CORDLESS ULTRASONIC DENTAL SCALER

• US 20070166663A1
• Filed: 01/18/2007
• Published: 07/19/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 01/18/2006
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Heidi A. Telles, Tracey Newborn
• Original Assignee: Heidi A. Telles, Tracey Newborn
• Inventors: Telles, Heidi A., Newborn, Tracey
• Application Number:
  US11/624,675
• Publication Number:
  US 20070166663A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 433/119
• CPC Class Codes: A61C 17/20 using ultrasonics
• CPC Class Codes: A61C 2204/002 using batteries

Abstract

A cordless ultrasonic scaler includes a cleaning tip, an actuator, power supply, control circuitry, a water reservoir and a pumping mechanism within the hand piece. A piezoelectric stack actuator drives both the cleaning tip and pumping mechanism. The reservoir in the hand piece supplies liquid to the pump for cooling the actuator, the cleaning tip and the teeth being cleaned. The reservoir defines a battery compartment. A pair of electrodes enable recharging the battery in a docking station when the device is not in use. Controls are provided for the actuator and fluid flow.

Claims

1. A cordless ultrasonic dental scaler comprising

a scaler tip having a conduit for passage of a liquid, and

a hand piece, said hand piece containing

an actuator coupled to the scaler tip,

a linkage adapted for coupling the scaler tip to the actuator,

a portable rechargeable power supply,

control circuitry electrically connected to said power supply and to said actuator, said control circuitry being configured to energize said actuator,

a liquid reservoir, and

a pumping mechanism in fluid communication with said liquid reservoir and said scaler tip and adapted to pump liquid from the liquid reservoir to scaler tip.

2. A cordless ultrasonic dental scaler according to claim 1, said control circuit being configured to produce a voltage waveform and said actuator being configured to receive said voltage waveform and vibrate in response thereto, the linkage transmitting vibration of the actuator to the scaler tip.

3. A cordless ultrasonic dental scaler according to claim 2, said actuator being a piezoelectric actuator.

4. A cordless ultrasonic dental scaler according to claim 3, said piezoelectric actuator being a piezoelectric electric stack comprising a plurality of electro-active ceramic elements responsive to said voltage waveform.

5. A cordless ultrasonic dental scaler according to claim 1, said actuator including an electromagnetic driver from the group consisting of a piezoelectric actuator, a motor and a transducer.

6. A cordless ultrasonic dental scaler according to claim 1, said linkage comprising a force transmitting means having a first end and a second end and being coupled to the actuator at the first end and adapted to engage the scaler tip at the second end.

7. A cordless ultrasonic dental scaler according to claim 1, said cleaning tip being releasably attached to the linkage.

8. A cordless ultrasonic dental scaler according to claim 7, said cleaning tip being threadedly attached to the linkage.

9. A cordless ultrasonic dental scaler according to claim 1, further comprising a heat sink, said actuator being thermally coupled to the heat sink.

10. A cordless ultrasonic dental scaler according to claim 1, further comprising a heat sink, said actuator being thermally coupled to the heat sink, said heat sink including a liquid conduit in fluid communication between the liquid reservoir and scaler tip, said conduit enabling liquid from the reservoir to flow through the conduit and cool the actuator.

11. A cordless ultrasonic dental scaler according to claim 1, said conduit for passage of a liquid terminating with an atomizing nozzle, said atomizing nozzle being configured to atomize liquid expelled therefrom.

12. A cordless ultrasonic dental scaler according to claim 1, said control circuitry including a piezo voltage driver adapted to controllably energize the actuator, said actuator being a piezoelectric actuator.

13. A cordless ultrasonic dental scaler according to claim 12, said piezoelectric actuator being adapted to generate feedback signals and said control circuitry further including a microcontroller adapted to receive and monitor feedback signals from the piezoelectric actuator to adjust the voltage waveform.

14. A cordless ultrasonic dental scaler according to claim 12, said piezoelectric actuator being adapted to generate feedback signals including a temperature signal corresponding to the actuator, and said control circuitry further including a microcontroller adapted to receive and monitor feedback signals from the piezoelectric actuator to adjust the voltage waveform

15. A cordless ultrasonic dental scaler according to claim 1, further comprising a light source adapted to illuminate the scaler tip.

16. A cordless ultrasonic dental scaler according to claim 1, further comprising a light source adapted to illuminate the scaler tip, said light source comprising an LED within the handle and a fiber optic filament configured to transmit light from the LED to the scaler tip.

17. A cordless ultrasonic dental scaler according to claim 1, said pumping mechanism comprising a displacement pump driven by said actuator.

18. A cordless ultrasonic dental scaler according to claim 1, said pumping mechanism comprising a piezoelectric micropump.

19. A cordless ultrasonic dental scaler according to claim 1, said liquid reservoir being removable.

20. A cordless ultrasonic dental scaler system comprising

a cordless ultrasonic dental scaler comprising

a scaler tip having a conduit for passage of a liquid, and

a hand piece, said hand piece containing

an actuator coupled to the scaler tip,

a linkage adapted for coupling the scaler tip to the actuator,

a rechargeable power supply,

control circuitry electrically connected to said power supply and to said actuator, said control circuitry being configured to energize said actuator,

a liquid reservoir, and

a pumping mechanism in fluid communication with said liquid reservoir and said scaler tip and adapted to pump liquid from the liquid reservoir to scaler tip;

and

a cordless ultrasonic dental scaler docking station adapted to mechanically support the cordless ultrasonic dental scaler and comprising

means for recharging the rechargeable power supply, said means comprising recharger components from the group consisting of conductive electrodes and an induction coil, and

means for supplying liquid to the liquid reservoir, including a docking station reservoir and docking station pump adapted to fluidly engage the scaler reservoir.