Abstract: An apparatus for endodontic treatment, comprising: a nozzle connected to a fluid source comprising: a tip small enough to be inserted into a pulp chamber of a tooth; an inner geometry which forms a flow parameters including non-axial flow direction of nozzle fluid flowing through the inner geometry such that discharge fluid discharged from the inner geometry increase rotation of root canal fluid within a root canal sufficiently to remove tissue from the root canal.

Abstract: A dental system comprises a dental prophy angle and an adjustable angle adapter. The prophy angle includes a housing and a guard with a concave inner surface. The adapter is configured to drive the prophy angle and the adapter includes a body, a nose, and an outer joint. The nose is configured to receive a portion of a prophy angle. The body is adjustably connected to the nose. The outer joint includes a ball portion connected to the nose, and a ball receiver positioned on the body. The ball receiver includes a first portion coupled to a first end of the body and a second portion attachable to the first portion. The nose is rotatable relative to the body into at least a first configuration and a second configuration. The concave inner surface of the guard engages a convex outer surface of the ball receiver.

Abstract: A dental prophylaxis angle having a tool head and a hand piece includes an adjustment mechanism, which allows the tool head to be angularly adjusted between a plurality of angular positions relative to the hand piece. The tool head is axially shiftable relative to the hand piece between a locked position and an adjustment position. In the locked position, the tool head is prevented from shifting angularly relative to the hand piece. In the adjustment position, the tool head may be selectively pivoted relative to the hand piece and thereby angularly adjusted. A spring may be provided to urge the tool head into the locked position at one or more of the angular positions.

Abstract: A dental system comprises a dental prophy angle and an adjustable angle adapter. The prophy angle includes a housing and a guard with a concave inner surface. The adapter is configured to drive the prophy angle and the adapter includes a body, a nose, and an outer joint. The nose is configured to receive a portion of a prophy angle. The body is adjustably connected to the nose. The outer joint includes a ball portion connected to the nose, and a ball receiver positioned on the body. The ball receiver includes a first portion coupled to a first end of the body and a second portion attachable to the first portion. The nose is rotatable relative to the body into at least a first configuration and a second configuration. The concave inner surface of the guard engages a convex outer surface of the ball receiver.

Abstract: An adjustable angle adapter for a prophy angle comprises a nose, a rotating member, a body, a shaft, a multi-axis rotation joint, and an outer joint. The nose is configured to receive a portion of the prophy angle. The rotating member is positioned within the nose. The body is adjustably connected to the nose. The shaft is positioned within the body. The multi-axis rotation joint connects the shaft to the rotating member. The outer joint includes a ball portion connected to one of the body and the nose, and a ball receiver connected to an other of the body and the nose. The nose is configured to pivot relative to the body into at least a first configuration and a second configuration.

Abstract: An adjustable angle adapter for a prophy angle comprises a nose, a rotating member, a body, a shaft, a pivot, and a multi-axis rotation joint. The nose is configured to receive a portion of a prophy angle. The rotating member is positioned within the nose. The body is adjustably connected to the nose. The shaft is positioned within the body. The pivot connects the body to the nose and includes a groove configured for a ball bearing that is passed through a channel formed within the pivot and the body. Also, the channel is parallel to the rotational axis of the shaft. The multi-axis rotation joint connects the shaft to the rotating member. The nose is rotatable relative to the body into a first configuration and a second configuration.

Abstract: An apparatus for grinding the teeth of horses is disclosed. The apparatus includes a tool body. A drive shaft is disposed inside of the tool body. A drive mechanism is connected to one end of the drive shaft. A grinding member is connected to the other end of the drive shaft. The grinding member can pivot through a range of angles relative to the drive shaft.

