US4966552A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Sterilizable non-lubricated rotary instrument for dental and medical use
Assignee: Dentalez Inc
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Filing: 1989-05-08
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Granted: 1990-10-30
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Expires: 2009-05-08
Abstract
Abstract A handpiece particularly suited for medical/dental applications in which a rotary tool is used upon and in proximity with anatomical structures. The handpiece has an anti-friction bearing assembly which mounts the rotary tool. At least the rolling elements of the bearing assembly are formed of ceramic material. The instrument may be sterilized repeatedly without requiring lubrication either in use or between sterilization cycles.
Inventors
- 👤 Donald I. Gonser
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 14:17
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16C; F16C33/00; F16C33/30; F16C33/32; A; A61; A61C; A61C1/00; A61C1/08; A61C1/18; A61C1/181; F16C33/303; F16C19/00; F16C19/02; F16C19/04; F16C19/06; F16C19/54; F16C2206/00; F16C2206/40; F16C2206/58; F16C2206/60; F16C2240/00; F16C2240/40; F16C2240/70; F16C2316/00; F16C2316/10; F16C2316/13; F16C27/00; F16C27/06; F16C27/066; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S415/00; Y10S415/904
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 23
Claim 1
Independent Claim
119 words
In a hand-held instrument particularly suited for use in medical and dental applications requiring periodic sterilization, the instrument including a handle, a rotary tool adapted to be carried by the handle, and an anti-friction bearing assembly for rotatably mounting the tool to the handle, the instrument handle adapted to being releasably secured to a power supply for the rotary tool to enable the instrument to be sterilized periodically, the bearing assembly including inner and outer raceways containing therebetween a plurality of rolling elements, the improvement wherein at least said rolling elements are formed of a hard, dense, wear-resistant non-metallic material, whereby the instrument can be sterilized repeatedly in hostile environments without adversely affecting the performance of the bearing assembly.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
119 words
In a hand-held instrument particularly suited for use in medical and dental applications requiring periodic sterilization, the instrument including a handle, a rotary tool adapted to be carried by the handle, and an anti-friction bearing assembly for rotatably mounting the tool to the handle, the instrument handle adapted to being releasably secured to a power supply for the rotary tool to enable the instrument to be sterilized periodically, the bearing assembly including inner and outer raceways containing therebetween a plurality of rolling elements, the improvement wherein at least said rolling elements are formed of a hard, dense, wear-resistant non-metallic material, whereby the instrument can be sterilized repeatedly in hostile environments without adversely affecting the performance of the bearing assembly.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
14 words
An instrument according to claim 1 wherein said bearing assembly is free of lubricants.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
17 words
An instrument according to claim 1 wherein said rolling elements are randomly spaced apart between said raceways.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
34 words
An instrument according to claim 1 wherein said rotary element material has a density of less than about 5.0 g/cm 3 and a hardness of at least about 75 Rockwell C at 20° C.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
12 words
An instrument according to claim 1 wherein said material is a ceramic.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
12 words
An instrument according to claim 1 wherein said material is silicon nitride.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
12 words
An instrument according to claim 1 wherein said rolling elements include spheres.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
22 words
An instrument according to claim 1 wherein said rolling elements have diameters in a range of about 0.5 to about 5.0 mm.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
24 words
An instrument according to claim 1 wherein at least one of said raceways is of a material like the material of said rolling elements.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
120 words
In a powered hand held instrument having a proximal end portion adapted to mount a rotary tool for use upon or in proximity with a portion of anatomy, including a bearing assembly carried in said end portion for rotatably mounting said tool; said bearing assembly including an annular inner raceway, an annular outer raceway, and a plurality of rolling elements contained between said raceways for mounting them for motion relative to one another; the improvement wherein at least said rolling elements are formed of a hard, dense, wear-resistant non-metallic material cooperable with said raceways to accommodate without lubrication rotational speeds of said tool in excess of 300,000 rpm and to accommodate repeated sterilization procedures of said instrument without intervening lubrication.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
120 words
In a powered hand held instrument having a proximal end portion adapted to mount a rotary tool for use upon or in proximity with a portion of anatomy, including a bearing assembly carried in said end portion for rotatably mounting said tool; said bearing assembly including an annular inner raceway, an annular outer raceway, and a plurality of rolling elements contained between said raceways for mounting them for motion relative to one another; the improvement wherein at least said rolling elements are formed of a hard, dense, wear-resistant non-metallic material cooperable with said raceways to accommodate without lubrication rotational speeds of said tool in excess of 300,000 rpm and to accommodate repeated sterilization procedures of said instrument without intervening lubrication.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
13 words
An instrument according to claim 10 wherein said non-metallic material is a ceramic.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
20 words
An instrument according to claim 11 wherein said ceramic is selected from the group consisting of nitrides, carbides and borides.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
47 words
An instrument according to claim 12 wherein said material has a density of at least 5.0 g/cm 3 , a hardness of at least 75 Rockwell C at 20° C., and a coefficient of dry sliding friction of less than about 0.30 with respect to stainless steel.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
12 words
An instrument according to claim 13 wherein said material is silicon nitride.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
104 words
A non-lubricated, sterilizable, powered hand held instrument for operating a rotary tool upon or in close proximity with a portion of anatomy, including a bearing assembly carried in said instrument for rotatably mounting said tool to said instrument; said bearing assembly including an annular inner raceway, an annular outer raceway, and a plurality of rolling elements contained between said raceways, at least said rolling elements being formed of a hard, dense, wear-resistant non-metallic material cooperable with said raceways to accommodate, without lubrication, rotational speeds of said tool in excess of 300,000 rpm and to accommodate repeated sterilization procedures of said instrument without intervening lubrication.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
104 words
A non-lubricated, sterilizable, powered hand held instrument for operating a rotary tool upon or in close proximity with a portion of anatomy, including a bearing assembly carried in said instrument for rotatably mounting said tool to said instrument; said bearing assembly including an annular inner raceway, an annular outer raceway, and a plurality of rolling elements contained between said raceways, at least said rolling elements being formed of a hard, dense, wear-resistant non-metallic material cooperable with said raceways to accommodate, without lubrication, rotational speeds of said tool in excess of 300,000 rpm and to accommodate repeated sterilization procedures of said instrument without intervening lubrication.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
25 words
An instrument according to claim 15 wherein at least one of said raceways is fabricated of a material like said material of said rolling elements.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
25 words
An instrument according to claim 15 wherein said rolling elements are movable relative to one another in the space between said inner and outer raceways.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
16 words
An instrument according to claim 15 wherein said rolling elements are fabricated of a ceramic material.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
26 words
An instrument according to claim 18 wherein said ceramic material is selected from the group consisting of: silicon nitride, silicon carbide, aluminum oxide, and zirconium oxide.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
18 words
An instrument according to claim 15 including a retainer for spacing the rolling elements apart between said raceways.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1993-10-29 | 1994-04-30 | 1994-10-30 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1997-10-29 | 1998-04-30 | 1998-10-30 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2001-10-29 | 2002-04-30 | 2002-10-30 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |