Air-vibrator dental scaler

Abstract

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, a dental scaler for the cleaning of teeth in which the scraper is an air-driven vibrator having a scraper mounted on a distal end of a rigid tubular device, with the rigid tubular device being mounted within a resilient support permissive of vibrations of the rigid tubular device and the vibrations of the tubular device being brought about by the exiting of air onto an air-cushioned rotary wheel mounted around the tubular device rotatably, the rotation thereof resulting from the force of the air from preferably a plurality of ports permitting the air to exit from the ports against the inner surface of the air rotary wheel, and the rotation of the rotary wheel bringing about the vibrations which are imparted to the rigid shaft, while the firmly supported tubular shaft within the resilient support structure thereof itself amplifies the magnitude of the vibrations by itself vibrating and transmitting its vibrations back to the rotary wheel, the outlet ports from the tubular device being angled laterally sidewardly in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis of the tubular device in a preferred embodiment, as well as the ports being angled in an axial direction relative to the longitudinal axis of the tubular device thereby enhancing the optimal flow of air from within the tubular device into the space between the exterior surface of the tubular device and the inner radius surface of the air wheel and preferably also there being similar angular passages between the tubular device and the outlet portions of the air wheel at end-points of the air wheel axially.

I claim: 
     
       1. A vibrator device comprising in combination: support means; rigid tubular means supported by .[.the.]. .Iadd.said .Iaddend.support means, said tubular means including structure defining an inlet port and spaced from the inlet port .[.defining.]. at least one outlet port, .[. the.]. .Iadd.each said .Iaddend.outlet port being defined in a side wall of .[.the.]. .Iadd.said .Iaddend.tubular means .Iadd.and being slanted angularly relative to the outer surface of said tubular means such that an imaginary, straightline extension of the axis of each outlet port is offset from the longitudinal axis of said tubular means.Iaddend.; a rotatable wheel means drivable by a fluid media, said rotatable wheel means being operatively mounted .[.around said tubular means.]. for rotation .[.there-around.]. .Iadd.around said tubular means, .Iaddend..[.each.]. said .[.outlet port.]. .Iadd.rotatable wheel means .Iaddend.being located relative to .[.the  rotatable wheel means.]. .Iadd.each said outlet port .Iaddend.such that the fluid .Iadd.exiting .Iaddend.from .Iadd.each .Iaddend.said outlet port serves to propel the wheel rotatably.[...]..Iadd., said inlet port being defined as an end-opening to the said tubular means, and said rotatable wheel means has an inner diameter larger than an outer diameter of said tubular means, said rotatable wheel means being mounted for operative rotation such that fluid from each said outlet port travels through the spacing between the inner surface of said rotatable wheel means and an outer surface of said tubular means and serves as a fluid-bearing cushion, said tubular means and said rotatable wheel means being of configuration such that the space therebetween during rotation of said rotatable wheel is filled solely by the propelling fluid. .Iaddend. 
     
     
       2. .[.A.]. .Iadd.The .Iaddend.vibrator device of claim 1, in which .Iadd.each .Iaddend.said outlet port .[.includes tubular structure defining a passage from within the tubular means to space communicating with the outlet port outside of the tubular means with the passage being.]. .Iadd.is .Iaddend.slanted angularly relative to the outer surface of the tubular means in a direction substantially transverse to the longitudinal axis of .[.the.]. .Iadd.said .Iaddend.tubular means. 
     
     
       3. .[.A.].  .Iadd.The .Iaddend.vibrator device of claim .[.2.]. .Iadd.1.Iaddend., in which said tubular means includes a plurality of .[.said.]. outlet .[.port with the.]. .Iadd.ports, said .Iaddend.plurality of outlet ports .Iadd.being .Iaddend.spaced from .[.one-another.]. .Iadd.one another .Iaddend.substantially equally around .[.a.]. .Iadd.the .Iaddend.circumference of .[.the.]. .Iadd.said .Iaddend.tubular means. 
     
     
       4. .[.A.]. .Iadd.The .Iaddend.vibrator device of claim 3, in which .[.the.]. .Iadd.said .Iaddend.tubular means is substantially linear and rigid in construction and cylindrical in shape. 
     
     
       5. .[.A.]. .Iadd.The .Iaddend.vibrator device of claim 4, in which .[.the.]. .Iadd.said .Iaddend.support means is of a substantially resilient material. .[. 
     
     
       6.  A vibrator device of claim 5, in which the inlet port is defined as an end-opening to the cylindrical tubular means, and in which said rotatable wheel has an inner diameter larger than an outer diameter of the tubular means and is mounted therearound rotatably operably such that fluid from the outlet ports travels through the spacing between the inner radius of the rotatable wheel and an outer radius surface of the tubular means serving as a fluid-bearing cushion..]. 
     
     
       7. .[.A.]. .Iadd.The .Iaddend.vibrator device of claim 1, in which .[.the.]. .Iadd.said.Iaddend.support means is of a substantially resilient material.[., in which the inlet port is defined as an end-opening to the cylindrical tubular means, and in which said rotatable wheel has an inner diameter larger than an outer diameter of the tubular means and is mounted therearound rotatably operably such that fluid from the outlet ports travels through the spacing between the inner radius of the rotatable wheel and an outer radius surface of the tubular means serving as a fluid-bearing cushion.].. 
     
     
       8. A vibrator device of claim .[.6.]. .Iadd.5.Iaddend., in which .[.the.]. .Iadd.said .Iaddend.outlet ports are each .[.defined continuous with said passage with the passage being.]. angled axially. 
     
     
       9. .[.A.]. .Iadd.The .Iaddend.vibrator device of claim 8, in which .[.the.]. .Iadd.said .Iaddend.tubular means has an outer surface and .[.the rotary.]. .Iadd.said rotatable .Iaddend.wheel .Iadd.means .Iaddend.has an inner surface such to define between the outer surface and .[.the.]. inner surface an angular outlet extending angularly radially for the exiting of .[.fluids.]. .Iadd.a fluid .Iaddend.from within the space between .[.the.]. .Iadd.said .Iaddend.tubular means and .[.the.]. .Iadd.said .Iaddend.rotatable wheel .Iadd.means.Iaddend.. 
     
     
       10. .[.A.]. .Iadd.The .Iaddend.vibrator device of claim 9, in which .[.the.]. .Iadd.said .Iaddend.support means includes proximal and distal portions spaced-apart and supporting spaced-apart integral portions of .[.the.]. .Iadd.said .Iaddend.tubular means, on each of opposite sides axially of .[.the.]. .Iadd.said .Iaddend.outlet ports and of .[.the.]. .Iadd.said .Iaddend.mounting position of .[.the.]. .Iadd.said .Iaddend.rotatable wheel means. 
     
     
       11. .[.A.]. .Iadd.The .Iaddend.vibrator device of claim 10, including .Iadd.scraper means .Iaddend.mounted on a distal end of .[.the.]. .Iadd.said .Iaddend.tubular means. .[.a scraper means.]. 
     
     
       12. .[.A.]. .Iadd.The .Iaddend.vibrator device of claim 1, including .Iadd.scraper means .Iaddend.mounted on .[.the.]. .Iadd.said .Iaddend.tubular means at a point spaced from .[.the.]. .Iadd.said .Iaddend.inlet port. .[., a scraper means.]. 
     
     
       13. .[.A.]. .Iadd.The .Iaddend.vibrator device of claim 10, including a vessel structure with the support means mounted within said vessel structure. 
     
     
       14. A vibrator device of claim 1, including a vessel structure with the support means mounted within said vessel structure. 
     
     
       15. A vibrator device of claim 14, including an agitator of about X-cross-section, mounted extending axially from a distal end of the tubular means. 
     
     
       16. .[.A.]. .Iadd.The .Iaddend.vibrator .Iadd.device .Iaddend.of claim 10, including opposing flanges extending radially from .[.the.]. .Iadd.said .Iaddend.tubular means and .[.spaced-apart.]. .Iadd.spaced apart .Iaddend.from .[.one-another.]. .Iadd.one another .Iaddend.on each of opposite sides of .[.the.]. .Iadd.said .Iaddend.rotatable wheel means such that the axial .[.movement.]. .Iadd.positioning .Iaddend.of .[.the.]. .Iadd.said rotatable .Iaddend.wheel means in each of opposite directions along .[.the.]. .Iadd.said .Iaddend.tubular means is .[.limited within a predetermined range.]. .Iadd.maintained adjacent to said outlet ports, said flanges being separated from the adjacent edges of said rotatable wheel means during rotation thereof so as to permit the propelling fluid to freely exit through the spaces therebetween.Iaddend. . 
     
     
       17. .[.A.]. .Iadd.The .Iaddend.vibrator device of claim 2, including opposing flanges extending radially from .[.the.]. .Iadd.said .Iaddend.tubular means and .[.spaced-apart.]. .Iadd.spaced apart .Iaddend.from .[.one-another.]. .Iadd.one another .Iaddend.on each of opposite sides of .[.the.]. .Iadd.said .Iaddend.rotatable wheel means such that the axial .[.movement.]. .Iadd.positioning .Iaddend.of .[.the.]. .Iadd.said rotatable .Iaddend.wheel means in each of opposite directions along .[.the.]. .Iadd.said .Iaddend.tubular means is .[.limited within a predetermined range.]. .Iadd.maintained adjacent to said outlet port(s), said flanges being separated from the adjacent edges of said rotatable wheel means during rotation thereof so as to permit the propelling fluid to freely exit through the spaces therebetween.Iaddend.. .Iadd. 18. A vibrator device comprising in combination: support means;   rigid tubular means supported at opposed ends thereof by said support means, said tubular means including at least one inlet port and at least one outlet port spaced from said inlet port, each outlet port being defined in a side wall of said tubular means and being slanted angularly relative to the outer surface of said tubular means such that an imaginary, straight-line extension of the axis of each output port is offset from the longitudinal axis of said tubular means;   rotatable wheel means drivable by a fluid media and mounted for rotation around said tubular means;   said rotatable wheel means being located relative to said outlet port(s) such that fluid flowing therethrough serves to rotatably propel said rotatable wheel means, whereby fluid transmitted through said outlet port(s) rotatably propels said rotatable wheel means, the flowing fluid serves as a fluid-bearing cushion upon which said rotatable wheel means rotates, and the rotation of the rotatable wheel means imparts vibrations to said tubular means;   said tubular means and said rotatable wheel means being of such configuration that the space therebetween during rotation of said rotatable wheel means is filled solely by the propelling fluid. .Iaddend..Iadd. 19. The vibrator device of claim 18 wherein said rotatable wheel means has an inner surface slightly larger than the outer surface of said tubular means. .Iaddend..Iadd. 20. The vibrator device of claim 18 wherein said tubular means is substantially linear in construction and cylindrical in shape, and said rotatable wheel means is cylindrical in shape and has an inner diameter slightly larger than the outer diameter of said tubular means. .Iaddend..Iadd. 21. The vibrator device of claim 18 wherein said support means is fabricated from a substantially resilient material. .Iaddend..Iadd. 22. The vibrator device of claim 18 further including scraper means mounted on said tubular means, the vibrations imparted to said tubular means being transmitted thereby to said scraper means. .Iaddend..Iadd. 23. The vibrator device of claim 18 wherein there are a plurality of outlet ports slanted angularly relative to the outer surface of said tubular means, said plurality of outlet ports being slanted in a direction substantially transverse to the longitudinal axis of said tubular means. .Iaddend..Iadd. 24. The vibrator device of claim 18 wherein there are a plurality of outlet ports slanted angularly relative to the outer surface of said tubular means, said plurality of outlet ports also being slanted angularly relative to the longitudinal axis of said tubular means. .Iaddend..Iadd. 25. The vibrator device of claim 18 further including a casing having a proximal end and a distal end; said support means being within said casing; said inlet port is defined by one open end of said tubular means adjacent the proximal end of said casing; said rotatable wheel means has an inner surface slightly larger than the outer surface of said tubular means, whereby fluid transmitted to said tubular means via said inlet port flows outwardly through said outlet port(s) and the space between the inner surface of said rotatable wheel means and the outer surface of said tubular means to rotatably propel said rotatable wheel means. .Iaddend. .Iadd. 26. The vibrator device of claim 25 further including scraper means mounted on said tubular means adjacent the distal end of said casing, the vibrations imparted to said tubular means being transmitted thereby to said scraper means. .Iaddend..Iadd. 27. The vibrator device of claim 25 wherein said support means includes spaced-apart portions adjacent the proximal and distal ends of said casing, said portions supporting spaced-apart integral portions of said tubular means on axially opposite sides of said outlet port(s) and the mounting position of said rotatable wheel means, said tubular means including a pair of spaced-apart guide means, one each on opposite sides of the mounting position of said rotatable wheel means, such that axial positioning of said rotatable wheel means along said tubular means is maintained adjacent to said outlet port(s), said guide means being separated from the adjacent edges of said rotatable wheel means during rotation thereof so as to permit the propelling fluid to freely exit through the spaces therebetween. .Iaddend..Iadd. 28. A dental scaler comprising in combination:   a casing having a proximal end and a distal end;   substantially resilient support means within said casing;   rigid tubular means supported at the opposed ends thereof by said support means, said tubular means including an inlet port and a plurality of outlet ports spaced from said inlet port, said inlet port being defined by one open end of said tubular means adjacent the proximal end of said casing and each of said outlet ports being defined in a side wall of said tubular means, said outlet ports being slanted angularly relative to the outer surface of said tubular means such that an imaginary, straightline extension of the axis of each outlet port is offset from the longitudinal axis of said tubular means;   scraper means mounted on said tubular means adjacent the distal end of said casing;   rotatable wheel means drivable by a fluid media and mounted for rotation about said tubular means, said rotatable wheel means having an inner surface slightly larger than the outer surface of said tubular means;   said rotatable wheel means being located relative to said outlet ports such that fluid flowing therethrough serves to rotatably propel said rotatable wheel means;   said tubular means and said rotatable wheel means being of such configuration that the space therebetween during rotation of said rotatable wheel means is filled solely by the propelling fluid;   whereby fluid transmitted to said tubular means via said inlet port flows outwardly through said outlet ports and the space between the inner surface of said rotatable wheel means and the outer surface of said tubular means to thereby rotatably propel said rotatable wheel means, the flowing fluid serves as a fluid-bearing cushion upon which said rotatable wheel means rotates, and the rotation of the rotatable wheel means imparts vibrations to said tubular means which are transmitted to said scraper means. .Iaddend..Iadd. 29. The dental scaler of claim 28 wherein said outlet ports are spaced from one another substantially equally around the circumference of said tubular means. .Iaddend..Iadd. 30. The dental scaler of claim 28 wherein said outlet ports are slanted angularly in a direction substantially transverse to the longitudinal axis of said tubular means. .Iaddend..Iadd. 31. The dental scaler of claim 28 wherein said outlet ports are also slanted angularly relative to the longitudinal axis of said tubular means. .Iaddend. .Iadd. 32. The dental scaler of claim 28 wherein said tubular means is substantially linear in construction and cylindrical in shape, and said rotatable wheel means is cylindrical in shape. .Iaddend..Iadd. 33. The dental scaler of claim 28 wherein said support means includes spaced-apart portions adjacent the proximal and distal ends of said casing, said portions supporting spaced-apart integral portions of said tubular means on axially opposite sides of said outlet ports and of the mounting position of said rotatable wheel means, said tubular means includes a pair of spaced-apart guide means, one each on opposite sides of the mounting position of said rotatable wheel means, such that axial positioning of said rotatable wheel means along said tubular means is maintained adjacent to said outlet ports, said guide means being separated from the adjacent edges of said rotatable wheel means during rotation thereof so as to permit the propelling fluid to freely exit through the spaces therebetween. .Iaddend..Iadd. 34. A dental scaler comprising in combination:   a casing having a proximal end and a distal end;   substantially resilient support means within said casing;   rigid tubular means supported at the opposed ends thereof by said support means, said tubular means being substantially linear in construction, cylindrical in shape and including an inlet port and a plurality of outlet ports spaced from said inlet port, said inlet port being defined by one open end of said tubular means adjacent the proximal end of said casing and each of said outlet ports being defined in a side wall of said tubular means, said outlet ports being slanted angularly relative to the outer surface of said tubular means in a direction substantially transverse to the longitudinal axis of said tubular means such that an imaginary, straightline extension of the axis of each outlet port is offset from the longitudinal axis of said tubular means;   scraper means mounted on said tubular means adjacent the distal end of said casing;   cylindrical rotatable wheel means drivable by a fluid media and mounted for rotation about said tubular means, said rotatable wheel means having an inner diameter slightly larger than the outer diameter of said tubular means;   said rotatable wheel means being located relative to said outer ports such that fluid flowing therethrough serves to rotatably propel said rotatable wheel means;   said tubular means and said rotatable wheel means being of such configuration that the space therebetween during rotation of said rotatable wheel means is filled solely by the propelling fluid;   whereby fluid transmitted to said tubular means via said inlet port flows outwardly through said outlet ports and the space between the inner surface of said rotatable wheel means and the outer surface of said tubular means to thereby rotatably propel said rotatable wheel means, the flowing fluid serves as a fluid-bearing cushion upon which said rotatable wheel means rotates, and the rotation of the rotatable wheel means imparts vibrations to said tubular means which are transmitted to said scraper means. .Iaddend..Iadd. 35. The dental scaler of claim 34 wherein those of said outlet ports in the same plane substantially transverse to the longitudinal axis of said tubular means are spaced from one another substantially equally around the circumference of said tubular means. .Iaddend. .Iadd. 36. The dental scaler of claim 34 wherein said support means includes spaced-apart portions adjacent the proximal and distal ends of said casing, said portions supporting spaced-apart integral portions of said tubular means on axially opposite sides of said outlet ports and of the mounting position of said rotatable wheel means, said tubular means includes a pair of spaced-apart guide means, one each on opposite sides of the mounting position of said rotatable wheel means, such that axial positioning of said rotatable wheel means along said tubular means is maintained adjacent to said outlet ports, said guide means being separated from the adjacent edges of said rotatable wheel means during rotation thereof so as to permit the propelling fluid to freely exit through the spaces therebetween.