Combination implant carrier and vial cap
US6217332A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | May 3, 1999 |
| Grant date | Apr 17, 2001 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 3, 2019 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61C8/0087
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A carrier for a dental implant package to reliably and releasably hold a dental implant and to cap a packaging vial. The carrier includes a plurality of vial-engaging flexible fingers and a plurality of screw-engaging flexible fingers. The vial-engaging fingers engage a groove of the packaging vial to form a releasable mechanical lock. For cylindrical implants, the screw-engaging fingers grip a healing screw coupled to the cylindrical implant. The cylindrical implant carrier also includes a protrusion in the center to stabilize the cylindrical implant during transportation. For threaded implants, the screw-engaging fingers releasably engage a groove of an insertion tool screw coupled to the threaded implant. Advantageously, the carrier of the present invention provides a reliable long-term hold on a dental implant and a simple but effective removable cap for a packaging vial for the implant.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.