Dentsply International Inc.

Dentsply Research & Development Corp.

Dentsply Sirona Inc.

Peter H Werner

Jeremy J Kile

Michael C Dietrich

Clifford Krapfl

Kenneth R Guaragno

Robert F Hecht

David J Kierce

Jill C Denna

Thomas Mitchell

Benjamin Chronister

Kenneth S Peterson

James M Sherman

David P Pollock

Ilya Kovnatsky

Allen G Hoube

Bret Beane

Robert Whitcomb

Donald Heil

James G Mosch

Horacio R Cabana

David C Klunk

Meghan E Anderson

Matt Barto

James Sherman

Dental device holder

A method for controlling a magnetostrictive ultrasonic transducer of the type used in a magnetostrictive ultrasonic dental scaler includes generating a drive signal for a resonant circuit using a full bridge synchronous class D amplifier. The electrical signal output by the resonant circuit drives an excitation coil that generates an electromagnetic field that causes the magnetostrictive ultrasonic transducer to vibrate. A feedback wire is rendered unnecessary by measuring current and voltage outputs of the resonant circuit and quadrature sampling the measured current and voltage outputs at the same sampling rate as used for the generation of the electrical signal by the resonant circuit. A pulse width modulated signal is generated from the quadrature sampled sensed current and voltage that represents a pulse train approximation of a sine wave of the drive signal for, in turn, being applied to the full bridge synchronous class D amplifier to generate the drive signal for the resonant circuit. Changes in the pulse widths of the pulse train change the amplitude of the drive signal.

2-wire ultrasonic magnetostrictive driver

Display for dental scaler

Dental scaler with display

A dental prophylaxis angle and handpiece assembly for cleaning and polishing teeth is provided. The dental prophylaxis angle is removably attached to the dental handpiece by an interlocking mechanism that includes extension locking tabs, a locking annular member, and an interlocking drive member in the handpiece. The prophy angle is securely snap-fitted onto the handpiece and locked in place so that it has minimal lateral movement. After the prophy angle has been used to treat a patient, it can be removed easily from the handpiece and disposed thereof.

Dental prophylaxis angle and handpiece assembly

The invention provides an ultrasonic scaler, comprising: a scaler tip, actuator material, a coil, a hand-piece housing, and an air driven electrical current generator. The actuator material, the coil and the air driven electrical current generator are enclosed by the hand-piece housing. The scaler tip is connected to the actuator material. Preferably the actuator material is &lsqb;Tb Dy Fe &rsqb;. The invention provides an ultrasonic scaler including a scaler tip, actuator material, a coil, a hand-piece housing, and a frequency control circuit. The actuator material, the coil and the frequency control circuit are enclosed by the hand-piece housing. The scaler tip is connected to the actuator material.

Ultrasonic scaler

A method of lighting a scaling tip including providing a light source electrically connected to a secondary coil, and providing a scaling tip having an arm extending into a primary coil and adapted to be ultrasonically vibrated by the primary coil.

Ultrasonic dental insert and handpiece having a light source

Growing community of inventors

Columbia, PA, United States of America

Peter H Werner