Dental Implant Construction Patents (Class 433/201.1)
  • Patent number: 6919386
    Abstract: The invention relates to preparations, containing (A) 30 to 56 wt.-% aziridino polyethers with a cyclic polyether content lower than 5.0 wt.-%; (B) 30 to 45 wt.-% compounds which effect a softening of the cured dental materials; (C) 10 to 15 wt.-% filler; (D) 4 to 10 wt.-% further active ingredients; with the provisos that the weight ratio between constituents (A) and (C) to the compounds of constituent (B) is 1.2 to 2.1; constituent (B) consists of compounds with molar masses lower than 500 g/mol (B1) and of trisacylesters of glycerol of non-animal origin with molar masses between 500 to 2000 g/mol (B2) as well as of compounds with molar masses greater than 2000 g/mol (B3) and the weight ratio between (B1) and (B3) is 1:0.8 to 1:2.3, as well as their use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2005
    Assignee: 3M ESPE AG
    Inventors: Erich Wanek, Gunther Eckhardt, Peter Roas
  • Patent number: 6916177
    Abstract: A dental implant. The dental implant is to be installed in a predrilled bore formed in jawbone tissue for retaining a dental prosthesis. The dental implant includes a substantially cylindrical hollow base member having a wall defining a space in the hollow base member, and through-thickness holes in communication with the space and an outer surface of the wall. Hardened calcium phosphate cement is filled in the through-thickness holes and in at least a portion of the space. A receiving member is integrally formed at one end of the hollow base member for receiving a dental prosthesis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2005
    Inventors: Jiin-Huey Chern Lin, Chien-Ping Ju
  • Patent number: 6872076
    Abstract: A dental restoration comprising a fiber reinforced composite framework and one or more of a randomly dispersed, fiber-filled veneer, a soft particulate filled composite veneer having a strain to failure greater than that of FRC framework and/or a brittle particulate filled composite veneer having a strain to failure value less than that of the FRC framework. The fiber filled veneer is advantageously placed beneath the framework, the soft veneer is advantageously pled where tensile stresses are expected to occur, while the brittle particulate filled veneer is placed where compressive stresses are expected to occur.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2005
    Assignee: Jeneric/Pentron Inc.
    Inventors: Ajit Karmaker, Arun Prasad, Gregg Daskalon
  • Publication number: 20040241613
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for depositing a coating onto an implant for implantation in bone. In this method a coating is deposited by the ESD technique which can be described as forcing a precursor solution through a capillary which is subjected to an electrical field. Of particular relevance for bone implants are coatings which comprise calcium and phosphate. The invention also relates to implants having a calcium and phosphate coating. A particular example of such an implant is a dental implant for the fixation of a dental prosthesis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 7, 2004
    Publication date: December 2, 2004
    Inventors: Johannes Arnoldus Jansen, Johannes Schoonman, Sander Cornelis Gerardus Leeuwenburgh
  • Patent number: 6818573
    Abstract: The present invention is concerned with a process for the formation of dental restorations from glass-ceramic materials and the resulting dental restorations. A dental restoration is formed by pressing a lithium discilicate glass ceramic where the concentration of lithium discilicate crystals in the glass ceramic composition is at least 30% by weight. Crystal formation is effected with P2O5. The glass ceramic material may further contain coloring oxides, fluoresing agents, pigments, opacifiers and glass modifiers. The resulting dental restorations have superior optical, esthetic and strength properties.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2004
    Assignee: TEC Ventures, Inc.
