Ultrasonic control apparatus and method

• US 6,503,081 B1
• Filed: 06/29/2000
• Issued: 01/07/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 07/01/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: James Feine
• Original Assignee: James Feine
• Inventors: Feine, James
• Primary Examiner(s): Wilson, John J.
• Application Number:
  US09/606,464
• Time in Patent Office: 922 Days
• Field of Search: 433/118, 433/119, 310/316.01
• US Class Current: 433/119
• CPC Class Codes: A61C 1/0015 Electrical systems
• CPC Class Codes: A61C 17/20 using ultrasonics
• CPC Class Codes: B06B 1/0246 with a feedback signal
• CPC Class Codes: B06B 1/0284 with consecutive, i.e. sequential generation, e.g. with frequency sweep
• CPC Class Codes: B06B 2201/58 Magnetostrictive transducer
• CPC Class Codes: B06B 2201/76 Medical, dental

Abstract

The present invention relates to a microprocessor-controlled ultrasonic control apparatus used to sweep a range of operating frequencies and to identify, store and tune to the resonant frequency of a magnetostrictively driven handpiece. This allows the user to change tip systems as desired and the device is not limited to a preset or switch selectable frequency. The unit automatically finds and adjusts to the frequency which corresponds to the resonant acoustic frequency of the magnetostrictive coil insert tip system.

Claims

1. An ultrasonic control device for a magnetostrictive tip insert system comprising:

a microprocessor control unit including logic for selecting an optimum power transfer point offset from a resonant frequency of the magnetostrictive tip insert system;

a sweep oscillator circuit connected to and communicating with said microprocessor control unit to step through a range of frequencies and permit the microprocessor unit to determine power consumption of the magnetostrictive tip insert at a plurality of discrete frequencies and select the optimum power transfer point and

a power amplifier communicating with said microprocessor control unit to maintain a power level at the frequency of the optimum power transfer point by adjustment of the power delivered to the magnetostrictive tip insert.

2. The ultrasonic control device of claim 1 further comprising:

a front panel connected to and communicating with the microprocessor control unit for input of data for offside tuning of the frequency of the magnetostrictive tip insert.

3. The ultrasonic control device of claim 1 further comprising:

a footswitch for selectively increasing the power to the magnetostrictive tip insert.

4. The ultrasonic control device of claim 1 further comprising:

a display panel connected to and communicating with the microprocessor control unit for receipt of visual output from the control system.

5. An ultrasonic computerized control apparatus comprising:

input means;

power means responsive to said input means;

computer means activated by said power means to receive input signals including software for offset tuning to fix an operating frequency offset from a resonant frequency; and

process said signals including software for offset tuning to fix an operating frequency offset from a resonant frequency;

memory means for supplying a preselected range of values and for storing values equivalent to a variety of frequency values;

operating means responsive to said computer means to step through a range of frequencies;

power amplifier means responsive to said computer means for changing the power to an ultrasonic dental scaler including a magnetostrictive tip insert while maintaining the offset operating frequency; and

means for connecting the power amplifier to the ultrasonic dental scaler.

6. An ultrasonic dental scaler apparatus comprising:

conductors to an ultrasonic dental scaler including a magnetostrictive tip insert;

a power amplifier coupled to said conductors for delivery of variable power at variable frequency;

a sweep oscillator coupled to said power amplifier for stepping the frequency from a preset low to a preset high to determine a primary resonant frequency of the ultrasonic dental scaler;

detection logic and memory to lock on to the resonant frequency detected and to store the value of the resonant frequency;

offside tuning logic for delivering the power at a frequency offset from the resonant frequency.

7. The ultrasonic dental scaler apparatus of claim 6 wherein the detection logic and memory include a programmable microprocessor with memory elements.

8. A method of using a computer controlled ultrasonic dental scaler comprising:

inserting a magnetostrictive dental scaler tip system in a hand piece, the system including a distal tip;

activating a controller to sweep a range of frequencies and determine a peak power transfer point of the tip system;

setting an offset from the peak power transfer point; and

applying the distal tip to the surface of a tooth to be cleaned.

9. A method for using an ultrasonic dental scaler apparatus comprising conductors to an ultrasonic dental scaler, a power amplifier coupled to said conductors for delivery of variable power at variable frequency, a sweep oscillator coupled to said power amplifier for stepping the frequency from a preset low to a preset high to determine a primary resonant frequency of the ultrasonic dental scaler, and detection logic and memory to lock on to the resonant frequency detected and to store the value of the resonant frequency, comprising:

coupling the power amplifier to the conductors to the ultrasonic dental scaler;

coupling the sweep oscillator to the power amplifier;

detecting the resonant frequency;

storing the value of the resonant frequency;

setting an offside from the resonant frequency to reduce power transferred to the tip.

10. The method of claim 9, further comprising applying a distal tip of the apparatus to the surface of a tooth.

11. The method of claim 10, further comprising setting an offside from the resonant frequency to reduce power transferred to the tip.

12. A method for using a computer controlled ultrasonic dental scaler comprising:

inserting a magnetostrictive dental scaler system in a handpiece, wherein the system includes a distal tip;

activating the dental scaler controller to sweep a range of frequencies and determine a peak power transfer point;

setting an offset from the peak power transfer point; and

applying the distal tip to the surface of a tooth.