Electric ultrasonic tooth-cleaning apparatus

Claim 2

An ultrasonic device for cleaning teeth comprising a means forming a tubular handle including a closure means at the rear end thereof, an elongated electronic ceramic-type transducer positioned within said handle in spaced relation from the inner wall thereof with the rear end of said transducer engaged against the inner side of sAid closure means, a detachable applicator of predetermined length positioned substantially colinear with said transducer including flange means at the rear end thereof operatively positioned around and against the front end of said transducer with the front end of said applicator terminating in an offset abrading tip, a resilient collar on said applicator positioned against the front side of said flange means, a front closure head detachably secured to the front end of said handle with a circular shoulder therein coaxially positioned against the front side of said collar for urging said flange means of said applicator against the said front end of said transducer and for holding said applicator in said colinear position, a source of electronic ultrasonic energy for energizing said transducer, a pair of conductors connecting said transducer with said source of energy whereby the said front end of said transducer will transmit effective longitudinal ultrasonic oscillation to said applicator against the resilient restraining action of said collar for cleaning teeth with said tip.

Claim 3

The construction recited in claim 1 including an elastomer band tensioned around said transducer normal the axis thereof and with the outer periphery thereof against the said inner wall of said handle for restraining said transducer in said spaced relation with said wall and permitting a longitudinal oscillation thereof.

Claim 4

In an ultrasonic tooth-cleaning device of the character described means forming a hollow handle including a longitudinal bore along one outer side of said handle for conducting pressurized water, a cylindrical ceramic transducer positioned within said handle adapted and constructed for longitudinal ultrasonic oscillation of the front end thereof when energized, a flexible conduit connected at one end to the rear inlet of said bore, a detachable applicator substantially colinear with said transducer including a flange means on the rear end thereof operatively positioned against the front end of said transducer with the front end portion of said applicator terminating in an offset abrading tip, a resilient collar on said applicator coaxially positioned against the front side of said flange means and having a water passage therethrough parallel with and offset from the axis thereof, a front closure head means detachably secured to the front end of said handle with a coaxial shoulder therein for coaxial compression of the front side of said collar for urging said flange means against said transducer for restraining said applicator and said transducer in said colinear position, an inverted U-shaped extension integral with said head means extending in spaced relation over the said front end portion of said applicator, said extension having a water passage therethrough with the inlet thereof in mating relation with said passage in said collar and the said outlet of said passage in said handle positioned to project water over said offset tip when pressurized water is supplied by said conduit, a source of pressurized water, said opposite end of conduit connected to said source of water for conducting the latter through said device and over said offset tip when said device is operated, a source of electric oscillating energy, a pair of electric conductors connecting said transducer with said source of energy whereby said tip will oscillate at a predetermined ultrasonic frequency in contact with a flow of water for cleaning teeth.

Claim 5

In an ultrasonic tooth-cleaning device of the character described means forming a hollow handle including a longitudinal bore along one outer side of said handle for conducting pressurized water, a cylindrical ceramic transducer positioned within said handle adapted and constructed for longitudinal ultrasonic oscillation of the front end thereof when energized, a flexible conduit connected at one end to the rear inlet of said bore, a detachable applicator substantially colinear with said transducer including a flange means on the rear end thereof operatively positioned against the front end of said transducer with the front end portion of said applicator terminating in an offset abrading tip, a resilient collar on said applicator coaxially positioned against the front side of said flange means and having a water passage therethrough parallel with and offset from the axis thereof, a front closure head means detachably secured to the front end of said handle with a coaxial shoulder therein for coaxial compression of the front side of said collar for urging said flange means against said transducer for restraining said applicator and said transducer in said colinear position, an inverted U-shaped extension integral with said head means extending in spaced relation over the said front end portion of said applicator, said extension having a water passage therethrough with the inlet thereof in mating relation with said passage in said collar and the said outlet of said passage in said handle positioned to project water over said offset tip when pressurized water is supplied by said conduit, a source of pressurized water, said opposite end of conduit connected to said source of water for conducting the latter through said device and over said offset tip when said device is operated, a source of electric oscillating energy, a pair of electric conductors connecting said transducer with said source of energy whereby said tip will oscillate at a predetermined ultrasonic frequency in contact with a flow of water for cleaning teeth.

Claim 6

The construction recited in claim 3 wherein said collar has a circular recess in each side thereof coaxial with the axis of said collar and positioned in adjacent relation including a plurality of spaced holes through said collar connecting each opposite said recess whereby water will flow from the outlet of said bore along said handle into the rear said recess and through at least one of said holes through said collar into the front recess and then into the inlet of said extension of said head when the latter is radially misaligned from said handle through a predetermined angle with respect to the normal central radial alignment with said handle.

Claim 7

The construction recited in claim 3 wherein an interchangeable toothbrush-type applicator and an interchangeable head means are substituted in said device for abrading-type applicator and its corresponding head means respectively, said brush-type applicator having an outer offset terminating in a toothbrush with bristles extending from one side thereof including a passage through said offset of said interchangeable head means for conducting water from said head and applicator to said bristles for brushing the teeth when said bristles are ultrasonically oscillated when said device is operated.