Dental tool adaptor assembly

Abstract

A disposable extension member for joining a dental handtool to a disposable, hollow, dental tip. The dental handtool includes a chuck for releasably retaining the extension member. The extension member has at least one fluid-tight passageway extending through its body for fluid flow from the dental handpiece to the dental tip. The extension member includes an adaptive releasable locking member having an internally threaded, cuplike end portion dimensioned for releasable threading engagement with the dental tip. The chuck provides easy and efficient clamping means to secure the extension member within the handtool.

1 . A disposable extension member for joining a dental handtool directly to a disposable, hollow, dental tip, said dental handtool including a chuck, said extension member comprising:
 a non-flexible, one-piece, cylindrical elongate body of unitary construction;   a non-grooved first end portion, said first end portion capable of being releasably retained within said chuck;   a second end portion;   at least one passageway extending between said first end portion and said second end portion of said extension member; and   said second end portion of said extension member including a locking member, said locking member including an internally threaded, enclosed cuplike end portion surrounding and radially extending from said second end portion of said extension member, the threaded raceway of said internally threaded cuplike end portion being dimensioned for releasable threading engagement with an external, locking tab portion radially extending from the proximal end of said dental tip and being arranged for fluid sealing engagement with a mating portion of the internal surface of said cuplike second end portion of said extension member, said extension member being arranged to directly connect said dental tip to said dental handtool.   
   
   
       2 . The disposable extension member according to  claim 1  further comprising support means, said support means located on said elongate body near said locking member. 
   
   
       3 . The disposable extension member according to  claim 2  wherein said support means comprises a plurality of circumferentially spaced, lengthwise extending fins. 
   
   
       4 . The disposable extension member according to  claim 1  further comprising a second passageway for delivering a second fluid to said dental tip. 
   
   
       5 . A disposable extension member for joining a dental handtool directly to a disposable, hollow, dental tip, said dental handtool including a chuck, said extension member comprising:
 a non-flexible, one-piece, cylindrical elongate body of unitary construction, said body directly connecting said handtool to said dental tip;   a non-grooved first end portion, said first end portion capable of being releasably inserted within said chuck;   a second end portion;   at least one passageway extending between said first end portion and said second end portion of said extension member; and   said second end portion of said extension member including a locking member, said locking member including an internally threaded, enclosed cuplike end portion surrounding and radially extending from said second end portion of said extension member, the threaded raceway of said internally threaded cuplike end portion being dimensioned for releasable threading engagement with an external, locking tab portion radially extending from the proximal end of said dental tip and being arranged for fluid sealing engagement with a mating portion of the internal surface of said cuplike second end portion of said extension member;   wherein said second end portion extends lengthwise outwardly of said cuplike portion.   
   
   
       6 . The disposable extension member according to  claim 5  further comprising support means, said support means located on said elongate body near said locking member. 
   
   
       7 . The disposable extension member according to  claim 6  wherein said support means comprises a plurality of circumferentially spaced, lengthwise extending fins. 
   
   
       8 . An adaptor assembly for coupling a dental handpiece to a disposable, hollow, dental tip, said handpiece having a head portion, said head portion including a socket having a hollow bore in fluid communication with a fluid source, said assembly comprising:
 a chuck, said chuck being received within said socket in a fluid-tight relationship;   an extension member comprising;
 a non-flexible, one-piece, cylindrical elongate body of unitary construction, said extension member comprising;
 a non-grooved first end portion, said first end portion capable of being releasably inserted within said chuck; 
 a second end portion; and 
 at least one passageway extending between said first end portion and said second end portion of said extension member; and 
 
 a releasable locking member located on said second end portion of said extension member, said locking member including an internally threaded, enclosed cuplike end portion surrounding and radially extending from said second end portion of said extension member, the threaded raceway of said internally threaded cuplike end portion being dimensioned for releasable threading engagement with an external, locking tab radially extending from the proximal end of said dental tip and being arranged for fluid sealing engagement with a mating portion of the internal surface of said cuplike second end portion of said extension member, said extension member being arranged to directly connect said dental tip to said dental handpiece; and 
   said chuck being arranged to retain said first end of said extension member within said socket in a fluid tight relationship.   
   
   
       9 . The assembly according to  claim 8  wherein said second end portion extends lengthwise outwardly of said cuplike portion. 
   
   
       10 . The assembly according to  claim 8  further comprising support means, said support means located on said elongate body near said locking member. 
   
   
       11 . The assembly according to  claim 10  wherein said support means comprises a plurality of circumferentially spaced, lengthwise extending fins.