US4759713A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Disposable dental tool
Assignee: Baxter International Inc
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Filing: 1986-07-23
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Granted: 1988-07-26
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Expires: 2006-07-23
Abstract
Abstract A disposable dental instrument is described in which the instrument is formed by insert molding a handle about a wire. The wire has a working portion and a embedding portion; both the working portion and the embedding portion have a common diameter. In one embodiment of the subject invention, the handle changes color when exposed to ultraviolet light. In another embodiment of the invention, the instrument can be sterilized using only radiation sterilization techniques.
Inventors
- 👤 Mark A. Heiss
- 👤 James C. Richardson
- 👤 Phillip A. Taylor
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 23:10
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61C; A61C3/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
92 words
A disposable dental instrument for single-patient use comprising: a handle formed principally of a material taken from the group consisting of polyethylene; polystyrene; copolymers of acrylonitrile, butadiene, and styrene; homopolymers and copolymers of ethylene terephthalate so that said dental instrument can be sterilized using radiation and ethylene oxide techniques so that said handle will degrade when said handle is sterilized using heat sterilization techniques; wire means for removing plaque attached to said handle, said means including a working portion for removing plaque and an embedding portion to be embedded in said handle.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
92 words
A disposable dental instrument for single-patient use comprising: a handle formed principally of a material taken from the group consisting of polyethylene; polystyrene; copolymers of acrylonitrile, butadiene, and styrene; homopolymers and copolymers of ethylene terephthalate so that said dental instrument can be sterilized using radiation and ethylene oxide techniques so that said handle will degrade when said handle is sterilized using heat sterilization techniques; wire means for removing plaque attached to said handle, said means including a working portion for removing plaque and an embedding portion to be embedded in said handle.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
66 words
A disposable dental instrument for single-patient use comprising: a handle formed principally of polyethylene terephthalate so that said handle will degrade when said handle is sterilized using heat sterilization techniques, but can be sterilized using radiation techniques; and wire means for removing plaque attached to said handle, said means including a working portion for removing plaque, and an embedding portion to be embedded in said handle.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
66 words
A disposable dental instrument for single-patient use comprising: a handle formed principally of polyethylene terephthalate so that said handle will degrade when said handle is sterilized using heat sterilization techniques, but can be sterilized using radiation techniques; and wire means for removing plaque attached to said handle, said means including a working portion for removing plaque, and an embedding portion to be embedded in said handle.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
66 words
A disposable dental instrument for single-patient use comprising: wire means for removing plaque, including a working portion and an embedding portion; handle means for embedding said embedded portion of said wire means, said handle means being formed principally of a material that will degrade when said handle means is sterilized using heat sterilization techniques, but will not degrade when said handle is sterilized using radiation techniques.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
66 words
A disposable dental instrument for single-patient use comprising: wire means for removing plaque, including a working portion and an embedding portion; handle means for embedding said embedded portion of said wire means, said handle means being formed principally of a material that will degrade when said handle means is sterilized using heat sterilization techniques, but will not degrade when said handle is sterilized using radiation techniques.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1991-07-26 | 1992-01-25 | 1992-07-26 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1995-07-26 | 1996-01-25 | 1996-07-26 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1999-07-26 | 2000-01-25 | 2000-07-26 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |