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Lighted ultrasonic handpiece and color code grip systemRelated Patent Categories: Dentistry, Apparatus, Having Motor Or Means To Transmit Motion From Motor To Tool (e.g., "engine"), Hand-held Tool Or Handpiece, Having Reciprocating, Vibrating, Or Oscillating Output, UltrasonicLighted ultrasonic handpiece and color code grip system description/claimsThe Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20070148618, Lighted ultrasonic handpiece and color code grip system. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. Ser. No. 10/249,165 filed Mar. 19, 2003, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,150,629. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] 1. Field of the Invention [0003] The present invention relates to a medical or dental handpiece; specifically to an ultrasonic handpiece providing a independently controlled light source connected through an interchangeable and easily identifiable grip on an ultrasonic insert adjacent the end of the handpiece for illuminating the surface to be engaged by the tip of the handpiece and which may additionally provide a camera lens for viewing the work area without interference with the work performed. [0004] 2. Description of the Related Art [0005] The present invention relates to an ultrasonic tool, which can be a dental scaler, or--alternatively--a scalpel, additionally providing a light directed from the handpiece of the tool toward the work surface on which the tip or blade is engaged. For ease of description, applicant discloses the dental scaling embodiment, but an ultrasonic scalpel can be fabricated from the present disclosure without departure from the coverage of this application. [0006] Light emission from an operator's handpiece allows the operator a clear and unobstructed lighted surface on which the dental scaling tip works. This permits the operator of the scaling tip to readily see the teeth and gums or dental appliances (i.e. implants, crowns, bridges or the like) while using the ultrasonic dental scaler. Heretofore, light from an outside source such a pole mounted dental light or headlamp system shines in the back of the working area and is blocked from the working area by the hand or body of the operator or by the patient's body, tongue, or teeth. Light directed from a distal edge of the handpiece will provide the necessary illumination directly onto the working area without shadows or other impediments. Although various prior art devices disclosed mounting a light or light source in the handpiece, so far as known to applicant, no prior art provides a light path through the insert grip to guide remotely generated light to the tip of the scaler. This provides features not heretofore available in the industry. For example, the presence of a bulb in the handpiece is eliminated thereby eliminating the heat associated with this proximal light source. [0007] Each insert tip is retained in a grip which provides a light guide which therefore remains in fixed spatial relationship with the tip to be illuminated. Since the light is driven by its own separate power supply, it may remain illuminated throughout the procedure and is not dependent upon the ultrasonic drive circuit to power the light required by other prior art devices. This feature allows the light to be used for viewing of the mouth of the patient and further allows the light to remain at a fixed intensity throughout the procedure despite variations in electrical power caused by the loading of the coil which energizes the ultrasonic stack, or piezoelectric crystal. [0008] Since the power supply to the light source is separate and apart from the power supply to the coil in the magnetostrictive ultrasonic arrangement, there is no frequency distortion caused by the use or non-use of the lamp to interfere with the power harmonics of the coil. Finally, the inserts will always be useable with the conventional handpieces since the light source connection need not connected to a power supply to operate the magnetostrictive stack. Since the grip provides a light source, it may also provide a camera lens to capture the view of the work surface as the technician performs the necessary operation. BRIEF SUMMARY OF INVENTION [0009] The present invention is a lighted ultrasonic handpiece providing a dental scaling tip or alternatively a scalpel, a velocity transducer connected to said tip, an ultrasonic stack connected to said velocity transducer inserted in a grip having a longitudinally aligned light guide from a light source remote from the magnetostrictive stack insert (or an alternative piezoelectric crystal oscillator), and a light conductor connected to said light source for guiding light from a remote light source to the distal end of said insert. [0010] The improved lighted ultrasonic dental scaling insert features a scaling tip, a velocity transducer connected to said scaling tip, an ultrasonic stack connected to said velocity transducer inserted through a grip adapted for connection with a dental scaling handpiece of the present invention. An interchangeable grip sheath can be ergonomically form fitted to more easily allow the operator to grip the ultrasonic device for long periods of time without muscle fatigue or cramping. Additionally, the interchangeable grip sheath may be color coded to permit the operator to readily identify a preferred handpiece from amongst a number of similar designed handpieces. This ability to visually determine the instrument being accessed by virtue of the color coding and the ability to use an ergonimically designed sheath adaptable to the hand of the operator fosters a less stressful clinical setting for both the dental technician and the patient. [0011] The light source terminus in the handpiece abutts the translucent grip body and is connected to a light transmission cable permitting the transmission through the terminus into the interior of the grip covered by the sheath. A light source, which may be switched on or off and regulated to increase or decrease light intensity through the light transmission cable provides illumination through cable to the light source terminus. As previously noted, an ergonomic resilient and opaque sheath is retained over the translucent grip body to permit comfortable use of the ultrasonic device and also blocks ambient light from escaping from the translucent grip at any point except the distal end of the grip adjacent the tip. [0012] Alternatively, the lighted ultrasonic handpiece can provide a partially translucent grip body providing a longitudinal passage through which an ultrasonic velocity transducer is connected to a tip and energized by an ultrasonic generator driving a in said handpiece having a light source terminus abutting said translucent grip body providing illumination through the grip body to a distal end of the grip body adjacent a tip and a light cable connected to said light source terminus providing illumination from a remote source to the light source terminus; and, a resilient ergonomic opaque sheath covering said grip thereby preventing the light from leaving the translucent grip body at any position except its distal tip. Since the sheath may be readily and easily slip on and off the grip, it can be colored to provide visual identification to the operator of the type and configuration of the tip and light system being utilized. This facilitates easy and quick use of a number of tips for busy dental hygienists who may prefer one tip over an alternative design for a given problem. [0013] The ultrasonic handpiece grip system of the present invention can also be fashioned with a molded body having a longitudinal passage therethrough; and, a translucent insert, such as a fiber optic channel, to transmit light from the handpiece light terminus to the grip insert, which provides an exterior surface for engaging an elastomeric opaque sheath and further providing a passage for the insertion of a velocity transducer and water path to the distal tip of the grip system and permitting the passage of light through the interior of the molded body to the distal end of the grip body to illuminate the adjacent distal tip. [0014] Additionally, the ultrasonic handpiece grip system of the present invention can be fashioned with a lens located at the distal end of the grip and an optical image transmission path for connection to a video or photographic viewing system mounted at a remote location. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS [0015] FIG. 1 is a partial cross-sectional perspective view of the dental scaling insert, grip and sheath of the present invention. [0016] FIG. 2 is a side view perspective view of the light ring of the present invention. [0017] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional side view of the grip and sheath on the insert with the light ring and handpiece of the present invention. [0018] FIG. 4A is an end view of the cylindrical sheath around the translucent insert of the present invention. [0019] FIG. 4B is a perspective side view of the cylindrical sheath around the translucent insert of the present invention. [0020] FIG. 5A is an end view of the triangular sheath around the translucent insert of the present invention. Continue reading about Lighted ultrasonic handpiece and color code grip system... Full patent description for Lighted ultrasonic handpiece and color code grip system Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Lighted ultrasonic handpiece and color code grip system patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. 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