Abstract: The present disclosure provides for a drive assembly for a drug delivery device. The drive assembly comprises a housing; a piston rod having a longitudinal axis, a distal end and a proximal end and being axially movable in a distal direction relative to the housing and a mid-body axially fixed inside of the housing and coupled to the piston rod. The mid-body comprises at least one metal ratchet arm configured to prevent the piston rod from moving in the proximal direction. Moreover, a drug delivery device with such a drive assembly is presented.

Abstract: Various medical or dental handpieces having at least one coil for inductive coupling with a second coil and methods for using these handpieces for the transmission of at least one of power, operational data and identification data are described. Also various tool-holding/releasing devices for medical or dental handpieces are described, having at least one shaped element penetrating through a bore in a hollow shaft for accommodating a tool and protruding through the bore into the hollow shaft, a movably arranged locking sleeve cooperating with the shaped element and an operating element for moving the locking sleeve. Some of these tool-holding/releasing devices allow the insertion of the tool into the hollow shaft with different insertion depths.

Abstract: A handpiece for dental or surgical applications has a chuck for rotatably clamping a tool such as a bur, the chuck being drivingly connectable to a drive mechanism such as to rotate the tool about a rotation axis thereof, a push button operatively connected to the chuck, configured to release the tool from the chuck upon depressing the push button, a spherical element, preferably a ball, fitted within or mounted at the push button, arranged and configured such that, when the push button is depressed, the spherical element enters into contact with the chuck, the spherical element being of a material with a high hardness on the Vickers scale of >2000.

Abstract: A medical or dental handpiece which has an outer sleeve, a tool-holding sleeve for holding a treatment tool, wherein the tool-holding sleeve has a central axis about which the tool-holding sleeve can be rotated and wherein the tool-holding sleeve can be induced to a stroke motion by a driveshaft of the handpiece, and an adjusting device, which is designed to secure the tool-holding sleeve selectively in a rotational position or to allow a free rotatability of the tool-holding sleeve, wherein the adjusting device has a fixation element, which secures or releases the tool-holding sleeve and at least one adjusting element, which is at least operatively connected to the fixation element, wherein the adjusting element is movable substantially in parallel with the central axis of the tool-holding sleeve.

Abstract: A chuck assembly for a dental handpiece includes a hollow cylindrical tube portion having a first internal bore, and a chuck portion having a second bore. The chuck portion is supported within the first bore co-rotational with the tube portion about a common axis. The chuck portion has an annular body portion defining the second bore for supporting a cylindrical tool therein. A drive element comprising a drive pin inserted in a first end of the tube portion traverses the first internal bore at a first end of the tube portion. The drive pin cooperates with a distal end of a rotary tool insertable into the second bore to transfer torque to the tool. The tool has an elongated body portion having a driven portion and a working portion. The driven portion includes a shank portion with channels for receiving the drive pin.

Abstract: A medical or dental handpiece which has an outer sleeve, a tool-holding sleeve for holding a treatment tool, wherein the tool-holding sleeve has a central axis about which the tool-holding sleeve can be rotated and wherein the tool-holding sleeve can be induced to a stroke motion by a driveshaft of the handpiece, and an adjusting device, which is designed to secure the tool-holding sleeve selectively in a rotational position or to allow a free rotatability of the tool-holding sleeve, wherein the adjusting device has a fixation element, which secures or releases the tool-holding sleeve and at least one adjusting element, which is at least operatively connected to the fixation element, wherein the adjusting element is movable substantially in parallel with the central axis of the tool-holding sleeve.

Abstract: A damping device for a dental tool in a dental turbine handpiece having at least one clamping lever. The clamping lever permits a tool shank to be clamped. The structure allows for more accurate relative positioning and improved concentricity of the dental tool after clamping.

Abstract: A chuck assembly for a dental handpiece includes a hollow cylindrical tube portion having a first internal bore, and a chuck portion having a second bore. The chuck portion is supported within the first bore co-rotational with the tube portion about a common axis. The chuck portion has an annular body portion defining the second bore for supporting a cylindrical tool therein. A drive element comprising a drive pin inserted in a first end of the tube portion traverses the first internal bore at a first end of the tube portion. The drive pin cooperates with a distal end of a rotary tool insertable into the second bore to transfer torque to the tool. The tool has an elongated body portion having a driven portion and a working portion. The driven portion includes a shank portion with channels for receiving the drive pin.

Abstract: A clamping device for a dental tool in a dental turbine handpiece having at least one clamping lever that is supported in a fulcrum and that extends along the axis of a tool shank to be clamped, wherein the clamping lever is designed and arranged such that the tool shank can be clamped using the clamping lever and that on rotation of the clamping device, through the effect of the centrifugal force, the clamping lever is radially deflected about the virtual fulcrum, so as to increase the clamping force acting on the tool shank.

Abstract: A chuck mechanism for a dental handpiece and a dental handpiece with the chuck mechanism are disclosed. The chuck mechanism holds the columnar rotary tool for dental care rotatably with an annular rotor of the dental handpiece and the columnar rotor tool is concentrically detachable to the annular rotor which is rotatably attached to a head part of the dental handpiece. The chuck mechanism is characterized by an annular chucking member which comprises a cylindrical base part into which the annular rotor is integrally fitted and an elastic chucking piece having a chucking pawl for engaging with a locking groove formed at a base end of the rotary tool. The chuck mechanism enables the rotary tool to be easily removed from the annular rotor by elastically deforming the elastic chucking piece against elastic force of the elastic chucking piece to disengage the chucking pawl from the locking groove.

Abstract: A hand-held instrument, for dental or surgical use, intended to rotate a rectilinear detachable tool (13) includes a tubular sheath (1); a hollow shaft (3) rotatably mounted inside the sheath with an upstream portion (5) and a downstream portion (6) which in turn includes an upstream portion (11) partially clamped around the upstream portion (5) of the shaft and a downstream portion (12) of which the inside diameter substantially matches the outside diameter of the tool (13); a clamp (14) rigidly rotationally connected to the shaft (3) but movable along the axis thereof, which clamp is placed inside and concentric with the upstream portion (5) of the shaft; and elements for moving the clamp (14) longitudinally so that the jaws (17) thereof penetrate under the upstream portion (5) of the shaft (3) thereby gripping the tool.

Abstract: A dental handpiece having a grip with a head in which a treatment tool may be detachably attached. A front casing portion of the grip is continuous to a rear casing portion at an obtuse angle. A first rotary shaft is rotatably supported in the rear casing portion. A cylindrical jacket extends from the head and is arranged in the front casing portion toward the first rotary shaft. A second rotary shaft is rotatably supported in the jacket, and is operatively connected to the treatment tool at one end and to the first rotary shaft at the other end via a gear. The rotary shafts transmit driving force to the head section to drive the treatment tool. The jacket is provided with an engagement groove on its circumferential surface. An engaging device disposed in the rear casing portion detachably engages the groove, thereby fixing the jacket in the front casing portion.

Abstract: The invention relates to an improved bur for use in handpieces having a rotatable chuck with a tool bore for receiving the bur, a friction grip member for frictionally retaining the bur in the chuck and a torque lock seat of non-circular cross-section and permitting length adjustment of the bur in the drive head by concentrically supporting the bur in the drive head at any position from a fully inserted position to a maximum retracted position. The bur includes a tool body having an axis of rotation, a working end for projecting from the handpiece and a driven end for insertion into the tool bore of the chuck. The driven end is a generally cylindrical shaft with a preselected outer circumference for fittingly engaging in the tool bore for concentric rotation of the driven end with the chuck. The shaft including a torque lock portion for fittingly and non-rotatably engaging the torque lock seat of the chuck.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for axial retention of a dental instrument shank and for transmitting the rotational driving of the instrument. The device is arranged in a head of a contra-angle or handpiece. The shank has an annular groove in which at least one stud is able to engage radially, and a flat permitting rotational driving of the shank. The rotational movement is communicated by an output pinion of a mechanical transmission assembly coupled to a drive motor and arranged in a sleeve joined to the head of the contra-angle. The device is formed by a shaft traversed axially by the instrument shank, at least one elastic lever, and at least one pin. There is cooperation of the pin or pins with the flat provided on the instrument shank.

Abstract: The invention relates to an improved dental tool drive arrangement for a handpiece with a drive head, the tool drive arrangement permitting length adjustment of the tool in the drive head by concentrically supporting the tool in the drive head at any position from a fully inserted position to a maximum retracted position. The tool drive arrangement preferably includes a tool and a rotatable tool supporting element for concentrically supporting the tool from the fully inserted to the maximum retracted position, the tool preferably including a maximum retraction indicator for indicating to a user when the tool has been retracted to the maximum retraction position. This provides a significant advantage over the prior art by allowing a user to adjust the exposed length of a rotatable tool, preferably a dental bur, without exceeding safe operating limits.

Abstract: A dental handpiece is disclosed including a turbine construction creating a radial in flow of air onto the impeller blades about the whole circumference of the turbine. This generates additional torque and avoids asymmetrical thrust on the impeller wheel. A pair of axially spaced air bearings support the turbine. Air supply to the bearings is controlled in such a way that the air bearings are floated before drive air is supplied to the turbine and after drive air to the turbine has been shut off. This ensures that the air bearings are always operational irrespective of the operational state of the turbine. The handpiece has an improved ergonomic shape, especially the shape and configuration of the front or drive head, which provides additional tooth clearance and a better field of view. An angled swivel connection to the umbilical cord is provided which reduces physical strain on the dentist's wrist.

Abstract: A coupling system for shafts of the lower gripper mechanism and the upper motor mechanism of an instrument includes: —a hollow shaft whose upper end can couple to the lower end of the motor mechanism shaft and whose lower end can slide around the upper end of the gripper mechanism shaft; a movable pin connecting the lower end of the hollow shaft with the upper end of the gripper mechanism shaft; a spring; two diametrically opposed oblong windows serving to limit the path of the pin such that, for the hollow shaft and the gripper mechanism shaft, a first relative position wherein they are separated maximally and a second relative position wherein they are approached maximally are defined; and a holder whose length is such that, only in the second position, it allows the pin to appear allowing connection separation of the coupling system and the gripper mechanism, respectively.

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: The invention concerns a device for locking a dental instrument having a rotating spindle, formed by a hollow spindle and adapted to receive the head of an instrument, and a locking spring formed by a lower ring extending on a common side by two branches or a plurality of elastic branches. Each branch is provided with a pin engaged in an annular groove provided in the head of the instrument. There is a push-button having, in its underside, a central conical pressure head adapted to space apart radially the branches of the locking spring to release the pins from the annular groove of the instrument. The locking branches are housed in the slots provided in the rotary spindle to lock in rotation the spring relative to the rotary spindle, the spring being moreover maintained axially between the push-button and a shoulder of the rotary spindle.

Abstract: An apparatus for removably fixing a tool to the head of a handpiece including a neck having the head at one end of the neck and a handle at an opposing end of the neck, and interior portions receiving a drive shaft for rotating the tool. The apparatus includes a bore formed in the head of the handpiece, for receiving the tool in the bore of the head, and a toothless friction drive coupled with an end of the drive shaft adjacent to the bore of the head. The friction drive engages shank portions of the tool while received in the bore of the head. The tool is retained in the bore by frictional contact between the shank of the tool and the friction drive coupled with the drive shaft.

Abstract: An endodontic contra-angle is provided with a head which supports an endodontic instrument having a shank and a blade. A connection associated with the head attaches the shank within the head of the contra-angle. The shank is permanently assembled within the body of the head, and is free to rotate within the head.

Abstract: An endodontic instrument extractor tool is configured for removing a fragment of a broken endodontic instrument that has become lodged within a root canal of a tooth. The extractor tool comprises an elongate shaft, including a hollow gripping body at a distal end, and a proximal handle portion. The hollow gripping body includes an inside diameter that is initially greater than a cross-sectional dimension of a fragment of a broken endodontic instrument to be removed from a root canal of a tooth. The inside diameter of the hollow gripping body defines a hollow interior cavity portion into which at least a portion of the fragment is receivable. At least the hollow gripping body of the body is formed of a shape memory alloy (e.g., nickel-titanium) or polymer in an expanded configuration so that upon heating, the shape memory alloy or polymer returns to its unexpanded configuration, tightly gripping around a proximal end of the fragment.

Abstract: In a hand held piece for dental or surgical use comprising a resilient clamp (20) for holding the cylindrical shank (16) of a tool, the height of the head (3) of the piece can be reduced owing to an inverted arrangement of the clamp in relation to the arrangement of the prior art. The clamp is slideably mounted in a hollow shaft (6), its flexible jaws (31) being directed forwards to enter into contact with a loosening sleeve (19) fixed in a front end of the shaft, i.e. on the tool side. The clamp is longitudinally connected to a pusher (22) manually activated by the operator for opening the clamp. A snap fit device (28) offers a higher initial resistance to movement of the clamp than the standard minimum axial pull force of the tool.

Abstract: A press-type bit-holding mechanism of a dental high-speed handset, including a hollow rotary shaft, a push button accommodated in the hollow rotary shaft and a holder barrel also accommodated in the hollow rotary shaft. The push button has a first coupling section formed with two opposite splits and two opposite first projecting posts. The first projecting posts and the splits are interlaced with each other. The holder barrel has a second coupling section has two second splits and two second projecting posts complementary to the first splits and the first projecting posts of the first coupling section of the first coupling section of the push button.

Abstract: At the front, a handpiece (1) has a clamp (10) fitted to tightly grip the shank of a removable tool housed in guide holes (23, 25). The clamp has two or more levers (26) attached to an annular section (22) of the clamp by elastic joints (27), each of which has a gripping jaw (20) to grip the tool shank. On each lever, the gripping jaw (20) is located much closer to the joint (27) than to a supporting surface, on which a tightening mechanism (17) exerts a centripetal force so that the lever multiplies this force. The tightening mechanism preferably has a sliding sleeve (40) having a conical inside surface (44), which produces the force at the levers of the clamp by means of balls (45) housed in the holes of a hollow rotatable shaft (11).

Abstract: A manual chuck includes a turbine having a centrally disposed aperture and a spindle including an elongated shaft portion positionable into the aperture in a substantially vertical direction. The spindle further includes a head portion integral with the shaft portion and a centrally disposed aperture formed therein and extending substantially vertically and downwardly through the shaft portion. The chuck function includes a locking member substantially aligned with the spindle aperture and for allowing the chuck to be rotated between predetermined locked and unlocked positions. The chuck further includes a cap for causing the spindle and the locking member to rotate respectively and a plurality of flexible washers disposed between the cap and the locking member.

Abstract: A medical or dental-medical handpiece has in its forward end region a lateral insertion opening for a tool and, lying opposite to the insertion opening, a mounting opening with an insert part, which can he placed therein, and a push button which is mounted displaceably between an outer initial position and an inner release position and is biased into its initial position by a spring force. The pushbutton is supported with at least one stop arranged thereon on at least one counter stop in its intial position. The insert part is arranged sunk into the mounting opening and the pushbutton engages in the mounting opening with slight play for movement.

Abstract: A dental driving tool having a distal end with a drive mechanism adapted to drive a dental implant and a retention mechanism adapted to hold and carry the dental implant. The retention mechanism includes a housing having a ceramic locking member and corrosive resistant biasing member. Preferably, the housing is formed as an axial bore through the distal end, and the locking and biasing members are formed as a ball and spring, respectively.

Abstract: A dental tool for use with an ultrasonic transducer, the tool comprises a substantially elongate tool defined by a shaft having a proximal end with a coupling attachment at the proximal end for attachment to an ultrasonic transducer, and a distal end having a tip configured for performing a dental procedure, and a fluid passage extending from the proximal end to a port configured and positioned to direct fluid onto the tip.

Abstract: A dental tool for use with an ultrasonic transducer, the tool comprises a substantially elongate tool defined by a shaft having a proximal end with a coupling attachment at the proximal end for attachment to an ultrasonic transducer, and a distal end having a tip configured for performing a dental procedure, and a fluid passage extending from the proximal end to a port configured and positioned to direct fluid onto the tip.

Abstract: The invention relates to a medical or dental-medical handpiece (3) which has in its forward end region a lateral insertion opening (5a) for a tool and, lying opposite to the insertion opening (5a), a mounting opening (63) with an insert part (113), which can be placed therein, and a push button (93c) which is mounted displaceably between an outer initial position and an inner release position and is biassed into its initial position by means of a spring force, in which the push button (93) is supported with at least one stop (111) arranged thereon on at least one counter stop (112), and in that the insert part (113) is arranged sunk into the mounting opening (63) and the push button (93c) engages in the mounting opening (63) with slight play for movement.

Abstract: A dental instrument is provided for use in an endodontic procedure which has a file extending from a handle configured to enable the working length of the handle to be varied. The handle of the instrument is adapted to be received in and to be releasably held by a chuck or collet of an endodontic handpiece head. Both the handles and chucks are adapted to enable the handles to be appropriately positioned in the chuck of a dental handpiece head at various positions to yield a desired working length and to then be secured. The rim around the chuck is preferably configured to act as a stop during use of the handpiece. The instrument is most useful when configured with incremental adjustment indicators, preferably in uniform increments, such that the working length can be determined by viewing the indicators.

Abstract: An interproximal flossing device including a link member that isolates lateral from vertical rotational movement to transfer only translatory arcuate movement. This is done by the combination of a hinge and pivot structure. A tip attachment structure is also included for secure placement of the tip on the link member, and allows easy removal and replacement. A tip member removal structure is also included to allow for easy removal of the tip member from the link member.

Abstract: A dental apparatus having a disposable nozzle tip (11) for a three-way syringe device (12) for spraying air or water. The nozzle tip (11) comprises an assembly of two coaxial tubes (20, 21) which can be readily attached/detached from the syringe device (12), such attachment can be effected directly or via an adaptor (26) which allows the nozzle tip (11) to be connected to a number of different devices. The nozzle tip (11) is constructed from a plastics material which facilitates disposability.

Abstract: A dental handpiece is disclosed, which includes a tool holder for receiving and detachably holding a dental treatment tool therein, and a tubular compressor disposed around the tool holder. The tubular compressor has a flared inner surface along a portion of its length. The tool holder and the tubular compressor are relatively slidable with respect to each other between tool holding and releasing positions. The tool holder has a plurality of integral presser tongues. Each of the presser tongues is partially separate from the tool holder with a slit to have a free tip and a connecting root with a reduced thickness. The flared inner surface of the tubular compressor elastically urges the tongues into pressure contact with the dental treatment tool to securely hold the tool in position, when the tool holder and the tubular compressor are in the tool holding position.

Abstract: This invention is a centrifugal chuck mechanism for holding “dental drill bits” (hereinafter referred to as “burr or burrs”) tightly in an air turbine cartridge which are part of a handheld dentists' tool (hereinafter called a “hand-piece”) of the type that rotates a burr which has a cutting head for removing tooth structure. The air turbine cartridge includes a burr sleeve into which the burr can be easily inserted with one hand and is held safely in place until rotation begins. Upon rotation of the air turbine cartridge, centrifugal forces lock the burr in position and as the revolutions increase the burr is locked tighter and tighter precluding the migration of the burr out of the hand-piece.

Abstract: The invention is an improved endodontic adapter for a sonic scaler consisting of a talon having a threaded end for insertion into the handle of the sonic scaler. A pair of downwardly pointed barbs protrude radially from the side of the adapter for receiving an elastic ligature which firmly holds the dental instrument such as file to the talon. The opposite end of the talon has a tapered shaft that receives an aperture drilled into the side of the dental instrument. The ligature is simply wrapped around the dental instrument on opposite sides of the talon and then the ends are wrapped around the downwardly pointing barbs.

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: A quick-connect syringe tip for use with a dental handpiece. The syringe tip resists rotation about an axis through the connection end, allowing retraction of a cheek or lip without changing the orientation of a discharge fluid stream.

Abstract: A dental handpiece has a head housing having a turbine chamber and an annular channel. First and second bearings are provided on opposite sides of the turbine chamber in the head housing. An air-driven turbine rotor is arranged in the turbine chamber and supported on the first and second bearings. A rotor spindle is driven by the air-driven turbine and drives, in turn, a tool. The first bearing is positioned proximal to the tool and the second bearing is positioned distal to the tool. The head housing has a drive air channel guiding drive air to the air-driven turbine rotor and a return channel for the drive air. A hollow space is provided in the head housing in which an actuator for the tool holder of the tool is arranged. Several air-permeable connecting channels connect a radially outer area of the turbine chamber to the hollow space or the annular channel or both.

Abstract: A releasable chucking device for a rotating medical or dental tool includes a tool shaft with a chucking end, wherein the chucking end of the tool shaft has a flattened portion and an annular groove in the area of the flattened portion, wherein the chucking device further includes a holding member protruding radially inwardly into the annular groove during operation, and an additional frictionally engaging support of the tool, for example, by providing the sleeve surrounding the circular cylindrical portion of the tool shaft with a collet or to construct the sleeve as a collet.

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 handpiece to releasably retain a workpiece (e.g. a dental bur) that is used to treat the teeth of a patient. The workpiece is clamped within a hollow collet between a pair of flexible clamping fingers having a spring-like memory. A collet actuator is arranged in spaced axial alignment with the collet. Both the collet and collet actuator are surrounded by a cylindrical spindle. An axial pushing force applied to a push-button of the handpiece causes the collet actuator to slide through the spindle towards the collet. A pair of wedge-shaped tips having an angle of approximately 22 degrees are carried by the collet actuator into the hollow collet to stress the pair of flexible clamping fingers thereof Accordingly, the clamping fingers are rotated outwardly and away from one another through a stroke gap so as to be moved into contact with the spindle, whereby the workpiece is released for removal from the collet.

Abstract: A dental syringe for dentists, especially a holding means thereof for holding a nozzle, is disclosed. The holding means has a rear tube threadingly engaging with a head of the dental syringe, and a front tube threadingly engaging with the rear tube. An inner barrel is slidably contained in the front and the rear tube, and an outer barrel slidably covers the tubes. A nozzle can be inserted into the inner tube and after a nib thereof, whose diameter is smaller than the nozzle itself, extends through a central opening defined in the bottom of the inner tube. A plurality of balls, formerly blocked by the outer surface of the inner tube, falls and engages with a circular groove defined in the nozzle thus securely fixing the nozzle there. At this time the outer barrel is pushed forward by a spring to press the balls. By pulling the outer barrel backward, the pressing will be released and the balls will be pushed back by the front rim of the inner barrel under the force of another spring.

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 (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 collet for holding a rotatable tool such as a bur or drill bit having a stepped shaft including a drive shaft having a stepped internal diameter mating with the external diameter of the bur or drill shaft, a plurality of hardened balls mounted in openings in the sleeve, a locking sleeve having a tapered surface movable with the force of a spring against the balls to force the balls against the shaft to lock the shaft in the sleeve. A rotatable locking collar is movable to release the spring force to release the shaft for removal and replacement of the tool.

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 medical/dental device is provided which includes a body having a hollow sleeve and a head at an end of the sleeve. The head defines an upwardly opening chamber which receives a chuck. The chuck includes a bur tube which removably receives a medical/dental tool of the latch-shaft type and a push button actuator to release the shaft from the bur tube. The bur tube includes a flexible arm which extends above the bur tube's upper surface and an inwardly extending finger positioned to engage the groove of the shaft. A resilient member (preferably a leaf spring) is received in a transverse slot formed in the top of the bur tube body and is retained in place by a retainer key. The shoulder of the latch-type bur abuts the bottom of the spring to reduce axial play of the bur and to allow for use of non-standard burs in the bur tube.

Abstract: The invention relates to a dental device, and a method for exchanging a working tool at a dental device having an exchangeable vibrating of rotating working tool. The working tool (1,3,33) is corrected to a protective housing (2) to be mounted around a movement generating or transmitting device (5,5A). The working tool is exchangeable by aid of a turning operation of said housing (2) in relation of the movement generating or transmitting device.