US2012258417A1PendingUtilityA1

Elastic bands for orthodontic use

34
Individually held — no corporate assignee on recordPriority: Mar 23, 2011Filed: May 8, 2012Published: Oct 11, 2012
Est. expiryMar 23, 2031(~4.7 yrs left)· nominal 20-yr term from priority
Inventors:Neil O. LawnerMarsha Blanke
A61C 7/303
34
PatentIndex Score
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Cited by
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References
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Claims

Abstract

An orthodontic band is provided made from an elastomeric material wherein the band has a shape which simulates the profile of an object with an open area within the band. In its unstretched condition the outer perimeter of the band is of a shape which is not a smooth continuous endless curve to thereby simulate the profile of the object, such as a star or heart. The band is mounted to a bracket on an upper tooth and to a bracket on a lower tooth by stretching the band and looping the open area over hooks on both brackets. The stretched band thereby provides a force against the teeth.

Claims

exact text as granted — not AI-modified
1 - 15 . (canceled) 
     
     
         16 . In a method of intraorally treating a patient wherein an elastomeric continuous orthodontic band is looped around an anchor point on the upper jaw and around an anchor point on the lower jaw to cause relative movement of an upper tooth and a lower tooth, the improvement being in
 (a) selecting a band which has the characteristics of (1) an outer perimeter simulating the profile of an object with an open area within the perimeter and (2) being made of a resilient elastic material capable of being stretched and capable of tending to return toward its unstretched shape and (3) the outer perimeter in its unstretched condition being of a shape which is non-circular and non-elliptical and which is not a smooth continuous endless curve to thereby simulate the profile of the object,   (b) stretching the band,   (c) mounting the band on an anchor point on the upper jaw and on an anchor point on the lower jaw by looping the open area within the perimeter around the upper jaw anchor point and around the lower jaw anchor point, and   (d) forming the open area within the perimeter into a continuous smooth endless curve when the band is mounted to the anchor points in the stretched condition of the band.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16  wherein the object is a star. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 16  wherein the object is a heart. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 16  wherein the object simulates a person/occupation. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 16  wherein the object simulates an item of food. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 16  wherein the object simulates a living animal/plant. 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 16  wherein the object is a transportation object. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 16  wherein the object is a military object. 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 16  wherein the object is a wearing apparel/clothing object. 
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 16  wherein the object is crescent shaped.

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