Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
164 words
A tooth replacement system comprising a dental implant having a core providing a central shaft having a lower end, an outer component adapted to be positioned in a socket in the jawbone surrounding the central shaft and spaced therefrom to define a gap therewith, an intermediate component disposed in the gap, and means securing the intermediate component both to the central shaft and to the surrounding wall of the outer component, the intermediate component having a lower modulus of elasticity than either the central shaft or the outer component to permit axial movement of the central shaft relative to the outer component, said outer component having a modulus of elasticity which approximates that of bone, said central shaft being non-convergent toward its lower end so that axial movement of the central shaft relative to the outer component imparts tensile stresses in said intermediate component which tend to contract said outer component thereby to impart tensile stresses in the surrounding portions of the supporting jawbone.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
164 words
A tooth replacement system comprising a dental implant having a core providing a central shaft having a lower end, an outer component adapted to be positioned in a socket in the jawbone surrounding the central shaft and spaced therefrom to define a gap therewith, an intermediate component disposed in the gap, and means securing the intermediate component both to the central shaft and to the surrounding wall of the outer component, the intermediate component having a lower modulus of elasticity than either the central shaft or the outer component to permit axial movement of the central shaft relative to the outer component, said outer component having a modulus of elasticity which approximates that of bone, said central shaft being non-convergent toward its lower end so that axial movement of the central shaft relative to the outer component imparts tensile stresses in said intermediate component which tend to contract said outer component thereby to impart tensile stresses in the surrounding portions of the supporting jawbone.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
35 words
The tooth replacement system of claim 1 wherein the modulus of elasticity of the intermediate layer is no more than about one-fifth as much as that of either the central shaft of the outer layer.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
29 words
The tooth replacement system of claim 1 wherein the central shaft has a porous surface layer adjacent the gap and the intermediate component is engaged in the voids thereof.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
29 words
The tooth replacement system of claim 3 wherein the outer component has a porous surface layer adjacent the gap and the intermediate component is engaged in the voids thereof.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
23 words
The tooth replacement system of claim 1 wherein the outer component has an outer surface which is porous to permit bone growth therein.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
27 words
The tooth replacement system of claim 1 wherein the modulus of elasticity of the outer component is in the range of about 0.5-2 times that of bone.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
159 words
A bone implant having a core providing a central shaft having a lower end, an outer component adapted to be positioned in a socket formed in a bone surrounding the central shaft and spaced therefrom to define a gap therewith, an intermediate component disposed in the gap, and means securing the intermediate component both to the central shaft and to the surrounding wall of the outer component, the outer component having a modulus of elasticity approximately that of bone, the intermediate component having a lower modulus of elasticity than either the central shaft or the outer component to permit axial movement of the central shaft relative to the outer component, said central shaft being non-convergent toward its lower end so that axial movement of the central shaft relative to the outer component imparts tensile stresses in said intermediate component which tend to contract said outer component thereby to impart tensile stresses in the surrounding portions of the supporting bone.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
159 words
A bone implant having a core providing a central shaft having a lower end, an outer component adapted to be positioned in a socket formed in a bone surrounding the central shaft and spaced therefrom to define a gap therewith, an intermediate component disposed in the gap, and means securing the intermediate component both to the central shaft and to the surrounding wall of the outer component, the outer component having a modulus of elasticity approximately that of bone, the intermediate component having a lower modulus of elasticity than either the central shaft or the outer component to permit axial movement of the central shaft relative to the outer component, said central shaft being non-convergent toward its lower end so that axial movement of the central shaft relative to the outer component imparts tensile stresses in said intermediate component which tend to contract said outer component thereby to impart tensile stresses in the surrounding portions of the supporting bone.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
26 words
The bone implant of claim 7 wherein the modulus of elasticity of the outer component is in the range of about 0.5-2 times that of bone.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
17 words
The bone implant of claim 7 wherein the outer component is porous to permit bone growth therein.