Autoclavable dental handpiece with disposable high speed turbine

A dental/medical handpiece, the handpiece including:

• a body comprising a sleeve;
• said sleeve carrying at least a fluid input tube, said fluid input tube being operatively connectable to a source of fluid;
• and
• a cartridge removably mounted to said body;
• said cartridge including a fluid input opening which is in communication with said fluid input line;
• said cartridge including a retainer to hold said cartridge to said body during operation of said handpiece;
• said retainer being integral with said cartridge;
• said cartridge including:
• a body having a base, a wall extending upwardly from said base, and a hole formed centrally of said base through which a dental bit can pass, said base and wall defining an upwardly opening chamber, said chamber having a floor:
• a cap mounted to the cartridge body to close the chamber;
• a turbine received in said cartridge body chamber;
• and
• upper and lower bearings in said chamber;
• said turbine being positioned between said bearings to float between said bearings in said cartridge when the bit is not received in the cartridge.

A dental/medical handpiece, the handpiece including:

• a body comprising a sleeve;
• said sleeve carrying at least an optic tube, said optic tube being operatively connectable to a source of light;
• said optic tube extending through said sleeve and having an end surface;
• and
• a cartridge removably mountable to said body, said cartridge being formed at least in part of a light transmitting material to provide light to a workarea;
• the light transmitting material of said cartridge being in abutting relationship with said end surface of said optic tube when said cartridge is mounted to said body.