Patent US4071956A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4071956A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and means for removing dental plaque by ultrasonic vibrations
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1976-03-19
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Granted: 1978-02-07
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Expires: 1996-03-19
Abstract
Abstract The oral cavity containing a fluid may be employed as a resonance chamber for ultrasonic frequencies applied to the fluid to remove dental plaque.
Inventors
- 👤 John Barney Andress
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 06:45
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61C; A61C17/00; A61C17/16; A61C17/20
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 2
Claim 1
Independent Claim
235 words
A device for removing dental plaque from and from between teeth by employing the oral cavity substantially filled with sufficient liquid to cover and surround said teeth as a resonance chamber for applied ultrasonic vibrations comprising: means for producing electromagnetic signal oscillations in excess of 15,000 Hz (cycles per second); means for transducing said electromagnetic signal oscillations to an ultrasonic frequency vibration; and means for applying said ultrasonic frequency vibrations to said liquid within said oral cavity to induce thereby ultrasonic frequency vibrations and cavitation within said liquid and within said oral cavity whereby said dental plaque may be removed from and from between said teeth by the said ultrasonic frequency vibrations and cavitation induced within said oral cavity and said liquid by said applied ultrasonic frequency vibrations, wherein the said means for applying said ultrasonic frequency vibrations to said liquid within said oral cavity to induce thereby ultrasonic frequency vibrations and cavitation within said liquid and with said oral cavity comprises vibrating means having a parabolic configuration in the horizontal plan corresponding to the general array of teeth in the oral cavity and a radius of curvature in the vertical plane corresponding to the Curve of Spee, and the said vibrating means is adjustable by virtue of having each of the arms of the parabolic configuration pivotable annd rotatable substantially in the horizontal plane about a point at the vertex of said parabolic configuration.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
235 words
A device for removing dental plaque from and from between teeth by employing the oral cavity substantially filled with sufficient liquid to cover and surround said teeth as a resonance chamber for applied ultrasonic vibrations comprising: means for producing electromagnetic signal oscillations in excess of 15,000 Hz (cycles per second); means for transducing said electromagnetic signal oscillations to an ultrasonic frequency vibration; and means for applying said ultrasonic frequency vibrations to said liquid within said oral cavity to induce thereby ultrasonic frequency vibrations and cavitation within said liquid and within said oral cavity whereby said dental plaque may be removed from and from between said teeth by the said ultrasonic frequency vibrations and cavitation induced within said oral cavity and said liquid by said applied ultrasonic frequency vibrations, wherein the said means for applying said ultrasonic frequency vibrations to said liquid within said oral cavity to induce thereby ultrasonic frequency vibrations and cavitation within said liquid and with said oral cavity comprises vibrating means having a parabolic configuration in the horizontal plan corresponding to the general array of teeth in the oral cavity and a radius of curvature in the vertical plane corresponding to the Curve of Spee, and the said vibrating means is adjustable by virtue of having each of the arms of the parabolic configuration pivotable annd rotatable substantially in the horizontal plane about a point at the vertex of said parabolic configuration.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1981-02-06 | 1981-08-08 | 1982-02-07 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1985-02-06 | 1985-08-08 | 1986-02-07 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1989-02-06 | 1989-08-08 | 1990-02-07 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |