Patent ID: 7534104

Claim:
An adapter for use in a handpiece system that includes a supply conduit and a medical instrument having an electrical operating element thereon, the adapter comprising: an adapter body having a first body end, a second body end, and a substantially straight longitudinal axis extending between the first and second body ends, wherein the first body end is adapted for attachment to one of the supply conduit and the medical instrument and the second body end is adapted for attachment to the other of the supply conduit and the medical instrument; and first and second adapter electrical leads connectable to a voltage or power supply, wherein, when the adapter is in place between the supply conduit and the medical instrument with the adapter electrical leads electrically connected to the supply conduit and to the medical instrument, electrical power is received by the adapter from the supply conduit and transmitted through the adapter to the operating element, and wherein the adapter is selectively switchable without disassembly by a manual operation to move the adapter leads relative to the supply conduit to match a polarity of the electrical power transmitted from the supply conduit to a polarity required by the operating element, wherein the first adapter electrical lead comprises a first end and the second adapter electrical lead comprises a second end, said first and second ends being axially offset along the longitudinal axis of the adapter body such that the first end is located a first distance from the first body end and the second end is located a second distance from the first body end, where the first distance is not equal to the second distance, wherein the adapter comprises a hollow space for releasable accommodation of a coupling spigot, and wherein said first and second ends are located at the periphery of said hollow space.