US3755900A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Dental pulp tester
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1972-03-03
•
Granted: 1973-09-04
•
Expires: 1992-03-03
Abstract
Abstract A compact battery operated dental nerve stimulator, commonly referred to as a pulp tester is constructed so that a patient is not required to hold a ground electrode and so that the output voltage stimulus can be varied with one hand while the probe electrode remains in contact with the patient''s tooth. A logarithmic output level control permits the operator to very gradually change the stimulus level at low voltages in order to minimize patient discomfort in situations where a tooth may be hypersensitive and to rapidly change stimulus level at higher voltages for the purpose of testing teeth with reduced sensitivity. Additionally, a switch is provided for turning the stimulus on and off independent of outout level and to simultaneously illuminate the work area.
Inventors
- 👤 J Friedman
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 18:40
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B5/00; A61B5/05; A61B5/053; A61B5/0534; A61C; A61C19/00; A61C19/04
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
118 words
A dental pulp tester comprising an elongated housing; a probe extending from said housing; means contained within said housing for generating stimulus voltage between said housing and said probe for application to a test area including an oscillator circuit having a potentiometer to control the magnitude of said voltage, a battery and a normally open ON-OFF switch connecting said battery to said oscillator circuit; button means for actuating said ON-OFF switch disposed outside and perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of said housing; and a circular dial ganged to said potentiometer disposed in a plane parallel to and running through the longitudinal axis of said housing with a segment protruding perpendicularly from said housing contiguous to said button means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
118 words
A dental pulp tester comprising an elongated housing; a probe extending from said housing; means contained within said housing for generating stimulus voltage between said housing and said probe for application to a test area including an oscillator circuit having a potentiometer to control the magnitude of said voltage, a battery and a normally open ON-OFF switch connecting said battery to said oscillator circuit; button means for actuating said ON-OFF switch disposed outside and perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of said housing; and a circular dial ganged to said potentiometer disposed in a plane parallel to and running through the longitudinal axis of said housing with a segment protruding perpendicularly from said housing contiguous to said button means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
44 words
A dental pulp tester in accordance with claim 1 wherein said potentiometer has a logarithmic resistance taper which gradually increase between one end and the physical midpoint of said potentiometer and which increases rapidly between the midpoint and the other end of said potentiometer.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
65 words
A dental pulp tester in accordance with claim 2 further comprising an optically conductive nose piece disposed between said housing and said probe, a lamp, and a friction chuck disposed within a through bored hole in said nose piece adjusted to accept and make electrical contact with said probe, and wherein said lamp is disposed within a partially bored eccentric hole in said nose piece.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
27 words
A dental pulp tester in accordance with claim 3 wherein said ON-OFF switch is connected to simultaneously energize said oscillator and said lamp independently of said potentiometer.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
74 words
A dental pulp tester in accordance with claim 4 wherein said housing is a hollow electrically conductive cylinder, a panel board is fastened on the wall of and parallel to the longitudinal axis of said housing at a first end thereof contiguous to said nose piece, a cap is screwed to a second end of said housing and wherein said button means is disposed between said nose piece and said dial through said panel.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
62 words
A dental pulp tester in accordance with claim 5 wherein said oscillator circuit consists of a single transistor blocking oscillator mounted on a circuit board fastened to said housing and connected to produce output voltage pulses having peak to peak magnitude in the range between 300 and 400 volts and a frequency in the range between 400 and 4,000 cycles per second.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3207151A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-09-03 | 1977-03-05 | 1977-09-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-09-03 | 1981-03-05 | 1981-09-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-09-03 | 1985-03-05 | 1985-09-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |