Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 55
Claim 1
Independent Claim
89 words
A combination distraction dental implant comprising: a hollow coronal component; an apical component, said coronal component movable with respect to said apical component, said apical component having at least one surface initially contiguous with at least one surface of said hollow coronal component; and at least one expansion component having: (a) mechanically connecting means for securing said hollow coronal component to said apical component, and (b) expansion gap means for controllably expanding in situ the distance between said contiguous surfaces of said hollow coronal component and said apical component.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
89 words
A combination distraction dental implant comprising: a hollow coronal component; an apical component, said coronal component movable with respect to said apical component, said apical component having at least one surface initially contiguous with at least one surface of said hollow coronal component; and at least one expansion component having: (a) mechanically connecting means for securing said hollow coronal component to said apical component, and (b) expansion gap means for controllably expanding in situ the distance between said contiguous surfaces of said hollow coronal component and said apical component.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
30 words
The combination distraction dental implant of claim 1 wherein the combined hollow coronal component and the apical component are about 4.0 mm in diameter and about 8.0 mm in length.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
26 words
The combination distraction dental implant of claim 1 wherein the hollow coronal component and the apical component are each made of commercially pure Grade IV titanium.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
49 words
The combination distraction dental implant of claim 1 wherein the outer surface of both the hollow coronal component and the apical component is covered with a surface coating extending about 1.0 mm from the superior aspect of the hollow coronal component along the entire remaining length of both components.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
27 words
The combination distraction dental implant of claim 1 wherein the interior surfaces of the hollow coronal component and the interior surfaces of the apical component are threaded.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
27 words
The combination distraction dental implant of claim 5 wherein the treads are orientated clockwise starting about 2.0 mm from the superior aspect of the hollow coronal component.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
26 words
The combination distraction dental implant of claim 1 wherein the apical component further comprises: means for reducing rotation of the implant once integrated with the bone.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
32 words
The combination distraction dental implant of claim 7 wherein the rotation reducing means comprises: three oblong apical vents about 1.0 mm in diameter located about 1.0 mm superior to the apical component.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
35 words
The combination distraction dental implant of claim 1 wherein the hollow portion of the coronal component extends completely therethrough and the apical component has a hollow portion extending about one half of the way therethrough.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
49 words
The combination distraction dental implant of claim 9 wherein the combined hollow portions are stepped with the apical portion, about a two (2.0) mm portion, having about a two (2.0) mm diameter and the coronal portion, about a four (4.0) mm portion, having about a three (3.0) mm diameter.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
68 words
The combination distraction dental implant of claim 10 wherein the about two (2.0) mm superior, coronal, portion of the hollow inner portion has a hexagonal configuration, with the apical portion about one half (0.5) mm flared outward forming a knife edge junction and the remaining inner portion of the about two (2.0) mm long portion, of the about three (3.0) mm wide portion is round, with clockwise threads.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
26 words
The combination distraction dental implant of claim 1 wherein the hollow about two (2) mm diameter portion of the apical component is round, with clockwise threads.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
35 words
The combination distraction dental implant of claim 1 wherein the hollow coronal component and the apical component are each about 4.0 mm long with the interface between the two components having no noticeable gap therebetween.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
149 words
A method for the distraction of bone comprising the steps of: providing a three component distraction device including a hollow coronal component, an apical component and a connecting component or a first expansion component; placing the combination distraction device in a predetermined site where bone regeneration is required; allowing the combination distraction device to become integrated into the bone; ensuring that osseous incorporation of the combination distraction device into the bone has been accomplished; performing a corticotomy in the buccal bone at the level of the contiguous surfaces of two of the three components of the combination distraction device to form a distraction gap; educating the patient as to the care and activation of the three component combination distraction device; after allowing for a period of initial healing, maneuvering the connecting component thereby separating the coronal component and the apical component to widen the distraction gap in the bone.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
149 words
A method for the distraction of bone comprising the steps of: providing a three component distraction device including a hollow coronal component, an apical component and a connecting component or a first expansion component; placing the combination distraction device in a predetermined site where bone regeneration is required; allowing the combination distraction device to become integrated into the bone; ensuring that osseous incorporation of the combination distraction device into the bone has been accomplished; performing a corticotomy in the buccal bone at the level of the contiguous surfaces of two of the three components of the combination distraction device to form a distraction gap; educating the patient as to the care and activation of the three component combination distraction device; after allowing for a period of initial healing, maneuvering the connecting component thereby separating the coronal component and the apical component to widen the distraction gap in the bone.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method of claim 14 further comprising the step of: cutting the buccal cortex vertically to create two vertical bicortical osteotomies extending from the horizontal cut to about the crest of the dental ridge.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 15 further comprising the step of: completing the vertical osteotomies with a thin osteotome.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 14 further comprising the step of: educating the patient to make the adjustment necessary to widen the gap each day.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method of claim 14 further comprising the step of: closing an incision made prior to placing the three component distraction device such that initial connecting components extend through the mucosa, initially.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 14 further comprising the steps of: providing a plurality of expansion components, each being incrementally sized by about 5.0 mm.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of claim 19 further comprising the steps of: if greater bone growth is required after the maximal distraction gap advancement achieved by the first expansion component, removing the first expansion component.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method of claim 20 further comprising the steps of: replacing the first expansion component with the next longer sized expansion component; and reinitiating the distraction process such that further bone regeneration is achieved.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 21 further comprising the steps of: after sufficient bone growth is achieved, removing the last expansion component; and installing an abutment.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 22 further comprising the step of: allowing sufficient time for the new bone to completely ossify.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 23 further comprising the step of: installing the final dental prosthesis.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
79 words
The method of claim 14 wherein the three component distraction device comprises: a hollow coronal component; a partially hollow apical component initially having at least one contiguous surface with at least one surface of the hollow coronal component; and at least one connecting component for: (a) operatively connecting the hollow coronal component and the partially hollow apical component, and (b) controllably expanding the distance between the contiguous surfaces of the hollow coronal component and the partially hollow apical component.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 14 wherein the distraction gap in the bone is widened from about 0.5 mm to about 2.0 mm per day.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
169 words
An in-situ, combination distraction and dental implant system comprising: a) an apical member having a top surface; b) a coronal member comprising internal threads and a bottom surface, said bottom surface of said coronal member facing said top surface of said apical member; and c) a rod-like connecting and distraction member, comprising a first set of external threads matingly engageable with said internal threads of said coronal member and rotation enabling means for facilitating mechanical incremental rotation of said connecting and distraction member with respect to said coronal member, said system further comprising vertical movement limit means for preventing relative vertical movement beyond a predetermined point of said connecting and distraction member with respect to said apical member as said connecting and distraction member is rotated with respect to said coronal member, such that incremental rotation of said connecting and distraction member causes said coronal member to vertically separate from said apical member and create a correspondingly-sized vertical gap between said top and said bottom surfaces for distraction osteogenesis.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
169 words
An in-situ, combination distraction and dental implant system comprising: a) an apical member having a top surface; b) a coronal member comprising internal threads and a bottom surface, said bottom surface of said coronal member facing said top surface of said apical member; and c) a rod-like connecting and distraction member, comprising a first set of external threads matingly engageable with said internal threads of said coronal member and rotation enabling means for facilitating mechanical incremental rotation of said connecting and distraction member with respect to said coronal member, said system further comprising vertical movement limit means for preventing relative vertical movement beyond a predetermined point of said connecting and distraction member with respect to said apical member as said connecting and distraction member is rotated with respect to said coronal member, such that incremental rotation of said connecting and distraction member causes said coronal member to vertically separate from said apical member and create a correspondingly-sized vertical gap between said top and said bottom surfaces for distraction osteogenesis.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
44 words
A combination distraction and dental implant system as claimed in claim 27 wherein said apical member is provided with exterior surface means for enhancing integration with bone and for inhibiting rotation of said apical member with respect to bone after commencement of distraction osteogenesis.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
45 words
A combination distraction and dental implant system as claimed in claim 28 wherein said exterior surface means comprises at least one of a) external surface irregularities and b) vents located on the external surface of said apical member and extending inwardly into said apical member.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
20 words
A combination distraction and dental implant system as claimed in claim 29 wherein said external surface irregularities comprise screw threads.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
18 words
A combination distraction and dental implant system as claimed in claim 27 wherein said apical member is cylindrical.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
40 words
A combination distraction and dental implant system as claimed in claim 27 wherein said apical member provides said vertical movement limit means comprising a blind bore defining a contact surface for the distal end of said connecting and distraction member.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
25 words
A combination distraction and dental implant system as claimed in claim 32 wherein two or more connecting and distraction members are provided of different length.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
48 words
A combination distraction and dental implant system as claimed in claim 27 further comprising a rod-like initial connecting member having exterior threads at its distal end and said apical member comprises a set of internal screw threads matingly engageable with said exterior threads of said initial connecting member.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
38 words
A combination distraction and dental implant system as claimed in claim 34 wherein said initial connecting member is further provided with a second set of external threads which matingly engage with said internal screw of said coronal member.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
29 words
A combination distraction and dental implant system as claimed in claim 27 wherein said connecting and distraction member comprises a prosthesis securing means for support of a dental prosthesis.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
17 words
A combination distraction and dental implant system as claimed in claim 36 further comprising a dental prosthesis.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
21 words
A combination distraction and dental implant system as claimed in claim 36 wherein said prosthesis securing means comprises a shaped keyhole.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
26 words
A combination distraction and dental implant system as claimed in claim 36 wherein said prosthesis securing means and said rotation enabling means comprise a shaped keyhole.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
32 words
A combination distraction and dental implant system as claimed in claim 36 wherein said system further comprises a cap and threaded-segment portion securable to said prosthesis securing means of said coronal member.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
56 words
A combination distraction and dental implant system as claimed in claim 40 wherein said threaded-segment portion is provided with external screw threads which matingly engage with said internal threads of said coronal member and said cap portion is provided with keyhole shaped means for facilitating rotation and securing of said cap portion to said coronal member.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
29 words
A combination distraction and dental implant system as claimed in claim 27 wherein said external threads of said connecting and distraction member do not extend along its full length.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
18 words
A combination distraction and dental implant system as claimed in claim 27 wherein said coronal member is cylindrical.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
43 words
A combination distraction and dental implant system as claimed in claim 27 wherein said coronal member is provided with exterior surface means for enhancing integration with bone and inhibiting rotation of the coronal member with respect to bone after commencement of distraction osteogenesis.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
21 words
A combination distraction and dental implant system as claimed in claim 44 wherein said exterior surface means comprises external screw threads.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
52 words
A combination distraction and dental implant system as claimed in claim 27 further comprising an initial connecting member formed of two sections, a first set of external threads being on the first of said two sections and said second section being of a different diameter than said first of said two sections.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
50 words
A combination distraction and dental implant system as claimed in claim 46 wherein said apical member is provided with internal threads and said second section of said initial connecting member is provided with a second set of external threads which matingly engage with said internal threads of said apical member.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
25 words
A combination distraction and dental implant system as claimed in claim 27 wherein two or more connecting and distraction member are provided of different length.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
36 words
A combination distraction and dental implant system as claimed in claim 27 wherein said coronal member is cylindrical and said internal threads define an axial bore extending along a central longitudinal axis of said coronal member.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
35 words
A combination distraction and dental implant system as claimed in claim 49 wherein said connecting and distraction member extends through said coronal member and at least partially into a blind bore of said apical member.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
67 words
A combination distraction dental and implant system as claimed in claim 27, wherein said vertical movement limit means comprises a blind bore of said apical member defining a contact surface and the distal end of said connecting and distraction member, the length of said connecting and distraction member being sufficient to extend through said coronal member and into contact with said contact surface of said apical member.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
22 words
A combination distraction and dental implant system as claimed in claim 27 wherein said rotation enabling means comprises an axially-located shaped key.