WO1998044861A1 - Unite dentaire polyvalente - Google Patents

Unite dentaire polyvalente Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO1998044861A1
WO1998044861A1 PCT/US1998/007146 US9807146W WO9844861A1 WO 1998044861 A1 WO1998044861 A1 WO 1998044861A1 US 9807146 W US9807146 W US 9807146W WO 9844861 A1 WO9844861 A1 WO 9844861A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
handpiece
unit according
dental unit
multipurpose
housing
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/US1998/007146
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Ben J. Gallant
Original Assignee
American Dental Technologies, Inc.
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by American Dental Technologies, Inc. filed Critical American Dental Technologies, Inc.
Priority to AU68958/98A priority Critical patent/AU6895898A/en
Publication of WO1998044861A1 publication Critical patent/WO1998044861A1/fr

Links

Classifications

    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61C—DENTISTRY; APPARATUS OR METHODS FOR ORAL OR DENTAL HYGIENE
    • A61C1/00—Dental machines for boring or cutting ; General features of dental machines or apparatus, e.g. hand-piece design
    • A61C1/0007—Control devices or systems
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61G—TRANSPORT, PERSONAL CONVEYANCES, OR ACCOMMODATION SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR PATIENTS OR DISABLED PERSONS; OPERATING TABLES OR CHAIRS; CHAIRS FOR DENTISTRY; FUNERAL DEVICES
    • A61G15/00—Operating chairs; Dental chairs; Accessories specially adapted therefor, e.g. work stands
    • A61G15/14—Dental work stands; Accessories therefor
    • A61G15/16—Storage, holding or carrying means for dental handpieces or the like

Definitions

  • the present invention is directed to dental equipment and more particularly to multipurpose dental units adapted to provide dentists with quick, ready and safe access to a multitude of powered dental tools.
  • hand tools While hand tools remain important in modern dental practice, power tools of numerous types have become increasingly important.
  • power tool refers to those instruments used by dentists and/or hygienists which rely upon an external source of energy, that is, energy provided by other than the manipulation of the dentist's hand.
  • the present invention is directed to a dental apparatus which generally comprises a housing containing all or substantially all of the components necessary to operate a plurality of dental handpieces.
  • the housing further preferably contains a handpiece mounting panel for removably holding the handpieces provided with the device.
  • the device includes means for monitoring the intention of the dentist, hygienist and/or dental technician with respect to the use of the dental apparatus and means for controlling the operation or not of each handpiece depending upon the input, at least in part, from said monitoring means.
  • Figure 1 is a perspective view of the front and side of a dental apparatus in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention
  • Figure 2 is a full frontal perspective view of the dental apparatus illustrated in Figure 1;
  • Figure 3 is a transparent, front elevation showing schematically the internal components of the dental apparatus in accordance with Figure 1;
  • Figure 4 is a transparent side elevation showing in semi-schematic form internal components of the dental apparatus illustrated in Figure 1;
  • Figure 5 is a transparent plan view showing in semi-schematic form the internal components of the dental apparatus illustrated in Figure 1;
  • FIG. 6 is an illustration of a control panel display in accordance with one embodiment of a dental apparatus of the present invention.
  • Figure 7 is a schematic diagram of the dental apparatus of Figure 1 depicting a monitoring and control system in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.
  • a preferred embodiment of the present invention comprises a single housing, designated generally as 10, which contains and/or carries substantially all of the components necessary to operate a plurality of dental handpieces 11-17.
  • dental handpiece refers to the operative portion of a dental power tool which is adapted for use inside and/or in juxtaposition to the patient's mouth.
  • the housing is provided with a set of wheels 20a-20d which facilitate movement of the present apparatus for optimizing the position of the unit with respect to a particular patient being treated and/or for transport of the unit from one patient location to another patient location.
  • the housing 10 of the present dental apparatus unit is preferably from about 10 to about 15 inches wide, from about 20 to about 30 inches long, from about 25 to about 45 inches high and from about 15 to about 20 inches in depth. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, however, that wide variations in these dimensions may be utilized and that all such dimensions are within the scope of the present invention.
  • the housing includes a support arm 30 extending upwardly and forwardly from the top portion thereof and a control panel 35 attached to the support arm.
  • the dental apparatus of the present invention also preferably includes a handpiece mounting panel 40 for removably holding the handpieces provided with the device.
  • the dental device of the present invention includes means which is preferably attached to the housing 10 for removably retaining the handpiece in a fixed, non-operative position.
  • the mounting panel comprises a wedge-shaped panel which extends from the front of the housing and is located below the control panel.
  • the dental apparatus also includes means (not shown) for connecting the apparatus to external sources of power and/or other materials.
  • the dental apparatus of the present invention is substantially self-contained and includes only means for connecting the apparatus to a source of electrical energy, preferably electrical power in the form of alternating current.
  • water, bactericide and other materials which are required for operation of the dental apparatus are contained within the housing and may be replenished and/or replaced as needed by the dentist, dental hygienist or dental technician. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, however, that in certain embodiments, external connections to sources of air, water and the like may be provided to the dental unit in accordance with the present invention.
  • the dental device of the present invention includes an air and water syringe 11, a plasma arc curing light 12 and air/abrasive handpiece 13, a high-speed drill 14, a low-speed drill 15, illuminating laryngoscope 16 and a dental laser handpiece 17.
  • Each of the handpieces is operatively associated by connection means lla-17a and lib with an operating means which each handpiece requires to perform its respective function.
  • Pneumatic tubing 11a connects air and water syringe handpiece 11 with the pneumatic unit 200, which is preferably a compressor for supplying compressed air to the syringe but could also be a compressed air bottle.
  • Hose lib connects syringe handpiece 11 to a source of water, preferably a water reservoir 201 contained within housing 10. The water source could also be the water service provided in the dental operatory, however.
  • Other reservoirs such as 202 are appended to hose lib and hold supplies of bactericides or fluoride solutions which can be dispensed from the syringe handpiece.
  • Plasma arc curing light handpiece 12 is connected to an electrical power supply 203 via electrical conductor 12a.
  • power supply 203 is housed within housing 10.
  • Air/abrasive handpiece 13 is connected via pneumatic tubing 13a to pneumatic unit 200, which also has a reservoir 204 for holding abrasive powder for use with handpiece 13 and means, preferably comprising a mixing valve and powder conduit 204a, for entraining the abrasive powder in the compressed air stream to the handpiece 13.
  • Both the high and low speed drills 14 and 15 are connected to pneumatic unit 200 by respective pneumatic tubing 14a and 15a, compressed air from unit 200 operating the drill handpieces.
  • Laryngoscope 16 is connected via an electrical line 16a to another electrical power supply 205, also contained within housing 10.
  • laryngoscope 16 comprises a mirror capable of being inserted into the patient's mouth, an elongated mirror support member connected to the mirror, a light source and a light transmitting means for directing a beam of light from the light source onto the surface of the mirror.
  • the light beam is arranged at an angle to the plane of the mirror and is offset from the central axis of the mirror.
  • the mirror reflects the light beam onto a target within the patient's mouth, and light reflected from the target is reflected back to an observer via the mirror.
  • a preferred laryngoscope of the type described above is disclosed in U.S. Patent No.
  • dental laser handpiece 17 is connected to a laser diode 206 which generates the laser light which is conveyed to laser handpiece 17 via an optical fiber cable 17A.
  • the laser diode 206 is preferably arranged within housing 10.
  • Power supply 205 is a general power supply and provides electrical power for all requirements of the invention and, thus, will have connections as required to the various associated operating means such as the laser diode 206, the pneumatic unit 200 and any other item requiring electrical power.
  • One important aspect of certain embodiments of the present invention is the provision of means for safely controlling, monitoring and operating the plurality of power tools associated with the present apparatus.
  • the control and monitoring means includes a sensor, which is preferably located in operative association with the mounting panel 40, for providing a signal indicative of the position of each handpiece.
  • Figure 7 illustrates an embodiment having seven such sensors 51- 57 and the seven handpieces 11-17 described above.
  • Each sensor 51-57 may comprise a switch, button or the like which is alternatively closed and opened as each handpiece is placed in and withdrawn from its particular receptacle in the mounting panel 40.
  • Sensors 51-57 are operatively connected to means 70 via respective communication links 51a-57a.
  • the sensors are preferably located within housing 10, for detecting removal of each handpiece from the mounting panel 40 and for ensuring that the operating means necessary for operation of the handpiece are in a ready state when the handpiece is removed from the mounting panel.
  • the means 70 comprises a computer and/or microprocessing unit.
  • Central processing unit 70 is preferably implemented by means of a Palm Pilot, Apple Newton or other such small computer which is programmed to monitor the status of the various handpieces, detect which handpiece is currently in use, link that handpiece to a common control interface to provide for user control and temporarily disable other handpieces so as to prevent simultaneous use of incompatible devices.
  • the dentist removes the high speed drill 14 from the non-operative position in its receptacle on the mounting panel 40 of housing 10
  • the sensor 54 associated with the drill is tripped which sends a signal to the computer.
  • Software on the computer interprets this signal and sends a signal to pneumatic unit 200 within the housing to provide compressed air to the drill.
  • the computer also sends signals which prevent the low speed drill 15 from being used simultaneously in order to ensure sufficient compressed air pressure to properly run the high speed drill.
  • the computer further links drill 14 to a common control interface, preferably foot pedal 83 shown in Figure 7.
  • the pneumatic unit is supplying compressed air
  • the foot pedal controls the drill speed and other handpieces are disabled temporarily to prevent simultaneous use.
  • the ability of the computer to prevent simultaneous use of incompatible power tools also provides a safety feature.
  • a dentist would not and should not simultaneously use an air abrasive cavity preparation system (handpiece 13) and a laser soft tissue ablation unit (handpiece 17) at the same time on a single patient.
  • the central processing unit 70 as implemented by the small computer described above, provides means for detecting and preventing such simultaneous use via a software system or a hardware system, or a combination of both.
  • the software allows the foot pedal 83 to control each of the handpieces, in turn, as they are removed from the non-operative position in their respective receptacles.
  • sensor 54 sends the signal to the computer indicating that the dentist is using the high speed drill.
  • the computer then links foot pedal 83 to the drill 14 for controlling the speed of the drill.
  • the appropriate signal is sent to the computer by sensor 54.
  • the computer severs the control link between the drill and the foot pedal. If the dentist next removes the air abrasive handpiece 13 from its non-operative position, sensor 53 sends a signal to the computer which in turn links foot pedal
  • the present invention includes means for monitoring the intention of the dentist, hygienist and/or dental technician with respect to use of the present dental apparatus.
  • this monitoring means comprises means for detecting whether preselected handpieces are located in their respective receptacle in the mounting panel 40.
  • the presence of the handpiece in its receptacle is an indication that the user of the device has no present intention of utilizing that handpiece.
  • the absence of the handpiece from its receptacle is interpreted by the monitoring means of the present invention as indicating the operator's intention to use that device.
  • the sensors 51-57 are in communication with the central processing unit 70 which monitors the signal from the sensor associated with the handpieces.
  • the central processing unit 70 also is connected to auxiliary control interfaces 80 and 81, seen in Figure 7.
  • control interfaces 80 and 81 comprise touch-pad controllers for controlling the operation of the handpiece which the dentist intends to use.
  • central processing unit 70 also monitors the condition of one or more control interfaces 80, 81, 83 and implements the control function to the appropriate handpiece.
  • the present apparatus include display means 90 and 91 connected to the central processing unit 70 for providing a visual indication of the control parameters provided by the operator through control interfaces 80, 81 and 83.
  • Such display means preferably comprises the display screen of the Palm Pilot or Apple Newton computer but could also include other LED, LCD displays as well as gauges, indicator lights and the like.
  • a control pad for operating a dental unit in accordance with the preferred aspects of the present invention is illustrated.
  • This control pad includes a shared control interface 100, means for controlling the air abrasive handpiece (designated as "KPC Controls" in the figures) 110 and means 120 for controlling the laser handpiece.
  • the shared control interface 100 is adapted to control all handpieces other than the air abrasive handpiece and the laser handpiece.
  • the preferred control panel of the present invention also includes override switches 200-206 for each handpiece for bypassing the operation and control function normally provided by the central processing unit 70.
  • auxiliary control interfaces and the display means of the present invention are contained on a control panel 35 attached to the housing 10.
  • the control interface and/or the display means may be contained on the handpiece itself. In such embodiments, therefore, the need for a shared control interface 100 can be reduced or eliminated.
  • such embodiments may provide other advantages such as more immediate control and ease of use.
  • the preferred embodiments of the present invention provide a dental apparatus which can safely and effectively permit a dentist easy and ready access to a large plurality of power tools through a simple and effective monitoring and control mechanism.
  • the dental unit may include an articulating arm 150 which carries an illuminating device 160, such a fiber optic light, as shown in Figures 5 and 7.
  • dental lasers are widely available and known to those skilled in the art, and all such lasers are adaptable for use in accordance with the present invention.
  • Preferred laser for use with the present invention, and the components thereof, are those described in the following United States patents, each of which is assigned to the assignee of the present invention and each of which is incorporated herein by reference U.S. Patent Nos.

