US3731384A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Medical instrument
Assignee: ELECTRO DENT Inc
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Filing: 1971-04-22
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Granted: 1973-05-08
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Expires: 1991-04-22
Abstract
Abstract A medical device is disclosed, which employs a form of electric desensitization in connection with the use of pain-producing medical tools. The device is particularly useful in connection with dental drilling operations and includes, in the preferred embodiment, a coil mounted within a dental handpiece and a rotating permanent magnet mounted so that its magnetic flux overlaps the coil windings. Rotation of the magnet induces an electric current in the coil which flows through the drill and into the tooth to desensitize the nervous system of the tooth upon contact.
Inventors
- 👤 B Brooks
- 👤 J Farber
- 👤 T Roseman
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 01:59
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61N; A61N1/00; A61N1/18; A61N1/32; A61N1/36; A61N1/36014; A61N1/36021; A61C; A61C1/00; A61C1/08; A61C1/081
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
164 words
Dental drilling apparatus, comprising: a handpiece including a high-speed fluid turbine assembly and a source of alternating electrical potential mounted within said handpiece and adapted to be actuated by energization of said fluid turbine, said fluid turbine having an elongated rotary hub with inner and outer ends, said inner end protruding axially inwardly of said turbine assembly, said outer end forming part of a rotary chuck assembly adapted for securing to said turbine an electrically conductive dental drilling bur, said source including a stator element mounted inwardly of said fluid turbine and a rotor element secured to said hub for rotation therewith adjacent said inner end and substantially in alignment with said stator element; and means substantially concentric with said rotary hub for electrically connecting said source to said bur, whereby upon actuation of said turbine, the electrical potential generated by said source passes to said bur to effect the flow of an electric current upon contact between the bur and a patient''s tooth.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
164 words
Dental drilling apparatus, comprising: a handpiece including a high-speed fluid turbine assembly and a source of alternating electrical potential mounted within said handpiece and adapted to be actuated by energization of said fluid turbine, said fluid turbine having an elongated rotary hub with inner and outer ends, said inner end protruding axially inwardly of said turbine assembly, said outer end forming part of a rotary chuck assembly adapted for securing to said turbine an electrically conductive dental drilling bur, said source including a stator element mounted inwardly of said fluid turbine and a rotor element secured to said hub for rotation therewith adjacent said inner end and substantially in alignment with said stator element; and means substantially concentric with said rotary hub for electrically connecting said source to said bur, whereby upon actuation of said turbine, the electrical potential generated by said source passes to said bur to effect the flow of an electric current upon contact between the bur and a patient''s tooth.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
37 words
The device as recited in claim 1, wherein said rotor element comprises a substantially annular sleeve of magnetic material mounted concentrically with said hub and having permanent magnetic pole areas of alternating polarity spaced around its circumference.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
33 words
The device as recited in claim 2, wherein said stator element comprises at least one coil element having a predetermined number of windings and being secured to the interior wall of said hand-piece.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
24 words
The device as recited in claim 3, wherein the rotational axis of said rotor is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of said coil.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
54 words
The device as recited in claim 1, wherein said electrically connecting means comprises: first electrical contact means mounted on the inner end of said hub and electrically connected to said bur; and second electrical contact means electrically connected to said source and biased against said first contact means to form an electrical connection therebetween.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
28 words
The device as recited in claim 5, wherein said first and second contact means comprise first and second contact buttons, each of said buttons having a contact surface.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
59 words
The device as recited in claim 6, wherein said second contact means comprises in addition: a support member movable longitudinally relative to said first button, said second button being mounted at one end of said support member; and biasing means engaging the other end of said support member for continuously urging said contact surfaces together as said bur rotates.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
24 words
The device as recited in claim 7, wherein at least one of said first and second contact buttons is formed of silver graphite material.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
29 words
The apparatus of claim 5 in which said second contact is adapted to engage said first contact at a point lying substantially along the rotational axis of said hub.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-05-07 | 1976-11-06 | 1977-05-08 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-05-07 | 1980-11-06 | 1981-05-08 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-05-07 | 1984-11-06 | 1985-05-08 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |