American Dental Technologies, Inc.

Airsonics License Partnership

Cavitron, Inc.

Cooper Lasersonics, Inc.

Dentron, Inc.

Ben J Gallant

William S Parker

Alan N Gleeman

Walter G Kulischenko

A system of treating teeth or associated tooth structure by the use of abrasive-laden fluid stream provides fluid at high pressure to a manifold with selectively operable valves delivers fluid at a selected pressure to a device for mixing the fluid with abrasive and delivers the air/abrasive mix to a hand-held device for application of an abrasive-laden stream to a tooth or associated tooth structure. Priming air at a relatively low pressure pressurizes the air abrasive device. A flow path for pure air bypasses the air/abrasive device. A selective control allows the operator to deliver a stream of air or air and abrasive to the tooth or associated tooth structure as desired. Preferably the fluid pressure is controlled by a manually-operable servo valve system. Upon termination of a treatment with the air abrasive mix, the pure air is diverted through a purge line to purge the system downstream from the abrasive device of excess abrasive particles. A vacuum system is selectively operable to remove abrasive particles and debris from the region of the mouth of the patient during and after the abrasive treatment operation. The abrasive delivery device may include a hand-held and manipulatable nozzle device having fluid ports operable by the fingers of the operator to control various functions of the instrument. The vacuum system includes a rigid, disposable collection chamber for sterile disposal of the abrasive material and debris and may include a common filter for the purge circuit and the system for removal of abrasive particles and debris from the patient's mouth. Connection to the existing suction system in the dental office or use of a water powered venturi to provide suction is also disclosed. Pressure regulating and relief means insure instantaneous change from one pressure level to the next.

Dental treatment method

Treating teeth or associated tooth structure by the use of an abrasive-laden fluid stream which provides fluid at high pressure to a manifold with selectively operable valves, delivers fluid at a selected pressure to a mixer for fluid and abrasive and delivers the mix to a handpiece for application of abrasive-laden air to a tooth or tooth structure. Low pressure priming air pressurizes the air abrasive device. A path for pure air bypasses the air/abrasive device. A control allows for delivery of air or air and abrasive as desired. Fluid pressure is controlled by a manually-operable servo system. Following treatment with the air/abrasive, a purge line purges the system downstream from the abrasive device of excess abrasive particles. A vacuum removes abrasive particles and debris from the patient's mouth. The abrasive delivery device may include a hand-held nozzle having fluid ports operable by the fingers of the operator to control system functions. The vacuum includes a ridge, disposable collection chamber for sterile disposal of abrasive and debris and may include a common filter for the purge circuit and the system for removal of abrasive particles and debris. Connection to the existing suction system in the dental office or use of a water powered venturi to provide suction is disclosed. Pressure regulating and relief means insure instantaneous change of pressure levels.

Dental treatment system

A system of treating teeth or associated tooth structure using an abrasive-laden fluid stream provides fluid at high pressure to a manifold with selectively operable valves to deliver fluid at a selected pressure to a mixer for the fluid and abrasive and delivery to a device for application to a patient's mouth. Priming air at low pressure pressurizes the mixer. An alternate air path bypasses the mixer. A selective control delivers a stream of fluid or fluid and abrasive to the tooth or tooth structure. Upon termination of treatment, pure air is diverted through a purge line to purge the system of abrasive. A vacuum is selectively operable to remove abrasive and debris from the mouth during and after the abrasive treatment. The abrasive delivery device includes a hand-held nozzle having ports operable by the fingers for control. The vacuum includes a rigid, disposable collection chamber for sterile disposal of the abrasive and debris and has a common filter for the purge circuit and for removal of abrasive and debris from the mouth. Connection to the dental office suction system or a water powered venturi provides suction. Pressure regulation and relief insures instantaneous change from one pressure level to the next.

A system of treating teeth or associated tooth structure uses abrasive-laden fluid stream. The system provides air at high pressure to a manifold with selectively operable valves delivers fluid at a selected pressure to a device for mixing the fluid with abrasive and delivers the air/abrasive mix to a hand-held device for application of an abrasive-laden stream to a tooth or associated tooth structure. Priming air at a relatively low pressure pressurizes the air/abrasive device. A flow path for pure air bypasses the air/abrasive device. A selective control allows for optional delivery of a stream of air or air and abrasive to the tooth or associated tooth structure. Upon termination of a treatment, the pure air is diverted through a purge line to purge the system downstream from the abrasive device of abrasive particles. A vacuum removes abrasive particles and debris from the region of the mouth of the patient during and after the abrasive treatment operation. The abrasive delivery device includes a hand-held nozzle having fluid ports operable by the fingers of the operator to control the instrument. The vacuum includes a rigid, disposable collection chamber for sterile disposal of the abrasive material and debris. Pressure regulating and relief means insure instantaneous change from one pressure level to the next.

Apparatus for developing and handling an abrasive-laden gas stream for abrasive jet machining, employing equipment for storage, feeding, and control of abrasive powder in a carrier jet delivered through an upright feed tube at relatively high pressure and velocity.

Abrasive jet machining

Apparatus for abrasive jet machining, including equipment for storage, feeding, and control of abrasive powder in a carrier jet delivered through an upright feed tube at relatively high pressure and relatively high velocity.

Apparatus for feeding powder particles into a pressurized gaseous stream comprising a feed chamber having a helical particle feed channel, a reserve powder supply chamber above the feed chamber and a feed tube extended from the reserve powder supply chamber and arranged to deliver powder from the reserve supply to the bottom of the feed chamber and form a powder deposit in the central region of the bottom wall and lying within the angle of repose of the powder, a delivery duct communicating with the helical particle feed channel, and means for controlling the feed rate comprising means for controlling the vibration of the feed chamber.

Particle feed device with reserve supply

A device is disclosed for effecting shut-off of flow through a tube formed of flexible material. The device includes a block having a bore through which the tube extends and having a resilient sleeve surrounding the tube in the bore and further including a plunger adapted to project through an aperture in the bore wall to engage the resilient sleeve and pinch the tube within the sleeve.

Tube flow shut-off device

Equipment for abrasive stream cleaning delivers a stream of a gas and particles and a flow of liquid. A nozzle structure provides for entrainment of the liquid by a jet of particle-laden gas.

Equipment and method for delivering an abrasive-laden gas stream

A method for cleaning teeth involving the conjoint use of streams of water and of a water soluble abrasive carried in an air stream.

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Corpus Christi, TX, United States of America

Ben J Gallant