Dental Implant Storage Container

Abstract

To provide a storage container that stores an implant body used for dental implant treatment, in which it is possible to easily engage an embedding instrument with the implant body by preventing the implant body from rotating within the storage container, and also possible to easily take out the implant body without damaging the implant body.SOLUTION: A storage container has a storage part to store a dental implant body. At least the storage container is covered with a biocompatible material at a site to be in contact with the implant body. At least a part of the storage container is an elastic deformation mechanism where it becomes elastically deformed. As the elastic deformation mechanism becomes elastically deformed, it can freely move from a non-contact position or slight-contact position, where a part of the storage container is not in contact with the implant body, to a pressure contact position where it is in pressure contact with a part of the implant body.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a container for storing an implant body used in dental implant treatment. [Background technology]

[0002] When removing an implant body from a storage container during dental implant treatment, the implant body stored in the storage container must be kept sterile. Therefore, the surgeon cannot directly touch the implant body when removing it, so various measures are required for the storage container for the implant body, and many storage containers have been proposed so far.

[0003] In order to prevent contamination of the implant body during transportation and storage, it is preferable that at least the portion of the container that will come into contact with the implant body be covered with a biocompatible material. Generally, a container in which the implant body is housed in an inner container made of the same material as the implant body, i.e., pure titanium, a titanium alloy, or zirconia, and the inner container is housed in an outer container made of any material, is known.

[0004] When removing the implant body from the storage container, an implantation instrument for embedding the implant body into the jawbone is generally used. Storage containers that store the implant body with the implantation instrument already fixed to it are known, and in these cases, the implant body and the implantation instrument are generally screwed together to avoid the risk of the implant body becoming detached from the implant driver due to vibrations or shocks during transport.

[0005] In this case, after the implant body has been inserted into the jawbone, it is necessary to hold part of the implant body with a special tool to prevent it from rotating, while unscrewing the screw and removing the implantation instrument. However, this is a difficult task that must be performed within the extremely limited field of view of the patient's mouth.

[0006] On the other hand, there is also a known storage container in which an implantation instrument is inserted into and attached to the implant body stored in the storage container to remove the implant body. In this case, the implant body does not need to be firmly fixed to the implantation instrument, so a temporary engagement using an O-ring or the like is sufficient, and the implantation instrument can be easily removed after the procedure.

[0007] However, when inserting and attaching an implantation instrument into an implant body, it is necessary to engage an anti-rotation mechanism for transmitting rotational torque from the implantation instrument to the implant body, and the implantation instrument must be rotated until the tip of the implantation instrument and the anti-rotation mechanism of the implant body mesh. During this process, the implant body may rotate together with the implantation instrument, which often makes it difficult to engage the implantation instrument with the implant body.

[0008] On the other hand, the implant body has been subjected to a surface treatment to facilitate osseointegration with the jawbone, and it is desirable not to damage the surface of the implant body. However, if the implant body is firmly gripped by the storage container so as not to rotate, it becomes easy to engage the implantation instruments, but there is a problem in that the surface of the implant body may be damaged when the implant body is removed from the storage container.

[0009] Patent Document 1 discloses a storage container that has an engaging groove formed inside the storage container, which engages with a self-tapping groove at the tip of the male thread of the implant body, thereby preventing rotation of the implant body.

[0010] Patent Document 2 discloses a storage container with a locking mechanism, in which the lid is opened and closed by a sliding mechanism.

[0011] Patent Document 3 discloses a storage container whose contact portion with the implant body is made of a biocompatible material and whose lid can be opened and closed by a rotation mechanism. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0012] [Patent Document 1] Special publication number 05004644 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2011-025032 [Patent Document 3] Special publication number 06347965 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0013] In view of the above problems, an object of the present invention is to provide a storage container that can easily engage an implantation instrument with an implant body while preventing the implant body from rotating within the storage container, and that can easily remove the implant body without damaging it. [Means for solving the problem]

[0014] The present invention provides a storage container for storing a dental implant body, the storage container comprising a storage section for storing the implant body, a portion in contact with the implant body made of a biocompatible material, and an elastic deformation mechanism in which at least a portion of the storage container is elastically deformed, and the elastic deformation mechanism is capable of pressingly contacting a portion of the implant body from the outside via the elastic deformation mechanism as the elastic deformation occurs. More specifically, the storage container is characterized in that as the elastic deformation mechanism elastically deforms, the portion of the storage container is movable from a non-contact position where it does not contact the implant body or a minor contact position where it makes minor contact with the implant body to a pressing contact position where it makes pressing contact with the portion of the implant body. Furthermore, the implant storage container of the present invention preferably has an opening for inserting an implantation instrument.

[0015] The storage container of the present invention preferably includes at least a cover case and a main case. At least one of the cover case and the main case preferably has an elastic deformation mechanism, and as the elastic deformation mechanism elastically deforms, a part of the storage container can move from a non-contact position where it does not contact the implant body or a slight contact position where it lightly contacts the implant body to a pressing contact position where it presses against a part of the implant body.

[0016] It is preferable that the cover case be movable relative to the main case from a closed position to an open position at which the storage section is open. The cover case and the main body case may be provided with a sliding mechanism and may be movable from the closed position to the open position along the sliding mechanism, or the cover case and the main body case may be provided with a rotating shaft and may be movable from the closed position to the open position by rotating around the rotating shaft.

[0017] The container of the present invention has an opening through which an implantation instrument can be inserted, and the opening is preferably smaller than the diameter of the implant body and larger than the diameter of the tip of the implantation instrument.

[0018] It is preferable that the storage container of the present invention has at least one protrusion on the elastic deformation mechanism or on a proximal portion of the elastic deformation mechanism and at least one recess on the main body case, and that in the first open position, the protrusion interferes with the main body case, causing the elastic deformation mechanism to elastically deform, and as a result, a part of the storage container moves to a non-contact position where it does not come into contact with the implant body, and in the closed position, the protrusion engages with the recess.

[0019] In the storage container of the present invention, at least the portion that comes into contact with the implant body is preferably covered with the same material as the implant body, and the material is preferably pure titanium, a titanium alloy, or zirconia.

[0020] The storage container of the present invention preferably has a second storage section (component storage section) in the main case in addition to the storage section for the implant body, and the cover case is preferably movable from the open position to a position where the second storage section (component storage section) is open. [Effects of the Invention]

[0021] When engaging an implantation instrument with an implant body, the implant body can be easily engaged by preventing the implant body from rotating in a storage container, and the implant body can be easily removed without being damaged. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0022] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment in which an implant body is housed in a housing container of the present invention. [Figure 2] 2 is a perspective view showing the storage container shown in FIG. 1 in an open position. FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the storage container shown in FIG. 2. [Figure 4] 2 is a cross-sectional view of a plane including the central axis of the storage container shown in FIG. 1. [Figure 5] 1 is a perspective view of one preferred embodiment of a storage container of the present invention; [Figure 6] 1 is a perspective view of one preferred embodiment of a storage container of the present invention; [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing the internal structure of the storage container shown in FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0023] Preferred embodiments will be described below. However, the following embodiments are merely examples, and the present invention is not limited to the following embodiments. In addition, other optional components may be included.

[0024] The present invention can be used for a storage container for storing various dental implants used in dental implant treatment. As a first specification of dental implant, it can be used for a one-piece type in which the implant body and abutment are integrated. As a second specification of dental implant, there is a two-piece type which consists of two parts, the implant body which serves as a replacement for the tooth root and the abutment which serves as a replacement for the crown abutment, and is used by connecting the abutment to the implant body. As a third specification of dental implant, there is a three-piece type which consists of three parts, the implant body, the abutment, and a screw, and the abutment is fixed to the implant body using the screw. It can be used for any one to three piece type of dental implants of the first to third specifications.

[0025] The use of the implant body stored in the storage container of the present invention is not particularly limited. For example, it may be the above-mentioned dental implant used as a replacement for a missing tooth, or a temporary implant used as a fixing base for orthodontic wires, or a dental implant used for any other purpose.

[0026] The storage container of the present invention stores an implant body (1) used in dental implant treatment, and can be sterilized while storing the implant body (1), allowing the implant body (1) to be used in treatment while maintaining the sterilized state. The storage container of the present invention may have a sterile barrier property, but does not necessarily have to have a sterile barrier property; it is sufficient that an outer container that stores the storage container has a sterile barrier property.

[0027] The storage container of the present invention has a storage section (2) for storing a dental implant body (1). It is preferable that at least the portion of the storage container that comes into contact with the implant body (1) is covered with a biocompatible material. The biocompatible material in the present invention refers to a biocompatible material, such as a Ti-Ni alloy, niobium, tantalum, a cobalt-chromium alloy, alumina, bioglass, hydroxyapatite, tricalcium phosphate, calcium phosphate glass, carbon, natural rubber, urethane rubber, silicone rubber, polyurethane, or polyamide. Pure titanium, a titanium alloy, or zirconia is particularly preferable. The storage container may be made of a biocompatible material, or the storage container may be made of a material such as a thermoplastic resin, with only the contact portion covered with a biocompatible material.

[0028] The method of covering with biocompatible material can be a deposition method known as CVD or sputtering. Alternatively, a separate part made of biocompatible material can be fitted inside the container to cover it. The separate part can be a frame part (3) made by punching and bending a thin plate of biocompatible material, or a machined product (4) cut into a desired shape from a block of biocompatible material.

[0029] The diameter of the implant body (1) varies, with those generally known to be φ3.0 mm to φ5.0 mm. The length of the implant body (1) varies, with those generally known to be 5.0 mm to 17.0 mm. The storage section 2 is preferably a groove or a structure surrounding the periphery of the implant body 1, the groove having a length equal to or greater than one-fourth the length of the implant body 1 and a width equal to or greater than the diameter of the implant body 1. The depth of the groove is preferably equal to or greater than one-fourth the diameter of the implant body 1.

[0030] It is preferable that at least a part of the storage container has an elastic deformation mechanism (5) that elastically deforms, and that by pressing a part of the storage container with fingers as needed, the elastic deformation mechanism (5) elastically deforms, so that the part of the storage container can move freely from a non-contact position where it does not come into contact with the implant body (1) to a pressing contact position where it comes into pressing contact with a part of the implant body (1).

[0031] Furthermore, it is preferable that at least a part of the storage container has an elastic deformation mechanism (5) that elastically deforms, and that as the elastic deformation mechanism (5) elastically deforms, the part of the storage container is movable from a non-contact position where it is not in contact with the implant body (1) to a minor contact position where it is in minor contact with the implant body (1), and that as needed, by pressing a part of the storage container with a finger, as the elastic deformation mechanism (5) elastically deforms, the part of the storage container is movable from the minor contact position to a pressing contact position where it is in pressing contact with a part of the implant body (1).

[0032] The slight contact position is a state in which a part of the storage container is in slight contact with the implant body so that the implant body does not move freely within the storage container, and since the implant body does not move freely within the storage container due to vibration and shock during transportation, the surface of the implant body is not damaged by vibration and shock during transportation. The pressing contact position is a state in which a part of the storage container presses a part of the implant body by elastically deforming the elastic deformation mechanism part (5) with a finger, and this can prevent the implant body from rotating within the storage container. Furthermore, by releasing the finger, the pressure contact position can be elastically returned to the non-contact position or the light contact position again.

[0033] The elastic deformation mechanism 5 may be made of a biocompatible material or a material such as a thermoplastic resin. The material constituting the elastic deformation mechanism 5 may have elasticity, or the elastic deformation mechanism may be formed of a thin material, and any elastic deformation mechanism may be used. In particular, it is preferable to provide a slit groove 15 around the periphery of the elastic deformation mechanism 5 to enable elastic deformation.

[0034] The storage container of the present invention may have any configuration, including an integrated structure having an elastic deformation mechanism in one part, or a structure consisting of multiple parts, one of which may have an elastic deformation mechanism in another part. A particularly preferred embodiment includes at least a cover case (6) and a main case (7). A portion of the cover case (6) and / or a portion of the main case (7) has an elastic deformation mechanism (5). By pressing a portion of the storage container with a finger as needed, the elastic deformation mechanism (5) elastically deforms, moving the portion of the storage container from a non-contact position or a slight contact position where it is not in contact with the implant body (1) to a pressing contact position where it is in pressing contact with a portion of the implant body (1), preventing the implant body from rotating within the storage container. Furthermore, by releasing the finger, the storage container can elastically return to the non-contact position or the slight contact position. It is preferable that at least the portions of the cover case 6 and the main case 7 that come into contact with the implant body 1 are covered with a biocompatible material. The cover case 6 and / or the main case 7 may be made of a biocompatible material, or the cover case 6 and / or the main case 7 may be made of a material such as a thermoplastic resin, and only the contacting portions may be covered with a biocompatible material.

