Apparatus Patents (Class 433/25)
  • Publication number: 20100304322
    Abstract: A hand-held device, particularly for dental purposes, comprising a dispenser for dispensing a pasty filling material as well a device for emitting a radiation that causes the filling material to cure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 8, 2008
    Publication date: December 2, 2010
    Applicant: Kaltenbach & [[B=]] Voigt GmbH
    Inventor: Frank Emde
  • Publication number: 20100285424
    Abstract: A dental applicator device is disclosed. Generally, the dental applicator device includes a trough comprising a first wall, a second wall, and a floor, wherein at least one of the first wall, second wall, and floor comprises a contact surface, wherein at least a portion of the contact surface comprises a reticulated foam material. Methods of applying a dental agent to a target surface of a subject's dentition are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2009
    Publication date: November 11, 2010
    Inventors: Paul A. Burgio, Wayne K. Dunshee, Raymond P. Johnston
  • Publication number: 20100248177
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2010
    Publication date: September 30, 2010
    Inventors: Michael Mangelberger, Christian Pruckner, Gunter Teufelberger, Hannes Wagner
  • Patent number: 7698014
    Abstract: The systems and methods disclosed herein employ a combination of digital three-dimensional modeling and rapid fabrication technologies to provide pre-indexed, pre-registered, and/or precut components for articulated dental models. Dental articulators and components of dental models as described herein use a positioning key to encode positional information for components of the dental model, and/or a reference grid on mounting surfaces to enforce local accuracy of fabricated parts against a fixed reference array.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2010
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Patrick Colm Dunne, Eric B. Paley, Micah J. Rosenbloom, Michael Patrick Girard
  • Publication number: 20100071706
    Abstract: The present invention provides for a dental appliance, mouthguard and/or divers mouthpiece using an anti-microbial composition that combines the use of an elastomeric polymer composition with micronized or submicron sized particles of metal or organo/inorgano metal complexes. In addition, the use of an anti-microbial composition for use with a diver's air delivery hose to prevent breathing of contaminated air is also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2007
    Publication date: March 25, 2010
    Inventor: Richard Mason
  • Publication number: 20100009309
    Abstract: A prophylactic system 100 for a dental hand piece 101 of a selected shape and having an outlet 112 for providing a fluid to an operating field is disclosed. A cover 102 has a shape substantially similar to the hand piece 101 for enclosing the dental hand piece 101 and includes an aperture 118 for communicating with the operating field. An s-shaped valve 600 includes a path 605 for coupling the fluid from outlet 118 of the hand piece 101 to the aperture 118 of the cover.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2009
    Publication date: January 14, 2010
    Inventor: Eric V. Wade
  • Publication number: 20090208893
    Abstract: A dental insertion for a tooth filling, the insertion having a surface and a body extending from the surface, wherein at least one cavity is arranged in the surface, the cavity extending at least from the surface to a center of the body. Further, a dental insertion dummy having similar dimensions to a dental insertion, a device for handling of a dental insertion, a device of an electromagnetic radiation-conducting material for insertion into a dental insertion, a method for incorporating a dental insertion for a tooth filling into an interproximal space, a system including one or more of the insertions and devices and a method for production of insertions for dental treatment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2005
    Publication date: August 20, 2009
    Applicant: APROXI APS
    Inventors: Theis Bertram-Jakobsen, Ole Staehr Jakobsen, Glen Happel
  • Publication number: 20090199609
    Abstract: A robotic bending apparatus for bending archwires and other types of elongate, bendable medical devices into a desired configuration includes a first gripping tool and a moveable gripping tool. The first gripping tool can be either fixed with respect to a base or table for the robot or positioned at the end of robot am. The moveable gripping tool is mounted to the end of a moveable robot arm having a proximal portion also mounted to the base. The robot preferably comprises a six axis bending robot, in which the distal end of the moveable arm can move relative to the fixed gripping tool about three translational axes and three rotational axes. The gripping tools preferably incorporate force sensors which are used to determine overbends needed to get the desired final shape of the archwire. The robot may also include a resistive heating system in which current flows through the wire while the wire is held in a bent condition to heat the wire and thereby retain the bent shape of the wire.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 6, 2009
    Publication date: August 13, 2009
    Inventors: Werner Butscher, Friedrich Riemeier, Rudger Rubbert, Thomas Weise, Rohit Sachdeva
  • Publication number: 20090188815
    Abstract: A transfer dish for dental materials has a bottom surface, a top surface and a front surface. The top surface is designed with troughs for receiving pre-dosed amounts of dental material for application which have, in the front area, a plane ramp sloping toward a rear area, and, in the rear area, the troughs have a concave wall adjacent to a transition area. The transition area is designed as an osculating curve of the concave wall with respect to the plane ramp, and the trough, in a top view, has the contour of a U which is open toward a front area of the transfer dish. The ramp tapers in width toward the front area of the transfer dish.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2005
    Publication date: July 30, 2009
    Applicant: Ernst Muhlbauer Gmbh & Co. KG
    Inventor: Marcus Oliver Ahlers
  • Publication number: 20090176184
    Abstract: [Problems] To provide a means and method for providing a pulverized extracted tooth product without causing the extracted teeth to lose their original properties. To provide a new material, originated from the pulverized extracted tooth product and imbued with new properties suited to the regeneration and the like of the alveolar bone. [Solving Means] A method for preparing a pulverized product of extracted tooth, comprising the pulverizing of extracted tooth with a pulverizing apparatus to obtain a pulverized product of an extracted tooth. The pulverizing apparatus comprises a sealable pulverizing chamber and freely rotating pulverizing blade within said pulverizing chamber, and the extracted tooth are pulverized by said pulverizing apparatus together with pieces of physiological saline ice. A method of preparing a demineralized powder originated from an extracted tooth by means of an acid treatment of the pulverized product of extracted tooth obtained by the above method to obtain a demineralized powder.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2006
    Publication date: July 9, 2009
    Applicant: MIWATEC CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Masaru Murata, Toshiyuki Akazawa, Katsuo Nakamura, Minoru Arai, Yoto Onodera, Takashi Saito
  • Publication number: 20090162808
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus used in dental care environment and to a method for controlling a device belonging to the apparatus, especially to hygienic and ergonomic control of a device belonging to the apparatus in connection with dental care work. The invention includes at least one device (2, 3) used in connection with dental care work, such as a dental unit, a patient chair, a dental x-ray device and/or a computer and at least one user interface (1) for sending control commands to at least one of said devices (2, 3) used in connection with dental care work, whereby a fixed or a detachable means (4) is arranged in said user interface (1) for detachably connecting it to a person working in the dental care environment, to his/her clothing or to the dental unit, or the user interface is arranged as a fixed or a detachable part of clothing arranged to be separately dressed on the person in question or of some other structure to be dressed on.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 22, 2006
    Publication date: June 25, 2009
    Inventor: Kustaa Nyholm
  • Publication number: 20090129882
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for monitoring tool breakage and wear in a dental milling machine are provided. In one embodiment, a dental milling system includes a milling tool for milling a dental prosthetic and a spindle operable to receive, fixedly engage, and rotate the milling tool. A first accelerometer is positioned adjacent to the spindle and is operable to detect vibrations associated with rotation of the milling tool. A processor is in communication with the first accelerometer to receive data sets representative of the vibrations detected by the first accelerometer. The processor processes the data sets to identify changes in one or more harmonics of the detected vibrations indicative of a break of the milling tool.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2008
    Publication date: May 21, 2009
    Applicant: D4D TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Andrei Tchouprakov, Roman Sokolov, Greg Radighieri
  • Publication number: 20090081617
    Abstract: A target positioning tool for use during the scanning of a dental preparation enables an operator to ensure that the preparation is always properly positioned. In one embodiment, the tool comprises an outer circle and a pair of arcs that are positioned back-to-back. The arcs enable the operator to correctly align the scan to the preparation or with a preparation margin. Preferably, the size of the circle is constant and remains so as the view moves in and out on the display screen.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2008
    Publication date: March 26, 2009
    Applicant: D4D TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Glen R. Freeman, Gary L. Severance
  • Publication number: 20080299509
    Abstract: The Duncan Transfer Band will assist in the process that will allow a surgeon to place a final dental implant restoration immediately after surgery into a patient's mouth that will function in conjunction with the dental implant(s) placed in the mandible and/or maxilla bone(s). The Duncan Transfer Band is used in the manufacturing of a surgical dental implant stent that will allow a surgeon to place a dental implant analogs perfectly parallel to other dental implant analogs as well as teeth. The Duncan Transfer Band is used in the manufacturing of a surgical dental implant stent that will allow a surgeon to place dental implant analogs at a predetermined depth within the mandible and/or maxilla of a patient undergoing surgery.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2007
    Publication date: December 4, 2008
    Inventor: Gary Allan Duncan
  • Publication number: 20080187880
    Abstract: A system for determining and storing a dental root canal depth measurement comprising: an electronic apex locator configured to locate the apex of a dental root canal; a dental instrument configured to be inserted into the dental root canal, up to the apex thereof; and a remotely located computer configured to store data concerning the root canal apex. Data concerning the apex of the root canal is transmitted from the apex locator to the computer via Bluetooth transmission and may be exhibited on a display, along with the depth measurement of the root canal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 5, 2007
    Publication date: August 7, 2008
    Applicant: MedicN.R.G. Ltd.
    Inventors: Arik Becker, Gabriel Savin, Haim Rozenboim
  • Publication number: 20080108009
    Abstract: A body cavity obturator having bismuth particles dispersed therein. Bismuth is dispersed throughout the plastic core or shaft, and/or throughout a filler material disposed thereon to produce a plastic article that presents a clearly defined x-ray image similar to that of a steel implementation thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 3, 2006
    Publication date: May 8, 2008
    Inventor: Jimmie Kert
  • Publication number: 20080105267
    Abstract: A protection assembly for a syringe, in dentistry in particular, that includes a syringe body, with the protection assembly being of the disposable type and including: a canula (10) in an elastically rigid material, including a base that is intended (16) to be fixed onto the syringe body, and a sheath (12) in a flexible material formed of two parallel plane walls (18A, 18B) intended to loosely cover the syringe body, the sheath being fixed onto the canula close to the base, and the fixation being of the irreversible type.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 17, 2007
    Publication date: May 8, 2008
    Applicant: ZONE INDUTRIELLE DU PHARE
    Inventor: Sabrina Saurou
  • Publication number: 20080050693
    Abstract: A non-custom, dental tray device includes a moisture-resistant barrier layer having a labial-buccal wall, a lingual wall, and a bottom wall. The dental tray device includes at least one of the following structural features to enhance the fit of the device; (1) the bottom wall includes an abrupt reduction of width at a location corresponding to where the first bicuspid meets the canine; (2) a bottom wall in the posterior region having a width that is equal to or less than the width of the bottom wall in the anterior region, with no lingual wall in the posterior region; or (3) a transition portion between the bottom wall and either the labial-buccal wall or the lingual wall has a larger radius of curvature as compared to a radius of curvature at a transition portion between the bottom wall the other of the labial-buccal wall and the lingual wall.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2007
    Publication date: February 28, 2008
    Applicant: Ultradent Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Dan E. Fischer, Peter M. Allred, Neil T. Jessop, Bruce S. McLean
  • Patent number: 7335147
    Abstract: An apparatus in both single and multiple arm forms that adjustably and securely mounts to a variety of exercise equipment and provides adjustable and secure mounting for a laptop computer or similarly configured audio visual device. The apparatus allows for ergonomic access to the laptop or audio-visual equipment for users of various statures who use exercise equipment in various configurations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2008
    Inventors: Andrea Sieg Jones, Saumen Neil Bar, Kweku David Fleming, Bruce (Ying) Pan, Howard Shen, Dong Ik Kevin Shin, Chun Hsien (Johnson) Wu
  • Publication number: 20080032256
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a method includes: accessing a bite register with a post, upper and lower dental models, and a fixture having upper and lower plates and a clamp; coupling the register post to the fixture, such that the register post has a first orientation; coupling the upper and lower models to the register; coupling the upper and lower models to the upper and lower plates; uncoupling the register; coupling an appliance post to the fixture, such that the appliance post has a second orientation the same as the first orientation; and forming a custom oral appliance coupled to the appliance post and maintaining the second orientation of the appliance post. In one embodiment, a device is configured to couple to an articulator and to position and retain a bite register post. The device includes a lower member, first and second couplers, an upper member, and an adjustor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2007
    Publication date: February 7, 2008
    Inventor: W. Keith Thornton
  • Publication number: 20070259307
    Abstract: The present invention relates to dental instruments including dental burs, dental discs, tapes, endodontic files, surgical drills and taps, scalers, mirrors, intra-oral light sources, handpieces, perioscopes, covers for dental instruments and other tools having anti-microbial and/or medicament coatings which may be in a substantially permanent covalent manner or in a substantially non-permanent manner. The anti-microbial coating may be made from a variety of anti-microbial substances and other appropriate constituents to promote its fixing to the surface of the dental instrument and to promote its anti-microbial activity either during use or during storage. The substrate of the instruments may also include sources of anti-microbial agents, either by embedding, filling or mixing into the substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 20, 2007
    Publication date: November 8, 2007
    Applicant: DISCUS DENTAL IMPRESSIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Christopher Quan, Kenneth Rosenblood
  • Patent number: 6860879
    Abstract: A light application unit for a combined photodynamic diagnosis and photodynamic therapy of non-malignant diseases of a parodontium and a tooth of a living being having administered a pharmaceutical preparation allowing the photodynamic diagnosis and the photodynamic therapy comprises a light source, a focusing unit for focusing light emitted by the light source, at least one element arrangeable in a light beam path of the light, and at least one wave guide for transmitting the light from the light source to a distal emitting end, the wave guide is configured rigidly in at least a distal handling end section thereof and being curved in a distal end section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2005
    Assignee: Karl Storz GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Klaus M. Irion, Rainer Hahn
  • Patent number: 6821115
    Abstract: An apparatus serves to prepare at least one tooth (1) for receiving a dental element such as a crown, bridge and the like using a mould model (21) at least including one model tooth (23). The apparatus includes at least one positioning body (5), at least one parallelizing body (24), a mould spoon (12) including threaded sockets (17) and removable segments (20), a preparation base bar (46) including sliding elements (53), a tub (72), a transmitting unit (35), a transport arm mechanism (57), at least one unit (66) including position stabilizing arms (67), a plurality of model transfer bodies (78), and a copying grinding unit (90).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2004
    Inventor: Gerd Neuschäfer
  • Patent number: 6811398
    Abstract: An apparatus for rinsing a dental restoration after etching, includes a base component having an open top end and a tubular extension terminating in an open bottom end. A shield component includes an open bottom end which is sized to fit onto the base component and has a tapered profile to an open top end. Within the base and shield components is carried a platform having one or more holes therethrough to allow fluid to pass from the shield component to the base component. In operation, a dental restoration is placed within the shield component onto the platform. Suction is drawn on the bottom open end of the base component and rinsing fluid is sprayed into the top open end of the shield component onto the dental restoration. Fluid which passes through the platform is suctioned through the bottom open end of the base component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2004
    Inventor: Donald L. Bennett
  • Publication number: 20040184643
    Abstract: An imaging system according to various aspects of the present invention comprises a sensor providing image data to a data processing unit. The data processing unit suitably comprises an interface that may interact with one or more types of devices, such as a network interface and an adaptable interface. The data processing unit may also include an image processing system for storing image data and/or manipulating the image data to enhance images. The data processing unit may also include a display for viewing images relatively quickly following acquisition of the image data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 1, 2003
    Publication date: September 23, 2004
    Inventors: Gueorgui H. Stantchev, Lyubomir Cekov, Egidio Cianciosi
  • Publication number: 20040072121
    Abstract: A holding device (42) comprises a cylindrical or prismatic, porous ceramic blank (10) and means for clamping in a machine tool for processing the blank (10) by removing material, in order to produce a ceramic workpiece (18). A narrow frame (12) is fixed by an adhesive connection over at least part of the periphery of the blank (10), which is held without stresses, in the area of a plane encompassing the longitudinal middle axis (A) of the blank. Said frame (12) only covers a small part of the surface of the blank (10) and can be detached and held in a stable holder (24) with a clamping adapter (34), in such a way that it cannot slide. The entire combination is fixed in the machine tool in such a way as to be resistant to twisting and sliding. The ceramic workpiece (18) emerges continuously from the ceramic blank (10) without predetermination of the advance direction, until holding segments (20) which can then only be freely selected according to number and location have been formed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 3, 2003
    Publication date: April 15, 2004
    Inventors: Frank Filser, Ludwig Gauckler, Peter Kocher, Heinz Luethy, Peter Schaerer, Heiner Hoerhold, Peter Kreuder, Stefan Fecher
  • Publication number: 20030059737
    Abstract: A dieting device which prevents or inhibits oral ingestion of food is disclosed. The device comprises at least one pair of frames which are secured to the maxillary and mandibular dentitions respectively, or part thereof, of a wearer. One of the frames has mounted to one side thereof one or more permanent split pole magnets which magnetically attract either a corresponding set of magnets or a ferromagnetic mass mounted to one side of the corresponding frame secured to the alternate dentition to ensure that the jaws are constrained to assume a permanently or semi-permanently occluded condition. The frames are cast from impressions of the dentitions of the wearer and ideally four separate frames are provided which cover the upper and lower, left and right dental quadrants respectively. The frames are rotated over the dental quadrants and by virtue of their being precisely cast, fit snugly over the plurality of teeth included in said quadrants.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2001
    Publication date: March 27, 2003
    Inventor: Richard M. Hall
  • Publication number: 20020152570
    Abstract: A toothbrush having two head sections, the sections being normally biased to assume an angle with respect to each other, to thereby define a generally concave bristle tip configuration. The two sections of the head have facing ends joined by a thin bridge section integral with the two heads. In one embodiment, there is one bridge section near the lower surface of the head. In another embodiment, there are two longitudinally spaced bridge sections each near the lower head surface. In a third embodiment, the bridge section is a thin integral connection between facing ends of the two sections. In other embodiments, the two head sections are normally aligned and are also joined by a thin, integral bridge section, with the bristles of the head section most remote from the handle being of uniformly different lengths. The space between the two facing ends is filled with an elastomer, typically Santoprene (brand). The two head sections define an articulated head.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 1, 2002
    Publication date: October 24, 2002
    Inventor: Douglas Hohlbein
  • Patent number: 6386867
    Abstract: Systems and methods optically image a dental structure within an oral cavity by: directing air at a tooth-gum interface of the dental structure through at least one air nozzle movably coupled to an intra-oral track; coating the dental structure with a substance to enhance the image quality; and capturing one or more images of the dental structure through at least one image aperture, the image aperture movably coupled to the intra-oral track.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2002
    Inventors: Duane Milford Durbin, Dennis Arthur Durbin
  • Patent number: 6183251
    Abstract: The present invention discloses high viscosity sustained release dental compositions, such as tooth bleaching or fluoride compositions, for treating tooth surfaces. For maximum results, an improved dental tray having reservoirs for holding the dental composition adjacent the desired tooth surfaces is preferably used in combination with the sustained release dental composition. The sustained release dental compositions include a high carboxypolymethylene concentration which results in very high viscosity. The high level of carboxypolymethylene makes dilution of the dental compositions from saliva difficult and time consuming so that the compositions stay within the tray reservoirs, thereby providing sustained release. The concentrated carboxypolymethylene adds a unique tackiness to the dental composition which helps retain and seal the soft tray material against the patient's teeth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2001
    Assignee: Ultradent Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Dan E. Fischer
  • Patent number: 6180922
    Abstract: A muffle furnace for producing dental prosthesis has a muffle into which dental material is placed and a drive to which a piston is connected. The piston is moveable by the drive into the muffle to apply pressure onto the dental material. A pressure sensing device for measuring pressure applied to the dental material is provided. The pressure sensing device has a pressure sensor and a deformation member having a first side and a second side. The first side of the deformation member is subjected to a counter force of the piston and the second side of the deformation member is fixedly attached to the muffle furnace.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2001
    Assignee: Ivoclar A.G.
