Connecting rod for dental arch splints

Abstract

The invention relates to a connecting rod for dental arch splints comprising: a rod (40) extending longitudinally and having two opposite ends (42, 44); two connecting tabs (46, 48) extending respectively from said two opposite ends (42, 44), said two tabs defining two distinct planes P1, P2, substantially parallel to each other and inclined with respect to said rod (40). Said rod (40) has a central zone (54) having four ribs (56, 58, 60, 62) arranged in pairs opposite each other, forming a cross-section. Figure to be published with the abbreviation: Fig. 3

Description

Title of the invention: Connecting rod for dental arch splints

[0001] The present invention relates to a connecting rod for dental arch splints.

[0002] One field of application envisaged is in particular that of mandibular advancement orthoses.

[0003] Mandibular advancement orthoses comprise two dental arch splints mounted articulated relative to each other by means of two connecting rods to be able to maintain the mandible, i.e. the dental arch of the lower jaw, in propulsion during the sleep phase.

[0004] Thanks to these intraoral devices, better air circulation is obtained in the upper airways of the subjects who use them and therefore, snoring and sleep apnea are reduced.

[0005] The connecting rods described in document EP2143397 in particular, comprise a longitudinal rod having two opposite ends respectively provided with connecting tabs. Each of the connecting tabs has a fixing orifice.

[0006] Furthermore, the two connecting tabs define two distinct substantially parallel planes inclined relative to the longitudinal rod in order to be able to connect the two superimposed gutters according to an anteroposterior component.

[0007] In fact, usually, the upper gutter intended for the dental arch of the upper jaw comprises two posterior connecting pivots extending in two opposite directions from each other, and the lower gutter intended for the dental arch of the lower jaw comprises two opposite anterior connecting pivots. Also, the two posterior connecting pivots are spaced from each other by a distance greater than that which separates the two anterior connecting pivots.

[0008] Thus, the connecting rods, generally molded from a polymer material, are installed on each side of the two gutters so as to connect respectively the front connecting pivots and the rear connecting pivots. The tabs then extend respectively substantially perpendicular to the connecting pivots while the rod of the connecting rods is substantially inclined relative to these connecting pivots.

[0009] Thus, the connecting rods are intended to keep the two gutters in a fixed position and to keep the lower gutter in propulsion.

[0010] However, in certain subjects, the connecting rods undergo significant axial deformations which can cause the relative movement of the two gutters.

[0011] Also, a problem which arises and which the present invention aims to solve is to provide connecting rods which make it possible to resist the relative movement of the two gutters for all subjects.

[0012] For this purpose, and according to a first object, a connecting rod for gutters is proposed. dental arch comprising: a rod extending longitudinally and having two ends opposite each other; two connecting tabs respectively extending said two opposite ends, said two tabs defining two distinct planes substantially parallel to each other and inclined relative to said rod. And, said rod comprises a median zone having four ribs, two by two opposite, forming a cross-shaped cross section.

[0013] Thus, a characteristic of the invention lies in the implementation of connecting rods whose rod has a central zone of cross-section. In this way, thanks to the ribs, less deformation under stress is obtained of the connecting rods according to the invention, compared to connecting rods according to the prior art where the rod is generally of circular or elliptical cross-section, and this for the same section dimension. In other words, for the same quantity of materials, better resistance to deformation is obtained.

[0014] The method of controlling and measuring the deformation of the connecting rods under stress will be explained in more detail in the remainder of the description.

[0015] Also, said two legs each have a receiving zone of cylindrical symmetry with a circular directrix curve and defining two axes of symmetry substantially parallel to each other. The cylindrical receiving zones make it possible to accommodate the connecting members of the gutters and more particularly the pivots. The latter can thus be force-fitted into the cylindrical receiving zones of the legs of the connecting rods in order to be able to pair the gutters.

[0016] Advantageously, said cylindrical symmetry receiving zone of one of said legs is open at C opposite the end of said rod. In this way, the leg of the connecting rod can be forcibly engaged astride the pivot as will be explained below.

[0017] Furthermore, the other of said legs preferably has a conical bearing surface adjacent to said cylindrically symmetrical receiving zone. In this way, the conical bearing surface facilitates the forceful engagement of the pivot in an axial direction in the receiving zone of the leg.

[0018] According to a particularly advantageous embodiment of the invention, said median zone of said rod has an internal lateral rib opposite an external lateral rib, and said lateral ribs extend respectively into said ends, widening and thinning as they approach said legs.

[0019] In this way, the two opposite ends are reinforced as one approaches the two legs.

[0020] Also, said middle zone of said rod has an upper rib opposite a lower rib, and said lower and upper ribs extend res respectively in said ends, narrowing and diverging as said lateral ribs widen. In this way, the two opposite ends of the rods are further reinforced.

[0021] Preferably, said rod and said two connecting tabs are molded together in a single piece from a polymer material. They are for example molded from polyoxymethylene. This polymer has the advantage of having a high tensile modulus.

[0022] According to another object, there is provided an intraoral device, comprising two gutters adapted to be installed on the dental arches of the lower and upper jaws of a subject, and said two gutters are connected together by two connecting rods as described above. Thus, thanks to the connecting rods according to the invention, the two gutters are held in a fixed position relative to each other when they are placed in the oral cavity, for a large majority of subjects.

[0023] Preferably, one of said gutters comprises two posterior connecting members extending opposite one another, while the other of said gutters comprises two anterior connecting members extending opposite one another, and each of said two connecting rods connects a posterior member of said one of said gutters to an anterior member of the other of said gutters. In other words, the two connecting rods extend laterally opposite one another relative to the median plane of the gutters, and according to an anteroposterior component. In this way, they are very little prominent and they do not cause any discomfort to the subject when falling asleep.

[0024] Other features and advantages of the invention will emerge from reading the description given below of a particular embodiment of the invention, given for informational purposes but not as a limitation, with reference to the appended drawings in which:

[0025] [Fig.l] is a schematic three-quarter perspective view from the front left of an intraoral device according to the invention;

[0026] [Fig.2] is a schematic side view of an element of the object of [Fig.l];

[0027] [Fig.3] is a schematic top view of the element shown in [Fig.2]; and,

[0028] [Fig.4] is a schematic sectional view of the object of [Fig.l] according to plane IV - IV.

[0029] [Fig.l] shows an intraoral device 10 according to the invention comprising an upper gutter 12 intended to engage in a dental arch of the upper jaw, and a lower gutter 14 intended to engage with a lower dental arch.

[0030] The gutters 12, 14 are applied against each other along a joint plane Pj. In addition, they have a common median plane Pm.

[0031] Thus, the upper gutter 12 has two upper branches, an upper right branch 16 and an upper left branch 18 symmetrical to each other by report to the median plane Pm.

[0032] The upper right branch 16 has a right front upper end 20 and opposite a right rear upper end 22, while the upper left branch 18 has a left front upper end 24 and opposite a left rear upper end 26. Also, the right front upper ends 20 and left front upper ends 24 converge towards each other and join, while the right rear upper ends 22 and left rear upper ends 26 are independent and spaced apart from each other. The gutter 12 thus has a general V shape.

[0033] Symmetrically with respect to the joint plane Pj, the lower gutter 14 has two lower branches, a lower right branch 16' and a lower left branch 18' symmetrical to each other with respect to the median plane Pm.

[0034] The lower right branch 16' has a lower front right end 20' and opposite a lower rear right end 22', while the lower left branch 18' has a lower front left end 24' and opposite a lower rear left end 26'. Also, the lower front right ends 20' and front left ends 24' converge towards each other and join, while the lower rear right ends 22' and rear left ends 26' are independent and spaced apart from each other.

[0035] Also, the upper gutter 12 has a right posterior pivot 28 extending laterally from the right rear end 22 of the right upper branch 16 and opposite, a left posterior pivot 30 extending laterally from the left rear end 26 of the left upper branch 18 and coaxially with the right posterior pivot 28 along an axis P.

[0036] Furthermore, the lower gutter 14 comprises a right front pivot 32 extending laterally from the right front end 20' of the right lower branch 16' and opposite, a left front pivot 34 extending laterally from the left front lower end 24' of the left lower branch 18'.

[0037] The two front pivots 32, 34 extend coaxially along an axis A.

[0038] Also, taking into account the general V shape of the upper 12 and lower 14 gutters, the rear pivots 28, 30 of the upper gutter 12 are further apart from each other than the front pivots 32, 34 of the lower gutter 14.

[0039] The two gutters 12, 14 are thus paired by means of two lateral connecting rods, a right connecting rod 36 and opposite, a left connecting rod 38. The two connecting rods 36, 38 are respectively mounted articulated, on the right rear pivot 28 and the right front pivot 32 on the one hand, and on the left rear pivot 30 and the left front pivot 34 on the other hand.

[0040] The connecting rods 36, 38 will be detailed in relation to [Fig.2], [Fig.3] and [Fig.4]. Thus, in [Fig.2] we find, seen from the side, the right connecting rod 36.

[0041] It will first be observed that the connecting rod 36 has a plane of symmetry Ps, so that it can be installed on the left side or the right side of the gutters 12, 14. In other words, the left connecting rod 38 and the right connecting rod 36 are identical.

[0042] The connecting rods 36, 38 are molded in one piece from a polymer material. Here they are molded from polyoxymethylene.

[0043] Also, the connecting rod 36 has a rod 40, which has a first end 42, and opposite, a second end 44.

[0044] The connecting rod 16 comprises a first connecting lug 46 extending in the extension of the first end 42, and opposite, a second connecting lug 48 extending in the extension of the second end 44.

[0045] The first connecting tab 46 is C-shaped and open opposite the first end 42 of the rod 40. It also has a first receiving zone 50 of cylindrical symmetry of revolution.

[0046] The connecting tab 46 is substantially deformable, so that the two branches of the connecting tab 46 formed in a C are adapted to move substantially apart from each other in order to allow the passage of the rear pivots 28, 30.

[0047] The first connecting tab 46 is thus connected to the rear pivot 28, 30 by forcibly inserting the pivots transversely through the opening of the connecting tab.

[0048] As for the second connecting tab 48, it is closed and it has a second cylindrical receiving zone 52.

[0049] And upstream of the cylindrical receiving zone 52, the second connecting lug 48 has a biconical bearing surface making it possible to facilitate the axial mounting and dismounting of the front pivots 32, 34 inside the cylindrical receiving zone 52.

[0050] Furthermore, the rod 40 comprises a median zone 54, which has four ribs, a lower rib 56 opposite an upper rib 58 with respect to the plane of symmetry Ps, and an external lateral rib 60, opposite an internal lateral rib 62 forming a cross section.

[0051] In [Fig.4], we find the middle zone 54 in section of the rod 40. Also, we find the lower rib 56 opposite the upper rib 58 and the external lateral rib 60 opposite the internal lateral rib 62.

[0052] These ribs 56, 58, 60, 62 make it possible to obtain high mechanical resistance of the rod 40, in particular in bending.

[0053] Furthermore, the two lateral ribs 60, 62 extend respectively into the two ends 42, 44 of the rod 40, by widenings 64, 66, as illustrated by the double arrows dF shown in [Fig.2], as one approaches the connecting tabs 46, 48 which they join.

[0054] The inner lateral rib 62 illustrated in [Fig.3] and opposite the outer lateral rib 60, has symmetrically the same widenings 68, 70. Also, it will be observed in [Fig.3] that the two lateral ribs 60, 62 become thinner at the level of the widenings 64, 68 and 66, 70, as one approaches the connecting tabs 46, 48, which they join.

[0055] Furthermore, it will be observed in [Fig. 3] that the two connecting tabs 46, 48 define two planes PI, P2, substantially parallel and inclined relative to the longitudinal direction of the rod 40. Also, the cylindrical receiving zones 52, 52 of the two connecting tabs 46, 48 are respectively oriented in a direction substantially perpendicular to the two planes PI, P2.

