MEDICAL OR DENTAL INSTRUMENT PART

Abstract

A medical or dental instrument part having a coupling device for connecting the instrument part to a control, regulating or supply unit, a memory device that can be operated with electrical power for storing identification data and/or operating and/or care data of the instrument part and at least one electrical line, which is provided for supplying electrical power to a lighting device that is provided on the instrument part or can be connected to the instrument part for operating the lighting device and for supplying electrical power to the memory device for operating the memory device. In addition, a medical or dental treatment device having such a medical or dental instrument part and a corresponding method for supplying electrical power to a lighting device and to a memory device by at least one electrical line are provided.

Claims

1. A medical or dental instrument part, comprising: a coupling device for connecting the instrument part to a control, regulating or supply unit, a memory device that can be operated with electrical power for storing identification data and/or operating and/or care data of the instrument part, and at least one electrical line for supplying electrical power to a lighting device that is provided on the instrument part or can be connected to the instrument part for operating the lighting device and for supplying electrical power to the memory device for operating the memory device.

2. The medical or dental instrument part according to claim 1, herein the memory device comprises a memory element and a microcontroller.

3. The medical or dental instrument part according to claim 1, wherein the at least one electrical line consists of one electrical line for supplying electrical power to the lighting device for operating the lighting device, for supplying electrical power to the memory device for operating the memory device and for transmitting identification data and/or operating data and/or care data between the memory device and the control, regulating or supply unit that can be connected to the instrument part.

4. The medical or dental instrument part according to claim 1, wherein the at least one electrical line consists of two electrical lines for supplying electrical power to the lighting device for operating the lighting device, for supplying electrical power to the memory device for operating the memory device and for transmitting identification data and/or operating data and/or care data between the memory device and the control, regulating or supply unit that can be connected to the instrument part.

5. The medical or dental instrument part according to claim 1, comprising at least one additional, separate line for transmitting identification data and/or operating data and/or care data between the memory device and the control, regulating or supply unit that can be connected to the instrument part.

6. The medical or dental instrument part according to claim 1, comprising an electrical switching dement which is assigned to the memory device and is designed to trigger changes in an electrical current parameter for transmitting identification data and/or operating data and/or care data between the memory device and the control, regulating or supply unit that can be connected to the instrument part.

7. The medical or dental instrument part according to claim 1, comprising a shunt resistor which is designed to process changes in the electrical amperage for transmission of identification data and/or operating data and/or care data between the memory device and the control, regulating or supply unit that can be connected to the instrument part.

8. The medical or dental instrument part according to claim 1, comprising a device for voltage processing which is assigned to the memory device and is designed to supply a constant electrical voltage to the memory device.

9. The medical or dental instrument part according to claim 1, comprising a device for monitoring voltage which is assigned to the lighting device and is designed to monitor the electrical voltage supplied to the lighting device.

10. The medical or dental instrument part according to claim 1, comprising at least one sensor which is designed to detect an operating state of the instrument part and to generate a sensor signal, wherein the at least one sensor is electrically connected to the at least one electrical line so that the sensor signal of the sensor and/or electrical power for operating the sensor can be transmitted over the at least one electrical line.

11. A medical or dental treatment device, comprising a medical or dental instrument part having: a coupling device for connecting the instrument part to a control, regulating or supply unit, a memory device that can be operated with electrical power for storing identification data and/or operating and/or care data of the instrument part, and at least one electrical line for supplying electrical power to a lighting device that is provided on the instrument part or can be connected to the instrument part for operating the lighting device and for supplying electrical power to the memory device for operating the memory device, an electrical power source for supplying electrical power to the lighting device and to the memory device, and a control, regulating or supply unit for exchanging identification data and/or operating data and/or care data of the instrument part with the memory device of the instrument part.

12. The medical or dental treatment device according to claim 11, wherein the electrical power source comprises a constant current source.

13. The medical or dental treatment device according to claim 11, wherein for reading out of the identification data and/or operating data and/or care data stored in the memory device, the control, regulating or supply unit is designed to detect changes in an electrical current parameter which are triggered by an electrical switching element which is assigned to the memory device of the medical or dental instrument part and which defines the identification data and/or operating data and/or care data.

14. The medical or dental treatment device according to claim 11, wherein the electrical power source and/or the control, regulating or supply unit is/are designed to vary the electrical amperage which can be supplied to a shunt resistor of the medical or dental instrument part and the memory device for transmitting data to the memory device.

15. The medical or dental treatment device according to claim 11, wherein the control, regulating or supply unit is designed to operate the instrument part on the basis of identification data and/or operating data and/or care data stored in the memory device and read out of the memory device, and/or on the basis of a sensor signal received from at least one sensor of the medical or dental instrument part which is electrically connected to the at least one electrical line.

16. A method for operating a medical or dental instrument part, comprising: providing a coupling device for connecting the instrument to a control, regulating or supply unit; providing a memory device that can be operated with electrical power for storing identification data and/or operating data and/or care data of the instrument part; using at least one electrical line to supply electrical power to a lighting device that is provided on the instrument part or can be connected to the instrument part for operation of the lighting device and to supply electrical power to a memory device for operation of the memory device.

17. The method for operating a medical or dental instrument part according to claim 16, wherein no more than two electrical lines supply electrical power to the lighting device for operation of the lighting device and to the memory device for operation of the memory device and transmit identification data and/or operating data and/or care data between the memory device and a control, regulating or supply unit that can be connected to the instrument part.

18. The method for operating a medical or dental instrument part according to claim 16, wherein at least one additional, separate line transmits the identification data and/or operating data and/or care data between the memory device and the control, regulating or supply unit that can be connected to the instrument part.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0053] FIG. 1 shows a medical or dental treatment device comprising: a medical or dental instrument part with a lighting device, a memory device and at least one joint electrical line for supplying electrical power to the lighting device and the memory device, a drive device, a supply tube and a control, regulating or supply unit with an electrical power source for supplying electrical power to the lighting device and to the memory device.

[0054] FIG. 2 shows the medical or dental instrument part of FIG. 1.

[0055] FIG. 3 shows a schematic diagram of a first embodiment of an electrical switching circuit or current circuit having at least one joint electrical line for supplying a lighting device and a memory device.

[0056] FIG. 4 shows a schematic diagram of a second embodiment of an electrical switching circuit or current circuit having at least one joint electrical line for supplying a lighting device and a memory device.

[0057] FIGS. 5A-5C show three different embodiments of a lighting device and a sensor for an electrical switching circuit or current circuit of FIG. 4 or 5.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0058] FIG. 1 shows a medical or dental treatment device 11, comprising a medical or dental instrument part 1, a drive unit 14, a control, regulating or supply unit 4 and a supply tube 15 connecting the instrument part 1 to the control, regulating or supply unit 4. The instrument part 1 is releasably connected to the control, regulating or supply unit 4 by a coupling device 3.

[0059] The instrument part 1 shown on an enlarged scale in FIG. 2 is formed by a bent handpiece or contra-angle handpiece 17. The handpiece 17 comprises a handpiece head 17A, in which a tool holder for fastening a tool, releasably in particular, is disposed as well as a handle part 17B for holding the handpiece 17 with one hand. The coupling device 3 and/or at least a portion thereof is/are disposed on the free or proximal end of the handle part 17B.

[0060] The drive unit 14 comprises, for example, an electric motor or an air motor, designed as separate components releasable from the handpiece 17 (as shown in FIG. 1) or integrated into the handpiece 17, However, the drive unit 14 may also comprise an impeller disposed in the handpiece 17, in particular in the handpiece head 17A and driven by a propellant gas. The handpiece 17 may thus be motor operated and may have at least one driveshaft for transmitting a drive movement to the tool or may be designed to be operated by propellant gas with an impeller. In both cases the handpiece 17 comprises at least one drive element that can be set in rotation for driving a tool that is connectable to the handpiece.

[0061] The handpiece 17 additionally comprises a lighting device 2, which is preferably disposed on the handpiece head 17A or adjacent thereto. The lighting device 2 shown in FIG. 2 comprises in particular a plurality of optical semiconductor elements (LEDs) disposed in a ring around the tool receptacle opening 16 of the handpiece head 17A.

[0062] In addition, openings for dispensing a medium, for example, water and/or air, are preferably disposed around the tool receptacle opening 16, preferably in alternation with the optical semiconductor elements. The openings for dispensing a medium are connected by at least one media line in the handpiece 17 to the control, regulating or supply unit 4 for supplying at least one medium.

[0063] In addition, a memory device for storing identification data and/or operating data and/or care data of the instrument part 1 or the handpiece 17 and which can be operated with electric power is disposed in the instrument part 1 or the handpiece 17. The memory device 5 may be disposed in the handpiece head 17A or in the handle part 17B or one part of the memory device 5 may be provided in the handpiece head 17A and another in the handle part 17B. Within the handle part 17B the memory device 5 or a portion thereof is disposed, for example, on its proximal or free end, in particular in or on the coupling device 3, in a section of the handle part 17B connected directly to the handpiece head 17A or in a bend 18 of the handle part 17B.

[0064] The memory device 5 comprises in particular a memory element 5A and a microcontroller 5B, in particular for operating the memory part 5A (see FIGS. 3 and 4).

[0065] As can be seen in particular from FIGS. 3 and 4, the instrument part 1 or the handpiece 17 additionally comprises at least one (joint) electrical line 6A, 6B, which is provided for supplying electrical power to the lighting device 2 provided on the handpiece 17 for operation of the lighting device 2 and for supply of electrical power to the memory device 5 for operation of the memory device 5. The at least one (joint) electrical line 6A, 6B connects the lighting device 2 and the memory device 5 to an electrical power source 12, in particular a constant current source, which is disposed in the control, regulating or supply unit 4 and which is designed to supply electrical power to the lighting device 2 and to the memory device 5. As can also be seen from FIGS. 3 and 4, the at least one (joint) electrical line 6A, 6B extends through the supply tube 15 up to or into the control, regulating or supply unit 4.

[0066] The at least one (joint) electrical line 6A, 6B thus electrically connects the lighting device 2 and the memory device 5 to the control, regulating or supply unit 4, in particular its electrical power source 12 and microcontroller 19, thereby forming an electrical switching circuit, control circuit, regulating circuit or supply circuit. Preferably the switching circuit, control circuit, regulating circuit or supply circuit also includes at least one sensor 10, as described in detail further below.

[0067] The electrical power source 12 in the form of a constant current source supplies electrical power at a constant electrical amperage to the instrument part 1 or the handpiece 17. For the lighting device 2 comprising at least one optical semiconductor, this forms an optimal power supply. However, the memory device 5, in particular the microcontroller 5B, requires an electrical supply at a constant electrical voltage. Therefore, a device 8 for voltage processing is provided, which is assigned to the memory device 5, in particular the microcontroller 59, and is designed to convert the electrical power at a constant electrical amperage received from the electrical power source 12 (over the electrical line 6A, 6B) into electrical power at a constant electrical voltage and to supply this converted power to the memory device 5. The device 8 for voltage processing is disposed in the instrument part 1 or the handle 17 in particular.

[0068] According to FIG. 3, two (joint) electrical lines 6A, 6B are provided for supplying electrical power to the lighting device 2 and to the memory device 5, as described above. In addition, the two electrical lines 6A, 6B are provided for transmitting identification data and/or operating data and/or care data between the memory device 5 and the control, regulating or supply unit 4 that can be connected to the instrument part 1 or handpiece 17. In other words, no more than the two (joint) electrical lines 6A, 6B are provided for supplying electrical power to the lighting device 2 and to the memory device 5 and for the data transmission. Accordingly, the control, regulating or supply unit 4 is designed for exchanging identification data and/or operating data and/or care data of the instrument part 1 with the memory device 5.

[0069] An electrical switching element 13, which is assigned to the memory device 5 is provided for transmission of identification data and/or operating data and/or care data from the memory device 5 to the control, regulating or supply unit 4, i.e., for readout of data from the memory device 5. As already described above, the switching element 13 is designed to cause or trigger changes of an electrical current parameter, in particular the electrical voltage or the electrical load, in particular by short circuiting a shunt resistor 7. The changes in the electrical current parameter (digitally) define the transmitted data. The control, regulating or supply unit 4, in particular its microcontroller 19 is/are designed to detect or equalize the changes in the electrical current parameter and, on this basis, to detect or read out the (digitally) transmitted identification data and/or operating data and/or care data.

[0070] In addition, a shunt resistor 7 is provided in the instrument part 1 or handpiece 17 which is designed to process changes in the electrical amperage for transmission of identification data and/or operating data and/or care data between the memory device 5 and the control, regulating or supply unit 4 that can be connected to the instrument part 1. As already described above, the shunt resistor 7 is provided for storing data in the memory device 5, in particular for transmitting data from the control, regulating or supply unit 4 to the memory device 5.

[0071] Another shunt resistor 20 is assigned to the control, regulating or supply unit 4, in particular to the microcontroller 19 of the control, regulating or supply unit 4.

[0072] According to FIG. 4 two (joint) electrical lines 6A, 6B are provided for supplying electrical power to the lighting device 2 and to the memory device 5, as described above. A separate line 6C or a data line is provided for transmission of identification data and/or operating data and/or care data between the memory device 5 and the control, regulating or supply unit 4 that can be connected to the instrument part 1 or handpiece 17. In other words, three lines are provided for supplying electrical power to the lighting device 2 and to the memory device 5 and for the data transmission, namely the two (joint) electrical lines 6A, 6B for supplying electrical power and the separate line 6C for transmitting the data as described above.

[0073] The separate data line 6C may be embodied as an electrical line for transmitting electrical (data) signals or as an optical line, for example, as a glass fiber for transmitting optical (data) signals. The separate line 6C extends through the instrument part 1 or the handpiece 17 and the supply tube 15 up to or into the control, regulating or supply unit 4.

[0074] Electrical contacts 3A, 3B, which are connected to the at least one joint electrical line 6A. 6B, are provided on the coupling device 3 of the instrument part 1 or of the handpiece 17, in particular on the end face of the coupling device 3 (see FIG. 2). These releasable electrical contacts 3A, 39 connect the lighting device 2 and the memory device 5 electrically to the control, regulating or supply unit 4, in particular to the power source 12 and microcontroller 19 thereof If only two joint electrical lines 6A, 69 are provide for transmitting the electrical power and the data, as described above, then accordingly only these two electrical contacts 3A, 3B are provided on the coupling device 3. If at least one separate optical or electrical line 6C is provided for transmitting identification data and/or operating data and/or care data, then another optical or electrical contact 3C, which is connected to this at least one separate line 6C for the data transmission, is provided accordingly.

[0075] The at least one electrical contact or contacts are preferably releasably connected to the control, regulating or supply unit 4. The at least one electrical contact is, for example, designed as a pin-shaped electrical contact, as a spring contact, as a sliding contact or as an annular electrical contact surrounding a component of the coupling device.

[0076] Preferably at least one sensor 10 is provided in the medical or dental instrument part 1 or handpiece 17 which is designed to detect an operating state of the instrument part 1 or the handpiece 17 and to generate a sensor signal. The sensor 10 comprises, for example, a temperature sensor or a speed sensor for measuring the rotational speed of a drive element of the instrument part 1/handpiece 17, FIGS. 5A-5C show different arrangements of the sensor 10.

[0077] The at least one sensor 10 is electrically connect to the at least one electrical line 6A, 6B so that the sensor signal of the sensor 10 and/or electrical power for operating the sensor 10 can be transmitted over the at least one electrical line 6A, 6B.

[0078] The at least one sensor 10 is preferably also electrically connected to the memory device 5, in particular to the microcontroller 5B, so that a sensor signal of the sensor 10 in particular can be forwarded to the memory device 5. The memory device 5, in particular the microcontroller 5B is/are optionally designed (1) to forward the (analog) sensor signal of the sensor 10 preferably to the control, regulating or supply unit 4, in particular to its microcontroller 19, or (2) to convert the analog sensor signal into a digital signal and to send it to the control, regulating or supply unit 4, in particular to its microcontroller 19, or (3) to receive and process the (analog) sensor signal of the sensor 10 and to operate, regulate or control the instrument part 1/handpiece 17 or a component thereof, based on the sensor signal. Preferably, the sensor signal is forwarded to the control, regulating or supply unit 4 according to (1) or (2) over at least one of the lines 6A, 6B and 6C.

[0079] In the embodiment of FIG. 5A, the sensor 10, preferably a sensor for measuring the rotational speed, is disposed electrically in series with the lighting device 2. In the embodiment of FIG. 5B, the sensor 10, preferably a sensor for measuring the temperature, is disposed in parallel electrically with the lighting device 2. In both embodiments, the sensor 10 and the lighting device 2 have a joint electrical power source 12 and they are electrically connected to the electrical lines 6A, 6B.

[0080] In the embodiment of FIG. 5C, the sensor 10, preferably a sensor for measuring the temperature, and the lighting device 2 are connected to different electrical power sources for supplying them with electrical power.

[0081] The invention is not limited to the embodiments illustrated and described here. Furthermore, all the features of all the embodiments that are described and shown here can be combined with one another.