US5921777A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Dental and surgical handpiece with disposable cartridge
Assignee: Healthpoint Ltd
•
Filing: 1998-06-26
•
Granted: 1999-07-13
•
Expires: 2018-06-26
Abstract
Abstract A dental and surgical handpiece with disposable cartridge of the present invention includes a reusable handpiece and a disposable cartridge. The disposable cartridge contains all the major moving parts that provide torque and RPM for high speed dental drilling. The disposable cartridge detachably couples with the head of the reusable handpiece. The handpiece can be heat sterilized after the disposable cartridge is removed. The performance of the handpiece is not reduced by the sterilization since the turbine and bearings are contained in the disposable cartridge.
Inventors
- 👤 Paul Dorman
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 22:48
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61C; A61C1/00; A61C1/02; A61C1/05; A61C1/08; A61C1/14
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
84 words
A dental tool comprising: an elongated handpiece having a power input end and a power output end generally opposite the power input end; a dental tool cartridge slide-lockingly and detachably coupled where the power output end of the handpiece operatively terminates; and a tongue being formed on an exterior surface of one of the cartridge and the handpiece and a groove for matingly interlocking with the tongue being formed on the other of the cartridge and the handpiece; the groove having a dovetailed shape.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
84 words
A dental tool comprising: an elongated handpiece having a power input end and a power output end generally opposite the power input end; a dental tool cartridge slide-lockingly and detachably coupled where the power output end of the handpiece operatively terminates; and a tongue being formed on an exterior surface of one of the cartridge and the handpiece and a groove for matingly interlocking with the tongue being formed on the other of the cartridge and the handpiece; the groove having a dovetailed shape.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
11 words
The dental tool of claim 1 wherein the cartridge is disposable.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
20 words
The dental tool of claim 1 wherein the groove extends transversely with respect to a longitudinal axis of the handpiece.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
30 words
The dental tool of claim 1 wherein the groove has opposite ends, and a width that is tapered smaller from one of the ends to the other of the ends.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
30 words
The dental tool of claim 1 wherein the tongue has opposite ends, and a width that is tapered smaller from one of the ends to the other of the ends.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
51 words
The dental tool of claim 1 comprising a fluid power port on the power output end of the handpiece and a fluid power port on the cartridge which registers with the fluid power port on the power output end of the handpiece when the cartridge is fully coupled with the handpiece.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
33 words
The dental tool of claim 6 wherein the cartridge has a passage therein fluidly operatively connecting the port of the power output end of the handpiece with a turbine mounted in the cartridge.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
13 words
The dental tool of claim 1 wherein the cartridge includes a drilling bur.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
92 words
A dental tool comprising: an elongated handpiece having a power input end and a power output end generally opposite the power input end; a dental tool cartridge slide-lockingly and detachably coupled where the power output end of the handpiece operatively terminates; and a tongue being formed on an exterior surface of one of the cartridge and the handpiece and a groove for matingly interlocking with the tongue being formed on the other of the cartridge and the handpiece; the tongue having a dovetailed shape adapted to slidingly fit snugly in the groove.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
92 words
A dental tool comprising: an elongated handpiece having a power input end and a power output end generally opposite the power input end; a dental tool cartridge slide-lockingly and detachably coupled where the power output end of the handpiece operatively terminates; and a tongue being formed on an exterior surface of one of the cartridge and the handpiece and a groove for matingly interlocking with the tongue being formed on the other of the cartridge and the handpiece; the tongue having a dovetailed shape adapted to slidingly fit snugly in the groove.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
136 words
A dental tool comprising: an elongated handpiece having a power input end and a power output end generally opposite the power input end; a dental tool cartridge slide-lockingly and detachably coupled where the power output end of the handpiece operatively terminates; the cartridge having a substantially planar exterior surface thereon for mechanically engaging and fluidly coupling with a substantially planar surface on the handpiece; and an air power port on the power output end of the handpiece intersecting the planar surface of the handpiece and registering with an air power port on the cartridge which is in communication with an air turbine housed within the cartridge; whereby upon mechanical engagement, the planar surfaces of the cartridge and the handpiece sealingly engage each other so as to define a sealed fluid coupling surrounding the air power ports.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
136 words
A dental tool comprising: an elongated handpiece having a power input end and a power output end generally opposite the power input end; a dental tool cartridge slide-lockingly and detachably coupled where the power output end of the handpiece operatively terminates; the cartridge having a substantially planar exterior surface thereon for mechanically engaging and fluidly coupling with a substantially planar surface on the handpiece; and an air power port on the power output end of the handpiece intersecting the planar surface of the handpiece and registering with an air power port on the cartridge which is in communication with an air turbine housed within the cartridge; whereby upon mechanical engagement, the planar surfaces of the cartridge and the handpiece sealingly engage each other so as to define a sealed fluid coupling surrounding the air power ports.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US2090885A
Cited
US2785464A
Cited
US3418715A
Cited
US3469318A
Cited
US3376084A
Cited
US3653127A
Cited
US3909946A
Cited
US3826004A
Cited
US3949748A
Cited
US3955284A
Cited
US4021917A
Cited
US4211009A
Cited
US4219330A
Cited
US4255143A
Cited
US4266933A
Cited
US4277236A
Cited
US4470812A
Cited
US4792304A
Cited
US4921424A
Cited
US5252067A
Cited
US5538425A
Cited
US5352119A
Cited
US5306147A
Cited
US5571012A
Cited
US5772435A
Cited
US5797743A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2002-07-12 | 2003-01-11 | 2003-07-13 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2006-07-12 | 2007-01-11 | 2007-07-13 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2010-07-12 | 2011-01-11 | 2011-07-13 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |