US5044947A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Orthodontic archwire and method of moving teeth
Assignee: Ormco Corp
•
Filing: 1990-06-29
•
Granted: 1991-09-03
•
Expires: 2010-06-29
Abstract
Abstract An orthodontic appliance made of a shape memory alloy comprising of a nickel, titanium, and copper composition which is formulated to provide the desired loading and unloading forces to the bracket.
Inventors
- 👤 Rohit C. L. Sachdeva
- 👤 Shuichi Miyazaki
- 👤 Farrokh Farzin-Nia
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 19:52
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61C; A61C7/00; A61C7/12; A61C7/20; A61C2201/00; A61C2201/007
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 58
Claim 1
Independent Claim
38 words
An orthodontic archwire having superelastic properties made of an alloy consisting essentially of nickel, titanium and copper in accordance with the following relationship: Ti.sub.50 Ni.sub.50-X Cu.sub.X wherein X is in the range from about 3-13% (by atomic percent).
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
38 words
An orthodontic archwire having superelastic properties made of an alloy consisting essentially of nickel, titanium and copper in accordance with the following relationship: Ti.sub.50 Ni.sub.50-X Cu.sub.X wherein X is in the range from about 3-13% (by atomic percent).
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
19 words
An orthodontic archwire according to claim 1 wherein X is in the range from about 5-11% (by atomic percent).
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
15 words
An orthodontic archwire according to claim 1 wherein X is approximately 10% (by atomic percent).
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
35 words
An orthodontic archwire according to claim 1 wherein said archwire produces a maximum loading stress approximately equal to or less than 400 Mpa and a minimum unloading stress equal or greater than about 200 Mpa.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
26 words
An orthodontic archwire according to claim 1 wherein the difference between the loading and unloading stress of said archwire is no greater than about 150 Mpa.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
27 words
An orthodontic archwire according to claim 1 wherein said archwire maintains a substantially constant load during both loading and unloading after reaching the first limit of proportionality.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
27 words
An orthodontic archwire according to claim 1 wherein the archwire includes an additional element selected from the following group: Co, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Mo, W, Al.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
28 words
An orthodontic archwire according to claim 1 wherein said shape memory alloy has an austenitic transformation temperature (Af) less than or equal to about 37° C. body temperature.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
24 words
An orthodontic archwire according to claim 1 wherein the difference between the maximum and minimum stress for loading and unloading is approximately 110 Mpa.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
22 words
An orthodontic archwire according to claim 1 wherein said orthodontic wire has a minimum unloading stress during unloading of about 200 Mpa.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
22 words
An orthodontic archwire according to claim 1 wherein said archwire has a maximum constant loading stress no greater than about 400 Mpa.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
50 words
An orthodontic archwire according to claim 1 wherein said archwire is made of a material which comprises 35-45% nickel, 50% titanium, about 10% copper, and up to about 5% of said alloy consists of at least one of the following elements: V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Mo, W, or Al.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
38 words
An orthodontic archwire having superelastic properties made of an alloy consisting essentially of nickel, titanium and copper in accordance with the following relationship: Ti.sub.50-X Ni.sub.50 Cu.sub.X wherein X is from about 0.5% to approximately 3.0% (by atomic percent).
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
38 words
An orthodontic archwire having superelastic properties made of an alloy consisting essentially of nickel, titanium and copper in accordance with the following relationship: Ti.sub.50-X Ni.sub.50 Cu.sub.X wherein X is from about 0.5% to approximately 3.0% (by atomic percent).
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
21 words
An orthodontic archwire according to claim 13 wherein X is in the range from about 0.5% to 1.0% (by atomic percent).
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
15 words
An orthodontic archwire according to claim 13 wherein X is approximately 1.0% (by atomic percent).
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
35 words
An orthodontic archwire according to claim 13 wherein said archwire produces a maximum loading stress approximately equal to or less than 400 Mpa and a minimum unloading stress equal or greater than about 200 Mpa.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
26 words
An orthodontic archwire according to claim 13 wherein the difference between the loading and unloading stress of said archwire is no greater than about 150 Mpa.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
27 words
An orthodontic archwire according to claim 13 wherein an archwire maintains a substantially constant load during both loading and unloading after reaching the first limit of proportionality.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
29 words
An orthodontic archwire according to claim 13 wherein the archwire includes at least one additional element selected from the following group: Co, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Mo, W, Al.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
23 words
An orthodontic archwire according to claim 13 wherein said transformation temperature of said archwire is less than or equal to about 37° C.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
21 words
An orthodontic archwire according to claim 13 wherein the difference between the maximum and minimum stress load is approximately 110 Mpa.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
22 words
An orthodontic archwire according to claim 13 wherein said orthodontic wire has a minimum load stress during unloading of about 200 Mpa.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
21 words
An orthodontic archwire according to claim 13 wherein said archwire has a maximum loading force no greater than about 375 Mpa.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
46 words
An orthodontic archwire according to claim 13 wherein nickel comprises 40% of said alloy, copper comprises 10% of said alloy, and up to about 3% of said alloy consists of at least one of the following elements: V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Mo, W, or Al.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
45 words
An orthodontic archwire having superelastic properties made of an alloy made in accordance with the following relationship: (Ti.sub.50-a /Ni.sub.50-b /Cu.sub.a+b)100-c/X.sub.c wherein: Ti=nickel Ni=titanium Cu=copper X is selected from the following elements: V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Mo, W, or Al ranges from: a=0.0-10% b=0.0-20% c=0.0-5%.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
45 words
An orthodontic archwire having superelastic properties made of an alloy made in accordance with the following relationship: (Ti.sub.50-a /Ni.sub.50-b /Cu.sub.a+b)100-c/X.sub.c wherein: Ti=nickel Ni=titanium Cu=copper X is selected from the following elements: V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Mo, W, or Al ranges from: a=0.0-10% b=0.0-20% c=0.0-5%.
Claim 29
Independent Claim
58 words
A method of moving teeth by attaching a plurality of brackets to a plurality of teeth using an orthodontic archwire having superelastic properties such that there is provided second said orthodontic archwire provides a maximum loading stress equal to or less than about 400 Mpa and a minimum unloading stress equal to or greater than about 200 Mpa.
Claim 30
Independent Claim
58 words
A method of moving teeth by attaching a plurality of brackets to a plurality of teeth using an orthodontic archwire having superelastic properties such that there is provided second said orthodontic archwire provides a maximum loading stress equal to or less than about 400 Mpa and a minimum unloading stress equal to or greater than about 200 Mpa.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
19 words
A method according to claim 26, wherein the difference between the loading an unloading stress is about 110 Mpa.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
35 words
An orthodontic archwire system comprising of an orthodontic member which undergoes a maximum loading stress equal to or less than about 400 Mpa and a minimum unloading stress equal or greater than about 200 Mpa.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
35 words
An orthodontic archwire system comprising of an orthodontic member which undergoes a maximum loading stress equal to or less than about 400 Mpa and a minimum unloading stress equal or greater than about 200 Mpa.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
21 words
An orthodontic archwire system according to claim 28 wherein the difference between the loading and unloading stress is about 110 Mpa.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
38 words
An orthodontic appliance having superelastic properties made of an alloy consisting essentially of nickel, titanium and copper in accordance with the following relationship: Ti.sub.50 Ni.sub.50-X Cu.sub.X wherein X is in the range from about 3-13% (by atomic percent).
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
38 words
An orthodontic appliance having superelastic properties made of an alloy consisting essentially of nickel, titanium and copper in accordance with the following relationship: Ti.sub.50 Ni.sub.50-X Cu.sub.X wherein X is in the range from about 3-13% (by atomic percent).
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
19 words
An orthodontic appliance according to claim 30 wherein X is in the range from about 5-11% (by atomic percent).
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
35 words
An orthodontic appliance according to claim 30 wherein said appliance produces a maximum loading stress approximately equal to or less than 400 Mpa and a minimum unloading stress equal or greater than about 200 Mpa.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
27 words
An orthodontic appliance according to claim 30 wherein said appliance maintains a substantially constant load during both loading and unloading after reaching the first limit of proportionality.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
27 words
An orthodontic appliance according to claim 30 wherein the archwire includes an additional element selected from the following group: Co, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Mo, W, Al.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
28 words
An orthodontic appliance according to claim 30 wherein said shape memory alloy has an austenitic transformation temperature (Af) less than or equal to about 37° C. body temperature.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
42 words
An orthodontic archwire according to claim 30 wherein comprises 35-45% nickel, 50% titanium, about 10% copper, and up to about 5% of said alloy consists of at least one of the following elements: V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Mo, W, or Al.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
13 words
An orthodontic appliance according to claim 30 wherein said appliance is a spring.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
13 words
An orthodontic appliance according to claim 30 wherein said appliance is an auxiliary.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
13 words
An orthodontic appliance according to claim 30 wherein said appliance is a loop.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
13 words
An orthodontic appliance according to claim 30 wherein said appliance is a bracket.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
38 words
An orthodontic appliance having superelastic properties made of an alloy consisting essentially of nickel, titanium and copper in accordance with the following relationship: Ti.sub.50-X Ni.sub.50 Cu.sub.X wherein X is from about 0.5% to approximately 3.0% (by atomic percent).
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
38 words
An orthodontic appliance having superelastic properties made of an alloy consisting essentially of nickel, titanium and copper in accordance with the following relationship: Ti.sub.50-X Ni.sub.50 Cu.sub.X wherein X is from about 0.5% to approximately 3.0% (by atomic percent).
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
21 words
An orthodontic appliance according to claim 41 wherein X is in the range from about 0.5% to 1.0% (by atomic percent).
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
35 words
An orthodontic appliance according to claim 41 wherein said appliance produces a maximum loading stress approximately equal to or less than 400 Mpa and a minimum unloading stress equal or greater than about 200 Mpa.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
27 words
An orthodontic appliance according to claim 41 wherein the archwire includes an additional element selected from the following group: Co, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Mo, W, Al.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
13 words
An orthodontic appliance according to claim 41 wherein said appliance is a spring.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
13 words
An orthodontic appliance according to claim 41 wherein said appliance is an auxiliary.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
13 words
An orthodontic appliance according to claim 41 wherein said appliance is a loop.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
13 words
An orthodontic appliance according to claim 41 wherein said appliance is a bracket.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
46 words
An orthodontic appliance according to claim 41 wherein nickel comprises 40% of said alloy, copper comprises 10% of said alloy, and up to about 3% of said alloy consists of at least one of the following elements: V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Mo, W, or Al.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
44 words
An orthodontic appliance made of a shape memory alloy made in accordance with the following relationship: (Ti.sub.50-a /Ni.sub.50-b /Cu.sub.a+b)100-c/X.sub.c wherein: Ti=nickel Ni=titanium Cu=copper X is selected from the following elements: V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Mo, W, or Al ranges from: a=0.0-10% b=0.0-20% c=0.0-5%.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
44 words
An orthodontic appliance made of a shape memory alloy made in accordance with the following relationship: (Ti.sub.50-a /Ni.sub.50-b /Cu.sub.a+b)100-c/X.sub.c wherein: Ti=nickel Ni=titanium Cu=copper X is selected from the following elements: V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Mo, W, or Al ranges from: a=0.0-10% b=0.0-20% c=0.0-5%.
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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) | 1994-09-02 | 1995-03-04 | 1995-09-03 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1998-09-02 | 1999-03-04 | 1999-09-03 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2002-09-02 | 2003-03-04 | 2003-09-03 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |