Ligature dispenser
AssigneeTP Orthodontics, Inc.
InventorPeter C. Kesling
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A ligature dispenser for elastic ligatures used in orthodontic treatment of patients, and particularly for attaching an archwire to orthodontic brackets. The dispenser includes a hand-holdable curvate or flat body or supporting member on which are mounted a plurality of ligatures in standing up or laying down positions. The ligatures are releasably held on the supporting member by means of a suitable adhesive and/or by friction. A cover may be provided to enclose the supporting member and ligatures during shipping, storing and use.
Claims26
A dispenser including a plurality of endless stranded elastic ligatures used in orthodontic treatment comprising, a supporting member having at least one surface on which said ligatures are disposed, and adhesive means on said supporting member surface only for releasably securing said ligatures to the member, whereby the ligatures may be easily removed one at a time by a suitable instrument leaving only a negligible residue on said ligature.
A dispenser including individual endless stranded elastic ligatures used in orthodontics to secure an archwire to orthodontic brackets, said dispenser comprising a supporting member of generally rectangular shape having a top side and a bottom side, said supporting member being of a stiffness to facilitate removal of the ligatures by an instrument, and adhesive means on both sides only for releasably securing the ligatures to said supporting member and leaving only a negligible residue on said ligatures when they are removed from the member.
A dispenser including individual endless stranded elastic ligatures used in orthodontics to secure an archwire to orthodontic brackets said dispenser comprising a supporting member of generally rectangular shape having a top side and a bottom side, a plurality of slots in at least one side extending substantially the entire length of said supporting member adapted to receive ligatures in upright positions, the depth of the recessed area being about half the diameter of a ligature so that a ligature may easily be engaged by a hemostat for removal from the dispenser, and adhesive means in the slots only for releasably securing the ligatures to the supporting member and leaving only a negligible residue on said ligatures when they are removed from the member.
A dispenser including individual endless stranded elastic ligatures used in orthodontics to secure an archwire to orthodontic brackets, said dispenser comprising a supporting member of generally rectangular shape and having a top side and a bottom side, a plurality of ligature receiving cavities on at least one side for receiving ligatures that may thereafter be removed by a suitable instrument, and adhesive means in the cavity only for releasably securing the ligatures in the cavities and leaving only a negligible residue on said ligatures when they are removed from the member.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.