American Dental Technologies, Inc.

Other

American Dental Laser, Inc.

Michael P Howell

Daniel S Goldsmith

William S Parker

Terry D Myers

William D Myers

Walter J Goldsmith

Improvements are provided for a dental air abrasive system of the type which utilizes a compressed gas or air which creates a gas stream. Abrasive particles are introduced into the gas stream and expelled out through one end of a nozzle whereupon the abrasive laden gas stream impinges upon the target, i.e. tooth amalgam, composites, stain and/or tooth dental filling materials. The improvements include the use of two or more hoppers each containing different sized abrasive particles, which are selectively fed, either together or independently of each other, into the gas stream. Different sized abrasive particles are provided in each hopper for cutting different types of tooth structures. Other improvements include the use of fluorescent and/or colored abrasive particles to facilitate the aiming process, a laser beam, strobe, white light or other illuminating sources for aiming the abrasive stream and/or illuminating the target area as well as a disposable nozzle for hygienic reasons. Other improvements include the use of a vacuum evacuation system to minimize dusting of the abrasive particles, as well as a dam removably positioned within the patient's mouth which reflects the abrasive particles back towards the evacuation system. Still other improvements include the use of a microvalve adjacent the nozzle which, when closed, terminates gas flow through the fluid passageway in order to further minimize dusting of the abrasive particles.

Dental air abrasive and laser system

Improvements are provided for a dental air abrasive system of the type which utilizes a compressed gas or air which creates a gas stream. Abrasive particles are introduced into the gas stream and expelled out through one end of a nozzle whereupon the abrasive laden gas stream impinges upon the target, i.e. tooth amalgam, composites, stain and/or tooth dental filling materials. The improvements include the use of two or more hoppers each containing different sized abrasive particles, which are selectively fed, either together or independently of each other, into the gas stream. Different sized abrasive particles are provided in each hopper for cutting different types of tooth structures. Other improvements include the use of fluorescent and/or colored abrasive particles to facilitate the aiming process, a laser beam, strobe, white light or other illuminating means for aiming the abrasive stream and/or illuminating the target area as well as a disposable nozzle for hygienic reasons. Other improvements include the use of a vacuum evacuation system to minimize dusting of the abrasive particles, as well as a dam removably positioned within the patient's mouth which reflects the abrasive particles back towards the evacuation system. Still other improvements include the use of a microvalve adjacent the nozzle which, when closed, terminates gas flow through the fluid passageway in order to further minimize dusting of the abrasive particles.

Dental air abrasive system

An apparatus is disclosed for stretching tendons, muscles and associated soft tissues of human joints. The apparatus includes a generality planar frame having two sides, two ends, a lower surface adapted to be supported by a ground support surface and an upper surface. An elongated upright support has a first end which is secured to the frame so that the second end of the upright support extends generally vertically upwardly from the frame. At least one pulley is secured adjacent the upper end of the upright support. Thereafter, an elongated cord has one end adapted to be secured to the limb of a human user and this cord extends through the pulley. The human user, by pulling on the cord, stretches the limb of the human user in the desired fashion. By attaching the cord to different limbs and assuming different positions, the human user can stretch his or her tendons, muscles and associated soft tissues of numerous joints and a numerous stretching positions.

Stretching apparatus

A handpiece assembly is disclosed for use with a dental laser assembly of the type having a laser and an elongated optical fiber assembly. The optical fiber assembly has a proximal end which receives radiation from the laser and a distal end which delivers the laser radiation to a target site. The handpiece assembly includes an elongated handpiece which is dimensioned to be held in a human hand. A longitudinal throughbore is formed in the handpiece and is dimensioned to slidably receive the optical fiber assembly so that the distal end of the optical fiber assembly extends outwardly from one end of the handpiece. A locking assembly removably locks the other end of the handpiece against longitudinal movement to the optical fiber assembly. Furthermore, the entire handpiece assembly is discarded after use on a single patient to prevent disease transmission by the handpiece.

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Bloomfield Hills, MI, United States of America

Michael P Howell