Patent US5415544A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5415544A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Preloaded thermoplastic dental impression tray
Assignee: 3M Co
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Filing: 1991-02-25
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Granted: 1995-05-16
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Expires: 2011-02-25
Abstract
Abstract PCT No. PCT/US91/01245 Sec. 371 Date Aug. 6, 1992 Sec. 102(e) Date Aug. 6, 1992 PCT Filed Feb. 25, 1991 PCT Pub. No. WO91/12776 PCT Pub. Date Sep. 5, 1991.A preloaded impression tray (5a), comprising a thermoplastic impression material (7) at least partially enveloped by a shell (1a), the thermoplastic impression material being a plasticized solid and having: (i) a softening point that comfortably can be withstood by oral tissues, (ii) sufficient depth in the shell and fluidity when softened to conform accurately to adult dentition and the gingival margin, and (iii) sufficient strength and flexibility when resolidified in the mouth to permit removal of the impression material from teeth without tearing or undesirable distortion.
Inventors
- 👤 Joel D. Oxman
- 👤 F. Andrew Ubel, III
- 👤 Lani S. Kangas
- 👤 Todd R. Williams
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 07:41
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61C; A61C9/00; A61C9/0006; A61C13/00; A61C13/08; A61C13/087; A61K; A61K6/00; A61K6/80; A61K6/884; A61K6/887; A61K6/891; A61K6/893; A61K6/90; C; C08; C08L; C08L67/00; C08L67/02; C08L67/025; C08L67/04; A61C2201/00; A61C2201/007; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S522/00; Y10S522/908; Y10S528/00; Y10S528/92
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
120 words
A method for preparing a dental model using a preloaded impression tray, comprising the steps of: (a) heating a thermoplastic impression material in the tray until the material melts or softens, the material being a solid at 38° C. and having: (i) a softening point that comfortably can be withstood by oral tissues, (ii) sufficient depth in the tray and fluidity when softened to conform accurately to adult dentition and the gingival margin, and (iii) sufficient flexibility when resolidified in the mouth to permit removal of the impression material from teeth without tearing or undesirable distortion; and, after a dental impression has been taken using the tray; (b) pouring a modeling compound into the impression to form a dental model.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
120 words
A method for preparing a dental model using a preloaded impression tray, comprising the steps of: (a) heating a thermoplastic impression material in the tray until the material melts or softens, the material being a solid at 38° C. and having: (i) a softening point that comfortably can be withstood by oral tissues, (ii) sufficient depth in the tray and fluidity when softened to conform accurately to adult dentition and the gingival margin, and (iii) sufficient flexibility when resolidified in the mouth to permit removal of the impression material from teeth without tearing or undesirable distortion; and, after a dental impression has been taken using the tray; (b) pouring a modeling compound into the impression to form a dental model.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
20 words
A method according to claim 1, wherein the impression material comprises an ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer or a segmented polyester.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
16 words
A method according to claim 2, wherein the impression material contains a natural or synthetic plasticizer.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method according to claim 3, wherein the plasticizer comprises cottonseed oil, peanut oil, an adipate ester, or a sebacate ester.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method according to claim 2, wherein at least one of the tray and the impression material comprises a polymerizable resin.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
20 words
A method according to claim 5, further comprising the step of polymerizing the resin after the impression has been taken.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
25 words
A method according to claim 1, wherein the tray has a heat-softenable thermoplastic shell that melts or softens at a temperature less than 60° C.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
16 words
A method according to claim 1, wherein the tray has a rigid metal or plastic shell.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
25 words
A method according to claim 1, wherein the tray has been packaged in a paper or plastic bag, pouch or box before the heating step.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
96 words
A preloaded impression tray comprising a thermoplastic impression material at least partially enveloped by a shell, the thermoplastic impression material being a plasticized solid and having: (i) a softening point that comfortably can be withstood by oral tissues, (ii) sufficient depth in the shell and fluidity when softened to conform accurately to adult dentition and the gingival margin, and (iii) sufficient strength and flexibility when resolidified in the mouth to permit removal of the impression material from teeth without tearing or undesirable distortion, wherein the impression material has a modified consistency disk value greater than 21.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
96 words
A preloaded impression tray comprising a thermoplastic impression material at least partially enveloped by a shell, the thermoplastic impression material being a plasticized solid and having: (i) a softening point that comfortably can be withstood by oral tissues, (ii) sufficient depth in the shell and fluidity when softened to conform accurately to adult dentition and the gingival margin, and (iii) sufficient strength and flexibility when resolidified in the mouth to permit removal of the impression material from teeth without tearing or undesirable distortion, wherein the impression material has a modified consistency disk value greater than 21.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
19 words
A preloaded impression tray according to claim 10, wherein the modified consistency disk value is between 21 and 40.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
19 words
A preloaded impression tray according to claim 10, wherein the modified consistency disk value is between 23 and 30.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
111 words
A preloaded impression tray comprising a thermoplastic impression material at least partially enveloped by a shell, the thermoplastic impression material being a plasticized solid and having: (i) a softening point that comfortably can be withstood by oral tissues, (ii) sufficient depth in the shell and fluidity when softened to conform accurately to adult dentition and the gingival margin, and (iii) sufficient strength and flexibility when resolidified in the mouth to permit removal of the impression material from teeth without tearing or undesirable distortion, wherein the impression material comprises an ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer or segmented polyester, together with a natural or synthetic plasticizer, further comprising a polymerizable resin and a photoinitiator.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
111 words
A preloaded impression tray comprising a thermoplastic impression material at least partially enveloped by a shell, the thermoplastic impression material being a plasticized solid and having: (i) a softening point that comfortably can be withstood by oral tissues, (ii) sufficient depth in the shell and fluidity when softened to conform accurately to adult dentition and the gingival margin, and (iii) sufficient strength and flexibility when resolidified in the mouth to permit removal of the impression material from teeth without tearing or undesirable distortion, wherein the impression material comprises an ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer or segmented polyester, together with a natural or synthetic plasticizer, further comprising a polymerizable resin and a photoinitiator.
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| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
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| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1998-05-15 | 1998-11-14 | 1999-05-16 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
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