US6168601B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Lock reduction device and method
Assignee: COSTANTINI MARIA LAURA
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Filing: 1999-05-14
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Granted: 2001-01-02
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Expires: 2019-05-14
Abstract
Abstract A device for distracting a temporomandibular joint and repositioning an antetiorly dislocated disc in a patient comprises upper and lower elongated members coupled together by a pivotal, slidable and releasable coupling. This versatile coupling is accomplished by providing the upper member with a longitudinally extending cavity and the lower member with a roller configured for translation within the cavity. Each member includes a handle at one end and an opposite distal tip configured for engaging posterior teeth of the upper and lower jaws. The lower member includes a clamp for adjustably securing the patient's mandible to the lower member. A method of using the device comprises positioning the device in the patient's mouth so that the distal tips are seated on upper and lower posterior teeth of the patent, squeezing the handles together to distract the joint, and sliding the lower member anteriorly (toward the opening of the mouth) relative to the upper member.
Inventors
- 👤 Giuseppe Martini
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 10:29
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B17/00; A61B17/02; A61B17/025
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 23
Claim 1
Independent Claim
104 words
A device for distracting a temporomandibular joint of a patient, comprising: an elongated first member having a handle at one end and an opposite distal tip configured for engaging teeth of an upper jaw; and an elongated second member having a handle at one end and an opposite distal tip configured for engaging teeth of a lower jaw, the second member being pivotally and slidably coupled to the first member, the coupling being configured so that squeezing the handles together while sliding the handles longitudinally relative to each other causes the distal tips to move apart vertically and longitudinally to distract the temporomandibular joint.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
104 words
A device for distracting a temporomandibular joint of a patient, comprising: an elongated first member having a handle at one end and an opposite distal tip configured for engaging teeth of an upper jaw; and an elongated second member having a handle at one end and an opposite distal tip configured for engaging teeth of a lower jaw, the second member being pivotally and slidably coupled to the first member, the coupling being configured so that squeezing the handles together while sliding the handles longitudinally relative to each other causes the distal tips to move apart vertically and longitudinally to distract the temporomandibular joint.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
19 words
The device of claim 1 , wherein the coupling between the first and second members further permits releasable movement.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
27 words
The device of claim 1 , wherein the distal tips are provided with resin material having bite registrations with the teeth of the upper and lower jaws.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
28 words
The device of claim 1 , wherein the first member includes a longitudinally extending cavity, and the second member includes a roller configured for translation within the cavity.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
30 words
The device of claim 4 , wherein the cavity is partly defined by side walls having rails, and the roller includes laterally extending posts configured to ride in the rails.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
29 words
The device of claim 4 , wherein the cavity is partly defined by a top wall, and the roller includes a wheel configured to roll along the top wall.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
32 words
The device of claim 1 , wherein the distal tip of the first member is an upwardly facing receptacle, and the distal tip of the second member is a downwardly facing receptacle.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
11 words
The device of claim 7 , wherein each receptacle is perforated.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
27 words
The device of claim 1 , wherein the handle of the first member includes at least one of a thumb-stop, a thumb catch, and a palm grip.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
28 words
The device of claim 1 , wherein the handle of the second member includes at least one of a forefinger catch, a tubular section, and a little-finger grip.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
88 words
A device for distracting a temporomandibular joint of a patient, comprising: an elongated first member having a handle at one end and an opposite distal tip configured for engaging teeth of an upper jaw; and an elongated second member having a handle at one end and an opposite distal tip configured for engaging teeth of a lower jaw, the second member being movably coupled to the first member, wherein the second member includes a clamp configured to adjustably secure a mandible of the patient to the second member.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
88 words
A device for distracting a temporomandibular joint of a patient, comprising: an elongated first member having a handle at one end and an opposite distal tip configured for engaging teeth of an upper jaw; and an elongated second member having a handle at one end and an opposite distal tip configured for engaging teeth of a lower jaw, the second member being movably coupled to the first member, wherein the second member includes a clamp configured to adjustably secure a mandible of the patient to the second member.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
47 words
The device of claims 11 , wherein the clamp comprises: a blade extending generally perpendicularly from the second member, the blade having teeth along front and rear edges; an adjustable slide bar configured to slide on the blade; and a chin support mounted on the slide bar.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
20 words
The device of claim 12 , wherein the chin support is adjustably mounted on the slide bar by a screw.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
120 words
A device for repositioning an anteriorly dislocated disc in a temporomandibular joint of a patient, comprising: an elongated upper member having a handle at one end and an opposite end having an upwardly facing surface configured for engaging posterior teeth of an upper jaw; and an elongated lower member having a handle at one end and an opposite end having a downwardly facing surface configured for engaging posterior teeth of a lower jaw, the lower member being pivotally and slidably coupled to the upper member, the coupling being configured so that squeezing the handles together while sliding the handles longitudinally relative to each other causes the distal tips to move apart vertically and longitudinally to reposition the anteriorly dislocated disc.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
120 words
A device for repositioning an anteriorly dislocated disc in a temporomandibular joint of a patient, comprising: an elongated upper member having a handle at one end and an opposite end having an upwardly facing surface configured for engaging posterior teeth of an upper jaw; and an elongated lower member having a handle at one end and an opposite end having a downwardly facing surface configured for engaging posterior teeth of a lower jaw, the lower member being pivotally and slidably coupled to the upper member, the coupling being configured so that squeezing the handles together while sliding the handles longitudinally relative to each other causes the distal tips to move apart vertically and longitudinally to reposition the anteriorly dislocated disc.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
19 words
The device of claim 14 , wherein the coupling between the upper and lower members further permits releasable movement.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
27 words
The device of claim 14 , wherein the distal tips are provided with resin material having bite registrations with the teeth of the upper and lower jaws.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
28 words
The device of claim 14 , wherein the upper member includes a longitudinally extending cavity, and the lower member includes a roller configured for translation within the cavity.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
30 words
The device of claim 17 , wherein the cavity is partly defined by side walls having rails, and the roller includes laterally extending posts configured to ride in the rails.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
29 words
The device of claim 17 , wherein the cavity is partly defined by a top wall, and the roller includes a wheel configured to roll along the top wall.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
26 words
The device of claim 14 , wherein the lower member includes a clamp configured to adjustably secure a mandible of the patient to the lower member.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2004-01-02 | 2004-07-03 | 2005-01-02 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2008-01-02 | 2008-07-03 | 2009-01-02 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2012-01-02 | 2012-07-03 | 2013-01-02 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |