Orthodontic bracket and ligature and method of ligating archwire to bracket
US5618176A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 12, 1995 |
| Grant date | Apr 8, 1997 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 12, 2015 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61C7/28
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
An orthodontic bracket and ligature are provided in which the bracket, in the preferred embodiment, includes a cylindrical post, spaced from a bracket base to extend horizontally parallel thereto, and having an archwire slot therein. A spring material ligature band, naturally coiled and secured to a plastic installation strip, is pulled around the post of the bracket until a hooked trailing terminal end of the band catches on the bracket, pulling it loose from the strip, and allowing it to snap around the post to hold and confine the archwire in the slot. Different width ligatures seat to different positions on the post to allow the wire to be held to selected tightnesses in the slot by selection of the ligature.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.