Handpiece for Detection of Dental Demineralization
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A handheld dental implement including:
- a housing defining an interior space;
an endcap coupled to the housing, the endcap including an outer wall having an internal surface and an external surface, the external surface opposing the internal surface, the outer wall further defining an interior space, the endcap being readily removable from the housing;
a light source located within the interior space of the housing; and
a mirror coupled to the internal surface of the outer wall of the endcap such that the mirror is located within the interior space defined by the outer wall.
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Abstract
A dental implement including a housing, a light source, and an air supply.
56 Citations
33 Claims
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1. A handheld dental implement including:
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a housing defining an interior space; an endcap coupled to the housing, the endcap including an outer wall having an internal surface and an external surface, the external surface opposing the internal surface, the outer wall further defining an interior space, the endcap being readily removable from the housing; a light source located within the interior space of the housing; and a mirror coupled to the internal surface of the outer wall of the endcap such that the mirror is located within the interior space defined by the outer wall. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. An endcap for use with a dental implement housing including:
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an outer wall having an internal surface and an external surface, the external surface opposing the internal surface, the outer wall further defining an interior space; and a reflective surface positioned on the internal surface such that the reflective surface is located within the interior space, and the reflective surface is positioned to reflect light from a light source onto a diagnostic specimen and reflect light from the diagnostic specimen to a light detecting device. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. An endcap for use with a dental implement housing including:
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an outer wall having an internal surface and an external surface, the external surface opposing the internal surface, the outer wall further defining an interior space, the interior space being sized and located to provide for the transfer of light therethrough; and a gas conduit disposed in the outer wall. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23, 24, 25)
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26. A method of examining the dentition of a plurality of patients including the steps of:
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obtaining a dental instrument having a housing; attaching a first endcap to the dental instrument housing, the endcap having an outer wall having an internal surface and an external surface, the external surface opposing the internal surface, the outer wall further defining an interior space, the interior space being sized and located to provide for the transfer of light therethrough, the endcap further including a gas conduit disposed in the outer wall; examining the dentition of a first patient with the dental instrument; detaching the first endcap from the dental instrument housing; attaching a second endcap to the dental instrument housing; and examining the dentition of a second patient with the dental instrument. - View Dependent Claims (27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33)
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Specification