US4522593A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Knitted gingival retraction cord
Assignee: Ultradent Products Inc
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Filing: 1983-07-07
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Granted: 1985-06-11
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Expires: 2003-07-07
Abstract
Abstract A gingival retraction cord having improved characteristics is advantageously constructed by a knitting process. Because of the presence of numerous interlocking loops, the knitted retraction cord is longitudinally elastic, thereby avoiding the tendency to become dislodged once packed as additional portions of the cord are packed around the margin of a tooth. The knitted retraction cord is also transversely resilient, thereby tending to better conform to the gingival sulcus.
Inventors
- 👤 Dan E. Fischer
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 19:13
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61C; A61C9/00; A61C9/0033
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 27
Claim 1
Independent Claim
100 words
A gingival retraction cord comprising at least one strand formed into a plurality of interlocking loops so as to form a knitted retraction cord for use in retracting gingival tissue preparatory to making an impression of a tooth that has been prepared for fitting of an artificial crown, said cord being knitted sufficiently loosely such that it is elastic in its longitudinal dimension so as to be able to be stretched, and resilient in its transverse dimension so as to be able to be compressed and conformed to the contour and shape of a gingival sulcus when being packed therein.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
100 words
A gingival retraction cord comprising at least one strand formed into a plurality of interlocking loops so as to form a knitted retraction cord for use in retracting gingival tissue preparatory to making an impression of a tooth that has been prepared for fitting of an artificial crown, said cord being knitted sufficiently loosely such that it is elastic in its longitudinal dimension so as to be able to be stretched, and resilient in its transverse dimension so as to be able to be compressed and conformed to the contour and shape of a gingival sulcus when being packed therein.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
16 words
A gingival retraction cord as defined in claim 1 wherein said strand comprises an absorbent material.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
21 words
A gingival retraction cord as defined in claim 1 wherein a hollow core is formed through the center of said cord.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
24 words
A gingival retraction cord as defined in claim 3 further comprising at least one strand positioned coaxially through the center of said hollow core.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
22 words
A gingival retraction cord as defined in claim 1 wherein said retraction cord is about 0.75 to about 1.7 millimeters in diameter.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
20 words
A gingival retraction cord as defined in claim 1 comprising a plurality of strands of fiber which are knitted together.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
105 words
A gingival retraction cord comprising a plurality of strands, each of said strands being formed into a plurality of interlocking loops such that the loops of each said strand are interlocked sufficiently loosely with the loops of another strand so as to form a knitted retraction cord which is longitudinally elastic so that it can be stretched along its length and which is transversely resilient so that said cord can be compressed and conformed to a gingival sulcus when packing said retraction cord into said gingival sulcus preparatory to making an impression of a tooth that has been prepared for fitting of an artificial crown.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
105 words
A gingival retraction cord comprising a plurality of strands, each of said strands being formed into a plurality of interlocking loops such that the loops of each said strand are interlocked sufficiently loosely with the loops of another strand so as to form a knitted retraction cord which is longitudinally elastic so that it can be stretched along its length and which is transversely resilient so that said cord can be compressed and conformed to a gingival sulcus when packing said retraction cord into said gingival sulcus preparatory to making an impression of a tooth that has been prepared for fitting of an artificial crown.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
22 words
A gingival retraction cord as defined in claim 7 wherein a hollow core is formed substantially through the center of said cord.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
23 words
A gingival retraction cord as defined in claim 8 further comprising at least one strand positioned through the center of said hollow core.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
26 words
A gingival retraction cord as defined in claim 9 wherein the diameter of said cord is in the range of about 0.75 to about 1.75 millimeters.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
23 words
A gingival retraction cord as defined in claim 10 wherein said cord comprises at least four strands of fiber which are knitted together.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
96 words
A method of retracting gingival tissue away from the margin of a tooth which has been shaped preparatory to receiving an artificial crown, said method comprising the step of inserting a knitted retraction cord between said gingival tissue and the margin of said tooth so as to horizontally and vertically retract said gingival tissue, said knitted retraction cord comprising at least one strand which is formed into a plurality of sufficiently loosely interlocking loops such that said knitted retraction cord will exhibit longitudinal elasticity and transverse resilience so as to facilitate effective placement of said cord.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
96 words
A method of retracting gingival tissue away from the margin of a tooth which has been shaped preparatory to receiving an artificial crown, said method comprising the step of inserting a knitted retraction cord between said gingival tissue and the margin of said tooth so as to horizontally and vertically retract said gingival tissue, said knitted retraction cord comprising at least one strand which is formed into a plurality of sufficiently loosely interlocking loops such that said knitted retraction cord will exhibit longitudinal elasticity and transverse resilience so as to facilitate effective placement of said cord.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method as defined in claim 12 wherein said knitted retraction cord comprises a plurality of strands which are knitted together.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
20 words
A method as defined in claim 12 wherein a hollow core is formed through substantially the center of said cord.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
26 words
A method as defined in claim 14 wherein said knitted retraction cord comprises at least one strand positioned coaxially through the center of said hollow core.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
26 words
A method as defined in claim 12 wherein the diameter of said knitted retraction cord is in the range of about 0.75 to about 1.75 millimeters.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
37 words
A method as defined in claim 12 further comprising the step of impregnating said knitted retraction cord with a chemical retracting and hemostatic agent prior to placement of said retraction cord about the margin of said tooth.
Claim 21
Independent Claim
109 words
A method of manufacturing a gingival retraction cord for use in retracting gingival tissue from the margin of a tooth that has been prepared for receiving an artificial crown, said method of manufacture comprising the step of knitting at least one strand so as to form a plurality of interlocking loops, thereby forming said knitted retraction cord, said cord being knitted sufficiently loosely such that it is elastic in its longitudinal dimension so as to be able to be stretched, and resilient in its transverse dimension so as to be able to be compressed and conformed to the contour and shape of a gingival sulcus when being packed therein.
Claim 22
Independent Claim
109 words
A method of manufacturing a gingival retraction cord for use in retracting gingival tissue from the margin of a tooth that has been prepared for receiving an artificial crown, said method of manufacture comprising the step of knitting at least one strand so as to form a plurality of interlocking loops, thereby forming said knitted retraction cord, said cord being knitted sufficiently loosely such that it is elastic in its longitudinal dimension so as to be able to be stretched, and resilient in its transverse dimension so as to be able to be compressed and conformed to the contour and shape of a gingival sulcus when being packed therein.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
27 words
A method as defined in claim 18 wherein said loops are interlocked so as to form a hollow core through substantially the center of said knitted cord.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
24 words
A method as defined in claim 19 further comprising the step of inserting at least one strand through the center of said hollow core.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method as defined in claim 18 wherein a plurality of strands are knitted together to form said knitted retraction cord.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
24 words
A method as defined in claim 18 further comprising the step of impregnating said knitted retraction cord with a chemical retracting and hemostatic agent.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
26 words
A method as defined in claim 18 wherein the diameter of the knitted retraction cord is in the range of about 0.75 to about 1.75 millimeters.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1988-06-10 | 1988-12-10 | 1989-06-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1992-06-10 | 1992-12-10 | 1993-06-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1996-06-10 | 1996-12-10 | 1997-06-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |