Patents Examined by Heidi M Bashaw
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Patent number: 7479009Abstract: Disclosed is an orthodontic bracket which has excellent adhesion to a tooth surface and can be easily separated from the tooth surface after orthodontic treatment is finished. The base of the orthodontic bracket comprises an adhesion surface brought into dose contact with a tooth surface; a central projection located at a center portion of the adhesion surface; and a plurality of surrounding projections arranged at regular intervals around the central projection and made of a material which allows force of adhesion to the tooth surface of an adhesive to be greater at the surrounding projections than at the central projection.Type: GrantFiled: May 18, 2006Date of Patent: January 20, 2009Inventor: Seung Soo Moon
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Patent number: 7476101Abstract: A dental handpiece is provided with a collar that moves along an outer surface of the handpiece. A contact is secured to the collar. The collar interfaces with an electrical circuit that extends within the dental handpiece. The contact is removable from the collar and the contact defines an electrical connection between a cutting tool used with the dental handpiece and the electrical circuit that extends within the dental handpiece.Type: GrantFiled: May 12, 2006Date of Patent: January 13, 2009Assignee: Pro-Dex, Inc.Inventors: Roger W. McPherson, Richard Tuan Le, Patrick L. Johnson
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Patent number: 7452205Abstract: A transfer apparatus for indirect bonding of orthodontic appliances includes a tray with a channel and a matrix material received in the channel. At least one stop member is connected to the tray and is made of a relatively rigid thermoset material. Each stop member helps to facilitate accurate positioning of the tray in the patient's oral cavity during a bonding procedure, a particular advantage when the matrix material is relatively flexible.Type: GrantFiled: April 4, 2005Date of Patent: November 18, 2008Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: David K. Cinader, Jr., James K. Mah
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Patent number: 7452208Abstract: A handpiece for measuring root canal length comprises an outer sleeve that is substantially non-insulating, a connecting device, an instrument carrier, at least one transmission element within the outer sleeve, a length measuring circuit portion, a contact portion and an insulating portion. The instrument carrier is configured to receive a dental instrument. The transmission element transmits force to move the instrument carrier so that a dental instrument received in the instrument carrier executes a rotating, reciprocating and/or vibrating working movement. The length measuring circuit portion is disposed inside the handpiece and operable to transmit measuring signals for measuring length. The contact portion is operable to establish a conductive path between the dental instrument serving as an electrode and the length measuring circuit portion.Type: GrantFiled: September 29, 2005Date of Patent: November 18, 2008Assignee: W & H Dentalwerk Bürmoos GmbHInventors: Johann Eibl, Andreas Brandstaetter
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Patent number: 7429175Abstract: A prefabricated dental implant surgical guide. The implant surgical guide comprises a tooth shaped contour which simulates a natural tooth and the final prosthesis. The tooth shaped contours can be shaped to match any tooth found in the mouth. The system further comprises apical posts which protrude from the apical aspect of the tooth contour of the surgical guide. These apical posts are capable of marking an initial osteotomy site. The apical posts are further able to be placed in to an initial and developing osteotomy site to verify proper implant location, angulation and rotational position prior to implant placement. Significantly the apical post can be attached to the surgical guide and of a fixed length. The apical post can also be adjustable allowing continuous osteotomy site verification and removable allowing an implant surgical drill to pass thru it thereby allowing continuous osteotomy site development and verification.Type: GrantFiled: November 8, 2006Date of Patent: September 30, 2008Inventor: Glenn L. Gittelson
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Patent number: 7422431Abstract: A suction nozzle holster device is provided with three possible operating positions through the use of a mounting channel component having a left, a center and a right key plate/key nub system that can each be respectively inserted into a cooperating keyway slot/nub receiver opening system mounted on a rear portion of a holster mounting component of the device. This arrangement gives the holster device three distinct operating positions.Type: GrantFiled: February 4, 2005Date of Patent: September 9, 2008Assignee: Patient Shield Concepts, LLCInventors: Lynn R. White, Jeffrey T. Samson, James V. Osburn
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Patent number: 7377780Abstract: A suction nozzle holster whose upper rim is provided with a notch into which a suction hose can be forced in order to constrict the hose and, hence, curtail the vacuum conditions in a suction nozzle.Type: GrantFiled: November 6, 2006Date of Patent: May 27, 2008Assignee: Patient Shield Concepts, LLCInventors: Lynn R. White, Jeffrey T. Samson, James V. Osburn
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Patent number: 7344375Abstract: To improve operativity, a pushing device for a tooth restoration material mixed and kneaded in a capsule comprises a compression coil spring 4 provided between a leak preventive cover 2 contacted with a capsule and having a cylindrical piston rod 1 inserted, and a ratchet body 3 having a rack part 3cb and fixed to the piston rod 1; a housing body 5 having a supporting path 5b inserted in the leak preventive cover 2 and a guiding path 5c provided with the ratchet body 3 movably; a ratchet body locking plate spring 6 for preventing move of the ratchet body 3; a lever 7 for moving the rack part 3cb and returning the lever body 7a to an initial position; a release body 8 for canceling the locking to the rack part 3cb; and a stopper means 9 for stopping the ratchet body 3 at the initial position.Type: GrantFiled: December 8, 2006Date of Patent: March 18, 2008Assignee: GC CorporationInventors: Yoshihisa Mukasa, Michio Kato
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Patent number: 7303394Abstract: In a hand held piece for dental or surgical use comprising a resilient clamp (20) for holding the cylindrical shank (16) of a tool, the height of the head (3) of the piece can be reduced owing to an inverted arrangement of the clamp in relation to the arrangement of the prior art. The clamp is slideably mounted in a hollow shaft (6), its flexible jaws (31) being directed forwards to enter into contact with a loosening sleeve (19) fixed in a front end of the shaft, i.e. on the tool side. The clamp is longitudinally connected to a pusher (22) manually activated by the operator for opening the clamp. A snap fit device (28) offers a higher initial resistance to movement of the clamp than the standard minimum axial pull force of the tool.Type: GrantFiled: June 15, 2006Date of Patent: December 4, 2007Assignee: Bien-Air Holding S.A.Inventors: Luc Maître, Cyril Ryser