Having Reciprocating, Vibrating, Or Oscillating Output Patents (Class 433/118)
  • Patent number: 11826214
    Abstract: In one embodiment, an oral irrigator including a reservoir, a tip fluidly connected to the reservoir, a motor having a drive shaft, and a pump. The pump includes a pump body including a pump inlet fluidly connected to the reservoir and a pump outlet fluidly connected to the tip, a spiral pinion gear including a plurality of pinion gear teeth that curve along their length, and a spiral driven gear including a plurality of driven gear teeth that mesh with the pinion gear teeth. The pump also may include a connecting rod eccentrically connected to the driven gear and a piston and received within the pump body. Movement of the drive shaft causes the pinion gear to rotate, causing the driven gear to rotate, translating the connecting rod and moving the piston laterally within the pump body to pull fluid from the reservoir and push the fluid to the tip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2023
    Assignee: WATER PIK, INC.
    Inventors: Harold A Luettgen, Oscar Senff, Brian Woodard, Blaine Hanson, Jonathan Huber
  • Patent number: 11813132
    Abstract: An intra oral scanner (IOS) including a probe is disclosed. Optionally, the probe is calibrated to measure locations at a higher accuracy than the IOS. For example, the probe may be used to locate points in a 3D map at high precision and/or the points used to increase the precision of location of other points and/or surfaces in the map. In some embodiments, the probe includes a sensor. Optionally, the probe may be used to measure locations that are hard to view with the IOS. For example, the IOS probe combination may be used to produce 3D maps of a recess in a tooth and/or gums and/or a periodontal pocket and/or to traduce a 3D map or periodontal disease. In some embodiments the probe may be used to measure physical properties, for example, the IOS probe combination may be used to produce a 3D image of hardness of mucosa.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 4, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2023
    Assignee: DENTLYTEC G.P.L. LTD.
    Inventors: Benny Pesach, Amitai Reuvenny, Blanc Zach Lehr, Ygael Grad
  • Patent number: 11666427
    Abstract: A portable tooth polishing and bleaching treatment system is provided for simultaneous tooth surface polishing and bleaching for use at home or in dental clinics. A full contact swinging mechanism is employed to transfer a continuously rotational input from a motor into a back-and-forth swinging movement output. The system comprises an electrically powered handpiece, a detachable swinging angle, a rubber cup, a user-specific thermoplastic gum protector, and a dual-agent mixing set consisting of a separated storage of polishing bleaching agents and an agent mixing tool. The swinging angle alone is used as a prophylaxis angle for dental clinics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2023
    Inventor: Feimo Shen
  • Patent number: 11589953
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to tools, systems and methods for recontouring/reshaping gum tissue by engaging a consumable tip on a dental hand tool to abrade/ablate excess or mal-contoured gum tissue to allow better visualization of the tooth/implant structure and reduce the periodontal pockets to provide improved access for cleaning. In some embodiments, the dental hand tool may use vibrational movement, longitudinal reciprocating movement, rotational movement, reciprocating rotational movement, or a combination of any of the above movement schemes. In some embodiments, a consumable tip may be directed for cleaning tooth/implant surfaces and for recontouring/reshaping gum tissue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2023
    Inventor: Bennett H. Jacoby
  • Patent number: 11364102
    Abstract: A toothbrush having one or more light sources with an electronic interlock control device preventing operation of the light source when the toothbrush is removed from the user's mouth. The electronic interlock control over operation is necessary to prevent accidental eye exposure to the high intensity light source with a wavelength in the range of about 400 nm to about 1000 nm. The light-emitting toothbrush activates upon entering the user's mouth but deactivates immediately when removed, thus protecting the user's eyes from direct exposure to the high power light source contained in the brush head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2022
    Assignee: Oralucent, Inc.
    Inventors: Mike Barnes, Timothy Lawrence, Greg Shepherd
  • Patent number: 11135044
    Abstract: A brush device for an ultrasonic scaler includes: a base having a first end and an opposite second end, the first end and the second end define a longitudinal axis of the base; an insert housing extending from the first end of the base, the insert housing defines an opening sized and shaped to receive a distal end of the ultrasonic scaler and secure the brush device thereto; and a cleaning element extending from the second end of the base, the cleaning element is substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2021
    Inventor: Jody Michelle Fuhri
  • Patent number: 10786339
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a toothbrush head configured to brush teeth and a body releasably coupled with the toothbrush head. The body includes a vibration component configured to vibrate the toothbrush head, and an element configured to operate the vibration component. The apparatus includes an appliance brush interchangeable with the toothbrush head and configured to brush a dental appliance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2020
    Assignee: SDC U.S. SmilePay SPV
    Inventors: Josh Chapman, Brittany Lacey
  • Patent number: 10758319
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a surgical dental tool for assisting with the implantation of a dental implant. The tool is designed to create an opening in a patient's jaw into which the dental implant will be inserted. In one embodiment, the tool includes a handle, a blade carrier, a pick and a blade stabilizing channel formed in at least a portion of the blade carrier and extends through at least a portion of the pick. The blade stabilizing channel receives and stabilizes a cutting blade. The blade carrier may include an adjustable clamping plate for removably securing the cutting blade in the blade stabilizing channel. The pick may include a sheath that receives and protects the tip of the cutting blade from breakage when the blade is in the blade stabilizing channel and is being used to cut a dental implant opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2020
    Assignee: Charles Buist, DMD, PA
    Inventor: Charles Buist, Sr.
  • Patent number: 10575923
    Abstract: Different mechanical drive devices for a medical, dental or surgical tool are described that are designed to put the tool into an oscillating, rotational motion, wherein the oscillating, rotational motion comprises an alternating rotation of the tool by a first angle of rotation in a first rotational direction and by a second angle of rotation in a second rotational direction substantially opposed to the first rotational direction, wherein the first and second angles of rotation may have different values, so that during multiple sequential rotations in the first and second rotational directions, the tool cumulatively experiences a rotational motion in a preferred direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2020
    Assignee: W&H Dentalwerk Bürmoos GmbH
    Inventors: Michael Rothenwaender, Hermann Rehrl, Josef Spitzauer, Karlheinz Eder
  • Patent number: 10383624
    Abstract: A method for impacting a suture anchor into bone comprises providing an implantable suture anchor and providing an impactor device for impacting the suture anchor into the bone. The suture anchor is coupled to a distal portion of the impactor device. Positioning the suture anchor engages the anchor with the bone at an implantation site, and powering the impactor device impacts the suture anchor thereby implanting the suture anchor into the bone. The frequency of impaction is less than 20 KHz. The impactor device is then decoupled from the suture anchor, and the impactor device may be removed from the implantation site.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2019
    Assignee: The Foundry, LLC
    Inventors: Darin C. Gittings, Mark Deem, Hanson S. Gifford, Doug Sutton, Vivek Shenoy
  • Patent number: 10350028
    Abstract: A multi-directional handpiece that includes a motor drive extending along and configured for rotation about a body axis, the motor drive having: a motor gearing at a proximal end of the motor drive; and a file gearing in engagement with the motor gearing for transferring the rotational and axial movement to a workpiece; and a housing for the workpiece; and wherein through rotation of the motor drive, the workpiece moves in an axial oscillating motion while being rotated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2019
    Assignee: DENTSPLY SIRONA Inc.
    Inventors: Vincent Shotton, Dan Ammon, Naim Karazivan
  • Patent number: 10350029
    Abstract: A vibrator for attaching composite resin to a tooth includes a housing, a vibration motor accommodated in the housing and configured to generate vibration, a micro-computer configured to control an operation and a vibration frequency of the vibration motor, a vibration tip configured to couple with one side of the housing to be exposed to an outside of the housing and to transfer the vibration to the composite resin, a vibration bushing provided at one end of the vibration tip and accommodated in the housing, and a control switch provided on one side of the housing and configured to generate a vibration motor control signal in response to a user contacting or pushing the control switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2019
    Assignee: B&L BIOTECH, INC.
    Inventors: In Whan Lee, Dong Yoon Lee, Seung Ki Baek, Gil Hwan Sung, In Jeong Choi, Myun Hwan Ahn
  • Patent number: 10010483
    Abstract: A syringe fill system is described, which is useful for filling syringes for dental anesthetic applications. The system incorporates capability for “push-pull”, “pull-push”, “push-push”, and “pull-pull” modes of operation, for loading syringes with compositions comprising multiple fluid components. A syringe fillable by such syringe fill systems is described, providing haptic and audible feedback to a user, to aid in administering precise amounts of therapeutic compositions. Also disclosed are cassette assemblies for use in such syringe fill systems. Such cassette assemblies may be formed of plastic and elastomeric materials of construction, as disposable or single-use components of the syringe fill system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2018
    Assignee: ANUTRA MEDICAL, INC.
    Inventors: Daniel K. Davidian, Scott G. Newnam, Eli B. Nichols, Theodore J. Mosler
  • Patent number: 10010482
    Abstract: A syringe fill system is described, which is useful for filling syringes for dental anesthetic applications. The system incorporates capability for “push-pull”, “pull-push”, “push-push”, and “pull-pull” modes of operation, for loading syringes with compositions comprising multiple fluid components. A syringe fillable by such syringe fill systems is described, providing haptic and audible feedback to a user, to aid in administering precise amounts of therapeutic compositions. Also disclosed are cassette assemblies for use in such syringe fill systems. Such cassette assemblies may be formed of plastic and elastomeric materials of construction, as disposable or single-use components of the syringe fill system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2018
    Assignee: ANUTRA MEDICAL, INC.
    Inventors: Daniel K. Davidian, Scott G. Newnam, Eli B. Nichols, Theodore J. Mosler
  • Patent number: 9833299
    Abstract: A multi-directional handpiece that includes a motor drive extending along and configured for rotation about a body axis, the motor drive having: a motor gearing at a proximal end of the motor drive; and a file gearing in engagement with the motor gearing for transferring the rotational and axial movement to a workpiece; and a housing for the workpiece; and wherein through rotation of the motor drive, the workpiece moves in an axial oscillating motion while being rotated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2017
    Assignee: DENTSPLY International Inc.
    Inventors: Vincent Shotton, Dan Ammon, Naim Karazivan
  • Patent number: 9770561
    Abstract: A device for giving injections has a housing having a lower surface and an upper surface with a passage through the housing extending between the upper and lower surfaces. A DC motor with an eccentric fixed to the motor is located inside the housing to vibrate the housing. At least one tubular insert is located in the passage through the housing and is fixed to the housing. A syringe receiver is located inside and fixed to the at least one tubular insert. The syringe receiver contains a foam insert defining a space for receiving a syringe. The foam insert is a polyurethane foam characterized by an indentation force deflection of about 25% at 127 N and about 65% at 256N. The foam insert isolates a syringe from the vibrating of the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2017
    Inventor: Freddie Larren Dixon
  • Patent number: 9713514
    Abstract: Provided are related to implant abutments. The implant abutment that is coupled to a fixture that becomes an artificial tooth root by being implanted to an alveolar bone, the implant abutment includes: a main body; a first rotating member that is coupled to the main body to be able to rotate with respect to a first rotational axis, includes a first gear portion on an end portion thereof, and includes a male screw portion that is formed on the other end portion thereof to be screw coupled to the fixture; and a second rotating member that is coupled to the main body to be able to rotate with respect to a second rotational axis which crosses the first rotational axis, and includes a second gear portion that is formed on the other end portion thereof to form a bevel gear structure by being coupled to the first gear portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2017
    Assignee: EBI CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Sang Choon Cho
  • Patent number: 9693835
    Abstract: A manual device, in particular for dental use, for dispensing a pasty filler, may reduce the viscosity of the filler by the introduction of vibrational energy. The device may include a device housing, a detachable container for the pasty filler that includes an outlet nozzle at a front end thereof, a vibration generator with an oscillating body, and pressure generating means for exerting pressure on the pasty filler, wherein the oscillating body is detachably connected to the container in a middle region thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: KALTENBACH & VOIGT GMBH
    Inventor: Walter Moessle
  • Patent number: 9198502
    Abstract: A short wavelength visible light-emitting toothbrush with an electronic interlock control device preventing operation when the toothbrush is removed from the user's mouth. The electronic interlock control over operation is necessary to prevent accidental eye exposure to the high intensity light source with a wavelength in the range of 400 nm to 500 nm. The light-emitting toothbrush activates upon formation of an electrical circuit between the brush handle in contact with the users hand and the brush head or brush bristles in contact with moisture contained in a human mouth such as saliva or water mixed with toothpaste but deactivates immediately when removed from the mouth, thus protecting the user's eyes from direct exposure to the high power light source contained in the brush-head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2015
    Assignee: Oralucent, LLC
    Inventors: Mike Barnes, Timothy Lawrence, Greg Shepherd, Mathieu Julien Jean Emile Zastawny, Thomas Jason Dooley
  • Publication number: 20150132712
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods for endodontic treatment of teeth provide effective cleaning of organic material (such as pulp and diseased tissue) from the root canal system. In an embodiment, a compressor system generates high pressure liquid (e.g., water) that flows through an orifice to produce a high-velocity collimated jet of liquid. The high-velocity jet is directed toward a surface of a tooth, for example, an exposed dentinal surface, and impingement of the jet onto the surface generates an acoustic wave that propagates throughout the tooth. The acoustic wave effectively detaches organic material from dentinal surfaces and tubules. The detached organic material is flushed from the root canal system by the liquid jet and/or by additional irrigation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2014
    Publication date: May 14, 2015
    Inventors: Morteza Gharib, Joshua Adams, Erik Hars, Bjarne Bergheim, Karl Stocks, Lance Doherty
  • Publication number: 20150132714
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a tool, kit and method for applying loading, torsional/twisting, oscillatory or vibration induced forces to a bond line established between a tooth root surface and an associated bone defined socket within which the tooth is held. Forces are applied typically for a given number of cycles or iterations in order to adequately pre-loosen the tooth from the bone. In a most basic variant, a body is adapted to being engaged by an output portion of a force applying tool. The body includes a pair of tooth engaging portions adapted to being inserted into contact with opposite surfaces of the tooth root surface and opposing surfaces associated with the bone receiving socket. The tool introduces loading forces to the engaging portions, causing the tooth to displace within the socket sufficiently to fracture the bond with the bone, thereby facilitating tooth removal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 8, 2013
    Publication date: May 14, 2015
    Applicant: Beak and Bumper, LLC
    Inventor: Richard Golden
  • Publication number: 20150132715
    Abstract: A vibrative anesthesia device for pain reducing comprises: a grip, for hand gripping; an electrical component, set inside of the grip with a protruding cable; a vibration component, electrically connected with the electrical component for setting in the oral cavity; thereby, with vibration generated by the vibration component, pain reducing or painless feeling are archieved.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2013
    Publication date: May 14, 2015
    Inventors: Tai-Jung Yeh, Keng-Liang Ou, Yu-Hao Chan, Han-Yi Cheng
  • Publication number: 20150079540
    Abstract: An oscillating dental angle handpiece for dental tools is described. The handpiece has a hollow housing body, that defines a first longitudinal cavity suitable for coaxially containing inside the first longitudinal cavity a driving shaft, and a second transversal cavity, arranged at an end of the first cavity and having an axis incident with the axis of the first cavity, as well as a driven holder, in which a rotary movement of the driving shaft is transformed into oscillating movement of the driven holder. Additionally, the handpiece is entirely made from synthetic material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2013
    Publication date: March 19, 2015
    Inventor: Peter Rek
  • Patent number: 8956159
    Abstract: A tool bit for removing orthodontic brackets includes a handpiece-engaging portion, a shaft portion, a curved portion and a working end portion. The curved portion provides sufficient offset to present the end portion in a substantially co-planar relationship with a tooth surface. The working end portion includes at least one beveled cutting surface for cutting away the adhesive and at least one blunt/flat polishing surface for polishing away any residual adhesive that may remain after bracket removal. The tool bit may also include a cooling fluid delivery port. Edges of the beveled surfaces may be serrated. Beveled surfaces and the top surface may be coated with an abrasive material such as diamond grit. These cutting surfaces are used to cut through the adhesive layer bonding the bracket to the tooth. The tool has a blunt/flat second edge surface for polishing away any remaining adhesive after bracket removal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2015
    Inventor: Chitra Shanmugham
  • Publication number: 20150044634
    Abstract: In endodontic therapy, a probe tool is disclosed which enables the removal of a broken file or instrument fragment wedged in a root canal of a tooth. A shank portion of the probe tool is made at least in part from flexible planar sheet material such as stainless spring steel. In a preferred method of use, a dental handpiece transfers oscillations or other cyclical rapid motions through the inventive probe tool to the root canal wall at the juncture with the embedded fragment. A portion of the shank end of the probe tool may be coated with abrasive material. The rapid motions or oscillations imparted to the flexible probe abrade the area where the fragment is wedged and yet minimize collateral damage to adjacent dentinal surfaces. Other types of dental handpieces can be used to transfer vibrational, reciprocating, hammering or circulatory motion to the probe tool when necessary to enhance the effectiveness of the abrading process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2014
    Publication date: February 12, 2015
    Inventor: Jeffrey I. Lasner
  • Patent number: 8944814
    Abstract: The invention concerns a hand apparatus (1), in particular for dental purposes, for dispensing a pasty filler mass (M) the viscosity of which can be reduced by supplying vibration energy, having an apparatus housing (5), having a container (4) for the pasty filler mass (M), having an exit nozzle (11) standing in connection with the container (4), having a vibration generator (3), and having pressure production means (18) for exercising pressure on the pasty filler mass (M). In order to improve the transfer of vibrations in the region of the of the hand apparatus the vibration generator (3) and the container (4) are mounted movably with respect to the apparatus housing (5) and are directly vibration-coupled with each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignee: Kaltenbach & Voigt GmbH
    Inventor: Walter Mossle
  • Patent number: 8931129
    Abstract: Treatment device for treatment of the oral cavity and pharynx and/or the teeth, having a treatment head that can be removably fastened to a handpiece, and which has a head piece having a plurality of bristles and which has an electromechanical transducer in the head piece for producing a mechanical oscillation or waves to be transferred to a treatment area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2015
    Assignee: Emag AG
    Inventor: Bülent Emekci
  • Patent number: 8926323
    Abstract: A hand apparatus, in particular for dental purposes, for dispensing a pasty filler mass the viscosity of which can be reduced by supplying vibration energy, comprising an apparatus housing, a container for the pasty filler mass, an exit nozzle connected with the container, a vibration generator, and pressure production means for applying pressure on the pasty filler mass. In order to improve the transfer of vibrations in the region of the hand apparatus the vibration generator and the container are mounted movably with respect to the apparatus housing and are directly vibration-coupled with each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: Kaltenbach & Voigt GmbH
    Inventor: Walter Mössle
  • Patent number: 8894411
    Abstract: A dental handpiece to which various tools forming a tool set can be coupled, and more precisely a handpiece coupling, which can be driven by a drive in the dental handpiece at least for an axial oscillating motion The coupling is constituted for a connection of the tools by insertion and securing, and more precisely with a conically tapering opening, into which an adapted coupling section of the tools that tapers in the shape of a truncated cone can be introduced and secured in a suitable manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Assignee: Gebr. Brasseler GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Stefan Neumeyer
  • Patent number: 8876529
    Abstract: A device according to the invention 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 in characterized essentially by the fact that it 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 in a manner 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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: Woodwelding AG
    Inventors: Jörg Mayer, Marcel Aeschlimann, Laurent Torriani, Christoph Rusch, Stéphane Gillieron
  • Patent number: 8827701
    Abstract: The invention concerns a hand apparatus (1), in particular for dental purposes, for dispensing a pasty filler mass (M) the viscosity of which can be reduced by supplying vibration energy, having an apparatus housing (5), having a container (4) for the pasty filler mass (M), having an exit nozzle (11) standing in connection with the container (4), having a vibration generator (3), and having pressure production means (18) for exercising pressure on the pasty filler mass (M). In order to improve the transfer of vibrations in the region of the hand apparatus the vibration generator (3) and the container (4) are mounted movably with respect to the apparatus housing (5) and are directly vibration-coupled with each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: Kaltenbach & Voigt GmbH
    Inventor: Walter Mössle
  • Patent number: 8806691
    Abstract: The invention provides an electric toothbrush capable of changing a resonant frequency and vibration amplitude of an eccentric shaft. An electric toothbrush of the present invention includes a motor, an eccentric shaft with one end fixed to a rotation shaft of the motor, and a stemserving as a vibration transmitting component having a bearing for supporting the other end of the eccentric shaft for transmitting vibration generated in accordance with rotation of the eccentric shaft to a brush portion. In the electric toothbrush, the eccentric shaft is formed so that a gravity center position is movable at least in one direction among a direction in which a distance to a shaft center is changed and an axial direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: Omron Healthcare Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Toshiyuki Iwahori, Akitoshi Miki, Jun Shimoyama, Takashi Torihama
  • Patent number: 8793829
    Abstract: An electric toothbrush capable of suppressing loss of vibration energy while suppressing the vibration of the portion a user grips with hand is provided. In an electric toothbrush including an inner case, made up of an inner case main body and a motor holder, mounted with various components including a motor; an outer case which interiorly accommodates the inner case and which acts as a portion the user grips with hand when brushing teeth; an eccentric shaft, configured by a shaft main body and an eccentric member, which center of gravity is arranged at a position shifted from a shaft center and which rotates by a drive force of the motor; and a vibration transmitting component for transmitting the vibration generated with the rotation of the eccentric shaft to a brush portion; where the vibration transmitting component is positioned with respect to the outer case by point contacting the inner wall surface of the outer case at a plurality of locations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: Omron Healthcare Company Ltd.
    Inventors: Jun Shimoyama, Yasutaka Murase, Tadashi Tone, Yuji Asada
  • Patent number: 8745804
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Inventor: Steven Jaksha
  • Patent number: 8714978
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a system for the endodontic treatment of a root canal. The system includes an endodontic instrument; an endodontic handpiece having a drive motor for rotating the endodontic instrument releasably attached to the handpiece; and a control unit for controlling the rotation of the endodontic instrument according to one or more predetermined rotational sequences. The rotational sequences include reciprocating the endodontic instrument by continuously sequentially rotating the endodontic instrument in a first direction followed by reversing the direction of rotation so that 0.5×???<? and 3??/??20, where ? represents a rotational angle in a direction in which the rotating endodontic instrument removes debris from the root canal, ? represents a rotational angle in the opposite direction, and ? represents the elastic angle of the endodontic instrument at which plastic deformation occurs in the direction of ?.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignee: DENTSPLY International Inc.
    Inventor: Markus Borgschulte
  • Publication number: 20140099597
    Abstract: Various apparatus and methods for cleaning teeth and gingival pockets are disclosed herein. A fluid platform can include a pressure wave generator configured to propagate pressure waves through a treatment fluid. The pressure waves may be sufficient to remove undesirable dental deposits from a treatment tooth, neighboring gums, and/or spaces between the tooth and gums.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2013
    Publication date: April 10, 2014
    Applicant: Sonendo Inc.
    Inventors: Bjarne Bergheim, Mehrzad Khakpour
  • Patent number: 8668664
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Assignee: Bing Innovations, LLC
    Inventor: Steven G. Goldberg
  • Patent number: 8670858
    Abstract: A tip-based computer controlled system for a dental delivery device is disclosed. The system automatically controls an operating characteristic such as power control or fluid flow based on tip identification and history. The operating characteristic may also be controlled in response to particular conditions throughout the dental procedure, such as (but not limited to) temperature, dental hygiene material, fluid type, etc. The system may provide an alert or shut off if unsafe conditions occur and/or error circumstances are detected. An operator interface is provided to configure the system and augment/override an executing control algorithm during a procedure. A method and a computer-readable storage medium are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Inventors: James Feine, Mohammad Ali Jamnia, William L. Bollig
  • Publication number: 20140023988
    Abstract: A cutting blade having a pair of razor-sharp cutting edges and adapted to be oscillated back and forth in order to cut through the periodontal ligaments which surround a tooth root of a patient during dental surgery so that the root or a portion of a tooth root can be removed from the patient's jawbone. The cutting blade has a connecting shaft at one end by which the blade can be coupled to the driver head of an oscillating dental handpiece. Located opposite the connecting shaft is a cutting end having a tissue debris transfer canal at the bottom or inside thereof and a smooth tissue gliding surface at the top or outside. A positioning collar surrounds the connecting shaft to provide to the oral surgeon a visual indication of the alignment of the pair of cutting edges of the cutting blade relative to the tissue to be cut.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 20, 2012
    Publication date: January 23, 2014
    Inventor: Schubert L. Sapian
  • Patent number: 8517730
    Abstract: A tooth extracting tool including an elongated handle and a pair of tooth engaging members extending out of one end of the handle and a pneumatic or hydraulic piston for tightly gripping the tooth to be extracted between the pair of tooth engaging members. The tool also includes a mechanism for subjecting the grasped tooth to linear oscillation at an opposite end of the handle and for limiting the back and forth linear movement of the tooth to between about plus or minus 5 mm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2013
    Assignee: King Saud University
    Inventors: Saied Mohamed Hassan Darwish, Abdel Nasser Dawood, Gamal Mohamed Hassan Darwish, Abdulrahman M. Al-Ahmari
  • Patent number: 8469918
    Abstract: An apparatus is provided for performing an injection, the apparatus including a front end, a vibrator mechanism selectively vibrating the front end during an injection and a syringe holder holding a syringe during an injection through the front end while the front end is vibrated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Inventor: Steve Fallek
  • Publication number: 20130115571
    Abstract: Treatment device for treatment of the oral cavity and pharynx and/or the teeth, having a treatment head that can be removably fastened to a handpiece, and which has a head piece having a plurality of bristles and which has an electromechanical transducer in the head piece for producing a mechanical oscillation or waves to be transferred to a treatment area.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2011
    Publication date: May 9, 2013
    Applicant: EMAG AG
    Inventor: Bülent Emekci
  • Publication number: 20130040262
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for rupturing connective tissues that attach a tooth to a patient's alveolar bone socket are provided. The apparatus includes a metal cap removably attached to the tooth using a cementing agent, and a transducer assembly having a transducer head and a ball projection. The metal cap includes a body section having a hollow space defined by its coronal surface and contiguous vertical surfaces for enclosing the tooth. The body section has a slit terminating with an apical strip and loop arrangement. The metal cap further includes a ball socket extending from the coronal surface of the body section. The transducer head generates vibrational and tapping movements in the ball projection. The ball projection operatively engages the ball socket to transfer the vibrational and tapping movements to the metal cap and thereby to the tooth, which ruptures the connective tissues of the tooth.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2012
    Publication date: February 14, 2013
    Inventors: James Jiwen Chun, Jennifer Miseong Chun, Angela Soyoung Chun, Andrew Youngho Chun
  • Patent number: 8307488
    Abstract: The invention relates to a process for producing a toothbrush having a body, which comprises a handle region, a head region and a neck region located between the handle region and the head region, and having functional elements which are arranged, at least in part, within the body and comprise an electrically operated functional unit and an electric supply device which has an energy store and is intended for the functional unit, in the case of which the body is produced, by injection molding, from at least one hard component, which serves as a reinforcement, and at least one soft component, and at least some of the functional elements, during the production of the body, are encapsulated, at least in part, directly by the plastic which forms the soft component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2012
    Assignee: Trisa Holding AG
    Inventors: Philipp Pfenniger, Franz Fischer, Beat Huber
  • Publication number: 20120244494
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, an apparatus for removing enamel from a person's tooth includes a blade portion and an arch portion coupled to the blade portion. The blade portion includes an abrasive surface having a repeating pattern of recesses, and the abrasive surface is adapted to remove enamel from the tooth in response to reciprocating movement of the abrasive surface against the enamel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 24, 2011
    Publication date: September 27, 2012
    Inventor: Carlos F. Navarro
  • Patent number: 8256054
    Abstract: The toothbrush includes a handle portion which has a disc spring assembly driven by a solenoid coil. The upper end of a central shaft which extends from the solenoid is connected to a drive flexible membrane assembly which in operation moves back and forth under the positive action of the solenoid central shaft and the return action of the spring on the central shaft. The drive membrane acts on hydraulic fluid which extends through a stem portion of the toothbrush to the brushhead, which includes a movable brushhead membrane. The moving fluid acts on the brushhead membrane to move it.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.
    Inventors: Meindert Hendrik Boonstra, John Boersma
  • Patent number: 8202087
    Abstract: Vibratory tip (100) including a body (110) having a first end (111) adapted to be mechanically coupled rigidly with a surgical handpiece (101) generating vibrations and a second end to which there is fixed a tool holder (112) intended to reproduce the vibrations transmitted by the handpiece. The tip furthermore includes a tool (120) with a working area (121). The tool (120) is freely rotatably mounted relative to the tool holder (112), which allows the tool to adjust itself automatically in order to remain in contact with the tooth and position the working area on the entire periphery of the tooth with a single tip. The tool preferably includes two working areas to improve keeping and guiding the tool on the surface of the tooth to be treated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2012
    Inventor: Patrick Lesage
  • Publication number: 20120122054
    Abstract: A container for use with a hand-held device, in particular for dental purposes, for dispensing a pasty filling compound, the viscosity of which can be reduced by supplying vibration energy, wherein the container is designed to receive the pasty filling compound and comprises a discharge opening at the front end for dispensing the filling compound. The discharge opening is formed by a cannula which is made of steel, for example. The viscosity of the filling compound can be positively influenced by the cannula. In this way, in particular a significant increase in the liquefaction degree of the filling compound can be achieved.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 9, 2010
    Publication date: May 17, 2012
    Applicant: Kaltenbach & Voigt GmbH
    Inventor: Frank Emde
  • Publication number: 20120094251
    Abstract: The invention concerns a hand apparatus (1), in particular for dental purposes, for dispensing a pasty filler mass (M) the viscosity of which can be reduced by supplying vibration energy, having an apparatus housing (5), having a container (4) for the pasty filler mass (M), having an exit nozzle (11) standing in connection with the container (4), having a vibration generator (3), and having pressure production means (18) for exercising pressure on the pasty filler mass (M). In order to improve the transfer of vibrations in the region of the of the hand apparatus the vibration generator (3) and the container (4) are mounted movably with respect to the apparatus housing (5) and are directly vibration-coupled with each other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2011
    Publication date: April 19, 2012
    Inventor: Walter Mössle
  • Publication number: 20120070799
    Abstract: An apparatus and a method for reducing pain and the discomfort experienced by a patient as a consequence of a needle stick during the administration of an injection. The pain-reducing apparatus includes a handle and a disposable fork detachably connected thereto. The fork has a pair of outstretched fingers that are separated from one another by a gap at which the injection site is located. Vibrations applied to the fork from the handle are transmitted from the fingers of the fork to the patient's tissue or skin surrounding the injection site. The vibrations desensitize the patient's tissue/skin during the administration of the injection.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 21, 2010
    Publication date: March 22, 2012
    Inventor: Mark Metcalf