Ultrasonic dental and other instrument means and methods

• US 3,924,335 A
• Filed: 12/20/1971
• Issued: 12/09/1975
• Est. Priority Date: 02/26/1971
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Arthur Kuris, Lewis Balamuth, Manuel Karatjas
• Original Assignee: Arthur Kuris, Lewis Balamuth, Manuel Karatjas
• Inventors: Balamuth, Lewis, Kuris, Arthur, Karatjas, Manuel
• Primary Examiner(s): Peshock, Robert
• Assistant Examiner(s): Lever, J. Q.
• Application Number:
  US05/209,971
• Time in Patent Office: 1,450 Days
• Field of Search: 32/26,27,DIG.4,58 128/24A 310/8.1,26
• US Class Current: 433/119
• CPC Class Codes: A61C 1/07 with vibratory drive, e.g. ultrasonic
• CPC Class Codes: A61C 17/20 using ultrasonics
• CPC Class Codes: A61C 3/08 Tooth pluggers or hammers
• CPC Class Codes: B23Q 1/0036 one of those parts being a tool

Abstract

The invention discloses various ultrasonic dental equipment primarily adapted to be used for professional dental purposes as well as various dental procedures capable of being performed with the ultrasonic instrumentation. The ultrasonic dental system permits the user to selectively utilize a variety of fluids within the oral hygenic procedures carried out by the dentist. The fluids may be selective medicaments that are pumped through the dental system from either an external source i.e., water, to various other fluids each for its intended usage. The invention discloses motor-convertor systems in which a single piezoelectric crystal element is used to both simultaneously drive an ultrasonic motor and provide a feedback signal for frequency sensing means to permit the convertor to adjust itself thereto.

Claims

1. An ultrasonic dental system including A. a converter for providing electrical current at an ultrasonic rate, B. an accessory having a tip for use in the oral cavity when ultrasonically vibrated, said accessory including 1. housing means, 2. a transmission member having a rear section and a front section, said front section extending beyond said housing and having said tip secured thereto, 3. transducer means connected to said section for driving said transmission member, and 4. means to suply a fluid to said tip, C. means electrically connecting said converter to said transducer means in said accessory, D. fluid regulating means communicating with said accessory means to supply a fluid to said tip, E. internal fluid supply means including dispensing means adapted to be coupled with a liquid reservoir communicating with said fluid regulating means to provide an internal supply of liquid to the accessory, F. external fluid supply means communicating with said fluid regulating means to provide an external supply of liquid to the accessory, G. control means communicating with said fluid regulating means for permitting selection of fluid from said internal fluid supply means or said external fluid supply means, H. liquid reservoir means adapted to be readily engaged with said dispensing means to permit the utilization of a variety of fluids within the oral hygienic procedures to be conducted with the dental system, and I. means for flushing said internal supply means with fluid from said external supply means.

2. housing means enclosing said motor, and

3. regulating the rate of pumping of said fluid through the instrument, and C. simultaneously transmitting to the selected structure mechanical vibratory energy in the ultrasonic frequency range by means of said tip directly placed in energy transmission relationship to said structure, whereby said fluid has a beneficial effect on the patient as said treatment is obtained by transmitting ultrasonic energy to the treated structure through substantial direct engagement of said tip and through the liquid medium of said stream.

4. An ultrasonic system as defined in claim 1, and wherein said transducer means includes a portion thereof for driving said member and an electrically insolated protion thereof for sensing variations in frequency of said motor and regulating the alternating field of said converter to the corresponding frequency.

5. An ultrasonic system as defined in claim 1, and further including pumping means communicating with said internal fluid supply means for pumping fluid from said reservoir to said fluid regulating means.

6. An ultrasonic system as defined in claim 1, wherein said fluid is supplied through said tip.

7. An ultrasonic system as defined in claim 1, wherein said fluid is supplied adjacent said tip.

8. An ultrasonic system as defined in claim 1, and further including hydraulic system means including:

a. a first valve having input and output ports, said input port adapted to be connected to said external source of fluid supply, b. a second valve having input and output ports, c. conduit member having two input ports and an output port, one of said input ports being coupled to said output port of said first valve, the other of said input ports being coupled to said output port of said second valve, said outptut port being coupled to said means to supply a fluid to said tip through said fluid regulating means, and d. a fluid pump having a fluid chamber therein with an input and output port, said output port being coupled to said second valve input port, said pump being adapted to be operator activated, and forming part of said internal fluid supply means and coupled to said reservoir.

9. An ultrasonic system as defined in claim 8, and further including operator activated control and selector switch means coupled to said control valves and said pumping means for providing external fluid operation, internal fluid operation, flushing operation, and priming operation.

10. An ultrasonic dental system including A. a cabinet, B. a converter for providing electrical current at an ultrasonic rate contained within said cabinet, C. an adapter coupled to said converter for transmission of said electrical energy, D. support means for holding said adapter in fixed position relative to said cabinet when not in use, E. a plurality of accessories each adapted to be interchangeable with and releasably connected to said adapter and having a dental tip at one end thereof, F. dispensing means for retaining a reservior in fixed position relative to said cabinet when the dental system is in use, and G. removable liquid reservoir means adapted to be readily engaged with said dispensing means in associated relationship with said cabinet and communicating with said adapter to provide an internal supply of liquid to the accessory, H. said accessories each including:

11. An ultrasonic system as defined in claim 10, wherein said dental tip is adapted to be removably secured to said accessory for transmission of the ultrasonic mechanical vibrations.

12. An ultrasonic system as defined in claim 10, and further including:

a. external fluid supply means communicating with said fluid regulating means to provide an external supply of liquid to the accessory, and b. control means communicating with said fluid regulating means for permitting selection of fluid from said internal reservoir means or said external fluid supply.

13. An ultrasonic system as defined in claim 12, and further including means for flushing said internal fluid supply means with fluid from said external fluid supply means.

14. An ultrasonic system as defined in claim 12, and further including means for flushing the dental fluid from said external Fluid supply means.

15. The method of treating the gingival and tooth structures of the oral cavity for hygienic control thereof, with an ultrasonic dental instrument having a tip adapted to be inserted within the oral cavity, comprising the steps of:

A. inserting said tip within the oral cavity, B. supplying to said tip a stream of medicinal fluid for treatment of the gingival or tooth structures from an internal fluid supply that permits the selection and control of said fluid, and wherein said step of supplying to said tip a medicinal fluid includes;

16. The method as defined in claim 15, and further including the step of flushing said area treated with said medicinal fluid with another fluid.

17. The method as defined in claim 15, wherein said medicinal fluid is an analgesic.

18. The method as defined in claim 15, wherein said medicinal fluid is fluoride.

19. The method as defined in claim 15, wherein said treatment is conducted subgingivly.

20. The method as defined in claim 15, wherein said fluid is of a red color.

21. The method as defined in claim 15, wherein said fluid is provided through said tip.

22. The method as defined in claim 15, wherein said fluid is provided adjacent said tip.

23. The method as defined in claim 15, wherein said medicinal fluid is a plaque dye.

24. The method as defined in claim 15, wherein said medicinal fluid is an anti plaque solution.

25. The method as defined in claim 15, and further including the step of controlling the amplitude of vibration of the dental tip by regulating the electrical power delivered thereto.

26. The method as defined in claim 15, and further including flushing the dental instrument with fluid from the external source after completing the treatment.

27. The method of treating the gingival and tooth structures of the oral cavity for hygienic control thereof, with an ultrasonic dental instrument having a tip adapted to be inserted within the oral cavity, and capable of supplying fluid from either an external source, or an internal source which is selectable by the user of the instrument, A. providing an internal source of fluid in a plurality of independent reservoirs, B. selecting a medicinal fluid to be applied in said oral cavity from one of said reservoirs, C. coupling the selected reservoir to the dental instrument, D. inserting said tip within the oral cavity, E. pumping the fluid for supplying to said tip said fluid for treatment of the gingival or tooth structures from said internal fluid supply, and F. simultaneously transmitting to the selected structure mechanical vibratory energy in the ultrasonic frequency range by means of said tip directly placed in energy transmission relationship to said structure, whereby said fluid has a beneficial effect on the patient as said treatment is obtained by transmitting ultrasonic energy to the treated structure through substantial direct engagement of said tip and through the liquid medium of said stream.

28. The method as defined in claim 27, and further including the step of regulating the rate of pumping of said fluid through the instrument.

29. The method as defined in claim 27, and further including the step of controlling the amplitide of vibration of the deNtal tip by regulating the electrical power delivered thereto.

30. The method as defined in claim 27, and further including flushing the dental instrument with fluid from the external source after completing the treatment.

31. The method as described in claim 27, and further including the step of flushing said areas treated with said medicinial fluid with another fluid.