US4693871A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Disposable aseptic sheath for dental handpieces
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1986-04-09
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Granted: 1987-09-15
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Expires: 2006-04-09
Abstract
Abstract An aseptic sheath for dental handpieces by the use of which the handpieces are eliminated as a possible source of transmission of microbial diseases. The sheath is formed of suitable resilient thermoplastic sheet material, preferably by vacuum forming, in a shape which corresponds to that of the particular handpiece with which it is to be used, e.g., to provide communicating spaces for substantially completely enclosing the head, neck and handle of a contra-angle handpiece. In use, the handpiece is inserted into the sheath by spreading normally overlapping edges of the sheath which extend longitudinally over at least the length of the handle-receiving portion to provide access for the handpiece to the sheath interior. After insertion is completed,the edges are released to snap back over the handpiece due to the resiliency of the sheath-forming material to substantially completely enclose the handpiece therewithin. After use, the handpiece is removed from the possibly contaminated sheath which is then discarded. The handpiece is ready for subsequent use in a new sheath. It is not necessary to disinfect the handpiece, such as by autoclaving, which has been found to affect the performance of the handpiece.
Inventors
- 👤 Paul Geller
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 19:16
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61C; A61C1/00; A61C1/08; A61C1/16
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
254 words
A disposable aseptic sheath for a dental handpiece having a head, neck and handle, said sheath adapted for substantially completely enclosing the handpiece therewithin during use to prevent the handpiece from becoming contaminated, comprising: a forward substantially cylindrical and rigid head portion for receiving the head of the handpiece; an intermediate substantially cylindrical and rigid neck portion integral with said head portion for receiving the neck of the handpiece, said neck portion having two ends and being joined to said head portion at one of said ends; a rearward substantially cylindrical and rigid handle portion integral with said neck and head portions for receiving the handle of the handpiece, said handle portion being joined to the other of said ends of said neck portion; said head, neck and handle portions being formed from a unitary, elastically deformable sheet of resilient thermoplastic material having a thickness in the range of between about 0.002 to 0.060 inches; and said sheath including a pair of edge regions extending substantially longitudinally over said neck and handle portions in normally mutual overlapping relationship over at least a portion of their lengths, said overlapping edge regions being forceably separable out of overlapping relationship to form a space between them extending longitudinally over said neck and handle portions providing access for substantially lateral insertion of the handpiece into:the interior of said sheath, whereby upon insertion of the handpiece, said edge regions return into said mutual overlapping relationship due to the resilience of said sheet material of which said sheath is formed.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
254 words
A disposable aseptic sheath for a dental handpiece having a head, neck and handle, said sheath adapted for substantially completely enclosing the handpiece therewithin during use to prevent the handpiece from becoming contaminated, comprising: a forward substantially cylindrical and rigid head portion for receiving the head of the handpiece; an intermediate substantially cylindrical and rigid neck portion integral with said head portion for receiving the neck of the handpiece, said neck portion having two ends and being joined to said head portion at one of said ends; a rearward substantially cylindrical and rigid handle portion integral with said neck and head portions for receiving the handle of the handpiece, said handle portion being joined to the other of said ends of said neck portion; said head, neck and handle portions being formed from a unitary, elastically deformable sheet of resilient thermoplastic material having a thickness in the range of between about 0.002 to 0.060 inches; and said sheath including a pair of edge regions extending substantially longitudinally over said neck and handle portions in normally mutual overlapping relationship over at least a portion of their lengths, said overlapping edge regions being forceably separable out of overlapping relationship to form a space between them extending longitudinally over said neck and handle portions providing access for substantially lateral insertion of the handpiece into:the interior of said sheath, whereby upon insertion of the handpiece, said edge regions return into said mutual overlapping relationship due to the resilience of said sheet material of which said sheath is formed.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
81 words
The combination of claim 1 wherein the axis of said head portion extends at a substantially right angle to the axis of said neck portion, and wherein said head portion includes a substantially cylindrical side wall and opposed top and bottom walls, an opening formed in said bottom wall through which a bur is adapted to pass and at least one opening formed in said top wall for providing access to the interior of said head portion for a bur-changing tool.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
34 words
The combination of claim 2 wherein said neck and handle portions are substantially cylindrical and wherein the axes of said neck and handle portions form an angle with each other of less than 180°.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
20 words
The combination of claim 1 wherein the extent to which said free edge regions overlap increases in the rearward direction.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
29 words
The combination of claim 2 wherein at least one additional opening is formed in said bottom wall for passage of at least one of a water and air jet.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
157 words
A disposable aseptic sheath for a dental handpiece having a head portion and elongate neck and handle portions, integrally joined to each other, for substantially completely enclosing the head, neck and handle of the handpiece, respectively, therewithin during use to prevent the handpiece from becoming contaminated, comprising: a single unitary, elastically deformable sheet of resilient thermoplastic sheet material formed to include a pair of edge regions extending substantially longitudinally over said neck and handle portions in normally mutual overlapping relationship over at least a portion of their lengths, said overlapping edge regions being forceably separable out of overlapping relationship to form a space between them extending longitudinally over said neck and handle portions providing access for substantially lateral insertion of the handpiece into the interior of said sheath, whereby upon insertion of the handpiece, said edge regions return into said mutual overlapping relationship due to the resilience of said sheet material of which said sheath is formed.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
157 words
A disposable aseptic sheath for a dental handpiece having a head portion and elongate neck and handle portions, integrally joined to each other, for substantially completely enclosing the head, neck and handle of the handpiece, respectively, therewithin during use to prevent the handpiece from becoming contaminated, comprising: a single unitary, elastically deformable sheet of resilient thermoplastic sheet material formed to include a pair of edge regions extending substantially longitudinally over said neck and handle portions in normally mutual overlapping relationship over at least a portion of their lengths, said overlapping edge regions being forceably separable out of overlapping relationship to form a space between them extending longitudinally over said neck and handle portions providing access for substantially lateral insertion of the handpiece into the interior of said sheath, whereby upon insertion of the handpiece, said edge regions return into said mutual overlapping relationship due to the resilience of said sheet material of which said sheath is formed.
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) | 1990-09-14 | 1991-03-16 | 1991-09-15 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1994-09-14 | 1995-03-16 | 1995-09-15 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1998-09-14 | 1999-03-16 | 1999-09-15 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |