Patent ID: 7997899

Claim:
A sterilizable dental handpiece comprising: an elongate tubular member having a proximal end having a first coupling member adapted to connect to a second coupling member supplying electrical power and fluid under pressure to the handpiece, and a distal end having a tool receiver for detachably holding a dental tool in the handpiece; a brushless electric motor in the tubular member toward the proximal end comprising a stator having electric windings, and a rotor comprising a central axial shaft and permanent magnets carried on the shaft, the stator being positioned in an annular chamber in the tubular member and being sealed to protect the stator windings against exposure to moisture and contaminants; an electrical lead extending from the first coupling member at the proximal end of the tubular member into the chamber to conduct electrical power to the stator windings; bearings mounting the rotor for rotation within and relative to the stator and securing the rotor against axial movement within the tubular member; a spring member disposed between the second coupling member and a bearing mounting the rotor; and a drive transmission toward the distal end of the tubular member mounted for rotation within the tubular member and connecting an end of the rotor to the tool receiver for rotating the tool receiver when the motor is activated; wherein the motor and transmission are fixedly mounted within the handpiece with the handpiece presenting an end for connection to both sources of supply of electrical power and of fluid to the handpiece for reducing the length and weight of the handpiece for ease of use.