Lighted Ultrasonic Handpiece and Color Code Grip System

Abstract

The present invention relates to a dental scaling translucent insert which provides a coaxially aligned light adjacent the distal end of such insert for illuminating the tip of the dental scaler which light may be provided by light emitting from a fiber optic light guide from a light source located remotely from the tip. The light provided can also be used to view through a camera lens system located in translucent insert to provide a clear unobstructed view of the work at the tip of the scaler on a remote screen or for recording.

1 . An ultrasonic apparatus comprising: 
 an ultrasonic driver connected to a velocity transducer;    an annular translucent insert disposed on the velocity transducer; and    a light source abutting a proximal end of the annular translucent insert.    
     
     
         2 . The ultrasonic apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising an opaque sheath over the annular translucent insert.  
     
     
         3 . The ultrasonic apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the annular translucent insert is formed with one or more fiber optic bundles running therethrough.  
     
     
         4 . The ultrasonic apparatus of  claim 2  wherein the annular translucent insert provides external ridges to inhibit movement of the opaque sheath positioned thereon.  
     
     
         5 . The ultrasonic apparatus of  claim 2  wherein the annular translucent insert provides an indented external surface to restrain movement of the opaque sheath retained thereon.  
     
     
         6 . The ultrasonic apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the velocity transducer is connected to a scaling tip.  
     
     
         7 . The ultrasonic apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the velocity transducer is connected to a scalpel.  
     
     
         8 . The ultrasonic apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the ultrasonic driver is a magnetostrictive stack device.  
     
     
         9 . The ultrasonic apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the ultrasonic driver is a piezoelectric crystal device.  
     
     
         10 . The ultrasonic apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the annular translucent insert provides a light path from the proximal end to a distal end of the annular translucent insert.  
     
     
         11 . The ultrasonic apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the annular translucent insert is an at least partially translucent annular insert.  
     
     
         12 . The ultrasonic apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the velocity transducer is optically opaque.  
     
     
         13 . The ultrasonic apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the annular translucent insert further provides a camera lens on a distal end optically connected through the annular translucent insert to the proximal end.  
     
     
         14 . The ultrasonic apparatus of  claim 14  wherein an optical connection in the annular translucent insert and a fiber optic bundle are mated to permit transmission of images from the camera lens to a remote image processing system.  
     
     
         15 . An ultrasonic handpiece grip comprising: 
 a molded grip body having a longitudinal passage therethrough; and    a light guide comprising an annular translucent insert disposed on a velocity transducer and providing an exterior surface for engaging the molded grip body within the longitudinal passage and permitting passage of light through the molded grip body to a distal end of the molded grip body.    
     
     
         16 . The ultrasonic handpiece grip of  claim 16  wherein the velocity transducer is optically opaque.  
     
     
         17 . The ultrasonic handpiece grip of  claim 16  wherein the molded grip body is an interchangeable, user-selected, molded grip body.  
     
     
         18 . The ultrasonic handpiece grip of  claim 16  wherein the molded grip body is selectively colored for visually distinguishing the ultrasonic handpiece grip from a similar handpiece grip having a differing colored exterior surface.  
     
     
         19 . The ultrasonic handpiece grip of  claim 16  wherein the annular translucent insert further provides a camera lens on a distal end optically connected through the annular translucent insert to a proximal end.