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US4229168A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Contra-angle ultrasonic endodontic instrument

Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1978-08-23
•
Granted: 1980-10-21
•
Expires: 1998-08-23
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Abstract

Abstract A contra-angle ultrasonic endodontic instrument is described which includes, basically, a head mechanically coupled to the ultrasonically driven shaft of an endodontic instrument. The head includes means, such as one or more holes, to receive a shaft of an endodontic tool of relatively uniform longitudinal and lateral cross-section with its longitudinal axis at a substantial angle to the longitudinal axis of the shaft, thus, ultrasonic vibrations in the shaft are transferred to the tool.

Inventors

  • 👤 Howard W. Scholz, Jr.

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-10-25 15:30
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61C; A61C3/00; A61C3/02; A61C3/03; A61C1/00; A61C1/02; A61C1/07; A61C1/08; A61C1/14; A61C1/148

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim 114 words
A contra-angle ultrasonic endodontic instrument including: ultrasonic vibration generator means for simultaneously producing both longitudinal and lateral ultrasonic vibrations; means for actuating the ultrasonic generator means to produce vibrations; a shaft mechanically coupled to the ultrasonic generator means to vibrate both longitudinal and laterally along its main longitudinal axis; an endodontic tool of relatively uniform longitudinal and lateral cross-section that is spiraled longitudinally and that is free of indentations along its length; and means for mechanically coupling the endodontic tool to the shaft with the longitudinal axis of the tool at a substantial angle to the longitudinal axis of the shaft so that the ultrasonic vibrations in the shaft are transmitted to the tool.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 114 words
A contra-angle ultrasonic endodontic instrument including: ultrasonic vibration generator means for simultaneously producing both longitudinal and lateral ultrasonic vibrations; means for actuating the ultrasonic generator means to produce vibrations; a shaft mechanically coupled to the ultrasonic generator means to vibrate both longitudinal and laterally along its main longitudinal axis; an endodontic tool of relatively uniform longitudinal and lateral cross-section that is spiraled longitudinally and that is free of indentations along its length; and means for mechanically coupling the endodontic tool to the shaft with the longitudinal axis of the tool at a substantial angle to the longitudinal axis of the shaft so that the ultrasonic vibrations in the shaft are transmitted to the tool.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 48 words
A contra-angle ultrasonic endodontic instrument as set forth in claim 1 in which the means to couple the endodontic tool to the shaft includes a head, and means attaching the head to the shaft, the head including a transverse hole for receiving the shaft of an endodontic tool.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 70 words
A contra-angle ultrasonic endodontic instrument as set forth in claim 2 in which the means to mechanically couple the assembly includes a threaded shaft, the head having an internally threaded opening, the head being threaded onto the shaft sufficiently to cause the end of the shaft to bear against the side of the endodontic tool received in the transverse hole in the head, and to thereby hold the assembly together.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 37 words
A contra-angle ultrasonic endodontic instrument as set forth in claim 2 in which the head includes a plurality of holes for receiving the tool at any of various different angles to the longitudinal axis of the shaft.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 39 words
A contra-angle ultrasonic endodontic instrument as set forth in claim 2 in which the endodontic tool is selected from the group consisting of reamers, files, reamers and file blanks, stock, hand condensors or pluggers, orthodontic wire, and silver points.

References Cited (Backward Citations)

US3368280A Cited
US3892040A Cited
US3969823A Cited

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 1983-10-21 1984-04-21 1984-10-21 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 1987-10-21 1988-04-21 1988-10-21 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 1991-10-21 1992-04-21 1992-10-21 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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