Other

Hu-friedy Mfg. Co., Inc.

James Feine

Mohammad Ali Jamnia

William L Bollig

Thomas E Holbrook

An ultrasonic unit manufacturing system and process are based on a universal ultrasonic generator unit that operates interchangeably with either one of piezoelectric and magnetostrictive ultrasonic devices, and optionally as well as with either on-off or power level control footswitches. The ultrasonic units use a generator unit having a detector that determines whether the connected device is piezoelectric or magnetostrictive, and activates the generator for the appropriate piezoelectric or magnetostrictive operating mode. The ultrasonic units so made and methods of using them are also disclosed.

Universal piezo-magneto ultrasonic systems and methods

Motion-assisted dental treatment method and apparatus. Manual back-and-forth manipulation of a handpiece with respect to a working surface automatically reciprocates a tip with respect to the handpiece in phase with the operator manipulation to amplify the movement of the tip adjacent the working surface and thereby attenuate the extent of hand motion required, which can help to alleviate repetitive motion fatigue. Also disclosed are motion-assisted dental treatment tools and systems for implementing the method.

Motion-assisted dental treatment method and apparatus

An apparatus and a handheld electrical tool system comprising an insert receivable in an ultrasonic handpiece comprising a primary coil disposed about a well and electrically connected to a primary current supply, the insert comprising a secondary coil disposed about at least a portion of the insert dimensioned and arranged to be disposable within the well such that the secondary coil is inductively coupled to the primary coil, the secondary coil in electrical communication with at least one electrical device powered by the secondary coil. A method of operating a handpiece and of retrofitting a handpiece is also disclosed.

Handheld electrical device system and method

A method relating to inserting an ultrasonic oscillatory dental tip into a gingival sulcus of a patient proximate to a subgingival tooth surface, and ultrasonically oscillating the dental tip while supplying a fluid to a porous surface of the dental tip to space the dental tip surface from the subgingival tooth surface to inhibit contact therebetween while debriding biofilm from the tooth surface. A dental tool relating to a tip body having first and second ends, the first end coupleable to a dental delivery device; an internal fluid flow passage through the tip body disposed between the first end and the second end; the second end having a dental tip surface in fluid communication with the internal fluid flow passage.

Ablation method and device

A tip-based computer controlled system for a dental delivery device is disclosed. The system automatically controls an operating characteristic such as power control or fluid flow based on tip identification and history. The operating characteristic may also be controlled in response to particular conditions throughout the dental procedure, such as (but not limited to) temperature, dental hygiene material, fluid type, etc. The system may provide an alert or shut off if unsafe conditions occur and/or error circumstances are detected. An operator interface is provided to configure the system and augment/override an executing control algorithm during a procedure. A method and a computer-readable storage medium are also disclosed.

Tip-based computer controlled system for a hand-held dental delivery device

Energy harvesting insert for an ultrasonic handpiece with electrical device

Efficiency-modulated ultrasonic dental inserts () are disclosed for preventing the overpowering of power-sensitive tips (). The inserts () are useful in a handpiece () having an induction coil () disposed about a well and operable with an adjustable power supply having a maximum power output setting. An efficiency-modulated magnetostrictive element () is adapted to be received in the well. A velocity transducer () has proximal and distal ends. The proximal end is attached to a distal end of the magnetostrictive element (). A power-sensitive tip () has a proximal end secured to the distal end of the velocity transducer (). The efficiency of the magnetostrictive element () is matched with the power range of the tip () to prevent overpowering the tip () at the maximum power output setting.

Efficiency-modulated ultrasonic instrument inserts

A wall anchor employing adhesives or other settable materials to strengthen the wall anchor, facilitating ease of use as well as extreme holding power. A method to attach a wall anchor to a panel, a method to remove a wall anchor from a panel, and a removal tool is also disclosed.

Wall anchor

An ultrasonic tool is disclosed with a handpiece () containing coils (A-D;A-D;A-B) that produce an electromagnetic field that vibrates a magnetic rod (A,B,) of a moveable pin transducer (MPT)disposed within the handpiece. Ultrasonic vibrations are produced when the coils are selectively powered by an ultrasonic signal generator, which can include a stepper motor control apparatus (). A tipcan be removably attached to an MPTA channel (A,B) in the magnetic rod (A,B) can allow fluidic communication with a handpiece fluid supply channel (). A method of vibrating a tool can include controllably energizing at least one electromagnetic coil contained within a handpiece to vibrate a magnetic rod and an attached tip. The method can include varying the energy to at least one of the electromagnetic coils with a stepper motor control apparatus.

Movable pin ultrasonic transducer

A single use cartridgeis disclosed for dispensing a medicament or other substance for dental, medical, or veterinarian applications. A motive fluid can contact the medicament to mix and dispense from reservoir, or the motive fluid can act on a plungerto dispense the medicament. A handpiececan sealably connect the cartridgeto a source of the motive fluid. The cartridgecan be easily replaced to facilitate the use of multiple cartridges with a single handpiece. An ultrasonic cleaning elementwith a channel for fluid flow can be used in a handpiecewith a single use medicament cartridgeto dispense medicament during ultrasonic dental procedures. A cartridgecan contain a mixing elementto mix the motive fluid and abrasive particles for tooth surface polishing.

Dental delivery device

The present invention relates to a dental scaling translucent insert which provides a coaxially aligned light adjacent the distal end of such insert for illuminating the tip of the dental scaler which light may be provided by light emitting from a fiber optic light guide from a light source located remotely from the tip. The light provided can also be used to view through a camera lens system located in translucent insert to provide a clear unobstructed view of the work at the tip of the scaler on a remote screen or for recording.

Lighted ultrasonic handpiece and color code grip system

An ultrasonic dental scaler automatically supplies a frequency to match a handpiece connecting thereto. A handpiece connector includes one or more passive elements, which affect the resonant frequency produced by the generator. Multiple handpieces, each operating at a different resonant frequency, may thus be used with the same ultrasonic generator. The ultrasonic dental scaler also supports two footswitches. One footswitch includes a foot-controlled power level adjuster. When connected, the footswitch automatically disables the manual power adjuster. Another on-off footswitch includes no power adjustment mechanism. When connected, the manual power adjustment feature of the generator is maintained. Orders for different handpiece frequencies and footswitch types can thus be filled with an inventory of one generator model.

Growing community of inventors

Bellaire, TX, United States of America

James Feine