Abstract: The present invention relates to a disposable dental instrument used by dental professionals to polish a patient's teeth. The dental instrument can be connected to a hand motor used to rotate a prophy cup with a plurality of grinding wings that rub against the patient's teeth as a predetermined amount of tooth cleaning fluid is discharged directly on the patient's teeth through a drain hole within the prophy cup. The tooth cleaning fluid is discharged from a tube that is assembled in a tube room of the dental instrument. The tube is a flexible bladder similar in function and form to a tube of toothpaste. The tube is made of a flexible polymer material that allows it to be squeezed when pressure is applied to it. A roller is assembled within the tube room and on top of the tube. As the roller is pushed forward with a finger, the tube is squeezed to discharge the tooth cleaning fluid directly on the patient's teeth.

Abstract: A tooth grinding system includes an electric motor, a drive unit driven by the motor, a float arm attached to the electric motor at one end, a cutter head at the distal end of the arm including a drive assembly and a cutter element driven by the drive assembly and a flexible drive member within the arm and driven by the drive unit to drive the drive assembly and cutter element.

Abstract: A disposable dental angle with a housing consisting of two sections is provided. The vertical aperture of the head section of the housing allows insertion of a driven rotor such that the driven rotor is properly positioned. The horizontal aperture of the tail section of the housing allows insertion of a driving shaft such that the driving shaft is properly positioned. The front stepped end of the tail section engages the horizontal aperture of the head section firmly such that the two sections form a right angle. This ensures that the gear of the driven rotor is properly coupled to the matching gear of the driving shaft. Hence the driving shaft transfers the rotation from a dental tool to the driven rotor for the purpose of tooth cleaning using a cleaning cup.

Abstract: A dental prophylaxis angle and handpiece assembly for cleaning and polishing teeth is provided. The dental prophylaxis angle is removably attached to the dental handpiece by an interlocking mechanism that includes extension locking tabs, a locking annular member, and an interlocking drive member in the handpiece. The prophy angle is securely snap-fitted onto the handpiece and locked in place so that it has minimal lateral movement. After the prophy angle has been used to treat a patient, it can be removed easily from the handpiece and disposed thereof.

Abstract: A disposable prophy angle with an accessible and replaceable internal collapsible prophylaxis bladder and a push button and plunger/paddle combination to force a metered amount of prophylaxis medium into the prophy angle while providing audible and/or tactile feedback.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a hand tool used by dental professionals to polish a patient's tooth. The hand tool can be connected to a hand motor used to rotate a wheel cup with a plurality of grinding wings that rub against the patient's tooth as a predetermined amount of dentifrice material is discharged directly on the patient's tooth through a drain hole within the wheel cup. The dentifrice material is discharged from a tube that is assembled in the housing of the hand tool. The tube has a plurality of folds formed on the tube body in such a manner as to be folded by a given distance while being compressed to discharge the dentifrice material therefrom. The tube is compressed by a link with a push button that is guided in the forward direction as it is pushed by a finger.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to dental prophylaxis devices that improve portability, maneuverability and aid in retaining clean conditions for use on dental patients, particularly to dental handpieces. The present invention is also directed prophylaxis or prophy angles for use with such handpieces. In general, a dental prophylaxis device includes a handpiece and a prophy angle which includes a driven shaft and a prophy cup attached for rotation thereto. The handpiece generally includes a body which houses a rotational source coupled to an output shaft which couples to the driven shaft in the prophy angle via angled gear interfaces on the output shaft and the driven shaft.

Abstract: A disposable prophy angle for mounting on a powered dental handpiece with an elastomeric grip where the elastomer of the grip is disposed along the back of the neck, the back of the shoulder, and about the base of the device so that the prophy angle may be comfortably grasped by the fingers and thumb of a user, so that it will resist slippage from the user's hand, and so that it will tactilely direct the user's fingers and thumb into the proper position to handle the prophy angle in an effective manner.

Abstract: A dental prophylaxis angle includes a body, a drive gear and a driven gear. The body has a sleeve with an open rear end, a neck, a head, a first axial bore, and a second axial bore. The first axial bore is located in the neck, and the second axial bore is located in the head. The first and second axial bores communicate with each other at an intersection. A channel extends through the body from the base of the neck to the open rear end. The drive gear is adapted to be inserted into said body through said head. The drive gear includes a gear, an intermediate portion and a shaft. The shaft extends rotatably from the open rear end of the sleeve, through the first bore, and into the second bore. The intermediate portion further includes an angled leading edge. The drive gear defines a circumferential groove between said gear and said intermediate portion. The driven gear is rotatably mounted in the head and operatively connected to the drive gear. The body further includes a lip extending into the channel.

Abstract: The present invention provides a dental prophylaxis angle that includes a singular housing, a drive shaft, a rotor, and a collar. The housing may define a first bore, a second bore in communication with the first bore at a substantial angle thereto, and a third bore coaxial with the second bore. The drive shaft is positionable in the first bore, and the drive shaft may include a post, which may define a spherical depression. The rotor is positionable in the second bore, and may define a spherical bearing and a spherical tip. The collar defines an axial bore where the collar is positionable in the first bore such that a portion of the drive shaft is disposed within the axial bore.

Abstract: A prophy device incorporating a shaft and one or more corrugated members which eliminate the need for plastic gears of the prior art is disclosed. The corrugated members effectively transfer rotational energy from a shaft to an applicator. In another version, a flexible paste chamber contains polish within a housing of the device. A difference between a rotational speed at a front of the paste chamber and rear of the paste chamber causes the flexible chamber to contract on itself thereby automatically forcing polish from the chamber and into a polish applicator. A user dictates the amount of polish dispensed by controlling the rotational speed at the front of the paste chamber by pressing the polish applicator against the teeth of a patient. As the speed differential increases, the amount of polish dispensed increases as well. The design is simple and cost efficient such that the design overcomes many shortcomings of the prior art.

Abstract: An adapter for a prophy angle includes a collet, a nose, a body, and a shaft. The collet is configured to connect to a rotating member of the prophy angle. The nose has a first bore and is configured to receive the rotating member through the first bore. The body has a second bore and is connected to the nose. The shaft is positioned within the second bore of the body, and the shaft include a first distal end and a second distal end. The first distal end connects to the collet, and the second distal end includes a coupler. The collet includes a plurality of extensions for attaching to the rotating member. A fixed-diameter collet bore is defined by innermost portions of the extensions, and the collet bore has a diameter smaller than a diameter of the rotating member.

Abstract: The present invention provides a dental prophylaxis angle that includes a singular housing, a drive shaft, a rotor, and a collar. The housing may define a first bore, a second bore in communication with the first bore at a substantial angle thereto, and a third bore coaxial with the second bore. The drive shaft is positionable in the first bore, and the drive shaft may include a post, which may define a spherical depression. The rotor is positionable in the second bore, and may define a spherical bearing and a spherical tip. The collar defines an axial bore where the collar is positionable in the first bore such that a portion of the drive shaft is disposed within the axial bore.

Abstract: A medical handpiece having an elongate grip part, in the forward end region of which a clamping sleeve is rotatably mounted, in which sleeve a shaft of a tool can be inserted and clamped, wherein the clamping sleeve has at least one axial clamping slot and in its longitudinal region a constriction section with a reduced inner cross-section and in the longitudinal region is surrounded by a sleeve receiving space. In order to improve the tool clamping the outer form of the clamping sleeve is, in the region of the constriction section, so configured that through the insertion of the shaft it forms a barrel-like outward bulge and in that the sleeve receiving space is in cross-section the same size or larger than the barrel-like output bulge.

Abstract: A prophylaxis cup formed of a silicone elastomer having perlite particles incorporated therein as an abrasive material. The silicone elastomer and perlite particles are processed in a 3-roll mill so that the perlite particles have a predetermined size and are uniformly dispersed throughout the prophylaxis cup. As the prophylaxis cup is used to clean and polish teeth, the prophylaxis cup disintegrates upon contact with the teeth releasing the perlite particles which act as a cleaning and polishing agent between the prophylaxis cup and the teeth.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a disposable dental prophylaxis apparatus capable of discharging a predetermined amount of dentifrice material therefrom, including: a housing having a drain hole adapted for discharging a dentifrice material therefrom, a tube room adapted for mounting a dentifrice material-charging tube therein, and a link room having a plurality of teeth formed along the both inner wall surfaces for adjustably discharging the dentifrice material in predetermined amounts from the tube; a wheel gear having a drain hole adapted for inducing the dentifrice material flowing from the drain hole of the housing to a wheel cup adapted for rubbing against a patient's tooth; the wheel cup having a drain hole formed for receiving the dentifrice material induced from the drain hole of the wheel gear; the tube adapted to be charged with the dentifrice material and having a plurality of folds adapted to be compressed gradually as the dentifrice material is discharged therefrom in the predetermined amounts;

Abstract: A dental cleaning attachment for a dental handpiece which comprises a disposable prophy angle having a neck and a right angle head, wherein the neck is removably attached to the dental handpiece. A polishing cup is rotatably connected to the head of the prophy angle. An encompassing toroidal pouch has a tube fluidly formed to and extending from the toroidal pouch. The tube runs externally along a top surface of the neck, is bent at a right angle, goes through a rear aperture in the head of the prophy angle and into a top aperture in the polishing cup. A paste material is carried within the toroidal pouch, the tube and the polishing cup. When the dental handpiece is gripped by a hand of a dental hygienist and the polishing cup is applied to a tooth, any finger of the hand of the dental hygienist can squeeze the toroidal pouch to force some of the paste material through the tube and out of the polishing cup, so that the paste material can be applied onto the tooth for cleaning.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, an apparatus for removing enamel from a person's tooth includes a blade portion and a handle portion. The blade portion includes an abrasive surface adapted to remove enamel from the tooth in response to reciprocating movement of the abrasive surface against the enamel of the tooth. The handle portion is coupled to the blade portion, has a substantially solid cross-section, and is adapted to be inserted into a corresponding opening in a driver mechanism that is adapted to drive reciprocating movement of the blade portion to provide the reciprocating movement of the abrasive surface.

Abstract: A disposable, securely retained dental angle is provided. The angle includes a one-piece hollow housing having a short leg at its front end, which is angled with respect to the long leg. Both the short and long legs have a through bore. The short leg has an aperture, which is connected to the bore of the long leg to allow insertion of a driving shaft through the short leg of the angle. A driven rotor is inserted in the short leg. A horse-shoe-like snap rotor retainer fits within the short leg over the driven rotor to retain the driven rotor in the angle. A paw-like or, alternately, a horse-shoe-like locking means fits within the long leg over the driving shaft to lock the driving shaft in the angle and to retain the angle together. In one embodiment, a pair of splinters on the driven rotor provides the function to retain the rubber prophy cup firmly while the driven rotor is in operation.

Abstract: The all-in-one prophy angle for cleaning teeth contains a self dispensing solid core prophy polish which allows the operator to perform an entire prophylaxis of the teeth with the efficiency of not having to remove the handpiece from the mouth, further, cross contamination from splatter is minimal to none. The prophy cup and solid core polish are in a changeable cartridge form allowing the prophy handpiece to be reusable.

Abstract: A disposable prophy angle for an electric tooth polisher, having a handle and a polishing head, has a body and a transmission assembly. The body is mounted to the handle and has a cavity and a bent distal segment. The transmission assembly is mounted in the cavity and has a rotatable driving shaft, a rotatable head mount and multiple linkage shafts. The driving shaft has multiple mounting holes. The head mount is connected to the polishing head and has multiple mounting holes. Each linkage shaft has two segments rotatably and slidably extending into a corresponding mounting hole in the driving shaft and a corresponding hole in the head mount, respectively. The linkage shafts are simple and small so the corresponding bent distal segment of the body holding the linkage shafts is also small. Therefore, the disposable prophy angle can be easily inserted into and moved around in a person's mouth.

Abstract: A disposable prophy angle is mounted to an electric tooth polisher that has a controller, a handle having a motor and a driving shaft. The prophy angle is mounted to the handle and has a casing, a driven shaft, a surface-polishing member and a crevice-cleaning member. The casing is mounted to the handle and has a cavity and a distal open end. The driven shaft is mounted rotatably in the casing, rotates in response to the motor and has a mount. The surface-polishing and crevice-cleaning members are detachably mounted on the mount simultaneously. The tooth polisher with both the surface-polishing and crevice-cleaning members can be used to clean teeth without the need to replace the members and is timesaving.

Abstract: A prophy angle comprising a body, a drive system, and a paste feed assembly. The body includes a cylinder and a head portion associated with the cylinder. The drive system extends through the body and includes a drive shaft assembly and a cup shaft assembly. The drive shaft assembly extends through the cylinder. The cup shaft assembly extends through the head portion. The cup shaft assembly is coupled to the drive shaft assembly and further includes a prophy cup disposed at one end thereof. The prophy cup is in fluid communication with the body. The paste feed assembly includes a piston assembly and a piston movement assembly. The piston movement assembly includes a handle member. The handle member includes a second end associated with the piston assembly, a first end distally spaced therefrom and a pivot point positioned therebetween.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a self-contained dental prophylaxis angle with an offset rotational axis and methods for its use in cleaning, polishing, bleaching, bonding, etching, abrading, desensitizing, or otherwise treating teeth. Therapeutic content, such as dentifrice, is contained within the inventive prophylaxis angle, and is dispensed subject to operator control during use of the prophylaxis angle. An offset drive system is provided to power rotation of the dental tip in a system that can be physically separated from the storage and dispensing system for therapeutic content. A self-contained dental prophylaxis angle with an offset rotational axis according to the present invention may be used with a variety of shaped dental tips of varying degrees of rigidity, according the needs of a given clinical application.

Abstract: A rotary float includes an elongated tubular arm with a drive shaft rotatably mounted therethrough. A drive unit is coupled to a rearward end of the shaft to rotate the shaft. A swivel on the forward end of the drive shaft connects the drive shaft to a collet shaft within an extension tube, and transmits rotational force from the drive shaft to the collet shaft. The extension tube is connected to the arm at a knuckle joint, which permits the extension tube to pivot about the forward end of the arm. A bit is mounted on the forward end of the collet shaft, for grinding a surface adjacent the forward end of the extension tube.

Abstract: A dental handpiece for applying dental material to polish a tooth. The handpiece includes a conduit and a plunger for dispensing dental material adjacent a polishing member. The plunger and the polishing member can be controlled by a drive member, which may move in both a forward and reverse direction.

Abstract: A dental polishing tip is adapted to be coupled to a dental drive apparatus. The apparatus rotates the tip, thereby polishing the teeth. The tip includes: (i) a post having a proximal end and an opposing distal end, the proximal end being adapted to be coupled to the dental drive apparatus; (ii) an electrostatically flocked polishing head. The electrostatic flocking material on the polishing head at least temporarily increases the retention of the polishing material on the polishing head, thereby deceasing splattering.

Abstract: A method for preventing tooth decay by initially treating the tooth surface with a laser with a coherent or noncoherent light source. This process makes the tooth more resistant to acid and more able to bond fluoride, thus requiring a lower concentration of fluoride. The method allows for a deeper penetration of the tooth then previously accomplished with other methods.

Abstract: The combination rotating dental cleaning brush and paste device. The device includes a housing having a rotating shaft passing therethrough. An accordion tube has two opposed ends, a first end connected to and rotated by the shaft and a second end. A flexible conical brush is connected to and rotated by the second end of the accordion tube. Dental paste is pre-loaded and stored inside of the accordion tube whereby axial compression of the accordion tube forces the dental paste out of the second end of the accordion tube and on to the brush.

Abstract: A tool for abrading a workpiece to smooth the surface thereof. The tool has a shank portion and a working portion. The working portion has a smooth and non-abrading surface, with one or more depressions formed therein. Each depression includes an abrading mechanism. The abrading mechanism does not protrude above the smooth surface of the working portion of the tool. During operation, once the workpiece has been smoothed by removal of the raised areas by the abrading mechanism, the smooth surface of the tool engages the workpiece and further abrasion of the workpiece is prevented.

Abstract: A toothbrush system using a combination of mechanical force and fluid dynamics to increase the efficiency of plaque removal from the teeth and gums. The toothbrush includes a head unit with an irrigator nozzle and a hydraulically actuated and continuously variable bristle platform which negotiates the complex surface geometry found in the mouth of a user. The irrigation nozzle is powered by the pulsing of an anti-microbial irrigant which gives the toothbrush head unit the distinguishing ability of being able to “feel” the contour of the teeth and to “find” the spaces between them. Once the sensing irrigator nozzle finds the spaces between the teeth, it extends into the area, and releases the anti-microbial liquid directly into the space. The configured bristle tufts of the head unit automatically adjust their position for cleaning under the gum line, between the teeth, as well as flat surfaces.

Abstract: A dental handpiece for applying dental material to polish a tooth. The handpiece includes a conduit and a plunger for dispensing dental material adjacent a polishing member. The plunger and the polishing member can be controlled by a drive means, which may move in both a forward and reverse direction.

Abstract: The present invention provides a portable dental system for use in areas having inadequate sources of power, either for human or for veterinary dentistry. The system provides one or more handpieces, each driven driven by a pressurized nitrogen gas contained in a portable tank. A water reservoir is also provided for medicated water to be applied to the tooth site. The system has two channels to which either a conventional dental handpiece or an abrasive handpiece can be attached. When two abrasive handpieces are attached, two different abrasive materials may be used by the system, one material for cleaning and one material for cutting or abrading.

Abstract: A tool for abrading a workpiece to smooth the surface thereof. In one embodiment, the tool is an ultrasonic tip (12) having plural grooves (16) formed in a smooth surface (14) thereof. Each groove (16) includes an abrasive material (24) coating the depression thereof. Rough surface areas of a workpiece projecting into the groove (16) are abraded to thereby result in a smooth workpiece surface. Once the surface roughness of the workpiece has been removed, the smooth areas (14) of the ultrasonic tip (12) are engaged, thereby preventing further abrasion of the workpiece.

Abstract: A prophy angle comprising a body, a drive system, and a paste feed assembly. The body includes a cylinder and a head portion associated with the cylinder. The drive system extends through the body and includes a drive shaft assembly and a cup shaft assembly. The drive shaft assembly extends through the cylinder. The cup shaft assembly extends through the head portion. The cup shaft assembly is coupled to the drive shaft assembly and further includes a prophy cup disposed at one end thereof. The prophy cup is in fluid communication with the body. The paste feed assembly includes a piston assembly and a piston movement assembly. The piston movement assembly includes a handle member. The handle member includes a second end associated with the piston assembly, a first end distally spaced therefrom and a pivot point positioned therebetween.

Abstract: An equine dental tool utilizing a sheath which encloses a rotatable shaft. The shaft terminates in an abrading element which is employed to grind the teeth of a horse or other ungulate. A rotating cable powered by a motor connects to the one end of the rotatable shaft.

Abstract: A system and method for dispensing prophylaxis paste during dental cleaning procedures which includes a flow control valve, which is actuated by pressure between the prophy cup and the tooth, and also includes a source of prophylaxis paste delivered under pressure.

Abstract: A dental brush has a plurality of bristles and is adapted to connect to a dental handpiece. As the brush is rotated, outer portions of the bristles shift and present an overall tapered configuration with a narrowed outer tip when the bristles come into contact with dental structure. The tapered configuration is particularly useful for finishing and polishing recesses in the patient's tooth structure such as interproximal areas, grooves located next to cusps of the teeth and recesses that may be present in dental restorations.

Abstract: A dental prophylaxis angle is provided having a body having a sleeve sized for fitting the nose of a dental handpiece, a drive part comprising a drive shaft extending into the sleeve and a drive member on the drive shaft. A driven part comprising a driven part shaft. The drive and driven parts has axes of rotation which are at substantial angles to each other. The drive part shaft is sized for gripping by a gripping mechanism in the handpiece. The drive member has a forward surface and a post extending from its forward surface. The drive part post is sized to limit end play of the drive part. Additionally, the drive part post has a shallow cavity formed in a forward surface thereof to reduce the contact area of the post with the driven part shaft, and to provide a reservoir for lubricant in the angle.

Abstract: An oral hygiene device (2) is disclosed having at least two motors (30, 36) to simultaneously vibrate and impart motion upon the head portion of the oral hygiene device (2), most beneficially at the tip (12). A first motor (30) is positioned in the handle housing (3) of the device (2) to impart a first frequency of movement to the tip (12). A second motor (36) is located in a head portion, generally in a shaft (8) of or an oral hygiene attachment to the device (2), to impart at least a second frequency of movement onto the tip (12). When both the first and second motors (30, 36) are activated, the resulting movement of the tip (12) of the device (2) may include complex, substantially random movements, depending in part on the frequencies at which the motors (30, 36) are operating.

Abstract: A handpiece is provided. The handpiece comprises a shaft one end of which includes a connection means in the form of a shank to accept an aperture in a dental handpiece drive, the other end of the shaft includes a pin with a central longitudinal axis offset from the central longitudinal axis of the shaft. Bearings are disposed about the shaft at either end so as to support the shaft in a casing which extends to encompass the shaft, the casing including a portion at one end which is enlarged to accept the dental handpiece drive and at the other end a housing into which the pin protrudes. The housing is adapted to retain a member comprising a mounting component and a head, which head is disposed outside of the housing and to permit the pin to engage in a groove in the member in a manner such that operation of the dental handpiece drive causes the shaft to rotate which in turn imparts an oscillating arcuate motion to the member including the head.

Abstract: A portable tooth or nail polisher has a motor connected to a coupler formed in a body. A head member is mounted on the coupler during use. An accommodating space is formed in the body for holding the head when not in use. A head holder for fixing the head member in the accommodating space presses in a direction perpendicular to a longitudinal direction and is constructed of a pair of protrusions extending from the body defining the accommodating space. The distance between the protrusions is smaller than the width of the head member.

Abstract: A dental prophylaxis angle is provided having a body having a sleeve sized for fitting the nose of a dental handpiece, a drive part comprising a drive shaft extending into the sleeve and a drive member on the drive shaft. A driven part comprising a driven part shaft. The drive and driven parts has axes of rotation which are at substantial angles to each other. The drive part shaft is sized for gripping by a gripping mechanism in the handpiece. The drive member has a forward surface and a post extending from its forward surface. The drive part post is sized to limit end play of the drive part. Additionally, the drive part post has a shallow cavity formed in a forward surface thereof to reduce the contact area of the post with the driven part shaft, and to provide a reservoir for lubricant in the angle.

Abstract: A hand-holdable apparatus useful for abrading a surface is provided. The invention is particularly useful for dental applications using a stream of abrasive particles suspended in a gas stream to abrade the surface of a tooth. The apparatus of the invention may be modified to easily minimize “bleed down” of the gas/abrasive stream using a pinch valve and to remove worn flexible conduits for routine maintenance and autoclaving of the apparatus. The apparatus of the invention also provides a novel pick-up assembly for delivery of abrasive particles.

Abstract: A system and method for dispensing prophylaxis paste during dental cleaning procedures which includes a flow control valve, which is actuated by pressure between the prophy cup and the tooth and also includes a source of prophylaxis paste delivered at a relatively constant pressure.

Abstract: Prophy head for a handpiece used in dentistry. The prophy head has a rotating shaft which holds a polishing member, a bearing for supporting the shaft, a housing for retaining the bearing, and a rotary dust control device which rotates with the shaft and prevents intrusion of contaminants. The dust control device has a surface extending radially outwardly from the shaft and downwardly beyond the lower end of the housing, and a surface in close proximity to the inner surface of the lower end of the housing.

Abstract: Instead of a bunch of bristles coated with abrasive particles, the brush for surface treatments in restorative dentistry comprises one or several lamellar abrasive elements. In the manner of a lametta strip, the abrasive elements are divided by at least one incision, such that a plurality of bristle portions is obtained. Due to the planar configuration of the bristle portions themselves, the latter are easily bendable in at least one direction. If the arrangement of the abrasive elements is such that this direction of easy bending ability is approximately tangential to the intended rotational direction of the brush, the overall flexibility of the brush is substantially increased, thus allowing a substantially improved compliance with application-specific requirements.

Abstract: A dental appliance or apparatus for grinding the teeth of equine patients includes a variable speed motor and an elongated tube leading from the motor to a head member that mounts an annular disk-shaped grinding wheel that has a planar grinding surface thereon. The head member also mounts a cup-shaped guard member that has a skirt portion extending beyond the grinding surface of the grinding wheel so as to protect the tongue and mucosa of the patient during the grinding operation. The elongated tube permits the grinding wheel to be inserted into the horse's mouth to bring it into close proximity to teeth needing to be ground and the grinding wheel can be easily oriented relative to the teeth to be ground since it can be rotated through several angles relative to the motor to reach both upper and lower sets of teeth. A drive shaft couples the grinding wheel to the motor, is contained within the elongated tube, and is connected to the motor through a clutch assembly.

Abstract: A device for removing material from biological organisms by directing an abrasive fluid stream onto a surface of a biological organism. The device operates on a standard household pressure source and includes a converging-diverging nozzle that produces a super-sonic abrasive-laden air stream having a temperature that is harmless to the biological organism. The device operates at such a temperature without the use of external elements, such as additional heaters or coolers. The internal contour of the nozzle bore is variable and determines conditions, such as, for example, velocity, temperature and shape of the particle-laden air stream.

Abstract: A hand-holdable apparatus useful for abrading a surface is provided. The invention is particularly useful for dental applications using a stream of abrasive particles suspended in a gas stream to abrade the surface of a tooth. The apparatus of the invention may be modified to easily minimize “bleed down” of the gas/abrasive stream using a pinch valve and to remove worn flexible conduits for routine maintenance and autoclaving of the apparatus. The apparatus of the invention also provides a novel pick-up assembly for delivery of abrasive particles.