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US 2008/0176185 A1Published application
Jaw advancer connected to bone
OwnerMichael O. Williamsinventor
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OwnerMichael O. Williamsinventor
Estimating the term…
A jaw advancer connects to the skull, maxilla jaw, and the jawbone, mandibular jaw, without contacting the teeth of a patient. Each advancer, of a pair, has a hollow upper member with a head to admit a screw into the maxilla and an opposite threaded end, a socket having a threaded end that admits the upper member and an opposite smooth bore, and a lower member with a head to admit a screw into the mandible and an opposite smooth end that fits into the smooth bore. The lower member has a coaxial spring that provides an expansive force to the lower jaw and that cushions the socket. The lower member slides within the hollow portion of the upper member when the patient moves the advancer. The head of the upper member attaches proximate the molars of the maxilla to advance the mandible and attaches proximate to the incisors of the maxilla to retract the mandible. Alternatively, the lower member has a slight curve to separate it from the teeth.
A device providing longitudinal forces to extend one jaw of a person forward relative to the other jaw without moving teeth of said person, said device applying longitudinal forces incrementally through the operation of an adjustable connector having an upper member, a socket with a threaded opening and a smooth bore, a lower member telescoping axially from within said upper member, a spring located coaxial upon said lower member, and mechanical fasteners for connecting said upper member and said lower member to said maxilla and said mandible respectively, said device further comprising:
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.