Method of flushing, disinfecting and lubricating a dental turbine handpiece

Claim 1

A method of simultaneously flushing, disinfecting and lubricating a dental handpiece having an air-driven turbine and an air exhaust into which during operation air is introduced under pressure through a releasably connected flexible hose which includes an air drive line and an exhaust line and in which handpiece some dental debris may remain after operation, which comprises a) ceasing operation of the handpiece and disconnecting it from the flexible hose, b) connecting the handpiece to a fitting having a first fluid line communicating with the turbine and a second fluid line communicating with the exhaust, c) pressurizing a single liquid solution comprising a disinfectant and a lubricant, d) introducing the pressurized solution through the first fluid line to the turbine to flush any debris therefrom so as to exit through the second fluid line from the exhaust and directly out of the handpiece, and e) leaving a residuum of the solution in the handpiece.

Claim 2

A method of simultaneously flushing, disinfecting and lubricating a dental handpiece having an air-driven turbine and an air exhaust into which during operation air is introduced under pressure through a releasably connected flexible hose which includes an air drive line and an exhaust line and in which handpiece some dental debris may remain after operation, which comprises a) ceasing operation of the handpiece and disconnecting it from the flexible hose, b) connecting the handpiece to a fitting having a first fluid line communicating with the turbine and a second fluid line communicating with the exhaust, c) pressurizing a single liquid solution comprising a disinfectant and a lubricant, d) introducing the pressurized solution through the first fluid line to the turbine to flush any debris therefrom so as to exit through the second fluid line from the exhaust and directly out of the handpiece, and e) leaving a residuum of the solution in the handpiece.

Claim 15

A method of simultaneously flushing, disinfecting and lubricating a dental handpiece having an air driven turbine and an air exhaust into which during operation air is introduced under pressure through a releasably connected flexible hose which includes an air drive line and an exhaust line, the handpiece and hose also including a chip air line for mixing pressurized air and a liquid coolant in a spray during operation of the handpiece and a coolant line, in which handpiece some dental debris may remain after operation, which comprises a) ceasing operation of the handpiece and disconnecting it from the flexible hose; b) connecting the handpiece to a fitting having four fluid lines communicating respectively with the turbine, the coolant line, the chip air line and the exhaust; c) pressurizing a single liquid solution comprising a chlorhexidine gluconate disinfectant and an alcohol-based glycerin lubricant; d) introducing the pressurized solution and simultaneously introducing compressed air into the fluid lines to flush any debris from the handpiece so as to exit from the exhaust and directly from the handpiece; e) placing a transparent heat-resistant housing over the handpiece during flushing to contain the solution and debris exiting directly from the handpiece and collecting the same in a pan within the housing; and f) leaving a residuum of the solution in the handpiece.

Claim 16

A method of simultaneously flushing, disinfecting and lubricating a dental handpiece having an air driven turbine and an air exhaust into which during operation air is introduced under pressure through a releasably connected flexible hose which includes an air drive line and an exhaust line, the handpiece and hose also including a chip air line for mixing pressurized air and a liquid coolant in a spray during operation of the handpiece and a coolant line, in which handpiece some dental debris may remain after operation, which comprises a) ceasing operation of the handpiece and disconnecting it from the flexible hose; b) connecting the handpiece to a fitting having four fluid lines communicating respectively with the turbine, the coolant line, the chip air line and the exhaust; c) pressurizing a single liquid solution comprising a chlorhexidine gluconate disinfectant and an alcohol-based glycerin lubricant; d) introducing the pressurized solution and simultaneously introducing compressed air into the fluid lines to flush any debris from the handpiece so as to exit from the exhaust and directly from the handpiece; e) placing a transparent heat-resistant housing over the handpiece during flushing to contain the solution and debris exiting directly from the handpiece and collecting the same in a pan within the housing; and f) leaving a residuum of the solution in the handpiece.