Abstract:
An ultrasonic dental insert having at least one light source. A first transducer generates ultrasonic vibrations. A connecting body has a proximal end and a distal end having a tip attached thereto. The proximal end is attached to the first transducer so as to receive the ultrasonic vibrations therefrom and to transmit the ultrasonic vibrations toward the tip attached to the distal end. A second transducer is disposed substantially proximate to the connecting body for generating a voltage signal in response to movement of a portion of the connecting body according to the ultrasonic vibrations. At least one light source substantially proximate to the tip is connected to and receives the voltage signal from the second transducer to generate light. The ultrasonic dental insert may be inserted into a handpiece for providing electromagnetic energy to the first transducer to generate the ultrasonic vibrations.

Description:
BACKGROUND  
       [0001]     Dental practitioners use ultrasonic dental tools (instruments) for dental treatments and procedures, such as scaling, periodontal treatments, root canal therapy, and the like. An ultrasonic dental tool typically includes a handpiece coupled at one end (i.e., a proximal end) to an electrical energy source and a fluid source via a cable. The cable includes a hose to provide a fluid (e.g., water), and conductors to provide electrical energy.  
         [0002]     The other end (i.e., a distal end) of the handpiece has an opening intended to receive a replaceable insert with a transducer (e.g., a magnetostrictive transducer) carried on the insert. The transducer extends from a proximal end of the insert into a hollow interior of the handpiece. An ultrasonically vibrated tip extends from a distal end of the insert.  
         [0003]     Since a mouth is a small space in which to work, it is often difficult to see well into all regions of the mouth under the best of conditions. When a dental practitioner cannot see clearly in the field of work, it is more likely that painful slips can occur. The often sharp implements, vibrating at ultrasonic frequencies, can do considerable harm to soft tissue (such as gum tissue) resulting in bleeding and pain.  
         [0004]     The large and focused lamp that hangs over the field of work while the dental practitioner uses ultrasonic dental tools in the patient&#39;s mouth often becomes obscured when the dental practitioner leans closely toward the patient to work in confined spaces within the mouth. The suddenly darker field is more difficult in which to work accurately. Small slips and injuries can result.  
         [0005]     Therefore, it is desirable to provide an ultrasonic dental tool that can bring light directly into the field of work (i.e., patient&#39;s mouth). If such light can be provided using a source of energy already available in existing ultrasonic dental tools, circuit complexity and energy requirements can be reduced.  
       SUMMARY  
       [0006]     In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, an ultrasonic dental insert has at least one light source. The ultrasonic dental insert includes a first transducer for generating ultrasonic vibrations. The ultrasonic dental insert also includes a connecting body having a proximal end and a distal end having a tip attached thereto. The proximal end is attached to the first transducer so as to receive the ultrasonic vibrations therefrom and to transmit the ultrasonic vibrations toward the tip attached to the distal end.  
         [0007]     A second transducer is disposed on the insert, substantially proximate to the connecting body and generates a voltage signal in response to movement of a portion of the connecting body according to the ultrasonic vibrations. At least one light source substantially proximate to the tip is connected to and receives the voltage signal from the second transducer to generate light.  
         [0008]     The ultrasonic dental insert may be inserted into a handpiece for providing electromagnetic energy to the first transducer to generate the ultrasonic vibrations, to form an ultrasonic dental tool having a light source.  
         [0009]     In another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a method of generating light used during dental procedures is provided. Ultrasonic vibrations are generated using a first transducer attached to a proximal end of a connecting body having a proximal end and a distal end having a tip attached thereto. The ultrasonic vibrations are transmitted through the connecting body toward the tip attached to the distal end of the connecting body. A voltage signal is generated using a second transducer disposed along the insert, substantially proximate to the connecting body in response to the movement of a portion of the connecting body according to the ultrasonic vibrations. The light is emitted from at least one light source substantially proximate to the tip and connected to the second transducer using the voltage signal.  
         [0010]     In yet another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a method of illuminating a work region is provided. Mechanical energy is received at a generator, said generator being mechanically supported by a tool handle, said tool handle being adapted to support an ultrasonic tool tip. The mechanical energy is converted to electromagnetic energy, and a work region is illuminated using at least a portion of said electromagnetic energy.  
         [0011]     In still another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a method of cleaning a tooth surface is provided. An ultrasonic signal is received at a dental tool handpiece. The ultrasonic signal is converted to an ultrasonic motion of a connecting body supporting a dental tool tip. The ultrasonic motion of said connecting body is coupled to an electrical generator. An electrical current is generated with said electrical generator. At least one light source is energized with said electrical current. The dental tool tip is contacted to a surface of a tooth. The surface of a tooth adjacent said dental tool tip is illuminated with said light source.  
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0012]     These and other aspects of the invention may be understood by reference to the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:  
         [0013]      FIG. 1  illustrates an ultrasonic dental unit (or system) including an ultrasonic dental tool attached to an electrical energy &amp; fluid source;  
         [0014]      FIG. 2  is a top view of a dental tool insert having an integrated light source in an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0015]      FIG. 3  is a side view of the dental tool insert of  FIG. 2 , which has been rotated by approximately 90 degrees from the top view depicted in  FIG. 2 ;  
         [0016]      FIG. 4  illustrates a tip for the dental tool insert of  FIG. 2 ;  
         [0017]      FIG. 5  illustrates the tip of  FIG. 4 , which has been rotated by approximately 90 degrees;  
         [0018]      FIG. 6  is a cross-sectional view of the dental tool insert of  FIG. 2 , taken along the line  6 - 6 ;  
         [0019]      FIG. 7  is an exploded perspective view of the dental tool insert of  FIG. 2 ;  
         [0020]      FIG. 8  is a flow diagram illustrating a method of illuminating a work region using the ultrasonic dental tool in exemplary embodiments of the present invention.  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0021]     In exemplary embodiments of the present invention, an ultrasonic dental insert has at least one integrated light source such as a light emitting diode (LED) that enables a dental practitioner to cast light on the work field while applying a tool to the teeth. The light source is energized by the already available ultrasonic vibrational energy such that an additional source of energy is not needed. By way of example, a transducer such as and/or including an illumination energy coil is provided and attached to the light source such that the light source is energized using vibrational energy converted by the transducer. By way of example, as the connecting body of the dental insert moves rapidly, an alternating current (ac) voltage is generated in the illumination energy coil, which is connected in series with the light source (e.g., light emitting diode (LED)) to provide energy for light emission. In other embodiments, any other suitable transducer for converting vibrational energy to an energy for light emission may be used. The word “light source” as used herein can include one or more than one light source(s).  
         [0022]      FIG. 1  illustrates an ultrasonic dental unit including an ultrasonic dental tool  10  attached to an electrical energy &amp; fluid source  14  via a cable  12 . The cable  12  includes a conduit for carrying fluid as well as wires for carrying electrical signals from the electrical energy &amp; fluid source  14  to the ultrasonic dental tool  10 . The ultrasonic dental tool  10  includes a handpiece  200  and an insert  100  inserted into the handpiece  200 . It can be seen in  FIG. 1  that a light source  101  has been integrated with the insert  100  near its distal end, substantially proximate to a tip  102 .  
         [0023]     Referring now to  FIGS. 2 and 3 , the dental insert  100  includes the tip  102  at its distal end and an ultrasonic transducer  108  at its proximal end. The tip  102  is coupled to the transducer  108  via a connecting body  103 , which may take the form of a shaft. The tip  102  may be removably attached to the connecting body  103  so that tips can be interchanged depending on the desired application. Further, the tip  102 , when removed, may be disposed or steam autoclaved, or otherwise sterilized, after detaching it from the rest of the ultrasonic dental insert. The tip may also be made of metal or metallic alloys such as stainless steel.  
         [0024]     The connecting body  103  is made of material suitable for transmitting ultrasonic vibrations such as stainless steel. The connecting body  103  is used to deliver ultrasonic vibrations generated by the transducer  108  to the tip  102 . The transducer  108 , for example, may be attached to the connecting body  103  by soldering, welding, laser welding and/or any other suitable method.  
         [0025]     The connecting body  103  has mounted thereon an annular retaining tube  113 , which has a generally cylindrical cavity formed therein for receiving a corresponding portion of the connecting body  103 . This retaining tube is fixedly attached to the connecting body  103  such that it neither rotates nor moves laterally along the axis of the connecting body.  
         [0026]     The ultrasonic dental insert  100  also includes the hand grip  104 . The hand grip  104  has a generally cylindrical shape, and is fitted over the illumination energy bobbin  126  and secured in place. The hand grip  104  also has an opening  98  on one side at the end of which the light source  101  (e.g., LED) is disposed. The retaining tube  113  also has an O-ring  106  mounted thereon for engaging and pressing against the inner surface of the handpiece  200  so as to form a water tight seal.  
         [0027]     The tip  102  can be in the form of a scaler, an endodontic dental file, a drill, or those useful for other periodontal or surgical treatments. The tip can also be made of metal or plastic. Some of them can also have a capability of delivering fluid and/or air.  
         [0028]     The retaining tube  113  has an opening  112  formed thereon for receiving fluid from the handpiece  200 . The fluid may exit through a linear groove (e.g., a passageway)  110  that is formed on the tip  102  for delivering fluid (e.g., water) and/or air to the gum or tooth of the patient.  
         [0029]     During operation, the transducer  108  (which may be a stack of nickel plates) vibrates at a frequency equal to the natural frequency responsive to excitation induced by coils of the handpiece  200 . After the insert is placed in the handpiece and the electrical energy source is powered on, the operator manually tunes the frequency of the electrical energy source until it reaches the resonance frequency, i.e., the natural frequency of the insert. Alternatively, auto-tune units may automatically lock on the insert resonance frequency once powered on. At this time, the transducer begins vibrating. This vibration of the stack is amplified and transmitted to the tip  102  through the connecting body  103 . Any means of amplification are contemplated. Ultrasonic inserts used in the United States are typically designed to vibrate at 25 kHz or 30 kHz frequencies.  
         [0030]     In response to the ultrasonic vibration of the stack, the tip  102  of the connecting body  103  vibrates (e.g., rapid back and forth motion in the direction of the axis of the connecting body  103 ). By way of example, the motion in the direction of the axis may be between 0.00125 centimeter (cm) to 0.00375 cm depending on such factors as the vibration frequency, material used for the connecting body  103 , the length of the connecting body  103 , and the like.  
         [0031]     Referring now to  FIGS. 4 and 5 , the tip may have an elongated tapered portion  115 , and a cylindrical interface portion  114  (“base”). It can be seen in  FIG. 5  that the tapered portion  115  may be curved. The tapered portion  115  may have a circular cross section whose diameter decreases gradually from the end abutting the interface portion  114  (“the proximal end”) to the other end of the tip (“the distal end”). The distal end is applied to the gum/teeth or other patient tissues during the dental procedures.  
         [0032]     It can be seen in  FIG. 4 , that the cylindrical interface portion  114  has the linear groove  110  formed in the direction of the axis of the insert  100 . The fluid traveling through the illumination energy bobbin  126  exits through the linear groove  110  in the described embodiment. In other embodiments, the tip may have a small passageway therethrough for supplying water or other fluid to the region in the mouth being operated on, in which case a seal is provided between the bobbin  126  and the body  103 .  
         [0033]     The tip  102  may be formed as a single integrated piece with the connecting body  103 . In other embodiments, the tip may be removable. For example, the tip may have attached to the interface portion a threaded portion for engaging a threaded opening formed on the connecting body. Using such threaded engagement, the tip may be made removable. Such removability would allow the tip to be a disposable tip that is replaced after a single patient use.  
         [0034]     Referring now to  FIGS. 6 and 7 , an O-ring  136  is located between the retaining tube  113  and the bobbin  126 . When the illumination energy bobbin  126  is mounted on the retaining tube  113 , the O-ring  136  provides a seal between the retaining tube  113  and the illumination energy bobbin  126  so as to prevent undesired fluid leakage. The illumination energy bobbin  126  may be formed as one-piece, and may be slid onto and snap/pressure fit to the retaining tube  113 .  
         [0035]     The retaining tube  113  of the illustrated embodiment is locked to the connecting body  103 , and neither rotates nor moves laterally with respect to the same. This can be achieved by constructing the retaining tube  113  in two parts and welding them together over the connecting body  103 , or any other mechanical means.  
         [0036]     It can be seen in  FIGS. 6 and 7  that the illumination energy coil  99  is wound around the illumination energy bobbin  126 , which is mounted in a surrounding relationship with the connecting body  103 . The amount of voltage generated in the illumination energy coil  99  depends on such factors as the number of coil turns, the location of the illumination energy coil  99  with respect to the connecting body  103 , the speed and frequency of the connecting body movement, the material used for the connecting body, and the like.  
         [0037]     It can be seen in  FIGS. 6 and 7  that the illumination energy bobbin  126  has formed thereon a seat  142  for mounting the LED  101  thereon. Further, the illumination energy bobbin  126  has formed thereon a flange  143  and a generally cylindrical section  144 , on which the illumination energy coil  99  is mounted.  
         [0038]     The illumination energy bobbin  126  has formed thereon away from the cylindrical section  144  a connecting portion  140  which envelops the portion of the retaining tube  113 . In the described embodiment, the fluid enters the retaining tube  113  through the opening  112 , and exits the illumination energy bobbin  126  via the groove  110  in the tip  102 .  
         [0039]      FIG. 15  illustrates illuminating a work region such as the mouth of a patient using the ultrasonic dental tool according to exemplary embodiments of the present invention. First, mechanical energy is received at a generator (e.g., the illumination energy coil  99 ). The generator is mechanically supported by a tool handle (e.g., the handpiece  200 ). The tool handle is adapted to support an ultrasonic tool tip (e.g., the tip  102 ). Accordingly, an electrical energy is received at an input of an electromagnetic transducer (e.g., the handpiece coil  238 ) ( 320 ). A magnetic field is formed within the electromagnetic transducer ( 322 ). The magnetic field moves an electromechanical transducer, e.g., the ultrasonic transducer  108 , using the magnetic field ( 324 ). By moving an input member, e.g., the connecting body  103 , of the generator with the electromechanical transducer, the generator receives the mechanical energy ( 326 ). Moving the input member may involve reciprocating the input member at a frequency of from about 25 kHz to about 30 kHz.  
         [0040]     The mechanical energy is converted to electromagnetic energy ( 328 ). To achieve this, a magnetized member, e.g., the connecting body  103 , is moved past an electrical coil  99 , which may include at least one helically-wound electrical conductor. Such moving of the magnetized member may include vibration of the magnetized member in a substantially linear motion.  
         [0041]     At least a portion of the electromagnetic energy thus generated is used to illuminate the work region ( 330 ). When converting the mechanical energy to electromagnetic energy to illuminate the work region, an electrical energy may first be generated using the generator. Then the electrical signal is received through an electrical conductor at an input of a light source, which may be an LED or an incandescent lamp (e.g., halogen light bulb). Using the electrical energy, visible light is emitted from the light source.  
         [0042]     As shown in  FIG. 8 , with the illumination, a dental procedure may be performed using the tool handle ( 332 ). During the dental procedure, by way of example, a tooth is contacted with a tool tip, which is mechanically coupled to the tool handle, such that a surface of the tooth is disposed within the work region.  
         [0043]     It will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that the present invention can be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential character hereof. The present description is therefore considered in all respects to be illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is indicated by the appended claims, and all changes that come within the meaning and range of equivalents thereof are intended to be embraced therein.