Hardened ultrasonic dental surgical tips and process
First Claim
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1. A surgical tip for use with an ultrasonic device, the tip comprising:
- a substantially elongate instrument having first and second opposite ends, the second end having an outer surface, wherein the first end has coupling means for coupling to an ultrasonic device; and
the outer surface of the second end being a cutting surface defined by multiple indentations formed in the outer surface and having a coating of a metal nitride applied over the cutting surface to maintain its cutting character.
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Abstract
An ultrasonic dental tip that is hardened by a novel process that includes roughing the tip and then applying a metal nitride coating, such as titanium nitride (Ti--N) or zirconium nitride (Zr--N). The roughing is preferably accomplished by sandblasting the tip with a microblaster. Optionally the tip may be heat treated after it has been roughened and prior to being coated in order to further increase its hardness.
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Citations
23 Claims
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1. A surgical tip for use with an ultrasonic device, the tip comprising:
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a substantially elongate instrument having first and second opposite ends, the second end having an outer surface, wherein the first end has coupling means for coupling to an ultrasonic device; and the outer surface of the second end being a cutting surface defined by multiple indentations formed in the outer surface and having a coating of a metal nitride applied over the cutting surface to maintain its cutting character. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A method for hardening surgical tips having an outside surface and adapted for use with ultrasonic devices, the method comprising the steps of:
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forming a cutting surface by roughing the outside surface of the tip by forming multiple minute depressions in the surface with an externally applied abrasive process; and applying a coating of a metal nitride over the roughened cutting surface to maintain the cutting surface. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
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Specification