Abstract: The present invention refers to a tubular support prostheses (stent) for vessels or intercorporeal lumina comprising at least two adjacently arranged expandable support rings connected to one another on at least one joint, said support rings being formed by a filament wound in a meander-like manner to form several arcs of curvature. The expansion behavior of such a support prosthesis is to be improved. For this purpose at least one arc of curvature of a first support ring and an arc of curvature of an adjacent second support ring overlap laterally, whereby the joint in the overlapping portion is formed.

Abstract: An orthodontic appliance is molded either from a ceramic material or metal. When a ceramic material is used, the color of the appliance may be coordinated with that of a tooth. The appliance has a domed outwardly facing surface which is entirely curved in both the length and width directions and which is free of angular edge surfaces. The appliance may be adapted either for bonding directly to a tooth surface or for welding to a tooth encircling band. A cross slot extends into the body of the appliance, the cross slot having a curved surface between the bottom and sides of the cross slot.

Abstract: An orthodontic appliance, such as a buccal tube, an edgewise bracket or an edgewise bracket having rotating pads thereon, is molded either from a ceramic material or metal. When a ceramic material is used, the color of the appliance may be coordinated with that of a tooth. The appliance has a domed outwardly facing surface which is entirely curved in both the length and width directions and which is free of angular edge surfaces. The appliance may be adapted either for bonding directly to a tooth surface or for welding to a tooth and circling band. When the appliance is bonded directly to the tooth surface, a bonding material is employed. When bonded directly to the tooth, the appliance has an aperture formed with an undercut portion therein at the point of bonding which forms the bonding material contained within the aperture thereby causing the bonding material and appliance to be mechanically interlocked.

Abstract: An orthodontic appliance is molded either from a ceramic material or metal. When a ceramic material is used, the color of the appliance may be a coordinated with that of a tooth. The appliance has a domed outwardly facing surface which is entirely curved in both the length and width directions and which is free of angular edge surfaces. The appliance may be adapted either for bonding directly to a tooth surface or for welding to a tooth encircling band.