CN101031251A - Dental instruments - Google Patents

Abstract

An active dental tool including a vibratory mechanism and a power storage reservoir. The vibratory mechanism includes an electrical motor and an elliptical load. The elliptical load is adapted to be rotated by the motor and to thereby impart an oscillatory motion to a tooth-contacting portion of the dental tool.

Description

Dental instruments

The cross reference of related application

The application requires the priority of following U.S. Provisional Patent Application: serial number 60/612,283, name are called " Dental Tool Having A Durable Coating ", submitted in 21st JIUYUE in 2004; 60/612,006, name is called " Dental Instruments Having DurableCoatings ", submitted in 21st JIUYUE in 2004; 60/624,833, name is called " DentalInstrument ", submits on November 3rd, 2004; With 60/624,840, name is called " DentalInstruments With Stress Relife ", submits on November 3rd, 2004; Their content all is hereby incorporated by reference.

The application relates to following U.S. Patent application: 11/XXX, and XXX, name are called " DentalInstrument With Stree Relief ", are about to submit to simultaneously; And 11/XXX, XXX, name are called " Dental Instruments Having Durable Coatings ", are about to submit to simultaneously, and their content all is hereby incorporated by reference.

Technical field

The present invention relates to a kind of dental instruments, relate in particular to a kind of active dental instruments.

Background technology

The existence of nutrient, saliva, air and antibacterial makes and forms mottle and tartar film on the dental surface in the oral cavity.By brushing teeth regularly and using the dental floss cleaning teeth can suppress the development of these films.But, being generally acknowledged, the effective procedure of oral hygiene comprises by the DENSP and carries out regular cleaning of teeth.Even this cleaned at regular intervals effectively reduces and removes and carried out mottle and the tartar that conscientious personal oral hygiene still is easy to be deposited in dental surface.

The apparatus of removing mottle and tartar is divided into two classes; Manual passive apparatus and the active apparatus of external impetus.Passive apparatus usually by the material of firm and substantially rigid for example rustless steel make.Fig. 1 illustrates a kind of exemplary passive apparatus.Described apparatus comprises the main body 10 that is suitable as handle and rejects part 12 that it has the end 14 that for example is configured to point-like or blade.In use, passive apparatus is held in DENSP's the hands, and terminal 14 swipe on dental surface.The constraint that passive apparatus provides freedom to avoid power line, but the skill that needs the plenty of time and effectively use.

Usually use the active dental vibrator tool of external impetus to carry out some dental treatment and for example remove tartar.Typical power dental vibrator tool comprises the extension housing that is used for being gripped by hands, is arranged on enclosure as the vibrator units of vibration source and the peel tip head that the dental vibrator tool for example is detachably connected to vibrator units.Dental instrument is carried out predetermined dental treatment and is for example removed tartar and root canal reaming.

Some vibrators that are used in the power dental vibrator tool are divided into two kinds of typical categories according to operation principle: electric vibrator and use compressed air are as the pneumatic vibrator of power source.

Electric vibrator comprises the alternating voltage that applies of response and vibrative electrostriction or piezoelectric transducer.They can be worked in ultrasonic wave range, and they can not send the noise that can hear substantially thus.But electric vibrator can launching electromagnetic wave.This electromagnetic energy with about 20,000 hertz frequencies emission can cause some problems, for example interferes with each other with other electronic equipment.

Pneumatic vibrator is the electromagnetic interference problem relevant with electric vibrator not.But employed frequency can listened in the frequency spectrum usually.Use the utensil of this vibrator also must link to each other with compressed air source.

Therefore, still need to have hand-held, the electronic dental instrument of small vibration device, its want can before and after and/or side-to-side vibrations to realize cleaning of teeth and without any noise or ultrasonic energy.

Summary of the invention

Consider the problems referred to above, expectation obtains a kind of dental instruments that has the advantage of manual and external impetus dental instruments simultaneously.The present invention overcomes problems of the prior art, and a kind of method and apparatus that is used for removing from tooth mottle and tartar is provided.

The present invention relates to a kind of dentistry hand tools, it comprises the shell that has to the elongation shape of small part hollow inside, far-end and near-end; The dentistry termination begins from least one described end to extend and removably be connected with this end.Part shell is as the handle that is used for by DENSP's grasping.At least one vibrator module towards an end status of main body in and can flexibly be supported on enclosure.Thereby described module comprises and is suitable for rotating the small machine that an eccentric weight causes the vibration in the described termination.Battery is positioned at enclosure with the driving vibrator module, thereby activates vibration component.Battery can be disposable or chargeable.

The invention still further relates to a kind of hand-held dental instruments, it comprises the shell that has to the elongation shape of small part hollow inside, far-end and near-end, conical portion is permanent with described shell or removably engage with a wide end, and the dentistry termination begins to extend from its narrow end.At least a portion shell is as the handle that is used for being gripped by the DENSP.The dentistry termination can permanent or removably be closed with the narrow termination of tapered segment.Tapered segment has to the small part ducted body, and vibrator module is arranged in and is supported on the hollow space of part ducted body.Thereby described module comprises and is used to rotate an eccentric weight vibrative small machine in the termination.Battery is positioned at enclosure with the driving vibrator module, thereby activates vibration component.Battery can be disposable or chargeable.

The present invention also provides many cover vibration dental instrumentss, and each apparatus comprises the shell of the elongation shape with hollow inside, and elongation shape main body has near-end and far-end, and the dentistry termination begins from least one end to extend and removably be connected with it.The part shell of each apparatus is as the handle that is used for by DENSP's grasping, and the handle that overlaps apparatus has the diameter that is designed for changing the variation of using in a whole day more.

Dental instruments also can comprise conical portion permanent with wide end or that removably engage, and the dentistry termination begins to extend from its narrow end.The dentistry termination can or removably engage with the narrow end permanent joining of conical portion.Conical portion has to the small part ducted body, and vibrator module is positioned at and is supported on the hollow space of described part ducted body.Thereby described module comprises and is applicable to rotating eccentricity weight vibrative small machine in described termination.Battery is positioned at shell with the driving vibrator module, thereby activates described vibration component.Battery can be disposable or dismountable.

In one aspect of the invention, the dentistry termination can be connected with the distal threads of shell.

In another aspect of the present invention, have and be used for described vibrator module is leaned against localized axial direction positioning device on the far-end of shell.

In addition, in one aspect in, with respect to corresponding external impetus apparatus, dental instruments according to the present invention is lightweight and easy operating.

In another aspect, big power can be connected to dental surface according to dental instruments of the present invention, and not need to be connected with power source by power leads.

In another aspect of the present invention, shell seals at near-end, and vibrator module is suitable for being supported for towards far-end.

Of the present invention again aspect another in, the termination begins to extend from each end of shell, during use, two terminations all are suitable for vibration.

Of the present invention again aspect another in, conical portion is rotatable, wherein said rotation also makes the rotation of dentistry termination, the termination does not need to take out from patient's mouth and just can be easy to change the position thus.

In aspect another one more of the present invention, shell comprises the ergonomic design that is suitable for discharging the pressure that the DENSP bears.Many covers dental instruments with ergonomic design also can manufacture the handle diameters with variation.

In addition, can also use the collar in each apparatus again, as making the dismountable another kind of form in termination.This collar or above-mentioned conical portion also can be to manufacture the rotatable rotary head, and wherein said rotation also makes the rotation of dentistry termination, and the termination can not need taking-up from patient's mouth and change the position easily thus.

In addition, above-mentioned each apparatus also can manufacture has anti-rotation device, and it is used for preventing that described vibrator module from rotating with respect to shell when using described vibration apparatus.

Disclosing the termination in addition can apply with coating flexible and durable coating thereon, and cated thus termination can bend to predetermined structure.Coating comprises diamond like carbon (DLC) coating, and it comprises the hydrogen at least about 5 atomic percentages.

In one aspect, after coating, the termination can bend to any predetermined structure, and this crooked behavior can not have a negative impact to the globality of coating.

In conjunction with of the present invention following detailed description the in detail that provides with reference to accompanying drawing, these and other advantage of the present invention and characteristics will be easier to understand.

Description of drawings

Fig. 1 illustrates the passive dental instruments of prior art;

Fig. 2 illustrates active dental instruments according to an embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 3 illustrates active dental instruments according to an embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 3 a illustrates the block diagram of a plurality of functional parts of diagram dental instruments according to an embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 4 a illustrates the cutaway view of active dental instruments according to an embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 4 b-4d illustrates the various elliptical load of the active dental instruments of each embodiment according to the present invention;

Fig. 5 illustrates the cutaway view of active dental instruments according to another embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 6 illustrates the cutaway view of the active dental instruments that comprises linear vibrator according to another embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 7 illustrates the perspective view of the active dental instruments of a cover with different handle diameters;

Fig. 8 illustrates the active dental instruments of the cover ergonomic design with different-diameter;

Fig. 9 illustrates the active dental instruments with rotatable termination;

Figure 10 illustrates the decomposition view of the active apparatus with rotation head; With

Figure 11 illustrates the handle that is fit to be assemblied on the active apparatus.

The specific embodiment

The detailed description of carrying out below in conjunction with accompanying drawing means the explanation that is about to embodiment for example of according to the present invention dental instruments or utensil, and does not mean that expression can make up or realize unique form of the present invention.Make up and use the feature of dental instrument of the present invention or apparatus and step to describe in conjunction with diagrammatic embodiment to being used to.But, be understandable that, can be by meaning that equally being included in purport of the present invention realizes identical or equivalent function and structure with different embodiments in the scope.

Fig. 2 illustrates according to the dental instruments of first embodiment of the invention dentistry curettage instrument 100 for example.As shown in the figure, described apparatus comprises handle portion 102 and tooth contact site 104.In diagrammatic embodiment, tooth contact site 104 is curettage instrument terminations.According to an aspect of the present invention, vibrating mechanism is included in the handle portion 102.Vibrating mechanism is suitable for causing that curettage instrument termination 104 is with respect to handle 102 or one componental movement.The motion of curettage instrument termination 104 can comprise various oscillation modes, comprises flexible and elastic linear model and torsional mode.According to one embodiment of the invention, the present invention includes the switching device shifter 106 that supports by handle portion 102.Switching device shifter 106 can start the user and cuts out the vibrating mechanism that is arranged in the handle portion 102.

According to one embodiment of the invention, for example the energy mouth 108 of socket also can be supported by handle portion 102.For example the energy of power supply can be accepted and be stored in the handle portion 102 of dental instruments by energy mouth.In the embodiment illustrated, energy mouth is the electrical socket that is suitable for holding conventional plug.

Fig. 3 a illustrates systematic square frame Figure 200 of dental instruments according to an embodiment of the invention.As shown in Figure 3, dental instruments comprises for example power memory of battery 202.Battery 202 is electrically connected with power control 204.In exemplary, power control 204 is electric switches of one pole-single-throw switch for example.In other different embodiment, power control 204 can comprise opening device, for example is fit to operation response person signal or feedback signal 205 and the transistor that changes output voltage is provided.The output of power control 204 is electrically connected with the input of vibration transducer 206.According to one embodiment of the invention, vibration transducer 206 comprises electric rotating machine 208, for example permanent magnet DC motor or motor.Electric rotating machine 208 on its output shaft with for example eccentric free wheel dynamic unbalance load 212 mechanical connections.The rotation of the dynamic unbalance load 212 that is produced by motor is used to produce the periodic swinging power on the axle of motor 208.Periodic swinging power is delivered to motor housing from the axle of motor 208 by motor bearings.Oscillating force is delivered to the shell 102 (as shown in Figure 2) of described apparatus from motor housing.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the vibration in vibration transducer 206 can be created in from about 10Hz to about 10KHz scope.Can obtain to comprise other frequency of harmonic wave according to concrete system performance.

According to another embodiment of the invention, vibration transducer 206 comprises for example linear electric machine or the linear motor of solenoid, piezoelectric transducer.

In another aspect of the present invention, vibration transducer 206 is connected with the first terminal tool of connecting elements 214.Connecting elements 214 can be isolating mechanical component, maybe can be the integral body (as shown in Figure 2) with housing parts 102.

Connecting elements 214 is connected with tooth contact site 104 at the second end.Tooth contact site 104 can be for example curettage instrument termination (as shown in Figure 2).

Dentistry termination 104 can be a curettage instrument, as shown in the figure, perhaps is suitable for being assemblied in other any device in the hand-held apparatus of the present invention, for example reamer, root canal file, odontroine or dental drill.

As mentioned above, the dentistry termination can be positioned at the far-end of described apparatus and near-end two ends (not shown) or it and can only be positioned at an end.

Shown in Fig. 2,4a and 9, tapered portion 114 can be used as whole formation of a part of handle, perhaps it can form separately and then by molded, brazing, be threaded or the juncture of other any kind joins it on remainder of handle to.Described termination also can be for good and all or be detachably connected on the tapered portion of handle far-end or near-end.Tapered portion further can be a conical portion, for example has hollow inside or can have the collar to the small part tapered portion, as shown in Figure 9.The described collar can be integrally formed as the part of handle, and perhaps it can be independent formation, by molded, brazing, be threaded or the connected mode of other any kind engages with termination 104 on handle far-end or near-end.

Fig. 4 a is the cutaway view of dental instruments 300 according to an embodiment of the invention.As shown in Fig. 4 a, dental instruments 300 comprises the tooth contact site of shell 102 and for example curettage instrument termination 104.According to an embodiment of the invention, shell 102 comprises internal cavities 302 and the motor 308 that wherein is provided with battery 306.Battery 306 is electrically connected with motor 308 by electric lead 310,312,314 and switch 316.According to one embodiment of the invention, motor 308 can comprise shell 317 and the clutch shaft bearing 318 and second bearing 320.Motor 308 also comprises the axle 322 by clutch shaft bearing 318 and the 320 rotatable supports of second bearing.Axle 322 at one end is connected with eccentric load 324.

Fig. 4 b illustrates eccentric load 400 according to an embodiment of the invention.Eccentric load comprises the mass with curved circular side face 402 that is arranged between the one 406 and the 2 408 substantially parallel side.The inner surface 410 of substantially cylindrical be arranged on first and two substantially parallel of the mat woven of fine bamboo strips between have the hole of longitudinal axis with qualification.Described longitudinal axis is spaced apart substantially parallel with respect to the rotation axis of the center of gravity of passing eccentric load 400.

In another embodiment, as shown in Fig. 4 c, eccentric load 420 comprises the part taper seat 422 that is arranged on the truncation between the first and second substantially parallel sides 424,426.Substantially cylindrical inner surface 428 is arranged on the hole that has longitudinal axis between the first and second substantially parallel surfaces with qualification.Described longitudinal axis is spaced apart substantially parallel with respect to the rotation axis that passes the eccentric load center of gravity.The eccentric load 420 of final Fig. 4 c cone shape is such eccentric load, and promptly its quality is as the function of the distance along motor shaft to motor and linearity reduces.

In another embodiment again, shown in Fig. 4 d, eccentric load 430 comprises the oval surface 432 that is arranged on the truncation between the first and second substantially parallel sides.The oval-shaped eccentric load of final Fig. 4 d 430 forms such eccentric load, and promptly its quality is as the function of the distance along motor shaft to motor and non-linear reducing.

In another embodiment again, elliptical load comprises the symmetric wheel of fundamental space.But, produce dynamic non-equilibrium load thereby the Mass Distribution in the symmetric volume of fundamental space is asymmetric.According to an embodiment, shown in Fig. 4 e, the wheel 440 by forming first material 442 and in first material embedding granule of second material 444 of space uneven distribution, the asymmetric distribution that produces quality.

Fig. 5 illustrates the cutaway view of another embodiment of the present invention.As shown in the figure, the apparatus 500 of Fig. 5 comprises shell 102 and curettage instrument termination 104.In the embodiment of Fig. 5, the rotation axis of elliptical load 502 is with respect to longitudinal axis 504 located lateral of shell 102.Therefore the rotating shaft 50s of elliptical load 502 locatees perpendicular to paper.

