System for determining the first prematurity contact of dental occlusion
US4521186A · kind A · utility
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | May 17, 1983 |
| Grant date | Jun 4, 1985 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 17, 2003 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61C9/00
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A system for determining the first dental occlusion prematurity is presented. A sensor adapted to be inserted in the mouth of a patient comprises two flexible strips with spaced electrical conductors connected to a liquid crystal display. Each of the strips has a layer of dilatant material on one side. When the patient bites, the upper and lower conductors complete an electrical circuit and from the resistance of this circuit the location of the first prematurity relative to the strip is determined. One edge of the strip is used as a reference point on the sensor and the distance from this edge to the location is displayed on the liquid crystal display. The dilatant layer also retains the impression of the teeth and the location identified by the visual display and the impression are compared to give the exact location of the first prematurity. The sensor is reusable on the same patient to determine subsequent prematurities by squeezing it to remove the impression of teeth on the original bite.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.