Orthodontic expansion device
AssigneeAchaemenid, LLC
InventorsReza Radmand, Stephen J Cole
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An orthodontic expansion device includes a pair of opposed lateral portions, each of which includes a molar band shaped to be positioned on molars or other teeth of a patient. A palate frame extends obliquely from the molar band. The device further includes a tensioned tensioning assembly positioned between the pair of opposed lateral portions that applies an outward pressure on the palate of the patient. The tensioning assembly is at least partially detachable for adjusting the tension of the device. As the palate expands, and the tension in the device relaxes, the tensioning assembly can readily be detached, retensioned, and reattached.
Claims18
An orthodontic expansion device, comprising:
- a first lateral wing and a second lateral wing opposite one another, wherein the first lateral wing and the second lateral wing each comprise;
- a molar band shaped to receive a molar of a patient, and
- a palate frame extending obliquely from the molar band, the palate frame being shaped to at least partially conform to and lie against the patient's palate;
- a hinge arm extending from the palate frame of the first lateral wing towards the palate frame of the second lateral wing;
- and
- a tensioning assembly disposed between the first and second lateral wings and configured to apply tension to the first and second lateral wings,
- wherein the tensioning assembly comprises a first end pivotably attached to the hinge arm of the first lateral wing via a hinge pin and a second end detachably attached to the second lateral wing, an adjustment rod, a piston, and a spring, wherein the adjustment rod, the piston, and the spring are coaxially aligned with one another and wherein the adjustment rod is at least partially threaded into an interior bore of the piston,
- wherein the tension of the tensioning assembly is configured to be adjusted by detaching the second end from the second lateral wing and pivoting the first end about the hinge pin to rotate the tensioning assembly away from the first lateral wing to allow for adjustment of the tension of the tensioning assembly through the adjustment rod.
An orthodontic expansion device, comprising:
- a first lateral wing and a second lateral wing opposite one another, wherein the first lateral wing and the second lateral wing each include
- a molar band shaped to receive a molar of a patient, and
- a palate frame extending obliquely from the molar band, the palate frame being shaped to at least partially conform to and lie against the patient's palate;
- a hinge arm extending from the palate frame of the first lateral wing towards the palate frame of the second lateral wing;
- and
- a tensioning assembly disposed between the first lateral wing and the second lateral wing and configured to apply tension to the first and second lateral wings, wherein the tensioning assembly comprises:
- a cylinder having a first, closed end pivotably attached to the hinge arm of the first lateral wing via a hinge pin and a second, open end opposite the closed end,
- a spring positioned within the cylinder,
- a piston adjacent the spring, and
- an adjustment rod,
- wherein a first end of the adjustment rod attached to the piston and retains the piston against the spring to maintain the first lateral wing and the second lateral wing in an outwardly tensioned relationship away from each other and a second end of the adjustment rod is detachably attached to the second lateral wing, and
- wherein the tension of the tensioning assembly is configured to be adjusted by detaching the second end from the second lateral wing and pivoting the first end about the hinge pin to rotate the tensioning assembly away from the first lateral wing to allow for adjustment of the tension of the tensioning assembly through the adjustment rod.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.