Osmotic orthodontic appliance

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2016331950-A1
Application number	US-201514840856-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Aug 31, 2015
Priority date	May 15, 2015
Publication date	Nov 17, 2016
Grant date	—

Abstract

The present invention provides an osmotic orthodontic appliance, comprising: an actuation structure forming a hollow tube filled with a supersaturated solution; a dental aligner structure mounted on the actuation structure for fixing the actuation structure on teeth; and a pumping structure connected one end of the hollow tube, comprising a semipermeable device and a supporting structure. The osmotic orthodontic appliance of the present invention could provide steady movement and force output; it is a solution for the periodic actuation problem of conventional orthodontic appliances.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1 . An osmotic orthodontic appliance, comprising:
an actuation structure forming a hollow tube filled with a supersaturated solution; a dental aligner structure mounted on the actuation structure for fixing the actuation structure on teeth; and a pumping structure connected with one end of the hollow tube, comprising a semipermeable device and a supporting structure, wherein the supporting structure supports the semipermeable device.

2 . The osmotic orthodontic appliance of claim 1 , wherein the hollow tube has a sealing coating on inner surface thereof.

3 . The osmotic orthodontic appliance of claim 2 , wherein the sealing coating is polydimethylsiloxane.

4 . The osmotic orthodontic appliance of claim 1 , wherein the actuation structure, the dental aligner structure and the pumping structure are made of a thermoplastic polymer material.

5 . The osmotic orthodontic appliance of claim 1 , wherein the actuation structure is made of polylactic acid.

6 . The osmotic orthodontic appliance of claim 1 , wherein the dental aligner structure is made of polyurethane.

7 . The osmotic orthodontic appliance of claim 1 , wherein the semipermeable device is a semipermeable membrane.

8 . The osmotic orthodontic appliance of claim 7 , wherein the semipermeable membrane is made of cellulose, aromatic polyamide, polyimide, polyfurane or thermoplastic polyurethane.

9 . The osmotic orthodontic appliance of claim 1 , wherein the actuation structure has a partially inflated structure.

Assignees

• Nat Univ Tsing Hua

Inventors

• Su Yu-Chuan

Classifications

• A61C7/08

  Mouthpiece-type retainers {or positioners, e.g. for both the lower and upper arch (arch-shaped medicament applicators for teeth or gums A61C19/063; mouthguards for protecting the teeth of sportsmen A63B71/085)} · CPC title

• A61M31/002 Primary

  Devices for releasing a drug at a continuous and controlled rate for a prolonged period of time (artificial gland structures or devices A61F2/022; intra-uterine contraceptive devices A61F6/14; tampons for introducing into the vagina A61F13/20, A61L15/00; suppositories or bougies for intra-vaginal or intra-uterine application A61K9/02; physical forms of medicinal preparations for sustained or differential drug release A61K9/20, A61K9/50) · CPC title

• A61M2210/0637

  Teeth · CPC title

• A61C7/10 Primary

  Devices having means to apply outwardly directed force, e.g. expanders · CPC title

• A61M2205/0216

  Materials providing elastic properties, e.g. for facilitating deformation and avoid breaking · CPC title