Rotary instrument for dental implant surgery or endodontic treatment, comprising a soft part

Abstract

The present invention relates to a rotary instrument (1) for dental implant surgery or endodontic treatment, comprising at least one proximal part (10) configured to be connected to rotary drive means and a distal part (20) having a shape according to the application, the instrument comprising flexibility means for imparting flexibility to the instrument (1).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application claims priority from the previous PCT international application No. PCT / IB2022 / 054490 filed on May 13, 2022 in the name of Frederic Wehrli, and the content of this previous PCT application is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

[0002] The present invention relates to dental implant surgery and endodontic treatment, and more precisely, to the instruments used for this purpose.

Background Art

[0003] Rotary instruments for dental implant surgery and endodontic treatment are surgical instruments that enable a dentist to perform dental treatment using a power device when used in a clearly defined order. In implant surgery, these instruments are used to prepare a dental implant and place it in the patient's jawbone. In endodontic treatment, the corresponding rotary instruments enable the removal of the dental pulp from a tooth with a damaged nerve (root canal treatment). Rotary instruments for implant surgery and endodontic treatment typically have two functionally different parts, namely, a proximal part with a standardized end, for example of the ISO 1797-1 type, in the form of a rod (also known as the "standard part"), which enables the instrument to be connected to a motor by a contra-angle so that the instrument can be rotationally driven, and a distal part whose design (e.g., its shape and / or size) is derived from the main function of the respective instrument (drilling, perforating, tapping, screwing, filing, etc.) (also known as the "specific part"), and comprises.

[0004] In Figure 1, examples of rotary instruments for implant surgery or endodontic treatment are shown, which have functionally different parts (upper standard or proximal part 10, lower specific or distal part 20). From left to right, there are a drill, a reamer, a tap, an implant holder, a screw driver for prosthetic screws, an extension piece, and an endodontic file. Of course, these are examples of instruments, and the applications of the present invention are not limited to these examples. As will be understood from the following description, the present invention is also applicable to other equivalent instruments.

[0005] By their design, these instruments are either completely rigid or at least completely rigid in their proximal parts, which is desirable for a drill or a reamer, but can be a major drawback for a tap, a screw driver for prosthetic screws, an endodontic file, and especially for an implant holder (an instrument for gripping an implant and inserting it into bone). In fact, in the latter case, a certain flexibility in bending can be a distinct advantage in practice. Such flexibility makes it possible to avoid excessive induction, which often causes significant stresses both in the instrument itself and in the bone and / or implant. In some cases, these stresses can lead to bone damage (necrosis) and even the destruction of the implant.

[0006] Therefore, in practice, there are conflicting requirements regarding such instruments. On the one hand, rigidity is required for certain operations, and on the other hand, it is necessary to have a more flexible instrument that is useful for other operations while maintaining the standardization of the instrument. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] The object of the present invention is to improve known instruments and overcome the above-mentioned problems.

[0008] Another object of the present invention is to propose a standard instrument that can nevertheless be adapted to the wishes of the user, especially the dentist or surgeon concerned.

[0009] The present invention relates to a rotary instrument for dental implant surgery or endodontic treatment, a proximal portion configured to be connected to a driving means such as a rotary motor by a contra angle (or other equivalent means), a distal portion having a shape specific to the use of the instrument, and relates to a rotary instrument comprising the same.

[0010] In particular, the present invention is characterized in that the instrument comprises means for imparting flexibility to the instrument.

[0011] In some embodiments, the flexible means is constantly flexible. In other embodiments, the flexible means can have at least two states, namely, one rigidity and the other flexibility. Other states are possible, such as semi-rigid (or semi-flexible).

[0012] In some embodiments, the flexible means is located at the proximal portion of the instrument.

[0013] In some embodiments, the flexible means is located between the proximal portion and the distal portion of the instrument and is added, for example.

[0014] In other embodiments, the flexible means is located between the proximal portion and the means for connecting the instrument to a driving means such as a motor and is added, for example.

[0015] In some embodiments, the flexible means comprises an articulating portion.

[0016] In some embodiments, the proximal portion is formed of or comprises a flexible component, and the flexible component has a torsional rigidity sufficient for the intended use of the instrument. This material is, for example, nitinol (an alloy of nickel and titanium) or another equivalent material (for example, a metal, a metal alloy, etc.).

[0017] In some embodiments, the articulating portion comprises a universal joint formed of at least two forks and a substantially spherical central yoke.

[0018] In some embodiments, the universal joint comprises a pin and a pair of half pins, and the central yoke is traversed by two mutually orthogonal passages dimensioned to receive the pin and the pair of half pins.

[0019] In some embodiments, the central yoke comprises two mutually orthogonal grooves, and the fork comprises a guide dimensioned to slide within the grooves.

[0020] In some embodiments, the flexible means comprises a coil spring and / or a wire-shaped spring.

[0021] In some embodiments, the instrument, for example its proximal portion, comprises a plurality of flexible means.

[0022] In some embodiments, the instrument can be a drill, a reamer, a tap, an implant holder, a screwdriver, a file, an adapter, or an extension part connectable to one or more other instruments.

[0023] Other embodiments and features of the present invention are described in the claims and the following description.

[0024] The present invention will be shown in more detail by some examples and embodiments which, in the remainder of this specification, must be considered to be illustrative and non-limiting in all respects.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0025]

Figure 1

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Figure 10

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0026] One embodiment is shown in FIG. 2. In this embodiment, the proximal portion 10 of the instrument 1 comprises flexible means having an articulating portion 11 with a universal joint 12 coupled to a flexure spring 13.

[0027] As shown in FIG. 3, the universal joint 12 of FIG. 2 comprises a central yoke 14 to which two forks 15, 15' are joined using a pin 16 and two half-pins 16', 16". The pins 16, 16', 16" are inserted into passages 14', 14" in the yoke 14 to form an articulating portion. Of course, fastening means are provided to hold the pins in place when inserted.

[0028] The axes of the pin 16 and the two half-pins 16', 16" are preferably perpendicular in order to avoid any vibrations during rotation of the instrument. This is desirable because vibrations can induce stresses in the instrument 1, the bone or the implant, which is the exact opposite of what is required by the present invention.

[0029] The universal joint 11 may be located on the proximal portion 10 or between the proximal portion 10 and the distal portion 20, which allows the articulating portion to have excellent torsional rigidity and the properties necessary for good torque transmission in the instrument while being completely free in flexion.

[0030] In this regard, the flexure spring 13 imparts semi-rigidity in bending to the entire joint portion, ensuring that the instrument 1 has a certain strength. The spring 13 also enables the instrument 1 to be reversibly folded.

[0031] Figures 4 to 7 show another embodiment of the present invention using a fork and a grooved sphere.

[0032] Figure 4 shows a fork 30 fixed to the proximal portion 10 of the instrument. Figure 5 shows a grooved sphere 31 with which the fork 30 engages (e.g., by pushing in) as shown in Figure 6 by a guide 35 engaged in a groove 33.

[0033] Figure 7 shows the joining of a second fork 32 to the sphere 31 facing the fork 30 and arranged at 90° (e.g., by pushing in, by a guide 36 sliding in a groove 34) so as to form a joint portion similar to the universal joint of Figures 2 and 3.

[0034] In this embodiment, in a variant, it is possible to add a spring 13 as in the embodiment of Figure 2.

[0035] For this purpose, it is preferable to add shoulders in order to hold the spring in position around the joint portion.

[0036] Figure 8 shows another embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, a wire 40 made of, for example, NiTi or steel (or another equivalent material) is inserted through the forks 30, 32 and the sphere 31 in order to ensure bending rigidity.

[0037] The flexible means of Figures 4 to 8 can be located on the proximal portion 10 of the instrument, or between the proximal portion 10 and the distal portion 20 of the instrument, or between the proximal portion 10 and the connecting means to a motor 50 (as means for driving the instrument) (see Figure 9).

[0038] Embodiments in which the proximal portion 10 is formed from a flexible component or includes a flexible component, and the flexible component has sufficient torsional rigidity for the intended use of the instrument, are shown, for example, in FIG. 10, where the proximal portion 10 is partially or completely formed from this flexible component.

[0039] In the case of the implant holder 51, due to the flexible means shown in the above embodiment, as shown in FIG. 9, the function of the instrument (for inserting the implant into the bone) can be ensured even when the available space is limited.

[0040] In this case, the instrument holder (contra-angle 50) is held by the surgeon at an angle (e.g., up to 30°). As shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, due to the flexible joint portion, the implant holder 51 connected to the contra-angle can perform its function even when the height between the occlusal surfaces is small.

[0041] It goes without saying that the present invention is not limited to the foregoing examples and applications, and that the present invention and its advantages can be used in various applications.

[0042] The embodiments have been described to provide a comprehensive understanding of the structure, function, manufacture, and principles of use of the systems and methods described in this application. One or more of these embodiments are shown in the accompanying drawings. The systems and methods specifically described and shown in the accompanying drawings of this application are non-limiting embodiments, and the scope of the present invention is not defined only by the claims. Features illustrated or described with respect to one embodiment can be combined with features of other embodiments. Such modifications and variations are intended to be included within the scope of the present invention. Some problems with conventional methods and systems are described herein, and the methods and systems described herein can solve one or more of these problems. Further, although the present invention is described with specific embodiments, alternative forms, modifications, equivalents, and variations that fall within the spirit and scope of the present invention are also encompassed by this application.

Claims

1. A rotary instrument (1) for dental implantology or endodontics, comprising at least: a proximal portion (10) configured to be connected to a rotary drive means; a distal portion (20) having a shape according to the intended use of the device; Equipped with A rotary instrument (1), characterized in that said instrument comprises a flexibility means that gives said instrument (1) flexibility.

2. A rotary instrument (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that said flexible means have two states: a flexible state and a rigid state.

3. Rotary instrument (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the flexible means are located in the proximal part (10) of the instrument (1).

4. A rotary instrument (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that said flexible means is located between said proximal part (10) and said distal part (20) of said instrument (1).

5. 2. Rotary instrument (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that said flexible means are located between said proximal part (10) and said means for connection to said drive means (50).

6. A rotary instrument (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that said flexible means comprises an articulated portion.

7. Rotary instrument (1) according to claim 6, characterized in that the articulated part comprises a universal joint formed from at least two forks (15, 15'; 30, 32) and a generally spherical central yoke (14; 31).

8. 8. The rotary instrument (1) according to claim 7, characterized in that the universal joint comprises a pin (16) and a pair of half pins (16', 16"), and the central yoke (14) is traversed by two mutually perpendicular passages (14', 14") dimensioned to receive the pin (16) and the pair of half pins (16', 16").

9. 8. The rotary instrument (1) according to claim 7, characterized in that the central yoke (31) comprises two mutually perpendicular grooves (33, 34), and the forks (30, 32) comprise guides (35, 36) dimensioned to slide in the grooves.

10. A rotary instrument (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the flexible means comprises a coil spring (13).

11. A rotary instrument (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that said flexible means comprise a wire form spring (40).

12. The rotary instrument (1) according to claim 1, wherein the proximal portion (10) comprises a plurality of flexible means.

13. The rotary instrument (1) according to claim 1, wherein the instrument is a drill, a reamer, a tap, an implant holder, a screwdriver, a file, an adapter, or an extension piece connectable to one or more other instruments.

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