    Inventors: Gottfried Rohner, Johannes Lorunser, Horst Ulbricht
  • Patent number: 5927972
    Abstract: A crown cementation seating comprising a longitudinal portion having opposed first and second ends and a central portion therebetween. The central portion having a width that corresponds generally to the central groove of the crown and that is less than the distance between the lingual and buccal cusps of the crown.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 27, 1999
    Inventor: Geoff Humboldt
  • Patent number: 5807099
    Abstract: When a dental patient is having one or more of his or her front teeth aesthetically improved, when a dentist cements thereon a porcelain veneer, which becomes a porcelain laminate extending across the front surface of the patient's tooth, the method steps followed and the equipment used have been improved. The improvements center both on obtaining more quickly and more accurately a noble metal foil matrix, which conforms to the front surface of the front tooth die of the patient, and on applying the porcelain ceramic slurry on the conformed noble metal material, to compensate for the shrinking of the porcelain during the firing thereof. The improved equipment is a forming machine which utilizes a constant pressure source of compressed air to move a piston in a cylinder, with the piston moving one metal die to contact another metal die, each die having an aligned rubber insert, and each rubber insert having an alike aligned receiving space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 15, 1998
    Inventor: Paul W. Johnson
  • Patent number: 5679401
    Abstract: A medical marking device and method of use are disclosed. The marking device is formed at least partially of soapstone, and the method includes the use of the marking device on prosthetics disposed in or to be used in a human body. Between uses, the soapstone marking device is sterilized by placing it in an autoclave with other medical instruments. Unlike prior marking devices, the soapstone actually increases in strength as it is sterilized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 21, 1997
    Inventor: Dean T. Bawden
  • Patent number: 5636627
    Abstract: Contaminated air in general anaesthesia is extracted via a hemispherical hood 1 located closely over the patient. The hood 1, which is of a thin-wall transparent-shell form, is mounted for hand-touch variation of its orientation on an arm 2 which is carried by a telescopic column 3 that allows for height adjustment. The arm 2 extends from a unit 18 that allows the hood 1 to be swung horizontally about the column 3, and gas is drawn from the hood 1 near its open mouth 6 via a low-down port 7 (FIGS. 3 to 5) that is coupled through the arm 2 and column 3 to a fan unit 4. Relief 23 of the bottom margin of the hood 1 may be used to enhance access to the patient, and for maneuverability the column 3 is trolley-mounted or adjustable laterally on a fixed track 35 (FIGS. 9 and 10).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 10, 1997
    Assignee: N.J. Rochester Limited
    Inventor: Noel J. Rochester
  • Patent number: 5201654
    Abstract: Apparatus for cleaning hoses used by a dentist in the course of his work has a container having a mouth and a top adapted to snugly cover the mouth of the container. The top includes at least one nozzle protruding upwardly from a surface of the top to the exterior of the container, the nozzle having an internal bore through which fluid in the container may pass and the nozzle sized to fit snugly within a hose attachment attached to the end of an external suction hose so that the hose may be connected to the nozzle via the hose attachment. The top also includes an internal tube attached firmly to the nozzle and extending into the lower interior portion of the container, so that the unattached end of the internal tube is immersed in the fluid. The application of suction to the external suction hose causes the fluid in the container to be drawn through the internal tube, the nozzle, and then the hose, thereby cleaning the hose with the fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 1991
    Date of Patent: April 13, 1993
    Assignee: Pinnacle Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul Kuehn, Thomas A. Lansing
  • Patent number: 5156546
    Abstract: Method and apparatus for cleaning clogged dental equipment lines, such as water and air lines and drains, for a wide variety of dental equipment such as cuspidors and handpieces. One embodiment has an air hose connected to a connector for a handpiece for a drill, etc., wherein the connector has an interior plastic insert which closes off air to the holes in the drill for drive and exhaust air and allows air through two holes which connect with the spray air and water ports of the handpiece for the drill whererby the air blows out the clogged slits. Another embodiment uses the air hose with a rubber nozzle to blow clogged suction lines. Another embodiment has a rubber element with a hole in its middle which fits over the discharge hole in the cuspidor, whereby the air blows out the debris clogging the cuspidor hole and connecting lines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 1989
    Date of Patent: October 20, 1992
    Assignee: Robert Constantine, Inc.
    Inventors: Glenn R. Frank, Edward T. Stewart, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5092022
    Abstract: After the shape of the zone of implantation in the mouth is obtained by direct impression, micro-sensing or optical impression, a prosthesis or a mold for making a prosthesis is automatically machined by machine tool at a work center with the assistance of a calculator or computer which takes into consideration the shape obtained, the material or materials which are to be shaped, and other parameters such as thicknesses and the like which are essential to the proper shape and configuration of the prosthesis which is thus fabricated. The prosthesis can be a crown, bridge or part or assembly of both.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 1987
    Date of Patent: March 3, 1992
    Inventor: Francois Duret
  • Patent number: 5030956
    Abstract: A radar tomography method and apparatus generates a plurality of radar pulses in a transmitter and projects them with an antenna toward a patient. Radar pulses reflected from the patient are picked up by the antenna and conducted to a receiver. Predetermined radar pulses are selected from among the received pulses by a timer/gate circuit connected to the receiver. The selected radar pulses correspond to a predetermined area of interest within the patient. A representation of the predetermined area within the patient may be displayed with known display apparatus. The antenna may also be moved relative to the patient, in order to produce three-dimensional information. Synchronizing the transmitter, the time/gate device, and the movement of the antenna may be effected with a synch processor, and a matrix filter may be used to focus the emitted radar pulses and to reduce noise in the return radar pulses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 1989
    Date of Patent: July 9, 1991
    Inventor: Quentin M. Murphy
  • Patent number: 4975053
    Abstract: A device for the placement, seating and cementation of a restorative element having a top surface, onto a tooth comprises a flexible strip portion having a top surface, a bottom surface and a bite element for allowing the patient to apply dynamic biting pressure to the restorative element to position and hold the restorative element in its proper seated position on the tooth. Adhesive is provided on the bottom surface of the flexible strip portion for removably securing the strip portion to the restorative element and for positioning the bite element adjacent to the top surface of the restorative element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 1989
    Date of Patent: December 4, 1990
    Assignee: John L. Voellmicke
    Inventor: Paul W. Hofsess
  • Patent number: 4966550
    Abstract: A filter device comprises a clear plastic cylinder member with a pair of ends each bearing fittings conditioned to connect to an existing air supply line. At least one of the fittings bears a quick-release feature enabling ready access to that end of the cylinder member. The cylinder provides a housing for one or more standard cotton rolls, such as those typically used in a dental office, which provide the filtering medium. Thus, dental office personnel can visibly monitor the cotton rolls through the clear cylinder member, enabling easy viewing of the impurities captured by the cotton rolls, and determination of when replacement of the cotton rolls is necessary.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 1989
    Date of Patent: October 30, 1990
    Inventor: Richard F. Privat
  • Patent number: 4877399
    Abstract: Method and apparatus for cleaning clogged dental equipment lines, such as water and air lines and drains, for a wide variety of dental equipment such as cuspidors and handpieces. One embodiment has an air hose connected to a connector for a handpiece for a drill, etc., wherein the connector has an interior plastic insert which closes off air to the holes in the drill for drive and exhaust air and allows air through two holes which connect with the spray air and water ports of the handpiece for the drill whereby the air blows out the clogged slits. Another embodiment uses the air hose with a rubber nozzle to blow clogged suction lines. Another embodiment has a rubber element with a hole in its middle which fits over the discharge hole in the cuspidor, whereby the air blows out the debris clogging the cuspidor hole and connecting lines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 1988
    Date of Patent: October 31, 1989
    Assignee: Robert Thomas Ltd.
    Inventors: Glenn R. Frank, Edward T. Stewart, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4836782
    Abstract: Apparatus is provided for generating a condensed beam of light having a limited degree of scatter, or deviation, comprising light collimating means for providing a source of collimating light and light condensing means operatively connected to the collimating means, such as a truncated cone with a reflective inner surface, the condensing means providing a light beam output having a light divergence limited to about 30.degree. or less. The low divergence beam generating apparatus might be incorporated into larger dental apparatus which can be operator manipulated to provide different modes of light output, which modes include the condensed beam with and without a bandpass of visible wavelengths.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 1983
    Date of Patent: June 6, 1989
    Assignee: Dentsply Research & Development Corp.
    Inventor: Donald I. Gonser
  • Patent number: 4741697
    Abstract: The cartridge has a transparent housing with nipples at opposite ends thereof releasably insertable in the flexible tube which supplies compressed air from a primary filtering mechanism to a dental air syringe. The cartridge containes a filter element which changes color as it removes a predetermined residual contaminate from the compressed air. The cartridge is positioned adjacent the dental chair so the dentist may observe the change of color in the filter element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 1986
    Date of Patent: May 3, 1988
    Inventor: Richard J. Herbison
  • Patent number: 4732564
    Abstract: Apparatus includes a mandible alignment device and a jaw pattern jig to prepare a one-piece metal dental implant for insertion into a patient's mouth. The alignment device has a central scissors member with a rear positioned thumb wheel controlling the longitudinal spread of the scissors blades. A front portion of a longitudinal angle adjustment member mounted over the scissors holds an anterior foot portion of a dental implant. A rod integral with the end of each scissors blade supports a housing holding a ramus member portion of a dental implant. After a pattern is determined by the alignment device, it is locked into the jaw pattern jig and the one-piece metal dental implant is bent to shape to substitute for the anterior foot and ramus members removed from the alignment device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 1986
    Date of Patent: March 22, 1988
    Assignee: Surgical Appliances, Inc.
