US 12,440,312 B2
Palatal expansion device
Brent M. Ganey, Omaha, NE (US); and Judith A. Scott, Omaha, NE (US)
Assigned to WEST GARDEN, LLC, Omaha, NE (US)
Filed by West Garden, LLC, Omaha, NE (US)
Filed on Jan. 11, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/095,673.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/302,868, filed on Jan. 25, 2022.
Prior Publication US 2023/0233292 A1, Jul. 27, 2023
Int. Cl. A61C 7/10 (2006.01)
CPC A61C 7/10 (2013.01) 14 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A palatal expansion device, comprising:
an expansion unit comprising:
a jackscrew comprising a first external threaded portion and a second external threaded portion, wherein the first external threaded portion includes a first handedness and the second external threaded portion includes a second handedness which is opposite to the first handedness, wherein the jackscrew defines a plurality of holes between the first external threaded portion and the second external threaded portion, wherein the plurality of holes are revolved around an axis of the jackscrew;
a first body member mated to the jackscrew;
a second body member mated to the jackscrew, wherein turning the jackscrew causes the first body member to translate relative to the second body member;
a mechanical turn counter, wherein the mechanical turn counter is one of housed by the first body member and coupled to the first external threaded portion or housed by the second body member and coupled to the second external threaded portion, wherein the mechanical turn counter is configured to count a number of turns of the jackscrew; and
a direction limiter configured to prevent compression of the first body member relative to the second body member, wherein the direction limiter is one of housed by the first body member and coupled to the first external threaded portion or housed by the second body member and coupled to the second external threaded portion, wherein the direction limiter is configurable between an expansion setting and a compression setting, wherein the direction limiter is configured to permit expansion and prevent compression of the first body member relative to the second body member in the expansion setting, wherein the direction limiter is configured to prevent expansion and permit compression of the first body member relative to the second body member in the compression setting.