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.
Claims25
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) means for filling said inflatable base member with a fluid, such as a liquid or gas, to inflate the base member;
- (c) wherein said means for filling the inflatable base member with a fluid comprises an opening within said inflatable base member which is configured to receive a fluid, such as a liquid or gas, to inflate the base member;
- and
- (d) 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) means for filling said inflatable base member with a fluid, such as a liquid or gas, to inflate the base member;
- (c) wherein said means for filling the inflatable base member with a fluid comprises an opening within said inflatable base member which is configured to receive a fluid, such as a liquid or gas, to inflate the base member;
- and
- (d) a valve positioned within said base member to prevent fluids being received for inflation of said base member from a source of fluids from escaping through said opening upon disconnection of said source of fluids after inflation has been performed.
An inflatable dental tray 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, such as 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.
An inflatable dental tray 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, such as a liquid or gas, to inflate the base member;
- (c) wherein 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;
- 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:
- an inflatable tray configured for holding impression material when inflated;
- a fill port;
- and
- a fill tube connected to said fill port;
- wherein said fill tube is inflatable.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.