US5536168A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Mouth worn apparatus, a method for treating jaw and teeth malformations, and a method for preventing snoring
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1994-11-30
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Granted: 1996-07-16
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Expires: 2014-11-30
Abstract
Abstract A mouth worn apparatus is disclosed which includes a main body having upper and lower compartments which are generally U-shaped so as to conform generally to a patient's teeth, the upper compartment opening at least upwardly and the lower compartment opening at least downwardly so as to generally receive a patient's upper and lower teeth. A plurality of flexible protrusion members extend from at least part of the interior surface of at least one of the compartments so as to contact at least some of the patient's teeth when the device is worn. The device is used by placing it in the patient's mouth so that the upper and lower teeth are received in the upper and lower compartments respectively and retaining the device in the patient's mouth for a prescribed period of time.
Inventors
- 👤 Kevin J. Bourke
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 22:04
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61F; A61F5/00; A61F5/01; A61C; A61C7/00; A61C7/08
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 21
Claim 1
Independent Claim
120 words
A mouth worn apparatus, comprising: a main body having upper and lower compartments which are generally U-shaped so as to conform generally to a patient's teeth, the upper compartment opening at least upwardly and the lower compartment opening at least downwardly so as to generally receive a patient's upper and lower teeth, respectively; and, a plurality of flexible protrusion members extending from at least part of the interior surface of at least one of said compartments so as to contact at least some of the patient's teeth when the device is worn, certain of said protrusion members being positioned to contact certain parts of selected teeth and being longer in comparison to those positioned to contact other of said teeth.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
120 words
A mouth worn apparatus, comprising: a main body having upper and lower compartments which are generally U-shaped so as to conform generally to a patient's teeth, the upper compartment opening at least upwardly and the lower compartment opening at least downwardly so as to generally receive a patient's upper and lower teeth, respectively; and, a plurality of flexible protrusion members extending from at least part of the interior surface of at least one of said compartments so as to contact at least some of the patient's teeth when the device is worn, certain of said protrusion members being positioned to contact certain parts of selected teeth and being longer in comparison to those positioned to contact other of said teeth.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
27 words
A mouth worn apparatus as claimed in claim 1, when used to achieve gradual movement of said selected teeth when said apparatus is worn by a patient.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
37 words
A mouth worn apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein each said compartment comprises at least one side wall and a connecting wall, and wherein certain portions of said at least one side wall are selectively removed.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
27 words
A mouth worn apparatus as claimed in claim 3, wherein certain portions of at least one side wall are provided with at least one vertical cut therein.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
35 words
A mouth worn apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein each compartment comprises a pair of side walls and a connecting wall, and wherein certain portions of at least one side wall are selectively removed.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
27 words
A mouth worn apparatus as claimed in claim 5, wherein certain portions of at least one side wall are provided with at least one vertical cut therein.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
15 words
A mouth worn apparatus as claimed in claim 1, when used as an anti-snoring device.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
22 words
A mouth worn apparatus as claimed in claim 1, when used for the prevention of clenching or bruxing of a patient's teeth.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
15 words
A mouth worn apparatus as claimed in claim 1, when used as an orthodontic retainer.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
23 words
A mouth worn apparatus as claimed in claim 1, further provided with a handle thereon adapted to extend outwardly of a wearer's mouth.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
29 words
A mouth worn apparatus as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a tongue resting portion thereon to indicate/train a wearer as to a desirable resting location for the tongue.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
22 words
A mouth worn apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein certain portions of said at least one side wall are selectively removed.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
27 words
A mouth worn apparatus as claimed in claim 12, wherein certain portions of at least one side wall are provided with one or more vertical cut(s) therein.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
27 words
A mouth worn apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein certain portions of at least one said wall are provided with at least one vertical cut therein.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
164 words
A method for treating jaw and tooth malformations, said method being directed at moving one or more of a patient's teeth and making use of an apparatus having upper and lower compartments which are generally U-shaped so as to conform generally to a patient's teeth, and having a plurality of flexible protrusion members extending from at least part of the interior surface of a at least one of said compartments so as to contact at least some of the patient's teeth when the device is worn, said method comprising the steps of: selectively cutting away portions of said protrusion members; placing the device in the mouth of a patient so that the upper and lower teeth are substantially received in the upper and lower compartments of the device, respectively, and, retaining the device within the patient's mouth for a predetermined period of time such that any protrusion members which contact the patient's teeth apply pressure thereto whereby gradual movement of said teeth is facilitated.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
164 words
A method for treating jaw and tooth malformations, said method being directed at moving one or more of a patient's teeth and making use of an apparatus having upper and lower compartments which are generally U-shaped so as to conform generally to a patient's teeth, and having a plurality of flexible protrusion members extending from at least part of the interior surface of a at least one of said compartments so as to contact at least some of the patient's teeth when the device is worn, said method comprising the steps of: selectively cutting away portions of said protrusion members; placing the device in the mouth of a patient so that the upper and lower teeth are substantially received in the upper and lower compartments of the device, respectively, and, retaining the device within the patient's mouth for a predetermined period of time such that any protrusion members which contact the patient's teeth apply pressure thereto whereby gradual movement of said teeth is facilitated.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
165 words
A method for treating jaw and tooth malformations, said method being directed at moving one or more of a patient's teeth and making use of an apparatus having upper and lower compartments which are generally U-shaped so as to conform generally to a patient's teeth, and having a plurality of flexible protrusion members extending from at least part of the interior surface of at least one of said compartments so as to contact at least some of the patient's teeth when the device is worn, said method comprising the steps of: selectively cutting away portions of the wall portions of said compartment(s); placing the device in the mouth of a patient so that the upper and lower teeth are substantially received in the upper and lower compartments of the device, respectively, and, retaining the device within the patient's mouth for a predetermined period of time such that any protrusion members contact the patient's teeth apply pressure thereto whereby gradual movement of said teeth is facilitated.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
165 words
A method for treating jaw and tooth malformations, said method being directed at moving one or more of a patient's teeth and making use of an apparatus having upper and lower compartments which are generally U-shaped so as to conform generally to a patient's teeth, and having a plurality of flexible protrusion members extending from at least part of the interior surface of at least one of said compartments so as to contact at least some of the patient's teeth when the device is worn, said method comprising the steps of: selectively cutting away portions of the wall portions of said compartment(s); placing the device in the mouth of a patient so that the upper and lower teeth are substantially received in the upper and lower compartments of the device, respectively, and, retaining the device within the patient's mouth for a predetermined period of time such that any protrusion members contact the patient's teeth apply pressure thereto whereby gradual movement of said teeth is facilitated.
Claim 20
Independent Claim
168 words
A method for treating jaw and tooth malformations, and method being directed at moving one or more of a patient's teeth and making use of an apparatus having upper and lower compartments which are generally U-shaped so as to conform generally to a patient's teeth, and having a plurality of flexible protrusion members extending from at least part of the interior surface of at least one of said compartments so as to contact at least some of the patient's teeth when the device is worn, said method comprising the steps of: providing one or more vertical cut(s) in the wall portions of said compartment(s); placing the device in the mouth of a patient so that the upper and lower teeth are substantially received in the upper and lower compartments of the device, respectively, and, retaining the device within the patient's mouth for a predetermined period of time such that any protrusion members which contact the patient's teeth apply pressure thereto whereby gradual movement of said teeth is facilitated.
Claim 21
Independent Claim
168 words
A method for treating jaw and tooth malformations, and method being directed at moving one or more of a patient's teeth and making use of an apparatus having upper and lower compartments which are generally U-shaped so as to conform generally to a patient's teeth, and having a plurality of flexible protrusion members extending from at least part of the interior surface of at least one of said compartments so as to contact at least some of the patient's teeth when the device is worn, said method comprising the steps of: providing one or more vertical cut(s) in the wall portions of said compartment(s); placing the device in the mouth of a patient so that the upper and lower teeth are substantially received in the upper and lower compartments of the device, respectively, and, retaining the device within the patient's mouth for a predetermined period of time such that any protrusion members which contact the patient's teeth apply pressure thereto whereby gradual movement of said teeth is facilitated.
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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) | 1999-07-16 | 2000-01-15 | 2000-07-16 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2003-07-16 | 2004-01-15 | 2004-07-16 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2007-07-16 | 2008-01-15 | 2008-07-16 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |