Telescoping, intra-oral force module
Assignee3M Innovative Properties Company
InventorJames D. Cleary
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An intra-oral device for applying a force to the mandibular and maxillary dental arches includes a first member and a second member slidably received in the first member. A spring extends around the second member for urging the second member and the first member in directions away from each other. A third member is slidably received in the second member and preferably is detachable from the second member before installation of the device in the oral cavity in order to cut, bend or make other alterations of its shape.
Claims28
An intra-oral force module for moving the relative positions of the mandibular and maxillary dental arches comprising:
- a first tubular member;
- a second tubular member having a portion slidably received in the first member and being movable relative to the first member;
- a third member having a portion slidably received in the second member;
- and
- a helical spring extending around the second member for urging the second member and the first member in directions away from each other.
An intra-oral force module for moving the position of one dental arch relative to the other comprising:
- an elongated first member having a tubular section and an outer end portion for connection to one of the patient's dental arches;
- a second elongated member having a tubular section and received at least partially in the tubular section of the first member, the second member being longitudinally slidable in the tubular section of the first member;
- a third elongated member received at least partially in the tubular section of the second member and being longitudinally slidable in the tubular section of the second member, the third member having an outer end portion for connection to the remaining dental arch of the patient;
- and
- a spring extending externally around the second member, wherein the spring has a first end portion connected to the first member and a second end portion connected to the second member for urging the first member and the second member in directions away from each other.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.