US4768952A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Dental probe
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1987-05-12
•
Granted: 1988-09-06
•
Expires: 2007-05-12
Abstract
Abstract A dental probe is disclosed for use in detecting periodontal disease and gingivitis. The probe includes an elongate member having a distal end with a flexible plastic tip thereon; the distal end has first portion indicating a non-diseased condition and a second portion indicating a diseased condition, the first portion being disposed between the tip of the distal end and the second portion, the second portion being disposed adjacent to the first portion. The invention also includes a method using the dental probe for diagnosing periodontal disease and gingivitis.
Inventors
- 👤 Bernard Loewenthal
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 16:35
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61C; A61C19/00; A61C19/04; A61C19/043
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 28
Claim 1
Independent Claim
69 words
A dental probe, comprising: an elongated member having a flexible, plastic distal end with a tip thereon; said distal end being generally cylindrical and tapered to said tip and comprising a first portion indicating a non-diseased condition and second portion indicating a diseased condition; and said first portion disposed between the tip of said distal end and said second portion, said second portion disposed adjacent to said first portion.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
69 words
A dental probe, comprising: an elongated member having a flexible, plastic distal end with a tip thereon; said distal end being generally cylindrical and tapered to said tip and comprising a first portion indicating a non-diseased condition and second portion indicating a diseased condition; and said first portion disposed between the tip of said distal end and said second portion, said second portion disposed adjacent to said first portion.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
28 words
The dental probe according to claim 1, wherein said first portion is about 3 millimeters in length and said second portion is at least 3 millimeters in length.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
19 words
The dental probe according to claim 1, wherein said first portion and said second portion are contrastingly color coded.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
19 words
The dental probe according to claim 3, wherein said first portion is green and said second portion is red.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
12 words
The dental probe according to claim 1, wherein said probe is disposable.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
19 words
The dental probe according to claim 1, wherein said elongated member has a proximal end opposite said distal end.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
24 words
The dental probe according to claim 6, wherein said elongated member has a first bend disposed between the proximate end and the distal end.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
25 words
The dental probe according to claim 7, wherein said distal end has a second bend disposed between said distal end tip and said first bend.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
23 words
The dental probe according to claim 8, wherein said first bend forms an obtuse angle at a bottom side of said elongated member.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
23 words
The dental probe according to claim 7, wherein said second bend forms an obtuse angle at a top side of said elongated member.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
17 words
The dental probe according to claim 1, wherein said dental probe is about 6 inches in length.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
21 words
The dental probe according to claim 1, wherein said distal end is about 7/10 of a millimeter wide at said tip.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
17 words
The dental probe according to claim 1, wherein at least said distal end is of plastic material.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
22 words
The dental probe according to claim 1 wherein at least said distal end is made of an approximately 40% talcum filled plastic.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
21 words
The dental probe according to claim 1 wherein said plastic is selected from the group consisting of polypropylene and polybutylene terephthalate.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
138 words
A method for diagnosing periodontal disease comprising the steps of: (a) retracting the lip of a person to be diagnosed; (b) gently inserting a dental probe, at a juncture between a tooth and gum, comprising: an elongated member having a flexible, plastic digital end with a tip thereon; said distal end being generally cylindrical and tapered to the tip and comprising a first portion indicating a non-diseased condition and second portion indicating a diseased condition; and said first portion disposed between the tip of said distal end and said second portion, said second portion disposed adjacent to said first portion; (c) examining said distal end and ascertaining which of said two portions is visible at the juncture; (d) removing said dental probe from between the tooth and gum; and (e) repeating steps (b) through (d) at least once.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
138 words
A method for diagnosing periodontal disease comprising the steps of: (a) retracting the lip of a person to be diagnosed; (b) gently inserting a dental probe, at a juncture between a tooth and gum, comprising: an elongated member having a flexible, plastic digital end with a tip thereon; said distal end being generally cylindrical and tapered to the tip and comprising a first portion indicating a non-diseased condition and second portion indicating a diseased condition; and said first portion disposed between the tip of said distal end and said second portion, said second portion disposed adjacent to said first portion; (c) examining said distal end and ascertaining which of said two portions is visible at the juncture; (d) removing said dental probe from between the tooth and gum; and (e) repeating steps (b) through (d) at least once.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method according to claim 16 further comprising the steps of coding said two portions with contrasting colors.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method according to claim 16 further comprising the step of charting the specific portion visible for each tooth and gum area examined.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method according to claim 16 including bending said tip around tortuous pockets.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
10 words
The method according to claim 16 including locating furcation involvement.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 16 including eliciting any bleeding while probing to diagnose gingivitis.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 16 including bending the tip around corners in tortuous pockets.
Claim 25
Independent Claim
15 words
The method of clam 16 including bending the tip into furcations to diagnose furcation involvement.
Claim 26
Independent Claim
15 words
The method of clam 16 including bending the tip into furcations to diagnose furcation involvement.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
121 words
A dental probe, comprising: (a) an elongated member having a proximal end and a distal end; (b) said elongated member being an approximately 40% talcum filled plastic, wherein the plastic is selected from a group consisting of polypropylene and polybutylene terephthalate; (c) said distal end having a tip thereon and being flexible, generally cylindrical and tapered to the tip; (d) said distal end further comprising a first portion indicating a non-diseased condition and a second portion indicating a diseased condition, at least one of said first and second portions having a color code contrasting to the other portion; (e) said first portion being disposed between the tip and the second portion, and said second portion being disposed adjacent said first portion.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
121 words
A dental probe, comprising: (a) an elongated member having a proximal end and a distal end; (b) said elongated member being an approximately 40% talcum filled plastic, wherein the plastic is selected from a group consisting of polypropylene and polybutylene terephthalate; (c) said distal end having a tip thereon and being flexible, generally cylindrical and tapered to the tip; (d) said distal end further comprising a first portion indicating a non-diseased condition and a second portion indicating a diseased condition, at least one of said first and second portions having a color code contrasting to the other portion; (e) said first portion being disposed between the tip and the second portion, and said second portion being disposed adjacent said first portion.
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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) | 1991-09-06 | 1992-03-07 | 1992-09-06 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1995-09-06 | 1996-03-07 | 1996-09-06 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1999-09-06 | 2000-03-07 | 2000-09-06 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |