Light control apparatus for a dental handpiece

A light-producing and controlling apparatus for use with a dental handpiece having associated therewith means for transmitting power to the operative end of the handpiece and a control means associated with the power transmitting means so that when the control means is actuated, power is transmitted to the operative end of the handpiece,

• said light-producing and controlling apparatus comprising:
• (a) a light source for illuminating the region adjacent the operative end of the handpiece;
• (b) a means for actuating the light source when a signal is transmitted to said actuating means from the power transmitting means;
• (c) means for transmitting said signal from the power transmitting means to said actuating means;
• and
• (d) delay shutoff means associated with said actuating means for maintaining said light source on for a predetermined period of time after transmission of power to the operative end of the dental handpiece is terminated and then causing said light source to be extinguished at the end of said predetermined period of time.

A dental handpiece apparatus which comprises

• (a) a dental handpiece having an operative end and means for transmitting power to said handpiece and its operative end;
• (b) light source for illuminating the region adjacent the operative end of said handpiece;
• (c) means for actuating said light source when a signal is transmitted to said actuating means from said power transmitting means;
• (d) means to transmit a signal from said power transmitting means for said handpiece to said actuating means;
• and
• (e) delay shutoff means associated with said actuating means for maintaining said light source on for a predetermined period of time after transmission of power to the operative end of said handpiece is terminated and then causing said light source to be extinguished at the end of said predetermined period of time.

A control apparatus for controlling the actuation of a light source for illuminating the region adjacent the operative end of a dental handpiece having associated therewith a fluid-driven turbine, means associated with the turbine to securely receive and to rotate a drill when the turbine is driven by the fluid, means for transmitting drive fluid to the turbine, a control means associated with the fluid-transmitting means so that when the control means is actuated the turbine is driven by the fluid, light-producing means, and fiber optic means to transmit light from the light-producing means to the region adjacent the operative end of the handpiece for illuminating the area to be drilled;

• said control apparatus comprising:
• (a) a fluid-actuated switch for actuating the light-producing means when fluid is transmitted to said fluid-actuated switch from the drive fluid transmitting means;
• (b) means for transmitting fluid from the drive fluid transmitting means to said fluid-actuated switch;
• and
• (c) delay shutoff means associated with said fluid-actuated switch for maintaining the light-producing means on for a predetermined period of time after transmission of fluid to the turbine is terminated and then causing the light source to be extinguished at the end of said predetermined period of time.

A fiber optic light-producing and controlling apparatus for use with a dental handpiece having associated therewith a fluid-driven turbine, means associated with the turbine to securely receive and to rotate a drill when the turbine is driven by the fluid, means to transmit drive fluid to the turbine, control means associated with the fluid-transmitting means so that when the control means is actuated, fluid is transmitted to the turbine;

• said fiber optic light-producing and controlling aparatus comprising:
• (a) light source;
• (b) fiber optic means for transmitting light from said light source to the region adjacent the operative end of the handpiece for illuminating the area to be drilled;
• (c) a fluid-actuated switch for actuating the light-producing means when fluid is transmitted to said fluid-actuated switch from the fluid transmitting means;
• (d) means for transmitting fluid from the means for transmitting fluid to the turbine to said fluid-actuated switch;
• and
• (e) delay shutoff means associated with said fluid-actuated switch for maintaining said light source on for a predetermined period of time after transmission of fluid to the turbine is terminated and then causing the light source to be extinguished at the end of said predetermined period of time.

A fiber optic equipped dental handpiece apparatus which comprises:

• (a) a dental handpiece having a fluid-driven turbine and means associated with said turbine to securely receive and to rotate a drill when said turbine is driven by a fluid;
• (b) means for transmitting fluid to said turbine;
• (c) a light source integral with said handpiece;
• (d) fiber optic means for transmitting light from said light source to the operative end of said handpiece for illuminating the area to be drilled;
• (e) a fluid-actuated switch for actuating said light source;
• (f) means to transmit fluid from said fluid transmitting means of (b) to said fluid-actuated switch, whereby said fluid-actuated switch closes when fluid is transmitted thereto, thereby actuating said light source;
• and
• (g) delay shutoff means associated with said fluid-actuated switch for maintaining said light source on for a predetermined period of time after transmission of fluid to said turbine is terminated and then causing said light source to be extinguished at the end of said predetermined period of time.