US3657818A

US3657818A - Sterilizable handpiece of the slip-sleeve type

Info

Publication number: US3657818A
Application number: US845342A
Authority: US
Inventors: Marcel Garnier
Original assignee: Micro Mega SA
Current assignee: Micro Mega SA
Priority date: 1968-10-29
Filing date: 1969-07-28
Publication date: 1972-04-25
Anticipated expiration: 1989-04-25
Also published as: SE347870B; FR96055E; DE1938399A1

Abstract

An electrically operated handpiece for use in surgical and dental work adapted to be assembled to a micromotor by a slipsleeve is described. The assembly is provided with a tubular body, fitting around the slip-sleeve. Fastening means are provided for releasably securing the handpiece to the micromotor. A resilient protective sleeve extends over the tubular body as well as at least part of the motor to prevent contact between the micromotor and the hands of an operator.

Description

ilnited States Patent Garnier Apr. 25, 1972 54] STERILIZABLE HANDPIECE OF THE 3,210,847 10/1965 Prufer ..32/27 SLIP SLEEVE E 3,448,309 6/l969 Epp ..310/51 3,509,629 5/1970 Kidokoro ..32/27 [72] Inventor: Marcel Garnier, Besancon, France [73] Assignee: Micro Mega S.A., Besancon, France Primary E mminer Robert Peshock [22] Filed; Jul 28, 1969 Att0rneyRobert E. Burns and Emmanuel J. Lobato 21 Appl. No.: 845,342

[57] ABSTRACT For gn App Priority Data An electrically operated handpiece for use in surgical and 0m. 29 1968 France 17l85O dema' wmk adapted to be assembled a mimmow by a slip-sleeve is described. The assembly is provided with a tubu- 52 us. Cl ..32/27, 32/30 body, fitting around the Slip-Sleeve Fastening means are [51] hm Cl provided for releasably securing the handpiece to the [58] Field of Search ..32/26, 29, 30, 27, 26 micromotor- A resilien protecti e slee e extends over the tubular body as well as at least part of the motor to prevent con- [56] References Cited tact between the micromotor and the hands of an operator.

UNITED STATES PATENTS Whiteside ..32/DIG.

2 Claims, 1 Drawing Figure STERILIZABLE HANDPIECE OF THE SLIP-SLEEVE TYPE This invention relates to electrically operated handpieces used in surgical and dental work. More particularly it relates to sterilizable handpieces operated by micromotors to which they are assembled by fastening means known as a slip-sleeve.

When used with sterilized handpieces, the conventional slip-sleeve type of assembly has a serious drawback. Since the motor cannot be sterilized, there is a danger of soiling the handpiece if the hand of the user contacts the motor, for example, during the assembly of the unit.

In a co-pending application Ser. No. 730,839 filed May 21st, 1968 there is disclosed and claimed an arrangement wherein the handpiece is provided with a protecting sleeve at least partly covering the micromotor to prevent contact between it and the hands of the operator, and means for releasably connecting the protective sleeve to the micromotor.

While the arrangement disclosed in the above application fully meets its purpose of preserving the sterile condition of the handpiece, it is still relatively costly because the protecting sleeve is made of metal and because it requires a somewhat intricate fastening means.

It is the object of this invention to provide a sterilizable handpiece which comprises means for preventing contact between the hand of the operator and the motor, as well as suitable fastening means which are more economical and easier to connect to the motor.

In accordance with one feature of the invention the handpiece is extended in the direction of the motor by means of a removably or fixedly mounted sleeve made of flexible material which is positioned so as to cover at least part of the motor.

The invention may be better understood from the following description given by way of example as well as from the accompanying drawing which gives a schematic view of the device, partly in cross section.

By referring to the drawing it may be seen that the handpiece or angle piece 1 terminates in the direction facing the motor in a tubular body 2 which fits around the cylindrical extension 5 of the motor. The latter is commonly known as a slip-sleeve.

At the end facing the motor the tubular body 2 is provided with an internal circular groove 4.

The extension 5 which forms part of the motor is provided with an annular groove at its front end and a longitudinal groove which respectively houses an annular portion 6 and a rectilinear portion of a leaf spring 7. The leaf spring is provided with a projection or stud 8 which owing to the resiliency of the leaf spring penetrates the groove 4 provided in the tubular body 2 so as to immobilize the body 2 in the longitudinal direction. The spring 7 extends towards the motor and its end (not shown) is acted upon by a push button 9 integral with the motor 3. By depressing the push button 9 the leaf spring 7 is pushed towards the bottom of the groove thereby clearing the stud 8 and making it possible to disconnect the handpiece.

To prevent the user from touching the non-sterilized motor 3 when assembling or operating the unit, the tubular body 2 is protected by an outer sleeve 10 made of rubber, the rear part 11 of which has a diameter larger than the front part and is extended to surround the motor 3, leaving a space between its internal wall and motor 3. The space defined in this manner makes it possible for the air flow around the motor and prevents the part 11 of sleeve 10 from exerting pressure on the push button 9.

All the user has to do to disengage the handpiece is to press on rubber sleeve 10 at the point of the location of push button 9, which pushes the spring inward and makes it possible to disengage the handpiece.

It goes without saying that the sterilizable sleeve 11 may be made of a material other than rubber providing it has similar resilient properties. The sleeve may be firmly secured onto the handpiece or else be mounted so as to allow for its easy particular embodiment thereof, it is not limited thereto, as

changes and modifications can be made in its form, materials etc. without departing from its scope and spirit.

What is claimed is:

1. In a portable dental tool, a sterilizable handpiece comprising a hollow tubular body, a small electric motor for driving a dental tool during use, a slip sleeve on said motor insertable axially into said hollow tubular body for mounting the handpiece on the motor, a manually operable, depressable connector means on said slip sleeve for releasably securing the handpiece to said slip sleeve for slipping on and off the handpiece onto and off of said slip sleeve for connecting and disconnecting the handpiece to said slip sleeve, a flexible, protective sterilizable sleeve having a first portion circumferentially of said tubular body a frictionally axially held thereon and a second portion of greater inner diameter than said first portion extending axially over a part of said motor and circumferentially spaced therefrom to allow free flow of air around the motor, said sterilizable sleeve having said portions joined along an axial area of jointure, said depressable means including an actuator on said motor for selectively operating said connector, by flexing of said second portion of said sleeve inwardly to actuate said actuator for disconnecting the handpiece from the motor.

2. In a portable surgical tool according to claim 1, in which said connector comprises a leaf spring having a projection, said hollow slip sleeve having an opening for receiving said projection, and said actuator comprising a depressable pushbutton for selectively disengaging said projection from said opening.