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US 6,648,639 B2Granted
Device and method for treatment of malocclusion utilizing cyclical forces
AssigneeThe Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois
InventorJeremy Jian Mao
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Methods of treating malocclusion and inducing osteogenesis as well as an apparatus for treating malocclusion are described. The methods and apparatus utilize cyclic forces as compared to static forces to achieve their results.
Claims14
A malocclusion treatment apparatus for realigning teeth, comprising:
- a band of generally inelastic material having a first end and a second end;
- a hub;
- a power source within the hub, means for producing cyclical forces within the hub, and an actuator within the hub such that when the actuator is powered, realignment cyclical forces controlled by the means for producing cyclical force can be applied to the band.
A malocclusion treatment apparatus for realigning teeth, comprising:
- a band of generally inelastic material having a first end and a second end, the band being adapted to be attached to a plurality of teeth;
- a generally centralized hub, having a power source, a microprocessor and an actuator there within;
- at least one drive shaft in mechanical communication with the actuator and in mechanical communication with the band such that when the actuator is powered cyclical realignment forces controlled by the microprocessor can be applied to the band.
A method of treating malocclusion to realign teeth comprising the steps of:
- providing a band of generally inelastic material affixed to one or more teeth, the band comprising a first end and a second end;
- joining the first end and the second end of the band at a generally centralized hub;
- providing a power source and an actuator assembly comprising an actuator;
- applying cyclical mechanical forces with the actuator, in a direction of realignment desired, at the centralized hub and thereby to the band, for a predetermined period of time a plurality of times each day.
1 more element
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.