Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
182 words
A system for driving and tightening components in a dental prosthodontic restoration, comprising: at least a first driver having a body portion and a shank portion depending from the body portion, the body portion including a socket and a bore axially disposed through the body portion and opening through to the socket, the shank portion having a predetermined driver structure at one end; at least a first torque element comprising an outer member and an inner member, the inner member aligned concentrically with respect to the outer member and attached thereto by one or more spokes, the outer member having a predetermined geometry to enable the outer member to be received in the socket of the driver; and a mandrel having a first portion received in the inner member of the torque element and a second portion received in the bore when the mandrel, the torque element and the driver are assembled together; wherein upon rotation of the mandrel, the inner member of the torque element rotates with respect to the outer member of the torque element while the spokes are intact.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
182 words
A system for driving and tightening components in a dental prosthodontic restoration, comprising: at least a first driver having a body portion and a shank portion depending from the body portion, the body portion including a socket and a bore axially disposed through the body portion and opening through to the socket, the shank portion having a predetermined driver structure at one end; at least a first torque element comprising an outer member and an inner member, the inner member aligned concentrically with respect to the outer member and attached thereto by one or more spokes, the outer member having a predetermined geometry to enable the outer member to be received in the socket of the driver; and a mandrel having a first portion received in the inner member of the torque element and a second portion received in the bore when the mandrel, the torque element and the driver are assembled together; wherein upon rotation of the mandrel, the inner member of the torque element rotates with respect to the outer member of the torque element while the spokes are intact.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
54 words
The system as described in claim 1 wherein the number of spokes and the placement of the spokes relative to the inner and outer members of the torque element are predetermined such that upon rotation of the mandrel the spokes remain intact provided the torque applied to the mandrel is below a predetermined level.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
54 words
The system as described in claim 1 further including: a second driver having a body portion and a shank portion depending from the body portion, the shank portion of the second driver having a predetermined driver structure at one end that differs from the predetermined driver structure at the end of the first driver.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
65 words
The system as described in claim 1 further including: a second torque element comprising an outer member and an inner member, the inner member aligned concentrically with respect to the outer member and attached thereto by one or more spokes, wherein the physical properties of the spokes in the second torque element differ from the physical properties of the spokes in the first torque element.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
19 words
The system as described in claim 4 wherein the first and second torque elements are provided in different colors.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
14 words
The system as described in claim 1 further including means for driving the mandrel.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
22 words
The system as described in claim 6 wherein the means for driving the mandrel is a finger grip attached to the handpiece.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
23 words
The system as described in claim 6 wherein the means for driving the mandrel is a handpiece attachable to a power driver device.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
20 words
The system as described in claim 1 wherein the body portion includes a slot for receiving the first torque element.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
274 words
A system for driving and tightening components in a dental prosthodontic restoration, comprising: a first driver having a body portion and a shank portion depending from the body portion, the body portion including a socket and a bore axially disposed through the body portion and opening through to the socket, the shank portion having a predetermined driver structure at one end; a second driver having a body portion and a shank portion depending from the body portion, the shank portion of the second driver having a predetermined driver structure at one end that differs from the predetermined driver structure at the end of the first driver; a first torque element comprising an outer member and an inner member, the inner member aligned concentrically with respect to the outer member and attached thereto by one or more spokes, the outer member having a predetermined geometry to enable the outer member to be received in the socket of the driver; a second torque element comprising an outer member and an inner member, the inner member aligned concentrically with respect to the outer member and attached thereto by one or more spokes, wherein the physical properties of the spokes in the second torque element differ from the physical properties of the spokes in the first torque element; a mandrel having a first portion received in the inner member of a selected one of the first or second torque elements and a second portion received in the bore of a selected one of the first or second driver when the handpiece, the selected torque element and the selected driver are assembled together; and means for driving the mandrel.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
274 words
A system for driving and tightening components in a dental prosthodontic restoration, comprising: a first driver having a body portion and a shank portion depending from the body portion, the body portion including a socket and a bore axially disposed through the body portion and opening through to the socket, the shank portion having a predetermined driver structure at one end; a second driver having a body portion and a shank portion depending from the body portion, the shank portion of the second driver having a predetermined driver structure at one end that differs from the predetermined driver structure at the end of the first driver; a first torque element comprising an outer member and an inner member, the inner member aligned concentrically with respect to the outer member and attached thereto by one or more spokes, the outer member having a predetermined geometry to enable the outer member to be received in the socket of the driver; a second torque element comprising an outer member and an inner member, the inner member aligned concentrically with respect to the outer member and attached thereto by one or more spokes, wherein the physical properties of the spokes in the second torque element differ from the physical properties of the spokes in the first torque element; a mandrel having a first portion received in the inner member of a selected one of the first or second torque elements and a second portion received in the bore of a selected one of the first or second driver when the handpiece, the selected torque element and the selected driver are assembled together; and means for driving the mandrel.