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  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Animal Behavior & Ethology (AREA)
  • General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Public Health (AREA)
  • Veterinary Medicine (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Water Supply & Treatment (AREA)
  • Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery (AREA)
  • Dentistry (AREA)
  • Epidemiology (AREA)
  • Dental Tools And Instruments Or Auxiliary Dental Instruments (AREA)

Abstract

L'invention concerne une unité dentaire polyvalente (40) offrant une pluralité d'instruments dentaires (11-17) à moteur et les moyens de faire fonctionner les instruments dans un bloc autonome et relativement compact. Les instruments dentaires à moteur offerts comprennent des forêts pneumatiques, un laser dentaire, un système abrasif pneumatique, un laryngoscope et une lampe de durcissement à arc au plasma entre autre. Les pièces à main individuelles associées à chaque instrument à moteur sont montées amovibles sur le bloc dans une position non opérationnelle. Le retrait de n'importe quelle pièce à main est détecté par un capteur respectif associé à chaque pièce à main. Le capteur signale à un système de commande à microprocesseur qu'une pièce à main particulière est utilisée. Le microprocesseur émet des commandes qui désactivent temporairement des instruments à moteur incompatibles de l'unité, il active les moyens de commande de l'instrument particulier utilisé et il relie l'instrument particulier à une interface de commande commune manuelle ou à pédale.
PCT/US1998/007146 1997-04-08 1998-04-08 Unite dentaire polyvalente WO1998044861A1 (fr)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AU68958/98A AU6895898A (en) 1997-04-08 1998-04-08 Multipurpose dental unit

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US4280697P 1997-04-08 1997-04-08
US60/042,806 1997-04-08

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO1998044861A1 true WO1998044861A1 (fr) 1998-10-15

Family

ID=21923853

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/US1998/007146 WO1998044861A1 (fr) 1997-04-08 1998-04-08 Unite dentaire polyvalente

Country Status (2)

Country Link
AU (1) AU6895898A (fr)
WO (1) WO1998044861A1 (fr)

Cited By (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2012080378A1 (fr) * 2010-12-16 2012-06-21 Sirona Dental Systems Gmbh Système pour effectuer un traitement dentaire et procédé pour faire fonctionner un tel système
EP1884217B1 (fr) * 2006-07-31 2018-03-21 Ivoclar Vivadent AG Appareil manuel de durcissement à la lumière
DE102019105312A1 (de) * 2019-03-01 2020-06-04 Ferton Holding S.A. Instrumententräger für eine Behandlungseinrichtung und Behandlungseinrichtung mit einem solchen Instrumententräger
WO2020214852A1 (fr) * 2019-04-17 2020-10-22 A-Dec, Inc. Dispositif de réglage pour la régulation de débit dentaire avec indicateur de fonctionnement
IT202100022874A1 (it) * 2021-09-03 2023-03-03 Btc S R L Riunito medico

Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4308011A (en) * 1978-05-31 1981-12-29 Siemens Aktiengesellschaft Apparatus for supporting dental handpieces
US4351634A (en) * 1980-05-15 1982-09-28 Sybron Corporation Priority system dental instrument delivery
US5107899A (en) * 1989-07-24 1992-04-28 Gregory Murphy Pneumatic control system

Patent Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4308011A (en) * 1978-05-31 1981-12-29 Siemens Aktiengesellschaft Apparatus for supporting dental handpieces
US4351634A (en) * 1980-05-15 1982-09-28 Sybron Corporation Priority system dental instrument delivery
US5107899A (en) * 1989-07-24 1992-04-28 Gregory Murphy Pneumatic control system

Cited By (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP1884217B1 (fr) * 2006-07-31 2018-03-21 Ivoclar Vivadent AG Appareil manuel de durcissement à la lumière
WO2012080378A1 (fr) * 2010-12-16 2012-06-21 Sirona Dental Systems Gmbh Système pour effectuer un traitement dentaire et procédé pour faire fonctionner un tel système
DE102019105312A1 (de) * 2019-03-01 2020-06-04 Ferton Holding S.A. Instrumententräger für eine Behandlungseinrichtung und Behandlungseinrichtung mit einem solchen Instrumententräger
WO2020214852A1 (fr) * 2019-04-17 2020-10-22 A-Dec, Inc. Dispositif de réglage pour la régulation de débit dentaire avec indicateur de fonctionnement
AU2020257235B2 (en) * 2019-04-17 2021-03-04 A-Dec, Inc. Dental flow control adjuster with operation indicator
CN112601511A (zh) * 2019-04-17 2021-04-02 A-Dec公司 带有操作指示器的牙科流量控制调节器
US11185389B2 (en) 2019-04-17 2021-11-30 A-Dec, Inc. Dental flow control adjuster with operation indicator
IT202100022874A1 (it) * 2021-09-03 2023-03-03 Btc S R L Riunito medico

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
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