US4348178A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Vibrational orthodontic appliance
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1978-07-31
•
Granted: 1982-09-07
•
Expires: 1998-07-31
Abstract
Abstract An orthodontic appliance is provided which consists of a tooth positioner mouth piece which contains impressions of the upper and lower teeth of a patient in corrected positions, and an electric motor mounted on the extra oral bow of a usual orthodontic headgear, and mechanically coupled to the mouth piece for introducing vibrations into the mouth piece. In a second embodiment, the mouth piece is pulsed by an electrically energized hydraulic pump.
Inventors
- 👤 Craven H. Kurz
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 09:46
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61C; A61C7/00; A61C7/08; A61C7/008; A61C7/06
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
76 words
An active tooth-moving orthodontic appliance for moving teeth that are in maloclusion into corrected positions without clenching, comprising: a resilient tooth positioner mouthpiece containing impressions of the teeth of a patient in corrected position; and means coupled to the mouthpiece for imparting tooth-moving vibrational forces to the mouthpiece to press the teeth that are in maloclusion into the corrected positions, in which said means comprises an ultra-sonic electric motor for introducing vibratory motion to the mouthpiece.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
76 words
An active tooth-moving orthodontic appliance for moving teeth that are in maloclusion into corrected positions without clenching, comprising: a resilient tooth positioner mouthpiece containing impressions of the teeth of a patient in corrected position; and means coupled to the mouthpiece for imparting tooth-moving vibrational forces to the mouthpiece to press the teeth that are in maloclusion into the corrected positions, in which said means comprises an ultra-sonic electric motor for introducing vibratory motion to the mouthpiece.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
24 words
The orthodontic appliance defined in claim 1; in which said means further comprises elongated metallic elements extending from the motor through the mouth piece.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
18 words
The orthodontic appliance defined in claim 2, and which includes an extra oral bow for supporting said means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
80 words
An active tooth-moving orthodontic appliance for moving teeth that are in maloclusion into corrected positions without clenching, comprising: a resilient tooth positioner mouthpiece containing impressions of the teeth of a patient in corrected position; and means coupled to the mouthpiece for imparting tooth-moving vibrational forces to the mouthpiece to press the teeth that are in maloclusion into the corrected positions, in which said means comprises an electrically energized hydraulic pump, and rubber tubing extending from said pump through said mouthpiece.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
80 words
An active tooth-moving orthodontic appliance for moving teeth that are in maloclusion into corrected positions without clenching, comprising: a resilient tooth positioner mouthpiece containing impressions of the teeth of a patient in corrected position; and means coupled to the mouthpiece for imparting tooth-moving vibrational forces to the mouthpiece to press the teeth that are in maloclusion into the corrected positions, in which said means comprises an electrically energized hydraulic pump, and rubber tubing extending from said pump through said mouthpiece.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US1826434A
Cited
US2531222A
Cited
US2912976A
Cited
US2880509A
Cited
US3115139A
Cited
US3379192A
Cited
US3385291A
Cited
US3481329A
Cited
US4011616A
Cited
US4123844A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1985-09-06 | 1986-03-08 | 1986-09-07 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1989-09-06 | 1990-03-08 | 1990-09-07 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1993-09-06 | 1994-03-08 | 1994-09-07 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |