Annette Marie Nemetz

US Patent:

61494305, Nov 21, 2000

Filed:

Feb 20, 1998

Appl. No.:

9/027046

Inventors:

Annette M. Nemetz - Sherwood OR
Joshua K. Hoyt - Portland OR
Bruno Rudolf Rux - Beaverton OR

Assignee:

Ora Innovations, Inc. - Portland OR

International Classification:

A61C 108

US Classification:

433132

Abstract:

The invented dental apparatus and method for its manufacture involves an integrally molded, polymeric, unitary, hand piece having fluid conduits formed therein during the molding process for conducting fluid, e. g. air, under pressure from a proximal end having an industry standard couple to a distal end including an integrally molded head piece for housing a rotary, preferably canister-type turbine to which a dental bur may be removably secured. Preferably, an integrally molded venturi chamber fluid-interconnects a pressurized one of the conduits and an inlet to the turbine's impeller and an outlet of the turbine's impeller is fluid-connected at an outlet of the canister to an exhaust one of the conduits. Optionally, one or more chip-air source conduits and a light valve may extend within the elongate interior of the hand piece to provide intra-oral, in-process cleaning, cooling and lighting functions. Preferably, the hand piece is injection molded via a lost-material, e. g.