Abstract
An ultrasonic instrument includes a tip portion, a transducer configured to convert electrical energy into vibrational energy, an acoustic transformer interconnecting the transducer and the tip portion, and a grip portion disposed at least partially about the acoustic transformer. The grip portion is coupled to the acoustic transformer via a resilient nodal coupling at a nodal region of the acoustic transformer. The resilient nodal coupling is configured to provide rotational and axial stability to the acoustic transformer.
Claims
1. A method of utilizing an ultrasonic instrument comprising: obtaining an ultrasonic instrument, comprising: a tip portion; a transducer configured to convert electrical energy into vibrational energy; an acoustic transformer interconnecting the transducer and the tip portion; and a grip portion disposed at least partially about the acoustic transformer, the grip portion coupled to the acoustic transformer via a soft mount comprising a resilient nodal coupling at a nodal region of the acoustic transformer, the resilient nodal coupling comprising: a resilient mount disposed at the nodal region of the acoustic transformer; and a nest defined within the grip, the nest configured to receive and contain the resilient mount, wherein the resilient nodal coupling is structured to provide rotational and axial stability to the acoustic transformer by minimizing the lateral and longitudinal movement of the grip relative to the acoustic transformer during static and dynamic phases of use of the ultrasonic instrument, and wherein an area between the acoustic transformer, the grip, and the nest provides a pathway for coolant fluid to flow across the nodal mount, grasping the grip portion; and orienting the tip portion along a line angle of a tooth.
2. The method of claim 1, further comprising, loading the tip portion.
3. The method of claim 1, wherein the grasping facilitates rotation and adaptation of the tip portion along the line angle of the tooth.
4. The method of claim 1, wherein the resilient nodal coupling includes a resilient mount disposed at the nodal region of the acoustic transformer, the resilient mount applying at least one of radial pressure or lateral force to the acoustic transformer.
5. The method of claim 4, wherein the resilient mount includes a pair of opposed protrusions defined at the nodal region of the acoustic transformer and a resilient member disposed about each of the protrusions.
6. The method of claim 1, wherein the grip portion is formed at least partially from plastic.
7. A method of assembling a resilient nodal mount onto a connecting body in an ultrasonic instrument, wherein the connecting body comprises a proximal end and a distal end and the distal end comprises a tip portion of the ultrasonic instrument, and wherein an area between the proximal end and the distal end comprise a nodal area, the nodal area comprising a disc, the method comprising: machining a slot on an underside of a tapered cylinder; placing a first O-ring parallel to the disc adjacent to a first surface of the disc and placing a second O-ring parallel to the first O-ring and adjacent to a second surface of the disc; inserting the tapered cylinder over the connecting body such that the tapered cylinder retains the first O-ring and the second O-ring; and placing a retainer over the tip portion of the connecting body and sliding the retainer over the connecting body to capture the tapered cylinder, such that the tapered cylinder and the retainer form a resilient nodal mount.
8. The method of claim 7, wherein the second O-ring is placed on surface of the disc closer to the distal end of the connecting body and the inserting comprises placing the tapered cylinder on an area of the connecting body between the second O-ring and the tip portion.
9. The method of claim 7, wherein the placing comprises moving the retainer axially toward the tapered cylinder until fingers on the retainer engage with a surface of the tapered cylinder.
10. The method of claim 9, further comprising: moving the retainer axially alone the connecting body until the first O-ring and the second O-ring are compressed and the fingers snap into position within the lot on the tapered cylinder.
11. The method of claim 7, further comprising: placing a an inverted split washer between the first O-ring and an outer diameter of the tapered cylinder.
12. The method of claim 7, further comprising: coupling a grip to the resilient nodal mount.
13. A method of assembling a soft mount onto a connecting body in an ultrasonic instrument, wherein the soft mount comprises a tapered cylinder and a retainer with at least one flange, the method comprising: sliding the tapered cylinder with a first diameter and a second diameter over a small diameter of a connecting body with a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the distal end comprises a tip portion of the ultrasonic instrument, and wherein an area between the proximal end and the distal end comprises a nodal area; orienting the tapered cylinder such that the second diameter faces the distal end of the connecting body; placing an O-ring in the nodal area; sliding the retainer over the tip of the connecting body such that the at least one flange on the retainer is aligned with and in contact with a tapered edge of the tapered cylinder, such that the tapered cylinder and the retainer compress the O-ring, forming a soft mount; and coupling a grip of a handpiece to the soft mount.
14. The method of claim 13, further comprising: locking the retainer and the tapered cylinder together by snapping a dimension on the at least one flange into a gap on the tapered cylinder.
15. The method of claim 14, wherein the snapping comprises the dimension on the at least one flange spreading as it interfaces with the tapered cylinder.
16. A method of utilizing an ultrasonic instrument comprising: obtaining an ultrasonic instrument, comprising: a tip portion; a transducer configured to convert electrical energy into vibrational energy; an acoustic transformer interconnecting the transducer and the tip portion; a grip portion disposed about a portion of the acoustic transformer, the acoustic transformer comprising a pair of opposed protrusions, the grip portion coupled to the acoustic transformer via a soft mount comprising a resilient mount disposed about the pair of opposed protrusions forming a resilient nodal coupling at a nodal region of the acoustic transformer, and a nest defined within the grip to receive and contain the resilient mount, the grip portion defining a gland area, wherein an area between the acoustic transformer, the grip, and the nest provides a pathway for coolant fluid to flow across the nodal mount; a handpiece disposed about a remaining portion of the acoustic transformer such that the grip portion and the handpiece cooperate to fully enclose the acoustic transformer, the handpiece defining an engagement area are configured to receive the gland area of the grip portion; and an elongated sealing assembly interdisposed between the gland area of the grip portion and the engagement area of the handpiece to rotatably and sealingly couple the grip portion and the handpiece to one another, wherein an outer surface of the elongated seal assembly comprises an outer surface of the ultrasonic instrument; grasping the grip portion; and orienting the tip portion along a line angle of a tooth.
17. The method of claim 16, further comprising: rotating the grip portion relative to the handpiece through 360 degrees of rotation.
18. The method of claim 17, wherein the rotating comprises applying torque between about 0.5 in-oz and about 1.5 in-oz.
19. The method of claim 16, wherein the soft mount decouples ultrasonic energy in the acoustic transformer to the grip during static and dynamic phases of use of the ultrasonic instrument.
20. The method of claim 16, wherein the transducer formed from a plurality of laminations, each lamination configured to define a plurality of bending angles along a width dimension thereof, each lamination defining a length substantially equal to one-half wavelength at an operating frequency of the ultrasonic instrument, and wherein the orienting comprises utilizing at least one of the plurality on bending angles.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0030] FIG. 1a is a side view of a connecting body provided in accordance with the present disclosure and including two protrusions at the nodal point with a resilient material placed over the protrusions;
[0031] FIG. 1aa is a transverse, cross-sectional view of FIG. 1a taken at the nodal point;
[0032] FIG. 1b is a top view of the connecting body of FIG. 1a illustrating the positioning of the resilient material over the protrusions;
[0033] FIG. 1bb is a transverse, cross-sectional view of FIG. 1b taken at the nodal point;
[0034] FIG. 2a is a side view of the connecting body of FIG. 1a shown captured by the insert grip;
[0035] FIG. 2b is a top view of the connecting body of FIG. 1a shown captured by the insert grip;
[0036] FIG. 3a is longitudinal, cross-sectional view of a bending tool using nodal supports to register the connecting body for precise bends;
[0037] FIG. 3b illustrates exemplary bending geometry of the bending tool of FIG. 3a;
[0038] FIG. 4a is a transverse, cross-sectional view of a multi-level seal for the insert interface with the dental handpiece;
[0039] FIG. 4b is a top view of the insert and dental handpiece including the multi-lever seal of FIG. 4a disposed about the interface therebetween;
[0040] FIG. 5 illustrates laminations forming a stack assembly mounted in a countersink on the connecting body of FIG. 1a;
[0041] FIGS. 5a and 5b are transverse, cross-sectional view of various configurations of the laminations forming the stack assembly;
[0042] FIG. 6a is an illustration of a tubular member that mounts over the laminated stack assembly;
[0043] FIG. 6aa is a transverse, cross-sectional view showing the tubular member mounted over the laminated stack assembly;
[0044] FIG. 6b is an illustration of a two-piece molded sheath that mounts over the laminated stack assembly;
[0045] FIG. 6bb is a transverse, cross-sectional view showing the two-piece molded sheath mounted over the laminated stack assembly;
[0046] FIG. 7 is a top view of a notches laminated stack assembly;
[0047] FIG. 7a is an exploded, side view of the notched laminated stack assembly of FIG. 7 and an O-ring configured for engagement within the notches of the laminated stack assembly;
[0048] FIG. 7b is an exploded, side view of another embodiment of a notched laminated stack assembly and a cap configured for engagement about an end of the laminated stack assembly;
[0049] FIG. 7c is an exploded, side view of another embodiment of a notched laminated stack assembly and a cap configured for engagement about an end of the laminated stack assembly;
[0050] FIG. 8a illustrates the positioning of resilient nodal mounts on a connecting body without a flange;
[0051] FIG. 8aa is an enlarged front view of the nodal area shown in FIG. 8a;
[0052] FIG. 8b illustrates the positioning of multiple resilient nodal mounts on a connecting body with a flange;
[0053] FIG. 8bb is an enlarged front view of the disk shown in FIG. 8b;
[0054] FIG. 9a is an illustration of tapered cylinder for positioning a resilient mount on a connecting body; and
[0055] FIG. 9b is a transverse, cross-sectional view in a first direction of the tapered cylinder of FIG. 9a;
[0056] FIG. 9c is a transverse, cross-sectional view in a second direction of the tapered cylinder of FIG. 9a;
[0057] FIG. 9d is a side view of a retaining component with anti-rotation tabs for use with the tapered cylinder of FIG. 9a;
[0058] FIG. 9e is a transverse, cross-sectional view in a first direction of the retaining component of FIG. 9d;
[0059] FIG. 9f is a transverse, cross-sectional view in a second direction of the retaining component of FIG. 9d; and
[0060] FIG. 9g is an enlarged, side view of the area of detail indicated in FIG. 9f.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0061] Particular embodiments of the present disclosure are described hereinbelow with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the following description, well known functions or constructions are not described in detail to avoid obscuring the present disclosure in unnecessary detail.
[0062] FIGS. 1a and 1aa illustrate a resilient nodal mount 12 and an acoustic transformer, or connecting body 10 having a pair of opposed protrusions 13. Resilient mounts 12 fit over the protrusions 13 to provide a soft mount to the nodal area of the connecting body 10. The preferred geometry of the protrusions 13 is square because this shape provides the smallest contact area between the protrusions 13 and the resilient mounts 12 and is also the easiest and least expensive to machine. However, other configurations are also contemplated. FIGS. 1b and 1bb illustrate the axial mounting of the resilient nodal mounts 12 onto the protrusions 13 of the connecting body 10. The length L and the diameter D of the resilient nodal mounts 12 are determined by the maximum diameter of the insert grip (FIGS. 2a-2b).
[0063] FIGS. 2a and 2b illustrate the mounting of the connecting body 10 within the grip 20. More specifically, FIG. 2a illustrates the nests 22 of the grip 20. As shown in FIG. 2b, the nests 22 are configured to capture the soft mount, e.g., the resilient nodal mounts 12 attached to the protrusions 13 of the connecting body 10. The soft mount assembly is totally contained within the nests 22. The area between the connecting body 10, the grip 20, and the nests 22 allows the flow of coolant fluid across the nodal mount.
[0064] FIG. 3a illustrates a bending tool holding fixture 30 for retaining the connecting body 10. An alignment distance L2 is defined between a registration point 33 and the beginning of the bending point 32. The bending arm 31 is shown in the stop position for the completed bend. The contra angle shown in FIG. 3b is achieved by moving the bending arm 31 upward to its vertical stop point (not shown).
[0065] An embodiment of the present disclosure for a low rotational torque insert is illustrated in FIGS. 4a and 4b, e.g., an insert requiring a rotational torque of between about 0.5 in-oz and about 1.5 in-oz. An elongated sealing gasket 40 having a body defining an internal diameter 47 is provided. The elongated sealing gasket 40 defines a relatively flat outer surface along its length and further includes a pair of circumferential rings defining outer diameters 42 and 41. The outer diameter 42 of one of the rings of the sealing gasket 40 when mounted in the gland area, e.g., recessed area, of the insert grip 20 is dimensioned to provide an easy insertion into a dental handpiece 45. This is because the outer diameter 43 is less than the inner diameter 44 of the dental handpiece 45. The outer diameter 41 is also greater than the outer diameter 42 of the sealing gasket 40. The low rotational torque of the insert grip 20 is achieved by the combination of the low friction between the circumferential rings defining outer diameters 41 and 42, and the internal diameter 44 of the dental handpiece 45. The outer diameters 41 and 42 also provide the required seal for the insert grip 20 when placed in the dental handpiece 45, during both static and dynamic phases of use. Although the sealing gasket 40 is shown with two circumferential rings, the low rotational torque function is contemplated with a single circumferential ring. It is also contemplated that the function can be achieved by using a sealing gasket 40 without additional circumferential rings, where the machining or molding of a seal gland controls the diameter 43 thereof to have a non-uniform diameter along its length.
[0066] With reference to FIGS. 5, 5a, and 5b, the present disclosure further provides for improved durability of a stack assembly (stack of laminations) 50, 51, e.g., Permanickel laminations, although other laminations are also contemplated. Improved durability and improved electro-mechanical output is achieved by producing lamination shapes with a minimum of two bending angles (stack assembly 51 (FIG. 5a)) or three bending angles (stack assembly 50 (FIG. 5b)). The typical range for the angles can vary between 100 and 150 degrees. The preferred angles for the double-angle lamination stack assembly 51 are about 118 degrees, while the preferred angles for the triple-angle lamination stack assembly 50 is about 136 degrees, as shown in FIGS. 5a and 5b, respectively. The actual bending angles are in part determined by the required rigidity of the lamination, the thickness of the lamination, and the maximum final width of the bent lamination. The bend angles allow the stacking of 14 to 16 laminations inside the diameter D2 of the countersink 19 in connecting body 10, depending on the thickness of the individual laminations comprising the stack assemblies 50 and 51. The proximal end diameter D3 of connecting body 10 is limited by the minimum inside diameter 44 of the dental handpiece 45 (see FIG. 4b).
[0067] A further embodiment of this disclosure provides components 62, 60 for housing the stack assembly, e.g., stack assembly 63, as is illustrated in FIGS. 6a, 6aa, 6b, and 6bb. The use of a hollow extruded tube 62 or a two-part molded sheath component 60 eliminates the need for special shapes to the laminations. The component 62, 60 covers the stack assembly 63 and attaches to the grip 20 (FIG. 4b). In the case of the component 60, nodal supports 61 are molded at the approximate midpoint of the stack assembly 63, e.g., the nodal area thereof. This adds additional rigidity to laminations smaller than 0.010 thick. The component material's molding and welding requirements determine its thickness. Diameter D4 of sheath component 60 is selected to interface with the diagonal of the stack assembly 63, such that the outer edges of the stack assembly 63 make contact with the sheath component 60. Diameter D5 is dimensioned to assure non-interference fit of tube 62 into inner diameter 44 of handpiece 45 (see FIG. 4b). It is also contemplated that molded sheath 60 have multiple diameters facilitating inclusion of an interface sealing gasket 40 (see FIG. 4b).
[0068] Referring to FIGS. 7 and 7a-7c, also provided in accordance with the present disclosure are embodiments configured to eliminate the end brazing on the stack assembly, e.g., stack assembly 50 (or any other suitable stack assembly), without creating high conductivity connections. For example, as shown in FIG. 7a, in one embodiment, the distal ends of the laminations 70a of the stack assembly are rounded and notches 71 are stamped, typically 0.100 inches, from the rounded end. The laminations 70a are placed in a stack and a high temperature heat shrinkable material, e.g., ring 72, is applied to the notched area to secure the distal end of the stack. In another embodiment, as shown in FIG. 7b, the laminations 70b are notched but not rounded. The laminations 70b are placed in a stack and the distal ends are secured by placement of a cap 73. Cap 73 is configured with tabs 76 that provide a snap fit to the notches 71. Cap 73 has slots 77 to facilitate attachment about the stack of laminations 70b. A further embodiment, as shown in FIG. 7c, includes laminations 70c having a relatively small diameter hole 75 extending through the center of the radius of the distal ends of the laminations 70c. A component 74, e.g., a rivet, is inserted into hole 75 and is secured therein in any suitable fashion, e.g., deformation of component 74, gluing, ultrasonic welding, etc. The rivet may be formed from a low conductivity material.
[0069] A further embodiment of the present disclosure is illustrated in FIGS. 8a-8bb. The use of resilient mounts as nodal supports requires both axial and rotational stability of the insert grip. In one embodiment, as shown in FIG. 8a, connecting body 80 has a nodal area machined with multiple flat surfaces, shown for illustration as a square area 82 (FIG. 8aa). The lead in surfaces to the nodal area 82 are shown as raised areas 83 where the diameter of the raised areas 83 is greater than the diameter of connecting body 80 in area 84. The raised areas 83 facilitate the positioning of O-ring 81 at the nodal area 82. In combination, O-ring 81, nodal area 82, and raised areas 83 of the resilient nodal mount provide axial and rotational stability. In another embodiment, as shown in FIG. 8b, the nodal area on connecting body 85 includes a disk 84 defining a pair of slots (see FIG. 8bb). Disk 84 is sandwiched by O-rings 81, which in combination comprise a resilient nodal mount and provide axial and rotational stability.
[0070] A further embodiment of a resilient nodal mount provided in accordance with the present disclosure is shown in FIGS. 9a-9g. In particular, the mount comprises a tapered cylinder 95 (FIG. 9a) and a retainer 90 (FIG. 9b). This configuration is designed to compress and retain the O-rings 81 (FIGS. 8a and 8b). With additional reference to FIG. 8b, tapered cylinder 95 is modified by machining a slot on the underside thereof (see FIGS. 9b and 9c) to allow tapered cylinder 95 to be inserted over connecting body 85 for retention of O-rings 81. More specifically, two O-rings 81 are placed on connecting body 85 on both sides of disk 84. Tapered cylinder 95 is placed between the distal O-ring 81 and the large section of connecting body 85. Retainer assembly 90 is then placed over the tip end of connecting body 85 and slid into position to capture tapered cylinder 95. Retainer 90 is moved axially toward tapered cylinder 95 until fingers 94 on retainer 90 engage with the surface of tapered cylinder 95 that defines dimension L4 on tapered cylinder 95. Once aligned, retainer 90 is moved axially along connecting body 85 until O-rings 81 are compressed and fingers 94 snap into position within a recess defining dimension L5 on tapered cylinder 95. The compression surface for the O-rings 81 on tapered cylinder 95 is defined by the difference between diameters D6 and D7 (see FIG. 9b). In cases where the greater concentricity of the assembled parts is necessary, an inverted split washer with an inner diameter of D7 and an outer diameter of D6 is placed between tapered cylinder 95 and O-ring 81. Diameter D8 provides clearance between connecting body 85 and tapered cylinder 95. Shoulder 92 on retainer 90 provides clearance between assembly comprising retainer 95 and tapered cylinder 90 when mounted in grip 20 of handpiece 45 (see FIG. 4b).
[0071] In considering assembly of the resilient nodal mount of FIGS. 9a-9g onto connecting body 80 (FIG. 8a), tapered cylinder 95 is slid over the small diameter of connecting body 80 with the tapered end with diameter D6 facing the distal (tip) end of connecting body 80. An O-ring 81 is placed in the nodal area 82 and the retainer 90 is slid over the tip of the insert, with tabs 91 facing the distal (tip) end of connecting body 80. Flanges 94 on retainer 90 are aligned to make contact with the tapered edge of tapered cylinder 95. The retainer 90 and the tapered cylinder 95 are locked together when dimension L6 on flange 94 snaps into the gap L5 on tapered cylinder 95. Dimension L7 on flange 94 is dimensioned to allow dimension L6 on flange 94 to spread as it interfaces with tapered cylinder 95. The dimension L8 of flange 94 is less than the gap L5 on tapered cylinder 95 allowing the flange to snap into place. When locked together, the tapered cylinder 95 and retainer 90 compress the O-rings 81, providing a resilient mount for connecting body 80 when placed into grip 20 of handpiece 45 (see FIG. 4b). Tabs 91 on retainer 90 provide a secure mounting to the grip 20 of handpiece 45 (see FIG. 4b) with axial and rotational stability. Shoulder 92 provides a positive stop for mounting to allow the flow of water past the dimension D9 on retainer 90. Dimensions D8 is based on the diameter of the connecting body that is receiving the resilient mount. Typical dimensions for D8 are 0.145 to 0.155 inches. The compression surface on tapered cylinder 95 for O-ring 81 is defined by the difference between dimensions D6 and D7. The compression surface 93 on retainer 90 is defined by the difference in dimensions D10 and D9.
[0072] From the foregoing and with reference to the various figure drawings, those skilled in the art will appreciate that certain modifications can be made to the present disclosure without departing from the scope of the same. While several embodiments of the disclosure have been shown in the drawings, it is not intended that the disclosure be limited thereto as it is intended that the disclosure be as broad in scope as the art will allow and that the specification be read likewise. Therefore, the above description should not be construed as limiting, but merely as exemplifications of particular embodiments. Those skilled in the art will envision other modifications within the scope and spirit of the claims appended hereto.
