Dental handpiece performance sensor

• US 20080014550A1
• Filed: 07/13/2006
• Published: 01/17/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 07/13/2006
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Henry Schein Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Henry Schein Incorporated
• Inventors: Monroe, O. Napoleon, Jones, Anthony Michael Alyn
• Application Number:
  US11/485,829
• Publication Number:
  US 20080014550A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 433/114
• CPC Class Codes: A61C 1/0015 Electrical systems
• CPC Class Codes: A61C 19/04 Measuring instruments specially adapted for dentistry A61C5/44 takes precedence; testing vitality of teeth A61B5/0534; radiation diagnosis specially adapted for dentistry A61B6/51
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3553 remote, e.g. between patient's home and doctor's office
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3584 using modem, internet or bluetooth
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/142 Pressure infusion, e.g. using pumps
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/178 Syringes
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/25 Integrating or interfacing systems involving database management systems
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/29 Geographical information databases
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/087 Inventory or stock management, e.g. order filling, procurement or balancing against orders
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0601 Electronic shopping [e-shopping]
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 20/17 delivered via infusion or injection
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/67 for remote operation

Abstract

Operation of a handpiece is sensed, such as by detecting temperature and/or vibration associated with one or more of the bearing rings supporting the turbine in the handpiece. When operation exceeds a threshold, a visual or audible indication is provided, and power to the turbine may be interrupted. The sensor(s) may be built into the handpiece, or be part of a removable girdle placed on the handpiece. Typically, the handpiece is used for dental or medical applications.

Claims

1. A removable girdle for a handpiece, the handpiece having a head with a turbine supported by at least one bearing ring, comprising:

an element for detecting an operating condition of the at least one bearing ring, and

at least one sensor for sensing whether the detected operating condition exceeds a threshold, and for providing an indication when the threshold is exceeded.

2. The removable girdle of claim 1, wherein the element consists of a first band configured to correspond with a back bearing ring of the handpiece, and a second band configured to correspond with a front bearing ring of the handpiece.

3. The removable girdle of claim 1, wherein the operating condition is represented by the temperature of the handpiece head.

4. The removable girdle of claim 1, wherein the operating condition is represented by the vibration of the handpiece head.

5. The removable girdle of claim 1, wherein the sensor is bimetallic.

6. The removable girdle of claim 1, wherein the indication is visual.

7. The removable girdle of claim 1, having at least one sensor for detecting the temperature of the handpiece head, and at least one sensor for detecting the vibration of the handpiece head.

8. The removable girdle of claim 1, further comprising a flexible membrane for covering the back of the handpiece head.

9. The removable girdle of claim 1, further comprising a stabilizer clip for supporting the girdle against the back of the handpiece head.

10. The removable girdle of claim 1, further comprising a product tag.

11. The removable girdle of claim 10, wherein the sensor indication and information from the product tag are provided to a controller.

12. In a handpiece having a handle for enabling a user of the handpiece to hold the handpiece, and a head connected to the handle, the head including a turbine for rotating a burr and at least one bearing ring for supporting the turbine, the improvement comprising:

an element for detecting an operating condition of the at least one bearing ring, and

at least one sensor for sensing whether the detected operating condition exceeds a threshold, and for providing an indication when the threshold is exceeded.

13. The handpiece of claim 12, wherein the element consists of a first band configured to correspond with a back bearing ring of the handpiece, and a second band configured to correspond with a front bearing ring of the handpiece.

14. The handpiece of claim 12, wherein the operating condition is represented by the temperature of the handpiece head.

15. The handpiece of claim 12, wherein the operating condition is represented by the vibration of the handpiece head.

16. The handpiece of claim 12, having at least one sensor for detecting the temperature of the handpiece head, and at least one sensor for detecting the vibration of the handpiece head.

17. The handpiece of claim 12, further comprising a product tag.

18. The handpiece of claim 17, wherein the sensor indication and information from the product tag are provided to a controller.

19. The handpiece of claim 18, wherein the controller receives and stores an indication of whether usage instructions for the handpiece have been read by a user of the handpiece.

20. The handpiece of claim 12, wherein when the threshold is exceeded, power to the turbine is terminated.

21. The handpiece of claim 12, further comprising an indicator for indicating whether the handpiece has been sterilized subsequent to usage of the handpiece.