Inflatable dental impression tray and mixing tip
OwnerSteven J. Brattesaniinventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An inflatable dental tray for creating a dental impression. The tray is inflated for retention of an impression material which solidifies after a dental structure has been impressed therein. The inflatable tray can be configured for various inflation methods and in various shapes to form full or partial impressions. In one aspect of the invention the tray is inflated with impression material that flows from apertures forming a buildup. Various additional inventive aspects include an exterior filled inflated tray, along with tubes which provide for proper mixing of impression material.
Claims80
An apparatus for creating a dental impression, comprising:
- (a) an inflatable base member configured for placement adjacent to a surface in the mouth of a patient;
- (b) means for inflating said base member until it is sufficiently rigid to retain a quantity of impression material;
- (c) a plurality of apertures with said base member through which impression material can flow when injected into said base member;
- and
- (d) a fill tube attached to said base member, said fill tube having a plurality of internal baffles configured for mixing impression material components as said components flow through said fill tube and into said base member.
An inflatable dental tray for making solid impressions of dental surfaces, comprising:
- (a) an inflatable base member adapted for positioning adjacent a surface in the mouth of a patient;
- and
- (b) means for filling said inflatable base member with a fluid, comprising a liquid or gas, to inflate the base member;
- (c) wherein the means for filling said inflatable base member comprises means for bringing reactive chemicals into contact with one another that were previously contained separately, wherein the reaction of the chemicals generates a gas that inflates the inflatable base member.
A mixing tip for an inflatable impression tray, comprising:
- (a) means for conveying impression material from a source of impression material to an inflatable impression tray;
- and
- (b) means for mixing said impression material while it is being conveyed to the inflatable impression tray;
- (c) wherein said mixing tip is attached integral with an inflatable dental impression tray.
An apparatus for use in taking dental impressions in the mouth of a patient, comprising:
- an inflatable tray configured for holding impression material when inflated;
- a fill port;
- and
- a plurality of apertures in tray in flow communication with said fill port;
- wherein said fill port is configured to receive impression material;
- wherein said apertures are configured for said impression material to flow therethrough.
A method of retaining impression material for taking dental impressions, comprising the steps of:
- (a) inflating a base member until a sufficient level of rigidity is obtained;
- (b) applying an unsolidified impression material to the base member;
- (c) interposing a dental surface within the impression material while it solidifies;
- and
- (d) removal of the dental surface from the solidified impression material having thereby formed a solid impression of said dental surfaces.
An apparatus for creating a dental impression, comprising:
- (a) an inflatable base member configured for placement adjacent to a surface in the mouth of a patient;
- and
- (b) means for inflating said base member until it is sufficiently rigid to retain a quantity of impression material;
- (c) wherein the base member is configured for inflation by mixing chemicals contained within the base member that react to generate a volume of gas sufficient to inflate the base member.
An inflatable dental tray for making solid impressions of dental surfaces, comprising:
- (a) an inflatable base member adapted for positioning adjacent a surface in the mouth of a patient;
- (b) an opening within said inflatable base member which is configured to receive a fluid comprising a liquid or gas, to inflate the base member;
- and
- (c) flow apertures in said inflatable base member which allow impression material being used to inflate the base member to flow out and build up on the surface of said base member and into which dental surfaces may be interposed.
An inflatable dental tray for making solid impressions of dental surfaces, comprising:
- (a) an inflatable base member adapted for positioning adjacent a surface in the mouth of a patient;
- (b) an opening within said inflatable base member which is configured to receive a fluid comprising a liquid or gas, to inflate the base member;
- (c) a valve positioned within said base member to prevent fluid being received for inflation of said base member from a source of fluid from escaping through said opening upon disconnection of said source of fluid after inflation has been performed;
- (d) a plurality of flow apertures in said inflatable base member configured to allow impression material being used to inflate the base member to flow out and build up on the surface of said base member and into which dental surfaces may be interposed.
An inflatable dental tray for making solid impressions of dental surfaces, comprising:
- (a) an inflatable base member adapted for positioning adjacent a surface in the mouth of a patient;
- and
- (b) means for filling said inflatable base member with a fluid comprising a liquid or gas to inflate the base member;
- (c) wherein the inflatable base member is constructed of an upper and lower layer of a flexible film material which is joined together to form an inflatable chamber;
- and
- (d) a plurality of flow apertures in said inflatable base member configured to allow impression material being used to inflate the base member to flow out and build up on the surface of said base member and into which dental surfaces may be interposed.
An inflatable dental tray for making solid impressions of dental surfaces, comprising:
- (a) an inflatable base member adapted for positioning adjacent surface in the mouth of a patient;
- and
- (b) means for filling said inflatable base member with a fluid comprising a liquid or gas to inflate the base member;
- (c) wherein said inflatable base member has a surface for retaining a quantity of impression material, said base member surface being defined by an edge substantially planar with or below said base member surface prior to inflation;
- (d) whereby the inflatable base member does not have free-standing retention sidewalls for retaining a quantity of impression material prior to inflation.
An apparatus for use in taking dental impressions in the mouth of a patient, comprising:
- an inflatable tray configured for holding impression material when inflated;
- a fill port connected to said tray;
- and
- a fill tube connected to said fill port;
- wherein said fill tube includes a plurality of mixing baffles.
An apparatus for use in taking dental impressions in the mouth of a patient, comprising:
- (a) an inflatable tray configured for holding impression material when inflated;
- (b) a fill port connected to said tray;
- (c) a plurality of apertures in said tray in flow communication with said fill port;
- and
- (d) a fill tube connected to said fill port;
- (e) wherein said fill tube is inflatable.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.