Patent ID: 6106287
Filing Date: 2000-08-22
Classification: A61C

Abstract:
In a system for employing a dental handpiece the dental handpiece having a proximal end and a distal end, said proximal end carrying proximal terminations of at least two conduits, the improvement comprising an adapter--coupling--filter system, comprising;a) an adapter having a distal end releasably attachable on said proximal end of said handpiece, a plurality of passageways therethrough, each of said conduits being coupled to one of said passageways when said adapter is attached to said handpiece, said passageways opening at a proximal end of said adapter;b) a proximal coupling releasably coupled to said adapter, said proximal coupling including a plurality of passages therethrough, each passage being coupled to one of said passageways when said coupling is coupled to said adapter;c) a flow path defined by one passage, one passageway and one conduit, said flow path being adapted to be connected to a source of water, said proximal coupling having a filter chamber including an opening to the exterior, the filter chamber within the proximal coupling fluidly connected to said one passage, and at least one filter within said filter chamber, the at least one filter being accessible for removal after a cap enclosing the opening to the exterior has been removed, wherein water flows through the at least one filter within the filter chamber from said source toward said one passageway.