Abstract: An ultrasonic instrument includes a tip portion, a transducer configured to convert electrical energy into vibrational energy, an acoustic transformer interconnecting the transducer and the tip portion, and a grip portion disposed at least partially about the acoustic transformer. The grip portion is coupled to the acoustic transformer via a resilient nodal coupling at a nodal region of the acoustic transformer. The resilient nodal coupling is configured to provide rotational and axial stability to the acoustic transformer.

Abstract: A device for deflecting mechanical oscillations, at an oscillation receiver location may be set into oscillation along a first axis, and transmits such an oscillation into an oscillation along a second axis at an oscillation output location, wherein the first and the second axis form an angle to one another. The device includes an elongate, bent oscillation element, on whose one end a coupling-in point and at whose other end a coupling-out point is arranged, wherein the device is designed such that the oscillation element oscillates transversally at the coupling-in point and at the coupling-out point, when the oscillation receiver location is subjected to an oscillation.

Abstract: An apparatus including a transducer head and a motion transfer member, and a method for rupturing connective tissues that attach a tooth to an alveolar bone socket are provided. The transducer head generates and transfers vibrational and tapping movements to the motion transfer member. The motion transfer member, extending from the transducer head via a neck of a transducer assembly, includes a ball projection and a flexible member. The ball projection connected to a distal end of the neck transfers the generated vibrational and tapping movements received from the transducer head to the tooth. The flexible member housing and surrounding the ball projection contacts a tooth surface and generally conforms to a shape of the tooth to distribute the generated vibrational and tapping movements uniformly in multiple directions on the tooth to rupture the connective tissues and allow the tooth to be loosened and removed from the alveolar bone socket.

Abstract: An apparatus for providing a pressurized water stream for cleaning gums and teeth includes a base unit defining a cavity. The cavity contains a pump, which may move pressurized water from a reservoir to a tip in fluid communication with the pump. The pump may be secured within the cavity by at least one vibration reduction mount. Fluid may flow from the reservoir and ultimately into the tip to provide oral irrigation and/or cleaning of the teeth, gums, and tongue. The base may include a plurality of footings that elevate the base unit above a surface supporting the base unit. Also, the base may include a basin for receiving a reservoir. The basin may include a reservoir valve initially biased to a closed position and operationally attached to the reservoir, and a tube projection connected to the base unit and opening the valve when the reservoir is received within the basin. The basin and the reservoir are configured to guide the reservoir valve adjacent to the tube projection.

Abstract: A toothbrush comprising at one of its ends, a handle, and at its other end, a head carrying bristles on one of its sides. A stainless steel cladding covers the head and the handle. As a variation, the head and handle can be made of stainless steel with a plastic plate attached to the head and carrying bristles. As an option, a tongue scraper can be incorporated at the tail end of the handle. As yet another variation the handle can carry a thermochromic material to provide a measure of temperature or to display an image or a text message.

Abstract: An electric-motor arrangement for a medical, in particular dental, handpiece that has a motor housing and a rotor which is arranged in the motor housing so that it can be rotated about an axis via a first bearing and a second bearing. A stator is arranged around the rotor in relation to the axis. The first bearing is received in a first bearing flange, and the second bearing is received in a second bearing flange. Both bearing flanges are composed of metal and adjoin the motor housing directly by way of their circumferential faces. As a result, running noise and vibrations can be reduced. Moreover, premature wear and/or failure can be prevented.

Abstract: A handheld instrument for minimizing pain during administration by injection of a liquid, such as, an anesthetic that has a main body, a vibration unit mounted in the main body when initiated to cause the main body to vibrate, and a detachable tip cantilever mounted on the main body to vibrate with it, the tip having a free end characterized by a bifurcation to form two spaced projections defining a space between them, whereby the spaced projections can be placed in proximity to, adjacent to and bracketing a preselected injection site on a human or animal and the tissue at said preselected injection site and vibrated while an injection is given.

Abstract: Efficiency-modulated ultrasonic dental inserts (12) are disclosed for preventing the overpowering of power-sensitive tips (18). The inserts (12) are useful in a handpiece (10) having an induction coil (20) disposed about a well and operable with an adjustable power supply having a maximum power output setting. An efficiency-modulated magnetostrictive element (14) is adapted to be received in the well. A velocity transducer (16) has proximal and distal ends. The proximal end is attached to a distal end of the magnetostrictive element (14). A power-sensitive tip (18) has a proximal end secured to the distal end of the velocity transducer (16). The efficiency of the magnetostrictive element (14) is matched with the power range of the tip (18) to prevent overpowering the tip (18) at the maximum power output setting.

Abstract: A disposable dental handpiece, including a first handle portion; a second handle portion; a vibration dampening portion, the vibration dampening portion located interposed between the first handle portion and the second handle portion. In another embodiment, a multi-layer disposable dental handpiece, including a first layer of material having an outer surface defining a first outer surface portion of the multi-layer disposable dental handpiece; a second layer of material having an outer surface defining a second outer surface portion of the multi-layer disposable dental handpiece; a layer of vibration dampening material located interposed between the first and second layer of material defining a third outer surface portion of the multi-layer disposable dental handpiece. In yet another embodiment, methods for making a disposable dental handpiece are described.

Abstract: A handheld instrument for minimizing pain during administration by injection of a liquid, such as, an anesthetic that has a main body, a vibration unit mounted in the main body when initiated to cause the main body to vibrate, and a detachable tip cantilever mounted on the main body to vibrate with it, the tip having a free end characterized by a bifurcation to form two spaced projections defining a space between them, whereby the spaced projections can be placed in proximity to, adjacent to and bracketing a preselected injection site on a human or animal and the tissue at said preselected injection site and vibrated while an injection is given.

Abstract: The invention relates to a medical or dental-medical treatment instrument (1) having a rod-like handpiece (2) with the forward end region of which a tool (3) can be releasably coupled by means of a tool coupling (4), and the rearward end region of which can be releaseably coupled with a connection part (6) by means of a handpiece coupling (5), preferably a plug-in/turn coupling, the handpiece having: a grip sleeve (11) which forms an outer body of the handpiece (2), an oscillatory rod (13) which extends longitudinally in the grip sleeve (11) and is mounted therein radially or also axially elastically yieldingly, an in particular pneumatic oscillation generator (31) for transmitting oscillations to the oscillatory rod (13), and a sleeve (14) surrounding the oscillation generator (31). For reducing noise emissions, the sleeve (14) is of elastically compressible or sound-absorbing material.

Abstract: In a medical or dental instrument having a driven treatment tool and an illumination device with a lamp, in particular for the treatment area, wherein the lamp is mounted in a plug-in socket, the plug-in socket is formed by two spring elements biassed towards one another between which the lamp is mounted to swing freely. Alternatively at least one damping element can be arranged between the holder and the lamp or the holder can be mounted elastically on the base part.

Abstract: A dental scaler comprises an elongated housing having a forward end at which a dental scaling tool is removably connectable, and a rearward end for connection to a source of pressure working fluid. A substantially rigid elongated tubular member is resiliently supported in the housing. A vibration imparting device is coupled to an intermediate portion of the elongated tubular member, and is driven by the pressure working fluid to vibrate the elongated tubular member. A dental scaling tool is connected at the forward end portion of the elongated tubular member, and is vibrated by the vibrations produced by the vibration device.

Abstract: A dental handpiece is disclosed having at least two connectable portions and having a substantially rigid connection between the two connectable portions, there being resilient means forming a portion of the substantially rigid connection. The resilient means inhibits transfer of vibration from one of the connectable portions which contains a gas-driven motor to the other connectable portion which provides a hand-grippable surface.