    Inventors: Frank R. Potucek, Edward J. Smith
  • Patent number: 4723825
    Abstract: An optical wave guide used for irradiation purposes in the dental field comprises a portion (10) tapering from a mean diameter at a radiation-entrance end (13) to a relatively small diameter, an intermediate portion (11) of said small diameter and curved about 90.degree., and a portion (12) succeeding the curved portion (11) and flaring out from said small diameter to a relatively large diameter at a radiation exit end (14) of the wave guide. Due to the fact that the curved portion (11) has a relatively small diameter it is possible also to minimize the radius of curvature of this portion without causing radiation loss. At the same time a relatively large area is obtained at the radiation-exit end (14) from which the radiation exits uniformly. The optical wave guide configured in this way is especially suitable for sealing occlusal tooth faces onto which the exit end (14) of the wave guide is flatly placed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 1986
    Date of Patent: February 9, 1988
    Assignee: ESPE Stiftung & Co. Produktions- und Vertribs KG
    Inventor: Wolf-Dietrich Herold
  • Patent number: 4698018
    Abstract: A dental material collection apparatus includes a vertical cylinder having diametrically opposed notches at an upper end which receive pivot members of a removable collector cup with an eccentric bottom, for holding dental amalgam. After a dentist has finished working with the amalgam, the cup is rotated to an inverted position to discharge waste amalgam into the lower end of the cylinder. A projecting stop on a side of the collector cup adjacent the eccentric bottom engages an upper edge portion of the cylinder, so that the cup can be rotated in only one direction to its discharge position. The lower end of the cylinder is disposed in a frustum-shaped socket-like member with a slip fit. Collector cups may be stored in vertically stacked relationship in a storage device which also includes a cylinder received in a socket-like member, with the cylinder including upper vertically extending slots for receiving the pivot members and stop members of the collector cups.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 1985
    Date of Patent: October 6, 1987
    Inventor: Bernard Nepault
  • Patent number: 4668187
    Abstract: A dispenser is disclosed for a controlled discharge of polymerizable compositions consisting of a powder and a liquid in the making of dental plates for prosthodontic and orthodontic purposes in a process in which the liquid is applied to a layer of the powder on a model and the powder and liquid are polymerized on said model. The discharge of the powder and liquid from respective containers is controlled by foot-operable bellows and hand-held nozzles for discharging the powder and liquid, respectively are supplied with the liquid and powder from the containers via hoses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 1985
    Date of Patent: May 26, 1987
    Assignee: Bernhard Forster GmbH
    Inventor: Rolf F/o/ rster
  • Patent number: 4611288
    Abstract: Dental prostheses, such as crowns, inlays or dentures are produced automatically based upon an optical impression taken of the oral region wtih nontraumatic radiation. The reflected waves are transformed into numerical data which is used directly to operate a numerically controlled machine in the fabrication process. The process is pertinent to other medical applications as well.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 1983
    Date of Patent: September 9, 1986
    Inventors: Francois Duret, Elisabeth Duret nee Michallet, Christian Thermoz
  • Patent number: 4446453
    Abstract: A method for the registration and evaluation of dental findings corresponding to dental examination points. The method is carried out with an evaluation apparatus including a marking apparatus having spatial allocations corresponding to each examination point and a marking element associated with each spatial allocation. The method comprises the steps of examining the points, one after the other, in a predetermined order to obtain respective dental findings; entering the finding corresponding to each examination point into the evaluation apparatus; and marking the finding of each examination point in the corresponding spatial allocation on the marking apparatus by use of the associated marking element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 1981
    Date of Patent: May 1, 1984
    Assignee: Fried. Krupp GmbH
    Inventors: Algund Eenboom, Edzard Muller