Ultrasonic dental and other instrument means and methods

Abstract

The invention discloses various ultrasonic dental equipment primarily adapted to be used for professional dental purposes as well as various dental procedures capable of being performed with the ultrasonic instrumentation. The ultrasonic dental system permits the user to selectively utilize a variety of fluids within the oral hygenic procedures carried out by the dentist. The fluids may be selective medicaments that are pumped through the dental system from either an external source i.e., water, to various other fluids each for its intended usage. The invention discloses motor-convertor systems in which a single piezoelectric crystal element is used to both simultaneously drive an ultrasonic motor and provide a feedback signal for frequency sensing means to permit the convertor to adjust itself thereto.

Parent Case Text

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation-in-part of our copending application Ser. No. 119,298 filed Feb. 26, 1971 now U.S. Pat. No. 3,809,977 issued May 7, 1974, entitled ULTRASONIC KITS AND MOTOR SYSTEMS, which entire subject matter of the copending application is incorporated herein by reference as if fully herein set forth.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an ultrasonic unit adapted to be used primarily for professional dental applications to perform a variety of functions and procedures as well as the system designed therefore.

Heretofore, the use of ultrasonic energy in dentistry for professional purposes has been limited to the use of water as the fluid utilized within dental prophylaxis procedures in order to remove foreign substances from within the oral cavity and perform other dental procedures. The present inventors have now discovered that a host of dental procedures not heretofore available may be realized by a system that permits dentists to select fluids having various chemical formulations such that both physical and psychological benefical results are obtained.

Accordingly, by the provision of interchangeable and replaceable fluid supply sources that can be directed through the ultrasonic dental handpiece, the scope and variety of dental techniques are increased to a considerable extent. It might be stated that this additional flexibility given to the dentist permits a number of dental procedures to be carried out that were heretofore not practicable.

By way of background, the use of Kilohertz ultrasonic energy in the dentist's office has become commonplace, chiefly due to the pioneering work of the inventors of the present invention. For example, a dental operative unit is currently widely used by dentists for a great variety of procedures including:

1. Drilling of teeth

2. Periodental gingival-tooth care

3. Root canal therapy

4. Amalgam Packing

5. Orthodontic aids in shaping teeth and in removing dental cements from braces

6. Surgical procedures related to gingivectomy and endodontic procedures

7. Gingival massage and tooth cleaning

Now, the inventors, having been involved in the historical growth of these techniques and procedures, have carefully followed and evaluated the changing requirements which improved ultrasonic dental equipment should embody. In this patent, such novel improved equipment and new techniques will be disclosed in their appropriate places.

In the first place, advances in the electronic art combined with advances in the technology of transducer materials, now permit the use of simplified solid state circuitry and more efficient transducer materials, so that better generators and handpieces are possible. In the case of transducer materials, both ferromagnetic and ferroelectric ceramics have reached a quality resulting in high conversion efficiency, high and low temperature stability, and a long, relatively non-aging product life. These factors are partially reflected in one of the inventor's U.S. Pat. No. 3,547,110, in the field of dentistry.

Now, at the same time, the inventors have been involved as a part of a rapidly expanding aspect of the ultrasonic art in the biological, chemical and medical fields. It is the intention of this disclosure to show how the technological ultrasonic motor-converter advances, outlined above, may be combined with the uses of ultrasonic effects in the bio-medical areas to produce a unique novel professional dental instrumentation to carry out a wide variety of procedures. Two of the present inventors have already pioneered in the development of ultrasonic instrumentation, which has resulted in world-wide acceptance of most of the procedures outlined above.

One of the most important novel features of the present dental instrumentation is the provision of readily interchangeable reservoirs of fluid medicaments for specialized professional dental uses. For, example, the present unit employs a two-way hydraulic system, which permits the use of either a regular ordinarly available outside water supply, or an internal hydraulic system, utilizing a fluid supply tank which is removably attachable to the professional dental unit itself.

Now, when the internal hydraulic system is intended for use by the dentist (or oral hygienist), the operator merely sets the appropriate control and attaches a sterile plug-in source of desired medicament fluid into the place provided in the equipment. All this is of course described in detail as the disclosure proceeds. In order to understand better the problems which must be solved to allow this novel procedure, one example will be given.

The removal of calculas from gingival and subgingival hard tooth surfaces (dentin and enamel) is one of the chief problems facing the periodontist in treating the undesireable conditions found in the mouth, and is essential for maintaining and restoring good dental health. A chemical solution is often used which selectively stains plaque and calculus and thereby assists the dentist in determining the thoroughness of a given prophylactic oral treatment. Such a solution is called a disclosing solution. In the applicants' subject dental unit, one of the self contained medicament fluid containers may contain such a disclosing solution and may be conviently stored away from the unit until it is desired by the dentist for use. Now, if he has used such a procedure, the internal hydraulic system of the unit will have its various tubes and conduits filled with said disclosing solution. If the dentist wishes for example to use plain water, or a different medicament solution for his next patient, or even for the same patient, it is essential to be able to clean out the internal hydraulic system completely so that is is replaced with clear, clean water. As will be disclosed completely in due course, the present invention provides precisely the means needed to accomplish this purpose, and as will be appreciated this is another novel aspect of the present invention.

Additionally, the present invention prefers to use piezoelectric ceramic transducers, because of the high efficiency and great ease in fabrication of motors made with such materials, although magnetostrictive transducers may also be used.

Also, the inventors have been aware of the need to provide quick change operating hand instruments as compared to certain prior art inventions of providing magnetostrictive laminated stack inserts, which telescope into a handpiece which comprised a coil winding and a thin insulation jacket. Although quite safe, the thin insulator plastic jacket nevertheless required the operator to grasp the jacket in the area where the coil was wound.

In the present invention the concept of removably detachable insert is not necessarily relied on and in its place there has been substituted a removably detachable handpiece. The handpiece merely unplugs and replugs into a small receptacle terminating into the cable, which connects said receptacle and the output means of the converter system.

This simple, yet novel, transformation of the converter ultrasonic motor connector means introduces another new dimension into the instant invention. This is because the excitation of the motor does not depend upon a fixed coil, which in turn, must always engage a seperate insert properly in order for the dental instrument to function as designed. For example whereas the magnetostrictive insert type of motor is restricted to the driving coil in the handpiece means, the detachable motor of the present invention may be changed to any type of piezoelectric or magnetostrictive self contained motor designed to operate at the impedance level of the converter output. And in fact, the converter output may be readily provided with a tapped output means, whereby a number of different impedances may be available for use. Thus, the output design of the present invention provides a versatility not found in the prior art.

MOTOR-CONVERTOR SYSTEM

The present invention also relates to an ultrasonic motor-converter system in which the piezoelectric crystal is used for both driving the motor and producing a feed-back signal.

Heretofore, the ultrasonic motor art has developed in that piezoelectric element or crystals have been utilized for powering the ultrasonic motor and exciting the motor at a desired frequency range. In the above referenced co-pending patent application there is disclosed the utilization of a driving crystal or crystals for powering the ultrasonic motor and a feed-back or third crystal element adapted to be used for the purpose of providing a signal feed-back which is transmitted to the convertor and which signal is utilized by the convertor to adjust the frequency of the convertor system in respect thereto.

Although, motors of the aforementioned design in the co-pending application produce the requisite capacity of withstanding the necessary work-loads, it has been found that the utilization of two or three crystals require a number of related machined component parts that have to be assembled in proper relationship to each other, each one adding to the cost of the completed motor. Furthermore, a major portion of this cost being the crystal material itself. Accordingly, in order to obtain an economical motor, i.e., one adaptable for home-consumer and other use, it has been considered that it would be advantageous if the benefical effects of an ultrasonic motor could be produced in which the driving and sensing were incorporated in a single crystal so that the number of component parts would be substantially reduced. This novel design of an ultrasonic motor incorporating a single crystal element is herein disclosed.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

The object of the invention is to provide new and improved dental procedures utilizing ultrasonic energy.

Another object of the invention is to provide new and novel dental procedures having both physical and pyschological effects on the patient.

Another object of the present invention is a new and novel dental system permitting the selective utilization of medicaments within the cleaning procedure.

Another object of the invention is to provide a novel motor-convertor system in which a single piezolectric element may be utilized for both driving the motor and generating a feed-back signal to the convertor.

Another object of the present invention is to provide individual containers for the supplying of the medicaments for use in conjunction with the dental system.

Other objectives of the invention will be apparent as description proceeds.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides for a series of novel interrelated steps in combination with each other to obtain dental procedures not heretofore obtainable with the prior art.

In accordance with one aspect of the present invention a system is provided that permits the dentist, or other user, for the first time to be able to select a source of fluid in a dental procedure from a closed system or from conventional water supply. The ability to permit a dentist to operate at will from either a closed system or open system permits the dentist to utilize a series of medicaments that may be provided in sealed containers and plugged into the dental system for performing various applications.

The apparatus in accordance in one aspect of the invention, includes a motor-convertor system in which the motor contains a piezoelectric material which is formed as to provide longitudinal ultrasonic vibrations when it is activated by high-frequency electrical impulses and the resultant ultrasonic vibrations are transmitted through the motor to the point of use. A portion of the crystal is isolated and electrically converted such that a feed-back signal is generated therein and in turn the electrical signal is transmitted to the convertor in order to properly adjust itself to the frequency at which the motor is vibrating.

In accordance with one aspect of the invention the crystal utilized is of tubular configuration. The crystal is so formed as to provide longitudinal ultrasonic vibrations when it is activated by high-frequency electrical impulses and the resultant ultrasonic vibrations are transmitted by the tip to the point of use. The crystal utilized is of tubular configuration made preferrably of lead zirconate and/or leadtitanate ceramic material which is so formed that it has the quality of expanding and contracting longitudinally at ultrasonic frequencies and is joined end to end to the tip by an epoxy cement or other means so that the ultrasonic tip movements are directly related to the longitudinal expansion and contraction of the activated crystal. While the later may be designed to operate at frequencies from 25,000 c.p.s. to 45,000 c.p.s., for dental applications such frequencies usually will not exceed this frequency, the crystal and attached tip constitute a matched pair and form said component resonator. Provision is made in the handpiece for supporting and retaining the crystal and tip. In addition, a water duct in conjunction with the handpiece and tip is provided for a stream of water from the tip during use.

In accordance with another aspect of the invention a series of novel receptacles are disclosed which are pre-filled on a commercial basis and acquired by the dentist for use in conjunction with apparatus defined herein. The receptacles are designed such that they may be simultaneously vented and may have a valve mounted thereon which valve meets with an accompanying valve seat on the unit such that the fluid contained in the closed reservoir or container may be pumped through the system and used by the dentist.

In accordance with another aspect of the invention a flushing procedure is provided such that the user may cleanse the complete dental system with water when switching from one type of medicament to another. This aspect of the invention is unique to the provision of a system in which a variety of different fluids may be introduced, some of which may not be compatable with each other, or just merely the fact that the next patient should not be subjected to the fluid of the previous patient. Thus, the system has a built-in flushing cycle to permit the necessary flushing thereof.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Although the characteristic features of this invention will be particularly pointed out in the claims, the invention itself, and the manner in which it may be made and used, may be better understood by referring to the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the several view and in which:

FIG. 1, is a perspective view of an ultrasonic dental system in use;

FIG. 2, is a front elevational view of ultrasonic instrument means for use in the present invention;

FIG. 3, is a side elevational view partially in cross-section of the instrument means of the present invention;

FIG. 4, is an enlarged sectional view of the reservoir relationship;

FIG. 5, is a side elevational view of ultrasonic instrument means for use in the present invention;

FIG. 5A, is a side elevational view in cross-section of the instrument means in assembled relationship taken along a medial plane;

FIG. 5B, is a view in cross-section taken along the plane indicated by the line 5B -- 5B in FIG. 5A;

FIG. 5C, is a view in cross-section taken along the plane indicated by the line 5C -- 5C in FIG. 5A;

FIG. 5D, is an enlarged view in cross-section of the assembled end of the crystal;

FIGS. 6 - 6D are similar to FIGS. 5 - 5D and illustrate another embodiment of the invention;

FIGS. 7 and 8 are enlarged partial views illustrating another form of sensing means in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 9, is a side elevational view in cross-section of a novel container;

FIGS. 9A and 9B, are enlarged views in cross-section illustrating other forms for sealing the container;

FIG. 10, is a view illustrating the assembled relation of the container and instrument means;

FIG. 11, is a diagrammatic view illustrating the relative components;

FIGS. 12 - 16, are schematic more or less diagrammatic views of the hydraulic system of the invention during its various stages of operation;

FIG. 17, is a view similar to FIG. 12 illustrating the use of two or more receptacles;

FIG. 18, is a view similar to FIG. 13 illustrating another hydraulic -- electrical system;

FIGS. 19 and 20, are a front and side elevational views, respectively partly in section, of the dental system containing a plurality of reservoir; and

FIGS. 21 and 22, illustrate various electrical schematics of converters that can be used to drive the various ultrasonic motors described herein.

PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

Turning now to the drawings FIGS. 1-4 have disclosed an ultrasonic system generally indicated by reference numeral 10 for use by an individual 11, that may be a dentist or other trained person, using the equipment 10 on a patient 12 seated on a chair 13, as for example a dentist using the equipment for dental prophylaxis purposes. The equipment is seen to include a cabinet 14 on a table or other support 16, which contains therein an ultrasonic converter 15, as well as a tray or reservoir 20 on the top 18, and containing a supply of a fluid 22, which in conventional manner, is pumped from a reservoir 20, by a pumping means 25 (see FIG. 4) contained within the cabinet 14.

Ultrasonic instrumentation means 26 is coupled to the converter means 15 and the pumping means 25 by a cable means 28 which contains a current supply line 59 and a fluid conduit 167. The ultrasonic equipment includes an accessory implement means 30 that may have various shapes and configurations, and adapted to be removably secured to the adapter or the coupling means 35.

The cabinet 14 contains power-control means in the form of a switch 36 having ON and OFF positions and a variable switch 38 to regulate the power of the converter 15. An indicator light 40 is provided on the front panel 32 of the cabinet 14 to indicate when the switch 36 is in its ON position. A fluid selector switch 42 is provided on the front panel 32 and provides a selection of either the internal fluid supply or the external supply such that, as herein described, the user has the flexibility of using the instrumentation 10, from an external water supply or an internal fluid supply which permits him to use a host of liquids to perform a number of dental procedures. The fluid regulator means 41 includes a fluid regulator 45 that contains a dial 46 to vary the rate of the pumping means 25 when the fluid selector switch 42 is on its internal position, and which pumps the fluid from the reservoir 20 through the cable 28 in a manner which is well known in the art. When the fluid selector switch 42 is in the external position, then the fluid regulator switch 45 acts to control the liquid flow from the external fluid supply so that the amount of fluid being transmitted through the instrumentation means 26 is controlled as well as the degree of vibrations of the tip thereof by the proper control of the various related switches of the front panel 32 on the cabinet 14.

The cabinet 14 is seen to include support means 50, which may extend from the side wall 52 thereof in the form of an arm 54 supporting a bracket 55 having a recess or seat 56 extending on an angle therewith such that the assemblied accessory means 30 and adapter means 35 when in assembled relationship may be positioned by the user through recess 56. When a single adapter 30 is desired to be placed in the support means 50 then a pocket or cavity 58 is provided as seen in FIG. 3 such that the adapter 30 may be seated therein till use thereof is desired. Each accessory 30 is adapted to be interchangeable with and readily connected to the adapter 35 as hereinafter more fully described with respect to FIGS. 5-8.

The system 10 illustrated in FIGS. 1-3 is seen to include a power cable 59 connected to the generator or convertor 15 at one end and at its other end plugged into a wall outlet by a plug 60 so that the normal 60 Hertz house current is converted to an ultrasonic rate which, as herein defined, is in the frequency range of 5,000Hz to 1,000,000Hz. The convertor may be battery powered if desired. The dentist 11, powers the equipment by an on-off foot switch 37 that is connected by a cable 39 to the converter 15.

Accordingly, FIGS. 1-3 illustrate ultrasonic instrumentation that affords the user to have a variety of ultrasonic implements 30 available to him and to be interchangeably usable with a minimum effort and use of time. In use, the dentist 11 merely selects the particular accessory 30 desired for a particular need and then sets out to normally insert the accessory 30 into the adapter 35 in a simple, easy manner. The power may then be energized by the ON and OFF switch 36. The liquid 22 may be selected from the reservoir 20 if any is desired, or from the external water supply, by the fluid selector switch 42. The rate of fluid flow is controlled by the variable fluid regulator switch 45. The power level may be selected by the variable power adjust switch 38. When the user has completed use of the accessory 30, it may then be disconnected from the adapter 35 and placed in its support means 50 or the assemblied instrument 26, may be placed in the support means as illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3.

FIG. 4 illustrates the relationship of the reservoir 20 to the top 18 of the cabinet 14 such that when it is not desired to be used the reservoir 20 may be inverted and placed within the opening 61 and positioned in telescopic relationship with the exterior motor housing 62 that is supported by the bottom 64 of the cabinet. The housing 62 has a valve 65 of a conventional type that permits the fluid from the reservoir to be coupled to the pump means 25 contained within the housing 62. Although the pump may be positioned within the housing 62, it obviously may be remotely positioned either in the cabinet or remote therefrom with the proper cables connecting the pump to the reservoir means. FIG. 4 illustrates that it is possible to provide a cabinet without anything extending above the top thereof when the reservoir is not in use.

FIGS. 5-5D illustrates one form of accessory 30 and adapter 35, that may be utilized in accordance with the embodiments of the invention illustrated in FIGS. 1-3. In addition the ultrasonic instrument means 26 may be of the type as described in the co-pending patent application. The ultrasonic motor as described in FIGS. 5-5D has certain novel features forming part of the present invention and as seen the accessory 30, which by altering the front end thereof may be used for a host of applications not at all limited to the dental or home consumer fields but as a standard type of ultrasonic motor capable of being used for whereever ultrasonic motors are required.

The accessory 30 includes an ultrasonic motor or transducer means 70 contained in a tubular housing 72 having a front end 74 and a rear end 76 with the outer walls 78 of the housing 72 having any desired shape or configuration to facilitate it being handled by the user, and a tapered section 79 terminating at the front end 74 of the housing 72 with a chamber or cavity means 80 extending from the rear end 76 of the housing 72 and connected to an axial opening 82 which in turn terminates at the front end 74. As seen with respect to FIG. 5A, the ultrasonic motor 70 is contained within the housing cavity 80 and the handpiece housing 72 may be of plastic or any other suitable material.

The ultrasonic motor 70 includes a transmission member 85 terminating at a working output end or tip 86 at one end thereof and having a rear surface or face 88 at its opposite end. The transmission member 85 may be designed in the form of an acoustical impedance transformer so that there is an increase in the amplitude of mechanical vibration from its rear face 88 to its front tip 86. The actual variations of cross-sectional area to obtain the amplitude magnification is well known in the art. The transmission member 85 may be made of metallic or plastic material depending upon its desired use, for example, if the implement as shown in FIG. 5A has a water feed associated therewith then the unit may be used for dentistry in the form of a dental prophylaxis unit by the dentist to be used for maintaining tooth and gingival surfaces free of deposits normally contained on the teeth of the user. Essentially, the motor construction, as hereinafter described, for professional and home use, may be of similar design except that the relative power for a home consumer unit would be less than that of a professional unit which is used by the dentist since in the home the user is in a sense doing over a six-month period what the dentist might be doing at one sitting in the dentist's office. Accordingly, the tip 86 may be of a plastic material depending upon the use thereof and the magnitude of ultrasonic mechanical vibrations to be imparted thereto.

The transmission member has a circular rear section 90 and front section 95, with a counterbore or seat 91 extending from its rear face 88 to a bottom surface 93 and then terminating in a seat 92 adapted to contain therein sealing means as in the form of an o-ring 94 as hereinafter explained. Communicating with the bore 91 is a longitudinally extending passageway 96 that extends to the front tip 86 of the transmission 85 through the front section 95, which is illustrated to have a curved or contoured portion 98 to permit ready access within the oral cavity. Obviously, the shape, contour and cross-sectional area of the passageway 96 may be designed to obtain various spray patterns or flow rates and further, the tip 86, may be designed so as to obtain flexural, lateral, torsional, elliptical, linear or longitudinal motion, by proper control of the shape of the front section 95 of the transmission member which has the bent tip portion 98 formed therewith.

The transmission member 85 has a contoured radius 99 connecting together the front section 95 and the rear section 90 of the transmission member 85, which sections may be both of circular cross-sectional area such that the front section 95 extends out beyond the front end 74 of the housing 72 a sufficient distance and through the opening 82 provided therefore. The transmission member 85 may contain an annular depression 100 for motor mounting means, illustrated to be in the form of an o-ring 101, but it may take other forms and shapes as desired.

The ultrasonic motor 70 is longitudinally dimensioned so as to have lengths which are generally whole multiples of half-wavelengths of the compressional waves established therein at the frequency of the combined longitudinal length of the components so that longitudinal loops or other components of motion occur at the end 86 of the output surface of the transmission member 85. Thus, the optimum amplitude of longitudinal vibration and hyper-accelerations of transmission or coupling member 85 is achieved, and such amplitude is determined by the relationship of the masses of the rear section 90 and the front section 95 which may be made effective to either magnify or reduce the amplitude of the vibrations received from the transducer crystals. The front section 95 may be permanently attached to the rear section 90, or the front section 95, or part thereof, may be provided with a threaded stud adapted to be screwed into a tapped hole in the end of the transmission member 85 for effecting rigid connection of a removable element thereto.

Crystal 105 is mounted within the cavity means 80 of the adapter 30 in axial alignment with the transmission member 85. The crystal 105 is of tubular shape and in the embodiment shown comprises a lead zirconate-lead titanate ceramic crystal which is formed so as to be capable of ultrasonic vibrational activity in its longitudinal direction when activated by high frequency electrical impulses delivered to it as will be described.

As seen in FIG. 5D the seat 91 is mounted over and is mechanically joined to the crystal 105 by a hardening cement 106 of, for example, the epoxy type which, upon setting, becomes rigid and provides a solid direct mechanical coupling between the front end portion 108 of the crystal 105 so that ultrasonic longitudinal vibrations of the later are directly transmitted to the rear section 90 of acoustical impedance transformer to form a compound resonator. As shown in FIG. 5A the rear section 90 has a skirt portion 109 which extends downwardly over the front end 108 of crystal 105 and a recessed portion 91 is provided to receive the epoxy cement 106 to circumferentially surround the front end of the crystal 105.

Electrical ultrasonic oscillator 15 is interconnected to crystal 105 by wires 112 and 114 connected respectively to inner and outer walls 116, 118 of crystal 105 by soldering or the like. The crystal 105 is provided on its wall surface with an electrically conductive silver coating 120 of approximately 0.0015 inch thickness extends to within about three-eighths inch of the end on the outer wall 118 and may extend all the way on the inner wall 116 or to within about one-fourth inch on the inner wall. Such coating is applied by electrodeposition or any other conventional process. After the aforesaid soldered connection is effected between crystal 105 and wires 112 and 114, as well as a third wire for a purpose hereinafter explained, the assembly may be positioned within the adapter 30.

Oscillating electric power delivered to said electrodes 112 and 114 from the oscillator 15 will provide the desired piezoelectric effect and ultrasonic longitudinal vibration of said crystal 105 and tip 86. Electrode 112 and inner wall 116 of crystal 105 may be connected to the "hot" side of the oscillator circuit 15 and electrode 38 and outer wall 47 to the "neutral" side or vice versa.

As noted above, when the ultrasonic vibrations are created in crystal 105, these are transmitted directly to the tip 86 so that when its working end is applied to a tooth or other surface to be cleaned these vibrations serve to liberate accumulated dirt on such surfaces which later is flushed away as debris by the fluid spray delivered by the outer end 86 of the tip.

The crystal 105 of tubular form consists of a lead-zirconate-lead titanate ceramic having the unique quality of expanding and contracting in longitudinal direction when excited by high frequency electrical oscillations as shown. While such crystals may be designed to produce this effect with oscillations at from 25,000 c.p.s., preferably, for dental application, each crystal 105 is designed to respond more or less to a specific frequency and the transmission member 85 described provides with it a matched pair providing a compound resonator responsive to the selected frequency.

Crystal 105 can be electrically energized to have vibratory components in other than longitudinal directions to provide various mechanical effects at the tip as desired. This would be accomplished by changing the excitation frequency. In addition the location of applying the voltage to the crystal can be ultilized to produce different effects. For example, by applying the voltage across opposite ends of the crystal produces a torsional effect. Another factor of crystal operation is the relative extent of crystal surface coverage by the silver coating. By flattening the tip and making the width and thickness of the tip approximately equal one can achieve lateral movement of the outer tip end and consequently the pattern of tip movement can be altered by adjustment of the tip design if other than pure longitudinal or axial motion of the tip is desired.

The motor 70 has frequency sensing means 125 associated therewith in the form of an isolated portion 126 of the coating 120 by a band or spacing 128 such that the isolated portion 126 acts independently of the rest of the crystal 105. In this manner a single crystal element is used for both driving an ultrasonic motor and generating an electrical signal for continuous tuning of the converter 15. As seen in FIG. 5A an electrical lead 130 is in mechanical contact with the portion 126 by soldering or other means.

When the circuit 15 is energized, as by closing of the power supply on-off switch 36, the sudden surge of current therefrom will drive the crystal 105 into a vibratory mode of operation. The vibrations of crystal 105 will in turn induce vibrations in the feedback crystal portion 126 and the vibrations or oscillatory output of crystal 105 is fed back to the converter circuit. Since the induced vibrations in the crystal may be harmonic and/or subharmonic of the crystal fundamental frequency, the inductorcapacitor feedback network is tuned to be series resonant at the desired frequency of vibration for the motor 70. The transistor in the circuit operates as an amplifier so that this series resonant frequency, the feedback signal to the base input of the transistor will be at a level to provide a sufficient signal output from the transistor for coupling via a transformer to the crystal 105 to sustain the crystal vibrations at the desired or tuned frequency of the series resonant circuit. A discussion of the converter circuit that may be used in conjunction with the motor is described in FIGS. 21 and 22.

The motor assembly is provided with gripping means 155 for facilitating separating and assembling of the implement means 30 and adapter means 35. The gripping means 155 as illustrated in FIG. 5 is seen to include a knurled portion 156 near or at the rear of the implement means 30 and a knurled portion 157 near or at the front of the adapter means 35. Other forms of gripping means may be employed, and positioned along the instrument means, such as finger detents or other contoured shapes to facilitate the assembly and dissassembly of the parts.

The rear end 76 of the casing or housing 72 has an electric connector or plug 135 connected thereto by means of a bushing 136, which extends within the rear end 76 of the housing 72 and may be secured thereto in any conventional manner. The connector 135 is seated at one end of the bushing 136 and adapted to mate with an opposite type connector 140; i.e., female, such that electrical energy may be transmitted to the motor 70.

The adapter 35 is designed to match the rear end of the housing and includes a cavity 141 having a front end 142 which abuts the rear end 76 with a wall portion 143 having an external diameter 144 that may be of the same outside diameter as the housing 72. The female connector 140 is contained within a counterbore 145 having electrical contacts 147, 147 and 148 and may be seated therein by a press fit such that the electrical terminals or prongs 149, 150 and 151 and water feed 152 of the connector 135, as seen in FIGS. 7 and 8 are adapted to mate with the female receptacle 140 having receiving prongs or contacts 153, 154 and 158, with receiving prong 155 for the fluid. The terminals 149, 150 and 151 extend from the front of the connector 135 and the three electrical leads 112, 114 and 130 are connected to 149, 150 and 151 respectively and, in turn, to prongs 158, 153 and 154 which connect to contacts 146, 147 and 148 respectively. An extention 161 extends in telescopic relation from the adapter 26 and by a frictional fit extends within the cavity 80 at the rear of the implement means 30. The present embodiment of the ultrasonic motor system is adapted to have a fluid pass therethrough such that the instrument may be used as a water pick or dental prophylaxis unit and accordingly, fluid supply means 160 is provided in the form of a flexible tube or conduit 162 that extends through the sleeve 136 and is coupled to the receptacle 135 which in turn has its prong 152 that mates with prong 155 in receptacle 140 in a conventional manner. The conduit 162 extends from the receptacle 135 and through the axial bore in the crystal 105 to be in axial alignment with the passageway 96 extending from the bottom surface or seat 92 to the tip 86 of the transmission member 85. The conduit 162 may abut the bottom of the seat 92 and be retained in place by sealing means in the form of an o-ring 94 to afford a structurally fluid tight seal. Other means of coupling the front to the fluid connecting member 162 may be utilized in order to have a continuous flow of fluid from a desired source, which may be from a tap or a mechanical pump for maintaining a stream of fluid on a continuous or intermittent basis.

The contacts 146, 147 and 148 have wires 164, 165 and 166 connected thereto and liquid conduit 167 connects to terminal 155, with all being contained within a flexible sheath 168 and together forming cable 28. A stop member 169 firmly grips the sheath 145 and members therein.

An additional feature of the present invention is to provide a separation or barrier between the electrical and fluid elements to be assured that no possible shorting or electrical leakage of the unit occurs. In the use of various chemical solutions there is the possibility that a film of deposits could build up between the electrical contacts from droplets that flow from the fluid connector terminals 152 and 155 when the accessory means 30 and adapter means 35 are disassembled. The separating means 170 is illustrated in FIGS. 5B and 5C and seen to include a partition or vertical wall 171 that extends across the face of connector 135 to separate the electrical terminal pins 149, 150 and 151 from the fluid. Near terminal 152 so that no leakage therebetween occurs on the mating connector 140, a vertical barrier or wall 172 is provided that would separate the electrical terminals 153, 154 and 158 from the fluid terminal 155. Furthermore, the walls 171 and 172 are in spaced relation to each other when the connectors 135 and 140 are plugged into each other. FIGS. 6 - 6D illustrates one form of accessory 30a and adapter 35a, that may be utilized in accordance with the embodiments of the invention illustrated in FIGS. 1 - 3. The ultrasonic motor as described in FIGS. 6 - 6D has certain novel features forming part of the present invention and as seen the accessory 30a, which by altering the front end thereof may be used for a host of applications not at all limited to the dental or home consumer fields but as a standard type of utrasonic motor capable of being used for whatever ultrasonic motors are required.

The accessory 30a includes an ultrasonic motor or transducer means 70a contained in a tubular housing 72a having a front end 74a and a rear end 76a with the outer walls 78a of the housing 72a having any desired shape or configuration to facilitate it being handled by the user, and a tapered section 79a terminating at the front end 74a of the housing 72a with a chamber or cavity means 80a extending from the rear end 76a of the housing 72a and connected to an axial opening 82a which in turn terminates at the front end 74a. As seen with respect to FIG. 6A, the ultrasonic motor 70 is contained within the housing cavity 80a and the handpiece housing 72a may be of plastic or any other suitable material.

The ultrasonic motor 70a includes aa transmission member 85a having a removable element 84a removable secured to te transmission member 85a as by threads 87a terminating at a working output end or tip 86a at one end thereof and haivng a rear surface or face 88a at its opposite end. The transmission member 85a may be designed in the form of an acoustical impedance transformer so that there is an increase in the amplitude of mechanical vibration from its rear face 88a to its front tip 86a.

The actual variations of cross-sectional area to obtain the amplitude magnification is well known in the art. The transmission member 85a and element 84a may be made of metallic or plastic material depending upon its desired use, for example, if the implement as shown in FIG. 6A has a water feed associated therewith then the unit may be used for dentistry in the form of a dental prophylaxis unit by the dentist to be used for maintaining tooth and gingival surfaces free of deposits normally contained on the teeth of the user. Essentially, the motor construction, as hereinafter described, for professional and home use, may be similar design except that the relative power for a home consumer unit would be less than that of a professional unit which is used by the dentist sinnce in the home the user is in a sense doing over a six-month period what the dentist might be doing at one sitting in the dentist's office. Accordingly, the tip 86a may be of a plastic material depending upon the use thereof and the magnitude of ultrasonic mechanical vibrations to be imparted thereto.

The transmission member usually has a circular rear section 90a and front section 95a. The transmission member 85a has a contoured radius 99a connecting together the front section 95a and the rear section 90a of the transmission member 85a, which sections may be both of circular cross-sectional area such that the front section 95a extends out beyond the front end 74a of the housing 72a a sufficient distance and through the opening 82a provided therefore. The trasnission member 85a may contain an annular depression 100a for motor mounting means, illustrated to be in the form of an o-ring 101a, but it may take other forms and shapes as desired.

The ultrasonic motor 70a is longitudinally dimensioned so as to have lengths which are generally whole multiples of half-wave lengths of the compressional waves established therein at the frequency of the combined longitudinal length of the components so that longitudinal loops or other components of motion occur ar the end 86a. Thus, the optimum amplitude of longitudinal vibration and hyper-accelerations of transmission or coupling member 85a is achieved, and such amplitude is determined by the relationship of the masses of the rear section 90a and the front section 95a which may be made effective to either magnify or reduce the amplitude of the vibrations received from the transducer crystals.

Crystal 105a is mounted on the rear face 88a as by an epoxy material well known in the art. The crystal 105a is of cylindrical shape and in the embodiment shown comprises a lead zirconate-lead titanate ceramic crystal which is formed so as to be capable of ultrasonic vibrational activity in the longitudinal direction when activated by high frequency electrical impulses delivered to it as will be described.

As seen in FIG. 6A the crystal 105a is mounted on the surface 88a and mechanically joined by a hardening cement for example, the epoxy type which, upon setting, becomes rigid and provides a solid direct mechanical coupling between the rear portion 90a and the crystal 105a so that ultrasonic longitudinal vibrations of the later are directly transmitted to the acoustical impedance transformer to form a compoiund resonator.

The electrical ultrasonic oscillator is connected to crystal 105a by wires 112a and 114a connected respectively to the opposite spaced apart 116a, 118a of crystal 105a by soldering or the like. The crystal 105a is provided on wall surfaces 116a and 118a with an electrically conductive silver coating 120a of approximately 0.0015 inch thickness. Such coating is applied by electrodeposition or any other conventional process. After the aforesaid soldered connection is effected between crystal 105a and wires 112a and 114a as well as a third wire for a purpose hereinafter explained, the assembly may be positioned within the adapter 30a.

Oscillating electric power delivered to said electrodes 112a and 114a from the oscillator will provide the desired piezoelectric effect and ultrasonic longitudinal vibration of said crystal 105a and tip 86a. Electrode 112a on wall 116a of crystal 105a may be connected to the "hot" side of the oscillator circuit and electrode 114a to the "neutral" side or vice versa.

The crystal 105a consists of a lead-zirconate-lead titanate ceramic having the unique quality of expanding and contracting in longitudinal direction when excited by high frequency electrical oscillations as shown. While such crystals may be designed to produce this effect with oscillations at from 25,000 c.p.s., preferrably, for dental application, each crystal 105a is designed to respond more or less to a specific frequency and the transmission member 85a described provides with it a matched pair providing a compound resonator responsive to the selected frequency.

Another factor of crystal operation is the relative extent of crystal surface coverage by the silver coating. By flattening the tip and making the width and thickness of the tip approximately equal one can achieve lateral movement of the outer tip end and consequently the pattern of tip movement can be altered by adjustment of the tip design if other than pure longitudinal or axial motion of the tip is desired.

The motor 70a has frequency sensing means 125a as seen in FIG. 6D associated therewith in the form of an electrically isolated portion 126a of the coating 120a by a band or spacing 128a such that the isolated portion 126a acts independently of of the rest of the crystal 105a. In this manner a single crystal element is used for both driving an ultrasonic motor and generating an electrical signal for continuous tuning of the converter. As seen in FIG. 6D an electrical lead 130a is in mechanical contact with the portion 126a by soldering or other means. It is to be appreciated that the sensing means 125a may be contained on any surface of the crystal and need not be on the same surface as that portion of the crystal element used for driving the motor.

When the circuit is energized, as by closing of the power supply on-off switch, the sudden surge of current therefrom will drive the crystal 105a 9nto a vibratory mode of operation. The vibrations of crystal 105a will in turn induce vibrations in the feedback crystal portion 126a and the vibrations or oscillatory output of crystal 105a is fed back to the converter circuit. Since the induced vibrations in the crystal may be harmonic and/or subharmonic of the crystal fundamental frequency, the inductor-capacitor feedback network is tuned to be series resonant at the desired frequency of vibration for the motor 70a. The transistor in the circuit operates as an amplifier so that this series resonant frequency, the feedback signal to the base input of the transistor will be at a level to provide a sufficient signal output from the transistor for coupling via a transformer to the crystal 105a to sustain the crystal vibrations at the desired or tuned frequency of the series resonant circuit. A discussion of the converter circuit that may be used in conjunction with the motor is described in FIGS. 19 and 20.

The motor assembly is provided with gripping means 155a for facilitating separating and assembling of the implement means 30a and adapter means 35a. The gripping means 155a as illustrated in FIG. 6 is seen to include a knurled portion 157a near or at the rear of the implement means 30a and a knurled portion 156a near or at the front of the adapter means 35a. Other forms of gripping means may be employed, and positioned along the instrument means, such as finger detents or other contoured shapes to facilitate the assembly and dissassembly of the parts.

The rear end 76a of the casing or housing 72a has an electric connector or plug 135a connected thereto by means of a bushing 136a, which extends within the rear end 76a of the housing 72a and may be secured thereto in any conventional manner. The connector 135a is seated at one end of the bushing 136a and adapted to mate with an opposite type connector 140a; i.e., female, such that electrical energy may be transmitted to the motor 70a.

The adapter 35a is designed to match the rear end of housing and includes a cavity 141a having a front end 142a which abuts the rear end 76a with a wall portion 143a having an external diameter 144a that may be of the same outside diameter as the housing 72a. The female connector 140a is contained within a counterbore 145a having electrical contacts 146a, 147a and 148a and may be seated therein by a press fit such that the electrical terminals or prongs 149a, 150a and 151a and water feed 152a of the connector 135a as seen in FIG. 6C and 6D are adapted to mate with the female receptacle 140a having receiving prongs or contacts 153a, 154a and 158a, with receiving prong 155a for the fluid. The terminals 149a, 150a and 151a extend from the front of the connector 135a and the three electrical leads 112a, 114a and 130a are connected to 149a, 150a and 151a respectively and, in turn, to prongs 158a, 153a and 154a which connect to contacts 146a, 147a and 148a respectively. An extention 161a extends in telescopic relation from the adapter 26a and by a frictional fit extends within the cavity 80a at the rear of the implement means 30a. The present embodiment of the ultrasonic motor system is adapted to have a fluid pass therethrough such that the instrument may be usded as a water pick or dental prophylaxis unit and accordingly, fluid supply means 160a is provided in the form of a flexible tube or conduit 162a that extends through the sleeve 136a and is coupled to the receptacle 135a which in turn has its prong 152a that mates with prong 155a in receptacle 140a in a conventional manner. The conduit 162a extends from the receptacle 135a and through the cavity 80a into the housing outer wall 78a, which in this embodiment of the invention may be manufactured in two sections, a first section 102a and a second section 103a as seen particularly in FIG. 6B. In this manner a longitudinal groove or channel 104a is provided in one or both sections so as to receive therein the fluid conduit 162a which fits therein and extends through the tapered front section 79a and beyond the front end 74a. The front end 110a of the conduit 162a may be beveled and so positioned adjacent the front tip 86a to emit a cavitational spray as it well known. The individual sections 102a and 103a may be ultrasonically bonded together, or molded to snap together. In this manner a simpler and novel design and construction of an ultrasonic motor is obtained because the problem of water leakage is avoided. In this manner the complete transducer after assembly may be positioned within one of the sections with the conduit 162a contained in the channel 104a and then the other channel placed in over lapping relationship thereto, and both channels joined together. It is appreciated that the tip of the motor need not be of a removable type. Since the tip configuration may vary the end 110a of the fluid conduit 162a may be preformed to any desired contour prior to it being placed within the housing section.

Switching means in the form of a switch 163a is provided on the accessory 30a and may be connected to the connector 135a in a conventional manner (not shown) and inturn to the converter.

The contacts 146a, 147a and 148a have wires 164a, 165a and 166a connected thereto and liquid conduit 167a connects to terminal 155a, with all being contained within a flexible sheath 168a and together forming cable 28a. A stop member 169a firmly grips the sheath 145a and members therein.

An additional feature of the present invention is to provide a separation or barrier between the electrical and fluid elements to be assured that no possible shorting or electrical leakage of the unit occurs. In the use of various chemical solutions there is the possibility that a film of deposits could build up between the electrical contacts from droplets that flow from the fluid connector terminals 152a and 155a when the accessory means 30a and adapter means 35a are disassembled. The separating means 170a is illustrated in FIGS. 6C and 6D and seen to include195 a partition or vertical wall 171a that extends accross the face of connector 135a to separate the electrical terminal pins 149a, 150a and 151a from the fluid. Near terminal 152a so that no leakage therebetween occurs on the mating connector 140a, a vertical barrier or wall 172a is provided that would separate the electrical terminals 153a, 154a and 158a from the fluid terminal 155a. Furthermore, the walls 171a and 172a are in spaced relation to each other when the connectors 135a and 140a are plugged into each other.

FIGS. 7 and 8 illustrate another form of sensing means 125b associated with the crystal 105b illustrated to be of a rectangular configuration and secured to the rear face 88b of the motor section 90b also illustrated to be of a rectangular cross-section. The shape of either the motor or crystal may vary in accordance with the requirements thereof. To drive or excite the crystal 105a lead 114b is connected to the coating 120b and the lead 112b is connected to coating 120b on the spaced apart surface of the crystal 105b.

The sensing portion 126b in this embodiment is seen to be on the side of the crystal, electrically isolated ffrom the portions 120b, in such a manner as to produce the necessary feed back signal required for the converter. Accordingly, the present invention permits the use of a crystal of any desired shape having an electrically isolated portion thereon for forming part of the electro-mechanical system for driving the motor.

FIGS. 9 and 10 illustrate an embodiment of the invention in which a receptacle 20 is utilized in conjunction with the system 10, and which receptacle 20 is in the form of a container adapted to be provided to the dentist, or other user, with a particular fluid 22 therein that may be water, or preferrably a special type fluid or medicament to be used in conjunction with the system 10. In this manner a variety of dental procedures that are both of a physical and psychological nature may be performed to assist the dentist in the performance of his procedures. For example, if the fluid 22 is colored in red, then when the dental instrument 26 is utilized as seen in FIG. 1 and if there is any bleeding by the patient then this fact would not be known to him since the receptacle 20 would be of clear plastic material such that the patient aware that a red fluid is entering his mouth and not realizing it is mixing with his own blood.

Another dental procedures is the utilization of a fluid anesthetic which permits the dentist to simultaneously anesthetize the gum of the patient as the dental procedure is being carried out. In this manner we are able to obtain pain control and further diminish the anxiety associated with dental treatment. The present system, as herein disclosed, facilitates the dentist using a host of medicaments.

The receptacle 20 may take various forms, shapes, sizes but is designed to be adapted for use in conjunction with the pumping means 25 contained in the cabinet 14 such that when the fluid positionment switch 42 is on its internal position and the container 20 is positioned as seen in FIG. 10 a flow therefrom will automatically occur and be dispensed through the pumping means 25, and in turn through instrument means 36.

Receptacle 20 as seen in FIG. 9 includes a body portion 176 forming an internal cavity 178 and an exterior surface 180, that may contain a label or other marking indicating the solution therein, having formed at one end thereof an end portion 182 formed with the side wall 176 and having venting means 185 associated therewith to permit air to enter the receptacle 20 when in use as seen in FIG. 10.

The venting means is seen to include an aperture 186 that extends through the end portion wall 182 for communicating between the atmosphere and the cavity 178.

The upper portion side wall 176 has a threaded portion 188 thereon and which is adapted to mate with a threaded portion 190 of the cover 191 contained on the downwardly extending skirt portion 192. The cover portion 191 has a downwardly extending abutment or ear 194 that may be conical in shape such that when the cover 191 is in the position shown in FIG. 9 the abutment 194 acts a sealing means to seal off the end portion 182 and prevent the fluid from escaping therefrom. The venting means may take other forms and shapes as for example, the plastic wall 182 may be dimensioned to be punctured by the protrusion 194. Other means may be employed for venting, that may include a puncture seal, a value, or even a liner in the receptacle that collapses by the atmospheric pressure.

The opposite or lower end 195 of the container 20 is formed with the wall portion 176 and has associated therewith dispensing means 20 that is adapted to operate in conjunction with the pumping means 25 contained in the cabinet. As seen in FIG. 9 the dispensing means includes a fluid aperture 210 extending axially through a bushing member 202 positioned in the lower end 195 and which may be of a material, such as a soft plastic or rubber that can be sealed off when the receptacle 20 is not in use.

The receptacle 20 contains outer peripheral threads which are designed to accept a closure 205 having a depending annular skirt 206 containing internal threads 207 adapted to mate with the threads 204 contained on the body portion on 176. The closure 205 has a sealing portion 208 that has a raised area with a contacting portion 210 which abuts the front end 212 of the bushing 202.

The container 20 may also include fluid indicator means 215 which may be in the form of graduated marking 216 extending horizintally on the outer surface 180 of the receptacle such that the amount of fluid dispensed through the system may be monitored by the nurse, by the dentist, by the consumer, or user of the equipment. It is appreciated that the described receptacle 20 is adapted for usse in any oral dental unit that is capable of essentially pumping the fluid from a receptacle through a handheld type instrument whether or not same is of an ultrasonic nature. Accordingly, the receptacle 20 may be used for home as well as professional dental units wherein medicaments of selected types are prescribed by either the dental profession, or otherwise commercially available.

In operation the user can invert the receptacle 20 and initially remove the cap 205 therefrom and then position the receptacle in relation to the pump means 25 such that the adapter bushing 202 is positioned within a seat or recess 218 contained in the pumping means 25 and which pumping means has a hollow extension 218 that is adapted to extend through the aperture 218 and into the cavity 178 to permit the fluid 22 to exit therethrough. The extension 218 may have a pointed tip 220 as for example, to be used wiith the embodiment shown in FIG. 9A, hereafter described in which a puncture of a diaphram is required. When the receptacle 20 is situated in the position seen in FIG. 10, or before, the vent cap cover 191 may be threadably disengaged a sufficient amount so that the vent aperture 186 is opened to the atmosphere to permit the flow of the fluid 22.

FIG. 9A illustrates another form of the invention in which the sealing means 200 of the receptacle 20 contains a frangible diaphragm 222 across the aperture 201. In this manner when the container 20 is initially disassemblied as discussed above and placed in the position illustrated in FIG. 10 the needle-point 220 of the element 218 will pierce the diaphram 222 and permit the fluid to exit therethrough and into the pumping means.

FIG. 9B illustrates another form of the sealing means associated with the dispensing means 200 in which the bushing 202 has been positioned therein adjacent its front surface 212 and a cavity or recess 224 is contained therein with a check valve 223. The valve includes a sealing member 225, illustrated in the form of a spherical member, and a spring 226 contained within the cavity 224 so, as to normally press the member 225 against the valve cap seat 227 at the bottom of the cavity 224. In operation when container 20 is placed in positionment as seen in FIG. 10 the element 218 would be of a length and diameter to open the valve and permit the fluid to flow therethrough. The utilization of the valve as described in FIG. 9B has an additional advantage in that the unit may be easily removed from assemblied relationship with the system 10 by merely lifting the upper portion and no leakage will occur due to the automatic closing of the valve. In this manner it more easily facilitates the user of the equipment to use whatever volume that is desired and yet hold the receptacle for future use by merely reassembling it within the system.

It is fully appreciated that the flexibility provided to the dentist in being able to utilize a host of chemicals and properly deliver them to the specific area of the oral cavity in selected dosages opens up various methods and procedures capable of being performed with the present invention. The receptacles may be of a single throw away type or of a reusable design such that the dentist may refill the receptacle for subsequent usage. The determination as to the construction of the receptacle as to its disposable or reusable nature, will obviously be determined in part by the cost aspects thereof. In any event new flexibility is provided both to the dentist and other users of the dental hygienic equipment.

FIG. 11 diagramatically illustrates the system 10 with respect to the basic relationship of the component assemblies consisting of ultrasonic instrument means 30 and adapter means 35 connected together as hereinabove explained. The adapter means 35 is operatively associated with the converter 15 having a plug 60 connected thereto by cable 59. The foot switch 37 is in turn connected to the converter 15 by cable 39. The hydraulic system 230 is in turn connected to both the converter 15 and adapter means 35 as hereinafter explained with respect to FIGS. 12-16.

A novel feature of the present invention is to permit the user to readily select either an external fluid supply i.e., water, or an internal fluid supply that may contain any number of prescribed medicaments which vary both in color and chemical composition.

It has also been found desireable to provide a "flushing cycle" for cleaning the system between the use of different medicinal fluids if desired. For example, if a red solution was used for a first patient and a blue solution is provided for a second patient then the user might wish to flush the hydraulic system prior to using the blue solution such that the patient sees only the blue solution. As above stated this may be for chemical purposes due to the incompatibility of the respective solutions, or that one solution is for a particular purpose and should not be used in the mouth of another patient. In any event the degree of flexibility of te system permits the flushing cycle to take place when required.

FIGS. 12-16 are combination pictorial representations and schematic circuit diagrams which illustrate the operational aspects of the hydraulic system 230 so as to permit the selection of the fluid supply from either an external or internal position and further the ability to flush the internal components of the hydraulic system 230 with the external fluid i.e., water, so that the particular chemical solution contained in the reservoir and lines is cleansed by the water and flushed therefrom prior to the utilization of another fluid. At the same time the flushing cycle can also be used to prime the conduits forming the hydraulic system for the pumping so as to remove any air contained therein such that there is fluid throughout the hydraulic system when the equipment is operated.

FIG. 12 illustrates the hydraulic system 230 in which the user intends to utilize only the external fluid supply, which is shown entering the conduit 253 by the arrow 254. To set the system to use the external fluid supply, the user positions the fluid selector switch 42, located on the front panel of the cabinet, to its external position.

