US5374188A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Electro-surgical instrument and method for use with dental implantations
Assignee: CooperSurgical Inc
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Filing: 1993-07-19
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Granted: 1994-12-20
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Expires: 2013-07-19
Abstract
Abstract An electro-surgical instrument and method is described for exposing gingival areas in preparation for a dental implant. The instrument includes an elongated handle, a leg extending perpendicular to the handle adjoined therewith, and a circular cutting loop. The loop is defined by a plane perpendicular to the leg and tangentially attached thereto along a circumference of the loop. The loop is formed of a unitary electrically conductive wire such as tungsten, and extends into the leg and at least partially into the handle. A high frequency current is passed through the wire into the loop to best activate the latter for cutting the gingival areas.
Inventors
- 👤 Milton Frank
- 👤 Joel L. Rosenlicht
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 13:13
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B18/00; A61B18/04; A61B18/12; A61B18/14; A61C; A61C3/00; A61C8/00; A61C8/0089; A61B2018/1405; A61B2018/1407; A61F; A61F9/00; A61F9/007; A61F9/0079
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
98 words
An electro-surgical instrument for exposing gingival areas in preparation for a dental implant, comprising: (i) an elongated handle with a first and second end; (ii) a leg extended perpendicular to said handle and joined therewith at said first end; (iii) a circular cutting loop oriented in a plane perpendicular to said leg, a distal end of said leg opposite said first end being tangentially joined at a right angle to said loop along a circumference thereof, said loop being formed of a unitary electrically conductive wire that extends into said leg and at least partially into said handle.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
98 words
An electro-surgical instrument for exposing gingival areas in preparation for a dental implant, comprising: (i) an elongated handle with a first and second end; (ii) a leg extended perpendicular to said handle and joined therewith at said first end; (iii) a circular cutting loop oriented in a plane perpendicular to said leg, a distal end of said leg opposite said first end being tangentially joined at a right angle to said loop along a circumference thereof, said loop being formed of a unitary electrically conductive wire that extends into said leg and at least partially into said handle.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
13 words
An instrument according to claim 1 wherein said loop is formed of tungsten.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
19 words
An instrument according to claim 2 wherein the wire has a diameter of about 0.0005 to about 0.01 inches.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
16 words
An instrument according to claim 3 wherein the wire has a diameter of about 0.002 inches.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
30 words
An instrument according to claim 1 wherein said loop has a diameter smaller than a length of said leg which, in turn, is smaller than a length of said handle.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
24 words
An instrument according to claim 1 wherein said wire along at least a part of said leg is surrounded by an electrically insulating sheath.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
15 words
An instrument according to claim 6 wherein said sheath is coaxially surrounded by perfluoropolyethylene tubing.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
20 words
An instrument according to claim 7 wherein said tubing covers no more than 80% of the length of said leg.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
32 words
An instrument according to claim 8 wherein said tubing is coaxially formed as an outer layer along less than 10% of the length of said handle and covers said first end thereof.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
26 words
An instrument according to claim 9 wherein said outer layer of said tubing covers between about 1 and 5 percent of said length of said handle.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
20 words
An instrument according to claim 7 wherein said tubing covers no more than 50% of the length of said leg.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
25 words
An instrument according to claim 1 wherein said handle comprises a stem section and a gripping section, said sections being connected by a coupling means.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
20 words
An instrument according to claim 12 wherein said stem section and gripping section form said respective first and second ends.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
21 words
An instrument according to claim 12 wherein a heat shrinkable tubular outer covering coaxial with said handle forms said coupling means.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
129 words
A method for exposing gingival areas in preparation for a dental implant comprising the steps of: readying for surgery an instrument comprising: (i) an elongated handle with a first and second end; (ii) a leg extended perpendicular to said handle and joined therewith at said first end; (iii) a circular cutting loop oriented in a plane perpendicular to said leg, a distal end of said leg opposite said first end being tangentially joined at a right angle to said loop along a circumference thereof, said loop being formed of a unitary electrically conductive wire that extends into said leg and at least partially into said handle; and passing an electric current through said electrically conductive wire to heat activate said loop; contacting the gingiva with said heat activated loop.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
129 words
A method for exposing gingival areas in preparation for a dental implant comprising the steps of: readying for surgery an instrument comprising: (i) an elongated handle with a first and second end; (ii) a leg extended perpendicular to said handle and joined therewith at said first end; (iii) a circular cutting loop oriented in a plane perpendicular to said leg, a distal end of said leg opposite said first end being tangentially joined at a right angle to said loop along a circumference thereof, said loop being formed of a unitary electrically conductive wire that extends into said leg and at least partially into said handle; and passing an electric current through said electrically conductive wire to heat activate said loop; contacting the gingiva with said heat activated loop.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1997-12-19 | 1998-06-20 | 1998-12-20 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2001-12-19 | 2002-06-20 | 2002-12-20 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2005-12-19 | 2006-06-20 | 2006-12-20 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |