Orthodontic accelerator
First Claim
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1. An orthodontic remodeling device, comprising:
- a) an extraoral vibratory source comprising;
i) an actuator, where said actuator is an offset weight motor;
ii) a processor that controls said actuator and captures and transmits device usage data;
iii) a power source that drives said actuator;
b) an intraoral attachment consisting essentially of a bite plate allowing for contact with occlusal surfaces and allowing contact with upper and lower buccal surfaces of a patient'"'"'s teeth, wherein said patient biting on said bite plate holds said orthodontic remodeling device in place during use;
c) said vibratory source being coupled to the intraoral attachment;
d) wherein said orthodontic remodeling device vibrates at a single frequency selected to be between 0.1 Hz and 400 Hz, and wherein when used together with braces or aligners for 20 minutes daily said device accelerates tooth movement as compared to a patient not using said device;
wherein a speed of said offset weight motor is controlled with a capacitive sensor comprising one or more header pins having a weak electrostatic (ES) field that is disrupted when said offset weight passes by, said header pins operably coupled to a solid state ES field sensor operably coupled to the processor, wherein said processor detects said speed by detecting said disrupted ES field, and controls said speed such that said speed varies by less than 2 Hz.
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Abstract
An improved vibrating orthodontic device is provided wherein motor speed is controlled by capacitive sensor, and thus lacks moving parts that are required by encoder use. The improved device also uses a tungsten offset weight, reducing size by more than 50%, yet still produces the needed force. The device is thus smaller, lighter and more robust.
22 Citations
17 Claims
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1. An orthodontic remodeling device, comprising:
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a) an extraoral vibratory source comprising; i) an actuator, where said actuator is an offset weight motor; ii) a processor that controls said actuator and captures and transmits device usage data; iii) a power source that drives said actuator; b) an intraoral attachment consisting essentially of a bite plate allowing for contact with occlusal surfaces and allowing contact with upper and lower buccal surfaces of a patient'"'"'s teeth, wherein said patient biting on said bite plate holds said orthodontic remodeling device in place during use; c) said vibratory source being coupled to the intraoral attachment; d) wherein said orthodontic remodeling device vibrates at a single frequency selected to be between 0.1 Hz and 400 Hz, and wherein when used together with braces or aligners for 20 minutes daily said device accelerates tooth movement as compared to a patient not using said device; wherein a speed of said offset weight motor is controlled with a capacitive sensor comprising one or more header pins having a weak electrostatic (ES) field that is disrupted when said offset weight passes by, said header pins operably coupled to a solid state ES field sensor operably coupled to the processor, wherein said processor detects said speed by detecting said disrupted ES field, and controls said speed such that said speed varies by less than 2 Hz. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. An orthodontic remodeling device, comprising:
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a) an extraoral vibratory source comprising; i) an actuator comprising an offset weight motor; ii) a processor that controls said actuator; iii) a power source that drives said actuator; b) an intraoral attachment consisting essentially of a bite plate allowing for contact with occlusal surfaces and allowing contact with upper and lower buccal surfaces of a patient'"'"'s teeth, wherein said patient biting on said bite plate holds said orthodontic remodeling device in place during use; c) said vibratory source being coupled to the intraoral attachment; d) wherein said orthodontic remodeling device vibrates at a single frequency selected to be between 0.1 Hz and 400 Hz; e) wherein a speed of said offset weight motor is controlled with a capacitive sensor comprising one or more header pins having a weak electrostatic (ES) field that is disrupted when said offset weight passes by, said header pins operably coupled to a solid state ES field sensor operably is coupled to said processor, wherein said processor detects said speed by detecting said disrupted ES field, and controls said speed such that said speed varies by less than 2 Hz; and f) wherein when used together with braces or aligners for 20 minutes daily said device accelerates tooth movement as compared to a patient not using said device.
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Specification