Interproximal dental appliances
First Claim
1. An interproximal dental appliance, comprising:
- an elongated base configured for insertion into interproximal spaces between teeth; and
a plurality of elastomeric flat-faced flanges extending perpendicularly outwardly from the base in a staggered pattern, the flanges including a first set spaced from one another along a longitudinal axis of the base and radially aligned with one another about said longitudinal axis, and a radially aligned second set longitudinally disposed in an alternating manner between adjacent flanges of the first set along the longitudinal axis of the base, wherein the first set of flanges is radially offset from the second set of flanges.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Interproximal dental appliances in the form of a floss-type linear media, a pick-type interproximal dental cleaner/tissue stimulator and an interproximal brush, include an elongated base and a plurality of elastomeric flat-faced flanges extending perpendicularly outwardly from the base in a staggered pattern to form a ribbed segment. A handle is provided adjacent to the ribbed segment, and an exteriorly smooth threaded leader or tip formed of a portion of the base extends away from the ribbed segment opposite the handle. The flanges include a first set of flanges spaced from one another along a longitudinal axis of the base and radially aligned with one another about the longitudinal axis, and a second set of radially aligned flanges longitudinally disposed in an alternating manner between adjacent flanges of the first set, wherein the first set of flanges is radially offset from the second set of flanges. Moreover, in some embodiments the base comprises a bi-material composite structure that includes a relatively stiff, resilient core and a sheath over the core integrally formed with the flanges.
127 Citations
31 Claims
-
1. An interproximal dental appliance, comprising:
-
an elongated base configured for insertion into interproximal spaces between teeth; and a plurality of elastomeric flat-faced flanges extending perpendicularly outwardly from the base in a staggered pattern, the flanges including a first set spaced from one another along a longitudinal axis of the base and radially aligned with one another about said longitudinal axis, and a radially aligned second set longitudinally disposed in an alternating manner between adjacent flanges of the first set along the longitudinal axis of the base, wherein the first set of flanges is radially offset from the second set of flanges. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
-
-
16. An interproximal dental appliance, comprising:
-
an elongated base including a threadable leader at one end configured for insertion into interproximal spaces between teeth, and a handle at a second end; and a plurality of elastomeric flat-faced flanges extending perpendicularly outwardly from the base between the threadable leader and the handle in a staggered pattern, the flanges including a first set spaced from one another along a longitudinal axis of the base and radially aligned with one another about said longitudinal axis, and a radially aligned second set longitudinally disposed between adjacent flanges of the first set along the longitudinal axis of the base, wherein the first set of flanges is radially offset from the second set of flanges. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
-
-
24. An interproximal dental appliance, comprising:
-
an elongated base configured for insertion into interproximal spaces between teeth; and a plurality of elastomeric flat-faced flanges extending perpendicularly outwardly from the base in a staggered pattern, the flanges including a first set spaced from one another along a longitudinal axis of the base and radially aligned with one another about said longitudinal axis, and a radially aligned second set longitudinally disposed in an alternating manner between adjacent flanges of the first set along the longitudinal axis of the base, wherein the first set of flanges is radially offset from the second set of flanges; wherein the base comprises a bi-material composite structure including a relatively stiff, resilient core, and a sheath over the core integrally formed with the flanges. - View Dependent Claims (25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31)
-
Specification