Patent · US Expired

Flexible sculpting tool for dental units

US5934905A · kind A · utility

6Cited by
19References
20Claims
0Family size

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateMar 17, 1998
Grant dateAug 10, 1999
Priority date
Expiry dateMar 17, 2018

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY10S30/06
  • WIPO fieldMedical technology
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

A flexible cutting tool includes a substantially cylindrically-shaped housing having a first end and a second end. The first end includes a hollowed region. A substantially cylindrically-shaped bushing, having a first face and second face and including a flexible material, is sized such that the first face and at least a portion of the bushing are secured inside the hollowed region of the housing. The bushing includes a bore extending through the first face, the second face, and an axis of the bushing. A cutting tool includes a cutting edge, a stop, and a shaft between the cutting edge and the stop. A diameter of the stop is larger than a diameter of the bore for allowing the stop to enter the second face of the bushing, frictionally pass through the bushing and exit the first face of the bushing. A diameter of the shaft is smaller than the diameter of the stop and larger than the diameter of the bore such that the bushing frictionally engages the shaft. A length of the shaft is longer than a thickness of the bushing. A flexibility of the cutting tool is a function of an amount of the shaft extending from the second face of the bushing.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.