US5876204A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Dental implant positioning guide
Assignee: Zimmer Dental Inc
•
Filing: 1997-11-25
•
Granted: 1999-03-02
•
Expires: 2017-11-25
Abstract
Abstract A dental positioning guide has two pins connected to a hub section. The pins may be rotated to a plurality of angular positions.
Inventors
- 👤 Thomas H. Day
- 👤 Robert L. Riley
- 👤 Kermit Stott
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 21:01
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61C; A61C1/00; A61C1/08; A61C1/082; A61C1/084; A61C8/00; A61C8/0089; A61C8/009
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 64
Claim 1
Independent Claim
95 words
A method for locating a position to place a dental implant into a second hole adjacent a first hole in a jawbone, comprising the steps of: drilling said first hole into said jaw bone; providing a positioning guide having a first pin with a visually perceivable indicia and a second pin; positioning said second pin into said first hole; adjusting the angle of said first pin with respect to said second pin; using said indicia as a guide to locate said position to place said dental implant; and drilling said second hole at said position.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
95 words
A method for locating a position to place a dental implant into a second hole adjacent a first hole in a jawbone, comprising the steps of: drilling said first hole into said jaw bone; providing a positioning guide having a first pin with a visually perceivable indicia and a second pin; positioning said second pin into said first hole; adjusting the angle of said first pin with respect to said second pin; using said indicia as a guide to locate said position to place said dental implant; and drilling said second hole at said position.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 1 including the step of rotating said first pin until said indicia is adjacent said jaw bone.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 1 in which said adjusting step includes rotating said first pin to a position approximately parallel to said jaw bone.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 1 in which said adjusting step includes rotating said first pin between at least two stable positions.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 1 in which said using step includes orienting said indicia adjacent said jaw bone.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 1 including the step of rotating said first pin so said indicia is a distance from said first hole and adjacent said jaw bone.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 6 in which said distance from said first hole gives said position to place said dental implant and drill said second hole.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
52 words
The method of claim 1 including the steps of: drilling said first hole to enlarge its diameter; providing said positioning guide with another visually perceivable indicia on said second pin; positioning said first pin into said first hole; and adjusting the angle of said second pin with respect to said first pin.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 8 including the step of rotating said second pin until said indicia on said second pin is adjacent said jaw bone.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 9 including the step of viewing the location of said indicia to indicate said position to place said dental implant.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 1 including the steps of: removing said second pin from said first hole; and positioning said first pin into said first hole.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
44 words
The method of claim 1 including the steps of: removing said second pin from said first hole; enlarging said first hole; placing said first pin into said enlarged first hole; and adjusting the angle of said second pin with respect to said first pin.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
59 words
A dental positioning guide, comprising: a first pin; a second pin; and a pivotal connection between said first and second pins in which said pivotal connection includes: a hub connected to a proximal end of said first pin and a proximal end of said second pin, and a pivot pin extending through said proximal end of said second pin.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
59 words
A dental positioning guide, comprising: a first pin; a second pin; and a pivotal connection between said first and second pins in which said pivotal connection includes: a hub connected to a proximal end of said first pin and a proximal end of said second pin, and a pivot pin extending through said proximal end of said second pin.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
40 words
The positioning guide of claim 13 in which: said first pin is sized to fit into an initial hole drilled into a jaw bone; and said second pin is sized to fit into a hole larger than said initial hole.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
26 words
The positioning guide of claim 13 in which: said first pin fits into a hole drilled into a jaw bone; and said second pin extends supragingivally.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
35 words
The positioning guide of claim 13 in which: said first pin is smaller than said second pin; and said second pin is rotatable to a plurality of angular positions with respect to said first pin.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
22 words
The positioning guide of claim 13 in which said proximal end of said first pin is integrally formed with said pivotal connection.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
16 words
The positioning guide of claim 13 in which said first pin includes a visually perceivable indicia.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
23 words
The positioning guide of claim 18 in which said indicia is one of a mark, colored band, groove, dot, line, number, or letter.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
20 words
The positioning guide of claim 18 in which said indicia is located at a distal end of said first pin.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
22 words
The positioning guide of claim 13 further including visually perceivable indicia to indicate the relative angle between said first and second pins.
Claim 24
Independent Claim
94 words
A method for determining a desired angle for a prosthetic attachment to be affixed to an implant implanted in a jaw bone, comprising the steps of: drilling a hole into said jaw bone; providing a positioning guide have two pins; positioning one of said pins into said hole such that said other pin extends supragingivally from said jaw bone; rotating said other pin to said desired angle; removing said pin from said hole; implanting said implant in said hole; and providing an angled prosthetic attachment having an angular configuration equal to said desired angle.
Claim 25
Independent Claim
94 words
A method for determining a desired angle for a prosthetic attachment to be affixed to an implant implanted in a jaw bone, comprising the steps of: drilling a hole into said jaw bone; providing a positioning guide have two pins; positioning one of said pins into said hole such that said other pin extends supragingivally from said jaw bone; rotating said other pin to said desired angle; removing said pin from said hole; implanting said implant in said hole; and providing an angled prosthetic attachment having an angular configuration equal to said desired angle.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 22 in which said rotating step includes positioning said other pin at an angular orientation of 0°, 5°, 10°, 15°, 20°, or 25°.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 22 including the step of affixing said angled prosthetic attachment to said implant.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
42 words
A dental positioning guide, comprising: a hub having first and second pins extending outwardly therefrom with said first pin being rotatable about said hub in which said hub has a diameter greater than the diameter of either said first and second pins.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
42 words
A dental positioning guide, comprising: a hub having first and second pins extending outwardly therefrom with said first pin being rotatable about said hub in which said hub has a diameter greater than the diameter of either said first and second pins.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
16 words
The positioning guide, of claim 25 in which said first and second pins have different diameters.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
47 words
The positioning guide of claim 26 in which: said first pin has a diameter corresponding to a diameter of an intermediate hole drilled into a jaw bone; and said second pin has a diameter corresponding to a diameter of an initial hole drilled into said jaw bone.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
26 words
The positioning guide of claim 25 in which said first pin rotates to a plurality of stable angular orientations ranging from -90° to 0° to 90°.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
26 words
The positioning guide of claim 25 in which said hub has a diameter corresponding approximately to the width of a natural tooth in a jaw bone.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
18 words
The positioning guide of claim 25 in which said hub has a diameter equal to a prosthetic restoration.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
21 words
The positioning guide of claim 25 in which said hub has a diameter ranging between approximately 3 millimeters to 7.5 millimeters.
Claim 36
Independent Claim
64 words
A method for determining spacing between two teeth in a jaw bone, comprising the steps of: drilling a hole into said jaw bone between said teeth; providing a positioning guide having a hub with a width and a pin extending outwardly from said hub; inserting said pin into said hole; and comparing said spacing between said two teeth with said width of said hub.
Claim 37
Independent Claim
64 words
A method for determining spacing between two teeth in a jaw bone, comprising the steps of: drilling a hole into said jaw bone between said teeth; providing a positioning guide having a hub with a width and a pin extending outwardly from said hub; inserting said pin into said hole; and comparing said spacing between said two teeth with said width of said hub.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
36 words
A dental positioning guide, comprising: a hub; a first pin pivotally connected to said hub and having an elongated cylindrical configuration; and a second pin pivotally connected to said hub and having an elongated tapered configuration.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
36 words
A dental positioning guide, comprising: a hub; a first pin pivotally connected to said hub and having an elongated cylindrical configuration; and a second pin pivotally connected to said hub and having an elongated tapered configuration.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
26 words
The positioning guide of claim 33 in which said first and second pins are rotatably between -90° to 0° to 90° with respect to said hub.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
60 words
The positioning guide of claim 33 in which: said hub includes a housing forming a first opening between two oppositely disposed walls and a second opening between two other oppositely disposed walls; said first pin has a proximal end that pivotally connects between said walls; and said second pin has a proximal end that pivotally connects between said other walls.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
40 words
A dental positioning guide, comprising: a first pin; a second pin; a pivotal connection between said first and second pins; said pivotal connection includes a ridge; and said second pin includes a series of spaced depressions that engage said ridge.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
40 words
A dental positioning guide, comprising: a first pin; a second pin; a pivotal connection between said first and second pins; said pivotal connection includes a ridge; and said second pin includes a series of spaced depressions that engage said ridge.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
50 words
A dental positioning guide, comprising: a first pin; a second pin; a pivotal connection between said first and second pins; said pivotal connection includes a housing forming an opening between two oppositely disposed walls; and said second pin has a proximal end that fits within said opening between said walls.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
50 words
A dental positioning guide, comprising: a first pin; a second pin; a pivotal connection between said first and second pins; said pivotal connection includes a housing forming an opening between two oppositely disposed walls; and said second pin has a proximal end that fits within said opening between said walls.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
19 words
The positioning guide of claim 37 in which said first pin has a proximal end connected to said housing.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
24 words
The positioning guide of claim 37 in which a pivot pin extends through said proximal end and connects said second pin to said housing.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
16 words
The positioning guide of claim 39 in which said second pin rotates about said pivot pin.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
15 words
The positioning guide of claim 40 in which said proximal end moves through said opening.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
52 words
A dental positioning guide, comprising: a first pin; a second pin; a pivotal connection between said first and second pins; and said first pin includes a visually perceivable indicia located at a distal end of said first pin approximately 3 millimeters to 8 millimeters from a proximal end of said first pin.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
52 words
A dental positioning guide, comprising: a first pin; a second pin; a pivotal connection between said first and second pins; and said first pin includes a visually perceivable indicia located at a distal end of said first pin approximately 3 millimeters to 8 millimeters from a proximal end of said first pin.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
33 words
A dental positioning guide, comprising: a first pin; a second pin; a pivotal connection between said first and second pins; and said first pin and said second pin include a visually perceivable indicia.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
33 words
A dental positioning guide, comprising: a first pin; a second pin; a pivotal connection between said first and second pins; and said first pin and said second pin include a visually perceivable indicia.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
31 words
A dental positioning guide, comprising: a first pin having an elongated cylindrical configuration; a second pin having an elongated tapered configuration; and a pivotal connection between said first and second pins.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
31 words
A dental positioning guide, comprising: a first pin having an elongated cylindrical configuration; a second pin having an elongated tapered configuration; and a pivotal connection between said first and second pins.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
65 words
A dental positioning guide, comprising: a first pin; a second pin; a pivotal connection between said first and second pins; said pivotal connection includes a first engaging means; said first pin includes a second engaging means; and said first engaging means engages said second engaging means such that said first pin is rotatable to a plurality of different positions with respect to said second pin.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
65 words
A dental positioning guide, comprising: a first pin; a second pin; a pivotal connection between said first and second pins; said pivotal connection includes a first engaging means; said first pin includes a second engaging means; and said first engaging means engages said second engaging means such that said first pin is rotatable to a plurality of different positions with respect to said second pin.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
39 words
A dental positioning guide, comprising: a first pin; a second pin; a pivotal connection between said first and second pins; and said pivotal connection includes a housing and a flexible pivot pin connecting said first pin to said housing.
Claim 59
Dependent Claim
39 words
A dental positioning guide, comprising: a first pin; a second pin; a pivotal connection between said first and second pins; and said pivotal connection includes a housing and a flexible pivot pin connecting said first pin to said housing.
Claim 60
Independent Claim
79 words
A method for determining a desired angle for a prosthetic attachment to be affixed to an implant implanted in a jaw bone, comprising the steps of: drilling a hole into said jaw bone; providing a positioning guide having two pins and markings to indicate a relative angle between said two pins; positioning one of said pins into said hole such that said other pin extends supragingivally from said jaw bone; and rotating said other pin to said desired angle.
Claim 61
Independent Claim
79 words
A method for determining a desired angle for a prosthetic attachment to be affixed to an implant implanted in a jaw bone, comprising the steps of: drilling a hole into said jaw bone; providing a positioning guide having two pins and markings to indicate a relative angle between said two pins; positioning one of said pins into said hole such that said other pin extends supragingivally from said jaw bone; and rotating said other pin to said desired angle.
Claim 62
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 47 including the step viewing said markings to determine said relative angle.
Claim 63
Dependent Claim
55 words
A dental positioning guide, comprising: a hub having first and second pins extending outwardly therefrom with said first pin being rotatable about said hub and said first pin rotates to a plurality of stable angular orientations ranging from -90° to 0° to 90° and said positioning guide further includes indicia for indicating said angular orientations.
Claim 64
Dependent Claim
55 words
A dental positioning guide, comprising: a hub having first and second pins extending outwardly therefrom with said first pin being rotatable about said hub and said first pin rotates to a plurality of stable angular orientations ranging from -90° to 0° to 90° and said positioning guide further includes indicia for indicating said angular orientations.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US1216596A
Cited
US3468027A
Cited
US4683875A
Cited
US4479780A
Cited
US4768953A
Cited
US4932868A
Cited
US4842518A
Cited
US4934935A
Cited
US4907969A
Cited
US4964861A
Cited
US5087197A
Cited
US5007835A
Cited
US5219286A
Cited
US5564922A
Cited
US5350301A
Cited
US5607305A
Cited
US5695344A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2002-03-01 | 2002-08-31 | 2003-03-02 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2006-03-01 | 2006-08-31 | 2007-03-02 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2010-03-01 | 2010-08-31 | 2011-03-02 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |