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:
Mar. 13, 2012
Filed:
Aug. 26, 2005
Koji Tsukuma, Sagamihara, JP;
Toru Tsuyoshi, Sagamihara, JP;
Koji Tsukuma, Sagamihara, JP;
Toru Tsuyoshi, Sagamihara, JP;
Tosoh Corporation, Shunan-shi, JP;
Abstract
An orthodontic bracket is comprised of a translucent ceramic containing at least 99.5 wt % of alumina, and having an absorption/scattering coefficient of at most 2.8 mmfor visible light at a wavelength of 550 nm and a bending strength of, at least 700 MPa. This bracket is obtained, for example, by sintering a molded body of highly-pure alumina fine powder at a temperature of from 1,200° C. to 1,300° C. to obtain a sintered body composed of crystals having a relative density of from 96% to 99.5% and an average crystal grain size of at most 1 μm, and thereafter subjecting the sintered body to an HIP treatment at a temperature of from 1,200° C. to 1,350° C. and under a pressure of at least 50 MPa. Such an orthodontic bracket has high strength and high translucency, can be processed into a complicated shape, similar to that of a metal bracket, and maintains excellent translucency.