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:
Aug. 28, 2001
Filed:
Jun. 16, 2000
Applicant:
Inventors:
John J. Palmer, Monrovia, CA (US);
John S. Kelly, Arcadia, CA (US);
James D. Hansen, Pasadena, CA (US);
Assignee:
3M Innovative Properties Company, St. Paul, MI (US);
Attorney:
Primary Examiner:
Int. Cl.
CPC ...
A61C 3/00 ;
U.S. Cl.
CPC ...
A61C 3/00 ;
Abstract
An orthodontic appliance such as a bracket or buccal tube is made of a stainless steel alloy that includes chromium, nickel and precipitates of titanium. The alloy imparts a relatively high strength to the appliance and is resistant to corrosion. Optionally, the appliance has structural sections that are smaller than corresponding sections of comparable appliances when made of conventional stainless steel alloys used in orthodontic appliances. As a consequence, the appliance is more aesthetic when mounted on a tooth of a patient undergoing treatment.