[0056] Furthermore, as illustrated in [Fig.2], the lower ribs 56 and upper ribs 58 extend respectively into the ends 42, 44, diverging from each other as the lateral ribs 60, 62 widen and approach the connecting tabs 46, 48, which they also join.

[0057] Also, and as illustrated in [Fig.3], the upper ribs 58 and lower ribs 56, narrow respectively in the ends 42, 44 of the rod 40, as one approaches the connecting tabs 46, 48.

[0058] Thus, thanks to the particular shape of the ends 42, 44 of the rod 40, a connection is obtained between the rod 40 and the two connecting tabs 46, 48 which is very little deformable under stress.

[0059] Furthermore, and as illustrated in [Fig.4], the distance i which extends between the two opposite walls respectively of the two lateral ribs 60, 62 of the median zone 54 of the rod 40, is substantially equal to the distance h, which extends between the two opposite walls respectively of the two lower ribs 56 and upper ribs 58.

[0060] According to a particularly advantageous embodiment of the invention, these distances i and h are 4 mm. Also, the cross-section of the median zone 54 of the rod 40 is between 10 mm2 and 14 mm2. According to a preferred embodiment, the rod has a cross-section of 12 mm2.

[0061] Thus under these conditions, when a force F of 100 Newton is exerted on the first connecting lug 46, as shown in [Fig. 3], while the second connecting lug 48 is held in a fixed position in a journal not shown, a maximum deformation of 0.32 mm is observed. This value is lower than that which can be obtained with rods whose cross section is circular, or elliptical and of the same surface area.

[0062] This test thus simulates the forces exerted on the connecting rods 36, 38 placed in position on the gutters 12, 14 shown in [Fig. 1]. The axial tension exerted on the connecting rods 36, 38 is due to the relative translational movement of the two gutters along the joint plane Pj in particular.

Claims

Claims

1. Connecting rod for dental arch splints comprising: - a rod (40) extending longitudinally and having two ends opposite each other (42, 44); - two connecting tabs (46, 48) respectively extending said two opposite ends (42, 44), said two tabs defining two distinct planes PI, P2, substantially parallel to each other and inclined relative to said rod (40); characterized in that said rod (40) comprises a median zone (54) having four ribs (56, 58, 60, 62) two by two opposite forming a cross-shaped cross section.

2. Connecting rod according to claim 1, characterized in that said two lugs (46, 48) each have a receiving zone (50, 52) of cylindrical symmetry with a circular directrix curve and defining two axes of symmetry substantially parallel to each other.

3. Connecting rod according to claim 2, characterized in that said receiving zone (50) of cylindrical symmetry of one (46) of said lugs is open in C opposite the end (42) of said rod.

4. Connecting rod according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the other (48) of said lugs further has a conical bearing adjacent to said cylindrical symmetry receiving zone (52).

5. Connecting rod according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that said median zone (54) of said rod has an internal lateral rib (62) opposite an external lateral rib (60), and in that said lateral ribs extend respectively into said ends (42, 44) by widening and thinning as they approach said lugs (46, 48).

6. Connecting rod according to claim 5, characterized in that said middle zone (54) of said rod has an upper rib (58) opposite a lower rib (56), and in that said lower and upper ribs extend respectively into said ends, narrowing and diverging as said lateral ribs (60, 62) widen.

7. Connecting rod according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that said rod (40) and said two connecting tabs (46, 48) are molded together in a single piece from a polymer material.

8. Intraoral device (10) comprising two adapted gutters (12, 14) to be installed on the dental arches of the lower and upper jaws of a subject, characterized in that said two gutters (12, 14) are connected together by two connecting rods (36, 38) according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

9. Intraoral device (10) according to claim 8, characterized in that one (12) of said gutters (12, 14) comprises two posterior connecting members (28, 30) extending opposite each other, while the other (14) of said gutters comprises two anterior connecting members (32, 34) extending opposite each other, and in that each of said two connecting rods (36, 38) connects a posterior member (28, 30) of said one of said gutters (12) to an anterior member (32, 34) of the other (14) of said gutters.

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