    Inventor: Richard W. Petticrew
  • Publication number: 20040209228
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a polymeric implant, especially useful for dental medicine. More specifically, the present invention relates to a polymerizable device comprising an artificial tooth's root and an abutment anchored therein and to a kit comprising interalia the same. The present invention also relates to a method for implanting said implant in the alveolar bore of previously extracted tooth.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 14, 2004
    Publication date: October 21, 2004
    Inventor: Daniel Ilan
  • Patent number: 6802894
    Abstract: This invention is directed to lithium disilicate (Li2Si2O5) based glass-ceramics comprising silica, lithium oxide, alumina, potassium oxide and phosphorus pentoxide. The glass-ceramics are useful in the fabrication of single and multi-unit dental restorations (e.g. anterior bridges) made by heat pressing into refractory investment molds produced using lost wax techniques. The glass-ceramics have good pressability, i.e., the ability to be formed into dental articles by heat-pressing using commercially available equipment. In accordance with one embodiment directed to the process of making the glass-ceramics, the compositions herein are melted at about 1200 ° to about 1600 ° C., thereafter cast into steel molds in the shape of cylindrical blanks (pellets), or alternately, cooled to the crystallization temperature. The resulting glass blank are heat-treated to form glass-ceramic blanks via a one or two step heat-treatment cycle preferably in the temperature range of about 400 ° to about 1100 ° C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2004
    Assignee: Jeneric/Pentron Incorporated
    Inventors: Dmitri Brodkin, Carlino Panzera, Paul Panzera
  • Patent number: 6788986
    Abstract: A method for producing an implantable tooth replacement (10) in which tooth-like superstructure material (21) can be mounted in a common insertion direction. The method of the present invention preferably begins with a manipulation implant (42) being attached to a working model (4) of a jaw area (30), which is to be provided with the tooth replacement (10). An abutment (18) is made for each implant (12), which is intended to be positioned on the implant (12) by means of a positioning device (15) and to be fastened by means of a fastening element. A super-structure (21) is made on the working model (40) which fits on the abutment (18) and is intended to be pushed later on the at least one abutment (18) in the jaw area (30).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2004
    Assignee: DCS Forschungs & Entwicklungs AG
    Inventors: Tony Traber, Heinrich F. Kappert, Rainer Glaeser
  • Publication number: 20040170946
    Abstract: A dental implant having two distinct regions, a coronal region and a bone fixation region. The coronal region has a smooth transgingival section and an interface for connecting to a dental component. The bone fixation region has an elongated cylindrical shape and is formed as a porous structure that extends completely through the bone fixation region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2003
    Publication date: September 2, 2004
    Inventor: Philip S. Lyren
  • Publication number: 20040152034
    Abstract: The invention relates to uses of glasses and glass-ceramics in dental and orthodontic applications.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 5, 2003
    Publication date: August 5, 2004
    Inventors: Kevin M. Cummings, Jacqueline C. Rolf, Anatoly Z. Rosenflanz, Richard P. Rusin, Jerome E. Swanson
  • Publication number: 20040137408
    Abstract: There is provided a method for producing a dental prosthesis comprising: obtaining three-dimensional digital data relating to a patient's dentition; designing a virtual prosthesis for the dentition using the three-dimensional digital data; transmitting digital data corresponding to the virtual prosthesis to an automated prototyping system; producing a prototype of the dental prosthesis with the automated prototyping system, the prototype made of a material that can be ablated; covering at least the prototype with a hardening material and removing the prototype from within said hardening material to produce a mold for the dental prosthesis; casting the dental prosthesis by filling the mold with a metal and removing the hardening material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 24, 2003
    Publication date: July 15, 2004
    Applicant: CYNOVAD INC.
    Inventors: Hugo Embert, Jean-Marc Perot
  • Patent number: 6761760
    Abstract: Opaque porcelains for use with metal cores in the manufacture of PFM restorations. The porcelains exhibit a coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) substantially equal to or slightly above the CTE of the metal to which it is applied. The porcelains exhibit a CTE equal to or up to about 1.5×10−6/° C. higher than the dental alloys to which they are applied as the opaque. The porcelains are fabricated from a mixture of two frit compositions. A high expansion, leucite containing frit is combined with a low melting glass frit to provide a porcelain having an expansion in the range of 16.9 to about 18.5×10−6/° C. in the temperature range of 250°-600° C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2004
    Assignee: Pentron Corporation
    Inventors: Dmitri Brodkin, Carlino Panzera, Paul Panzera
  • Publication number: 20040121290
    Abstract: A biocompatible surgical implant or component for a surgical implant for use in human beings and animals is described. The implant has an oxide film-forming valve metal substrate, such as titanium, titanium alloy, zirconium, or zirconium alloy, or stainless steel, or cobalt-chromium-molybdenum alloy having a surface that has been treated such that phosphorous and oxygen are incorporated into the treated surface of the implant. The surface treatment carried out on the implant includes low temperature anodic treatment of the substrate in a phosphorus-containing solution, such as a phosphate-containing solution. The anodic treatment changes or modifies the substrate surface through electrochemical reactions between the substrate, acting as an anode, and phosphate ions contained in an electrolyte solution, such as provided by an aqueous solution of phosphoric acid. The phosphorus-containing solution may be substantially calcium-free.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 16, 2003
    Publication date: June 24, 2004
    Applicants: Lynntech, Inc., Lynntech Coatings, Ltd.
    Inventors: Zoran Minevski, Carl Nelson
  • Publication number: 20040117030
    Abstract: The present invention pertains to injectable heat generating biocompatible ceramic compositions based on hydraulic calcium aluminate, which can be used for therapeutic treatment in vivo, such as tumour treatment, pain control, vascular treatment, drug activation etc, when curing in situ, and which form a biocompatible solid material that can be left in the body for prolonged periods of time without causing negative health effects. The present invention can also be used to restore the mechanical properties of the skeleton after cancerous diseases.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2003
    Publication date: June 17, 2004
    Inventors: Niklas Axen, Leif Hermansson, Dan Markusson, Tobias Persson
  • Publication number: 20040072124
    Abstract: A medical implant or device comprising at least one component at least partially fabricated from an alloy having a composition represented by the general formula Xa Mb Alc, where X is Zr or Hf, M is at least one element selected from the group consisting of Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Ti and Cu, and a, b and c are, in atomic percentages, 25<a<85, 5<b<70 and 0<c<35, the alloy comprising an amorphous phase as a volume fraction of at least 50%.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2003
    Publication date: April 15, 2004
    Inventors: Michael J. Kaufman, W. Gregory Sawyer
  • Publication number: 20040072128
    Abstract: A dental implant may be prepared by roughening or coating a desired portion of a dental implant blank and removing material from the dental implant blank subsequent to roughening the dental implant blank. By removing material, a cutting flute with a cutting edge, cutting surface and collector surface may be formed. The cutting surface and collector surface is relatively smooth compared to the cutting edge.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2003
    Publication date: April 15, 2004
    Inventors: Michael R. Klardie, Jeremy M. Huotari, Thomas A. Tremmel, Peter B. Swenson
  • Publication number: 20040053199
    Abstract: A biocompatible surgical implant for use in human beings and animals. The implant has a titanium or titanium alloy substrate having a surface that has been treated with phosphates. The surface treatment on the implant includes low temperature anodic phosphation of the titanium or titanium alloy substrate. Anodic phosphation changes or modifies the substrate surface through electrochemical reactions between the substrate, acting as an anode, and phosphate ions contained in an electrolyte solution, such as provided by an aqueous solution of phosphoric acid, and water molecules. The surface treatment imparts no significant change in the dimensions of the implant, thereby allowing the surgical implant substrate to be constructed to exact dimensions without having to account for the thickness of additional coatings being applied to the implant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2003
    Publication date: March 18, 2004
    Applicants: Lynntech, Inc., Lynntech Coatings, Ltd.
    Inventors: Zoran Minevski, Carl Nelson
  • Publication number: 20040054422
    Abstract: Endosseous implant to be applied to a human or animal bone, wherein the surface of the implant is made from titanium or a titanium alloy, said implant having a smooth or rough surface texture, which is characterized in that said surface has been treated with at least one selected organic phosphonate compound or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or ester or an amide thereof; process for producing said implants.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2003
    Publication date: March 18, 2004
    Inventors: Pierre Descouts, Bjorn-Owe Aronsson, Michael Gratzel, Carine Viornery, Peter Pechy
  • Publication number: 20040053198
    Abstract: A biocompatible surgical implant for use in human beings and animals. The implant has a titanium or titanium alloy substrate having a surface that has been treated with phosphates. The surface treatment on the implant includes low temperature anodic phosphation of the titanium or titanium alloy substrate. Anodic phosphation changes or modifies the substrate surface through electrochemical reactions between the substrate, acting as an anode, and phosphate ions contained in an electrolyte solution, such as provided by an aqueous solution of phosphoric acid, and water molecules. The surface treatment imparts no significant change in the dimensions of the implant, thereby allowing the surgical implant substrate to be constructed to exact dimensions without having to account for the thickness of additional coatings being applied to the implant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2003
    Publication date: March 18, 2004
    Applicants: Lynntech, Inc., Lynntech Coatings, Ltd.
    Inventors: Zoran Minevski, Carl Nelson
  • Publication number: 20040053197
    Abstract: A biocompatible surgical implant for use in human beings and animals. The implant has a titanium or titanium alloy substrate having a surface that has been treated with phosphates. The surface treatment on the implant includes low temperature anodic phosphation of the titanium or titanium alloy substrate. Anodic phosphation changes or modifies the substrate surface through electrochemical reactions between the substrate, acting as an anode, and phosphate ions contained in an electrolyte solution, such as provided by an aqueous solution of phosphoric acid, and water molecules. The surface treatment imparts no significant change in the dimensions of the implant, thereby allowing the surgical implant substrate to be constructed to exact dimensions without having to account for the thickness of additional coatings being applied to the implant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 16, 2002
    Publication date: March 18, 2004
    Inventors: Zoran Minevski, Carl Nelson
  • Patent number: 6706654
    Abstract: A pressable glass ceramic which contains lithium silicate glass and leucite is disclosed. Also, disclosed is the combination of leucite and a lithium silicate glass to stably increase the coefficients of thermal expansion of the resulting glass composition, and the preparation of leucite suitable for addition to the glass composition. Also disclosed are methods for fabricating glass ceramic and dental products from the pressable glass ceramic.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2004
    Assignee: Elephant Dental B.V.
    Inventor: Joseph Maria van der Zel
  • Publication number: 20040029075
    Abstract: In an arrangement for anchoring a threaded implant (1) in dentine (2) by means of a screwing instrument (6), use is made of an implant which, at its upper part, is provided with an anchoring hole (1c) for a screw (5) intended to secure an element or fixture holder (4) that can be attached to the implant. The centre axis of the anchoring hole is inclined in relation to the longitudinal axis (1b) of the implant. The element is provided with means (4d) for cooperation with the instrument (6). The element and its means of cooperation permit application of the instrument in a way which ensures that the axis of rotation (6d) of the instrument essentially coincides with a continuation of the longitudinaxis (1b) of the implant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 12, 2003
    Publication date: February 12, 2004
    Inventors: Gabriel Guy Peltier, Patrick Peltier
  • Patent number: 6669476
    Abstract: Dental prosthetics, including implants, crowns and bridges, made from nanophase materials. The nanophase materials are generally manufactured by evaporating a metal or other solid substrate by heating it to a temperature at or above its boiling point in a vacuum to form a vapor. The vapor is then condensed back to a solid state through contact with a cold gas. In a first method, the nanophase material is heated until it is in a fluid state, then it is poured into a mold and cooled to form all or part of a dental prosthetic. In a second method, the nanophase material is placed into the mold in a powdered form, then heated so that the grains form a solid mass. Nanophase crowns and bridges should generally be formed in one piece, but the upper surface of a nanophase prosthetic will usually be covered with porcelain or another non-nanophase material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2003
    Inventors: David Michael Prestipino, Vincent Joseph Prestipino
  • Publication number: 20030232309
    Abstract: A bone implant, in particular a dental implant, has an implant body which is joined to an abutment body. A metal layer is arranged on the surface of the implant body or the abutment body. The metal layer extends over at least a portion of the contact area between the implant body and the abutment body and comprises a lower hardness than the abutment body and/or the implant body in the contact area. The metal layer provides an intimate, jointless and lasting connection between the implant body and the abutment body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 12, 2003
    Publication date: December 18, 2003
    Inventor: Wolfgang Dinkelacker
  • Patent number: 6660400
    Abstract: A dental prosthesis blank and a combined dental prosthesis blank and blank holder. The dental prosthesis blank provides for forming a dental prosthesis therefrom and the blank holder holds the blank during the forming of the prosthesis. The blank comprises a first free end for forming the dental prosthesis therefrom and a positioning end for positioning the blank in the blank holder. The positioning end includes a cylindrical cone, i.e. extension, having a pair of reference surfaces defined by a slot extending along the axis of the cylindrical extension. The blank holder includes a reference element such as a bar that fits within the space between the reference surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2003
    Assignee: Hint-Elc CmbH
    Inventor: Josef Hintersehr
  • Patent number: 6645250
    Abstract: A biocompatible form and a method for fabricating the implant are provided. The biocompatible form may be used to support bone graft material such as that used to reconstruct missing bone in a patient's oral cavity. The implant is fabricated from a biocompatible mesh, which may be made of titanium, a titanium alloy or fiber and is permanently implantable in the patient's oral cavity. The biocompatible form has an anatomical configuration which includes one or more portions conforming substantially to various alveolar bone contours which may include predetermined, human interproximal bone contours, root prominence bone contours and mylohyoid ridge bone contours. The biocompatible form may include a palatal section. The biocompatible form may also include one or more apertures for receiving a corresponding number of dental prostheses therethrough.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2003
    Inventor: Carl W. Schulter
  • Patent number: 6638069
    Abstract: Shaping cap made of ceramic, metal or plastic material, which is suitable as a solid constituent of dental pin structures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2003
    Assignee: Ivoclar Vivadent AG
    Inventors: Konrad Hagenbuch, Gerhard Zanghellini
  • Patent number: 6627327
    Abstract: A mill blank assembly for making a dental prosthesis includes a milling section and a support section. The support section is adapted to fit in a chuck or collect of a milling machine. One of the milling section and the support section includes a projection that extends into a recess of the other, in order to enhance the strength of the bond between the milling section and the support section. As a result, the completed assembly is less likely to fracture or become disassembled during the milling process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2003
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Dean K. Reidt, Darin J. Meyertholen, John R. Cheney, Robert M. Biegler, Robert E. Brunsell
  • Patent number: 6627248
    Abstract: A dental restoration comprises a ceramic core material having a thin metallic layer disposed on the interior surface of the ceramic core to provide integrity to the ceramic core, eliminate bonding between the ceramic core and the patient's tooth or teeth, and provide an impervious layer on the ceramic interior to reduce infiltration of fluids into the ceramic and reduce cracking of the ceramic restoration. The metallic layer may comprise a metal, alloy or metal-matrix ceramic material. A strong, crack-resistant ceramic restoration is provided having highly aesthetic properties.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2003
    Assignee: Jeneric/Pentron Incorporated
    Inventor: Arun Prasad
  • Patent number: 6626671
    Abstract: A dental implant may be prepared by roughening or coating a desired portion of a dental implant blank and removing material from the dental implant blank subsequent to roughening the dental implant blank. By removing material, a cutting flute with a cutting edge, cutting surface and collector surface may be formed. The cutting surface and collector surface is relatively smooth compared to the cutting edge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2003
    Assignee: Lifecore Biomedical, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael R. Klardie, Jeremy M. Huotari, Thomas A. Tremmel, Peter B. Swanson
  • Publication number: 20030175656
    Abstract: A dental implant that comprises a generally rod-like article formed with one or more hollow(s) therein and a biodegradable hydrogel containing one or more bone growth-promoting agent(s) in the hollow(s) is disclosed. A method of implanting the dental implant and a method of sinus augmentation prior to implanting a dental implant are further disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 19, 2003
    Publication date: September 18, 2003
    Inventors: Erella Livne, Samer Srouji
  • Patent number: 6607386
    Abstract: A dental product is produced from material in powder form. In a first manufacturing stage, the product is given a shape which is larger than its final shape, and in further manufacturing stages the product is subjected to material shrinkage, sintering and working in order to obtain its final shape. Metal powder is applied to the mold tool, and the mold tool with the applied metal powder is placed in pressure-generating equipment where the powder applied to the mold tool is subjected to compaction pressure which compacts the powder so that at least 80% basic density is obtained in the material. The compacted material is then machined. After machining, the compacted material is removed from the mold tool. The sintering stage is then carried out so that the final shape is obtained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2003
    Assignee: Nobel Biocare AB
    Inventors: Matts Andersson, Elis Carlstrom, Mikael Eriksson
  • Publication number: 20030139338
    Abstract: Openings in a mammalian body made by any medical procedure or non-medical event are sealed with a bioabsorbable plug or sewn with a bioabsorbable suture. In one exemplary embodiment, the plug in dehydrated, unexpanded condition is pushed by a pushing device through the lumen of a needle until a first part of the plug is external to the opening and a second part is internal to the opening. The needle is then withdrawn while the position of the pushing device is maintained. The pushing device is then withdrawn, leaving the plug in sealing relation to the opening. The body's moisture causes the plug to expand to complete the sealing of the opening, or the expansion may be caused by exposure to air, light, or other stimulant. The opening may be formed in soft tissue, internal organs, or hard tissue. The plug seals the flow of liquid or gaseous biological fluids.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2003
    Publication date: July 24, 2003
    Inventors: John S. Fisher , Frederick Ahari , Lucjan J.J. Hronowski
  • Publication number: 20030105530
    Abstract: A biodegradable implant and a method for manufacturing one. The implant comprises a matrix component containing at least one biodegradable polymer or copolymer and a plasticizer that is adapted to substantially reduce the rigidity of the implant. The plasticizer substantially exists from the implant after coming into contact with tissue fluids of the organ system in such a manner that the bending resistance of the implant prior to the insertion of the implant into the organ system is substantially lower than after its insertion into the organ system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 4, 2001
    Publication date: June 5, 2003
    Applicant: INION LTD.
    Inventors: Eija Pirhonen, Timo Pohjonen, Jan Nieuwenhuis
  • Publication number: 20030100948
    Abstract: The present invention relates to connective tissue substitute implant and method of preparation thereof. The implant is essentially composed of two bone anchors joined at the proximal ends by matrix layers and/or filaments coated by supplementary biocompatible matrix coating layer which can contain living stem cells isolated from injured connective tissue.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 23, 2001
    Publication date: May 29, 2003
    Applicant: SWABEY OGILVY RENAULT
    Inventors: Francine Goulet, Denis Rancourt, Rejean Cloutier, Julie Tremblay, Francois A. Auger, Albert Normand, Lucie Germain, Jean Lamontagne, Marc Bouchard, Eve Langelier, Daniel Dupuis, Stephane Bouchard, Nazrul Islam, Louis-Mathieu Stevens, Sheila Laverty, Bertrand Lussier, Anne-Marie Belzil, Pierrot Tremblay
  • Publication number: 20030073394
    Abstract: A mill blank assembly for making a dental prosthesis includes a milling section and a support section. The support section is adapted to fit in a chuck or collet of a milling machine. One of the milling section and the support section includes a projection that extends into a recess of the other, in order to enhance the strength of the bond between the milling section and the support section. As a result, the completed assembly is less likely to fracture or become disassembled during the milling process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2002
    Publication date: April 17, 2003
    Applicant: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Dean K. Reidt, Darin J. Meyertholen, John R. Cheney, Robert M. Biegler, Robert E. Brunsell
  • Publication number: 20030059742
    Abstract: The invention provides an orthopedic/dental implant comprising mineral nanofibers wherein the nanofibers have a diameter of from about 0.1 to about 100 nm. The mineral nanofibers are selected from the group consisting of alumina, titania, zirconia, hafnia, cobalt-chromium, barium aluminate, barium titanate, iron oxide, and zinc oxide nanofibers, or combinations thereof. Also provided is a method of preparation of the implant, a method of treating a patient in need of such an implant, and a method of enhancing osseointegration using the implant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2002
    Publication date: March 27, 2003
    Inventors: Thomas J. Webster, Frederick Tepper
  • Patent number: 6534197
    Abstract: The present invention provides a biomedical implant material comprising a substrate for biomedical implant made of a ceramic material, a first coating layer formed on the surface of said substrate by low-thermal impact coating process, and a second coating layer formed on said first coating layer via a metallic layer formed by thermal spraying process, and a method of producing the same. According to the biomedical implant material, it is made possible to prevent cracks from occurring in the ceramic substrate, and to secure sufficient bonding strength between the thermal-sprayed layer of titanium or the like onto the ceramic substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2003
    Assignee: Kyocera Corporation
    Inventors: Iwao Noda, Junji Ikeda, Takefumi Nakanishi, Hiroyuki Kitano, Shingo Masuda
  • Publication number: 20030031983
    Abstract: The invention relates to a novel apatite-coated metallic material having improved surface quality and biocompatibility, a process for its preparation, and the use of the material for bone implants, in particular dental implants, artificial joints and fixative material for accident surgery (osteosynthesis material). The coating in this case consists of a thick covering of hydroxyapatite crystals and/or amorphous calcium phosphate spheres having a specific surface area of less than 15 m2/g.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 6, 2002
    Publication date: February 13, 2003
    Applicant: Biomet Merck GmbH
    Inventors: Bernd Kotte, Jurgen Hofinger, Tanja Hebold
  • Patent number: 6517623
    Abstract: This invention is directed to lithium disilicate (Li2Si2O5) based glass-ceramics comprising silica, lithium oxide, alumina, potassium oxide and phosphorus pentoxide. The glass-ceramics are useful in the fabrication of single and multi-unit dental restorations (e.g. anterior bridges) made by heat pressing into refractory investment molds produced using lost wax techniques. The glass-ceramics have good pressability, i.e., the ability to be formed into dental articles by heat-pressing using commercially available equipment. In accordance with one embodiment directed to the process of making the glass-ceramics, the compositions herein are melted at about 1200° to about 1600° C., thereafter quenched (e.g., water quenched or roller quenched) or cast into steel molds, or alternately, cooled to the crystallization temperature. The resulting glass is heat-treated to form a glass-ceramic via a one or two step heat-treatment cycle preferably in the temperature range of about 400° to about 1100° C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2003
    Assignee: Jeneric/Pentron, Inc.
    Inventors: Dmitri Brodkin, Carlino Panzera, Paul Panzera
  • Patent number: 6502442
    Abstract: An abrasive water treatment method and apparatus includes supporting a metal workpiece on a workpiece support and arranging a nozzle above a target surface of the workpiece so that the nozzle is pointed towards the target surface of the workpiece. A pressurized fluid having entrained abrasive particles is then generated and discharged through the nozzle and toward the target surface of the workpiece. The nozzle is located a texturing standoff distance from the target surface such that the periphery of the pressurized fluid stream discharged from the nozzle expands after being discharged from the nozzle and prior to impinging upon the target surface of the workpiece. As a result, a textured surface is created on the workpiece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2003
    Assignee: University of Maryland Baltimore County
    Inventors: Dwayne D. Arola, Mark L. McCain
  • Publication number: 20030003128
    Abstract: The prosthetic structure for dental implants comprises a base material (13; 15; 17) incorporating at least one active component, the base material releases the active component in a controlled manner when the prosthetic structure is implanted in a living organism.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 19, 2002
    Publication date: January 2, 2003
    Inventor: Piero Chiarelli
  • Publication number: 20020197583
    Abstract: A dental construct according to the present invention includes a glass-ceramic coping having a resin composite material in the form of a veneer bonded or otherwise affixed to at least a portion of the coping. A method according to the invention of preparing the dental construct includes the step of bonding or otherwise affixing a resin composite material in the form of a veneer to at least a portion of a glass-ceramic substrate coping.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 5, 2002
    Publication date: December 26, 2002
    Applicant: New Age Biomaterials, Inc.
    Inventors: Derek W. Jones, Amin S. Rizkalla, Gordon C. Hall
  • Patent number: 6491723
    Abstract: The surface of a device that is surgically implantable in living bone is prepared. The device is made of titanium with a native oxide layer on the surface. The method of preparation comprises the steps of removing the native oxide layer from the surface of the device and performing further treatment of the surface substantially in the absence of unreacted oxygen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2002
    Assignee: Implant Innovations, Inc.
    Inventor: Keith D. Beaty
  • Patent number: 6485849
    Abstract: The present invention is concerned with a process for the formation of dental restorations from glass-ceramic materials and the resulting dental restorations. A dental restoration is prepared by placing a glass-ceramic material in a heat-pressure deformable crucible. Heat is applied to the crucible to bring the glass-ceramic to a working range at temperatures above its liquidus temperature. The crucible has heat-pressure deformation properties which are matched to the working temperature of the glass-ceramic. Once the glass-ceramic is heated to its working temperature, the crucible is brought into contract with a mold having a cavity therein. As the distance between the heated crucible and the mold is decreased, the crucible is deformed to form a seal with the mold facilitating the injection of the molten glass-ceramic into the cavity. The resulting dental restoration has superior optical, esthetic and strength properties.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2002
    Assignee: Tec Ventures, Inc.
    Inventor: Richard W. Petticrew
  • Publication number: 20020160335
    Abstract: A submergible or non-submergible (“one stage”) screw-type implant for use in the immediate post-extraction site of a patient's tooth. In order to increase the ability of regenerated bone to anchor the implant, an upper portion of the implant has a preferably generally conical shape and has a plurality of spherical projections sintered to its outer surface to make it suitable for bone integration and retention. The lower portion of the implant has a cylindrical shape with threads extending over a portion thereof. A channel is located through the threads and is shaped so that one side forms a cutting edge that makes the lower portion of the implant self-tapping into the bone at the base of the tooth extension socket.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2002
    Publication date: October 31, 2002
    Applicant: Arthur Ashman
    Inventors: Arthur Ashman, Leonard I. Linkow
  • Publication number: 20020143404
    Abstract: An implant includes a main body member having bio-compatibility, and particles formed of bioactive material and dispersedly provided at the surface of an embedded section of the main body member. Each of the particles has a part embedded in the embedded portion and the other part protruding from the embedded portion. The main body member is formed of titanium or titanium alloy. The particles having osteo-conduction are formed of a material selected from among a group consisting of sintered substances of hydroxylapatite, &agr;-tricalcium phosphate, &bgr;-tricalcium phosphate, tetra-calcium phosphate, a single substance of amorphous calcium phosphate, monetite, brushite, 45S4 glass, and a mixture of them. It is desirable that the embedded section surface has a surface roughness in a range of 5 to 50 &mgr;m.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 28, 2002
    Publication date: October 3, 2002
    Applicant: BRAINBASE CORPORATION
    Inventors: Osamu Hayashi, Takamasa Sasoh, Fumisada Ozawa, Isao Furuta, Toshitake Furusawa, Eiji Ichida
  • Publication number: 20020134667
    Abstract: A dental or orthopedic implantable prosthetic device (1) which has a bioactive surface of an alloyed layer of material having calcium phosphate compounds. The device is formed by placing a suitable substrate of biocompatible material in a vacuum chamber (10), the substrate is cleaned by ion beam sputtering (18a) and then ion beam sputtering (14a) evolves and deposits (16a) bioactive material onto the surface of the device. The bioactive layer is mixed into the surface forming an alloyed zone by augmenting ion beam (18a) and is grown out to a selected thickness while being continuously bombarded by the augmenting ion beam.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 11, 2002
    Publication date: September 26, 2002
    Inventors: Thomas D. Driskell, Arnold H. Deutchman
  • Patent number: 6431868
    Abstract: A dental implant that reduces the potential for stress shielding. The dental implant utilizes an implant body that includes a metallic core and a shell disposed about the metallic core. The shell is made from a material that has a lower modulus of elasticity than the metallic core. The metallic core also is connected to a mounting end to which a prosthetic tooth may ultimately be attached.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2002
    Assignee: Sulzer Dental Inc.
    Inventor: Brooks J. Story
  • Publication number: 20020106611
    Abstract: Monolithic metallic parts having a dense core surrounded by a porous periphery. Metallic parts having a dense core surrounded by a porous periphery characterized by a multitude of interconnected pores. Dental implants and other prosthesis using such metal parts as a substrate coated with a bioactive material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 18, 2002
    Publication date: August 8, 2002
    Inventors: Sutapa Bhaduri, Sarit B. Bhaduri, Muralithran G. Kutty