US4560351A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method of and apparatus for applying dental treatment fluid
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1984-07-05
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Granted: 1985-12-24
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Expires: 2004-07-05
Abstract
Abstract A dental apparatus for applying fluid to the teeth and gums includes as one of its principle components a U-shaped flexible, rubber-like tray having side walls and a bottom wall which define a channel into which the teeth and gums can extend. Attached to the inside perimeter of the side walls near the upper edge of the tray is a flexible, elastic tube. One end of the elastic tube is sealed. The other end of the elastic tube extends through the side wall at the front of the tray and is open for connection to a source of pressurized fluid for inflating the elastic tube. Attached to the bottom wall and communicating with the channel are conduit tubes. A method using the above apparatus to apply a fluid, such as an anesthetic, to the teeth and gums is also disclosed.
Inventors
- 👤 Travis H. Osborne
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 23:25
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61C; A61C19/00; A61C19/06; A61C19/063; A61C19/08; A61B; A61B17/00; A61B2017/00535; A61B2017/00557
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
77 words
A dental apparatus for applying fluid to the teeth and gums comprising: a tray for one of the jaws configured to surround the teeth and gums and having an open topped channel into which the teeth and gums can extend; inflatable seal means secured to said tray for conforming to the gums and providing an air-tight seal between the gums and the perimeter of the channel; and conduit means for communicating with the channel of said tray.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
77 words
A dental apparatus for applying fluid to the teeth and gums comprising: a tray for one of the jaws configured to surround the teeth and gums and having an open topped channel into which the teeth and gums can extend; inflatable seal means secured to said tray for conforming to the gums and providing an air-tight seal between the gums and the perimeter of the channel; and conduit means for communicating with the channel of said tray.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
15 words
The dental apparatus of claim 1, wherein said tray is constructed of flexible rubber-like material.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
18 words
The dental apparatus of claim 1, wherein said inflatable seal means includes an elastic, flexible thin walled tube.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
28 words
The dental apparatus of claim 3, wherein said inflatable seal means is located proximate the open top of the channel and contacts the gums above the gum-tooth line.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
27 words
The dental apparatus of claim 4, wherein said conduit means includes a tube of sufficient rigidity to resist collapse when a vacuum is applied through said tube.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
16 words
The dental apparatus of claim 5, wherein said conduit means includes separate inlet and outlet tubes.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
214 words
A method for applying fluid to the teeth and gums comprising the steps of: (a) providing a tray for one of the jaws configured to surround the teeth and gums and having a channel into which the teeth and gums can extend, said tray having inflatable seal means secured thereto for providing an air-tight seal between the gums and the inside perimeter of the channel, said tray having conduit means for communicating with the channel; (b) applying said tray to one of the jaws such that the teeth and gums extend into the channel; (c) providing a source of pressurized fluid; (d) connecting said pressurized fluid source to the inflatable seal means and inflating said inflatable seal means so that an air-tight seal is provided and maintained between said channel and the gums; (e) providing a source of vacuum; (f) connecting said vacuum source to said conduit and drawing out saliva and other fluid from within the channel and introducing a vacuum within the channel; (g) disconnecting said vacuum source from said conduit while maintaining the vacuum within the channel; (h) providing a source of fluid to be applied to the teeth and gums; (i) connecting said fluid source to said conduit and allowing said channel vacuum to draw said fluid into said channel.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
214 words
A method for applying fluid to the teeth and gums comprising the steps of: (a) providing a tray for one of the jaws configured to surround the teeth and gums and having a channel into which the teeth and gums can extend, said tray having inflatable seal means secured thereto for providing an air-tight seal between the gums and the inside perimeter of the channel, said tray having conduit means for communicating with the channel; (b) applying said tray to one of the jaws such that the teeth and gums extend into the channel; (c) providing a source of pressurized fluid; (d) connecting said pressurized fluid source to the inflatable seal means and inflating said inflatable seal means so that an air-tight seal is provided and maintained between said channel and the gums; (e) providing a source of vacuum; (f) connecting said vacuum source to said conduit and drawing out saliva and other fluid from within the channel and introducing a vacuum within the channel; (g) disconnecting said vacuum source from said conduit while maintaining the vacuum within the channel; (h) providing a source of fluid to be applied to the teeth and gums; (i) connecting said fluid source to said conduit and allowing said channel vacuum to draw said fluid into said channel.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
38 words
The method of claim 7, wherein the fluid to be applied to the teeth and gums is an anesthetic and including the additional step: (j) maintaining said fluid in the channel for a therapeutically sufficient length of time.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
44 words
The method of claim 7, wherein the fluid to be applied to the teeth and gums is a preparation for the prevention of tooth decay and including the additional step: (j) maintaining said fluid in the channel for a therapeutically sufficient length of time.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
46 words
The method of claim 7, wherein the fluid to be applied to the teeth and gums is a medicament for the treatment of tooth or gum disease and including the additional step: (j) maintaining said fluid in the channel for a therapeutically sufficient length of time.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 7, wherein said tray is provided with separate conduit means for drawing saliva out of the channel and for drawing the treatment fluid into the channel.
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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) | 1988-12-23 | 1989-06-24 | 1989-12-24 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1992-12-23 | 1993-06-24 | 1993-12-24 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1996-12-23 | 1997-06-24 | 1997-12-24 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |