SYSTEM INCLUDING A WIRELESS DENTAL INSTRUMENT AND UNIVERSAL WIRELESS FOOT CONTROLLER
First Claim
1. A wireless foot controller for communication with at least one wireless dental instrument, comprising:
- a housing;
a power source positioned within the housing;
a circuit board positioned within the housing and connected to receive power from the power source;
an analog to digital signal converter;
a microchip/controller associated with the circuit board;
software to control the circuit board and the microchip/controller;
an antenna for transmitting and receiving signals to and from the at least one wireless dental instrument;
a communications protocol associated with the circuit board and the microchip/controller for communications between the foot controller and the at least one wireless dental instrument, wherein the foot controller is in communications with and controlling a single wireless dental instrument at a time;
a memory for storing identification information received from the at least one dental instrument;
wherein the foot controller is activated by application of foot pressure to depress the controller a distance proportional to the foot pressure;
wherein the foot controller operates in a mode selected from the group consisting of a switch mode and a continuously variable mode wherein in the switch mode, the foot controller transmitting a signal resulting from switch activation in the switch mode and in the continuously variable mode, the foot controller transmitting a signal proportional to the distance that the foot controller is depressed; and
wherein the foot controller software determines the selected mode based on an identification signal from the dental instrument and on the information stored in memory.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A wireless, remote foot controller and a wireless instrument in direct communication with one another and method of operation. The remote foot controller can determine the wireless instrument in the hand of the dental professional and can determine whether the instrument is operational in an continuously variable mode or whether the instrument is operational at discrete speeds. The remote foot controller can then respond to activation by a user to provide a predetermined signal that drives the handheld unit with the appropriate signal. The remote foot controller is activated by application of pressure to the foot controller that provides tactile, sensory feedback to the user. The foot controller includes a circuit board, antenna and battery so that it is wireless. The circuit board includes communications protocol to permit the foot controller to communicate with several dental instruments. Although the foot controller is capable of controlling multiple dental instruments, it only controls one dental instrument at a time, usually the most recent device in the hands of the dental professional.
9 Citations
25 Claims
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1. A wireless foot controller for communication with at least one wireless dental instrument, comprising:
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a housing; a power source positioned within the housing; a circuit board positioned within the housing and connected to receive power from the power source; an analog to digital signal converter; a microchip/controller associated with the circuit board; software to control the circuit board and the microchip/controller; an antenna for transmitting and receiving signals to and from the at least one wireless dental instrument; a communications protocol associated with the circuit board and the microchip/controller for communications between the foot controller and the at least one wireless dental instrument, wherein the foot controller is in communications with and controlling a single wireless dental instrument at a time; a memory for storing identification information received from the at least one dental instrument; wherein the foot controller is activated by application of foot pressure to depress the controller a distance proportional to the foot pressure; wherein the foot controller operates in a mode selected from the group consisting of a switch mode and a continuously variable mode wherein in the switch mode, the foot controller transmitting a signal resulting from switch activation in the switch mode and in the continuously variable mode, the foot controller transmitting a signal proportional to the distance that the foot controller is depressed; and wherein the foot controller software determines the selected mode based on an identification signal from the dental instrument and on the information stored in memory. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A method of using a foot controller to operate a plurality of dental instruments, comprising:
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activating the foot controller; transmitting a signal to the dental instruments; identifying the dental instrument having the highest level of activity; placing the dental instrument with the highest level of activity in operating queue; determining an operating mode of the dental instrument in operating queue; depressing the foot controller; transmitting a signal to the dental instrument indicative of downward movement of the foot controller and operating the dental instrument at a power level or a speed corresponding to the downward movement of the foot controller; simultaneously receiving tactile feedback from the foot controller indicative of the pressure applied to the foot controller; and removing pressure from the foot controller, stopping the transmission of signals from the foot pedal and stopping dental instrument operation. - View Dependent Claims (24, 25)
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- 21. The method of using the foot controller to operate a plurality of dental instruments of claim 21, wherein prior to activating the foot controller to operate at least one dental instrument, the method further includes synchronizing the foot controller to at least one dental instrument.
Specification