Interdental immobilization device

Abstract

An interdental immobilization device consists, in the preferred embodiment, of a longitudinal deformable shaft having a smooth cylindrical portion that terminates as a pointed tip at the distal end and a helical threaded portion at the proximate end. A nut defining an aperture therethrough matingly threads along the helical threaded portion and the length of the deformable shaft is such as to permit the distal portion of the cylindrical portion to encircle the tooth and to loop above the shaft over a segment of the helical threaded portion. In an alternative embodiment, the longitudinal shaft has a detent at the proximate end and there are anchoring fixtures in the form of truncated conics which are adapted to travel along the shaft. One of the fixtures anchors in the detent and the other, is engaged against adjacent teeth by the nut, when the nut is turned down on the helical thread. The conics provide a bearing surface adapted to carry interconnecting elements such as wires or elastics for staplizing the jaw.

We claim: .[.1. A two part fixture adapted to act as an anchoring means in an interdental immobilization procedure comprising; 
     
        segment of the helical threaded portion..]. 2. The fixture as claimed in claim .[.1.]. .Iadd.49.Iaddend., wherein the .[.screw member.]. .Iadd.nut 
     
     
        .Iaddend.is profiled as a conic. 3. The fixture as claimed in claim 2, 
     
     
        wherein the conic is frusto-conical. 4. The .[.two part.]. fixture as claimed in claim 3 wherein the nut is nylon and the .[.elongated screw 
     
     
        member.]. .Iadd.shaft .Iaddend.is stainless steel. 5. The .[.two part.]. fixture as claimed in claim 3, wherein the .[.elongated screw member.]. .Iadd.shaft .Iaddend.is stainless steel of a diameter in the range of 
     
     
        0.025" to 0.032" and the nut is nylon. 6. The .[.two part.]. fixture as claimed in claim 3, wherein the .[.elongated screw member.]. .Iadd.shaft .Iaddend.is stainless steel of a diameter in the range of 0.025" to 0.032" 
     
     
        and the nut is nylon, and the profile of the nut is a hexagon. 7. The fixture as claimed in claim 3, wherein the .[.elongated screw member.]. 
     
     
        .Iadd.shaft .Iaddend.is 3" long. 8. The .[.two part.]. fixture as claimed in claim .[.3.]. .Iadd.50.Iaddend., wherein the .[.elongated screw member.]. .Iadd.shaft .Iaddend.is stainless steel and of a diameter in the range of 0.025" to 0.032" the nut is nylon and the .[.aperture.]. .Iadd.channel .Iaddend.is .[.a.]. .Iadd.of .Iaddend.smooth continuous .[.bore.]. .Iadd.diameter.Iaddend., sized to at least the root .[.threaded.]. .Iadd.thread .Iaddend.diameter of the helical threaded 
     
     
        portion. 9. The .[.two part.]. fixture as claimed in claim .[.3.]. .Iadd.50.Iaddend., wherein the .[.elongated screw member.]. .Iadd.shaft .Iaddend.is stainless steel and of a diameter in the range of 0.025" to 0.032" and the nut is nylon and the .[.aperture.]. .Iadd.channel .Iaddend.is .Iadd.of .Iaddend.a two step .[.bore.]. .Iadd.diameter.Iaddend., a major .Iadd.portion .Iaddend.sized to at least the diameter of the .Iadd.shaft.Iaddend., and a minor .Iadd.portion .Iaddend.sized to at least the root thread diameter of the helical 
     
     
        threaded portion. 10. The fixture as claimed in claim .[.3.]. .Iadd.50.Iaddend., wherein the helical .[.thread.]. .Iadd.threaded portion .Iaddend.is a thread selected from the group of threads comprising a 
     
     
        buttress form thread and a full depth V shaped thread. 11. The fixture as claimed in claim 3, wherein the shaft is surgical stainless steel and the 
     
     
        .[.screw member.]. .Iadd.nut .Iaddend.is a nylon polyamide. 12. The fixture as claimed in claim 3, wherein the shaft is surgical stainless steel and the .[.screw member.]. .Iadd.nut .Iaddend.is a nylon polyamide 
     
     
        wherein, the nylon polyamide has a Rockwell hardness of R110 to R120. 13. .[.A two part.]. .Iadd.The .Iaddend.fixture as claimed in claim 2, wherein the nut is nylon and the .[.elongated screw member.]. .Iadd.shaft 
     
     
        .Iaddend.is stainless steel. 14. .[.A two part.]. .Iadd.The .Iaddend.fixture as claimed in claim 2 wherein the .[.elongated screw member.]. .Iadd.shaft .Iaddend.is stainless steel of a diameter in the 
     
     
        range of 0.025" to 0.032" and the nut is nylon. 15. The .[.two part.]. fixture as claimed in claim 2, wherein the .[.elongated screw member.]. .Iadd.shaft .Iaddend.is stainless steel of a diameter in the range of 0.025" to 0.032" and the nut is nylon, and the profile of the nut is a 
     
     
        hexagon. 16. The fixture as claimed in claim 2, wherein the .[.elongated 
     
     
        screw member.]. .Iadd.shaft .Iaddend.is 3" long. 17. The .[.two part.]. fixture as claimed in claim .[.2.]. .Iadd.50.Iaddend., wherein the .[.elongated screw member.]. .Iadd.shaft .Iaddend.is stainless steel and of a diameter in the range of 0.025" to 0.032" and the nut is nylon and the .[.aperture.]. .Iadd.channel .Iaddend.is .[.a.]. .Iadd.of .Iaddend.smooth continuous .[.bore.]. .Iadd.diameter.Iaddend., sized to at 
     
     
        least the root thread diameter of the helical threaded portion. 18. The .[.two part.]. fixture as claimed in claim .[.2.]. .Iadd.50.Iaddend., wherein the .[.elongated screw member.]. .Iadd.shaft .Iaddend.is stainless steel and of a diameter in the range of 0.025" to 0.032" nut is nylon and the .Iadd.channel .Iaddend.is .Iadd.of .Iaddend.two step .[.bore.]. .Iadd.diameter.Iaddend., have a major .[.bore.]. .Iadd.portion .Iaddend.sized to at least the diameter of the .[.elongated screw member.]. .Iadd.shaft.Iaddend., and a minor .[.bore.]. .Iadd.portion .Iaddend.sized to at least the root thread diameter of the helical 
     
     
        threaded portion. 19. The fixture as claimed in claim .[.2.]. .Iadd.50.Iaddend., wherein the helical .[.thread.]. .Iadd.threaded portion .Iaddend.is a thread selected from the group of threads comprising a 
     
     
        buttress form thread and a full depth V shaped thread. 20. The fixture as claimed in claim 2, wherein the shaft is surgical stainless steel and the 
     
     
        .[.screw member.]. .Iadd.nut .Iaddend.is a nylon polyamide. 21. The fixture as claimed in claim 2, wherein the shaft is surgical stainless steel and the .[.screw member.]. .Iadd.nut .Iaddend.is a nylon polyamide 
     
     
        wherein, the nylon polyamide has a Rockwell hardness of R110 to R120. 22. The .[.two part.]. fixture as claimed in claim .[.1.]. .Iadd.49.Iaddend., wherein the nut is nylon and the .[.elongated screw 
     
     
        member.]. .Iadd.shaft .Iaddend.is stainless steel. 23. The .[.two part.]. fixture as claimed in claim .[.1.]. .Iadd.49 .Iaddend.wherein the .[.elongated screw member.]. .Iadd.shaft .Iaddend.is stainless steel of a 
     
     
        diameter in the range of 0.025" to 0.032" and the nut is nylon. 24. The .[.two part.]. fixture as claimed in claim .[.1.]. .Iadd.49.Iaddend., wherein the .[.elongated screw member.]. .Iadd.shaft .Iaddend.is stainless steel of a diameter in the range of 0.025" to 0.032" and the nut is nylon, 
     
     
        and the profile of the nut is a hexagon. 25. The fixture as claimed in claim .[.1.]. .Iadd.49.Iaddend., wherein the .[.elongated screw member.]. 
     
     
        .Iadd.shaft .Iaddend.is 3" long. 26. The .[.two part.]. fixture as claimed in claim .[.1.]. .Iadd.50.Iaddend., wherein the .[.elongated screw member.]. .Iadd.shaft .Iaddend.is stainless steel and of a diameter in the range of 0.025" to 0.032" the nut is nylon and the .[.aperture.]. .Iadd.channel .Iaddend.is .[.a.]. .Iadd.of .Iaddend.smooth continuous .[.bore.]. .Iadd.diameter.Iaddend., sized to at least the root thread 
     
     
        diameter of the helical threaded portion. 27. The .[.two part.]. fixture as claimed in claim .[.1.]. .Iadd.50.Iaddend., wherein the .[.elongated screw member.]. .Iadd.shaft .Iaddend.is stainless steel and of a diameter in the range of 0.025" to 0.032" the nut is nylon and the .[.aperture.]. .Iadd.channel .Iaddend.is .[.a.]. .Iadd.of .Iaddend.two step .[.bore.]. .Iadd.diameter.Iaddend., a major .[.bore.]. .Iadd.portion .Iaddend.sized to at least the diameter of the .[.elongated screw member.]. .Iadd.shaft.Iaddend., and a minor .[.bore.]. .Iadd.portion .Iaddend.sized 
     
     
        to at least the root thread diameter of the helical threaded portion. 28. The fixture as claimed in claim .[.1.]. .Iadd.50.Iaddend., wherein the helical .[.thread.]. .Iadd.threaded portion .Iaddend.is a thread selected from the group of threads comprising a buttress form thread and a full 
     
     
        depth V shaped thread. 29. The fixture as claimed in claim .[.1.]. .Iadd.49.Iaddend., wherein the shaft is surgical stainless steel and the 
     
     
        .[.screw member.]. .Iadd.nut .Iaddend.is a nylon polyamide. 30. The fixture as claimed in claim .[.1.]. .Iadd.49.Iaddend., wherein the shaft is surgical stainless steel and .[.the screw member.]. .Iadd.the nut .Iaddend.is a nylon polyamide wherein, the nylon polyamide has a Rockwell 
     
     
        hardness of R110 to R120. 31. A fixture for interdental immobilization comprising: (a) an elongated .[.screw member carrying.]. .Iadd.shaft comprising a detent .Iaddend.near .[.one.]. .Iadd.a proximate .Iaddend.end .[., a detent.]., and .Iadd.a threaded portion .Iaddend.near the .[.other.]. opposite .Iadd.distal .Iaddend.end .[., a threaded portion.].;   (b) a first anchor means adapted to engage the detent; and,   (c) a second anchor means defining a body portion and a .[.bore.]. .Iadd.channel .Iaddend.and adapted to travel on the .[.screw member.]. .Iadd.shaft.Iaddend., the body portion having a cross-sectional area .[.traverse.]. .Iadd.transverse .Iaddend.to the .[.bore.]. .Iadd.channel .Iaddend.that in part, is smaller than at other axial locations along the body portion so as to accommodate and carry interconnecting elements   
     
     
        .[.such as wires or elastics.].. 32. The fixture as claimed in claim 31 wherein .[.the interconnecting engagement member is a threaded shaft and.]. said first anchor member is a truncated conic defining a channel through which said shaft extends and wherein said second anchor means is integral with said .[.adjustably locating means (c).]. .Iadd.body portion .Iaddend.and includes means for engagement with said shaft .[.whereby the.]. to position said first and second anchor means relative to each 
     
     
        other. 33. The fixture as claimed in claim 32 wherein said .[.means (c) for locating.]. .Iadd.body portion .Iaddend.includes a bearing surface adapted to .[.locate said means (c) and said bearing anchor means relative to said first anchor means.]. .Iadd.accommodate and carry said 
     
     
        interconnecting elements.Iaddend.. 34. The fixture as claimed in claim 31 
     
     
        wherein the detent is in the form of an L. 35. The fixture as claimed in claim 34, wherein the .[.elongated screw member.]. .Iadd.shaft .Iaddend.is "L" shaped having a distal arm with a threaded .[.shaft.]. .Iadd.portion 
     
     
        .Iaddend.and pointed tip thereon and a proximate arm. 36. The fixture as claimed in claim 34, wherein the .[.elongated screw member.]. .Iadd.shaft .Iaddend.is "L" shaped having a distal arm with a threaded shaft and pointed tip thereon and a proximate arm .[.thus extends.]. .Iadd.extending .Iaddend.through an obtuse angle into a .[.straight.]. .Iadd.forwardly .Iaddend.inclined .Iadd.straight .Iaddend.piece .[.that acts as a 
     
     
        protrusion.].. 37. The fixture as claimed in claim 31 wherein the first 
     
     
        anchor means has a slot for engagement with the detent. 38. The fixture as claimed in claim 37, wherein the .[.elongated screw member.]. is "L" shaped having a distal arm with a threaded .[.shaft.]. .Iadd.portion .Iaddend.and pointed tip thereon and a proximate arm thus extends through an obtuse angle into a straight inclined piece that acts as a protrusion. 
     
     
         9. The fixture as claimed in claim 37 wherein the .[.bore.]. .Iadd.channel .Iaddend.of the second anchor means is adapted to 
     
     
        threadingly mate with and travel along the threaded portion. 40. The fixture as claimed in claim 39, wherein the .[.elongated screw member.]. .Iadd.shaft .Iaddend.is "L" shaped having a distal arm with a threaded .[.shaft.]. .Iadd.portion .Iaddend.and pointed tip thereon and a proximate arm .[.thus extends.]. .Iadd.extending .Iaddend.through an obtuse angle into a .[.straight.]. .Iadd.forwardly .Iaddend.inclined .Iadd.straight 
     
     
        .Iaddend.piece .[.that acts as a protrusion.].. 41. The fixture as claimed in claim 31 wherein the .[.bore.]. .Iadd.channel .Iaddend.of the second anchor means is adapted to threadingly mate with and travel along the 
     
     
        threaded portion. 42. The fixture as claimed in claim 41, wherein the .[.elongated screw member.]. .Iadd.shaft .Iaddend.is "L" shaped having a distal arm with a threaded .[.shaft.]. .Iadd.portion .Iaddend.and pointed tip thereon and a proximate arm .[.thus extends.]. .Iadd.extending .Iaddend.through an obtuse angle into a .[.straight.]. .Iadd.forwardly .Iaddend.inclined .Iadd.straight .Iaddend.piece .[.that acts as a 
     
     
        protrusion.].. .Iadd.43.  A fixture adapted to act as an anchoring means in an interdental immobilization procedure comprising: (a) a longitudinal deformable shaft having a proximate end and a distal end, the length of said shaft being sufficient to encircle a tooth and to permit said distal end to wrap about a segment of said shaft adjacent said proximate end;   (b) urging means engaging a portion of said shaft adjacent said proximate end for urging said proximate end away from said tooth to tighten said shaft about said tooth, said urging means urging said distal end against said tooth as said urging means urges said proximate end away from said tooth. .Iaddend. .Iadd.44. The fixture as claimed in claim 43, wherein said proximate end is securely fixed between said urging means and said tooth. .Iaddend. .Iadd.45. The fixture as claimed in claim 44, wherein said urging means is releasable to release said distal end from between said urging means and said tooth and to loosen said shaft about said tooth. .Iaddend. .Iadd.46. The fixture as claimed in claim 45, wherein said urging means comprises a concave distal end face forming a cavity and wherein said urging means comprises a channel through said urging means to receive said proximate end therein, said channel extending to said distal   
     
     
        end face. .Iaddend. .Iadd.47.  The fixture as claimed in claim 46, wherein said end face is contoured to permit entry of cutting means into said cavity for cutting said proximate end of said shaft protruding from said end of said channel. .Iaddend. .Iadd.48. The fixture as claimed in claim 47, wherein said distal end comprises a pointed tip. .Iaddend. .Iadd.49. The fixture as claimed in claim 43, wherein said urging means comprises a 
     
     
        nut. .Iaddend. .Iadd.50.  The fixture as claimed in claim 43, wherein said shaft comprises a helical threaded portion extending from one end, said helical threaded portion comprising a root thread diameter, and wherein said urging means comprises a nut with a channel through the nut to receive said proximate end of said shaft therethrough. .Iaddend. 
     
     
        .Iadd.     A method of securing an anchoring means in an interdental immobilization procedure comprising the steps of: (a) pushing a longitudinal deformable shaft between adjacent teeth above the gum line so that the distal end of said shaft is on the lingual side of the teeth and the proximate end of said shaft remains on the buccal side the teeth;   (b) wrapping said distal end about the lingual side of one of the said adjacent teeth and pushing said distal end between said one tooth and the other adjacent tooth;   (c) wrapping said distal end about a segment of said shaft adjacent said proximate end;   (d) attaching urging means to said proximate end, said urging means for urging said proximate end away from said tooth;   (e) activating said urging means to urge said proximate end away from said tooth and to urge said distal end against said tooth and said urging means until said shaft tightly encircles said tooth. .Iaddend.