US 12,765,970 B2Granted

Palatal expander and method of use

OwnerRohit Madaninventor

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Abstract

A device for laterally expanding a patient's palate, featuring a longitudinally extending screw with at least one threaded end. A first gear is mounted on the screw, coupled to a second gear that receives torque from a tool. Rotation of the second gear causes the screw to turn, moving front and back nuts in opposite longitudinal directions. These nuts are pivotally connected to left and right linkages, which move laterally when the nuts approach each other. Pads attached to the linkages are configured to secure anchoring mechanisms that apply lateral force on a patient's teeth during expansion. The device can be enclosed in a housing that guides the movement of internal components, with the pads protruding from the sides during expansion. The design ensures effective, controlled, and symmetrical palatal expansion, with potential customization for patient comfort and fit.

Claims7

Dependent claims

A device for laterally expanding a palate of a patient, the device comprising:

a longitudinally extending screw having oppositely threaded wherein front and back ends,
the front end of the screw is configured to be positioned behind upper front teeth;
a first gear is mounted at the front end of the screw;
a second gear coupled to the first gear, wherein
a head of the second gear is configured to receive a torque producing tool;
the screw is caused to rotate when the second gear is rotated with the torque producing tool;
a front nut threadably received on the front end of the screw and a back nut threadably received on the back end of the screw, wherein
the front and back nuts move opposite longitudinal directions when the screw is caused to rotate;
left and right hand linkages pivotally connected to the front and back nuts;
apexes of the left and right hand linkages move in opposite lateral directions when the front and back nuts are caused to approach each other;
pads coupled to the apexes of the left and right hand linkages respectively, wherein the pads are configured to secure anchoring components.

8 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.