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Patent US3828770A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3828770A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Ultrasonic method for cleaning teeth
Assignee: Ultrasonic Systems Inc
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Filing: 1972-12-26
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Granted: 1974-08-13
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Expires: 1992-12-26
Abstract
Abstract A method for cleaning teeth by providing bursts of ultrasonic mechanical vibration at an applicator repeated at a sonic frequency to produce both ultrasonic and sonic vibratory motion and effect during use of said applicator.
Inventors
- 👤 A Kuris
- 👤 L Balamuth
- 👤 M Karatjas
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 05:27
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61C; A61C17/00; A61C17/16; A61C17/20; A61C1/00; A61C1/02; A61C1/07; B; B23; B23Q; B23Q1/00; B23Q1/0009; B23Q1/0018; B23Q1/0027; B23Q1/0036; B26; B26B; B26B21/00; B26B21/08; B26B21/14; B26B21/38
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 24
Claim 1
Independent Claim
82 words
The method of performing work on an object, comprising the steps of: A. positioning an applicator capable of physical vibration at an ultrasonic frequency adjacent the object; B. inducing vibrations in said applicator at a frequency in the ultrasonic range of 10 KHz to 1,000 KHz; and C. modulating the ultrasonic frequency of said applicator at a sonic frequency in the range of 10 Hz to 1,000 Hz to produce bursts of ultrasonic vibrations in said applicator repeated at said sonic frequency.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
82 words
The method of performing work on an object, comprising the steps of: A. positioning an applicator capable of physical vibration at an ultrasonic frequency adjacent the object; B. inducing vibrations in said applicator at a frequency in the ultrasonic range of 10 KHz to 1,000 KHz; and C. modulating the ultrasonic frequency of said applicator at a sonic frequency in the range of 10 Hz to 1,000 Hz to produce bursts of ultrasonic vibrations in said applicator repeated at said sonic frequency.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method as defined in claim 1, wherein said applicator is longitudinally vibrated.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method as defined in claim 1, wherein said ultrAsonic frequency is in the range of 20 KHz to 60 KHz.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method as defined in claim 1, wherein said sonic frequency is in the range of 10 Hz to 1,000 Hz.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein said applicator is in the form of a toothbrush.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method as defined in claim 1, and further including the step of engaging said applicator against the object.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
104 words
The method of simultaneously applying a micro-motion and a macro-motion to a surface, comprising the steps of: A. generating ultrasonic vibrations in the working end of a hand-held ultrasonic motor to produce peak accelerations in said working end of the order of at least 1,000g; B. modulating the amplitude of ultrasonic vibrations at a sonic rate in the range of 10 Hz to 1,000 Hz so as to produce bursts of ultrasonic vibration repeated at a sonic rate; and C. simultaneously applying said working end against said surface in a relative moving relationship with respect thereto, whereby said micro-motion and macro-motion are transmitted thereto.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
104 words
The method of simultaneously applying a micro-motion and a macro-motion to a surface, comprising the steps of: A. generating ultrasonic vibrations in the working end of a hand-held ultrasonic motor to produce peak accelerations in said working end of the order of at least 1,000g; B. modulating the amplitude of ultrasonic vibrations at a sonic rate in the range of 10 Hz to 1,000 Hz so as to produce bursts of ultrasonic vibration repeated at a sonic rate; and C. simultaneously applying said working end against said surface in a relative moving relationship with respect thereto, whereby said micro-motion and macro-motion are transmitted thereto.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method as defined in claim 7, wherein the width of each of said bursts of ultrasonic vibration and the interval therebetween are essentially equal.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method as defined in claim 7, wherein said working end is in the form of a toothbrush.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method as defined in claim 7, wherein said working end is longitudinally vibrated.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
111 words
The method of removing foreign matter, including plaque and other surface deposits from teeth comprising the steps of: A. positioning adjacent the teeth to be cleaned a surface capable of supporting and transmitting ultrasonic vibrations without damage to said teeth; B. vibrating said surface at an ultrasonic frequency in the range of 10 KHz and 500 KHz; C. modulating said ultrasonic frequency vibrations of said surface at a sonic frequency in the range of 10 Hz to 1,000 Hz to produce bursts of ultrasonic vibration repeated at a sonic frequency rate; and D. moving said vibrating surface relative to said teeth such that it engages and removes the foreign deposits therefrom.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
111 words
The method of removing foreign matter, including plaque and other surface deposits from teeth comprising the steps of: A. positioning adjacent the teeth to be cleaned a surface capable of supporting and transmitting ultrasonic vibrations without damage to said teeth; B. vibrating said surface at an ultrasonic frequency in the range of 10 KHz and 500 KHz; C. modulating said ultrasonic frequency vibrations of said surface at a sonic frequency in the range of 10 Hz to 1,000 Hz to produce bursts of ultrasonic vibration repeated at a sonic frequency rate; and D. moving said vibrating surface relative to said teeth such that it engages and removes the foreign deposits therefrom.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method as defined in claim 11, wherein said surface is composed of a plastic material.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method as defined in claim 11, wherein said ultrasonic frequency is in the range of 20 KHz to 60 KHz.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
45 words
The method as defined in claim 11, including the step of providing a fluid film between said surface and said teeth, said ultrasonic vibrations being of an amplitude to produce a cavitational action in said fluid film when said surface is displaced from said teeth.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
45 words
The method as defined in claim 14, wherein said surface is in the form of a plurality of individual bristle elements such that the elements assume positions in which they are randomly divided between actual contact with and displacement from the surfaces of said teeth.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
83 words
The method of removing foreign matter, including plaque and other surface deposits from teeth by simultaneously applying a micro-motion and macro-motion to the teeth surfaces, comprising the steps of: A. generating ultrasonic vibrations in bristle elements at the working end of a hand-held ultrasonic motor; B. amplitude modulating said ultrasonic vibrations at a sonic rate so as to produce bursts of ultrasonic vibrations repeated at a sonic rate; and C. engaging said bristle elements against said teeth surfaces at a relative moving relationship.
Claim 20
Independent Claim
83 words
The method of removing foreign matter, including plaque and other surface deposits from teeth by simultaneously applying a micro-motion and macro-motion to the teeth surfaces, comprising the steps of: A. generating ultrasonic vibrations in bristle elements at the working end of a hand-held ultrasonic motor; B. amplitude modulating said ultrasonic vibrations at a sonic rate so as to produce bursts of ultrasonic vibrations repeated at a sonic rate; and C. engaging said bristle elements against said teeth surfaces at a relative moving relationship.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method as defined in claim 16, wherein each of said bursts of ultrasonic vibrations is of a width equal to the interval between said bursts of ultrasonic vibration.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method as defined in claim 16, including the further step of providing a fluid film at the teeth surfaces.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
44 words
The method as defined in claim 18, wherein said motion of said bristle elements is of an amplitude of vibration to produce a cavitational action in said fluiD film between said bristle elements and said teeth surfaces when said bristle elements are displaced therefrom.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
55 words
The method as defined in claim 16, wherein said working end of said hand-held ultrasonic motor in surrounding relation to said bristle elements is insulated, whereby the ultrasonic energy waves arriving at the insulation will be almost totally reflected back into said instrument providing more energy available to the bristle elements to perform their work.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-08-12 | 1978-02-11 | 1978-08-13 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-08-12 | 1982-02-11 | 1982-08-13 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-08-12 | 1986-02-11 | 1986-08-13 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |