Releasable palatal expanders
US11564777B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 10, 2019 |
| Grant date | Jan 31, 2023 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 5, 2041 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61C7/08
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
Releasable and removable palatal expander apparatuses for expanding a patient's palate (“palatal expanders”) and methods of using and making them. These releasable palatal expanders are adapted for ease in removal by the patient or caregiver, and may include a breach region configured to predictably bend or break when a pulling force is applied. The palatal expander apparatuses described herein may include one or more locks for locking the palatal expander onto the patient's teeth. The lock(s) may be unlocked to release the palatal expander from the teeth. A lock may include a control for manually unlocking the lock. Unlocking the locks may allow the palatal expander to automatically disengage from the patient's teeth.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.