Abstract: The invention is directed towards a handpiece assembly for use with air abrasion apparatuses used in a wide spectrum of applications and industries. This handpiece assembly comprises the following components: (1) a handle comprising a proximal end and a distal end; the distal end also comprising an attachment means for attaching the handle of the handpiece assembly to the air abrasion apparatus; (2) a quick-releasing and quick-connecting socket comprising a male portion and a female portion; and (3) a nozzle comprising a proximal end and a distal end; the distal end of the nozzle provides the male portion of the socket and the proximal end of the handle provides the female portion of the socket. The distal end of the nozzle also fits into the proximal end of the handle to form the quick-releasing and quick connecting socket. This novel handpiece assembly may further comprise an articulating socket located towards the proximal end of the nozzle.

Abstract: A disposable dental contra-angle comprising a plastic housing having a sleeve, a tapered neck, a head and a disposable bur. The bur being removably coupled to a driven rotating mandrel located in the head section. The rotating mandrel having an integral axis pole member extending through and outwardly from its top and bottom portions wherein the bur is maintained in a 1:1 rotational luted connection, with virtually no slippage. The sleeve section having an elongated opening for receiving a power drive from a dental handpiece. A gear ratio mechanism located in the sleeve section rather than the head section, for either increasing or decreasing the shaft speed. A gear to gear arrangement in the head section for translating rotation from the drive shaft to the bur.

Abstract: In order to allow a dental instrument such as an air turbine or an electric motor hand piece to be quickly connected or disconnected to a supply unit, a revolving connecting unit is provided with a fixed portion (4), provided with channels (13 to 16) for fluids and electric contact rings (26) at the front, a coupling sleeve (32) freely rotating on the fixed portion, an a stop ring inserted between said sleeve and the fixed portion and rotating freely thereon. The coupling sleeve (32) is secured to the back of the instrument by a bayonet device (38). This sleeve extends far enough forwards to prevent accidental contact between the electric contact rings (26) and an external object when the connecting unit is not connected to an instrument.

Abstract: A fluid supply system that may be used interchangeably to supply fluid for use in dental instrumentation including irrigation, application, aeration, and evacuation for treating a patient's mouth. The fluid supply system includes a dental handpiece that has at least one valve arranged within and operably disposed upon said handpiece, and is used to allow flow between the fluid supply system and the patient's mouth. The fluid supply system can also be used to decontaminate dental unit water lines when used with anti-microbial fluids such as sodium hypochlorite.

Abstract: Coupler and system for dental handpiece tubing that permit the extension of commercially available tubing and also the connection of commercially available tubing to auxiliary device tubing. The coupler comprises a body for detachable connection with a variety of tubing terminal assemblies, and at least one lumen for establishing fluid communication between the lumens of the pieces of tubing to be linked by the coupler. Different embodiments of the coupler are provided with blind ports and with a plurality of lumen for channeling fluid flows and for channeling specialized elements, such as elements that cooperate with imaging, illumination, irradiation devices and probes.

Abstract: The invention relates to a lighting fixture (18) for a medical or dental handpiece (2), having a lamp which forms with a base (17) a prefabricated constructional unit, the lamp having two conductor wires (34) which are located on two opposing outer sides of the base (17), wherein the lamp is formed by a light-emitting diode (16; 16b). The invention further relates to such a lighting fixture (18) in which the base (17) has a locking device (51) and the light-emitting diode (16b) is held on the base (17) by the locking device (51). Moreover, the invention relates to a method for manufacturing and assembling a lighting fixture for a medical or dental handpiece (29) having a base (17) and a lamp inserted therein.

Abstract: A socket for removably receiving an end of a dental saliva ejector tube includes a central body having a first end forming a port for being coupled to a vacuum hose. The central body includes a passage extending therethrough from the first end toward a second opposing end. An elastic sleeve is secured over the second end of the central body for receiving the end of the dental saliva ejector tube. A pair of spreader members are secured to the elastic sleeve. A pair of levers are pivotally secured about the central body and are actuated by the user to pull the spreader members apart, thereby distending the opening of the elastic sleeve to more easily receive the dental saliva ejector tube. To prevent the dental saliva ejector tube from becoming dislodged from the socket during use, a rib may extend about the lower end of the dental saliva ejector tube.

Abstract: A dental prophy angle having a forwardly opening end formation and a closure which overlaps the end formation. The angle has a drive shaft having no lengthwise parting line, such that smoothness of operation is improved.

Abstract: A high speed dental handpiece (1) of the present invention includes a metal non-disposable body (3) and a plastic disposable cartridge (5, 5′, 205, 205′, 305, 605) received in the body (3). The body (3) is a one-piece body, has a sleeve (7), and an annular head (9) at an end of the sleeve (7). The sleeve (7) carries an air input line (27), an air exhaust path, a water line (25), and a fiber optic cable (29). The air input and water line (27, 25) are operatively connected to a supply of air and water, respectively. The fiber optic cable (29) is operatively connected to a source of light to carry the light to a patient's mouth to enable a dentist to more clearly see what is being operated upon. The disposable cartridge carries a turbine (95, 401, 501) and is placed in communication with the air input line (27) to drive the turbine. A bit (DB) is received by the turbine (95, 401, 501) and the water is directed toward the bit for cooling.

Abstract: A dental instrument holder having a compressed air-driven motor can be connected via rotational coupling parts at any arbitrary angular position to a coupling piece, and has spaced-apart connecting elements for fluids and electrical energy and/or light.

Abstract: The invented dental apparatus and method for its manufacture involves an integrally molded, polymeric, unitary, hand piece having fluid conduits formed therein during the molding process for conducting fluid, e.g. air, under pressure from a proximal end having an industry standard couple to a distal end including an integrally molded head piece for housing a rotary, preferably canister-type turbine to which a dental bur may be removably secured. Preferably, an integrally molded venturi chamber fluid-interconnects a pressurized one of the conduits and an inlet to the turbine's impeller and an outlet of the turbine's impeller is fluid-connected at an outlet of the canister to an exhaust one of the conduits. Optionally, one or more chip-air source conduits and a light valve may extend within the elongate interior of the hand piece to provide intra-oral, in-process cleaning, cooling and lighting functions. Preferably, the hand piece is injection molded via a lost-material, e.g.

Abstract: Dental handpiece with an instrument section (1) for accepting a dental tool and with a second, hose section (2) which is capable of being detachably coupled to the instrument section and to which a media delivery line for the delivery of certain supply media for operation of the dental tool is capable of being linked, said dental tool being operated by a drive motor (3). The drive motor comprises a stator (9) and a rotor (5). The rotor (5) of the drive motor (3) is arranged in the instrument section (1) separate from the stator (9), the stator (9) of the drive motor (3) being arranged in the hose section (2). By virtue of the partial integration, in accordance with the invention, of the drive motor, the weight of the dental handpiece is diminished and the ease of handling of the dental handpiece is improved. In addition, higher working speeds of the dental tool can be achieved.

Abstract: Motorised handpiece, more particularly for used by dentists or dental technicians, the rotary movement of a motor being transmitted to a tool which can be clamped with the aid of a clamping mechanism. To this end, the rotary movement of the motor is transmitted via an integrally formed shaft to the clamped tool, both the motor and the clamping mechanism being mounted on this integrally formed shaft. As a result of the use of an integrally formed shaft, it is possible to dispense with superfluous ball bearings for mounting the shaft and no mechanical driver system is required in order to couple two separate shafts together, for example.

Abstract: A dental handpiece having a detachable motor. The dental handpiece includes a handpiece body having a dental tool, a driving section detachably connected to the handpiece body, the driving section further including a motor for operatively driving the dental tool, and a motor casing having a substantially tubular wall for defining a motor cavity for accommodating the motor. The motor casing allows the motor to be inserted and removed in an axial direction including a fastener for holding the motor in position in the motor casing.

Abstract: The invention concerns a multi-purpose revolving connecting assembly intended to connect dental instruments (1a, 1b) having rear portions (22) of different geometrical configurations to a supply source (S).This connecting assembly is characterized in that it includes a nut (16) formed, at the front, of a removable sleeve (50a, 50b) and, at the rear, of a bush (52) which can be connected to the sleeve (50a, 50b) by a screw-nut system, the sleeve (50a, 50b) being provided to be fixed onto the dental instrument (1a, 1b), while the socket (52) has a support surface (58b) intended to abut against the ring (4) axially holding a mobile coupling piece (28a, 28b) on a fixed coupling piece (26).

Abstract: A dental handpiece (10) is provided with a drive motor (13), a drive shaft (12) operatively affixed to the drive motor (13) at one end of the drive shaft (12). A dental tool (11) is operatively affixed at the other end of the drive shaft (12). The drive shaft (12) is journaled within a axial displacement bearing (60), such that manipulated rotation of the dental tool (11) causes a first drive shaft section (61) to be axially displaced from and relative to a second drive shaft section (62). The axial displacement bearing (60) is caused to contact a bearing (51) thereby causing the drive shaft (12) to bind due to the frictional forces generated by that contact. This allows sufficient force such that the dental tool 11 can be disengaged from the handpiece (10).

Abstract: A handheld medical instrument for rotating a tool including a support structure having a portion that may be gripped by a user, and an electric motor having an output rotatable at a first speed. A tool rotating shaft extends from the support structure and is adapted to be coupled to a tool to rotate the tool at a second speed. A variable speed transmission is operatively coupled between the output of the electric motor and the tool rotating shaft to transfer rotation therebetween and is selectively adjustable between at least two different ratios of the first speed relative to the second speed.

Abstract: A filter unit that minimizes the exposure of patients to pathogens found in the dental unit water supply lines (DUWL) while promoting frequent replacement of DUWL filters by providing a disposable microfiltration filter that is easily replaced at low cost. A disk or membrane type filter is placed in an autoclavable filter unit that attaches to the handle of an existing design dental instrument such that the form and function of the dental instrument are not adversely affected. The filter unit, which fits in-line between the dental instrument and the DUWL, includes two portions that are detachably connected by an annular sleeve. When connected, a recess between the portions forms a recess that holds a microfiltration disk filter for filtering water that flows through the dental instrument before it reaches a patient's mouth. The filter unit is easily sterilized after the disk filter is removed.

Abstract: A maintenance-free dental prophylaxis angle includes a one-piece body including a sleeve and a head. The sleeve and head define intersecting bores. A one-piece drive gear including an enlarged bearing part and a forward gear end is journaled directly in the sleeve and held axially between a retaining ring engaging the rear of the enlarged bearing part and a ball engaging the forward gear end. A one-piece driven gear is journaled solely in a cap which is press fit in the head bore The driven gear is engaged and driven by the drive gear. The driven gear includes an upper bur tube and a lower gear part. The gear part of the driven gear rests on the ball, and is restrained from axial movement by the cap and the ball, which forms a thrust bearing for the driven gear. A dental tool is connected to the bur tube of the driven gear, and forms a seal with the cap.

Abstract: The invention relates to a dental treatment instrument with which a dental handpiece (1), at its instrument end and/or at its hose end, is provided with unlocking planes (4a, 4b) which cooperate with correspondingly complementarily formed unlocking planes (5a, 5b) of a dental treatment instrument (2) or of a hose connection (3) of a supply hose. The treatment instrument (2) or the supply hose (3) can, because of the cooperating unlocking planes (4a, 4b; 5a, 5b), be released by simple turning of the treatment instrument (2) or of the supply hose (3) relative to the dental treatment instrument.

Abstract: A fully autoclavable dental-hand-piece assembly which includes a unique, highly miniaturized, internally disposed, one-way check valve that effectively prevents microbial contamination from reaching the cooling fluid supply lines that provide cooling fluid to the unit. The one-way check valve is specially designed to be able to effectively withstand the high temperatures required in the autoclaving step to which the hand piece, including the check valve, is exposed. Uniquely, the one-way check valve can readily be installed either within the hollow handle of a conventional dental hand piece or within a conventional, universal dental-hand-piece coupler without the necessity of making any substantial modification to the design of the hollow handle or the universal coupler. Also disclosed is a novel coupler assembly for coupling together the hand piece and the air and water supply lines.

Abstract: A manual drive endodontic handpiece includes a housing having proximal end and a distal end provided with an angle head which receives a dental tool. A drive shaft extends through the housing and is coupled to a manual driver such that rotational movement of the manual driver causes rotational movement of the shaft. A pinion gear is provided at the distal end of the drive shaft and enters into the angle head. Rotation of the manual driver relative to the housing causes rotational movement of the pinion gear at the distal end of the shaft. A dental tool provided in the angle head has a head that includes a pinion gear which meshes with the pinion gear at the distal end of the shaft and is rotated by rotational movement of the pinion gear at the distal end of the shaft. According to one embodiment, the housing is provided with windows through which the manual driver may be directly rotated.

