Patent ID: 6443729
Filing Date: 2002-09-03
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
An illuminated dental mirror instrument, comprising:a handle defining an interior volume, said handle having front and rear ends; a disposable mirror containing a reflective surface and including a shank portion releasably attached to the front end of said handle; an elongated tubular member located within the interior volume of said handle; an electric light source contained within said elongated tubular member; means, optically coupled to said light source, for transmitting light emitted from said light source to the front end of said handle; a thermally conductive fluid conduit, coiled around said elongated tubular member, having an intake end and a discharge end; a fluid discharge manifold coupled to the discharge end of said fluid conduit via a fluid tube, for fluid communication with said conduit; support means, removably secured to the shank of said mirror, for supporting said discharge manifold adjacent to the reflective surface of said mirror, the fluid tube being supported by said support means, said manifold being configured to discharge fluid in a fan-like pattern over the reflective surface of said mirror; a first connector, removably connected to the rear end of said handle, containing a fluid passage removably coupled to the intake end of said fluid conduit for fluid communication with said conduit, said light source being mounted to said first connector; a second connector, removably connected to and mating with said first connector, containing a fluid passage removably coupled to the fluid passage of said first connector for fluid communication therewith, said second connector including means for conducting electric current, said current conducting means being removably electrically coupled to said light source; and means, coupled to said second connector, for coupling electrical energy and fluid to the current conducting means and fluid passage, respectively, of said second connector.