aesthetic requirements, of a particular embodiment.
In a further aspect, according to one embodiment of the invention, the base 102 includes a bearing device adapted to facilitate motion of the dental equipment support structure 100 with respect to a supporting surface, such as a floor. According to one embodiment, as illustrated, the bearing device includes a plurality of caster wheels 116. In one embodiment, the plurality of caster wheels is disposed at respective ends 114 of the plurality of beams 110. In another embodiment, the caster wheels are disposed adjacent a periphery of a disk shaped base.
In still another embodiment of the invention, the plurality of caster wheels 116 includes a respective plurality of braking devices. In a further aspect, each of the plurality of braking devices includes a discrete activation lever 120. In another embodiment of the invention, a single, common activation device is adapted to engage each of the plurality of braking devices.
In still another embodiment of the invention, a single common braking device is used. For example, according to one embodiment of the invention, base 102 includes a brake shoe mechanism adapted to urge a break shoe downwardly from adjacent a lower surface of the body 106 towards a floor, such that when the break shoe engages the floor, a frictional force between a lower surface of the break shoe and the floor inhibits lateral motion, with respect to the floor, of the support structure 100.
In a further aspect, according to one embodiment of the invention, the plurality of caster wheels 116 includes a respective plurality of tires 122. In various embodiments, these tires may be formed of various materials used alone or in combination. Such materials include, for example, elastomers such as natural latex rubber, Kraton® rubbers such as styrene-butadiene and styrene-isoprene, nitrite rubber, polyurethane, neoprene, polybutadiene, polyisobutylene; thermoplastics and thermosets, such as polypropylene, polyethylene, ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE), polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE—Teflon), polyvinyldifluoride (PVDF), polyamide (Nylon), polyaramid (Kevlar), acetal plastic (Delrin), polystyrene, polyester, bakelite; and reinforced composites including, for example, any of the foregoing along with reinforcing materials such as glass fiber, carbon fiber, cellulose, hemp, and any other reinforcing material such as may be known in the art.
According to particular embodiments of the invention, the tires 122 of the caster wheels 116 may be pneumatic, semi-pneumatic, or solid. In still further embodiments, the caster wheels 116 may be un-tired, and may have circumferential surfaces of metal, or polymer coated metal, such as, for example, epoxy-coated steel.
It should be noted, however, that the bearing device may include no caster wheels at all, but may include an air bearing formed by actively pumping or releasing compressed air through channels and/or apertures in a lower surface of the base and adapted to reduce friction between lower surface of the base and the floor. Other non-caster bearing devices include, according to respective embodiments of the invention, polymer glides formed of, for example reinforced PTFE or of UHMWPE.
In one illustrated aspect, the apparatus support 200 includes a boom having a formation, for example, a boom joint such as a pivotal boom hinge 202 having at least two degrees of freedom. Specifically, in the illustrated embodiment, the boom hinge 202 has a first degree of freedom including rotational motion about a substantially vertical axis, and a second degree of freedom including rotational motion about a substantially horizontal axis. In the embodiment shown, rotation about the substantially horizontal axis may be effected by including within the boom hinge 202 at least one formation, which may include at least one or all of the following, for example, a boom joint yoke 204 and boom joint pivot 206 assembly having a hinge shaft 208 disposed between the boom joint yoke 204 and boom joint pivot 206.
Rotation about the substantially vertical axis is effected by including within the boom hinge 202 a boom pivot shaft 210 disposed within a substantially vertical bore of a boom top plug 212. Exemplary embodiments and aspects of boom hinges according to the invention are discussed in additional detail below.
As discussed above, in relation to
According to a further embodiment of the invention, the curve of the boom 103 is a substantially circular curve. According to another embodiment of the invention, the curve of a boom may include a non-circular curve such as, for example, an elliptical curve, an ovoid curve, and a non-monotonic curve such as an “S” curve.
One advantage of the illustrated curvature of the mast and boom is that it optimizes the use of floor space in what may be an otherwise crowded dental examining room. For example, the curvature of the mast 101 may allow a larger portion of the base 102 to be received within a recess 215 under, for example a dental examining chair 150, table, or another piece of dental examining room equipment. In this way, otherwise usable space outwardly of the recess 215 is conserved. In another aspect, the curvature of the mast 101 and boom 103 may be aesthetically pleasing, and therefore contribute to the decor of the dental office. Nevertheless, the mast, and/or the boom may be substantially straight according to particular embodiments of the invention.
According to one embodiment of the invention, both the mast and the boom may be adapted to support signal devices and/or mass transfer devices. Exemplary signal devices may include filamentary signal carriers such as some metallic, ceramic, or conductive polymer wires, or optical fibers. In addition exemplary signal devices may include non-filamentary signal carriers such as radiofrequency waveguides. Exemplary mass transport devices include, for example, flexible polymer or metallic tubing adapted to the transportation of pressurized air or water.
In the illustrated embodiment, the mast and boom are also adapted to support power wiring for the dental instrument or apparatus.
According to one embodiment, the mast may include a concave side and a convex side, defining a curve in a plane perpendicular to the floor. At least one power pack having at least one formation, such as a mounting cable, may be attached to a formation of the mast, for example, a channel, on a convex side of the curved mast. As illustrated, the power pack includes a controller for controlling the lamp system.
According to one embodiment of the invention, the mast may be formed of a metal or metallic alloy, such as stainless steel, extruded aluminum, an alloy such as Ni/Ti alloy; any amorphous metals including those available from Liquid Metal, Inc. or similar ones, such as those described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,682,611, and U.S. Patent Application No. 2004/0121283, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.
According to another embodiment of the invention, the mast may be formed of any polymeric material. Suitable polymers include polyethylene, polypropylene, polybutylene, polystyrene, polyester, acrylic polymers, polyvinylchloride, polyamide, or polyetherimide like ULTEM®; a polymeric alloy such as Xenoy® resin, which is a composite of polycarbonate and polybutyleneterephthalate or Lexan® plastic, which is a copolymer of polycarbonate and isophthalate terephthalate resorcinol resin (all available from GE Plastics), liquid crystal polymers, such as an aromatic polyester or an aromatic polyester amide containing, as a constituent, at least one compound selected from the group consisting of an aromatic hydroxycarboxylic acid (such as hydroxybenzoate (rigid monomer), hydroxynaphthoate (flexible monomer)), an aromatic hydroxyamine and an aromatic diamine, (exemplified in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,242,063, 6,274,242, 6,643,552 and 6,797,198, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference), polyesterimide anhydrides with terminal anhydride group or lateral anhydrides (exemplified in U.S. Pat. No. 6,730,377, the content of which is incorporated herein by reference) or combinations thereof.
In addition, any polymeric composite such as engineering prepregs or composites, which are polymers filled with pigments, carbon particles, silica, glass fibers, conductive particles such as metal particles or conductive polymers, or mixtures thereof may also be used. For example, a blend of polycarbonate and ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene) may be used for the lamp housing and head.
According to one embodiment of the invention, the channel cover 225 is relatively inflexible, and the closure of the wire channel 152 is substantially permanent. According to another embodiment of the invention, the channel cover 225 is relatively flexible, and the channel cover 225 is therefore easily removable and replaceable subsequent to an initial installation.
In one embodiment of the invention, the channel cover 225 may be formed of a material including an elastomer such as those mentioned above.
According to another embodiment of the invention, the channel cover 225 may be formed of a metallic substance such as, for example, aluminum, steel, stainless steel, or those materials mentioned above in connection with the construction of the mast. According to still other embodiments of the invention, combinations of the foregoing materials, or of other materials, along with or exclusive of the foregoing materials, may be used according to the requirements of a particular embodiment.
In another embodiment of the invention, the boom 103 (as shown in
The boom may be formed of one or more of the same materials as mentioned above for the construction of the mast, or of a different material. According to one embodiment of the invention, the boom may be formed of extruded aluminum.
Referring again to
According to one embodiment of the invention, the plug 264 may be substantially solid and formed, for example, as an integral casting. According to another embodiment of the invention, the plug 264 may be formed as an assembly of components.
According to still another embodiment of the invention, the coupling feature may include a projecting portion (not shown). The projecting portion may be adapted to be received within the interior cavity 268 of the mast 101. The projecting portion may be retained within the interior cavity 268 by, for example, a frictional force fit or by one or more threaded fasteners, or by spring pins, or other fastening means, according to various embodiments of the invention.
In a further aspect of the invention, according to one embodiment, the coupling feature 108 may include an alignment device 269. In one embodiment of the invention, the alignment device 269 may be a dowel or pin, such as a steel machine pin. In the illustrated embodiment, the pin may be a substantially cylindrical steel pin disposed within a bore and aligned substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the plug 264. In other embodiments (not illustrated here) the alignment device 269 may be a pin of rectangular cross section, a rectangular key, Woodruff key, roll pin, or other alignment device such as is known to one of skill in the art.
In one aspect of the invention, the alignment device 269 serves to maintain the mast 101 in a particular orientation with respect to the base 102 (as shown in
In one embodiment, the mast 101 may have a uniform outer dimension along its length, as shown in
In
In one embodiment of the invention, the boom 103 and mast 101 may be positioned such that their footprint does not exceed the footprint of the base 106. Specifically, when the boom 103 is rotated to a minimally vertical angle, whereby the lamp head is at its lowest elevation in proximity to the base, a projection of the lamp system on the floor falls entirely within the circumference of the base 106.
In another embodiment, the boom 103 and mast 101 may be positioned such that their footprint exceeds the footprint of the base 106 with the center of gravity of the dental lamp system falling within the base 106.
In an alternative embodiment of the invention, the outward-most surface of the counterweight 107 does not extend beyond the circumference of the base 107 in any angular position of the boom 103.
In one aspect of the invention, the mast 262 in
Referring again to
In the illustrated embodiment, the boom includes an internal bulkhead 299 fixedly coupled to an internal surface 301 of the boom (see
According to one embodiment of the invention, the internal bulkhead 299 includes an internally threaded bore 304 disposed laterally therethrough. In one embodiment, the internally threaded bore 304 is disposed substantially coaxially with a longitudinal axis of a local region of the boom 103.
In the embodiment of
In a further aspect, according to one embodiment of the invention, the counterweight shaft 305 includes at least one flat 326 disposed on an external surface 328 thereof. The flat 326 is adapted to receive a wrench, or other tool for the application of an axial torque about a longitudinal axis of the counterweight shaft 305. The application of this axial torque effects tightening, and therefore substantially fixed engagement, of the external threads 324 of the counterweight shaft and the internal threads of the internally threaded bore 304 of the bulkhead 299.
As would be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art, the fixed engagement of the external threads 324 of the counterweight shaft with the internally threaded bore of the bulkhead 299 may be further enhanced by the use of, for example, a lock washer, such as a split washer or a crown washer, or a thread locking solution as is known in the art.
In still another aspect, according to the
The yoke 342 includes, for example, a female coupling feature 356. The female coupling feature 356 is adapted to be coupled to, for example, an upper end of a mast 358, such as the yoke is supported by the mast. As illustrated, the pivot 344 is coupled to a boom 360 by one or more bolts 362.
A first handle 364, has a first lever arm 366 and an internally threaded bore. The internally threaded bore may be adapted to receive an externally threaded end of the axle 354, whereby rotation of the handle serves to compress or release the side members 346, 348 of the yoke with respect to the corresponding sides 350, 352 of the pivot. A friction washer may be disposed between the side members and sides to modify the friction characteristics between side members and sides.
Compression of the side members 346, 348 serves to inhibit rotation about the axle 354 of the pivot 344 with respect to the yoke 342. Conversely, releasing the side members 346, 348 allows rotation about the axle 354 of the pivot 344 with respect to the yoke 342.
A second handle 368 has a second lever arm 370. Referring now to
One of skill in the art will appreciate that operation of the boom joint of
The Woodruff key 222 aims to prevent rotation of the shaft 216 about an axis 224 that is common to both the shaft 216 and the bore 214. As will be seen more clearly in relation to further drawings discussed below, the yoke 212 may also include a bore that may be disposed about a portion of the shaft 216. In the embodiment of the invention presently under consideration, the yoke is not fixedly coupled to the Woodruff key 222 during use of the support structure. Consequently, the yoke 212, and the boom 108 that is fixedly coupled to the yoke 212, are rotatably supported by the shaft 216. The shaft 216 may be, in turn, supported by the pivot 210 and shaft 216.
The mast 101 and the boom 108 of the present invention may be made of any polymeric material, preferably a polymer that can be molded or cast; or a metal or metallic alloy. Suitable metal or metallic alloys, polymers and polymeric composite include those mentioned above.
In the illustrated embodiment, the boom joint pivot 210 includes a base portion 230 as well as an upper portion 232. In various embodiments, the base portion 230 and the upper portion 232 ma be formed as a single integral unit, or as an assembly of separate components. In the illustrated embodiment, the base portion 230 may include a vertical shaft 234. Again, in various embodiments, the base portion 230 and vertical shaft 234 may include separate components, or they may form a single integral unit.
In one embodiment of the invention, the mast 101 may includes a substantially hollow bore or cavity 240. A mast top plug 242 may be disposed, fully or partially, within cavity 240. The mast top plug 242 may include an axial bore 244 defined by a substantially cylindrical internal surface 246. The radial diameter of the axial bore 244 may vary along the length of the bore such that a diameter of the bore is larger at a first location 248 than at a second location 250. Where the diameter of the bore 244 changes along the length of the bore, a ledge 252 exists.
According to one embodiment of the invention, a bushing 254 may be disposed within the axial bore 244. The bushing 254 may include a substantially cylindrical outer surface 256 disposed in substantially coaxial spaced relation to a substantially cylindrical inner surface 258.
In one exemplary embodiment, the bushing 254 may include and oil-filled porous bronze material. In another exemplary embodiment, the bushing 254 may include a polymer having a low coefficient of friction. This polymer may be selected from a variety materials including, but not limited to, for example, polyethylene, ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE), acetyl polymer materials and fiber reinforced acetyl polymer materials (Delrin), polyamide (Nylon), polyvinyl difluoride (PVDF), polytetrafluroethylene (Teflon), and other polymers of similarly desirable and appropriate characteristics, as well as those polymers, engineering prepregs and filled polymeric composites mentioned above for the construction of the mast and boom.
In another embodiment of the invention, the bushing 254 may include a material having a relatively high coefficient of friction, or an intermediate coefficient of friction, such that by interaction with outer surface 260 and inner surface 248, the bushing serves to damp and otherwise restrain a rotary motion of the vertical shaft 234 about its longitudinal axis.
As shown, a substantially cylindrical outer surface 260 of the vertical shaft 234 of the boom joint pivot 210 bears on, and is supported by, the substantially cylindrical inner surface 258 of the bushing 254. In addition, a substantially flat portion of a lower surface 270 of the base portion 230 of the boom joint pivot 210 bears on, and is supported by a substantially flat portion of an upper surface 272 of mast top plug 242.
A retaining device 274, such as a split-ring (c-ring) retaining washer may be mutually disposed within a groove 276 of the vertical shaft 234 and against a further ledge 278 of the substantially cylindrical surface of the axial bore 244. The retaining device 274 retains the vertical shaft 234 within the bore 244, and prevents the boom joint pivot 210 from moving upwardly with respect to the mast top plug 242.
According to this arrangement, the mast top plug 242 supports and retains the boom joint pivot 210 while allowing the boom joint pivot 210 to rotate about a mutual axis of the mast top plug bore 244 and boom joint pivot shaft 234.
In the illustrated embodiment, this rotation may be damped by the frictional action of a friction washer 280 disposed within a substantially circular recess 282 of the upper surface 272 of the mast top plug 242. One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that an outer circumference of the friction washer 280 may have any one of a wide variety of shapes including, but not limited to, an elliptical shape, a rectangular shape, a square shape, a sinusoidal shape, a toothed shape, and other shapes adapted to reduce rotation of the friction washer with respect to the mast top plug 242.
In various embodiments, the friction washer is formed to include a corresponding variety of materials including, but not limited to polyurethane, polybutylene, latex rubber, or other rubber materials that can be either natural or synthetic rubber. Synthetic rubbers are preferably elastomeric materials and include various copolymers or block copolymers (Kratons®) available from Kraton Polymers such as styrene-butadiene rubber or styrene isoprene, EPDM (ethylene propylene diene monomer) rubber, nitrile (acrylonitrile butadiene) rubber and the like, and other elastomers, cork, wood, ceramic materials, and other materials, or in combination, that are appropriate to the function of the friction washer. In addition the friction washer may include fibrous materials such as, for example, ceramic fiber, glass fiber, or mineral fiber materials among others.
In one embodiment of the invention, the damping frictional forces exerted between the friction washer 280, or other friction element, and the mast top plug 242 and the boom joint pivot 210 are sufficient to allow rotation of the boom joint pivot 210 when a force of between about 2 pounds and 5 pounds is exerted laterally against, or in proximity to the supported dental equipment.
In a further aspect of the invention, according to the embodiment illustrated in
Turning now to
The aperture 402 opens upon an internal cavity within the yoke 212. Referring again to
As shown in
Each bore 414, 416 is defined by a respective substantially cylindrical wall 418, 420. As is discussed above, in relation to
It is noted that, while wall 418 is shown to have a keyway slot 422, and while according to various embodiments, both wall 418 and wall 420 include such a keyway slot, the keyway slot is merely to allow the Woodruff key 222 (as shown in
Also shown are external threads 506, 508 on the outer surface of the boom joint shaft 216. These threads are adapted to receive knobs 109 and 111 (as shown in
The shaft 504 of
In addition, shaft 504 includes first 2204 and second 2206 flat regions. As will be explained in additional detail below the flat regions 2204, 2206 are adapted to minimize or prevent rotation of boom joint washers with respect to the shaft 504.
A plurality of ribs 606 on the inside of the boom hinge knob 600 provide structural reinforcement for the knob 600 and also support a cylinder 608 with internal threads. Each rib 606 may include an outwardly facing surface 606. As will be described in additional detail below, the outwardly facing surface may be adapted to contact the surface (e.g., 2210) of the boom joint washer. The threaded cylinder 608 may be centered inside the boom hinge knob 600 and may be shaped and configured to receive the threaded end 508 of the boom joint shaft 216. This arrangement enables adjustment of the boom joint 105.
According to one embodiment of the invention, the internally threaded cylinder 608 may be coupled to the knob 600 by a frictional press fit. In another embodiment of the invention, the internally threaded cylinder 608 may be coupled to the knob 600 by means of ultrasonic welding during an assembly operation. In still another embodiment of the invention, the knob 600 may be formed of a durable material capable of supporting threads formed directly in an internal surface of the knob.
The boom joint shaft 216 may include a plurality of external threads 508. The external threads are adapted to receive a boom joint knob 600 such as that described above in relation to
One of skill in the art will appreciate that the presence of respective retaining devices e.g., 2252 in grooves 2200 and 2202 of the shaft 504 (as shown in
Rotation of the boom joint washer 2208 with respect to the shaft 216 is prevented by the action of flat surface 2206 of shaft 216 on flat surface 2212 of the joint washer 2208.
Rotation of the boom joint knob 600 may cause the knob to advance axially inwardly with respect to shaft 216. Consequently surfaces 605 of the boom joint knob may impinge on surface 2210 of the boom joint washer 2208. The washer 2208, may thus be urged axially inwardly to compress the friction washer 2250 between the inwardly facing surface 2254 of the boom joint washer and an adjacent face of the friction washer. The friction washer may correspondingly be urged against the surface 410 of the yoke 212.
Friction between the friction washer 2250, surface 410 of the yoke 212 and surface 2254 of the boom joint washer tends to couple the yoke to the boom joint washer. A chain of mechanical coupling is thus established from the boom 103 and yoke 212, which are substantially fixedly coupled to one another, through the friction washer 2250 to the boom joint washer 2208, and, by way of the flat surface 2212 of the washer 2208 and the flat surface 2206 of the shaft 216, through the shaft and woodruff key 222 to the boom joint pivot 210, and thus to the mast 101 which supports the boom joint pivot. In view of the foregoing, one of skill in the art will appreciate that the resistance to relative motion between mast 101 and boom 103 is adjustable by rotation of the boom joint knob 600.
In the present embodiment of the mast top plug 242, the mast top plug 242 may be shaped and configured to fit into the hollow bore 240 of the mast 101 in one orientation. The first flat 544, second flat 548 and protrusion 546 may determine an orientation of insertion into the hollow bore 240 of the mast 101.
The mast top plug 242 may include an axial bore 244 defined by a substantially cylindrical internal surface 246. The axial bore 244 receives the shaft 234 of the boom joint pivot 210. The axial bore 244 may include a ledge 278 in the substantially cylindrical surface 246. The retaining device 274 (described in
In one embodiment of the mast top plug 242, the mast top plug 242 may fit snugly to the mast 101. In an alternative embodiment of the mast top plug 242, the upper edge of the mast top plug 242 may have a groove 552 holding an O-ring. The O-ring 554 provides a tight fit in the hollow bore 240 of the mast 101.
The upper surface 272 of the mast top plug 242 is substantially flat and, as described above, supports the substantially flat surface 270 of base portion 230 of the boom joint pivot 210. According to one embodiment, a friction washer 280 is disposed within a recess 282 in the upper surface 22 (seen in
The mast top plug 242 may include an aperture opening to a bore 292 at the upper surface 272 and extending into the mast top plug 242. The bore 292 may be shaped and configured to receive a pin 290. As shown in
The first pin 818 and second pin 820 are mounted in a mast top plug 822. The mast top plug 822 includes an axial bore 824 defined by a substantially cylindrical internal surface 826. The radial diameter of the axial bore 824 varies along the length of the bore such that a diameter of the bore is larger at a first location 828 than at a second location 830. According to one embodiment of the invention, a bushing 832 is disposed within the axial bore 824. The bushing 832 may include a substantially cylindrical outer surface disposed in substantially coaxial spaced relation to the substantially cylindrical inner surface 826 of the axial bore 824. The bushing may be made from, for example, a material having a low coefficient of friction. The pivot shaft 804 is disposed within the bushing 832 within the axial bore 824. The pivot shaft 804 has a first groove 834 and a second groove 836. A friction ring 838 is disposed within the first groove 834. The friction ring 838 is, for example, made of rubber. In an alternative embodiment of the invention, there are two or more friction rings disposed within the first groove 834. A retaining device 840, such as a split-ring (c-ring) retaining washer is mutually disposed within the second groove 836 of the pivot shaft 804 and against a ledge 842 of the substantially cylindrical surface of the axial bore 244. The retaining device 840 retains the pivot shaft 804 within the bore 824, and prevents the pivot 802 from moving upwardly with respect to the mast top plug 822. In one embodiment of the invention, the pivot shaft 804 is welded to the pivot 802 at point 844. In another embodiment of the invention, the pivot shaft 804 is retained in the pivot 802 with a screw in a fashion similar to the embodiment described with regard to
According to this arrangement, the mast top plug 822 supports and retains the pivot 802 while allowing the pivot 802 to rotate about a mutual axis of the mast top plug bore 824 and pivot shaft 804. The rotational movement in this embodiment is limited by the movement allowed by the first pin 818 and second pin 820 within the first arcuate slot 812 and second arcuate slot 814 respectively. The movement is, for example, limited to 180 degrees.
In the illustrated embodiment, the rotational movement is damped by the frictional action of the friction ring 838 disposed within the first groove 834 on the pivot shaft 804 in side the axial bore 824.
The boom joint pivot 620 may include an upper portion 624 and a base portion 626. The upper portion 624 of the boom joint pivot 620 includes a horizontal bore 628 that is adapted to receive the boom joint shaft 216 in similar fashion to the embodiment of a boom joint 105 shown in
In the illustrated embodiment, the fastener is shown as a flat head machine screw 1626. One of skill in the art will appreciate, however, that a wide variety of other fasteners may be substituted for the machine screw 1626. For example, the fastener employed may include one or more of a roll pin, a headless hex screw (set screw) a cap screw, a rivet, and a dowel such as a steel dowel, among others.
Referring again to
In another embodiment of the invention, the bore within the pivot 1620 that receives the screw 1626 or other fastener may include a recessed region such as, for example, a countersunk region 1632. The recessed region is adapted to receive a head of a fastener, so as to prevent interference between the head of the fastener and a yoke, such as that shown as 212 in
The base portion 626 of
Referring again to
The pivot shaft 638 is generally cylindrical in shape and may include the through-hole 640 at one end and a flange 646 at the other end. In one embodiment of the invention, the pivot shaft 638 has a first portion 648 having a smaller diameter and a second portion 650 having a larger diameter.
The mast top plug 622 may include a generally cylindrical opening 652 axially located and extending from the upper surface 654 of the mast top plug 622. The opening 652 may configured to receive a friction pad 656. The friction pad 656 provides greater friction resistance with increasing compressive force against it. The friction pad 656 may for example, made of an elastomeric material. The opening 652 may further configured to receive the pivot shaft 638 where the flange 646 of the pivot shaft 638 contacts the friction pad 656. The opening 652 may partially threaded near the upper surface 654 of the mast top plug 622. A bushing 658 fits over the pivot shaft 638. The opening 652 may be still further configured to receive a spanner nut 660. The spanner nut 660 has an upper portion 662 that is threaded and a lower portion 664 that is not threaded. The lower portion 664 of the spanner nut contacts the bushing 658 while the threaded portion 662 of the spanner nut 660 screws into the opening 652.
In operation, the boom joint pivot 620 is fixedly joined to the pivot shaft 646 with the screw 642. The pivot shaft 646 rotates within the bushing 658 inside the mast top plug 622. The rotation of the pivot shaft 646 may be damped by the frictional action of the pivot shaft 646 against the friction pad 656. The force needed to rotate the pivot shaft 646 may be adjustable by adjusting the amount of compression of the pivot shaft 646 against the friction pad 656 provided by the spanner nut 660.
In one embodiment of the invention, the characteristics of the friction pad 656 may be selected to provide a desirable resistance to rotation of the boom with respect to the mast. Smooth and predictable motion of the boom with respect to the mast is of significant value in the dental practitioner's office. It turns out that a patient's ability to push away dental equipment, such as a whitening lamp head, leads, anecdotally, to surprisingly increased comfort levels for the patient during a dental procedure.
At the same time, it is advantageous that the motion of the boom be sufficiently damped so that the lamp head may remain in a substantially fixed position until its motion is desired by the patient or dental practitioner. For example, a boom hinge embodiment, as illustrated in
Consequently, calculations as to the characteristics of the joint have been performed with respect to one exemplified embodiment. The calculations performed serve to characterize the forces applied to the friction washer 656 by the various components of the boom joint, and the expected performance of the assembly, including projected operative lifetime of the friction washer 656.
Anecdotal evidence suggests that patient push out force is a surprisingly important factor in overall patient comfort and effectiveness of a dental equipment support structure. The optimal support structure must provide sufficient resistance to displacement to effectively support equipment and, in some embodiments, maintain it substantially immobile with respect to the teeth of a patient. At the same time, the support structure may allow the patient to displace the equipment without unreasonable effort when desired. Also, in some embodiments, it is desirable to have sufficient mobility of the support structure to allow the supported equipment to accommodate minor and/or involuntary movements of the patient. Further, it is desirable that, subject to initial adjustment, the support structure be capable of adjustment by the application of forces near and/or on the supported equipment, such that there is no need for constant referral to portions of the structure that are relatively remote from the equipment, such as the boom joint or caster locks.
This combination of features and functions is surprisingly important to the overall perception of functionality and ease of use by the patient and dental practitioner and is not satisfied by the various conventional support mechanisms known to be available. Furthermore, achieving an optimal combination of characteristics has been found to surprisingly sensitive to aspects of the invention as embodied in particular design features.
For example, an embodiment of the invention including the boom joint of
The joint torque corresponding to a particular push out force is shown as 2004. Also shown are the spring force 2006 (in pounds) applied to the friction washer in one embodiment of the invention, and the corresponding spring deflection (in inches) 2008 for a particular Bellevue washer spring. Thus, for example, in the illustrated embodiment, a spring force of about 355 pounds may produce a spring deflection of about 0.022 inches. The resulting joint torque is 48 pounds which translates into a patient push out force of 2 pounds.
The mast top plug 622 may be seen in greater detail than in
As described above, the spanner nut 660 may be screwed down against the bushing 658 which may press down on the flange 646 of the pivot shaft 638. The flange 646 of the pivot shaft 638 contacts the friction pad 656. The spring 672 provides force pressing the friction pad against the flange 646 from below. The pivot shaft 638 is rotatable within the bushing 658 while the friction pad 656 damps the rotation of the pivot shaft 638. The spanner nut 660 enables the damping of the rotation of the pivot shaft 638 to be adjustable as the damping may be increased when the spanner nut 660 is screwed down more tightly on the pivot shaft 638.
According to one embodiment, each ball cup 915 may include a contact plate 2290. In various embodiments of the invention, the reinforcing plate may be integrally molded with the ball cup 915, or coupled to a surface of the ball cup 915 with an adhesive or an adhesive tape, or by a fastener such as a screw or rivet.
The first and second openings 910, 911 may be adapted to receive the first and second ball cups 914, 915 respectively. A pivot mount 906 that is adapted to hold the dental instrument or equipment connects to the ball joint 902 by a ball swivel 904. The first and second ball cups 914, 915 may be configured to receive the ball swivel 904 through the third opening 912 in the head tube 908. The ball joint 902 will be described in more detail below.
One of skill in the art will appreciate that a ball joint, such as that illustrated, for example, in above
The head tube 908 may be attached to the end of the boom 103. The head tube 908 has three openings, the first and the second opening 910, 911 on each end of the tube to receive the pieces that create the ball joint and the third opening 912 at the front of the head tube 908 to receive the ball swivel 904 on the dental equipment to be supported (not shown).
The forward assembly 900 of the present embodiment includes a first and a second ball cup 914, 915, a first and a second spacer 916, 917, a first and a second spring 918, 919, a first and a second nut plate 920, 921 and a first and a second ball joint knob 922, 923. Each ball cup 914, 915 has a curved surface so that when the ball cups 914, 915 are mated at the curved surfaces a substantially spherically-shaped space configured to receive the ball swivel 904 is formed.
To form the ball joint, the ball cups 914, 915 are inserted into the head tube 908 so that the spherically-shaped space aligns with the third opening 912 of the head tube 908. The spacers 916, 917 are inserted into openings 910 and 911 respectively and positioned on either side of the mated ball cups 914, 915. The first and second springs 918, 919 are placed against the first and second spacers 916, 917 respectively.
The nut plates 920, 921 are attached on opposing ends of the head tube 908 over the first and second openings 910, 911. The nut plates 920, 921 each may have a central opening 918, 919 that may be threaded.
According to one embodiment of the invention, each of the knobs 922, 923 may include an ultrasonically welded stud having an externally threaded distal end. The screws of the knobs 922, 923 are screwed through the central openings of the nut plates 920, 921 and press against the springs 918, 919, spacers 916, 917, and ball cups 914, 915 to press the ball cups 914, 915 against the ball swivel 904. When the knobs 922, 923 are tightened down, the received ball swivel 904 may not move inside the mated ball cups 914, 915. When the knobs 922, 923 are loosened, the received ball swivel 904 may move inside the mated ball cups 914, 915.
A first alternative embodiment of the ball socket involves relying on spring strength rather than pressure from a screw to put pressure against the ball cups 914, 915. Further, the springs 918, 919 shown here are coil springs. Alternatives to coil springs include, for example, spring washers, and other mechanisms for applying linear force, as known to those of skill in the art.
One of skill in the art will appreciate that a ball joint, such as that illustrated, for example, in
The various inventive embodiments of a dentistry support structures heretofore described will be understood by one skill in the art to be adaptable to the support of a wide variety of conventional and novel dentistry apparatus. The resulting novel combinations provide not only effective dentistry related functionality, but our efficient in that they allow for the interchange of functional modules and reuse of the support structure for a wide variety of procedures and functions.
Thus, one of skill will appreciate that a dentistry support structure according to the present invention is used in various embodiments to support a dental whitening lamp, a dental composition during lamp, a dental imaging system for endoscopic imaging as in, for example, endoscopic root planing, an ultrasonic imaging system, and a support system for x-ray film and/or electronic x-ray sensors adapted for use in x-ray imaging of dental x-ray-graphic subjects.
In the illustrated embodiment, the lamp head 1102 is adapted to be removably coupled to the body of a patient. In one exemplary embodiment, a lip retracting device, such as a lip retractor, is connected to a light guide that is in turn coupled to the lamp head 1102. Consequently, the present invention allows the lamp head to be supported in a way that allows its position to be extensively adjusted, so that the lamp head may be properly aligned with the patient for the dentistry process. This alignment will be maintained, even allowing for slight movement of the patient's head. This is possible because the lip retracting device is removably engaged with the light guide, and is positioned but not fixed to allow for this slight movement of the patient's head.
A light guide 1120 is adapted to be coupled to an anterior end of the lamp head 1102. In one embodiment, the light guide 1120 includes an inner surface region 1122 that is adapted to be held in proximity to an outer surface region 1124 of the lamp head 1102. According to one embodiment of the invention, a projecting member, or bump, on inner surface 1122 is adapted to be urged into a recessed region 1126 of outer surface region 1124 so as to maintain the proximity of surface regions 1122 and 1124.
In one embodiment of the invention, the light guide 1120 includes an elastically compressible cushion 1128 at an anterior edge thereof. The elastically compressible cushion 1128 serves to soften an interface between a dental whitening process subject (not shown) and the light guide.
In a further aspect of the invention, as shown in the illustrated embodiment, the light guide includes first and second slots 1130 and 1132. These slots are adapted to receive projecting wings 1134, 1136 of a lip retractor 1138 so as to stabilize a relationship between the dental whitening subject and the lamp head.
The lip retractor 1138 includes channels 1140, 1142 adapted to support the lips of a dental whitening subject during the whitening process, and an elastic member 1144. The elastic member 1144 is coupled to the channels 1140, 1142 and adapted to urge the channels outwardly towards the lips, so as to couple the whitening subject to the lip retractor.
When the whitening subject is coupled to the lip retractor 1138, and the lip retractor is coupled to the light guide 1120 by the insertion of wings 1134, 1136 in respective slots 1130, 1132, the whitening subject is spatially stabilized with respect to the lamp head 1102. In this way the support structure serves to support the lamp head in a substantially stable spatial relationship to the whitening subject.
As discussed above, this spatially stabilized relationship between a subject and the support structure of the invention is found in other embodiments of the invention and in relation to various apparatus and processes.
In one embodiment, input/output cables may be used to provide a first electrical connection between the light source to the power pack and power cables to provide a second electrical connection between the power pack and an external power source, such that the input/output cables and the power cables are removably attached to the power pack.
Arcuate surface 1154 support a one or more illumination sources 1156. In one embodiment of the invention the one or more illumination sources 1156 includes one or more light emitting diodes (LEDs). In another embodiment of the invention, the one or more illumination sources 1156 includes one or more miniature arc lamps such as, for example, halogen arc lamps. In still other embodiments of the invention, the one or more light sources 1156 includes one or more incandescent lamps such as, for example, halogen incandescent lamps, and in still other embodiments of the invention, the one or more light sources includes one or more optical fibers coupled to a remote light source and/or one or more optical wavelength transformer such as those described in U.S. patent application No. 60/658,517, the disclosure of which is herewith incorporated by reference in its entirety.
In the illustrated embodiment, a signal cable 1170 is coupled at one end to the light housing 1150. The signal cable may include a power cable adapted to provide power for the one or more illumination sources 1156. The single cable may also include an optical light guide such as an optical fiber adapted to transmit light to the one or more illumination sources from a remote light source. In at least one embodiment of the invention, the signal cable 1170 includes a strain-relief feature 1172.
In one embodiment, the power cables may provide a connection from a power source external to the dental instrument and the power pack, and the power cables are substantially contained in the mast, and are removable from the external power source.
Illustrating another aspect of the invention, the embodiment of
When the lip retractor 1138 is worn by a dental procedure subject, insertion of the wings 1134, 1136 into the slots 1162, 1164 serves to stabilize a spatial relationship between the subject and the one or more illumination sources 1156.
In the embodiment of the present invention illustrated in
The optical device is adapted to illuminate a small spatial region adjacent a tip of the root planing tool and receive reflected light. The reflected light received by the optical device is, in turn, received by a sensor either directly, or by way of an optical waveguide such as an optical fiber.
The sensor converts the received light into a signal that is amplified and displayed as an image on a display screen 1186 of the system. Although the handpiece 1182 is shown coupled to the balance of the root planning system 1180 by an umbilical cable 1180, a wireless handpiece is also within the scope of the invention disclosed herewith.
In one aspect of the invention, the root planing system of the invention is adapted to allow removal of plaque and other detritus from between the gum and root of a patient without surgical removal, and subsequent reattachment, of the gum.
In one aspect of the invention, the root planing system includes a tray 1190 adapted to the convenient storage of various dental instruments and/or materials. According to one embodiment of the invention, the tray 1190 is readily removable to allow sterilization of the tray as in, for example, an autoclave.
In another aspect of the illustrated embodiment, the monitor screen 1186 of the system is pivotally and/or removably coupled to the boom 103 of the support structure at ball joint 902. In still another aspect of the illustrated embodiment, the endodontic root planing system includes a power pack 1192. According to one embodiment of the invention, the power pack supplies operative electrical power to the balance of the root planing system by way of an electrical cable 1194. Still further embodiments of the invention include digital processing apparatus such as, for example, a microprocessor within the powerpack 1192. The digital processing apparatus is adapted to control and process signals of the endodontic root planning system.
In the embodiment of the present invention illustrated in
The apex locator fixturing device 1204 includes a support clamp portion 1206, an insulator portion 1208 and a contactor portion 1210. The support clamp portion 1206 is adapted to be removably but firmly coupled to a tooth 1212 of a dental patient. The support clamp portion 1206 is adapted to support the insulator portion 1208 which, in turn, is adapted to support the contactor portion 1210.
During the performance of a root canal procedure, an endodontic file, reamer, or other appropriate tool 1214 is used to excavate a pulp chamber and root of the tooth 1212. A surface of the tool 1214 comes into contact with the contactor 1210 and an electrical signal received from the signal wire 1202 is electrically coupled to the tool 1214.
The signal wire 1214 is coupled at a second end to a processing device 1216 that is adapted to generate the electrical signal and produce a measurement based on, for example, an impedance of the tool 1214 and tooth 1212 system.
In response to the measured impedance, or other signal, the processing system 1216 produces an image on a display screen 1218 of the system. In various embodiments, the image is textural and/or graphical, and represents a spatial location of the tool 1214 with respect to a root canal 1218 of the tooth 1212. Although the apex locator fixturing device 1204 is shown coupled to the balance of the apex locator system 1200 by signal wire 1202, a wireless apex locator fixturing system is also within the scope of the invention disclosed herewith.
In one aspect of the invention, the apex locator system of the invention is adapted to allow excavation and shaping of the root canal 1218 without perforation of the root wall or of the portion of the periodontal membrane located at the apex 1222 of the root.
In one aspect of the invention, the apex locator system includes a tray 1190 adapted to the convenient storage of various dental instruments and/or materials. According to one embodiment of the invention, the tray 1190 is readily removable to allow sterilization of the tray as in, for example, an autoclave.
In another aspect of the illustrated embodiment, the monitor screen 1218 of the system is pivotally and/or removably coupled to the boom 103 of the support structure at ball joint 902. In still another aspect of the illustrated embodiment, the apex locator system 1200 includes a power pack 1192.
According to one embodiment of the invention, the power pack supplies operative electrical power to the balance of the apex locator system by way of an electrical cable 1194. Still further embodiments of the invention include digital processing apparatus such as, for example, a microprocessor within the power pack 1192. The digital processing apparatus is adapted to control and process signals of the endodontic apex locator system.
In one embodiment the invention includes the combination of a support structure 100″ with an endodontic apex locator system such as that disclosed in U.S. patent application No. 60/594,388 the disclosure of which is herewith incorporated by reference in its entirety.
When the lip retractor 1248 is worn by a dental procedure subject, insertion of the wings 1244, 1246 into the slots 1240, 1242 serves to stabilize a spatial relationship between the subject and the one or more x-ray sources.
According to one embodiment of the invention, as illustrated, the lip retractor 1248 includes first and second bite members 1250, 1252. Each bite member 1250, 1252 has a respective one or more film support clips 1253 adapted to support a respective x-ray film package.
In operation, at least one x-ray film package is coupled to the one or more film support clips 1253. The x-ray film package, as is known in the art, includes a sheet of chemical x-ray film enclosed in a light-tight package. The lip retractor 1248 is coupled to a dental x-ray subject by placing the lips of the patient into the lip-receiving channels of the lip retractor 1248. The subject then bites down on the bite members to further secure the lip retractor in a stable spatial relationship to the teeth of the subject. By inserting the wings 1244, 1246 into slots 1240, 1242, the lip retractor 1248 is stabilized with respect to the dental support structure 100. This serves to stabilize the teeth of the subject and the x-ray film package 1256 with respect to the floor, and thus with respect to an x-ray source. Consequently, the well-known tendency of x-ray subjects to move during exposure of the x-ray film with a resulting non-uniformity of film exposure is reduced.
Unlike the embodiment of
In one embodiment of the invention, electronic image sensors each include a respective signal cable with a removable plug.
In use, the dental composition tray 1350 is adapted to receive a dentistry composition, such as a dental whitening composition or a dental casting composition within the concave region 1354 of the tooth receiving channel 1352.
While exemplified embodiments of the invention have been described and illustrated above, it should be understood that these are exemplary of the invention and are not to be considered as limiting. Accordingly, the invention is not to be considered as limited by the foregoing description, but is only limited by the scope of the claims appended hereto.
Claims
1-54. (canceled)
55. A dental support system comprising:
- a first bearing adapted to pivot about a substantially horizontal axis of a yoke;
- a second bearing adapted to pivot about a substantially vertical axis of a pivot member; and
- a damper adapted to retard pivotal motion about said substantially vertical axis.
56. The dental support system of claim 55 wherein said yoke comprises a boom.
57. The dental support system of claim 55 wherein said pivot member comprises a mast.
58. The dental support system of claim 56 wherein said boom comprises at least one formation adapted to inter-engage a corresponding formation on the yoke.
59. The support system of claim 55 wherein said yoke comprising a first braking surface, said shaft comprising a second braking surface, said first and second braking surfaces being adapted to mutually engage a friction member.
60. The support system of claim 59 wherein said friction member comprises a friction washer, said friction washer including an internal surface defining a through-hole, said through-hole being adapted to receive a portion of said shaft therethrough.
61. The support system of claim 60 wherein said washer comprises an anti-rotation feature, said anti-rotation feature being adapted to minimize a rotational motion of said washer about a longitudinal axis of said shaft, whereby said washer is substantially rotationally fixed with respect to said mast.
62. The support structure of claim 60 wherein said anti-rotation feature comprises a first substantially flat region of said internal surface, and said shaft comprises an external surface including a second substantially flat region, said first substantially flat region being adapted to engage said second substantially flat surface.
63. The support structure of claim 57 wherein the mast comprises at least one formation adapted to inter-engage at least one corresponding formation of a power pack which is electrically connected with at least one dental instrument.
64. The support structure of claim 63 wherein the power pack comprises user interface components adapted to receive control inputs from an operator and provide status and control feedback to the operator.
Type: Application
Filed: Oct 30, 2007
Publication Date: Apr 24, 2008
Applicant: DISCUS DENTAL, LLC (Culver City, CA)
Inventors: Eric Rose (Tarzana, CA), Robert Hayman (Los Angeles, CA), Douglas Grambush (Corona Del Mar, CA), Marc Orloff (Altadena, CA), Nancy Quan (North Hills, CA), Kenneth Rosenblood (Los Angeles, CA), Brian Kennedy (Claremont, CA), Dac Vu (Tustin, CA), Randall Danta (Tustin, CA), Christopher Quan (Quincy, MA)
Application Number: 11/929,751
International Classification: A61C 1/14 (20060101);
