US6394806B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Snap-in healing cap
Assignee: Nobel Biocare USA LLC
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Filing: 2000-09-14
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Granted: 2002-05-28
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Expires: 2020-09-14
Abstract
Abstract A healing cap is provided for covering of an implant installed in a patient's mouth. The healing cap comprises a proximal end and a distal end. The proximal end is adapted to be inserted within a coronal opening formed in the implant. The healing cap further includes resilient fingers for engaging corresponding surfaces formed within the coronal opening of the implant. The distal end of the healing cap can include an indentation for receiving a snapping portion of a removal tool.
Inventors
- 👤 Ajay Kumar
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 04:08
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61C; A61C8/00; A61C8/008; A61C8/0089
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 54
Claim 1
Independent Claim
86 words
A healing cap for covering a top surface of an implant installed in a patient's jawbone, the healing cap comprising a proximal end and a distal end, said proximal end being configured with one or more resilient prongs adapted to be inserted into a coronal opening formed in said implant and to snappingly engage and secure said healing cap to said implant, wherein said distal end includes an indentation having a neck with a diameter smaller than a diameter of a lower portion of said indentation.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
86 words
A healing cap for covering a top surface of an implant installed in a patient's jawbone, the healing cap comprising a proximal end and a distal end, said proximal end being configured with one or more resilient prongs adapted to be inserted into a coronal opening formed in said implant and to snappingly engage and secure said healing cap to said implant, wherein said distal end includes an indentation having a neck with a diameter smaller than a diameter of a lower portion of said indentation.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
53 words
The impression healing cap of claim 1 , wherein one or more of said resilient prongs comprises one or more protrusions adapted to snappingly engage one or more corresponding recesses formed within said coronal opening of said implant so as to create an audible/tactile feedback upon inserting said healing cap into the implant.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
37 words
The healing cap of claim 1 , wherein said one or more resilient prongs and protrusions are adapted to apply a latent downward force to said healing cap when said healing cap is inserted into said implant.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
21 words
The healing cap of claim 1 in combination with a dental implant adapted to matingly and snappingly receive said healing cap.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
30 words
The healing cap of claim 1 wherein said distal end is adapted to completely cover said top surface of said implant when said healing cap is inserted into said implant.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
31 words
The healing cap of claim 1 in combination with a removal tool comprising one or more prongs adapted to be matingly and snappingly received in said indentation of said healing cap.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
15 words
The healing cap of claim 6 , wherein said one or more prongs are resilient.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
16 words
The healing cap of claim 6 , wherein said one or more prongs are not resilient.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
46 words
The healing cap of claim 6 , wherein said one or more prongs of said removal tool are adapted such that a first removal force is required to remove said one or more prongs from said indentation after said removal is inserted into said healing cap.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
58 words
The healing cap of claim 9 , wherein said one or more resilient prongs and protrusions of said healing cap are adapted such that a second removal force is required to remove said healing cap from said implant after said healing cap is inserted into said implant, said first removal force being greater than said second removal force.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
15 words
The healing cap of claim 1 , wherein said healing cap is made of plastic.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
85 words
A healing cap for covering a top surface of an implant installed in a patient's jawbone, the healing cap comprising a proximal end and a distal end, said proximal end being configured with one or more resilient prongs adapted to be inserted into a coronal opening formed in said implant and to snappingly engage and secure said healing cap to said implant, wherein said one or more resilient prongs are made of plastic and said distal end is made of a material other than plastic.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
85 words
A healing cap for covering a top surface of an implant installed in a patient's jawbone, the healing cap comprising a proximal end and a distal end, said proximal end being configured with one or more resilient prongs adapted to be inserted into a coronal opening formed in said implant and to snappingly engage and secure said healing cap to said implant, wherein said one or more resilient prongs are made of plastic and said distal end is made of a material other than plastic.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
27 words
The healing cap of claim 12 , wherein said distal end is made of at least one of a group consisting of titanium, stainless steel and ceramic.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
72 words
A healing cap for covering a top surface of an implant installed in a patient's jawbone, said healing cap comprising a first end adapted to be snappingly mated to said implant and comprising a second end adapted to completely cover said top surface of said implant, wherein said distal end is configured with an indentation having an neck with a diameter smaller than a diameter of a lower portion of said indentation.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
72 words
A healing cap for covering a top surface of an implant installed in a patient's jawbone, said healing cap comprising a first end adapted to be snappingly mated to said implant and comprising a second end adapted to completely cover said top surface of said implant, wherein said distal end is configured with an indentation having an neck with a diameter smaller than a diameter of a lower portion of said indentation.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
57 words
A The impression healing cap of claim 14 , wherein said first end includes one or more of resilient prongs including one or more protrusions adapted to snappingly engage one or more corresponding recesses formed within a coronal opening of said implant so as to create an audible/tactile feedback upon inserting said healing cap into the implant.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
44 words
The healing cap of claim 14 , wherein said first end includes one or more resilient prongs and one or more protrusions that are adapted to apply a latent downward force to said healing cap when said healing cap is inserted into said implant.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
25 words
The healing cap of claim 14 wherein combination with a dental implant adapted to matingly and snappingly receive said first end of said healing cap.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
27 words
The healing cap of claim 14 in combination with a removal tool comprising one or more prongs adapted to be matingly and snappingly received in said indentation.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
19 words
The healing cap of claim 18 , wherein said one or more prongs of said removal tool are resilient.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
20 words
The healing cap of claim 18 , wherein said one or more prongs of said removal tool are not resilient.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
47 words
The healing cap of claim 18 , wherein said one or more prongs of said removal tool are adapted such that a first removal force is required to remove said one or more prongs from said indentation after said removal tool is inserted into said healing cap.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
58 words
The healing cap of claim 21 , wherein said one or more resilient prongs and protrusions of said healing cap are adapted such that a second removal force is required to remove said healing cap from said implant after said healing cap is inserted into said implant, said first removal force being greater than said second removal force.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
15 words
The healing cap of claim 14 , wherein said healing cap is made of plastic.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
66 words
A healing cap for covering a top surface of an implant installed in a patient's jawbone, said healing cap comprising a first end adapted to be snappingly mated to said implant and comprising a second end adapted to completely cover said top surface of said implant, wherein said first end is made of plastic and said second end is made of a material other than plastic.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
66 words
A healing cap for covering a top surface of an implant installed in a patient's jawbone, said healing cap comprising a first end adapted to be snappingly mated to said implant and comprising a second end adapted to completely cover said top surface of said implant, wherein said first end is made of plastic and said second end is made of a material other than plastic.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
27 words
The healing cap of claim 24 , wherein said second end is made of at least one of a group consisting of titanium, stainless steel and ceramic.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
67 words
A healing cap for covering a top surface of a dental implant installed in a patient's mouth, said healing cap being snappingly mated to said implant and comprising a cover portion for covering a coronal opening and a top surface of said implant, wherein said cover portion includes an indentation having a neck with a diameter smaller than a diameter of a lower portion of said indentation.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
67 words
A healing cap for covering a top surface of a dental implant installed in a patient's mouth, said healing cap being snappingly mated to said implant and comprising a cover portion for covering a coronal opening and a top surface of said implant, wherein said cover portion includes an indentation having a neck with a diameter smaller than a diameter of a lower portion of said indentation.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
46 words
The impression healing cap of claim 26 , wherein said healing cap is mated to said implant by one or more of resilient prongs comprising one or more protrusions adapted to snappingly engage one or more corresponding recesses formed within said coronal opening of said implant.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
37 words
The healing cap of claim 26 , wherein said one or more resilient prongs and protrusions are adapted to apply a latent downward force to said healing cap when said healing cap is inserted into said implant.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
27 words
The healing cap of claim 26 in combination with a removal tool comprising one or more prongs adapted to be matingly and snappingly received in said indentation.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
19 words
The healing cap of claim 29 , wherein said one or more prongs of said removal tool are resilient.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
20 words
The healing cap of claim 29 , wherein said one or more prongs of said removal tool are not resilient.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
51 words
The healing cap of claim 29 , wherein said one or more prongs of said removal tool are adapted such that a first removal force is required to remove said one or more prongs from said indentation of said healing cap after said removal tool is inserted into said healing cap.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
97 words
The healing cap of claim 32 , wherein said healing cap is mated to said implant by one or more of said resilient prongs comprising one or more protrusions adapted to snappingly engage one or more corresponding recesses formed within said coronal opening of said implant, wherein said one or more resilient prongs and protrusions of said healing cap are adapted such that a second removal force is required to remove said healing cap from said implant after said healing cap is inserted into said implant, said first removal force being greater than said second removal force.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
15 words
The healing cap of claim 26 , wherein said healing cap is made of plastic.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
74 words
A healing cap for covering a top surface of a dental implant installed in a patient's mouth, said healing cap being snappingly mated to said implant and comprising a cover portion for covering a coronal opening and a top surface of said implant, wherein said healing cap is mated to said implant by one or more resilient prongs being made of plastic and said cover portion is made of a material other than plastic.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
74 words
A healing cap for covering a top surface of a dental implant installed in a patient's mouth, said healing cap being snappingly mated to said implant and comprising a cover portion for covering a coronal opening and a top surface of said implant, wherein said healing cap is mated to said implant by one or more resilient prongs being made of plastic and said cover portion is made of a material other than plastic.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
27 words
The healing cap of claim 35 , wherein said cover portion is made of at least one of a group consisting of titanium, stainless steel and ceramic.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
98 words
A healing cap for covering a top surface of an implant installed in a patient's jawbone, the healing cap comprising a proximal end and a distal end, said proximal end being sized and adapted to be inserted within a coronal opening formed in said implant, said healing cap further comprising resilient snap means for snappingly engaging corresponding surfaces formed within the coronal opening of said implant, said distal end comprising an cover portion adapted to cover the top surface of said implant, further comprising snap receiving means for snappingly engaging one or more prongs of a removal tool.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
98 words
A healing cap for covering a top surface of an implant installed in a patient's jawbone, the healing cap comprising a proximal end and a distal end, said proximal end being sized and adapted to be inserted within a coronal opening formed in said implant, said healing cap further comprising resilient snap means for snappingly engaging corresponding surfaces formed within the coronal opening of said implant, said distal end comprising an cover portion adapted to cover the top surface of said implant, further comprising snap receiving means for snappingly engaging one or more prongs of a removal tool.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
15 words
The healing cap of claim 37 , wherein said healing cap is made of plastic.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
103 words
A healing cap for covering a top surface of an implant installed in a patient's jawbone, the healing cap comprising a proximal end and a distal end, said proximal end being sized and adapted to be inserted within a coronal opening formed in said implant, said healing cap further comprising resilient snap means for snappingly engaging corresponding surfaces formed within the coronal opening of said implant, said distal end comprising in cover portion adapted to cover the top surface of said implant, wherein said resilient snap means are made of plastic and said cover portion is made of a material other than plastic.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
103 words
A healing cap for covering a top surface of an implant installed in a patient's jawbone, the healing cap comprising a proximal end and a distal end, said proximal end being sized and adapted to be inserted within a coronal opening formed in said implant, said healing cap further comprising resilient snap means for snappingly engaging corresponding surfaces formed within the coronal opening of said implant, said distal end comprising in cover portion adapted to cover the top surface of said implant, wherein said resilient snap means are made of plastic and said cover portion is made of a material other than plastic.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
27 words
The healing cap of claim 39 , wherein said cover portion is made of at least one of a group consisting of titanium, stainless steel and ceramic.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
54 words
A removal tool for removing a healing cap that is snappingly mated to a dental implant installed in a patient's mouth, said removal tool including a handle and one or more prongs adapted to be matingly and snappingly received in an indentation of said healing cap, wherein said one or more prongs are resilient.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
54 words
A removal tool for removing a healing cap that is snappingly mated to a dental implant installed in a patient's mouth, said removal tool including a handle and one or more prongs adapted to be matingly and snappingly received in an indentation of said healing cap, wherein said one or more prongs are resilient.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
119 words
A removal tool for removing a healing cap that is snappingly mated to a dental implant installed in a patient's mouth, said removal tool including a handle and one or more prongs adapted to be matingly and snappingly received in an indentation of said healing cap, wherein said one or more prongs of said removal tool are adapted such that a first removal force is required to remove said one or more prongs from said indentation after said removal tool is inserted into said healing cap and said first removal force is greater than a second removal force that is required to remove said healing cap from said implant after said healing cap is snappingly mated to said implant.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
119 words
A removal tool for removing a healing cap that is snappingly mated to a dental implant installed in a patient's mouth, said removal tool including a handle and one or more prongs adapted to be matingly and snappingly received in an indentation of said healing cap, wherein said one or more prongs of said removal tool are adapted such that a first removal force is required to remove said one or more prongs from said indentation after said removal tool is inserted into said healing cap and said first removal force is greater than a second removal force that is required to remove said healing cap from said implant after said healing cap is snappingly mated to said implant.
Claim 53
Independent Claim
127 words
A method of installing and removing a healing cap for covering a top surface of an implant installed in a patient's jawbone, comprising: inserting a proximal end of said healing cap into a coronal opening of said implant until said proximal end snappingly engages and secures said healing cap to said implant by applying a latent downward force on said implant, inserting a snapping portion of a removal tool into a top portion of said healing cap such that a first removal force which is greater than a second removal force required to remove said healing cap from said implant is required to remove said removal tool from said top portion; separating said healing cap from said implant by moving said removal tool away from said implant.
Claim 54
Independent Claim
127 words
A method of installing and removing a healing cap for covering a top surface of an implant installed in a patient's jawbone, comprising: inserting a proximal end of said healing cap into a coronal opening of said implant until said proximal end snappingly engages and secures said healing cap to said implant by applying a latent downward force on said implant, inserting a snapping portion of a removal tool into a top portion of said healing cap such that a first removal force which is greater than a second removal force required to remove said healing cap from said implant is required to remove said removal tool from said top portion; separating said healing cap from said implant by moving said removal tool away from said implant.
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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) | 2005-05-27 | 2005-11-26 | 2006-05-28 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2009-05-27 | 2009-11-26 | 2010-05-28 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2013-05-27 | 2013-11-26 | 2014-05-28 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |