Connector for medical implant

Claim 2

An improvement in the connection between mating components in medical implants wherein said components are subjected to torsional loads, comprising an interface defining a mating relationship between adjacent surfaces of said components wherein one of said surfaces defines a splined truncated cone tapering from a major diameter to a minor diameter and an annular shoulder circumscribing said major diameter, wherein said cone circumscribes an opening for a threaded receptacle for a threaded fastener.

Claim 3

The improvement as defined in claim 1 wherein said truncated cone is formed on a dental implant and further comprising a conic recess formed in a dental abutment, with said implant and abutment secured to each other with a threaded fastener passing through said opening and engaged within said threaded receptacle.

Claim 4

The improvement as defined in claim 1 wherein a mating surface defines a fluted conic recess having a plurality of flutes for cooperatively receiving therein the splines of said cone, said recess flaring from a minor diameter to a major diameter circumscribed by an annular abutment surface which cooperatively mates with said annular shoulder.

Claim 5

The improvement as defined in claim 3 wherein said truncated cone is formed on a dental implant and said conic recess is formed on a dental abutment with said implant and abutment secured to each other with a threaded fastener passing through said opening and engaged within said threaded receptacle.

Claim 6

An improvement in the connection between mating components in medical implants wherein said components are subjected to torsional loads, comprising an interface defining a mating relationship between adjacent surfaces of said components wherein one of said surfaces defines a splined truncated cone tapering from a major diameter to a minor diameter, an annular shoulder circumscribing said major diameter, and a mating surface defining a fluted conic recess having a plurality of flutes for cooperatively receiving therein the splines of said cone, said recess flaring from a minor diameter to a major diameter circumscribed by an annular abutment surface which cooperatively mates with said annular shoulder, wherein said cone circumscribes an opening for a threaded receptacle for a threaded fastener, wherein said cone is formed on a dental implant and said conic recess is formed on a dental abutment with said implant and abutment secured to each other with a threaded fastener passing through said opening and engaged within said threaded receptacle, wherein said threaded fastener has a thread profile characterized by a root and crest surface defining an inclined helix relative to the centerline of said fastener.

Claim 7

An improvement in the connection between mating components in medical implants wherein said components are subjected to torsional loads, comprising an interface defining a mating relationship between adjacent surfaces of said components wherein one of said surfaces defines a splined truncated cone tapering from a major diameter to a minor diameter, an annular shoulder circumscribing said major diameter, and a mating surface defining a fluted conic recess having a plurality of flutes for cooperatively receiving therein the splines of said cone, said recess flaring from a minor diameter to a major diameter circumscribed by an annular abutment surface which cooperatively mates with said annular shoulder, wherein said cone circumscribes an opening for a threaded receptacle for a threaded fastener, wherein said cone is formed on a dental implant and said conic recess is formed on a dental abutment with said implant and abutment secured to each other with a threaded fastener passing through said opening and engaged within said threaded receptacle, wherein said threaded fastener has a thread profile characterized by a root and crest surface defining an inclined helix relative to the centerline of said fastener.

Claim 8

The improvement as defined in claim 5, wherein said cone is smoothly splined.

Claim 9

The improvement as defined in claim 5 wherein said splined truncated cone has formed thereon at least one cylindrical spline.

Claim 10

The improvement as defined in claim 5 wherein said splined truncated cone has a continuous surface with a plurality of cylindrical splines separated by interstitial flutes.

Claim 11

The improvement as defined in claim 5 wherein said minor diameter of said conic recess circumscribes an opening cooperatively aligned with said threaded receptacle.

Claim 12

An improvement in the connection between mating components in medical implants wherein said components are subjected to torsional loads, comprising an interface defining a mating relationship between adjacent surfaces of said components wherein one of said surfaces defines a splined truncated cone tapering from a major diameter to a minor diameter, an annular shoulder circumscribing said major diameter, and a mating surface defining a fluted conic recess having a plurality of flutes for cooperatively receiving therein the splines of said cone, said recess flaring from a minor diameter to a major diameter circumscribed by an annular abutment surface which cooperatively mates with said annular shoulder, wherein said cone circumscribes an opening for a threaded receptacle for a threaded fastener, wherein said cone is formed on a dental implant and said conic recess is formed on a dental abutment with said implant and abutment secured to each other with a threaded fastener passing through said opening and engaged within said threaded receptacle, wherein said fastener has a thread portion having a maximum diameter less than said opening and a head portion having a larger diameter than said thread portion, said fastener tapering from said head portion to said thread portion, said abutment having an axial bore communicating with said opening, said bore being partially defined by a portion cooperatively tapered to engage the taper of said fastener.

Claim 13

An improvement in the connection between mating components in medical implants wherein said components are subjected to torsional loads, comprising an interface defining a mating relationship between adjacent surfaces of said components wherein one of said surfaces defines a splined truncated cone tapering from a major diameter to a minor diameter, an annular shoulder circumscribing said major diameter, and a mating surface defining a fluted conic recess having a plurality of flutes for cooperatively receiving therein the splines of said cone, said recess flaring from a minor diameter to a major diameter circumscribed by an annular abutment surface which cooperatively mates with said annular shoulder, wherein said cone circumscribes an opening for a threaded receptacle for a threaded fastener, wherein said cone is formed on a dental implant and said conic recess is formed on a dental abutment with said implant and abutment secured to each other with a threaded fastener passing through said opening and engaged within said threaded receptacle, wherein said fastener has a thread portion having a maximum diameter less than said opening and a head portion having a larger diameter than said thread portion, said fastener tapering from said head portion to said thread portion, said abutment having an axial bore communicating with said opening, said bore being partially defined by a portion cooperatively tapered to engage the taper of said fastener.

Claim 14

The improvement as defined in claim 10, wherein said cone is smoothly splined.

Claim 15

The improvement as defined in claim 10, wherein said splined truncated cone has formed thereon at least one cylindrical spline.

Claim 16

The improvement as defined in claim 10, wherein said splined truncated cone has a continuous surface with a plurality of cylindrical splines separated by interstitial flutes.

Claim 17

The improvement as defined in claim 10, wherein said minor diameter of said conic recess circumscribes an opening cooperatively aligned with said threaded receptacle.

Claim 18

An improvement in the connection between mating components in medical implants wherein said components are subjected to torsional loads, comprising an interface defining a mating relationship between adjacent surfaces of said components wherein one of said surfaces defines a splined truncated cone tapering from a major diameter to a minor diameter and an annular shoulder circumscribing said major diameters wherein said cone circumscribes an opening for a threaded receptacle for a threaded fastener, wherein said cone is formed on a dental implant and further comprising a conic recess formed in a dental abutment, said implant and abutment secured to each other with a threaded fastener passing through said opening and engaged within said threaded receptacle, wherein said threaded fastener has a thread profile characterized by a root and crest surface defining an inclined helix relative to the centerline of said fastener.

Claim 19

An improvement in the connection between mating components in medical implants wherein said components are subjected to torsional loads, comprising an interface defining a mating relationship between adjacent surfaces of said components wherein one of said surfaces defines a splined truncated cone tapering from a major diameter to a minor diameter and an annular shoulder circumscribing said major diameters wherein said cone circumscribes an opening for a threaded receptacle for a threaded fastener, wherein said cone is formed on a dental implant and further comprising a conic recess formed in a dental abutment, said implant and abutment secured to each other with a threaded fastener passing through said opening and engaged within said threaded receptacle, wherein said threaded fastener has a thread profile characterized by a root and crest surface defining an inclined helix relative to the centerline of said fastener.

Claim 20

The improvement as defined in claim 15 wherein said conic recess has a plurality of flutes for cooperatively receiving therein said cone, said recess flaring from a minor diameter to a major diameter circumscribed by an annular abutment surface which cooperatively mates with said annular shoulder.

Claim 21

The improvement as defined in claim 16 wherein said splined truncated cone and said conic recess each have a continuous surface with a plurality of cylindrical splines separated by interstitial flutes.

Claim 22

An improvement in the connection between mating components in medical implants wherein said components are subjected to torsional loads, comprising an interface defining a mating relationship between adjacent surfaces of said components wherein one of said surfaces defines a splined truncated cone tapering from a major diameter to a minor diameter and an annular shoulder circumscribing said major diameter, wherein said cone circumscribes an opening for a threaded receptacle for a threaded fastener, wherein said truncated cone is formed on a dental implant and further comprising a conic recess formed in a dental abutment, said implant and abutment secured to each other with a threaded fastener passing through said opening and engaged within said threaded receptacle, wherein said fastener has a thread portion having a maximum diameter less than said opening and a head portion having a larger diameter than said thread portion, said fastener tapering from said head portion to said thread portion, said abutment having an axial bore communicating with said opening, said bore being partially defined by a portion cooperatively tapered to engage the taper of said fastener.