Abstract: A medical or dental handpiece has a grip 3. The grip 3 includes first to third rotation shafts 101, 201, and 301. The first and second shafts are connected through a first gear mechanism 1000 and the second and third shafts are connected through a second gear mechanism 2000 so that a rotation is transmitted from the first shaft through the first gear mechanism to the second shaft and then from the second shaft through the second gear mechanism to the third shaft. The first or second gear mechanism has an internal gear secured on shaft and an external gear secured on the other shaft, the internal and the external gears being engaged with each other. The external gear is substantially enclosed within a cylindrical plane 1001, 2001 extending along a peripheral edge of the internal gear.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a dental apparatus having a flexible arm for a dental apparatus. A benefit of the inventive flexible arm is the ability to make fine adjustments in orientation of one end of the arm relative to the other. More specifically, the ability to adjust or optimize the horizontal attitude of a movable end of the arm quickly and easily without resorting to expensive and time consuming remanufacture of the arm components. Adjustment of the end of the arm is accomplished via an adjusting mechanism with a rotatable shaft having an offset pin, where rotation of the shaft caused the pin to translate as defined by the offset of the pin center relative to the shaft center.

Abstract: An adjustable angle adapter for a prophy angle comprises a nose, a rotating member, a body, a shaft, and a multi-axis rotation joint. The nose is configured to receive a portion of a prophy angle. The rotating member is positioned within the nose. The body is adjustably connected to the nose. The shaft is positioned within the body. The multi-axis rotation joint connects the shaft to the rotating member. The nose is rotatable relative to the body into at least a first configuration and a second configuration.

Abstract: A dental handpiece including a handpiece body with a head mounting seat, with a gas feeding channel, wherewith the seat is adapted to provide a full turn of the head. The head includes a turbine and an gas feeding aperture to the turbine. A micromotor is included having an inlet for feeding gas and a drive shaft for ensuring mechanical drive action. An intermediate gas feeding channel is made on the inner surface of the head mounting seat or on the outer surface of a part of the head. The drive shaft of the micromotor is connected to the head, and the inlet for feeding gas to the micrometer is connected to the gas feeding channel in the body.

Abstract: An apparatus for grinding the teeth of horses is disclosed. The apparatus includes a tool body. A drive shaft is disposed inside of the tool body. A drive mechanism is connected to one end of the drive shaft. A grinding member is connected to the other end of the drive shaft. The grinding member can pivot through a range of angles relative to the drive shaft.

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

Abstract: A dental handpiece comprises a handpiece body with a head mounting seat, with a gas feeding channel and with a first light guide having an outlet in the seat, wherewith the seat is adapted to provide a full turn of the head, a head with a turbine with means for mounting a dental instrument positioned therein, with an gas feeding aperture to the turbine and with a second light guide having an inlet to a part of the head positioned in the seat of the body, a micromotor having an inlet for feeding gas and a drive shaft for ensuring mechanical drive action. An intermediate gas feeding channel is made on the inner surface of the head mounting seat or on the outer surface of a part of the head positioned inside the seat to connect the gas feeding channel to an gas feeding aperture to the turbine with any position of the head when it is turned. The outlet of the first light guide and the inlet of the second light guide are positioned opposite each other with the head in any position during a turn thereof.

Abstract: An ultrasonic dental handpiece for holding a transducer is provided. The transducer converts electrical energy into ultrasonic vibrations. The dental handpiece includes a body, a rotator head, and a retainer ring. The body rotatably receives the transducer. The rotator head engages the transducer for rotation thereof. The retainer ring is fixedly coupled to one of the body and the rotator head and rotatably coupled to the other of the body and the rotator head, such that the rotator head is rotatably coupled to the body.

Abstract: A dental/medical handpiece having a flexible portion is disclosed. In one embodiment, the handpiece is an abrasion handpiece, for use with a flow of gas having abrasive material entrained therewithin, and comprises a housing including a handle, a nozzle-receiving portion and a flexible neck connecting the handle to the nozzle-receiving portion. A nozzle rigidly attached to the nozzle-receiving portion of the housing is also provided, as is a gas tube. The gas tube has a first end adapted to receive said flow, and extends, from said first end, through the handle, the neck portion and the nozzle-receiving portion, to the nozzle, to direct said flow to issue through the nozzle, outwardly from the housing. In another embodiment, the handpiece is a rotary tool, for use with a rotary bit, such as a dental drill. In a further embodiment, the handpiece is a laser handpiece, for use with a laser generator.

Abstract: An adjustable collet mechanism for a surgical handpiece which enables the surgical tool driven by the handpiece to be oriented at selected angular positions relative to the handpiece axis. The coupling means includes a non-rotatable sleeve attached to the handpiece and a rotatable sleeve attached to the collet holding the surgical tool. The abutting faces of the non-rotatable and rotatable sleeves are angled relative to the handpiece axis so that relative rotation of the components causes their axes to be positionable either in alignment or at a predetermined angular orientation. The coupling mechanism includes a tubular coupling link which enables relative rotation between the rotatable and non-rotatable sleeves while also enabling translation of power from the handpiece to the surgical tool.

Abstract: An extraction device for extracting some or all of a tooth from a patient, such as the root of the tooth. One embodiment of the device includes an extraction bit having helical windings without a linear core portion separate from the windings, and in that manner is distinguishable from a common screw. The extraction bit may include a partial-spiral flute or groove formed in a tip thereof. A lockable and releaseable hand piece for attaching to the extraction bit provides leverage to the user for dislodging the tooth root, and is reversible in its attachment position to the extraction bit.

Abstract: A disposable prophylaxis angle with an adjustable head having a body with a head, a drive gear extending through the body, and a driven gear extending through the head. The prophylaxis angle includes a body which has a portion thereof formed from a plurality of accordion folds for selective angular adjustment of the body. The drive gear includes a gear portion and a shaft portion for journaled rotation within the body. The driven gear includes a shaft portion mounted for journaled rotation within the head bore, and a gear portion operatively connected to the gear portion of the drive gear. The plurality of annular accordion folds allow for adjustment of the body in any radial direction. The shaft portion of the drive gear accommodates the angular adjustment of the prophylaxis angle by maintaining the operative connection between the gear part of the drive gear and the gear part of the driven gear.

Abstract: A dental instrument includes an elongate handle having a structural axis, a drill bit mounted to the handle at a distal end thereof for rotation about a rotation axis different from and substantially parallel to the structural axis, and a drive operatively connected to the drill bit and disposed at least partially in the handle for rotating the drill bit about the rotation axis. The drill bit is part of a bit assembly detachably secured to the handle at the distal end thereof. Where the handle includes a nozzle at the distal end, the bit assembly including means for redirecting liquid from the nozzle approximately to a free end of the drill bit. This redirection component may include a deflector surface or, alternatively, a channel or passageway for repressurizing liquid from the nozzle. In the latter case, another nozzle is provided at the downstream end of the channel or passageway. In addition, it is contemplated that the bit assembly includes a mechanical power linkage releasably connected to the drive.

Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a conduit, the conduit having a conduit axis defined through a terminal end thereof, and a fluid-powered motor for rotating a dissecting tool, the motor having a longitudinal motor axis. A swivel member is connected in fluid communication between the motor and the conduit. The swivel member comprises a motor portion including a motor face inclined at a selected angle from the motor axis, and a conduit portion including a conduit face arranged oppositely that of the motor face and formed to engage matingly with the motor face. A connection shaft extends from one of the motor face and the conduit face and is engaged rotatably with a connection receptacle formed in another of the motor face and the conduit face.

Abstract: An adjustable, disposable dental prophy tool includes an elongated cylindrical grip end body component and an elongated cylindrical cup end body component. The cup end body component is mounted on the grip end body component so that their major longitudinal axes are offset in non-parallel alignment. A housing for a cleaning and polishing cup drive element is mounted at the outer end of the cup end body component. A drive element is mounted in the housing for rotation about an axis which extends laterally of the longitudinal axis of the elongated cup end body component. The cup end body component is fully rotatable for 360.degree. about its own longitudinal axis relative to the grip end body component. The tool also includes axial locking structure holding the body components together to prevent relative axial movement thereof. The tool also includes releasable angular locking structure selectively inhibiting relative rotation of the body components.

Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a conduit, the conduit having a conduit axis defined through a terminal end thereof, and a fluid-powered motor for rotating a dissecting tool, the motor having a longitudinal motor axis. A swivel member is connected in fluid communication between the motor and the conduit. The swivel member comprises a motor portion including a motor face inclined at a selected angle from the motor axis, and a conduit portion including a conduit face arranged oppositely that of the motor face and formed to engage matingly with the motor face. A connection shaft extends from one of the motor face and the conduit face and is engaged rotatably with a connection receptacle formed in another of the motor face and the conduit face.

Abstract: A medical tool such as a prophy angle is provided having primarily plastic parts to make disposing more economical. A portion of the drive shaft is made of metal to eliminate detrimental deformation. The housing is made of two plastic halves which snap-fit together and have projecting portions which surround a pair of oversized plastic beveled gears. A prophy cup having a locking projection is provided so that the locking projection fits into locking cavity on a stud of the tool. Vanes are disposed on the inside of the cup and have a step-like configuration to aid in retaining polishing paste in the cup.

Abstract: In an electric toothbrush of the present invention, a head case is detachable from a main case, so that brushes on the head case can be easily washed and kept clean. The orientation of the brushes with respect to the main case can be changed, so that every tooth can be brushed well. A driving force of a motor is transmitted by first and second shafts and gears, so that the force can be positively transmitted to the brush even through the transmitting route is bent. Vibration of the electric toothbrush is less than conventional toothbrushes which alternately rotate brushes because the brushes are rotated by the first and second shafts. Holes of lead-pieces for connecting terminals have inwardly extending claws, and the terminals can be connected only by insertion into the holes, so that assembling steps can be reduced. If the tips of the claws are sharpened, the terminals are held tightly.

Abstract: A dental handpiece includes a handle, a shank projected from the forward end of the handle, a turbine head on the forward end of the shank, and a turbine type dental engine in the head, with the engine being capable of holding and rotating a suitable dental bur. The head may be secured to the shank in a fixed position, with the engine axis at an oblique angle to the handle axis, the angle being such that regions and surfaces heretofore inaccessible to the dental bur are now easily accessible. Also the head may be coupled to the shank such that it pivots relative to the shank and handle, in which case, the axis of the dental engine and bur may be varied to suit the particular dental procedure that is to be performed. Means are provided for locking the head in the selected position.

Abstract: A tool holder having a bent handle and having first and second ends. The holder comprises a head comprising means for receiving the tool. The head is arranged at the first end of the tool holder. The holder further comprises an operating knob arranged intermediate the first and second ends of the holder and securing means for securing the head to the holder. An auxiliary operating knob is arranged at the second end of the holder on the handle. A multiplier system provides for the desired magnitude of movement of the tool in response to movement of the operating knob.

Abstract: An air driven turbine supporting a burr is pivotably mounted at the extremity of an arm, which arm is pivotably attached to the handle of a dental hand piece. Conduits extend through the handle and the arm to the turbine and provide a flow of air to and from the turbine and a flow of fluid directed into proximity of the cutting surfaces of the burr. Sealed moveable junctions at each end of the arm maintain integrity of the air and fluid flows while accommodating articulation of the hand piece.

Abstract: A dental handpiece, which has a drive motor part connected to a housing and a head part with a socket for supporting a tool for rotation being releasably secured on the housing, characterized by the handpiece being convertible between an angled handpiece and a straight handpiece. This is accomplished by the housing being composed of a first housing member, a second housing member, a device for interconnecting the first and second housing members for swivel movement between a first position with their drive shaft sections extending at an angle to each other and a second position with the drive shaft sections being in axial alignment, and a device for holding the housing members in a selected one of the first and second positions.

Abstract: A holder for turbine-driven dental tools such as drills. The holder is made of two-parts comprising an elongated shank and an anglepiece having a head in which is mounted an air-driven turbine for driving the dental tools. Provision is made by a coupling structure for attachably coupling the anglepiece to the shank. A finger-grip sleeve is provided on the coupling structure that allows the holder to be held in position while angularly positioning the holder angularly at set angular positions relative to the sleeve. The operator can thus hold the holder at a desired position and still rotate the anglepiece angularly by rotating the shank about its axis.