By for example the output shaft of turning motor 508 being connected this location of realization rotating shaft 506 with the machinery input of gear-box 510.In exemplary, gear-box 510 comprises two helical gears with the angle orientation that is perpendicular to one another.In two helical gears first is connected with the output shaft of motor, and in two helical gears second is connected with the output shaft of gear-box, and is connected with eccentric load 502 thus.Thereby two helical gears are included in and mesh each tooth that machine power is delivered to eccentric load 502 from motor 508 in the rotation.Helical gear can be made by any suitable material, and described material is metal ingredient for example, comprises for example rustless steel, titanium, titanium alloy (for example Nitinol and titanium aluminum vanadium alloy), aluminum, aluminium alloy, diamondite and compositions thereof.The helical gear material of selecting comprises reinforcement or nonreinforcement polymer, for example polyamide (nylon), ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWP); Polyacetyl (Delrin); Polyaramid (Kevlar); ULTEM ^, promptly a kind of unbodied thermoplastic polyether acid imide, Xenoy ^Resin, mixture, the Lexan of promptly a kind of Merlon and polybutylene terephthalate (PBT) ^Plastics, the copolymer (they are all provided by GE Plastics company) of promptly a kind of Merlon and isophthalate terephthalate resorcinol (isophthalate terephthalate resorcinol) resin; Liquid crystal polymer for example contains amino aromatic polymer or aromatic polyester, wherein, be selected from least a chemical compound in the group that following material forms as component, described material is an aromatic hydroxycarboxylic acids (hydroxy benzoic acid (rigidity monomer) for example, hydroxynaphthoic acid ester (flexible monomer), aromatics azanol and aromatic diamines, (at U.S. Patent number 6,242,063,6,274,242,6,643, enumerate in 552 and 6,797,198, its content is hereby incorporated by reference), polyesterimide acid anhydride with end anhydride group group or side anhydride group is (for example at U.S. Patent number 6, enumerate in 730,377, its content is hereby incorporated by reference) or its combination.

In addition, can use any polymer composition for example engineering preimpregnation blank or synthetic, they are polymer or conducting polymer or their mixture that are filled with the conductive particles of pigment, carbon particle, Silicon stone, glass fibre, for example metallic.

Usually the polymeric material or the chemical compound of tool high temperature resistant property are fit to.

At work, compare with the vibration that configuration by Fig. 2 apparatus 100 causes, the rotation of eccentric load 502 causes the enhanced vibration of curettage instrument termination 104 along the longitudinal axis 504 of apparatus 500.

In another aspect of the present invention, these vibrations can be delivered to curettage instrument termination 104 from the shell of reduction box 510 by connecting elements 512.The performance of connecting elements 512 comprises its quality, shape and rigidity, can select to do with optimization the resonance characteristics of as a whole system.Connecting elements 512 can be supported in the shell 102 by supporting member 514.Supporting member 514 can be the axle sleeve of the foraminous substantially rigid of tool for example, and connecting elements 512 is fit to pass described hole and slides.In an embodiment as selection, supporting member 514 can comprise the elastic component that is fit to flexible support and connection member 512.

Fig. 6 illustrates the cutaway view of active dental instruments 600.According to another embodiment of the invention, active dental instruments 600 comprises linear vibrator 602.Linear vibrator 602 is suitable for the corresponding periodically variable signal of telecommunication that sends from electric control loop 606 and makes connecting elements 604 motions linearly.Electric control loop 606 is electrically connected with linear vibrator 602 and is connected with for example power supply of battery 608.Linear vibrator 602 can comprise piezo-electric device and o device, capacitive transducer device or the linear electric machine device of linear motor for example.

In aspect other, active apparatus 600 can comprise dismountable toothpick 104.It can allow single shell and can satisfy to the multiple termination with different structure vibration is provided.Dismountable toothpick can by for example be threaded or bayonet mount and active apparatus 600 fixing.

In one aspect of the method, energy bin can comprise detachable battery, for example carbon zinc battery or alkaline battery.Also can use non-detachable rechargeable battery.Can select suitable battery, for example nickel metallic hydrogen battery or nickel-cadmium cell according to the characteristic and the needs of concrete active device system.

In another aspect of the present invention, described apparatus can comprise the battery charge loop that is suitable for absorbing from the external electric energy electric energy.Therefore, active apparatus can be connected with domestic power supply as required, and the battery charge loop provides suitable charging current for the rechargeable battery of active apparatus then.

According to another embodiment, the present invention includes electricity fuel cell and fuel reservoir.The technology of fuel cell is leading, and the fuel cell that expectation is suitable for being contained in the active apparatus of the present invention can be realized in the near future.

In another aspect of the present invention, find unexpectedly that the vibration of vibrating mechanism (for example, shown in 206 among Fig. 3) provide comfortable effect for the professional's hand that uses active apparatus.Therefore, the present invention includes the dental instruments that has superiority on the ergonomics.By in different embodiments of the present invention, comprising the triangle lever (as 102 among Fig. 8) in for example different handle diameters of supplementary features and the shell, can expand the advantage of these ergonomicss.

The dental instruments that uses all has the handle or the grip part of diameter much at one at present.This is really not only for same type apparatus, and different apparatuses too.Use apparatus to cause the pressure repeatedly of adversary, wrist and ancon in one day repeatedly.This can cause complication of wrist (CTS) and accumulation property damage obstacle (CTD) in Dental Hygienist personnel, dentist and other DENSP.

