The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Sep. 06, 1994
Filed:
Dec. 02, 1993
G Herbert Hanson, Hamilton, CA;
Hamilton Ortho Inc., Hamilton, CA;
Abstract
A new multi-strand orthodontic arch wire comprises a plurality of wire strands of superelastic shape recovery metal alloy wrapped helically parallel to one another along the length of the wire, the ratio of the longitudinal pitch P of the wire to the external diameter D of the wire being between six and twelve. Such a wire is able to slide more freely in the bracket slots, and is less likely to breakage, than the short pitch wires previously used. A wire with a hollow central core, can also operate as a compression spring by frictionally engaging it with adjacent orthodontic elements, such as brackets, and arranging that its strands are spread radially apart from a neutral configuration, or it can operate as a traction spring by arranging that its strands are closed radially inward from a neutral configuration, the spring action being produced by the urge of the strands to return to the neutral configuration. Cored wires can act as a compression spring, but not as a traction spring. Partial cores strands can be provided to localize the spring action to specific parts of the wire. The wires can be provided with crimpable end members. The shape recovery metal alloy can be any one of nickel/titanium; nickel/titanium/copper; copper/zinc/aluminum; copper/zinc/aluminum/manganese; copper/aluminum/nickel; and copper/aluminum/nickel/manganese.