US4422849A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Dental instrument and method for positioning a lingual orthodontic bracket
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1981-11-17
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Granted: 1983-12-27
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Expires: 2001-11-17
Abstract
Abstract A dental instrument and method for positioning a lingual orthodontic bracket is disclosed. The instrument comprises a housing on which is positioned an arm that includes means for releasably holding the orthodontic bracket. Level indicating means are used for displaying the extend of inclination of the arm with respect to a predetermined plane.
Inventors
- 👤 Michael K. Diamond
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 18:46
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61C; A61C7/00; A61C7/12; A61C7/14; A61C7/146
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 32
Claim 1
Independent Claim
66 words
An instrument for positioning a lingual orthodontic bracket, said instrument comprising: (a) a housing; (b) an arm extending from said housing and including means for releasably holding the orthodontic bracket at a position that is in opposition to the lingual surface of the tooth being treated; and (c) level indicating means for displaying the extent of inclination of said arm with respect to a predetermined plane.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
66 words
An instrument for positioning a lingual orthodontic bracket, said instrument comprising: (a) a housing; (b) an arm extending from said housing and including means for releasably holding the orthodontic bracket at a position that is in opposition to the lingual surface of the tooth being treated; and (c) level indicating means for displaying the extent of inclination of said arm with respect to a predetermined plane.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
22 words
The instrument according to claim 1, wherein said arm is adjustable in a direction that is substantially perpendicular to said predetermined plane.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
98 words
The instrument according to claim 1 wherein said arm comprises a first leg adjustably coupled to said housing, a second leg coupled to and extending substantially perpendicularly from said first leg and a third leg coupled to said second leg, said third leg terminating in an edge portion that is adapted to releasably engage a slot in the bracket, said edge portion of said third leg and the confrontingly opposed surface of said first leg defining therebetween a dimension that determines the placement of the bracket with respect to the incisor ledge or cusp tip of the tooth.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
39 words
The instrument according to claim 3 wherein said second leg is adjustably coupled to said first leg whereby the dimension between said edge portion of said third leg and the confrontingly opposed surface of said first leg is variable.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
45 words
The instrument according to claim 4 wherein the end of said first arm that is remote from said housing includes a slot and a retaining tab and wherein said second leg extends through said slot and is releasably and adjustably engaged by said retaining tab.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
58 words
The instrument according to claim 5 wherein the portion of said second leg that extends through said slot includes a plurality of spacedly calibrated notches each of which is adapted to be engaged by said retaining tab to thereby determine said dimension between said edge portion of said leg and the confrontingly opposed surface of said first leg.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
26 words
The instrument according to claim 3, wherein there are a plurality of said arms thereby defining a set of arms having a range of said dimensions.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
66 words
The instrument according to claim 1 wherein there is further included a labial plate and a second arm that is coupled to said housing in opposition to said means for releasably holding the bracket, said labial plate being mounted on said second arm and being adapted to engage the labial surface of the tooth when the bracket is positioned on the lingual surface of the tooth.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
16 words
The instrument according to claim 8 wherein said labial plate is made of a resilient material.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
20 words
The instrument according to claim 8 wherein said labial plate and said second arm are adjustably coupled to said housing.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
17 words
The instrument according to claim 8 wherein said labial plate is universally coupled to said second arm.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
20 words
The instrument according to claim 8 wherein said labial plate and said second arm are resiliently coupled to said housing.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
29 words
The instrument according to claim 12 wherein spring means are included for resiliently biasing said labial plate towards the portion of said arm that releasably holds the orthodontic bracket.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
21 words
The instrument according to claim 13 wherein there is further included means for varying the biasing force of said spring means.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
14 words
The instrument according to claim 1 wherein said level indicating means is a bubble.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
16 words
The instrument according to claim 15 wherein said level indicating means is mounted in said housing.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
29 words
The instrument according to claim 16 wherein there are two of said level indicating means on two opposed surfaces of said housing which are in opposition to each other.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
17 words
The instrument according to claim 17 wherein said housing includes indicia adjacent each said level indicating means.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
22 words
The instrument according to claim 1 wherein said arm is adjustable in a plane that is substantially parallel to said predetermined plane.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
33 words
The instrument according to claim 1 wherein the bracket has a slot and wherein said means for releasingly holding the bracket comprises an elongated member adapted to to be received in the slot.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
37 words
The instrument according to claim 20 wherein the slot in the bracket and the elongated member that is adapted to be received therein are both in substantially horizontal planes when the bracket is positioned on a tooth.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
13 words
The instrument according to claim 21 wherein said elongated member is vertically adjustable.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
37 words
The instrument according to claim 20 wherein the slot in the bracket and the elongated member that is adapted to be received therein are both in substantially vertical planes when the bracket is positioned on a tooth.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
13 words
The instrument according to claim 23 wherein said elongated member is vertically adjustable.
Claim 26
Independent Claim
129 words
A method for positioning a bracket on the lingual surface of a tooth by means of an instrument having level indicating means thereon, said method comprising the steps of: (a) releasably holding the bracket on a first portion of an instrument at a fixed location with respect to a second portion of the instrument; ;p1 (b) engaging the incisal edge or cusp tip of the tooth with the second portion of the instrument; (c) manipulating the instrument while maintaining engagement of the second portion thereof with the incisal edge or cusp tip of the tooth until the level indicating means reaches a predetermined position that corresponds to the desired location of the bracket; and (d) securing the bracket to the lingual surface of the tooth at the desired location.
Claim 27
Independent Claim
129 words
A method for positioning a bracket on the lingual surface of a tooth by means of an instrument having level indicating means thereon, said method comprising the steps of: (a) releasably holding the bracket on a first portion of an instrument at a fixed location with respect to a second portion of the instrument; ;p1 (b) engaging the incisal edge or cusp tip of the tooth with the second portion of the instrument; (c) manipulating the instrument while maintaining engagement of the second portion thereof with the incisal edge or cusp tip of the tooth until the level indicating means reaches a predetermined position that corresponds to the desired location of the bracket; and (d) securing the bracket to the lingual surface of the tooth at the desired location.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method according to claim 25 wherein said manipulating step comprises rotating the first portion of the instrument about an axis that is substantially parallel to the vertical axis of the tooth.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method according to claim 25 wherein said manipulating step comprises rotating the first portion of the instrument about an axis that is substantially perpendicular to the vertical axis of the tooth.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method according to claim 25 wherein the step of releasably holding the bracket comprises engaging the first portion of the instrument in a horizontal slot in the bracket.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method according to claim 25 wherein the step of releasably holding the bracket comprises engaging the first portion of the instrument in a vertical slot in the bracket.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method according to claim 25 wherein the step of releasably holding the bracket comprises engaging a lingual tube on the bracket by means of a pin on the first portion of the instrument.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3871098A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1986-12-26 | 1987-06-27 | 1987-12-27 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1990-12-26 | 1991-06-27 | 1991-12-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1994-12-26 | 1995-06-27 | 1995-12-27 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |