High speed turbine cartridge for use with a medical/dental handpiece

Abstract

A high-speed medical/dental handpiece includes a handle, which carries air, water, and light to a disposable cartridge which is received on the sleeve. The cartridge includes a head portion and a sleeve portion. The cartridge head defines a chamber having an upper and lower portions each of which receives a bobbin shaped sleeve bearing, and a central portion which receives a turbine. The bearings each form annular channels with their respective chambers. The cartridge includes water and air passages which direct water to the turbine so that the turbine is driven by an air/water mixture. Water is also directed to the upper bearing and grooves in the lower bearing chamber allow water to enter the annular channel around the lower bearing. Axial passages in the bearings enable water to pass from the annular chamber to the bit to contact the bit shaft. The air and water in the chamber are exhausted through the bit opening in the bottom of the head as well as through a plurality of exhaust ports in the head. The use of water in the turbine reduces the noise and vibration of the handpiece during operation of the handpiece and facilitates cooling of the bit. The cartridge sleeve includes a snap arm which engages the handle to hold the cartridge on the handle and a release arm which, when pressed, causes the snap arm to disengage the handle to allow for removal of the cartridge from the handle.