Vibrating orthodontic remodelling device

• US 9,943,380 B2
• Filed: 09/11/2012
• Issued: 04/17/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 03/14/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Dentsply (Astrazeneca PLC)
• Original Assignee: Orthoaccel Technologies, Inc
• Inventors: Lowe, Michael K.
• Primary Examiner(s): Nelson, Matthew
• Application Number:
  US13/609,346
• Publication Number:
  US 20120322018A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,044 Days
• Field of Search: 433 2, 433 8, 433 9, 433 18, 433 24, 433 29, 433215
• CPC Class Codes: A61C 7/00 Orthodontics, i.e. obtaining or maintaining the desired position of teeth, e.g. by straightening, evening, regulating, separating, or by correcting malocclusions
• CPC Class Codes: A61C 7/002 Orthodontic computer assisted systems
• CPC Class Codes: A61C 7/008 using vibrating means
• CPC Class Codes: A61C 7/08 Mouthpiece-type retainers or positioners, e.g. for both the lower and upper arch arch-shaped medicament applicators for teeth or gums A61C19/063; mouthguards for protecting the teeth of sportsmen A63B71/085

Abstract

A bite plate allowing for contact with occlusal and facial and/or lingual maxillary and mandibular teeth is coupled to an extraoral housing containing a rechargeable battery coupled to a vibrator coupled to a processor coupled to data and charging port or ports. The housing is at least water resistant, and a hatch allows access to the data and charging port or ports only. The device is fitted with a very smooth and quiet vibrator, with minimal variance on operating specifications.

Claims

1. An orthodontic remodeling device, comprising:

a) an extraoral vibratory source;

b) an extraoral processor that controls said vibratory source and captures and transmits usage data;

c) a power source that drives said vibratory source;

d) an intraoral attachment consisting essentially of a bite plate allowing for contact with occlusal surfaces and at least one of lingual and buccal surfaces of both arches of a patient'"'"'s teeth at the same time, wherein a patient biting on said bite plate holds said orthodontic remodeling device in place during use;

e) said vibratory source being coupled to the intraoral attachment;

f) wherein said orthodontic remodeling device is hermetically sealed and vibrates only at a frequency selected to be between 0.1 Hz and 400 Hz.