Fiber optics element and dental handpiece containing the same

Abstract

A fiber optics element is provided which includes a fiber optics bundle having at least two optical surfaces or faces and support means supporting at least a portion of the fiber optics bundle with one optical face in a desired initial position, and yieldable means cooperating with the fiber optics bundle to permit movement of said one optical face relative to its said initial position upon application of pressure to said one optical face. In a preferred embodiment, the fiber optics element includes a fiber optics bundle having an optical surface or at each end, and is especially adapted for use in combination with a dental handpiece in a manner such that one optical face extends through the turbine housing portion of the dental handpiece. The fiber optics element further includes a tubular guide member, resilient support means in the form of a flexible tubular member, and a plunger assembly; the fiber optics bundle extends through each of the above components. The other optical face of the fiber optics element is adapted to be coupled under compression and in face to face alignment with a light emitting face of a second fiber optics bundle, which is connectable to a light source, to complete a light path to the light source. A dental handpiece, such as a drill handpiece, including the above fiber optics element is also provided.