Patent ID: 7780445
Filing Date: 2010-08-24
Classification: A61C

Abstract:
1. A palatal expansion device comprising: a. at least one screw, wherein the screw connects with at least two blocks, the block having an opening for receiving the screw; b. one or more stabilizers attached to the blocks; c. a built-in activation arm attached to a ratchet housing, wherein the ratchet housing comprising one or more pockets to guide movement of a pin, wherein the pin, slidably transects the screw, at the one or more pockets; d. a ratchet housing disk attached to the housing to thereby enclose the pin and the one or more pockets; and e. an elastic member, secured to the activation arm and to any component of the device including the stabilizer or one of the blocks, to retract the activation arm after activation; wherein, when activated, the activation arm engages the ratchet housing having the pin, the pin engages the screw, and the screw moves the one or more blocks, to thereby allow essentially unidirectional rotation of the screw.