Claim 23

An improvement in the connection between mating components in medical implants wherein said components are subjected to torsional loads, comprising an interface defining a mating relationship between adjacent surfaces of said components wherein one of said surfaces defines a splined truncated cone tapering from a major diameter to a minor diameter and an annular shoulder circumscribing said major diameter, wherein said cone circumscribes an opening for a threaded receptacle for a threaded fastener, wherein said truncated cone is formed on a dental implant and further comprising a conic recess formed in a dental abutment, said implant and abutment secured to each other with a threaded fastener passing through said opening and engaged within said threaded receptacle, wherein said fastener has a thread portion having a maximum diameter less than said opening and a head portion having a larger diameter than said thread portion, said fastener tapering from said head portion to said thread portion, said abutment having an axial bore communicating with said opening, said bore being partially defined by a portion cooperatively tapered to engage the taper of said fastener.

Claim 24

The improvement as defined in claim 18 wherein said conic recess has a plurality of flutes for cooperatively receiving therein said cone, said recess flaring from a minor diameter to a major diameter circumscribed by an annular abutment surface which cooperatively mates with said annular shoulder.

Claim 25

The improvement as defined in claim 19 wherein said splined truncated cone and said conic recess each have a continuous surface with a plurality of cylindrical splines separated by interstitial flutes.

Claim 26

An improvement in the connection between mating components in medical implants wherein said components are subjected to torsional loads, comprising an interface defining a mating relationship between adjacent surfaces of said components wherein one of said surfaces defines a splined truncated cone tapering from a major diameter to a minor diameter, an annular shoulder circumscribing said major diameter, and a mating surface defining a fluted conic recess having a plurality of flutes for cooperatively receiving therein the splines of said cone, said recess flaring from a minor diameter to a major diameter circumscribed by an annular abutment surface which cooperatively mates with said annular shoulder, wherein said cone circumscribes an opening for a threaded receptacle for a threaded fastener, wherein said cone is formed on a medical implant and said conic recess is formed on an abutment with said implant and abutment secured to each other with a threaded fastener passing through said opening and engaged within said threaded receptacle, wherein said threaded fastener has a thread profile characterized by a root and crest surface defining an inclined helix relative to the centerline of said fastener.

Claim 27

An improvement in the connection between mating components in medical implants wherein said components are subjected to torsional loads, comprising an interface defining a mating relationship between adjacent surfaces of said components wherein one of said surfaces defines a splined truncated cone tapering from a major diameter to a minor diameter, an annular shoulder circumscribing said major diameter, and a mating surface defining a fluted conic recess having a plurality of flutes for cooperatively receiving therein the splines of said cone, said recess flaring from a minor diameter to a major diameter circumscribed by an annular abutment surface which cooperatively mates with said annular shoulder, wherein said cone circumscribes an opening for a threaded receptacle for a threaded fastener, wherein said cone is formed on a medical implant and said conic recess is formed on an abutment with said implant and abutment secured to each other with a threaded fastener passing through said opening and engaged within said threaded receptacle, wherein said threaded fastener has a thread profile characterized by a root and crest surface defining an inclined helix relative to the centerline of said fastener.

Claim 28

An improvement in the connection between mating components in medical implants wherein said components are subjected to torsional loads, comprising an interface defining a mating relationship between adjacent surfaces of said components wherein one of said surfaces defines a splined truncated cone tapering from a major diameter to a minor diameter, an annular shoulder circumscribing said major diameter, and a mating surface defining a fluted conic recess having a plurality of flutes for cooperatively receiving therein the splines of said cone, said recess flaring from a minor diameter to a major diameter circumscribed by an annular abutment surface which cooperatively mates with said annular shoulder, wherein said cone circumscribes an opening for a threaded receptacle for a threaded fastener, wherein said cone is formed on a medical implant and said conic recess is formed on an abutment with said implant and abutment secured to each other with a threaded fastener passing through said opening and engaged within said threaded receptacle, wherein said fastener has a thread portion having a maximum diameter less than said opening and a head portion having a larger diameter than said thread portion, said fastener tapering from said head portion to said thread portion, said abutment having an axial bore communicating with said opening, said bore being partially defined by a portion cooperatively tapered to engage the taper of said fastener.

Claim 29

An improvement in the connection between mating components in medical implants wherein said components are subjected to torsional loads, comprising an interface defining a mating relationship between adjacent surfaces of said components wherein one of said surfaces defines a splined truncated cone tapering from a major diameter to a minor diameter, an annular shoulder circumscribing said major diameter, and a mating surface defining a fluted conic recess having a plurality of flutes for cooperatively receiving therein the splines of said cone, said recess flaring from a minor diameter to a major diameter circumscribed by an annular abutment surface which cooperatively mates with said annular shoulder, wherein said cone circumscribes an opening for a threaded receptacle for a threaded fastener, wherein said cone is formed on a medical implant and said conic recess is formed on an abutment with said implant and abutment secured to each other with a threaded fastener passing through said opening and engaged within said threaded receptacle, wherein said fastener has a thread portion having a maximum diameter less than said opening and a head portion having a larger diameter than said thread portion, said fastener tapering from said head portion to said thread portion, said abutment having an axial bore communicating with said opening, said bore being partially defined by a portion cooperatively tapered to engage the taper of said fastener.

Claim 30

An improvement in the connection between mating components in medical implants wherein said components are subjected to torsional loads, comprising an interface defining a mating relationship between adjacent surfaces of said components wherein one of said surfaces defines a splined truncated cone tapering from a major diameter to a minor diameter and an annular shoulder circumscribing said major diameter, wherein said cone circumscribes an opening for a threaded receptacle for a threaded fastener, wherein said cone is formed on a medical implant and further comprising a conic recess formed in an abutment, said implant and abutment secured to each other with a threaded fastener passing through said opening and engaged within said threaded receptacle, wherein said threaded fastener has a thread profile characterized by a root and crest surface defining an inclined helix relative to the centerline of said fastener.

Claim 31

An improvement in the connection between mating components in medical implants wherein said components are subjected to torsional loads, comprising an interface defining a mating relationship between adjacent surfaces of said components wherein one of said surfaces defines a splined truncated cone tapering from a major diameter to a minor diameter and an annular shoulder circumscribing said major diameter, wherein said cone circumscribes an opening for a threaded receptacle for a threaded fastener, wherein said cone is formed on a medical implant and further comprising a conic recess formed in an abutment, said implant and abutment secured to each other with a threaded fastener passing through said opening and engaged within said threaded receptacle, wherein said threaded fastener has a thread profile characterized by a root and crest surface defining an inclined helix relative to the centerline of said fastener.

Claim 32

An improvement in the connection between mating components in medical implants wherein said components are subjected to torsional loads, comprising an interface defining a mating relationship between adjacent surfaces of said components wherein one of said surfaces defines a splined truncated cone tapering from a major diameter to a minor diameter and an annular shoulder circumscribing said major diameter, wherein said cone circumscribes an opening for a threaded receptacle for a threaded fastener, wherein said truncated cone is formed on a medical implant and further comprising a conic recess formed in an abutment, said implant and abutment secured to each other with a threaded fastener passing through said opening and engaged within said threaded receptacle, wherein said fastener has a thread portion having a maximum diameter less than said opening and a head portion having a larger diameter than said thread portion, said fastener tapering from said head portion to said thread portion, said abutment having an axial bore communicating with said opening, said bore being partially defined by a portion cooperatively tapered to engage the taper of said fastener.

Claim 33

An improvement in the connection between mating components in medical implants wherein said components are subjected to torsional loads, comprising an interface defining a mating relationship between adjacent surfaces of said components wherein one of said surfaces defines a splined truncated cone tapering from a major diameter to a minor diameter and an annular shoulder circumscribing said major diameter, wherein said cone circumscribes an opening for a threaded receptacle for a threaded fastener, wherein said truncated cone is formed on a medical implant and further comprising a conic recess formed in an abutment, said implant and abutment secured to each other with a threaded fastener passing through said opening and engaged within said threaded receptacle, wherein said fastener has a thread portion having a maximum diameter less than said opening and a head portion having a larger diameter than said thread portion, said fastener tapering from said head portion to said thread portion, said abutment having an axial bore communicating with said opening, said bore being partially defined by a portion cooperatively tapered to engage the taper of said fastener.