The hydraulic system 230 incorporates therewith an external solenoid 232, which is used to control the fluid flow and is adapted to be coupled to the conduit 253. A T shaped conduit 248 couples the internal solenoid valve 234, which functions in the same manner as valve 232 to control the fluid flow to valve 234. The exit portion 250 of the T section conduit 248 is coupled to the fluid regulator switch 45, which controls the rate of fluid flow therethrough, and is mounted on the front panel. The fluid regulator switch has connected thereto the fluid conduit 167 which is coupled to adapter 35 (FIG. 11). Adapter 35 is in turn connected to the ultrasonic adapter means 26, thereby providing a continuous fluid flow path shown by arrow 252.

The internal valve 234 is coupled, via conduit 255 to the pumping means 25, which has incorporated therewith an externally mounted pump motor 245. The pump motor shaft, which extends into the fluid chamber 247 of the pumping means 25, has affixed thereon an impeller blade 243.

Removably mounted in operative relationship on top of the pumping means 25 is a fluid reservoir 20, of the open or closed type, which contains a fluid 22 as explained earlier.

The external and internal solenoids (232 and 234 respectively) have associated therewith electrical coils 235 and 241, respectively. One end of each coil 237 and 242, respectively, is connected, via wire 238, to terminal 249 of flushing switch 240 and, via lead 276, to the converter 15, which is connected to one side of the 60Hz line. The other end of electrical coil 235 is connected, via wire 236, to the external contact position of switch 42, and the other end of electrical coil 241 is coupled, via wire 244, to terminal 257 of flushing switch 240. Terminal 257 is connected, via wire 246, to one side of the motor 245, and terminal 251 is connected to the internal switch contact position of switch 42. The other side of the motor 245 is connected, via lead 266, to terminal 259 of flushing switch 240. Terminal 261 of switch 240 is connected, via wire 272, to terminal 267 of the converter 15.

Terminal 267 is connected to the other side of the 60Hz line voltage through the converter 15, wire 59 and via plug 60, which is inserted into a wall outlet, not shown. Terminal 267 of the converter 15 is also connected, via wire 270, through a first set of normally open contacts of relay 262 (shown closed) and, via lead 268, to the contact arm of switch 42.

It is to be understood that although the preferred embodiment of the invention utilizes the normal line voltage for operation of the external and internal solenoids and pump motor, lower voltages, or a battery, may also be utilized to provide the energizing voltage. It is also within the scope of this invention to use mechanical valves to adjust and select the fluid flow paths.

In operation, wherein the user intends to merely utilize the external fluid supply, shown entering conduit 253 by arrow 254, he positions the fluid selector switch 42 contained on the front panel to the cabinet, as noted earlier, to its external position and the flushing switch 240 to its upper position as shown in FIG. 12. This permits the external solenoid valve 232 to become energized (open) through the contacts of relay 262 when foot switch 37 is activated (closed) by the foot of the operator (FIG. 1). Since no voltage is applied to the internal solenoid valve 243, it remains closed (vertical), preventing the fluid froom entering the conduit 255. No voltage is applied to the motor 245; therefore, it remains inoperative.

The water entering conduit 253 at arrow 254 enters the T section conduit 248, flows via conduit 250, through the flow regulator 45, which is manually controlled by the user to select the rate of water flow therethrough, and in turn, to conduit 167 that is in turn connected to the adapter 35 (FIG. 11) so that the water flows therethrough in the direction of arrow 252.

Note that a water regulator, not shown, may be placed along conduit 253, or elsewhere in the hydraulic system, to regulate the pressure to compensate for the water pressure fluctuations from location to location.

Accordingly, FIG. 12 illustrates the utilization of the system in a manner such that only the external fluid supply is utilized. When the foot switch 37 is released (opened), relay 262 is de-energized and the solenoid 232 is returned to its normally closed position stopping the fluid flow.

FIG. 13 illustrates the hydraulic system with all the components referenced in a manner as described in FIG. 12 with the exception as now illustrated switch 42 is on the internal position such that the valve 232 is in its closed position and valve 241 is in its energized or open position. Furthermore, the reservoir 20 is illustrated with a fluid 22 contained therein. In this manner the system is operational with the pumping motor 245 pumping the fluid through the conduit 167 in the direction of the arrow 252 as it flows through the regulator 45. As seen the valve 232 is in its closed position and therefore no external fluid is permitted to enter.

FIG. 13 illustrates a normal operation of the internal hydraulic system 230. The user may conveniently permit the fluid within the reservoir 20 to pass through the conduit 255, the valve 234, which is in its open position, and the conduit 250 which is in communicating relation with the adjustable water regulator flow valve 45 by closing foot switch 37 as shown.

FIG. 14 illustrates the first aspect of a flushing cycle aafter using the fluid on its internal cycle as illustrated in FIG. 13. The flushing cycle is used where either a different fluid from an internal supply is to be used or to properly flush the internal system to remove chemical deposits which may tend to settle therein and cause a malfunction after use of the system for prolonged periods of time.

A novel aspect of the present hydraulic system 260 is the function of flushing switch 240 and its related circuit, as hereinafter discussed in more detail. It is possible to simultaneously open both solenoid valves 232 and 234 by placing the switch 240 on its opposite position (down) such that the motor 245 does not operate. If the motor 245 was permitted to operate with both valves open and fluid flowing in from the external position, the pump could be damaged by the back flow. As seen in FIG. 14 the electrical relationship of the components is the same as illustrated in FIG. 12 wherein the internal solenoid valve 234 is closed and the external valve 232 is open. What therefore occurs is the fluid 22, contained within the conduits 248, 250, regulator 45 and conduit 167, including the accessory means, may be flushed by the incoming external water 275 flowing in through the open valve 232. This initially forms an admixture 276 of the remaining fluid 22 and the fluid 275. The user continues to operate the hydraulic system 230 from the external position until it is completely flushed and there is substantially no trace of the fluid 22. If the fluid 22 is of a particular color, it is particularly easy for the user to know when the flushing is complete because the user viewing the fluid being ejected from the accessory means will continue to operate it until the fluid becomes clear. If the fluid 22 is substantially clear to begin with but is of a chemical solution that requires flushing, then the user will know by experience or per instructions as to the approximate amount of time required to flush the system.

FIG. 15 illustrates the function of the hydraulic system 230 with the external solenoid valve 232 and the internal solenoid valve 234 both in an open position and with the motor 245 inoperative due to the position of the switch 240. In this manner, after flushing the conduit 250 remaining components, and the tips of the ultrasonic motor, the external fluid 275 flows through the valve 234 into conduit 255, pumping means 25, back up into reservoir 20 to form an admixture while the fluid continues to flow in the direction of arrow 252. The complete system will be flushed in a relatively short period of time.

Accordingly, in this manner the complete system from the reservoir 20 to the tip of the instrumentation is completely flushed of any fluid that was previously contained therein and now permits the user to either proceed to use the internal, or external fluid supply. Obviously, if the external fluid supply is now desired to be used, the reservoir 20 can now be filled and the fluid 275 contained in the hydraulic system 230 will first pass therethrough and the new fluid in the reservoir 20 will be brought to the tip of the ultrasonic motor. It is appreciated that the time for the flushing cycle is generally less than a minute and may be as short as several seconds duration, and does not require a prolonged procedure in order to obtain the resultant flushing of the system.

FIG. 16 is the same as FIG. 15 as to the respective positionment of the electrical switches and relays except that it is several seconds later. The admixture has flowed through the system and the system contains the external fluid 275 therein. Accordingly, the system is now completely flushed of any prior fluid tracers and ready for use.

Accordingly, FIGS. 12-16 illustrate a novel arrangement which permits the utilization of a system of multiple fluid sources, either internal or external and additionally provide a position for cleansing the system of the fluids used in the internal positionment of the system.

FIG. 17 is another embodiment of the invention for which two or more reservoirs 20c may be used in conjunction with the hydraulic system 230c such that the user has the benefit of selecting a variety of external fluids from aa reservoir, which may be of the open type or closed type as previously illustrated. There are a number of procedures in which a dentist, or other user, may desire to quickly flush the system and use another fluid. The present system permits a particular medication to first be applied and the dentist may thereafter apply a second, third, fourth, etc. fluid as required. FIG. 17 is intended to essentially illustrate the electronic relationship of the components in a multi-reservoir system. It is appreciated that the respective procedures illustrated in FIGS. 12-16 as to utilization of external, internal, as well as the flushing cycle are similarly possible with the system illustrated in FIG. 17, except that an additional feature is provided which permits the user to select a particular reservoir. Although an electrical solenoid valve is shown illustrated with each reservoir, we have found that a mechanical valve can also be utilized to switch from reservoir to reservoir in order to obtain the necessary selection required.

The reservoirs 20c, three being shown as an example, are each coupled to a respective electrical solenoid valve 278c, 279c and 280c connected together by a common conduit 281c forming part of the pumping means 25c and having the pump motor 245c communicating therewith. The electrical connection to each solenoid coil 283c, 284c and 285c of valves 278c, 279c and 280c respectively are connected by a common wire 238c that also connects to the converter 15c via wire 242c.

Coils 283c, 284c are connected at their opposite ends respectively by leads 286c, 287c and 288c to terminals of selector switch 42c having position selector arms thereon in a conventional manner. The flushing switch 240c is also of the type having a plurality of selector positions thereon as shown for example in FIG. 17. The remaining wiring of the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 17 is similar to that of the earlier descriped embodiment (FIGS. 12-16).

The illustrated positions of the switches 42c and 240c is such as to open the valves 243c and 280c so that the internal fluid supply from a reservoir 20c is employed. In like manner the rotation of the selector switches sequentially will open the other valves 278c and 279c while the valve 234c remains open. The flushing cycle is also performed as explained with respect to FIGS. 12-16. A pressure control valve 290c may be placed along conduit 253c to control the pressure of the fluid flow as indicated by arrow 254c.

FIG. 18 is an alternate embodiment of the present invention, which performs all of the functions described earlier, includes all of the elements shown in FIGS. 12-16, and further includes an additional electrical solenoid valve 291d, which is located proximate the handpiece. The coil 292d of valve 291d has one end connected, via wire 293d to wire 276d, which is connected to one side of the 60Hz line through the converter 15d and also, via wire 297d, to wire 242d. The other end of the coil 292d is connected, via wire 294d, to wire 270d, which is connected, via the normally open contacts of relay 262d, to the other side of the 60Hz line via the converter 15d and is also connected via wire 268d, to terminal 299d of switch 42d and, via wire 300d, to terminal 301d of switch 240d.

One side of the pump motor 245d is connected, via wires 266d and 276d, to one side of the 60Hz line, via the converter 15d. The other side of the pump motor is connected, via wire 246d to terminal 298d of switch 240d.

One side of valve coils 235d and 241d are connected in common, via wires 237d and 242d, and then connected via wires 276d and 297d to one side of the 60Hz line through the converter 15d. The other side of valve coil 241d is connected, via wire 264d, to the internal terminal of switch 42d, and, via wire 305d to terminal 308d of switch 240d. A wire 295d is connected from terminal 309d of switch 240d via wire 295d to one side of the 60Hz line through the converter 15d.

Foot switch 37d has one terminal connected to one side of the 60Hz line via wire 256d through converter 15d, and the other terminal connected, via wire 258d, to the coil of relay 262d. The other side of the coil of relay 262d is connected, via wire 274d, to the other side of the 60Hz line through the converter 15d. Closing the foot switch 37d energizes relay 262d.

It is to be noted that, although the relay and valves are described as operating from the 60Hz line in the preferred embodiment, it is within the scope of this invention to utilize a battery voltage source, or any voltage source known to a person skilled in the art, for operation of the electrical valves and relays described.

In operation, the function of valve 291d is to stop any fluid from leaking out of the handpiece after the foot switch 37d has been released due to residual fluid pressure in the conduit 167d. The valve 291d is opened each time the foot switch 37d is activated.

A priming function is incorporated in the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 18, such that when switch 42d is set in the internal position, the pump motor 245d may be energized simultaneously with value 234d and valve 291d, allowing the fluid 22d to enter the fluid chamber 247d, wherein it is pumped into conduits 248d, 250d and 255d prior to activating the foot switch 37d. Thus, when the foot switch is activated, the fluid is instantly available at the handpiece (FIG. 1).

This feature is obtained by a slight modification in the wiring of flushing switch 240d. Note that a wire 295d, which is connected to one side of the 60H, line, via the converter 15d, is made available, via switch 240d, to energize the pump motor 245d and valves 234d and 291d.

When switch 42d is in the external position, valve 232d is activated allowing the external water pressure to prime the system.

Switch 296d, which may be included on the front panel, or elsewhere for convenience, provides the option of turning on the ultrasonics, which is located within the converter 15d, as noted earlier, simultaneously with the foot switch 37d or provides for independent operation of the hydraulic system.

Thus, hereinbefore has been disclosed an apparatus for providing to the dentist a source of readily interchangeable reservoirs of fluid medicaments for professional oral procedures. The apparatus provides a two-way hydraulic system, which permits the use of either an external water supply, which is also available for flushing the system, or an internal fluid supply comprising tanks or reservoirs that are readily removable from and replaceable to the system.

FIGS. 19 and 20 illustrate another embodiment of the invention in which the system 10e includes the cabinet 14e, having a cabinet top surface 18e and side walls 52e. The system may be essentially as discussed with respect to FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, except that actuating means 315e is provided to be utilized in conjunction with the system 10e to permit the user of the system 10e to have the ability to pre-select one or more fluids for use in performing dental procedures.

With the utilization of the present invention, the basic procedures of professional dentistry may be carried out as well as additional procedures by the mere ability to provide a plurality of solution tanks or reservoirs 20e each capable of dispensing a different fluid. Some of these fluids can be utilized with a dental tip having a flow-through conduit as illustrated with respect to FIG. 5A, such that the medicament may reach the proper area or zone in the oral cavity. These tips may be designed for scaling and curettage and by proper guidance the cavitating spray may be applied subgingivally and inter-dental spraying as well. The present system gives the dentist or user freedom for using any solution that will be helpful in carrying out this dental procedure.

The list below are some of the general areas to which the flexibility of the present system permits.

A. water - Pre-selected types

1. Warm, cool

2. Flavored, colored - flavor and color to calm the emotions of patients as expectorating blood, thus red solutions to prevent site of blood. Flavor is a stimulating thing for emotional patients. Flavor is a stimulating thing for emotional patients.

B. mouthwash - Antisipatic, flavored and colored (red)

C. oxygenation Sol - (h.sub.2 O.sub.2).

D. anaesthetic Solution

1. For use while scaling and curettage.

2. Spray mouth areas anaesthetically for problem patients requiring prosthetic impressions and x-ray films.

3. Simple surgical procedures - abscess, incisions, biopsies, simple decicluous extractions.

4. Pre-infection spraying.

There are many uses for anaesthesia all based upon the reason and thus the prescribed type of anaethesia can be designed or existing products on the market for this purpose can be used. A present anaesthesia solution which is on the market is Chloraseptic Antiseptic Anesthetic. The ultrasonic action acts as a catalytic agent for most solutions.

E. plaque Dye

A dye can be inserted in the reservoir and can be used while the dentist is scaling, thus using the dye as a guide to eliminate plaque and save time instead of reusing the dye by the patient. A suggested dye can be one which is washable and non-stainable Sodium Fluorescein can be used.

F. anti-Plaque Solution - Anti-Plaque liquids as mouthwashes can be used in reservoir.

G. antibiotic Solutions

H. periodental Solutions - eg., Astringent Sol.

I. cleaning Solutions - To clean out pih and tissues prior to sealing technique.

J. fluoride Solutions - Anti-caries procedures.

All the above are generalized solutions. Different types can be redesigned for these general pruposes or, for example, a red, flavored dye anti-plaque solution can be made as a generalized solution for dental scaling.

With the above in mind, it can be seen that the dispensing means 315e includes a support having a top surface 317e, a vertically extending front wall 318e, pair of spaced apart end walls 320e downwardly extending from top wall 317e, and a bottom wall 322e connected thereto and having downwardly extending legs 324e at each end thereof. The bottom wall 322e rests on the cabinet top wall 18e and the legs 324e abut the wall 52e of the cabinet 14e such that effectively the dispensing means 315e rests thereon and stays in place during use. It is fully appreciated that other means of coupling, or maintaining the dispersing means in fixed relationship to the cabinet 14e, can be utilized.

The actuating means 315e has positioned on its upper surface a plurality of spaced apart coupling members 325e, to be used in conjunction with a respective reservoir 20e, seen to include a body portion 176e having a neck portion 326e with an external thread 204e which has associated therewith dispensing means 200e which is seen to include holding means 328e having an axially extending rim 329e with an internally threaded portion 207e to mate with the threads 204e of the reservoir 20e. The holding means 328e has the dispensing means positioned axially therein and secured to the horizontal wall 330e and which dispensing means remains in its closed position unless activated by the coupling member 325e when in a position illustrated in FIG. 20.

In operation the user would either have the reservoir 203 supplied to him with the holding means 328e secured in place, or with a removable type cap (not shown) that the user would first remove and, while the reservoir 20e is in its vertical position (in reverse to the position shown), the cap would be removed and the holding means 328e secured in place. The user could then invert the reservoir 20e in the position as shown in FIG. 20 and leave it supported in any shelf since the skirt 332e has an axial length greater than the protruding portion of the dispensing means 200e such that it may be readily left on a counter surface until the same is desired to be used by the dentist. When use is desired, the assembled reservoir 20e is positioned on the coupling member 325e, which opens the valve contained within the dispensing means 200e, in a manner as illustrated, for example, in FIG. 9B and FIG. 10. The operation also calls for the utilization of venting means 185e on the opposite end, or any side thereof, of the reservoir 20e so that the flow through the dispensing means occurs. The venting means may be of the type as illustrated in FIG. 9 or in which the knob 324e acts as a valve and when rotated will permit air to enter into the reservoir 20e.

As seen in FIGS. 19 and 20 the actuating means acts as the positioning means and once in place the indicia means on the selector switch 336e is rotated to the proper numeral for selection of a particular reservoir.

According, the actuating means permits the assemblage of a plurality of reservoirs 20e of different sizes or shapes. since certain fluids may be more commonly used than others, and permitting the user to selectively determine which fluids he requires. Mounted on the front face 318e of the actuating means 315e is selector means 335e in the form of a switching valve 336e having a knob 338e on the front panel 318e with indicator pointer 340e which tells the user which reservoir 20e he has selected or if the selector means 335e is in its off position. The coupling member 325e is connected to a respective position on the switch 336e as by a conduit 342e, as seen in FIG. 20, and in turn the switch 336e is connected to a conduit 344e which in turn is connected to a valve assembly 345e having a valve 346e that engages a head or fluid member 347e which acts to open the valve 346e when in the position shown such that the fluid may flow therethrough. The dispensing means 200e is connected with the coupling member 326e to a conduit 342e that is coupled to the switch 336e and in turn to the valve assembly 354e and to the pumping means contained within the cabinet 14e as previously discussed herein. In this manner, the user selects a specific fluid that is pumped through the system and in turn through the ultrasonic instrument means 26e to exit from the tip thereof. The above embodiment of the invention permits for the first time a user of a professional dental instrument to have the flexibility to utilize a host of fluids to perform various functions on the patient.

Turning now to FIG. 21, there is illustrated an electronic circuit 15f adapted for use with the ultrasonic motor 70f which may be of the type illustrated in FIGS. 5-8, inclusive, and which includes a single crystal 105f illustrated in a tubular form having a coating 120f thereon with an outer lead 114f and an innter wire or lead 112f coupled to ground. The frerquency control means 125f is coupled by lead 130f to the circuit.

The oscillator circuit for driving the motor 70f includes a transistor 400f, having its base electrode 301f connected to the junction of a capacitor 302f and resistors 403f and 404f. Resistor 404f is returned via the primary winding 305f of a transformer 406f to the collector electrode 407f of the transistor 400f. The emitter electrode 408f of the transistor 400f is connected to ground through a resistor 409f. The other end of resistor 403f is also connected to ground. The capacitor 402f is series connected to a variable inductor 410f which is tuned with the capacitor 402f to be series resonant at the desired frequency of vibration for the motor driving crystal 105f. A signal attenuating resistor means 311f series connects the inductor 410f to a feedback crystal portion 125f in the motor 70f. Operating potential for the circuit is supplied from an A.C. to D.C. power supply 412f. Connection of the power supply D.C. output voltage to the oscillator circuit is via lead 413f to the transformer primary winding 405f and ground lead 414f. The oscillatory output drive signal is couple to the motor 70f and crystal 105f via the transformer secondary winding 415f.

Operation of the circuit is as follows. When the circuit 15f is energized, as by closing of the power supply on-off switch, the sudden surge of current therefrom will drive the crystal 105f into a vibratory mode of operation. Th vibrations of crystal 105f will in turn induce vibrations in the feedback crystal portion 125f and the vibrations or oscillatory output of crystal portion 125f is fed back to the base input of the transistor 400f via the inductor 410f and capacitor 402f network. Since the induced vibrations in the crystal may be harmonic and/or subharmonic of the crystal fundamental frequency, the inductor-capacitor feedback network is tuned to be series resonant at the desired frequency of vibration for the motor 70f. The transistor 400f operates as an amplifier so that at this series resonant frequency, the feedback signal to the base input of the transistor 400f will be at a level to provide a sufficient signal output from the transistor 400f for coupling via the transformer 406f to the crystal 105f to sustain the crystal vibrations at the desired or tuned frequency of the series resonant circuit.

FIG. 22 is similar to FIG. 21 except that in the circuit 15g the A.C. to D.C. power supply circuit has been replaced by a battery 416g. Operations of the circuit is the same as was heretofore described with respect to FIG. 21.

Although illustrative embodimentns of the invention have been described in detail herein with reference to the accompanying drawings, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to those precise embodiments, and that various changes and modifications may be effected therein without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention, except as defined in the appended claims.

Claims

We claim:

1. An ultrasonic dental system including

A. a converter for providing electrical current at an ultrasonic rate,

B. an accessory having a tip for use in the oral cavity when ultrasonically vibrated, said accessory including

1. housing means,

2. a transmission member having a rear section and a front section, said front section extending beyond said housing and having said tip secured thereto,

3. transducer means connected to said section for driving said transmission member, and

4. means to suply a fluid to said tip,

C. means electrically connecting said converter to said transducer means in said accessory,

D. fluid regulating means communicating with said accessory means to supply a fluid to said tip,

E. internal fluid supply means including dispensing means adapted to be coupled with a liquid reservoir communicating with said fluid regulating means to provide an internal supply of liquid to the accessory,

F. external fluid supply means communicating with said fluid regulating means to provide an external supply of liquid to the accessory,

G. control means communicating with said fluid regulating means for permitting selection of fluid from said internal fluid supply means or said external fluid supply means,

H. liquid reservoir means adapted to be readily engaged with said dispensing means to permit the utilization of a variety of fluids within the oral hygienic procedures to be conducted with the dental system, and

I. means for flushing said internal supply means with fluid from said external supply means.

2. An ultrasonic system as defined in claim 1, and further including means for flushing the dental system from said regulating means through said accessory.

3. An ultrasonic system as defined in claim 1, and further including:

a. an adapter coupled to said converter for transmission of said electrical energy,

b. a cabinet housing said converter

c. support means for holding said adapter in fixed position relative to said cabinet when not in use, and

d. a plurality of accessories each adapted to be interchangeable with and releasabley connected to said adapter.

4. An ultrasonic system as defined in claim 1, and wherein said transducer means includes a portion thereof for driving said member and an electrically insolated protion thereof for sensing variations in frequency of said motor and regulating the alternating field of said converter to the corresponding frequency.

5. An ultrasonic system as defined in claim 1, and further including pumping means communicating with said internal fluid supply means for pumping fluid from said reservoir to said fluid regulating means.

6. An ultrasonic system as defined in claim 1, wherein said fluid is supplied through said tip.

7. An ultrasonic system as defined in claim 1, wherein said fluid is supplied adjacent said tip.

8. An ultrasonic system as defined in claim 1, and further including hydraulic system means including:

a. a first valve having input and output ports, said input port adapted to be connected to said external source of fluid supply,

b. a second valve having input and output ports,

c. conduit member having two input ports and an output port, one of said input ports being coupled to said output port of said first valve, the other of said input ports being coupled to said output port of said second valve, said outptut port being coupled to said means to supply a fluid to said tip through said fluid regulating means, and

d. a fluid pump having a fluid chamber therein with an input and output port, said output port being coupled to said second valve input port, said pump being adapted to be operator activated, and forming part of said internal fluid supply means and coupled to said reservoir.

9. An ultrasonic system as defined in claim 8, and further including operator activated control and selector switch means coupled to said control valves and said pumping means for providing external fluid operation, internal fluid operation, flushing operation, and priming operation.

10. An ultrasonic dental system including

A. a cabinet,

B. a converter for providing electrical current at an ultrasonic rate contained within said cabinet,

C. an adapter coupled to said converter for transmission of said electrical energy,

D. support means for holding said adapter in fixed position relative to said cabinet when not in use,

E. a plurality of accessories each adapted to be interchangeable with and releasably connected to said adapter and having a dental tip at one end thereof,

F. dispensing means for retaining a reservior in fixed position relative to said cabinet when the dental system is in use, and

G. removable liquid reservoir means adapted to be readily engaged with said dispensing means in associated relationship with said cabinet and communicating with said adapter to provide an internal supply of liquid to the accessory,

H. said accessories each including:

1. an ultrasonic motor, said ultrasonic motor includes:

a. a transmission member having a rear section and a front section for transmitting the generated mechanical vibrations to said dental tip, and

b. piezoelectric transducer means connected to said rear section, said piezoelectric transducer means including a portion thereof for driving said member and an electrically isolated portion thereof for sensing variations in frequency of said motor and regulating the alternating field of said converter to the corresponding frequency,

2. housing means enclosing said motor, and

3. electrical connecting means associated with said housing means and connected to said motor, said housing means adapted to be releasably connected to said adapter for the transmission of electrical energy to said motor when in its assembled position, and

I. fluid regulating means communicating with said liquid reservoir means and accessory means to supply the fluid in said reservoir to said tip at a selected rate.

11. An ultrasonic system as defined in claim 10, wherein said dental tip is adapted to be removably secured to said accessory for transmission of the ultrasonic mechanical vibrations.

12. An ultrasonic system as defined in claim 10, and further including:

a. external fluid supply means communicating with said fluid regulating means to provide an external supply of liquid to the accessory, and

b. control means communicating with said fluid regulating means for permitting selection of fluid from said internal reservoir means or said external fluid supply.

13. An ultrasonic system as defined in claim 12, and further including means for flushing said internal fluid supply means with fluid from said external fluid supply means.

14. An ultrasonic system as defined in claim 12, and further including means for flushing the dental fluid from said external fluid supply means.

15. The method of treating the gingival and tooth structures of the oral cavity for hygienic control thereof, with an ultrasonic dental instrument having a tip adapted to be inserted within the oral cavity, comprising the steps of:

A. inserting said tip within the oral cavity,

B. supplying to said tip a stream of medicinal fluid for treatment of the gingival or tooth structures from an internal fluid supply that permits the selection and control of said fluid, and wherein said step of supplying to said tip a medicinal fluid includes:

1. coupling a reservoir to said instrument having the medicinal fluid therein,

2. pumping the fluid through said instrument, and

3. regulating the rate of pumping of said fluid through the instrument, and

C. simultaneously transmitting to the selected structure mechanical vibratory energy in the ultrasonic frequency range by means of said tip directly placed in energy transmission relationship to said structure, whereby said fluid has a beneficial effect on the patient as said treatment is obtained by transmitting ultrasonic energy to the treated structure through substantial direct engagement of said tip and through the liquid medium of said stream.

16. The method as defined in claim 15, and further including the step of flushing said area treated with said medicinal fluid with another fluid.

17. The method as defined in claim 15, wherein said medicinal fluid is an analgesic.

18. The method as defined in claim 15, wherein said medicinal fluid is fluoride.

19. The method as defined in claim 15, wherein said treatment is conducted subgingivly.

20. The method as defined in claim 15, wherein said fluid is of a red color.

21. The method as defined in claim 15, wherein said fluid is provided through said tip.

22. The method as defined in claim 15, wherein said fluid is provided adjacent said tip.

23. The method as defined in claim 15, wherein said medicinal fluid is a plaque dye.

24. The method as defined in claim 15, wherein said medicinal fluid is an anti plaque solution.

25. The method as defined in claim 15, and further including the step of controlling the amplitude of vibration of the dental tip by regulating the electrical power delivered thereto.

26. The method as defined in claim 15, and further including flushing the dental instrument with fluid from the external source after completing the treatment.

27. The method of treating the gingival and tooth structures of the oral cavity for hygienic control thereof, with an ultrasonic dental instrument having a tip adapted to be inserted within the oral cavity, and capable of supplying fluid from either an external source, or an internal source which is selectable by the user of the instrument,

A. providing an internal source of fluid in a plurality of independent reservoirs,

B. selecting a medicinal fluid to be applied in said oral cavity from one of said reservoirs,

C. coupling the selected reservoir to the dental instrument,

D. inserting said tip within the oral cavity,

E. pumping the fluid for supplying to said tip said fluid for treatment of the gingival or tooth structures from said internal fluid supply, and

F. simultaneously transmitting to the selected structure mechanical vibratory energy in the ultrasonic frequency range by means of said tip directly placed in energy transmission relationship to said structure, whereby said fluid has a beneficial effect on the patient as said treatment is obtained by transmitting ultrasonic energy to the treated structure through substantial direct engagement of said tip and through the liquid medium of said stream.

28. The method as defined in claim 27, and further including the step of regulating the rate of pumping of said fluid through the instrument.

29. The method as defined in claim 27, and further including the step of controlling the amplitide of vibration of the dental tip by regulating the electrical power delivered thereto.

30. The method as defined in claim 27, and further including flushing the dental instrument with fluid from the external source after completing the treatment.

31. The method as described in claim 27, and further including the step of flushing said areas treated with said medicinial fluid with another fluid.