Abstract:
A removable orthodontic implant brackets for straightening teeth, wherein the implant is implanted into the palate roof of the mouth, includes a patient removable palate anchor connector as well as patient removable tooth connectors which attach the ends of palatal wires to tabs which are adhesively bonded to a tooth. Due to the geometries of the connectors, the connectors have low insertion and removal forces, positive locking of connected sections, and resist rotation in all planes. During removal, a captive actuator stud is simply pulled up or pressed down to deploy or retract the dual locking studs which operate in a plane orthogonal to the direction of movement.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
         [0001]    The present invention relates to user removable fasteners, such as patient removable orthodontic implant brackets for straightening teeth, wherein the implant is implanted into the palate roof of the mouth. The user removable fastener is also applicable for jewelry clasps and clothing fasteners.  
         BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    Orthodontic appliances utilizing a palate anchor attached to an implant are in use. The palate anchor is rigidly inserted in the palate roof of a mouth. Palatal wires rigidly attached to this anchor terminate at their distal end in an orthodontic tab which is adhesively attached to the surface of a tooth.  
           [0003]    In other applications, a palatal plate conforming to and covering a substantial area of the palate is used instead of the palatal wires. Unlike user removable teeth dentures, these appliances rely upon the high rigidity of their attachments. They must resist twisting and pull-off forces generated by reactions to the beneficial restoring forces they apply. In addition, they must resist the normal rigors encountered while eating and chewing.  
           [0004]    Obviously, such appliances present a challenge to good dental hygiene when they are permanently attached for an extended period.  
           [0005]    This invention creates the opportunity for patient removal of the orthodontic appliance for cleaning; it is then reattached to the palate anchor and distal attachments. No tools are required. These removable attachments approach the rigidity of the permanent attachment techniques which use screws and/or adhesive bonding.  
           [0006]    Some prior art connectors have used ball and socket joints which are spring or elastomer actuated. These do not resist rotation and have pull-out forces which are comparable to the insertion forces. A minimum of three such joints are required to resist rotation in three mutually orthogonal directions.  
           [0007]    Many other types of connectors such as pins and dovetails are available to the dental industry, however it is difficult to adapt these to solve the problem at hand in an efficient and usable compact configuration.  
           [0008]    Among related prior art patents include U.S. Pat. No. 4,447,209 of Sutter which discloses a non-rotational jaw implant consisting of a plurality of grooved cylinders attached circumferentially to the implant.  
           [0009]    U.S. Pat. No. 5,030,094 of Nardi discloses a non-movable palate anchor rigidly attached to orthodontic connectors connecting the palate anchor to the teeth being straightened.  
           [0010]    U.S. Pat. No. 5,092,771 of Tatum discloses a hexagonal attachment of an implant rod to an implant socket.  
           [0011]    U.S. Pat. No. 5,108,288 of Perry discloses a non-rotational jaw implant having a polygonal socket engagable with a polygonal abutment.  
           [0012]    U.S. Pat. No. 5,221,206 of Nardi discloses an anti-rotational fixture for a dental prosthesis consisting of a pair of ball and socket joints joined laterally by a longitudinally extending support bar, to prevent rotation of the respective balls within the respective sockets.  
           [0013]    U.S. Pat. No. 5,413,480 of Musikant discloses a denture attachment member including a ball and socket joint, wherein the spherical ball has two or more protrusions extending through the socket wall to resist rotation of the ball within the socket.  
           [0014]    U.S. Pat. No. 5,433,607 of Schmid discloses a jaw implant having a plurality of anti-rotational spikes anchoring the implant into a jaw bone.  
           [0015]    U.S. Pat. No. 5,456,723 of Steinemann discloses an implantable metallic tooth implant.  
           [0016]    U.S. Pat. No. 5,769,630 of Hoffman discloses a non-movable palate anchored orthodontic bracket.  
           [0017]    U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,312,259 of Kvarnstorm, 5,836,768 of Huskens and 5,697,779 of Sachdeva all disclose anchoring an implant to a adjacent teeth by spanning wires. Kvarnstorm &#39;259 also describes a fixed palate anchor.  
           [0018]    However, the prior art orthodontic connectors are generally configured to resist removal, other than by a dentist using specialized untightening tools.  
         OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION  
         [0019]    It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a user removable fastener in dentistry, jewelry and clothing.  
           [0020]    It is also an object of the present invention to provide a movement resistant orthodontic palate implant bracket which can be easily removed by an orthodontic patient for cleaning and reinsertion within the mouth of the patient.  
           [0021]    Other objects which become apparent from the following description of the present invention.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0022]    In keeping with these objects and others which may become apparent, in contrast to the prior art, this invention describes a user removable fastener, such as a palate anchor connector which attaches the ends of spanning palatal  
           [0023]    wires to orthodontic tabs which are attached to a tooth, such as by adhesive bonding or other suitable attachments.  
           [0024]    Also, in contrast to the prior art, the present invention, by using geometries which separate parameters, creates connectors which have low insertion and removal forces, positive locking of connected sections, and which resist rotation in all planes.  
           [0025]    The user removable fastener includes a detachable palate bracket connector having a movable actuator member therein, wherein said detachable palate bracket connector is in nested engagement with a fixed stationary connector attached to the palate anchor. A similar connector is present at the tooth end of the spanning wire or member connecting the palate bracket to a tooth being straightened.  
           [0026]    In a preferred embodiment, the spanning palate anchor connector is a low profile design which uses dual locking studs to rigidly lock a shell which fits over a custom designed abutment; the latter is screwed or otherwise attached rigidly to an implant. For example, the dual locking studs may rigidly lock a hexagonal or other geometrically shaped shell to fit over a similarly shaped hexagonal or other geometrically shaped abutment attached to an implant.  
           [0027]    The palatal wires or palate plate are bonded to the removable shell while the abutment stays attached to the palate anchor upon removal. A captive actuator stud is simply pulled up or pressed down to deploy or retract the lock, such as a pair of dual locking studs, which operate in a plane orthogonal to the direction of movement. This results in a “dead bolt” type of connection with rotation resistance and alignment for the locking studs provided by the nested geometry, such as, for example, hex-on-hex nesting.  
           [0028]    It can be appreciated that non-hexagonal contours can be used as well as long as they provide nesting and anti-rotation features. Some examples are a round contour with a flat region, square, or octagonal shapes.  
           [0029]    The tooth connectors at the opposite end of the spanning palatal wires or palate plate use a small lock, such as a protrusion on a tab which is bonded to a tooth. For example, the protrusion may be a small cubic protrusion. A conformable socket member with a cavity, such as cubic end cavity is attached to the end of a palatal wire. A hole which is in positional registration in both the protrusion and the socket is then used to prevent pull-out of the two mated parts by inserting a captive locking stud through the hole. Pulling up on the stud releases the two parts. The square protrusion in the square cavity resists rotation while the locking stud prevents pull-out. Non-square rectangular as well as other shapes can also be used.  
           [0030]    The method of removal simply involves unlocking the palate anchor connector followed by unlocking the tooth connectors. Then the palate connector shell is lifted off the abutment and the appliance is moved back slightly to disconnect the tooth connectors; the appliance is then free. Reinsertion is just the reverse process ending with locking of the palate anchor connector.  
           [0031]    The preferred embodiment has uses hollow shells or sockets detachable from fixed abutments therein, to provide a cap over the connectors to minimize food bacteria lodging on the connectors. However, other configurations are possible, such as an upwardly open fixed abutment shell having a detachable rod with a movable actuator therein.  
           [0032]    In the jewelry clasp and clothing fastener applications, similar devices can be used for easy locking and unlocking of tiny jewelry pieces, as well as for quickly fastening and unfastening of clothes. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0033]    The present invention can best be understood in connection with the accompanying drawings. It is noted that the invention is not limited to the precise embodiments shown in drawings, in which:  
         [0034]    [0034]FIG. 1 is a perspective top view of an upper maxillary jaw palate with an anchored orthodontic appliance using the connectors of this invention;  
         [0035]    [0035]FIG. 2 is a perspective exploded view of the palate anchor connector thereof;  
         [0036]    [0036]FIG. 3 is a side crossectional view of shell of the palate connector taken along line  3 - 3  of FIG. 2, showing the relation of an actuator stud;  
         [0037]    [0037]FIG. 4 is a bottom view of a shell of the palate connector, showing the formation of the retention bar by selective material removal;  
         [0038]    [0038]FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an elastomeric sleeve insert with locking studs;  
         [0039]    [0039]FIG. 6 is a side crossectional view of the palate anchor connector in a locked position;  
         [0040]    [0040]FIG. 7 is a side crossectional view of the palate anchor connector in an unlocked position;  
         [0041]    [0041]FIG. 8 is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of an insert with integral locking studs;  
         [0042]    [0042]FIG. 9 is a perspective exploded view of another embodiment for a tooth connector used with the palate connectors shown in FIGS.  2 - 8 ;  
         [0043]    [0043]FIG. 10 is a side elevational view of a locking stud for the tooth connector as in FIG. 9;  
         [0044]    [0044]FIG. 11 is a side elevational view of the locked tooth connector as in FIG. 9;  
         [0045]    [0045]FIG. 12 is a top plan view of another alternate embodiment for an abutment with an insert of a preferred embodiment of a palate anchor connector;  
         [0046]    [0046]FIG. 13 is a side view of an actuator stud of the preferred embodiment of FIG. 12;  
         [0047]    [0047]FIG. 14 is a bottom view of the shell of the preferred embodiment of FIG. 12;  
         [0048]    [0048]FIG. 15 is a top plan view of yet another embodiment for a alternate spring metal insert for the preferred embodiment;  
         [0049]    [0049]FIG. 16 is a side elevation view of an alternate embodiment of actuator stud with a mechanical captivating feature;  
         [0050]    [0050]FIG. 17 is a bottom plan view of a palate connector shell with captive actuator stud of the alternate embodiment;  
         [0051]    [0051]FIG. 18 is a top plan view of a contour of an alternate embodiment for a palate anchor connector in the shape of a circle with a flat facet;  
         [0052]    [0052]FIG. 19 is a top plan view of a contour of another alternate embodiment for a palate anchor connector in the shape of a square;  
         [0053]    [0053]FIG. 20 is a top plan view of a contour of a further alternate embodiment for a palate anchor connector in the shape of an octagon;  
         [0054]    [0054]FIG. 21 is a side elevational view of an alternate embodiment for a jewelry fastener; and,  
         [0055]    [0055]FIG. 22 is a side elevational view of an alternate embodiment for a clothing fastener. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0056]    FIGS.  1 - 20  herein describes various patient removable orthodontic palate brackets for removing palate brackets for the mouth for hygienic cleaning thereof.  
         [0057]    For example, FIG. 1 shows an upper maxillary jaw with an anchored orthodontic appliance  1  attached to palate  2  by palate anchor connector  4  of this invention, to which are attached palatal wires  5 . Distal ends of wires  5  are attached through tooth connectors  6  of this invention to teeth  3 . While FIG. 1 shows an upper maxillary jaw, the present invention can also be used with a lower mandibular jaw, where clearance is provided for movement of the tongue during chewing and speech.  
         [0058]    [0058]FIG. 2 shows an exploded view of the two parts that make up the palate anchor connector of this invention. This includes abutment  10  which is rigidly attached to an implant by well known methods such as an anti-rotation fixture and screw. While other geometric configurations are applicable, FIG. 2 shows abutment  10  having a hexagonal outer contour that fits into (in a nesting relationship) to a recess (not shown) in hexagonal shell  11 , to which palatal wires  5  are bonded (as by welding or soldering). The cap  20  of a connector actuator is shown as well as lock stud hole  14 . Abutment  10  has lock stud holes  13  and a major circular recess  16  with extensions  17 . An elastomeric insert  12  is shown within recess  16 .  
         [0059]    [0059]FIG. 3 is a side elevational view with shell  11  in crossection and actuator stud  15  with end chamfer  23 , slot  26 , and retention groove  22 . Bar  25  permits actuator  15  to slide up and down by virtue of slot  26 . Actuator  15  is prevented from getting dislodged (when pulled up) by end constraint  24  which bridges slot  26  thereby captivating actuator  21 . Constraint  24  can be welded shut or brazed or soldered (if metallic), or an adhesive paste can be used to bridge the gap after stud  15  is inserted over bar  25 .  
         [0060]    The underside view of shell  11  in FIG. 4 shows how bar  25  is formed by selectively removing circular sector areas  27  from the top surface as by using a punch or by electrical discharge machining (EDM).  
         [0061]    Insert  12  is shown in FIG. 5. Locking studs  31  with heads  32  are inserted through holes  30  from the interior surface of insert  12 , which is a short length of a circular crossection elastomeric tube. Optional adhesive bonding of studs  31  to insert  12  is recommended but not required. By pressing insert  12  so that stud heads  32  are touching, it can be inserted into recess  16  by alignment with extensions  17  such that the straight ends of studs  31  will then enter holes  13  when compression is released. This action retains insert  12  within circular recess  16 . To further insure retention of insert  12  within recess  16  and to deny the regions of extensions  17  to contamination, an elastomeric caulk can be used to fill these regions.  
         [0062]    [0062]FIG. 6 is a side crossectional view of palate anchor connector  4  in the locked configuration with actuator  15  pressed down. The sides  21  of actuator stud  15  push locking studs  31  outward by compressing sleeve  12  thereby engaging holes  14  of shell  11 . At the same time, the upper edge of sleeve  12  rolls over into retention groove  22  to offer some additional pull-out resistance to actuator stud  21  besides the friction offered by the compressed sleeve  12 .  
         [0063]    [0063]FIG. 7 shows the same scene, but with actuator stud  15  pulled up to its top most position against constraint  24 . FIG. 7 shows that elastomeric insert  12  has now returned to it uncompressed configuration, thereby pulling locking studs  31  inward releasing shell  11 , so that it can now just be lifted off abutment  10 .  
         [0064]    [0064]FIG. 8 shows an alternate embodiment of insert  40  which is a substitute for elastomeric insert  12 . This is a length of oval spring tubing such as stainless steel. Tabs  41  are formed at the major diameter at opposite ends of the top edge. Locking studs  42  are welded or otherwise attached to the opposite sides as shown. By pressing sides of insert  40  and aligning it with extensions  17 , it can be popped into recess  16  of abutment  10  in much the same manner as described for insert  12 . Locking studs  42  are normally biased to retain insert  40  within recess  16  by studs  42 , but they will not extend to engage shell  11  by extending into holes  14  until actuator stud  15  is pushed down, thereby reforming oval insert  40  into a circular shape. This action also brings tabs  41  into engagement with retention groove  22 , thereby contributing to a greater pull-out resistance for actuator  15 . The operation is the same as for the use of elastomeric insert  12 .  
         [0065]    [0065]FIG. 9 shows an exploded view of tooth connector  6  attached to tooth  3 . One part includes an adhesively bonded tab  50  with a protrusion  51 , such as a cubic protrusion, having a through hole  53  inside relief recess  52 . The other part is a hollow member or housing  58  such as a hollow cubic member, attached to the distal end of palatal wire  5 . The opening in the end of housing  58  is sized to receive cubic protrusion  51  in a reasonably tight fit. Captive locking stud  54  with cap  55  and flat side  56  slides through member  58  through holes in the top and bottom surface. A small plate  57  attached to member  58  makes locking stud  54  captive so as not to pose a choking or airway hazard.  
         [0066]    In FIG. 10, step  59  at the distal end of stud  54  can be seen; this interacts with plate  57  to comprise the captive aspect. Thus plate  57  is attached (as by welding, soldering, or adhesive bonding) to housing member  58  after stud  56  is inserted through the top hole.  
         [0067]    [0067]FIG. 11 shows a side view of the attached and locked connector  6 . When stud  54  is fully engaged as shown, bottom retention groove interacts with leaf spring  60  (attached to housing  58 ) to click in place giving the user a tactile and sound cue as to the successful latching of connector  6 . Recess  52  in the top surface of protrusion  51  aids in the easy removal of housing  58  when locking stud  54  is raised to its highest position since it may protrude slightly below the inside surface of housing  58 .  
         [0068]    FIGS.  2 - 8  describe an embodiment for a palate connector  4  using two locking studs  31  to lock together shell  11  to abutment  10 . While this provides adequate pull-out resistance and rigidity, if the tolerances relating the side walls, height dimensions and hole locations of shell  11  and abutment  10  are not exact, there is the possibility of slight rocking movement using diametrically opposite locking studs  31  (or  42 ) as pivots.  
         [0069]    Therefore, to deny the pivoting possibility while increasing rigidity of the overall connection in the same space, a preferred embodiment using three locking studs is described in FIGS.  12 - 15 .  
         [0070]    For example, FIG. 12 shows abutment  80  with three side holes  13  spaced 120 degrees apart. Recess  83  is circular and does not require relief areas (such as recess extension  17  in FIG. 2) since locking studs  82  no longer interfere with each other during the deformation of elastomeric ring  81  during insertion in recess  83 . Actuator stud  86  with retention groove  90  and round shaft  88  has three flat areas  89  spaced 120 degrees apart which engage flat areas  96  (see FIG. 14) in the top surface of shell  94 . Cut out  95  in the center of shell  94  is punched out or formed by electrical discharge machining (EDM), to receive the shaft  88  of actuator stud  86 . Contours  97  guide the circular regions. By sliding shaft  88  into cut out  95  and then attaching spherical segment  91  in a concentric manner to the distal end of shaft  88 , three steps  92  will engage three flats  96  to prevent disengagement of actuator stud  86  from shell  94 .  
         [0071]    In addition, shell  94  has three holes  14  in positional registration with three holes  13  of abutment  80  when these two parts are assembled.  
         [0072]    [0072]FIG. 15 shows the top contour  101  of a short length of a tubular spring illustrating an alternative to elastomeric ring  81 . Subassembly  100  has three welded or otherwise attached locking studs  102  spaced 120 degrees apart. Tabs  103  at the top edge engage retention groove segments  90  in actuator stud  86  when it is fully down in the locking position.  
         [0073]    A variety of materials compatible with dental appliance manufacture can be used to fabricate palate anchor connector  4  and tooth connectors  6 . For example, rigid parts can be fabricated from metals such as gold alloy, titanium or stainless steel, or from plastic resins or ceramics. Metallic spring members can be fabricated from stainless steel or titanium alloys. Elastomers can be selected from a variety of thermoplastic elastomers (TPE&#39;s), rubber, or silicone.  
         [0074]    Variations in details of palate anchor connector  4  are possible. For example an alternate embodiment of actuator stud  15  is shown in FIG. 16. Actuator stud  200  still has familiar features such as central slot  26  and bevel  23 , however double nibs  202  and single nib  201  emanate from distal end  203  adjacent to slot  26 .  
         [0075]    [0075]FIG. 17 shows that these form a mechanical captivating technique to keep actuator stud  200  attached to shell  11 . By bending over dual nibs  202  and single nib  201  90 degrees toward slot  26 , after insertion through the top surface of shell  11 , they engage bar  25  to prevent withdrawal from shell  11 . This embodiment is most compatible with a casting fabrication technique using ductile material such as gold alloy. Other mechanical techniques for retaining an actuator stud in lieu of constraint  24  formed by welding, solder, or adhesive involve the use of snap lock features or of tight fit dovetail elements near the distal end of slot  26 .  
         [0076]    Alternatively, nibs (not shown) could be pre-bent at an angle each forming a wedge having an undercut surface which enables them to be initially inserted downward and slid in place, but which undercut surfaces of the nibs resist upward movement when moved in an opposite direction against bar  25  to prevent withdrawal of shell  11 .  
         [0077]    Palate anchor connector  4  relies upon the nested engagement of a shell over a similarly contoured abutment (which resist relative rotation) and the use of one or more locking studs which penetrate both shell and abutment when engaged. Embodiments with two and three locking studs using a hexagonal contour have been described in this invention. Both elastomeric means as well as metallic cylindrical spring elements have been described as means to withdraw the locking studs when an actuator stud is withdrawn upward from the shell. These salient features permit the use of palate connectors  4  of a variety of contours with one or more locking studs operated in a similar fashion to the two or three stud embodiments detailed in this invention.  
         [0078]    For example, an actuator stud can engage any number of locking studs by design. Top views of usable alternate contours for shells and abutments are shown in FIGS.  18 - 20 . Since a circular contour would not resist relative rotation between shell and abutment, the circular contour with a flat or facet  220  as shown in FIG. 18 can be used. Similarly, a square  221  (FIG. 19) or an octagon  222  of FIG. 20 can be used. Less useful is a triangular shape because of the less favorable ratio of perimeter to enclosed area; this area must accommodate the moving mechanical elements.  
         [0079]    [0079]FIG. 21 illustrates an application of the palate anchor connector described in FIGS. 12 through 15 to creating a hidden connector for items such as jewelry which is easy to use and provides great attachment security. Necklace  150  shows the ease with which the mechanism can be incorporated. Precious metal matching the material of the piece is used. Many variations are possible. Precious stone  151  is retained in a setting  152  attached to cap  20  of the actuator stud. The action to connect or disconnect the necklace is facilitated by pulling up lightly (to disconnect) or pressing down lightly to a “click” (to lock together) on stone  151 . This mechanism is incorporated by attaching left side base  154  to shell  94 . Right side base  155  with extension  156  is attached to abutment  80  (not shown in this view.within shell  94 ). Side stones  158  and  159  create the illusion of a continuous central section. Decorative chain  157  of any design is unbroken with a clasp. Necklace  150  is easily attached or detached by the user from the front with no fumbling or help required. It can be appreciated that similar techniques can be used to incorporate such a connection in a bracelet as well.  
         [0080]    An enlarged version of the palate anchor connector of FIGS. 12 through 15 can also be used for clothing, creating a fast rugged method of providing closures for jackets and coats as shown in FIG. 22.  
         [0081]    This system can also be used as a substitute for snaps such as for men&#39;s trousers; these will not “pop off” unexpectedly. Shell  94  and abutment  80  manufactured of molded plastic. Actuator stud  89  with cap  20  and attached grasp button  183  can also be molded. Shown in crossection, bottom grasp ring  171  is rigidly attached to shell  94  while ring  172  is press fit over shell  94  to crimp onto fabric layer  175  which a plain hole.  
         [0082]    Alternatively, shell  94  can be attached to cloth layer  175  by sewing. Abutment  80  attached to platform  180  with holes in its periphery to sew onto an unbroken fabric layer  176 .  
         [0083]    [0083]FIG. 22 shows connector  170  in a disconnected state prior to reattachment by pressing down on button  183  after shell  94  seats onto abutment  80 . Alternatively, a crimping system can be used for attachment.  
         [0084]    In the foregoing description, certain terms and visual depictions are used to illustrate the preferred embodiment. However, no unnecessary limitations are to be construed by the terms used or illustrations depicted, beyond what is shown in the prior art, since the terms and illustrations are exemplary only, and are not meant to limit the scope of the present invention; as noted in the appended claims.  
         [0085]    It is further known that other modifications may be made to the present invention, without departing the scope of the invention, as noted in the appended claims.