Abstract:
Accordingly, embodiments of the presently described system and method include an equine dentistry burr with a head having a first end and a second end. Some embodiments also include a shank fixably connected to the first end of the head, and wherein the shank is configured to connect the equine dentistry burr to a handpiece assembly. Further embodiments also include a floating guard coupled to at least one of the cylindrical head and the shank, and configured to rotate independently of the cylindrical head and the shank.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     A variety of tool bits, often referred to as burrs, are often used for a plurality of tasks including cutting, grinding, smoothing, grating, and abrading, among other things. Burrs may come in any number of sizes and configurations and are often found used, for example, in conjunction with die grinders, rotary tools, and dentistry drills. Often, burrs have cutting surfaces designed to cut or grind in a predetermined fashion. Burrs typically have optimal operating conditions, such as, for example, preferred rotational speeds that might vary based on the size, weight, shape, and materials thereof. For instance, as burrs increase in size, it may be desirable to rotate at higher rotational speeds than smaller-sized burrs. However, burrs that operate at higher rotational speeds can be challenging to wield. 
     The field of dentistry has adapted burrs for the particular needs of the industry. Indeed, evidence suggesting the use of primitive drills in early dentistry dates as far back as 7000 B.C. Modern dentistry relies heavily on high speed drills with specially-adapted burrs. For instance, a high speed dental drill with an appropriate burr may be used in such common procedures as removal of tooth decay and shaping tooth structure prior to insertion of a filling or a crown, among other things. In fact, dental drills tend to be so precise that they are often used by jewelers and hobbyists. 
     One category of dentistry that relies upon drills and burrs is equine dentistry. Equine dentistry presents significant challenges, including but not limited to those posed by the size of horse teeth. For instance, the size of horse teeth necessitates the use of burrs that are larger than those used in traditional dentistry. However, larger burrs may increase the risk of unintentional contact with unintended surfaces, such as soft tissue like cheeks and gums. Larger burrs may also be more difficult to control than traditional dental burrs. 
     Furthermore, in the field of equine gnathology, and the morphology of equine teeth, it is often necessary to sculpt teeth during prophylactic and equilibration procedures and this may require extensive use of grinding tools. As noted, burr contact with the soft tissues of the animal may cause discomfort and difficulty with the procedures, particularly where extensive sculpting is necessary. Likewise, because of existing designs and sizes most burrs are difficult to introduce into an equine dental arcade battery to address any anomalies present there. In addition, existing burr designs are often difficult to control when sculpting equine teeth to correct dental table angles, arcade steps, transverse ridging, and the like. Additionally, given the typical length of the handpiece, and the large size of the dental arcade, it is often difficult to exert sufficient pressure on, or to exercise sufficient control over, the grinding head of an equine dental tool. Other drawbacks and limitations with existing burrs also exist. 
     SUMMARY 
     Accordingly, one advantage of the presently disclosed burr is that it addresses the drawbacks and limitations of existing devices. 
     In addition, there is a need for a burr that may be any number of sizes, materials, and shapes without sacrificing ease of control. A burr that may be operated and controlled in constrained spaces is also desired. Furthermore, there is a need for a burr that reduces contact with unintended surfaces. Accordingly, embodiments of the presently described system and method comprise an equine dentistry burr comprising a head comprising a first end and a second end. Some embodiments also comprise a shank fixably connected to the first end of the head, and wherein the shank is configured to connect the equine dentistry burr to a handpiece assembly. Further embodiments also include a floating guard coupled to at least one of the cylindrical head and the shank, and configured to rotate independently of the cylindrical head and the shank. 
     Other advantages and features of the presently disclosed system and method will be apparent to those of skill in the art. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of one embodiment of a burr and handpiece assembly. 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of one embodiment of a burr also showing an internal bearing with a broken line. 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view of another embodiment of a burr. 
         FIG. 4  demonstrates one method of holding a burr and handpiece assembly according to the current disclosure. 
         FIG. 5  illustrates a method of use of a burr and handpiece assembly according to the current disclosure. 
         FIG. 6  illustrates another method of use of a burr and handpiece assembly. 
     
    
    
     Like reference numbers and designations in the various drawings indicate like elements. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     In the following detailed description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof, and in which is shown by way of illustration specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. These embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention, and it is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and that various changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense. 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a grinder assembly  100 . As used herein, grinding (as well as its other forms and verb tenses) also encompasses cutting, buffing, filing, grating, polishing, rubbing, sanding, scraping, smoothing, whetting, and abrading, among other things. According to one embodiment, a handpiece assembly  110  is coupled to a burr  105   a  (or  105   b ), and a vacuum pipe  115 . The burr  105   a  may be arranged substantially transversal to the handpiece assembly  110  and arranged in proximity to the vacuum pipe  115  so as to facilitate of dust and debris. The grinder assembly  100  may be configured to accept any possible number of burrs  105   a  and  105   b , such as, for instance, diamond-coated burrs and carbide burrs. However, burrs comprising any number of materials are contemplated by the present disclosure. 
     In operation, a drive line (not shown) within the handpiece assembly  110  may operate to rotate the burr  105   a  around a central axis. As the rotating burr  105   a  comes into contact with a selected material, the burr  105   a  may grind the selected material. Vacuum pipe  115  may be connected to a vacuum, or blower, system (not shown) configured to extract dust and debris removed from the selected material and that may be found in the area in which the grinder assembly  100  is used. In one embodiment, as the burr  105   a  rotates at a high speed, it may remove material from an intended surface, such as a stone, a piece of wood, or a tooth, among other things. Of course, any number of possible operational embodiments is contemplated by the current disclosure. 
       FIG. 1  also shows an example of a key  125  for holding the drive system of handpiece assembly  110  in place when installing or removing a burr  105   a ,  105   b . Of course, the type of key  125  will vary with the handpiece  110  drive system and, instead of being a separate piece as shown, may also be integral with the handpiece  110 . In addition, some embodiments may also include a cleaning rod  120  for vacuum pipe  115 . Likewise, other configurations and mechanisms for cleaning the vacuum pipe  115  may also be implemented. 
       FIG. 2  shows a burr  205  comprising a connecting member  225  (often, a shank) an external surface  220  and a floating guard  250 . In one embodiment, the floating guard  250  is connected to the burr  205  via a bearing  235 . As used herein, a bearing may comprise a plain bearing or a rolling bearing, among other things. More generally, a bearing may be any part that constrains the relative motion of two or more parts of the burr  205 . Therefore, floating guard  250  may be any type of guard configured to rotate independently of the external surface  220  of the burr  205 . In one embodiment, the burr  205  may comprise a recess  230  that offers a reduced profile and may permit parts of the drive unit of the handpiece assembly  110  to be positioned within the burr  205 . The recess  230  may also facilitate the inclusion of bearings (e.g.,  235 ) within burr  205 . In addition, recess  230  facilitates a tool head with a reduced overall lateral width, but also one that still has a grinding surface of sufficient size. Furthermore, recess  230  allows for a burr with reduced mass that, among other things, reduces wear-and-tear on the drive head mechanism, allows for quicker rotational response, and reduces the shock load on the drive line. The external surface  220  of the burr  205  may comprise any number of possible materials including, but not limited to, diamond, carbide, and steel. 
     In operation, the burr  205  may be configured to rotate with a connecting member  225 . For instance, the connecting member  225  may be driven by a drive line of a handpiece assembly  110  and may induce motion of an external surface  220  of the burr  205 . Connecting member  225  is shown as a threaded connection in  FIG. 2 , but the disclosed system is not so limited. Any suitable connecting member, such as snaps, sockets, collets, collars, or the like may be implemented to connect burr  205  to the handpiece assembly  110 . In one embodiment, as the external surface  220  of the burr  205  may rotate in a given direction and at a given speed, the floating guard  250 , which is connected to the burr  205  via a bearing  235 , may rotate in a different direction and at a different speed than the external surface  220 . Alternatively, the floating guard  250  may rotate in the same direction but at a different speed than the external surface  200 . Indeed, floating guard  250  may be stopped altogether by merely putting pressure thereon with, for instance, a finger. This embodiment may offer any number of potential advantages including facilitating maneuverability of the grinder assembly  100  and eliminating detrimental contact with unintended surfaces (e.g., the cheek or tongue of a horse). For instance, rather than potentially damaging an unintended surface with an end of the burr  205  that rotates at the same rotational speed as the external surface  220  of the burr  205 , floating guard  250  may be configured to stop completely when contacting an unintended surface while nevertheless allowing the external surface  220  of the burr  205  to continue rotating unabated. Additionally, floating guard  250  may reduce wear on the drive mechanism of a grinder assembly  100  by unintended external forces. 
       FIG. 3  demonstrates another embodiment of a burr  305  comprising an external surface  320 , a connecting member  325 , and a floating guard  350  connected to the burr  305  by way of a bearing comprising a plain bearing component  335   a  and a rolling bearing component  335   b . As shown by  FIG. 3 , any number of possible bearings, such as plain bearing  335   a  and rolling bearings  335   b , are contemplated by the present disclosure. 
     In one embodiment, when the floating guard  350  comes in contact with any stationary surface, its natural rotation may be stopped in order to prevent burning or abrasion to the contacted surface. In this embodiment, considerable pressure may be placed against the floating guard  350  without harming the burr  305  or the drive system of the grinder assembly  100 . 
       FIG. 4  demonstrates one embodiment of a grinder assembly  400  as held by a user. Grinder assembly  400  comprises a burr  405  coupled to a handpiece assembly  410  and a vacuum pipe  415  arranged in proximity thereto. Burr  405  also comprises a floating guard  450  and an external surface  420 . 
     As will be readily understood by one of ordinary skill in the art, the burr  405  comprising the floating guard  450  may promote greater control of the burr  405  and may eliminate unintended contact between the external surface  420  of the burr  405  and the area where the grinder assembly  400  is being used (e.g., soft tissue burning). For instance, in one embodiment, holding the grinder assembly  400  between fingers, such that one finger rests on the floating guard  450  and a different finger rests upon the back of the handpiece assembly  410  may allow the user to better control the head of the burr  405 , and therefore, the external surface  420  of the burr  405 . For instance, gripping both the handpiece assembly  410  and the floating guard  450  may allow a user to brace against recoil caused when the external surface  420  of the burr  405  comes in contact with a material. Such a grip may also permit a user to more readily operate a grinder assembly  400  in a tight space, such as a horse&#39;s mouth. Additionally, floating guard  450  may also reduce contact with unintended surfaces, such as, for instance, the tongue or cheek of a patient. Furthermore, embodiments of the grinder assembly  400  may be used for all types of grinding and removal of almost any type of material. 
       FIG. 5  illustrates one possible embodiment of the grinder assembly  500 . In this embodiment, the grinder assembly  500  comprises a burr  505  connected transversally to a handpiece assembly  510  and in relation to a vacuum pipe  515 . As discussed above, the grinder assembly  500  may be gripped on the handpiece assembly  510  and floating guard  550  of the burr  505 . The external surface  520  of the burr  505  may be placed in contact with a given material, such as, for instance, an equine tooth  540 . 
     In operation, the burr  505  may be used to cut an equine tooth  540  in anterior, caudal, posterial, and rostral directions (as shown by the arrows in  FIG. 5 ). A burr  505  with a recess  230  (see  FIG. 2 ) may also have a smaller profile thus facilitating access to dental arcade battery anomalies. Additional advantages may also include (a) facilitating reduction of protuberant teeth, (b) facilitating correction of cheek teeth battery table angles, (c) facilitating reduction of back ramps with correct table angles, (d) facilitating correction of excessive transverse ridging, (e) facilitating correction of arcade steps, and (f) facilitating addressing front hooks on the first cheek teeth (and installing bit seats), among other things. 
       FIG. 6  illustrates another embodiment of the grinder assembly  600  comprising a vacuum pipe  615  in proximity to the external surface  620  of the burr  605  and a floating guard  650 .  FIG. 6  demonstrates the use of the grinder assembly  600  with an equine tooth  640 . Of course, the grinder may be applied in a number of environments, and upon any number of suitable materials. For instance, burr  605  may be a variety of styles and sizes in order to facilitate the grinding of a variety of different materials such as wood, stone, bone, tooth enamel, metal, plastics, composite materials, and the like. 
     Likewise, while a generally cylindrical burr  605  is depicted, the invention is not so limited. Any suitable profile, shape, or contour may be provided to facilitate the desired result or particular application contemplated. 
     Although this invention has been described in terms of certain preferred embodiments, other embodiments that are apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art, including embodiments that do not provide all of the features and advantages set forth herein, are also within the scope of this invention. Accordingly, the scope of the present invention is defined only by reference to the appended claims and equivalents thereof.