Patent ID: 6099494
Filing Date: 2000-08-08
Classification: A61B,A61M,Y10S

Abstract:
An irrigating handpiece comprising:a body shaped to have a front end through which an irrigating fluid is discharged and a handgrip spaced from said front end;a pump disposed in said body for discharging the irrigating fluid, said pump having a discharge head that is directed towards said front end through which the irrigating fluid is discharged;a motor disposed in said body that is connected to said pump for driving said pump, said motor being actuated at different speeds to control the discharge of fluid by said pump in response to the application of a variable potential drive signal thereto;a trigger that is movably mounted to a surface of said handgrip that is held during use of said handpiece;a power cord connected to said body over which the drive signal is supplied; anda voltage control unit disposed in said body and connected between said power cord and said motor for controlling the potential of the drive signal applied to said motor, said voltage control unit having: a static member to which said power cord is attached and to which said drive signal is applied, said static member having at least one exposed, conductive surface; and a wiper that extends from said motor so as to selectively contact the conductive surface of said static member so as to open/close a connection over which the drive signal is applied to said motor and wherein the potential of the drive signal applied to said motor is a function of the position of said wiper on said conductive surface and said wiper is connected to said trigger so as to be selectively positioned across the conductive surface by movement of said trigger.