Abstract: A socket for removably receiving an end of a dental saliva ejector tube includes a central body having a first end forming a port for being coupled to a vacuum hose. The central body includes a passage extending therethrough from the first end toward a second opposing end.An elastic sleeve is secured over the second end of the central body for receiving the end of the dental saliva ejector tube. A pair of spreader members are secured to the elastic sleeve. A pair of levers are pivotally secured about the central body and are actuated by the user to pull the spreader members apart, thereby distending the opening of the elastic sleeve to more easily receive the dental saliva ejector tube. To prevent the dental saliva ejector tube from becoming dislodged from the socket during use, a rib may extend about the lower end of the dental saliva ejector tube.

Abstract: A dental scaling system includes a scaling instrument with a handpiece and a scaling tip at the end of the handpiece. An ultrasonic transducer is connected to the scaling tip, and there is an irrigant outlet in the scaling tip. A cable is attachable to the handpiece and includes an irrigant passage and two lead wires for supplying irrigant and electrical energy to the handpiece. An irrigant supply bottle is releasably attachable on a housing, and the cable is attachable on the housing. The housing includes an air pump to pressurize and transfer irrigant liquid from the irrigant supply bottle through the cable to the handpiece. The housing also includes electronics to power and control the ultrasonic transducer. Each irrigant supply bottle includes a mounting member with a pair of wings, received in a forked docking assembly on the housing, with the mounting member lockable in the docking assembly.

Abstract: A dental and surgical handpiece with disposable cartridge of the present invention includes a reusable handpiece and a disposable cartridge. The disposable cartridge contains all the major moving parts that provide torque and RPM for high speed dental drilling. The disposable cartridge detachably couples with the head of the reusable handpiece. The handpiece can be heat sterilized after the disposable cartridge is removed. The performance of the handpiece is not reduced by the sterilization since the turbine and bearings are contained in the disposable cartridge.

Abstract: A prophy angle dental tool comprises a disposable attachment to an air turbine type of dental tool drive motor. The disposable attachment has a single section tubular body that extends from a direct drive coupling with the drive motor power shaft housing to the driven dental implement. A quick-coupling hub at one end of a medial drive shaft receives a lug drive mechanism in the motor drive shaft. Externally, the coupling hub is confined to coaxial rotation within the motor shaft housing. The medial drive shaft extends unrestrained from the motor coupling hub along an internal void within the tubular body into geared engagement with a short shaft. The short shaft is rotatively driven about an axis that is substantially transverse of the tubular body length. A pinion gear on the inner end of the short shaft is engaged by a gear at the end of the medial drive shaft thereby driving the short shaft while simultaneously holding the short shaft within a short shaft housing bore.

Abstract: Dental drill handpiece having a disposable filter cartridge for cleaning drive air, water, chip air, and exhaust passing through the handpiece.

Abstract: A dental hose assembly for use with a dental handpiece. The assembly comprises inner tubes, an outer tube enclosing the inner tubes, a connector for connecting the inner tubes to fluid passages in the handpiece, a tubular hose guide enclosing the distal ends of the inner tubes, a tubular joint cover engaging the connector and the distal end portion of the outer tube, and a connector ring sheathing the joint cover and to be connected to the handpiece for preventing the connector from being detached from the handpiece. The connector has a proximal end connected to the inner tubes and a distal end to be connected to the dental handpiece. The hose guide has a frustconical portion proximally tapered and distally flared on its outer surface to end with a projected distal end. The distal end portion of the outer tube is fitted over the hose guide to define an expanded portion. The joint cover has a proximal end thickened radially inwardly with a rounded outer edge.

Abstract: A high-speed dental handpiece of the present invention includes a metal non-disposable body and a plastic disposable cartridge received in the body. The body is a one piece body and has a sleeve and an annular head at an end of the sleeve. The sleeve carries an air input line, an air exhaust path, a water line and a fiber optic cable. The air input and water lines are operatively connected to a supply of air and water, respectively. The fiber optic cable is operatively connected to a source of light to carry the light to a patient's mouth to enable a dentist to more clearly see the area being operated upon. The disposable cartridge carries a turbine and is placed in communication with the air input lines to drive the turbine. A bit is received by the turbine and the water is directed toward the bit for cooling. The cartridge is at least partially made of light transmitting material and the fiber optic cable abuts the cartridge to transmit light therethrough.

Abstract: An odontotherapeutic hand piece is formed of a head portion, a handle portion connected to the head portion and a coupling portion arranged in continuation with the handle portion. A rotary member provided with turbine blades is accommodated in the head portion. The odontotherapeutic hand piece has a working medium conduit, which is arranged in an internal space of the coupling portion and is detachably engaged with the coupling portion for supplying a working medium to the odontotherapeutic hand piece. The head portion, the handle portion and the coupling portion are made of a material which permits integral molding. The head portion, the handle portion and the coupling portion are integrally joined together.

Abstract: A dental and surgical handpiece with disposable cartridge of the present invention includes a reusable handpiece and a disposable cartridge. The disposable cartridge contains all the major moving parts that provide torque and RPM for high speed dental drilling. The disposable cartridge fits into a receptacle in the head of the reusable handpiece. The handpiece can be heat sterilized after the disposable cartridge is removed. The performance of the handpiece is not reduced by the sterilization since the turbine and bearings are contained in the disposable cartridge.

Abstract: A surgical instrument including an operative assembly (1) and a supply assembly (3). The back of the operative assembly (1) and the front of the supply assembly (3) have complementary connectors forming a sealed connection between the assemblies. The supply assembly (3) comprises at least one duct (43) for feeding a first fluid as far as the connectors. The surgical instrument is characterized in that it comprises a member (31) for sealing the fluid duct (43) when the operative assembly (1) is connected to the supply assembly (3), and the operative assembly (1) includes a member (25) for feeding at least one second fluid.

Abstract: A point of use microfiltration device suitable for filtering the cooling water and cooling air supplies to a turbine driven dental handset is a multicompartmental device containing microporous filtration membranes effective to remove particulate matter, particularly microbes, thus protecting the patient from the risk of infection. The device contains passages providing for unrestricted turbine supply and return air, and may be provided with a light path suitable for use with fiber optic light supplies. The device is advantageously constructed to mate with standard multilumen and hand-piece end fittings, and may be disposed of after a single use.

Abstract: A plastic, disposable, easy-to-assemble dental angle is provided. The angle includes a one-piece hollow body having a head at its front end which is angled with respect to the body. Both the head and the body have a bore therethrough. The head has an aperture which is centered with respect to the bore of the body to allow insertion of a drive gear through the head of the angle. A driven gear is inserted in the head from above. A snap cap fits within the head over the driven gear to lock both the drive gear and the driven gear in the angle. A sheath on the cap covers the aperture. A latch on the cap is received in the aperture to lock the cap to the head to hold the angle together. An elongated slot in the body permits the body to be force-fit on a dental handpiece.

Abstract: A surgical instrument has a motor housing with a cylindrical member extending therefrom and has a pin projecting radially from the cylindrical member. A nose piece removably attached to the housing has a circular aperture which receives the cylindrical member and which has a channel within which the pin slides during attachment and removal. The nose piece includes a cantilevered arcuate spring arm that urges the pin along the channel toward a position at which the pin is wedged against a wall of the channel to force the nose piece into an operating engagement with the motor housing and retains the pin in the channel resisting detachment.

Abstract: A sterile fluid delivery system that incorporates a specialized handpiece adapter placed between a standard dental or other medical handpiece and a conventional tube set. The tap water conduit in the conventional tube set is blocked by the handpiece adapter and instead a tube set connected to the adapter provides a supply of sterile fluid for delivery to a work site. A peristaltic pump delivers fluid from a sterile supply to the handpiece adapter. Motor exhaust air pressure from the adapter is applied to the pump to activate a pressure-sensitive switch. The pump automatically turns on when the medical tool is activated and turns off when the tool is deactivated.

Abstract: A dental prophylaxis angle includes a body having a sleeve, a neck, and a one piece hollow head formed at the end of the neck. A drive member, including a drive gear and shaft is received in the body. A driven member, including a driven gear and shaft, is received in the head so that the driven and drive gears mesh with each other. A cap is received and secured in the head and snappingly receives the driven member. The cap locks the driven member in the head of the angle. The driven member includes a platform spaced above the driven gear having a diameter equal to the diameter of the head to close the opened head. The platform and driven gear define a channel. The cap has a side wall, a part of which is flexible. A finger extends inwardly from the flexible portion of the cap wall and into the channel between the driven gear and platform to snappingly secure the driven member in the cap. The cap includes a projection which interacts with the head to lock the cap in the head.

Abstract: A medical or dental handpiece having a grip sleeve formed with an outer gripping surface structure which provides improved grippability. The outer gripping surface structure is formed with alternate grooves and corrugations extending circumferentially around the sleeve and which, in cross-section, are axially spaced from each other. The grooves and corrugations are rounded concavely and convexly, respectively.

Abstract: The drive assembly for a dental sonic scaler is disconnected from a scaling tip assembly and is then withdrawn from a surrounding tubular handle/sheath. This allows the sheath to be sterilized, after use, while the drive assembly, not needing sterilization, can be easily connected to another sheath, by way of a quick-disconnect joining the components. A tubular seal between the tip assembly and the sheath prevent the drive assembly from being contaminated during use of the scaler.

Abstract: In a tooth cleaning instrument (1) with an elongate handpiece, which carries a tooth cleaning tool (3) on its forward end, which can be set into vibration by a motor driven vibration generator (7) which is associated with the tooth cleaning instrument (1), whereby the tooth cleaning instrument (1) is connected or is detachably connectable at its rear end to a supply hose (6) having energy and/or media supply lines, the tooth contact element (17) is areal or quasi-areal and has a surface structure which is suitable for the abrasion of the tooth coating.

Abstract: A head for a dental contra-angle having an operating shaft is coupled to the operating shaft in the vicinity of the bend of the contra-angle. The head is produced principally from a synthetic material and comprises an element for fastening the head onto the contra-angle, a pinion engaging a drive shaft associated with the head, and a support for receiving a tool and for locking the tool in the head. These various elements are designed so that the head can be sterilized or disposed of after use.

Abstract: In a straight motorized handpiece (101), in particular for medical purposes, preferably for a medical or dental laboratory, with a clamping device (106) arranged in a sleeve-like casing (111) for the selective clamping of tools (105) which can be inserted from the front into the handpiece (101), whereby the clamping device (106) is arranged on a drive shaft (107), which is rotatably mounted in the casing (111) by means of a rearward and a forward roller bearing (113, 114), whereby for axially retaining the drive shaft (107) a first shoulder (143) is provided on the casing (111) or on attachments thereto, against which the outer ring of one of the roller bearings (113) bears, and there is arranged a releasible arresting shoulder (145) opposite to the first shoulder (143) at an axial spacing, the first shoulder (143) is arranged on the outside of the outer ring of the associated roller bearing (113) and the arresting shoulder (145) is arranged on the outside on the other roller bearing (114), the drive shaft (1

Abstract: In a motorized handpiece (101), in particular for medical purposes, preferably for a medical or dental laboratory, with a clamping device (106) arranged in a sleeve-like casing (111) for the selective mounting of tools (105) which may be inserted into the handpiece (101) from the front, whereby for opening and closing the clamping device (106) a moveably mounted actuating part (104a) is provided which is accessible at the circumference of the motorized handpiece (101), whereby the clamping device (106) is arranged on a drive shaft (107), which is mounted by means of a casing (101) rotatable by means of a rear and a forward roller bearing (113, 114), whereby the actuating part (104a) is connected with the clamping device (106) by way of an actuating mechanism (108), and whereby a sealing system (146) is associated with the forward roller bearing (114) on the forward side of the roller bodies thereof, which has at least one sealing disk (146a) which is effective between the inner and the outer ring (114a, 114b)

Abstract: A disposable, limited-use torque limiting wrench is provided having a predetermined maximum number of torque-applying cycles of use for applying a fixed torque to an adaptably connected driven member. This torque limiting wrench includes a rotatable casing including a slotted hub portion and a curved bias spring dimensioned to fit around the slotted hub portion. A dowel pin is also included having a center portion which is dimensioned to fit within and be gripped by a slot formed in the slotted hub portion and to be rotated thereby in response to a torque imparted on the rotatable casing. A torque ring is cooperatively engaged with the above by a predetermined number of pairs of radially extending and substantially equiangularly spaced slots. The respective ends of the dowel pin are uniquely dimensioned to fit within respective ones of the slots which become positioned colinearly therewith as the dowel pin is caused to be circumferentially rotated about the torque ring.

Abstract: Disposable prophy angles for use in combination with a reusable metal adapter on a contra-angle dental hand piece. The disposable prophy angles are assembled from three mass-produced components formed from plastic or other inexpensive material. Each disposable prophy angle is formed from a main body part having a nose portion and a barrel portion, a nose cap portion which with the nose portion forms an enclosed nose portion housing and an integral rotary part disposed in the enclosed nose portion housing which has a driven power input gear, bearing formations and a protruding prophy cup receiving button. Each reusable metal adapter has a shaft with gears mounted on opposite ends. One end of the adapter is inserted in the barrel portion with the gear on the inserted end in driving engagement with driven power input gear. The gear on the opposite end of the adapter is connected to the power output of a contra-angle dental hand piece.

Abstract: The dental handpiece includes a disposable head assembly and a reusable handle which are removably coupled together. The head assembly includes a housing formed of plastic material forming a cavity in which is located a turbine operated drill assembly with a drill burr extending out of a lower opening. The upper wall of the housing is formed against the top of the drill assembly to permanently fix the drill assembly in the cavity such that the bearing mechanism for rotatably supporting the turbine and drill burr is integral with the head assembly. The head assembly also has a neck with a cavity for removably receiving the proboscis of the handle by way of a rear opening. The handle supplies and removes air to and from the head cavity for operating the turbine and also supplies air, water and light from the proboscis which are directed toward the burr by way of an outlet opening. The handle is snap-locked to the head assembly when the proboscis is located in the neck cavity.

Abstract: A plastic, disposable, easy-to-assemble dental angle is provided. The angle includes a one-piece hollow body having a head at its front end which is angled with respect to the body. Both the head and the body have a bore therethrough. The head has an aperture which is centered with respect to the bore of the body to allow insertion of a drive gear through the head of the angle. A driven gear is inserted in the head from above. A snap cap fits within the head over the driven gear to lock both the drive gear and the driven gear in the angle. A sheath on the cap covers the aperture. A latch on the cap is received in the aperture to lock the cap to the head to hold the angle together. An elongated slot in the body permits the body to be force-fit on a dental handpiece.

Abstract: This invention is a quick connecting and disconnecting assembly for standard dental handpieces that are normally connected to a supply line by base nut sleeves that are screwed onto the threaded end of such handpieces. This is accomplished by simply replacing the interiorly threaded base nut on the supply line with a base locking sleeve having j-shaped slots in the outer end thereof and telescoping this over an interiorly threaded connector sleeve with exterior lugs thereon mounted on the threaded end of the handpiece so that the lugs can engage the j-shaped slots.

Abstract: A plastic, disposable, easy-to-assemble dental angle is provided. The angle includes a one-piece hollow body having a head at its front end which is angled with respect to the body. Both the head and the body have a bore therethrough. The head has an aperture which is centered with respect to the bore of the body to allow insertion of a drive gear through the head of the angle. A driven gear is inserted in the head from above. A snap cap fits within the head over the driven gear to lock both the drive gear and the driven gear in the angle. A sheath on the cap covers the aperture. A latch on the cap is received in the aperture to lock the cap to the head to hold the angle together. An elongated slot in the body permits the body to be force-fit on a dental handpiece.

Abstract: A dental scaler is provided which has a control unit and a handpiece assembly linked to the control unit by a conduit carrying fluid and electrical power. The handpiece assembly includes a conduit connector secured to an end of the conduit remote from the control unit and an autoclavable handpiece removably securable to the conduit connector. The connector and handpiece have slidably connectable bodies, each having mating fluid and electrical connectors. The handpiece connector body includes a check valve to prevent rearward flow of water. The conduit connector body includes a check valve and a double fluid tight seal. The use of the two check valves and two seals reduces the possibility of fluid leaking from the back of the handpiece or from the connector. The conduit connector body is received in a sleeve of the handpiece. The connector has a finger which is received in an axial slot of the handpiece sleeve.