As shown in Fig. 7 a-e and 8, the present invention also comprises the identical or different apparatus of many covers, and they have the handle of making different-diameter that is used to grip, and is designed to can exchange use in a whole day, reduces multiple gripping action by changing the grip part thus.Therefore, even the DENSP uses the apparatus of same type in a whole day, hands, wrist and ancon can be experienced action variation rather than multiple because in a whole day the change in location of hands, wrist and ancon.

As shown in Figure 8, dental instruments comprises the shell 102 of the lengthening with solid, hollow or part solid interior.Extension housing 102 has far-end and near-end.The part of shell 102 can be used as the handle that is used for by DENSP's gripping.Far-end has thus the distal tip 104 of extending, and it is permanent or be detachably connected to the far-end of shell 102.

Handle can further carry out ergonomic design, as the exemplary expression of Fig. 8.The details of apparatus with diameter change is at first to file " Dental Instruments With StressRelief ", application number 60/624,840 and be about to the common pending trial U.S. Patent Application Serial Number 11/XXX that submits to simultaneously, be illustrated among the XXX, their content all is hereby incorporated by reference.

In addition, the tapering part 114 shown in Fig. 2,4a, 6 and 9 can be rotatable, and the dentistry termination is rotated in wherein said rotation equally, changes the position easily thereby described termination can not need to take out from patient's mouth.

The mechanism that is used to rotate is similar with description in patent application United States serial 10/735,050, and it is hereby incorporated by reference.

In one embodiment, tapering part can be used as whole formation of a part of handle, and perhaps it can form separately, by molded, brazing, be threaded and other any juncture, engages with termination 104 on the far-end of handle or near-end.

Fig. 7 a-7d illustrates a cover dental instruments according to an embodiment of the invention, and for example the dentistry curettage instrument 700.As shown in the figure, each dental instruments comprises handle portion 702 and tooth contact site 704.In illustrated embodiment, tooth contact site 704 is curettage instrument terminations.

Handle portion 702 is columniform and can is solid or hollow that it has far-end and near-end.As example, the diameter of handle changes from Fig. 7 a to 7d.In other embodiments, a series of handle or different apparatuses have been designed with the diameter that changes of varying number.As mentioned above, the dental instrumentss of making variation gripping diameter that overlap can reduce palikinesia more.

As the example shows, handle can be the taper towards far-end or near-end or two ends, and what begin to extend from tapered distal end is the dentistry termination that is suitable for use on of patient or many teeth.

The dentistry termination can be a curettage instrument 704, as shown in the figure, or is suitable for being assemblied in other device in the hand-held apparatus of the present invention, for example, and reamer, root canal file, odontroine or dental drill.

As mentioned above, the dentistry termination can be positioned on the far-end and near-end two ends of apparatus, and (not shown) as shown in the figure, perhaps it can only be positioned at an end and different utensils is positioned on the other end, as exemplary expression among Fig. 7 a-7d.

As shown in Figure 9, tapered portion 114 can be used as whole formation of a part of handle, and perhaps it can form separately, by molded, brazing, be threaded or the juncture of other any kind, engages with termination 104 on the far-end of handle and near-end.

Tapered portion 114 further can be the conical portion with hollow inside, as shown in Figure 9.

Handle can be made by metal or plastics.Conical portion and tapered portion can be by making with the identical or different material of handle remainder.The metal that is fit to can comprise for example above-mentioned those materials of mentioning when addressing gear.Again for example, rustless steel and titanium alloy during described material.These materials for example also have good flexible.

The nonmetallic materials that are fit to can comprise for example high temperature plastics of polymeric material, comprise above-mentioned those materials of mentioning when addressing gear.

For example, can form projection and/or striped (for example in Fig. 8 or 9 1040 shown in) and/or other device on the grip portions of handle so that grip non-skidly better.

In some embodiments, be used for substituting projection and striped, handle also can be made has grip 1040a, as exemplary expression among Fig. 8 a, thereby can be the tube-in-tube structure that is enclosed within on the handle be convenient to grip during use described apparatus for it, equally shown in Fig. 8 a.In the embodiment shown in Fig. 3, grip 103 is positioned on the major part of handle 102, described grip is flexible usually and have the high-temperature resin that can be suitable for high pressure or heating disinfection process, and it comprises above-mentioned those polymer and the synthetic that is suitable for the polymer end header structure.In fact, can bear highly compressed any high-temperature resin can use.

As mentioned above, the cover of one shown in Fig. 7 a-7d apparatus all is identical except handle diameters.Shown in Fig. 8 a-8d, wherein handle has ergonomic design.Identical apparatus with handle of diameter change can exchange use in a whole day.By in the handle of ergonomic design more in conjunction with the diameter that changes, handle can be eliminated DENSP's hands, wrist and ancon pressure smoothly.

Shown in Fig. 8 a, handle can be leg-of-mutton, and wherein, when all extended from two ends the termination, handle had the mid portion littler than gripping area girth.Mid portion also can be circular.These structures can be formed with projection around gripping area or thereby striped is convenient to grip, shown among Fig. 9 1040.

According to another aspect of the present invention, as shown in Fig. 3 and 8a, vibrating mechanism can be included in handle portion 102 and 802.Vibrating mechanism is suitable for comprising the vibration vibration of the shell 101 of handle 102 or its part 802.Vibration vibration can comprise and comprises many oscillation modes flexible and elastica sexual norm and rotary mode.As mentioned above, according to one embodiment of the invention, described apparatus comprises on the outer surface 101 that is arranged on handle 102 elastomeric material 103 as grip (perhaps in Fig. 8 a, on outer surface 801 803). Elastomeric material 103 or 803 is used for the gripping of buffering DENSP during using apparatus.According to an aspect, the present invention includes the switching device 106 or 806 that supports respectively by handle portion 102 and 802. Switching device 106 or 806 can be opened the user and is stopped to be arranged on vibrating mechanism in handle portion 102 or 802.

As mentioned above, grip 103 or 1040a can be with the SANTOPRENE that is for example provided by Monsanto Company company ^Thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) or be used for material or any suitable material manufacture of some end structures.In some embodiments, grip 103 or 1040a can form by injection molding.In other embodiments, grip 103 or 1040a can be integrative-structures.In other embodiments again, can use manifold grip.According to an example, two-part grip can be on handle 102 or 802 ultra-sonic welded together.Grip 103 or 1040a can have substantially cylindrical, as shown in Figure 3, perhaps can be picture pistol-like grips, shown in 1120 among Figure 11.

Grip or elastomeric material also can be natural or synthetic rubber.Synthetic rubber can be an elastomeric material for example, and can include, but are not limited to, the various copolymers or the block copolymer (Kratons that are provided by Kraton Polymers ^) for example SBR styrene butadiene rubbers or SIR styrene isoprene rubber, EPDM (ethylene propylene diene rubber) rubber, latex rubber and analog.Expanded material can be closed cell foamed material or hole-opening foaming material, and can include, but are not limited to, foam polyolefin material is polyethylene foam-material, PP foam material and polybutene expanded material, polystyrol foam material, polyurethane foam material, any flexible foaming material of being made by above-mentioned any elasticity or elastomeric material for example.

Fig. 9 illustrates the active apparatus with rotatable termination 902.Described rotatable termination 902 also can be with in each apparatus that illustrates in the above.Termination 902 is connected with the collar or the swivel head 904 of tapered portion 114 regularly or removably.The rotation of the collar or swivel head 904 also makes 902 rotations of dentistry termination, easily changes the position thereby the termination can not need to take out from patient's mouth.When not expecting described rotation, arrestment mechanism prevents the rotation of the collar and end.By for example pushing release-push 906, allow rotation thereby can discharge arrestment mechanism.Similar described in mechanism that is used to rotate and the patent application United States serial 10/735,050, described patent application is hereby incorporated by reference.

If conus portion or tapered portion 114 are dismountable, it is to be made by for example plastic material, yet the remainder of handle is to be made by metal or metal alloy.

As shown in Figures 9 and 10, the swivel head 904 that is positioned at handle piece 900 far-ends rotatably is connected with the remainder of handle piece 900.It is inner and at the opening of each end of inner chamber that swivel head 904 can have substantially cylindrical shape, hollow, and it is used at one end holding the far-end of main body 102 and holds the dentistry termination at the other end.For example, at its far-end, be formed with the opening 911 that is used to hold termination 902 on the swivel head 904.

Swivel head 904 can have a plurality of indentures 910 that form around its outer surface on every side.Each indenture 910 can have the ellipse of lengthening, and described oval-shaped major axis is in the direction of the central shaft that is parallel to handle piece 900.Indenture 910 is convenient to that the dentistry practitioner grips swivel head 904 so that with respect to for example main body 102 its (for example only using a hands) of rotation.In other embodiments, swivel head 904 can have many projectioies of formation alternative described indenture thereon.

Main body 102 has formation a pair of groove 1030 thereon, and it is equidistant and pass the whole length of main body 102 substantially to the termination.Groove 1030 can be used for grip 1120 is installed in handle piece 900, as shown in Figure 11.Main body 102 also can have the formation a plurality of equally spaced substantially otch 1080 that is positioned at its bottom, close main body 102 far-ends thereon, and it can be used to prevent that grip 1120 from moving on the axis direction of handle piece 900.Main body 102 also can have formation thereon be positioned at its bottom, near near-end and groove (not shown) described otch 1080 conllinear.Described groove can be assembled together grip 1120 and groove 1030 to prevent the central axis rotation of grip 1120 around handle piece 900.

Grip 1120 has basic mating part 1140 for cylindrical and inner hollow as exemplary expression among Figure 11.Mating part 1140 is suitable for sliding on the main body 102, is similar to sleeve, and cooperates with main body 102, and mating part is sealed part main body 102 thus.Mating part can have formation elastic cantilever part (not shown) thereon, and it can be used for an otch 1080 is engaged in main body 102.Mating part 1140 can have the handle 1160 that engages with its lower surface, during dental procedure the dentistry practitioner can the described handle 1160 of grasping so that gripping handle spare 900.Handle 1160 also can help changeing described swivel head 904 with a hand-screw.Handle 1160 can have many indentures or the projection 1200 that is formed on its back side, and it is used to make things convenient for dentistry practitioner grasping.

Referring now to Fig. 9 and 10, handle piece 900 further comprises back-up ring 1300, and it can be made by for example above-mentioned metal of mentioning.The shape of back-up ring 1300 can be circular substantially, but not exclusively forms a full circle.Back-up ring 1300 can be flexible (elasticity) and as spring, because the end that does not link together can be close together more owing to applied pressure, separates when pressure is eliminated.

Swivel head 904 can have the circular groove 1310 near its near-end that is formed on the inner surface, and as exemplary expression among Figure 10, it can be used to assemble back-up ring 1300.Back-up ring 1300 can be installed in the circular groove 1310, discharges it thereby for example compress it by exerting pressure and aim at groove 1310 once single back-up ring 1300 on back-up ring 1300.In case after installing, back-up ring 1300 is just with respect to swivel head 904 lockings and fixing.

When back-up ring 1300 is locked with groove 1310,, swivel head 904 is connected with main body 102 by main body 102 far-ends are contained in the opening of swivel head near-end.Main body 102 can have the auxiliary section 1090 that is formed on its far-end, and it has the diameter less than the diameter of main body 102 remainders.Junction between auxiliary section 1090 and main body 102 remainders can form circular groove 1500 on 1030 outer surfaces of auxiliary section.When auxiliary section 1090 was inserted in the swivel head 904, back-up ring is fit 1500 rotatably, and swivel head 904 is rotatably connected on the main body 102 thus.In other embodiments, back-up ring can be fixedly connected on the main body 1020 and be rotatably connected on the swivel head 904.

Grip also can be made has the grasping diameter that is used to change, and is designed to be used in replaceable use in a whole day, is connected with the handle of more human engineering design.The details of " diameter of variation " the U.S. formerly provisional application number be 60/624,840, name is called " Dental InstrumentsWith Stress Relief ", formerly provisional application and name are called " Dental Instruments With Stress Relief ", application number 11/XXX for U.S. of submitting on November 3rd, 2004, XXX, be about to be illustrated in the common pending trial U.S. Patent application of submitting on the same day, their content is hereby incorporated by reference.

The termination can have coating flexible and durable coating 1010a thereon, and cated thus termination can bend to predetermined structure.This bending also can be introduced before being coated with application layer, and can be in the position that is coated with the DLC coating.Coating also can be positioned on the other parts of handle.

During use, because frictional force produces heat easily on every side in the termination.Therefore, have the heat that high coating of lubricating shape can reduce friction and be produced usually, patient's sense of discomfort is reduced.Suitable coating with high lubricated shape comprises diamond like carbon (DLC) coating that comprises at least about the hydrogen of 5 atomic percentages.The details of durable coating is at U.S.'s patent application serial number 60/612 formerly, 283, title " Dental Tool Having A DurableCoating ", in U.S. that JIUYUE in 2004 was submitted on the 21st temporarily at first to file and U.S. Patent Application Serial Number 11/XXX, be illustrated in XXX, title " Dental Tool Having A DurableCoating ", the U.S. Patent application that is about to submit to simultaneously, their content is hereby incorporated by reference.

The coating that is fit to can comprise the DLC coating, and it for example has hydrogen in about 5 atomic percentages to about 45 atomic percentages, more for example from about 10 hydrogen to about 30 atomic percentages.Usually, the percent of higher hydrogen can be used for the more termination of high flexible, and lower hydrogen percent is used to have less flexible termination.Coating with higher hydrogen percent has than low-density and than the coating softness with less amount hydrogen.Other component that also can have in addition, less content.For example DLC can comprise oxygen or nitrogen and a spot of other material that reaches about 5 atomic percentages.

As mentioned above, though the DLC coating is hard, can be flexible, thereby the flexural properties of termination matrix can obviously not change because of coating.Resultant effect can be more permanent attrition resistant surface.

Usually, because the DLC coating is flexible and slick, even for example the shallow layer of about 20nm also can obtain basic homogeneous thickness.The DLC coating can be coated on the matrix predetermined portions substantially equably.Again for example, can apply uniform coating, wherein thickness along matrix for example have a few with respect to average coating layer thickness with less than 50% with for example be less than 10% again and change.

As selection, the DLC coating also can be anisotropically to apply, and thus if desired, in the zones of different of working surface, the thickness of coating can change.In some embodiments, the zone with maximum coating layer thickness can be not more than the about double thickness with minimum cover thickness.Non-uniform coating thickness can be realized many targets that uniform coating can not be finished, and for example simplifies deposition and/or the stress point of friction surface or termination is increased mechanical stability.Usually, because the DLC coating is flexible and slick, even for example the shallow layer of 20nm also can obtain homogeneous thickness.

But the DLC coating also can be subjected at the expectability of termination heavily stressed or wearing and tearing some parts on thicker so that enhanced wearability is provided.For example, the extension at knee can have than the thicker coating of compression part, to keep curved shape.In addition, selected deposition process can produce DLC coating in uneven thickness naturally, reduces heterogeneity unless make remarkable effort.

The composition of DLC coating also can be uniformly or in different coating area differences.For example, the zone of bearing more stress can have a kind of special composition, and the other parts of coating can be formed by other doping agent, for example are used to change flexible.Similarly, the DLC coating can have a plurality of layers of the diamond like carbon that comprises heterogeneity.

In one example, apparatus can be made of termination and the grip of having assembled in advance before applying the termination with the DLC coating.This operation is feasible, because the approximate autoclaved temperature of the low coating temperature of coating operation.Assembling provides motility to apparatus for this.

According to an aspect of the present invention, provide a kind of dental instrument, having comprised: had to the shell of the elongation shape of small part hollow inside, far-end and near-end; Extend and be connected at least one dentistry termination of this end of described shell from an end of described shell; With at least one vibrator module that is positioned at and is supported on described enclosure.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a kind of dental instrument is provided, comprise: as at least one handle of an elongation shape shell part, described shell comprises far-end and near-end and to the inside of small part hollow, the part that is used to grip of handle has triangular cross section at least; From at least one dentistry termination that described shell one end extends and is connected with this end of described shell; Described enclosure is located and be supported on at least one vibrator module towards an end of main body.

According to another aspect of the present invention, provide a kind of dental instrument, having comprised: had elongation shape shell to small part hollow inside, far-end and near-end; Extend and be connected at least one dentistry termination of an end of described shell from an end of described shell; Be positioned at and be supported at least one vibrator module of described enclosure; Be suitable for rotating the swivel head of described termination with at least one.

Preferably, described dentistry termination removably connects described shell.Preferably, thus described vibration module comprise and be used for rotating the small machine that an eccentric weight causes the vibration of described apparatus.Preferably, described vibration module provides power by power supply, and described power supply is selected from the group of being made up of battery, fuel cell, solaode and combination thereof.Preferably, described dental instrument further comprises be used for preventing the anti-rotation device of described vibrator module with respect to described shell rotation when using described vibration apparatus.Preferably, described dentistry termination is selected from the group of being made up of dentistry curettage instrument termination, root canal file, odontroine, reamer and dental drill.Preferably, described handle has ergonomic design.Preferably, described termination comprises coating, and described coating comprises the diamond-like coating that comprises at least about the hydrogen of 5 atomic percentages.Preferably, at least a portion of described handle comprises projection, striped, grip or their combination.Preferably, at least a portion that is designed to be not used in the described handle that is gripped by user has the diameter littler than the part that is used to grip.Preferably, described shell forms taper towards at least one end.Preferably, described tapered end comprises such structure, and described structure is selected from the group of being made up of conical portion, the collar and their combination.Preferably, described structure forms as the part of described shell is whole.Preferably, described structure engages with described shell.Preferably, described vibration module is positioned at described inside configuration.Preferably, described shell comprises metal or nonmetal.Preferably, described dental instrument comprises the identical dental instrument of a cover, and they comprise the handle of the diameter that is used to grip with variation.Preferably, described battery is disposable or chargeable.Preferably, described structure comprises swivel head.

Though above exemplary of the present invention is illustrated and diagram, be understandable that these are examples of the present invention and be not considered to restriction.Therefore the present invention is not considered to be limited to above-mentioned explanation, and is only limited by the scope of its appended claim.

Claims (21)

1. dental instrument comprises:

Have to the shell of the elongation shape of small part hollow inside, far-end and near-end;

Extend and be connected at least one dentistry termination of this end of described shell from an end of described shell; With

Be positioned at and be supported at least one vibrator module of described enclosure.

2. dental instrument comprises:

As at least one handle of an elongation shape shell part, described shell comprises far-end and near-end and to the inside of small part hollow, the part that is used to grip of handle has triangular cross section at least;

From at least one dentistry termination that described shell one end extends and is connected with this end of described shell;

Described enclosure is located and be supported on at least one vibrator module towards an end of main body.

3. dental instrument comprises:

Has elongation shape shell to small part hollow inside, far-end and near-end;

Extend and be connected at least one dentistry termination of an end of described shell from an end of described shell;

Be positioned at and be supported at least one vibrator module of described enclosure; With

At least one is suitable for rotating the swivel head of described termination.

4. as claim 1,2 or 3 described dental instruments, wherein said dentistry termination removably connects described shell.

5. as claim 1,2 or 3 described dental instruments, thereby wherein said vibration module comprises and is used to rotate the small machine that an eccentric weight causes the vibration of described apparatus.

6. as claim 1,3,4 or 5 described dental instruments, wherein said vibration module provides power by power supply, and described power supply is selected from the group of being made up of battery, fuel cell, solaode and combination thereof.

7. as each described dental instrument among the claim 1-6, it further comprises be used for preventing the anti-rotation device of described vibrator module with respect to described shell rotation when using described vibration apparatus.

8. as the described dental instrument of above-mentioned each claim, wherein said dentistry termination is selected from the group of being made up of dentistry termination, root canal file, odontroine, reamer and dental drill.

9. as the described dental instrument of above-mentioned each claim, wherein said handle has ergonomic design.

10. as the described dental instrument of above-mentioned each claim, wherein said termination comprises coating, and described coating comprises the diamond-like coating that comprises at least about the hydrogen of 5 atomic percentages.

11. as each described dental instrument in the above-mentioned claim, at least a portion of wherein said handle comprises projection, striped, grip or their combination.

12. dental instrument as claimed in claim 9, the described at least a portion that wherein is designed to be not used in the described handle that is gripped by user has the diameter littler than the part that is used to grip.

13. as the described dental instrument of above-mentioned each claim, wherein said shell forms taper towards at least one end.

14. dental instrument as claimed in claim 13, wherein said tapered end comprises such structure, and described structure is selected from the group of being made up of conical portion, the collar and their combination.

15. as claim 13 or 14 described dental instruments, wherein said structure forms as the part of described shell is whole.

14. as claim 13 or 14 described dental instruments, wherein said structure engages with described shell.

15. dental instrument as claimed in claim 14, wherein said vibration module is positioned at described inside configuration.

16. as the described dental instrument of above-mentioned each claim, wherein said shell comprises metal or nonmetal.

17. as the described dental instrument of above-mentioned each claim, it comprises the identical dental instrument of a cover, they comprise the handle of the diameter that is used to grip with variation.

18. dental instrument as claimed in claim 6, wherein said battery are disposable or chargeable.

19. dental instrument as claimed in claim 3, wherein said structure comprises swivel head.

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