US2574180A - Prosthetic devices - Google Patents

Description

Nov. 6, 1951 M. D. HARRIS 2,574,180

PROSTHETIC DEVICES Filed May 14, 1949 54 15 15 II 142 MLVZZ-J'LD.HCLTV i5 10 4 15 3 1r 17 WW *mWHHIIm/Y Patented Nov. 6, 1951 UNHE'ED A STATE% PATENT @FFICE PROSTHETIC DEVICES I h Martin D. Harris, Paterson, N. Application May 14, 1949, Serial No. 93,26?

10 Claims. (Q1- 22-2) This invention relates to dentures, either full Q Where it is necessary to provide dentures, the

wearers thereof are frequently troubled by the loosening of the devices within the mouth. This difliculty is particularly noticeable during chewing at which times an unequal pressure may be placed upon the prosthetic device, causing it to separate from the mouth or gum structure supporting it.

Various attempts have been made to overcome this difliculty, such as providing small suction cups upon the denture adjacent the gums, and using various adhesive pastes and powders. Since the pressure exerted by the powerful jaw muscles is very great, none of the above-mentioned devices has proved satisfactory.

,Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to provide a denture structure which will remain securely within the mouth under all the stresses of mastication and muscular and'tissue pressure.

Another object of this invention is to provide a denture which will cling more firmly in place when unequal pressure is applied thereto.

A further object of this invention is to 'provide a denture assembly which will be more easily fitted initially and more comfortable to wear.

Another object of this invention is to provide a denture structure which will be adapted to utilize the contours of the upper and lower jaw structure to a very great degree, thereby increasing its adaptation.

A feature of this invention is its flexible diaphragm which compensates fordentur'e displacement.

Another feature or this invention is the provision of a fluid or gas filled space beneath the diaphragm to improve the operationthereof.

A further feature of this invention'is the use of the flexible diaphragm to extend into th e undercut portions below jaw membrane and tissues to increase the adaptation of the denture within the mouth.

A feature of this invention is the provision of a valve to replace the fluid below themembrane in the event of leakage.

The invention consists of the construction, combination and arrangement of parts, as herein illustrated, described and claimed.

' In the accompanying drawings'forminga part hereof, is illustrated one form of embodiment of the invention, in which drawings similar reference characters designate corresponding parts, and in, which:

Figure. 1 is a vertical section of a denture, according to this invention, shown with the upper mouth. structure within which it is worn.

Figure 2 is a horizontal section taken on line 2-2 of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a view similar to that shown in Figure 2, with the denture displaced as by a pressure applied to one corner thereof.

Figure 4 is a top plan view of a denture for the lower jaw, according to this invention.

Figure 5 is a sectional view taken on line 5-,-5 of Figure 4.

Referring to the drawings,,-and particularly to Figures'l and 2, It indicates a conventional dental plate adapted for use in the upper portion of the mouth. Teeth II are provided in the said plate ill in the well known manner. Immediately above the plate lilsand between the said plate I0 and the roof of the mouth l2, there is located a thin flexible diaphragm l3. This diaphragm i3 is secured to the plate [0 at its edges, as by vulcanizing, cementing or other suitable means. In this manner a space M is provided between the plate It] and the diaphragm I3.

The space It may be suitably filled with air, a liquid or gas, such as helium, oxygen, etc., so as to provide a cushion between the mouth I2 and the plate II! at all times. A valve I 5 may also be included within the diaphragm is, so that if the fluid escapes fromthe space It, it may be refilled. Alternately, thefluid may be increased by means of the valve l5, to suit the comfort of the wearer.

.The'construction of the present invention, when used in conjunction with prosthetic devices for the lower jaw, is shown in Figures 4 and; 5. The well known rigid plate it is used, said plate having teeth l1 aflixed thereto. However, by reason of'the. present invention, the inner ridge it of the plate It maybe extended well below the point where it is customarily located. The diaphragm I9 is secured along its edges to menuder'side'of the plate [6,so that it will be adjacent the gums 20. The valvemer'nber l 5 previously referred to connection with the upper plate Iii, may beincorporated into the lower plate diaphragm assembly.

The operation of the dentures herein described is as follows:

The prepared prosthetic devices are slipped into the mouth in the well known manner. The diaphragm l3 thereupon extends over the condyles 2i and beyond the ridges into the tissue, increasing the hold of the denture upon the moutn structure. The portion of the diaphragm ad acent the roof of the mouth [2 adapts itself to the mouth, making an air free contact or perfect adaptation therewith. The diaphragm IS on the lower plate 16 is similarly extended into the undercuts 22 below the ridges 20. It will be seen that increasing the pressure upon the dentures will cause the diaphragms l3, ill to grasp the mouth structure supporting the dentures more firmly.

When the wearer of the dentures, made according to this invention, bites upon food at one side of his jaw, as is customary in chewing, there will be a tendency to spring the denture from the roof i2 and sides of the mouth. However, the

force of the bite, as shown in Figure 3, will compress the fiuid or gas within the space M adjacent the point of pressure 23. The fluid will then be forced into that portion of the space l4 which is relieved of pressure, such as is indicated at 24 in Figure 3. Accordingly, air will not be able to rush in behind the denture, and it will remain within the mouth adhering to the structure of the oral cavity by virtue of the expansion of the diaphragm.

The provision of the flexible diaphragm and its adaptability to the contours of the mouth structure supporting the dentures, decreases materially the time-consuming and painful process of fitting and getting accustomed to dentures.

It has also been found that the shape of the jaws changes constantly. The construction presently disclosed will alter itself in accordance with these variations, without the need for new dentures or refitting.

By using a denture construction according to this invention, it will be possible for a dentist to take an impression of the jaw, make the required denture, and fit the patient with the prosthetic device immediately after extraction. Moreover, the denture so supplied will be a permanent one, requiring no subsequent trimming or fitting.

Having thus fully described the invention, what is considered as new, and sought to be covered by Letters Patent of the United States, is:

1. A denture structure comprising, a plate member, a pluralityof teeth carried by the plate member, a diaphragm secured to the said plate and adapted to lie between the entire mouthconforrning inner surface of the plate and the mouth of the wearer, said diaphragm being spaced from the plate member where not attached thereto.

2. A denture structure comprising, a rigid plate member, a plurality of teeth carried by the plate member, a diaphragm secured to the said plate and adapted to lie between the entire mouth-,

conforming inner surface of the plate and the mouth of the wearer, said diaphragm being spaced from the plate member where not attached thereto.

3. A denture structure comprising, a plate member, a plurality of teeth carried by the plate member, a flexible diaphragm secured to the said plate and adapted to lie between the entire mouth-conforming inner surface of the plate and the mouth of the wearer, said diaphragm being spaced from the plate member where not attached thereto.

4. A denture structure compr ing, a plate member, a plurality of teeth carried by the plate member, a diaphragm secured at its edges to the said plate and adapted to lie between the entire mouth-conforming irmer surface of the plate and -the mouth of the wearer, said diaphragm being spaced from the plate member where not attached thereto.

5. A. denture structure comprising, a plate member, a plurality of teeth carried by the plate member, a rigid diaphragm secured at its edges to the said plate as by vulcanizing and adapted to lie between the entire mouth-conforming inner surface of the plate and the mouth of the wearer, said diaphragm being spaced from the plate member where not attached thereto.

. 6. A denture structure comprising, a plate member, a plurality of teeth carried by the plate member, a diaphragm secured to the said plate and adapted to lie between the entire mouthconforming inner surface of the plate and the mouth of the wearer, said diaphragm being spaced from the plate member where not attached thereto and a fluid carried within the said space.

7. A denture structure comprising, a plate member, a plurality of teeth carried by the plate member, a diaphragm secured to the said plate and adapted to lie between the entire mouthconforming inner surface of the plate and the mouth of the wearer, said diaphragm being spaced from the plate member where not attached thereto and a suitable gas carried within the said space.

8. A denture structure comprising, a plate member, a plurality of teeth carried by the plate member, a diaphragm secured to the said plate and adapted. to lie between the plate and the mouth of the wearer, said diaphragm being spaced from the plate member where not attached thereto, a valve carried by the diaphragm communicating with the space, and a fluid carried within the said space.

9. A denture structure comprising, a plate member, a plurality of teeth carried by the plate member, a diaphragm secured to the said plate and adapted to lie between the plate and'the mouth of the wearer, said diaphragm being spaced from the plate member where not attached thereto, a valve carried by the diaphragm communicating with the space, a liquid carried within the said space, and a suitable gas carried within the said space.

10. A denture structure comprising, a rigid plate member, a plurality of teeth carried by the plate member, a flexible diaphragm secured at its edges to the said plate and adapted to lie between the plate and the mouth of the wearer, said diaphragm being spaced from the plate member where not attached thereto, a valve carried by thediaphragm communicating with the space, a liquid carried within the said space, and a suitable gas carried within the said space.

MARTIN D. HARRIS.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES "PATENTS 1,738,626 Willey Dec. 10, 1929

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