Patents by Inventor Michael D. Frantz

Michael D. Frantz has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Publication number: 20110003262
    Abstract: Disclosed is a mandibular positioning apparatus that uses elastic bands to pull the lower jaw forward including a set of plastic retention hooks, one on the right and one on the left of an upper plastic base, and a lower plastic base conforming to lower teeth with a vertical displacement on the base.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 1, 2010
    Publication date: January 6, 2011
    Applicant: Frantz Design Inc.
    Inventors: Donald E. Frantz, Michael D. Frantz, Joseph Lee Frantz
  • Patent number: 6109265
    Abstract: There are disclosed two embodiments of a mandibular advancement or positioning device which uses elastic bands to pull the jaw forward. The appliance has an upper plastic tray conforming to the patient's upper teeth including maxillary dentition soft tissue and palate, and including a set of plastic retention hooks, one on the right and one on the left anterior buccal portion of the upper plastic base, with each extending outwardly from the tray. The appliance also has a lower plastic tray conforming to the patient's lower teeth including mandibular dentition and soft tissues, and including having a bite plane which opens the bite vertically. The lower tray also has a set of plastic retention hooks extending outwardly from the teeth, one on the right and one on the left of the posterior buccal portion of the lower plastic base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2000
    Inventors: Don E. Frantz, Michael D. Frantz
  • Patent number: 5947724
    Abstract: A mandibular advancement, or positioning, device which uses elastic bands to pull the jaw forward is disclosed. The appliance has an upper base conforming to the patient's maxillary dentition soft tissue and palate, the upper base having a set of retention hooks, one on the right and one on the left anterior occlusal portion of the upper base. The appliance also has a lower base conforming to the patients mandibular dentition and soft tissues, the lower base having a set of interchangeable, slide-in posterior occlusal bite planes. These bite planes open the bite vertically in varying amounts depending on which bite plane is utilized, and also provide connection points for the elastic bands on the lower base. O-ring elastic bands or other elastics are attached to both the retention hooks and the bite planes hooks, to pull the mandible forward for treatment of snoring and sleep apnea.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 7, 1999
    Inventors: Don E. Frantz, Michael D. Frantz
  • Patent number: 5794627
    Abstract: A mandibular advancement, or positioning, device for short-term or one-time use is described. The appliance has an upper tray and a lower tray holding impression material, into which the patient bites. The impression material, and optional adhesive, serve as a way to secure the trays to the patient's upper and lower teeth, and, therefore, to the patient's maxilla and mandible. Preferably, the front portions of the trays are bendable or flexible, for allowing the use of just a few sizes of trays for all patients. A connector is attached to a rear area of the lower tray and adjustably connects to the upper tray at or near the center of the upper tray front area, so that the connector easily may be manually pulled forward and temporarily locked in place to advance the mandible. The device may also include spacers or bite planes for opening the patient's bite.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 18, 1998
    Inventors: Don E. Frantz, Michael D Frantz
  • Patent number: D611153
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2010
    Assignee: Frantz Design Inc.
    Inventors: Donald E. Frantz, Michael D. Frantz, Joseph Lee Frantz