Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
111 words
An orthodontic arch wire for use with an orthodontic bracket of the kind having a mesial-distal extending slot of rectangular cross-section perpendicular to the mesial-distal axis, the arch wire having a cross-section perpendicular to its direction of elongation such that the occlusal and gingival sides are straight and parallel to one another with the occlusal side longer than the gingival side, the lingual side is straight and perpendicular to the occlusal and gingival sides, and at least the major part of the labial side is smoothly outwardly-convex curved merging smoothly at one end with the gingival side, and at the other end with any remaining minor part of the labial side.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
111 words
An orthodontic arch wire for use with an orthodontic bracket of the kind having a mesial-distal extending slot of rectangular cross-section perpendicular to the mesial-distal axis, the arch wire having a cross-section perpendicular to its direction of elongation such that the occlusal and gingival sides are straight and parallel to one another with the occlusal side longer than the gingival side, the lingual side is straight and perpendicular to the occlusal and gingival sides, and at least the major part of the labial side is smoothly outwardly-convex curved merging smoothly at one end with the gingival side, and at the other end with any remaining minor part of the labial side.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
45 words
An orthodontic arch wire as claimed in claim 1, wherein the entire labial side is said smoothly outwardly-convex curved merging smoothly at one end with the gingival side, and at the other end with an outwardly convex curved junction between the labial and occlusal sides.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
35 words
An orthodontic arch wire as claimed in claim 2, wherein the two junctions between the occlusal, lingual and gingival sides are both smoothly outwardly convex curved to provide a smooth transition between the junction-connected sides.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
32 words
An orthodontic arch wire as claimed in claim 1, wherein all of the junctions between the cross-section sides are smoothly outwardly convex curved to provide smooth respective transitions between the junction-connected sides.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
40 words
An orthodontic arch wire as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the ratio between the length of the straight occlusal side and the radius of curvature of the curved labial side is from 1:0.4 to 1:0.76.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
53 words
An orthodontic wire as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the wire occlusal side is of length 0.64 mm (0.025 inch), the lingual side is of length 0.51 mm (0.020 inch) and the curved labial side has a radius from 0.25 mm (0.010 inch) to 0.38 mm (0.016 inch).
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
54 words
An orthodontic arch wire as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the wire occlusal side is of length 0.56 mm (0.022 inch), the lingual side is of length 0.43 mm (0.017 inch) and the curved labial side has a radius from 0.23 mm (0.009 inch) to 0.33 mm (0.013 inch).