Having Means Facilitating Assembly Or Disassembly Of Tool Or Handpiece Patents (Class 433/126)
  • Patent number: 11331110
    Abstract: An oscillating decorticating burr assembly for decortication of the articular surfaces of joints of the human body is disclosed. The oscillating decorticating burr assembly comprises a burr, a burr-support post, and a handle. Power is imparted to the assembly by way of a user input on the handle causing oscillation of the burr.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2022
    Inventors: David K. Boger, William Krauss
  • Patent number: 11166784
    Abstract: Disclosed is a power generating system for a rotatory dental apparatus that can power the illumination source. The rotatory dental apparatus includes a supply hose having a hose connector at its one end. A swivel coupling connects the hose connector to the dental handpiece. The power generating system can be configured in the hose supply. In one case, the power generating system can be installed in the hose connector of the hose supply. In one case, the power generating system can be interposed between the two sections of the hose supply. In one case, the power generating system can be installed in a hose coupling that is interposed between the swivel coupling and the hose connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2021
    Inventors: Yong Weon Kim, Chinpao Hsieh
  • Patent number: 10939978
    Abstract: The high-speed turbine dental handpiece adapted for single safe use comprises a nose, a handle connected to the rear end of the nose, a plug connector disposed at the rear end of the handle, and a clip ring for fixing the handle and the plug connector, wherein the plug connector is provided with a first fixing slot at a side wall, the tail end of the handle is provided with a second fixing slot matched with the first fixing slot, the inner wall of the clip ring is provided with bumps matched with the first fixing slot and the second fixing slot, and when the clip ring is hooped on the plug connector, the bumps are embedded into the first fixing slot and the second fixing slot to limit and fix the handle and the plug connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2021
    Assignee: NINGBO HPDOVE DENTAL INSTRUMENTS CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Zhanli Zhou
  • Patent number: 10874480
    Abstract: A coupling device for detachably connecting a medical or dental instrument to a drive unit or a supply hose for transfer of at least one of data, energy, a driving movement and a working medium between the drive unit or the supply hose and the instrument includes a first coupling element and a second coupling element. One of the coupling elements includes a coupling recess and the other includes a coupling protrusion insertable therein. One of the coupling elements includes a positioning element and the other includes an indentation into which the positioning element can be inserted to position the coupling elements in a defined angular position about a shared axis. One of the coupling elements includes a memory unit for storage of data and the other includes a transfer unit, so that data can be transferred from the memory unit by the transfer unit to the other coupling element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2020
    Assignee: W&H Dentalwerk Bürmoos GmbH
    Inventors: Michael Mangelberger, Christof Baier, Wolfgang Tannebaum
  • Patent number: 10874481
    Abstract: Compressed air handpiece including a handle connected to a head housing a turbine. The turbine includes a moving wheel from a periphery of which extends a plurality of blades which define an outer diameter of the moving wheel. The handpiece also includes injection means, whose function is to direct onto the blades of the moving wheel a compressed air flow whose pneumatic energy is converted into kinetic energy when the compressed air flow strikes the blades of the moving wheel. The injection means take the form of an independent insert inside which is arranged a compressed air flow feed pipe and which is mounted inside the handle of the handpiece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2020
    Assignee: BIEN-AIR HOLDING SA
    Inventor: Laurent Farine
  • Patent number: 10779921
    Abstract: An oral cavity washing device includes a body unit including a pump configured to discharge washing liquid, a tube connected to the body unit and configured to allow the discharged washing liquid to flow through the tube, a washing unit connected to the tube and configured to discharge the washing liquid, a joint portion configured to detachably attach the washing unit to the body unit, a disposing portion provided at the body unit and configured to allow the tube to be disposed at the disposing portion in a state where the washing unit is attached to the body unit, and an elastic member provided at the disposing portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2020
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Junichi Hoshino, Tadanobu Kitagawa
  • Patent number: 10772631
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to adapter assemblies for use with and to electrically and mechanically interconnect electromechanical surgical devices and surgical loading units, and to surgical systems including hand held electromechanical surgical devices and adapter assemblies for connecting surgical loading units to the hand held electromechanical surgical devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2020
    Assignee: COVIDIEN LP
    Inventors: Earl M. Zergiebel, David M. Chowaniec, Ryan V. Williams, Anand Subramanian
  • Patent number: 10646315
    Abstract: A dental curing light includes a device body that efficiently conducts heat away from the light emitting diode portion of the curing light. The device body includes a proximal gripping end and a distal head end. The device body is formed from a thermally conductive body material. Excellent heat conduction away from the LED dies is achieved using a thermally conductive layer disposed over the device body. The thermally conductive layer serves as a conduit to quickly conduct heat away from the LED dies for dissipation within the material of the device body In this manner, the material of the device body serves as a highly efficient heat dissipater. The surface area coupling the thermally conductive layer to the device body is sufficiently large that a majority (e g, substantially all) of heat being conducted by the thermally conductive layer is transferred to the device body during operation of the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2020
    Assignee: ULTRADENT PRODUCTS, INC.
    Inventors: Dee Jessop, Jared Sheetz, Neil Jessop
  • Patent number: 10631882
    Abstract: An oscillating decorticating burr assembly for decortication of the articular surfaces of joints of the human body is disclosed. The oscillating decorticating burr assembly comprises a burr, a burr-support post, and a handle. Power is imparted to the assembly by way of a user input on the handle causing oscillation of the burr.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2020
    Inventors: David K. Boger, William Krauss
  • Patent number: 10617487
    Abstract: A zero-suckback device for a disposable high-speed turbine dental drill handpiece includes two units respectively installed at two ends of the head of the handpiece. On one side of the handpiece head where a drill pin is installed, one unit consists of an elastic shaft sealing casing which is centrally embedded with a central framework made of hard substances and a non-elastic shaft sealing casing, and a lip portion of the elastic shaft sealing casing fits a wind wheel shaft with a tapered end. On the cover side of the handpiece head and between a button housing and a head housing, an O-shaped sealing ring is installed, and a one-way ball valve is installed at the center of the button housing. Suckback prevention measures are adopted at both sides of the handpiece head, so matters sucked back can be controlled to be a very low level, nearly zero.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2020
    Assignee: Beijing Dongbo Dental Handpiece Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Fudong Zhang
  • Patent number: 10537404
    Abstract: A directional guide for use with an air-water tip for a syringe includes an elongated member fixedly attached to a longitudinal section of the air-water tip. Extending outwardly from the elongated member is a position control member. The position control member is formed and positioned to rotate the elongated member and the air water tip together and to selectively activate air-water buttons on a syringe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2020
    Inventor: Kristine J. Medin
  • Patent number: 10485405
    Abstract: A coupling device for releasably connecting a handpiece to another component. One of a first coupling element and a second coupling element, is designed as a coupling cavity, into which a coupling protrusion on the other coupling element can be inserted. A positioning element is disposed on the first coupling element or the second coupling element and can be inserted into a first recess on the other coupling element to position the two coupling elements in a defined angular position about their common axis. A light source disposed in a second recess on the first or second coupling element can be coupled to an optical fiber on the other coupling element. A transfer element disposed on the first or second coupling element and inserted into a third recess on the other coupling element is configured to transfer data, signals and/or energy between the first and second coupling elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2019
    Assignee: W&H Dentalwerk Bürmoos GmbH
    Inventors: Michael Mangelberger, Christian Pruckner
  • Patent number: 10368959
    Abstract: A dental handpiece comprises an outer sleeve (1), a tool-holding socket (2) for holding a treatment tool (3) arranged in the handpiece, wherein the tool-holding socket (2) has a central axis about which the tool-holding socket (2) can be rotated and/or oscillated and wherein the tool-holding socket (2) is arranged to be driven by a driveshaft of the handpiece driven by a motor (10) housed in the outer sleeve (1). At least one Peltier element (5) is received in the handpiece in thermal contact with the tool-holding socket (2), the Peltier element (5) having a cool face in thermal contact with the tool-holding socket (2) to cool a treatment tool (3) held therein when the tool (3) is driven in rotation or oscillation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2019
    Inventors: Abuhaimed Hamad, Ivo Krejci
  • Patent number: 10285779
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a dental and/or surgical instrument (1) comprising a motor that drives a tool by way of a tool holder (24, 25, 27) situated in the head of the dental and/or surgical instrument (1), the tool holder (24, 25, 27) being supported in the head of the dental and/or surgical instrument (1) by at least a first ball bearing (21) and a second ball bearing (22), in which the first ball bearing (21) and the second ball bearing (22) are positioned in a cartridge (10) which is inserted into the head of the dental and/or surgical instrument (1), and in which the cartridge (10) comprises a single bore (80) for the mounting and guiding of both the first ball bearing (21) and the second ball bearing (22). The present invention additionally relates to a cartridge (10) to be inserted into the head of such a dental and/or surgical instrument.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2019
    Assignee: BIEN-AIR HOLDING SA
    Inventors: Sébastien Juillerat, Marc Schenk
  • Patent number: 10201334
    Abstract: Coupling device between a drive shaft of a surgical instrument and a tool, characterized in that the coupling device includes a fluid feed element fed from outside the coupling device and communicating with a channel arranged in the tool and which emerges at a location along the length of the tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2019
    Assignee: BIEN-AIR HOLDING S.A.
    Inventor: David Gigon
  • Patent number: 10123799
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to adapter assemblies for use with and to electrically and mechanically interconnect electromechanical surgical devices and surgical loading units, and to surgical systems including hand held electromechanical surgical devices and adapter assemblies for connecting surgical loading units to the hand held electromechanical surgical devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2018
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventors: Earl M. Zergiebel, David Chowaniec, Ryan V. Williams, Anand Subramanian
  • Patent number: 10117724
    Abstract: When compressed air does not act, a seal member is in contact with an outer periphery of an inner ring. When the compressed air acts, a contact area between the seal member and the outer periphery of the inner ring is reduced, as compared to when the compressed air does not act. Accordingly, it is possible to provide an air turbine bearing unit capable of promptly stopping rotation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2018
    Assignee: NSK LTD.
    Inventor: Toru Nakahara
  • Patent number: 9937021
    Abstract: A dental instrument and method for imaging the three-dimensional topography of one or more teeth in the oral cavity of an individual is provided. The instrument includes a probe insertable into the oral cavity to receive the image of these surfaces which can then be processed. Combined with the probe is an auxiliary which projects an air stream toward the surface to be imaged by the probe and acts to evaporate and remove from these surfaces a liquid film coating formed by saliva and other fluids present in the oral cavity, to render these surfaces dry and to enhance their reflectivity and in doing so, provide clearer images.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2018
    Assignee: ALIGN TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventors: Noam Babayoff, Eldad Taub, Avi Kopelman
  • Patent number: 9937017
    Abstract: A dental handpiece and a dental cleaning procedure are disclosed. The dental handpiece includes an inner barrel for rotatably retaining an ultrasonic insert, the inner barrel configured for contacting the ultrasonic insert with a cooling fluid in the inner barrel, a coil unit arranged and disposed to apply an alternating magnetic field to the ultrasonic insert when positioned in the inner barrel, at least one contact retention clip that contacts a drive coil of the contact unit, an outer sheath extending around at least a portion of the coil unit. The dental handpiece includes flow regions permitting steam, chemicals, and heat to flow into the inner barrel and out of the inner barrel during a sterilization technique. The dental cleaning procedure includes operating the dental handpiece and autoclaving the dental handpiece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2018
    Assignee: DENTSPLY SIRONA Inc.
    Inventor: Kenneth R Guaragno
  • Patent number: 9930294
    Abstract: A handpiece with a built-camera includes a micromotor-driven handpiece body which includes a cutting tool attached to a head portion thereof, a light receiving port at a position near the cutting tool, a grip portion detachably connected to the handpiece body and a color camera module which is stored inside the handpiece body. The handpiece with the built-in camera further includes an objective lens which faces the light receiving port and a rod fiber which is attached to an inner wall portion of the handpiece body with an incidence end of the rod fiber facing the objective lens and an exit end of the rod fiber facing a condensing lens unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2018
    Assignee: The Yoshida Dental Mfg. Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takeshi Hasegawa, Michizo Yamanaka
  • Patent number: 9849031
    Abstract: A laser instrument for therapy on the human eye, designed for surgery of the cornea, the sclera, the vitreous body or the crystalline lens, especially suitable for use in immediate succession with other instruments for eye diagnosis or eye therapy, in such a way that during the alternating use of the various instruments, the eye or at least the patient preferably remains in a predetermined position and alignment within one and the same treatment area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: Carl Zeiss Meditec AG
    Inventors: Mark Bischoff, Gregor Stobrawa, Evangelos Papastathopoulos
  • Patent number: 9839425
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to adapter assemblies for use with and to electrically and mechanically interconnect electromechanical surgical devices and surgical loading units, and to surgical systems including hand held electromechanical surgical devices and adapter assemblies for connecting surgical loading units to the hand held electromechanical surgical devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2017
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventors: Earl Zergiebel, David Chowaniec, Ryan Williams, Anand Subramanian, Paul Richard
  • Patent number: 9592102
    Abstract: A dental hand tool including a main body having a main body proximate end, a main body distal end, at least one dental utility conduit associated with the main body proximate end, and a dental disinfection system associated with the main body that disinfects dental fluid at a point of use. The dental disinfection system includes a disinfection reactor associated with the main body, a collimated germicidal UV light source end, a disinfection reactor distal end, disinfection reactor walls, a disinfection reactor fluid inlet that receives the dental fluid from a dental fluid source, a disinfection reactor dental fluid outlet that delivers the dental fluid to the point of use, and a disinfection reactor inner chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: KaVo Dental Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Douglas Gordon Knight, Nathan Hemmer
  • Patent number: 9579080
    Abstract: A device for internal ultrasound imaging including a micro-motor rotates a drive shaft and ultrasound transducer. Conductors attach between the transducer and slip ring assemblies. The slip ring assemblies conductively couple the transducer conductors to a set of conductors extending toward a console.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2017
    Assignee: Muffin Incorporated
    Inventors: Neal E. Fearnot, Peter S. McKinnis, Sarah Robbins, Yun Zhou
  • Patent number: 9532850
    Abstract: A process and also to a system for cleaning and maintaining a medical hand-held instrument, in particular a dental hand-held instrument, with an elongate grip sleeve in which elements are arranged which pertain to a drive arrangement and which are, in particular, rotatably supported, for example a shaft. For the purpose of cleaning and maintaining the hand-held instrument different media are conducted through it. In this connection a first medium, for example oil, is conducted merely through a power-transmission region surrounding the elements of the drive arrangement, whereas, on the other hand, a second medium, for example a cleaning agent, is conducted additionally also through at least one further cavity within the hand-held instrument.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: KALTENBACH & VOIGT GMBH
    Inventors: Bernhard Kuhn, Bernd Gugel, Thomas Braun
  • Patent number: 9439742
    Abstract: An electric toothbrush includes 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: June 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2016
    Assignee: OMRON HEALTHCARE Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jun Shimoyama, Yasutaka Murase, Tadashi Tone, Yuji Asada
  • Patent number: 9423161
    Abstract: Arrangements for the use of energy harvested by adaptive cooling and energy harvesting arrangements for use in information technology and other heat-producing equipment are disclosed. The arrangements provide for cooling and energy harvesting subsystems, each of which can operate in isolation and can be interconnected with additional subsystems in peer and hierarchical relationships. Each subsystem comprises at least one thermoelectric device capable of acting as a thermoelectric cooler and as a thermoelectric generator, a control system, and electronics controlled to selectively configure the thermoelectric device in at least in a thermoelectric cooler operating mode and in a thermoelectric generation operating mode. The thermoelectric device can incorporate quantum-process and quantum-well materials for higher heat transfer and thermoelectric generation efficiencies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2016
    Inventor: Lester F. Ludwig
  • Patent number: 9414871
    Abstract: System, including methods, apparatus, and kits, for fixing bones with bone plates having movable locking elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2016
    Assignee: Acumed LLC
    Inventors: Randall J. Huebner, David G. Jensen
  • Patent number: 9351801
    Abstract: A dental hand instrument having an elongate handle sleeve, at the front end of which there is disposed a tool holder for holding a treatment tool, for example a dental drill, there is disposed inside the handle sleeve a driving mechanism for driving the treatment tool, the driving mechanism having at least two rotatably mounted shafts that are coupled to each other, and a sealing element is disposed in the coupling region of the two shafts inside the handle sleeve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2016
    Assignee: KALTENBACH & VOIGT GMBH
    Inventors: Bernhard Kuhn, Thomas Classen
  • Patent number: 9314563
    Abstract: A handle for a medical instrument having a handle housing and a connection adapter for hose and/or tube connections, which can be inserted into the handle housing. The connection adapter can be inserted fluid-tight into a corresponding support recess of the handle housing by at least one connection support and such that a surrounding ring groove for inserting a sealing element is positioned on the at least one connection support. It is proposed that at least two surrounding ring grooves, mounted one behind the other, should be configured on the connection support in the axial direction of the at least one connection support, such that the connection support has a constant outer diameter in the area of the at least two ring grooves and such that a sealing element, is positioned at least in the first ring groove, looking from the free end of the connection support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2016
    Assignee: Karl Storz GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Rainer Hermle, Robin Merz
  • Patent number: 9090450
    Abstract: A method and device to insure that a particular dispensing package (18) can only be engaged into an appropriate dispensing location (14). Specifically, the package and the dispenser have mating concentric rings (24, 30) (or portions thereof) to prevent engagement and dispensing of an inappropriate product. In one embodiment, the package (18) is provided with one or more concentric ring projections (24) (or portions thereof) and the dispenser (10) is provided with one or more matching concentric ring recesses (30). The projections and the recesses have similar diameters to define a mating set. In some embodiments, the concentric ring projections are placed on a closure (20), such as a cap, of the package. In alternative embodiments, the projections are placed on the dispenser and the recesses are placed on the package.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2015
    Assignee: Diversey, Inc.
    Inventors: Kirk M. Reimann, William E. Simpson, Nancy D. Trafelet, Andy Swain, David Holden, Garry W. Crossdale, Brian D. Haworth, Bert Van Der Heijden, Shirley A. Webb
  • Patent number: 9072571
    Abstract: A dental handpiece (1) includes a head (2) suitable for driving a tool, a body (3) having a proximal section (4) extending in a longitudinal direction (I-I) and intended to be connected, by a proximal end surface (5), to a distal surface of a drive motor, an indexing device (8) suitable for rotatably positioning the body (3) of the dental handpiece (1) about the longitudinal direction (I-I) relative to the drive motor, an electric device (9) for lighting the working area of the tool, and a device (10) for supplying electric power to the electric lighting device (9). The indexing device (8) is retractable or set back from the proximal end surface (5), and the electric supply device (10) includes a retractable electrical connection device (11).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2015
    Assignee: ANTHOGYR
    Inventors: Cédric Lancieux, Hervé Richard
  • Patent number: 8777615
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Inventors: Robert Hayman, Rene Robert, Dave Pakula, Andy Marsella, Jorah Wyer, Christopher Quan
  • Patent number: 8777616
    Abstract: A cordless dental handpiece, a system including a cordless dental handpiece, and a method of connecting a cordless dental handpiece are disclosed. The cordless dental handpiece includes a first module and a second module. The second module is configured to detachably engage the first module. The second module includes a battery compartment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: DENTSPLY International Inc.
    Inventors: Benjamin Chronister, Jeremy Kile, Eugene J. Novak
  • Patent number: 8641417
    Abstract: A system for enhanced sealing against intrusion of moisture and other contaminants for medical/dental handpieces having rotating or other moving elements driven by a motor within the handpiece. The enhanced sealing includes tandem seals on stepped diameters to provide additional flow pathway impediments. The tandem seals preferably include spring seals that are positioned in opposite directions to provide enhanced sealing against pressures in two different directions that occur during the pressurization and vacuum cycles of an autoclaving process. Additional enhancements include the use of annular sealing rings with x-shaped cross sections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Assignee: Arthrex, Inc.
    Inventors: Ajay Kumar, Kevin J. Stanton
  • Patent number: 8597022
    Abstract: A dental tool including a dental prophy angle and a dental prophy angle adapter is provided. A dental prophy angle includes a housing and a rotor. The dental prophy angle adapter can include a drive shaft with a tip. The drive shaft of the adapter can be coupled to a gear at the same end of the tip with the rotor of the prophy angle being configured to receive the tip. Further, a slidable sleeve can extend over a portion of the drift shaft so that the slidable sleeve becomes automatically retracted upon engaging a shoulder of the housing resulting in the gear of the drive shaft being positioned beyond the end of the slidable sleeve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Assignee: Angstrom Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: Chris J. Carron, David G. Grither
  • Patent number: 8591231
    Abstract: Air/gas driven prophylaxis preparation dispensing system coupled to a dental hand piece, the system comprising a hand piece connector receiving an air/gas pressure and adjustably diverting a portion of the air/gas pressure to drive a piston toward an open delivery end of a container containing a prophylaxis preparation for dispensing the prophylaxis preparation out of an open delivery end of the container, through a passageway surmounting a disposable prophy angle supporting a gear train, through a portion of the gear train supporting a prophy cup, through an opening in the prophy cup to an internal cavity of the prophy cup while simultaneously driving an air/gas driven rotational member of the dental hand piece coupled to the gear train with the remaining portion of the air/gas pressure to impart rotation of the prophy cup while simultaneously dispensing the prophylaxis preparation into the internal cavity thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2013
    Inventors: Edwin W. Wolske, Rick T. Cole
  • Patent number: 8562342
    Abstract: A dental handpiece having a distal end including an attachment for assembly of a removable workpiece and a handpiece body intermediate a proximal end and the distal end. The handpiece extends in a substantially axial direction. A coupler is included having a cylinder portion and a supply-end portion, the cylinder portion being assembled into the handpiece extending in the axial direction toward the distal end. The cylinder portion includes at least one seal that interfaces with an interior of the body so as to isolate a portion of the body interior into at least one distinct chamber. The supply-end portion of the coupler extends from the proximal end of the handpiece body at an angle from the axis. The supply-end portion also includes a plurality of outlets, the at least one distinct chamber in fluid communication with one of the outlets of the plurality of outlets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Assignee: DENTSPLY International Inc.
    Inventors: Tom Papanek, Gene Novak, Don Heil, Bret Beane
  • Patent number: 8517731
    Abstract: A supply pipe for connecting an instrument for dental or surgical use to a control and supply unit contains fluid conduits and electric lines and includes at a front end a universal coupling for connecting different types of the instrument in a removable manner to part or all of the conduits and lines. The universal coupling includes fluid connectors coupled to conduits and electric connectors coupled to lines, wherein each of the connectors occupies a place on a front face of the universal coupling. The supply pipe contains at least one additional electric line including an additional conductor which is not coupled to one of the electric connectors, but to one of the fluid connectors of the universal coupling, wherein the dual function connector is arranged to provide a choice between a fluid connection, an electric connection or both.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2013
    Assignee: Bien-Air Holding SA
    Inventor: Vincent Mosimann
  • Patent number: 8459992
    Abstract: A dental system comprises a dental prophy angle and an adapter. The prophy angle includes a housing and a latch mechanism. The adapter is configured to drive the prophy angle. The latch mechanism includes a lever and a first latch element, which are both defined by a pair of opposing U-shaped slots within the housing, such that free ends of one of the pair of opposing U-shaped slots are disposed between free ends of the other of the pair of opposing U-shaped slots. The adapter includes a nose having a second latch element and a depression proximate to the second latch element. Upon the first latch element mating with the second latch element, the depression is positioned adjacent the lever.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2013
    Assignee: Angstrom Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: Chris J. Carron, David G. Grither
  • Patent number: 8356412
    Abstract: This patent relates to a machine that automatically assembles, inspects, and packages disposable prophylaxis angles. The machine includes a movable table including a plurality of fixtures on which angle components are assembled and the assembled angles are inspected. The movable table is surrounded by a number of stations, each of which performs a different operation of the assembly and inspection procedure. Feeders automatically supply the angle components to their respective stations for assembly. Angles that are incorrectly assembled are automatically rejected. Properly assembled angles are automatically sealed in individual bags. Individually bagged angles are counted into batches by the machine and automatically sealed into cartons.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2013
    Inventor: David G. Kraenzle
  • Patent number: 8274795
    Abstract: A portable electronic device includes a main body, a circuit board in the main body, a rear cover, at least one first conductive member exposed through the rear cover and electrically connected to the circuit board, and a support assembly. The support assembly includes a hollow support detachably connected to the rear cover, at least one second conductive member connected to the hollow support and staying in contact with the at least one second conductive member, and at least one cable extending through the hollow support and comprising a first end electrically connected to the at least one second conductive member, and a second end extending out of the hollow support for connecting with a peripheral.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2012
    Assignees: Hong Fu Jin Precision Industry (ShenZhen) Co., Ltd., Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hou-Xin Sun
  • Patent number: 8261748
    Abstract: A device for treating sleep apnea, the device comprising a tongue attachment member and a maxilla attachment subassembly. The tongue attachment member is fabricated having a sheath interlock member extending upward from a dorsal side of a sheath. The sheath is shaped to conform to a surface of an individual's tongue. A tongue receiving cavity is formed within the sheath, the cavity comprising an opening provided at a proximal end for receiving the individual's tongue. The sheath is referenced having a dorsal side and a ventral side. A sheath interlock member extends outward from the dorsal side. The maxilla tray is shaped to conform to and removably engage with an individual's upper dental arch. A tray interlock member extends from an interlock side of the maxilla tray and is positioned to interlock with the sheath interlock member, whereby the system extends an individual's tongue forward to treat sleep apnea.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2012
    Inventor: Howell Goldberg
  • Patent number: 8210847
    Abstract: A sterile, substantially maintenance free disposable dental handpiece is constructed from two shells and a center core, the center core having a flow deflector on one end. The shells are joined around the core with mating protrusions and/or tapered walls to form the body and head of the handpiece. A base is integrally-formed with the center core. The base has conduits that allow entry of light and pressurized air and/or water into the body. The head at the opposite end of the body from the base rotatably mounts an impeller assembly having an impeller shaft. The impeller shaft includes blades driven by the pressurized air. The blades can have cavities to reduce weight.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Assignee: Axenic Dental, Inc.
    Inventors: Eli Thomssen, Dirk Schipper, Kevin Turner
  • Patent number: 8197253
    Abstract: Described herein is a medical or dental handpiece head having a head sleeve detachably connected by a screw or threaded connection to a closing cap, and a locking device for locking the closing cap with the head sleeve. The locking device between the closing cap and the head sleeve is formed by at least one spring element. The locking device is designed and arranged so that unintentional release of the screw connection between the closing cap and the head sleeve caused by vibrations during operation of the handpiece can be suppressed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2012
    Assignee: W&H Dentalwerk Bürmoos GmbH
    Inventors: Norbert Schatz, Alois Gollackner
  • Patent number: 8123523
    Abstract: A dental prophy angle includes a housing and a rotor. The housing defines a first bore and a second bore in communication with the first bore, and rotor is disposed within the second bore. The rotor includes a gearing system, and rotor includes a lock having a lock channel configured to receive a tip of a drive shaft. The housing includes a lock receiver for receiving the lock receiver permits rotation of the lock within the lock receiver and restrains linear movement of the lock in a direction substantially parallel to a rotational axis of the rotor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2012
    Assignee: Angstrom Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: Chris J. Carron, David G. Grither
  • Patent number: 8118594
    Abstract: A dental handpiece (1) includes mechanical components, in particular, a tool-holder assembly for the attachment and for the rotational driving of a dental instrument about a drive axis (6) and an assembly for the transmission of such movement. The mechanical components are mounted in the interior of a body (2) having a head (4) and a handle (3). The mechanical components of the handle and the head of the handpiece are electrically connected by an elastic and electrically conducting connecting device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2012
    Assignee: Micro-Mega International Manufactures
    Inventors: Jacques Pernot, Jean-Claude Boinot
  • Patent number: 8099305
    Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed providing a database comprising a compendium of at least one of patient treatment history; orthodontic therapies, orthodontic information and diagnostics; employing a data mining technique for interrogating said database for generating an output data stream, the output data stream correlating a patient malocclusion with an orthodontic treatment; and applying the output data stream to improve a dental appliance or a dental appliance usage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2012
    Assignee: Align Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Eric E. Kuo, Philippe De Smedt, Cuong Van Nguyen, Christopher W. Overton
  • Patent number: 8095383
    Abstract: Method and system for providing an orthodontic profile indexing and treatment plan including comparing an initial patient condition in each of a plurality of dentition categories with one or more reference conditions in each of the plurality of dentition categories, wherein each of the one or more reference conditions has a corresponding representation, selecting at least one reference condition in one or more of the plurality of dentition categories, where each selected reference condition is similar to the initial patient condition in a same dentition category, and generating a patient identifier based on the corresponding representations of each selected reference condition is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2012
    Assignee: Align Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Arnone, Eric Kuo, Doug Bukaty
  • Publication number: 20110306010
    Abstract: Provided is a dental handpiece adapter connection system, dental handpiece adapter connection method, and a dental handpiece adapter. The dental handpiece adapter includes a first portion configured to engage a dental device having a first geometry and a second portion configured to engage a dental handpiece having a second geometry. The first portion being engaged with the adapter and the second portion being engaged with the adapter permits the dental handpiece to rotate a rotatable portion of the dental device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 8, 2011
    Publication date: December 15, 2011
    Applicant: DENTSPLY International Inc.
    Inventors: Benjamin CHRONISTER, JEREMY KILE