Orthodontic Cord Segment

• US 20190307532A1
• Filed: 04/09/2019
• Published: 10/10/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 04/09/2018
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Ruth A. Page
• Original Assignee: Ruth A. Page
• Inventors: Page, Ruth A.
• Application Number:
  US16/379,353
• Publication Number:
  US 20190307532A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: A61C 7/125 Mouth tissue protecting means, e.g. bracket caps

Abstract

An elongated cord segment comprises at least one non-absorbent food-grade material. The elongated cord segment comprises a uniform density. The elongated cord segment comprises a first shape, mechanically configured, when fitted in a mouth of a user, to cause separation between orthodontic hardware and at least one of: cheek tissue inside the mouth, and lip tissue inside the mouth. The elongated cord segment comprises a first length.

Claims

1. An elongated cord segment comprising:

a) at least one non-absorbent food-grade material;

b) a uniform density;

c) a first shape mechanically configured, when fitted in a mouth of a user, to cause separation between orthodontic hardware and at least one of;

cheek tissue inside the mouth, and lip tissue inside the mouth; and

d) a first length.

2. The elongated cord segment according to claim 1, wherein the at least one non-absorbent food-grade material comprises at least one of the following:

a) a polymer; and

b) synthetic rubber.

3. The elongated cord segment according to claim 1, further comprising one of the following:

a) closed cell foam;

b) closed cell sponge;

c) closed cell foam sponge;

d) open cell foam;

e) open cell sponge; and

f) open cell foam sponge.

4. The elongated cord segment according to claim 1, wherein the elongated cord segment is compressible.

5. The elongated cord segment according to claim 1, wherein the elongated cord segment is compression set resistant.

6. The elongated cord segment according to claim 1, wherein the elongated cord segment is recyclable.

7. The elongated cord segment according to claim 1, wherein the elongated cord segment is reusable.

8. The elongated cord segment according to claim 1, wherein the uniform density comprises a medium density.

9. The elongated cord segment according to claim 1, wherein a cross-section of the first shape comprises one of the following:

a) round;

b) elliptical; and

c) oval.

10. The elongated cord segment according to claim 1, wherein a cross-sectional diameter of the first shape is within a range of 0.15 inch to 0.75 inch.

11. The elongated cord segment according to claim 1, wherein a major axis of a cross-section of the first shape is within a range of 0.25 inch to 0.75 inch.

12. The elongated cord segment according to claim 1, wherein a minor axis of a cross-section of the first shape is within a range of 0.15 inch to 0.5 inch.

13. The elongated cord segment according to claim 1, wherein the orthodontic hardware is mounted on at least one tooth of the user.

14. The elongated cord segment according to claim 1, wherein the first length is less than or equal to 6 inches.

15. The elongated cord segment according to claim 1, wherein the first length is within a range of 1.5 inches to 6 inches.

16. The elongated cord segment according to claim 1, further comprising an antimicrobial agent.

17. A method comprising:

a) inserting an elongated cord segment into a mouth, the elongated cord segment comprising at least one non-absorbent food-grade material; and

b) positioning the elongated cord segment to cause separation between orthodontic hardware and at least one of;

cheek tissue inside the mouth, and lip tissue inside the mouth.

18. The method according to claim 17, wherein the elongated cord segment is configured to be reusable.

19. The method according to claim 17, further comprising cutting the elongated cord segment to length.

20. The method according to claim 17, further comprising positioning the elongated cord segment to avoid contact between the elongated cord segment and the orthodontic hardware.