Dentsply Research & Development Corp.

Cavitron, Inc.

American Eagle Instruments, Inc.

Westdale Holdings, Inc.

Other

Richard H Paschke

George E Warrin

Peter J Kuhl

Robert A Clarke

Jeffrey Frederick Miller

Eric P Chan

Robert J Schuman

Alfred E Corbellini

Emery Rose

Rene J Perdreaux

Martin I Septimus

V Richard Guilmette

George H Warrin

Allen G Hoube

Gerard Wright

Robert McGill

Teodor E Constantinescu

Irvin Marguiles

William T Light

Noel Slotke

Michael P Parr

Marty I Septimus

Vidan Jovanovic

An ultrasonic instrument includes a tip portion, a transducer configured to convert electrical energy into vibrational energy, an acoustic transformer interconnecting the transducer and the tip portion, and a grip portion disposed at least partially about the acoustic transformer. The grip portion is coupled to the acoustic transformer via a resilient nodal coupling at a nodal region of the acoustic transformer. The resilient nodal coupling is configured to provide rotational and axial stability to the acoustic transformer.

Ultrasonic tool

The present disclosure relates to structures that are adapted to facilitate the retention, storage, and transport of arrows. In one embodiment of the present disclosure, for example, an arrow retainer is described that includes a resilient portion having a plurality of passageways extending therethrough for retaining a plurality of arrows therein. Each passageway is resiliently expandable upon insertion of an arrow to maintain the position of the arrow. In another embodiment of the present disclosure, for example, an arrow storage device is disclosed that provides an efficient and secure means of storing arrows. The presently disclosed arrow retainer and arrow storage device may be used in conjunction with one another as part of an arrow storage system.

Arrow retainer

An ultrasonic electro-mechanical resonant system and instrument that provides improvements in the design and implementation of a feedback system. The disclosed configuration and orientation of coils enhance the motional or velocity feedback signals while minimizing the effects of transformer coupling. A two coil and a three coil approach is disclosed that takes advantage of non-homogeneous magnetic fields. An asymmetrical arrangement enables velocity signals to be coupled into the coils without requiring additional signal conditioning or capacitive elements.

Ultrasonic system controls, tool recognition means and feedback methods

An ultrasonic flossing device includes a housing having a proximal portion and a distal portion. An engine is disposed within the housing and is configured to convert input energy into ultrasonic energy and an electronic driving circuit is coupled to both the engine and the power source. A power source is electrically coupled to the engine and is configured to deliver input energy to the engine. At least one acoustic transformer is coupled to the engine, the at least one acoustic transformer being configured to amplify the ultrasonic energy. A main fluid reservoir is configured to store a fluid therein, the main fluid reservoir being coupled to the at least one acoustic transformer such that, upon activation, the fluid transmits the ultrasonic energy to a treatment area.

Ultrasonic flossing device

A tooth cleaning system having a unitary elastomeric injection molded flexible protective shield, and a nozzle having an end portion extending into the shield. The shield is connected to a source of vacuum and has an inner wall having an inner wall perimeter. The nozzle is connected to a fluid source. The fluid from the fluid source travels directly from the nozzle to less than half of the area enclosed by the perimeter. The nozzle is pivotally supported whereby the nozzle is readily repositioned to positions angularly offset from the central axis of the shield to direct fluid from the nozzle to the entire tooth surface enclosed by the perimeter of the shield. The invention provides a method of cleaning teeth including providing a flexible plastic shield positioned against a tooth surface while pressure within the chamber formed by the flexible protective shield and the tooth surface is reduced to a pressure below ambient atmospheric pressure.

Method and apparatus for tooth cleaning using abrasive powders

Stackable reservoir

Stackable control housing

The invention provides a method of operating a dental scalar system having a vibrating scaling tip by continuously monitoring the amplitude and frequency of vibration of the tip which provides scaling power to a tooth in a patient's mouth. The amplitude and frequency of vibration of the tip is continuously adjusted to maintain a substantially constant scaling power. Preferably, the insert is vibrated at its resonant frequency and the system provides a substantially constant tip motion while the user varies the applied pressure between the tip and the tooth.

Method of continuous control of tip vibration in a dental scalar system

An ultrasonic handpiece wherein the entire assembled handpiece may be sterilized with an ingress of the sterilizing fluid into the interior of the handpiece. The handpiece is formed with an elongated housing sleeve and a coil unit for establishing an alternating magnetic field located therein. The housing sleeve and coil unit is assembled such that crevices are formed between the ends of the housing sleeve and coil unit, thus allowing steam, chemicals and heat to pass in and out of the interior of the handpiece for more rapid and thorough sterilizing of the handpiece. Further, the coil unit is not potted to the housing sleeve in order to allow for different thermal coefficients of expansion between materials without the buildup of undue stress.

Sterilizable dental medical handpiece containing electric coil

The apparatus comprises a tubular member that is adapted to be attached to the working end of a dental handpiece and is used to contain and direct material dispensed from the handpiece in order to reduce the amount of airborne particles emitted into the atmosphere by the handpiece and to accurately direct the dispensed material to the desired area. The apparatus is adapted to provide a reference point for the practitioner in establishing the optimum working distance of the handpiece from a particular working area in the mouth when the handpiece is used. An improved dental handpiece using the apparatus of the invention and a method of using the apparatus are also provided.

Spray shield

A single handpiece that can be used in multiple dental treatments is provided. The handpiece comprises a housing having a coil for producing an electromagnetic or electrostrictive field in the housing, and a number of inserts that react with the electromagnetic or electrostrictive field and can be used with the housing to complete the handpiece. A switching system used with the handpiece, which electrically recognizes the particular insert used with the housing provide for automatically controlling circuitry that determines which of a number of materials and medicaments are to be delivered to the handpiece for use with a particular insert. Circuitry which provides better control of the ultrasonic insert in the handpiece is also provided.

Single multi-function handpiece for dental instruments

Brassiere tapes having a body portion and a pair of overlapping tabs extending outwardly therefrom are manufactured by providing a continuous strip of material for the tapes having fastener elements spaced along the strip and layers in the body portion and in each of the tabs weldable with ultrasonic vibratory energy. The tabs are separated physically from each other such that the individual layers in the strip may be simultaneously severed and welded across the body portion and the tabs when interposed between ultrasonically vibrating horn and anvil devices, except that the tabs which are physically separated from each other are not welded to each other. Compliant means for mounting of the anvil is provided so that the cutting edge for severing the tapes from the strip which is associated with the anvil is not readily dulled by the repetitive contacting engagement of the horn and anvil surfaces in the operative position. Advancing the strip between the horn and the anvil is accomplished by means of the elements on the strip for continuously producing tapes having a desired number of elements thereon.

Ultrasonic apparatus for manufacturing brassiere tapes

Brassiere tapes having a body portion and a pair of overlapping tabs extending outwardly therefrom are manufactured by providing a continuous strip of the tape material having elements spaced there along and layers at least in the body portion-forming part thereof. The material is weldable with ultrasonic vibratory energy, and the tabs are separated physically from each other while simultaneously maintained in acoustical energy coupling relation to each other, such that the individual layers of material in the strip are welded together across the body portion of a tape defined thereby and the tabs are individually welded along an edge but not welded together when interposed between an ultrasonically vibrating horn and an anvil. The strip is advanced on an intermittent basis between the horn and the anvil by the elements for continuously producing tapes having a desired number of elements thereon. The separating of the tabs is obtained by interposing an insulation element of material characterized in that it does not bond to the material under ultrasonic vibration but simultaneously permits the vibratory energy to be transmitted therethrough.

Growing community of inventors

Timonium, MD, United States of America

Richard H Paschke