Dentistry – Prosthodontics – Holding or positioning denture in mouth
Reexamination Certificate
2000-02-17
2001-10-09
Manahan, Todd E. (Department: 3732)
Dentistry
Prosthodontics
Holding or positioning denture in mouth
C433S175000, C433S215000, C623S023480
Reexamination Certificate
active
06299448
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to surgical implants intended for the augmentation, repair, and restoration of soft tissue (e.g. gingiva or cartilage), hard tissue (e.g. bone), and the like. More particularly, the present invention relates to the in vivo anchoring of cast implants by stent-like anchors made of a shape memory alloy and/or polymers which are desirably covered with a textile sleeve of a specific porosity. The in vivo cast implants are formed using reaction injection molding (RIM) amenable polymers or similar in vivo polymerized reactive polymer systems which are introduced into the anchor assembly positioned in natural body cavities (such as those which exist after tooth extraction) or in man-made holes, such as in orthopedic surgical procedures.
BACKGROUND OF RELATED TECHNOLOGY
The present invention is desirably used in minimally invasive procedures such as restorative dentistry and arthroscopy.
As the lifespan of people has increased, so to has the need for permanent dental replacements. Restorative dentistry encompasses efforts to conserve and restore decayed, defective, missing, and traumatically injured teeth, thereby promoting the dental health and achieving the aesthetic desires of the patient.
In the dental field, polymers are recognized as important components of composite restorative materials.
Methods and devices for the delivery and cure of materials within the oral cavity are known. For example U.S. Pat. No. 4,368,040 to Weissman (“Weissman”) discloses a preparation of dental prostheses which relies on the use of molds of body parts in order to cast or otherwise form prosthetic replacement parts. U.S. Pat. No. 5,156,777 to Keye (“Keye”) discloses the use of three-dimensional data obtained from an organ site to prepare a life-size model of an organ site, which in turn is used to cast a prosthetic implant.
Further, U.S. Pat. No. 5,015,183 to Fenick (“Fenick”) discloses a preformed dental stent and a method of use which includes taking a negative impression of a patients tooth which is to be augmented and restored in order to provide a guide for drilling the cavity for a repair. This concept is utilized in a variety of applications to assist with positioning and fixation of dental implant, predominantly into an original tooth, as seen in U.S. Pat. No. 5,133,660 to Fenick, U.S. Pat. No. 5,246,370 to Coatoam, U.S. Pat. No. 5,320,529 to Pompa, U.S. Pat. No. 5,350,297 to Cohen, and U.S. Pat. No. 5,613,852 to Bavitz.
A problem with dental implants is that they are rather invasive and occasionally rejected by the body and expelled from the implantation site, such as the tooth socket (alveolus), referred to hereinafter as the “cavity”. Another concern is that current techniques employ repetitive surgery, implantation, healing and correction of the prosthesis. These procedures are typically repeated as may times as necessary to achieve the desired dental prosthesis implantation to the bone, as well as the appropriate stabilization. Consequently, these techniques are typically associated with a great deal of pain and inconvenience to the patient, as well as with the expenditure of excessive efforts and time by the oral surgeon, thereby resulting in higher treatment costs.
Therefore, exists a need for a device, such as a dental prosthetic, and a method for the implantation of the device that not only enhances the opportunity for fixation of the device in the desired location, thereby increasing the functionality of the device, but also eases the pain, discomfort, inconvenience and cost realized by both the patient and the dental surgeon. The present invention is directed towards meeting these and other needs.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, in one aspect of the present invention there is provided an improved implantation method and device for augmentation, repair and restoration of teeth, bone, cartilage and similar tissues.
In another aspect of this invention there is provided a stent-like anchor, such as a coil, helix, mesh, tube and device of similar geometry which is made of one or more memory shape alloys and which are covered by porous materials formed into a sleeve or similar covering, to affect fixation and stabilization of an implant into a cavity. The utilization of coverings of selected porosity stimulates ingrowth of soft or hard tissues surrounding the implant, thereby promoting healing and immobilization of the prosthetic device. The stent-like anchor and porous covering are herein known as the “stent assembly”.
In yet another aspect of the present invention there is provided sustained delivery of medicine or biologically active species for therapeutic or tissue ingrowth control by the release of the medicine or biological species from the coating of the porous covering. Alternatively, the medication or biological species may be incorporated within the porous covering.
In yet another aspect of the present invention there is provided an improved restoration method and system by including an in vivo cast implant using RIM-amenable or similar in vivo formed and/or polymerized material. Such material fills an alveolar or other cavity lined by the stent-assembly. The polymerization of the RIM-amenable material and its in vivo formation produces heat. This exothermic reaction triggers the shape memory function within the stent material to shape it into a tight fit within the cavity.
In yet another aspect of the present invention there is provided the placement and casting in of an additional securement device such as an anchor, post or pin. This is desirably added contemporaneously with delivery of the RIM-amenable material, in order to provide additional functionality to the implant, such as the ability to attach a crown.
The present invention is desirably used for the implantation of a prosthetic device, such as, for example, the replacement of a tooth following the total extraction of a diseased tooth. Such restorative dentistry as used in the present invention is desirably accomplished through a minimally invasive surgical procedure.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4252525 (1981-02-01), Child
patent: 5015183 (1991-05-01), Fenick
patent: 5211658 (1993-05-01), Clouse
patent: 5219287 (1993-06-01), Mishihara
patent: 5951288 (1999-09-01), Sawa
patent: 6042380 (2000-03-01), De Rowe
patent: 6162244 (2000-12-01), Braun et al.
Zdrahala Ivanka J.
Zdrahala Richard J.
Hoffmann & Baron , LLP
Manahan Todd #E.
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