[0035] The cover case (6) is preferably movable relative to the main case (7) from a closed position to an open position in which the storage section (2) is open. The closed position is a state in which at least a part of the main case (7) is covered with a part of the cover case (6) so that the implant body (1) cannot be removed from the storage container. The open position in which the storage section (2) is open is a state in which a part of the main case (7) is open and the implant body (1) can be removed from the opening (11). It is preferable that the cover case (6) has a groove or protrusion along the axis of movement along which the cover case (6) moves relative to the main case (7), and the main case (7) has a protrusion or groove along the axis of movement, and that a slide mechanism (8) is provided in which the groove and protrusion engage with each other when the cover case (6) is operated with fingers, causing the cover case (6) to slide relative to the main case (7). Alternatively, it is preferable that the cover case (6) has a rotating shaft portion (9) that rotates relative to the main case (7), the rotating shaft portion (9) of the cover case (6) has a protrusion or recess, and the rotating shaft portion (9) of the main case (7) has a recess or protrusion, and when the cover case (6) is operated with fingers, the protrusion and the recess engage with each other and the cover case (6) rotates.

[0036] The storage container of the present invention preferably has an opening 11 that is smaller than the diameter of the implant body 1 and larger than the diameter of the tip of the implantation instrument 10. Generally, the diameter of the tip of the implantation instrument 10 is 0.5 to 2.0 mm smaller than the diameter of the implant body 1, and the size of the opening 11 is preferably selected appropriately taking into consideration the diameter of the implant body 1 and the diameter of the tip of the implantation instrument 10 so that the implant body 1 does not fall out of the storage container when the cover case 6 is in the closed position.

[0037] When the cover case (6) is in the closed position, it is preferable that it is in a non-contact position or a slight contact position, while when the cover case (6) moves from the closed position to the open position, it is desirable that the part of the storage container that comes into contact with the implant body (1) by the elastic deformation mechanism (5) is not in contact with the implant body (1) so as not to damage the surface of the implant body (1). The elastic deformation mechanism 5 or a proximal portion of the elastic deformation mechanism 5 has at least one protrusion 12, and when the cover case 6 moves from the closed position to the open position, the protrusion 12 interferes with a portion of the main case 7, causing the elastic deformation mechanism 5 to elastically deform, and a portion of the storage container moves to a non-contact position that does not contact the implant body 1. One or more protrusions 12 are sufficient, but two or more are even better.

[0038] Furthermore, it is desirable to have a mechanism for locking the cover case (6) to the main case (7) in the closed position so that the cover case (6) does not unintentionally move to the open position. It is also desirable that the main case (7) has a recess (13) corresponding to the protrusion (12), and that the protrusion (12) engages with the recess (13) in the closed position. In the closed position, the protrusions (12) engage with the recesses (13), locking the cover case (6) to the main case (7), while the elastic deformation mechanism (5) elastically deforms, causing a portion of the container to elastically deform to the slight contact position. The recesses (13) are deep enough relative to the protrusions (12), so that pressing the elastic deformation mechanism (5) with a finger can elastically deform it to the pressure contact position.

[0039] Since the tip of the protrusion (12) is spherical, by holding the implantation instrument (10) with one hand while operating the cover case (6) and / or the main case (7) with the other hand, the engagement between the protrusion (12) and the recess (13) can be easily released, and the cover case (6) can be freely moved from the closed position to the open position.

[0040] The storage container of the present invention preferably has a component storage section (14) in addition to the implant storage section in the main case. Components to be used in conjunction with the implant body (5) after implantation can be stored in the storage container. Examples of components to be used in conjunction with the implant body (5) include a cover screw that seals the opening of the implant body during the healing period after implantation and a screw that fastens the implant body to an abutment. By further moving the cover case (5) from the open position in the direction opposite to the closed position, the component storage section (14) for storing additional components opens, allowing the additional components to be removed.

[0041] 1 Implant body 2 Storage area 3 Frame parts 4 Cutting products 5 Elastic deformation mechanism 6 Cover Case 7 Main unit case 8 Slide mechanism 9 Rotating shaft 10 Implantation Instruments 11 Opening 12 Protrusion 13 Recess 14 Parts storage area 15 Slit section

Claims

1. A set of a dental implant body and a storage container for storing the dental implant body, The storage container includes: a storage section for storing the implant body; The part that comes into contact with the implant body is made of a biocompatible material, At least a part of the container has an elastic deformation mechanism that elastically deforms, A set characterized in that, as the elastic deformation mechanism part elastically deforms, a part of the storage container can be pressed into axial contact with the surface of the dental implant body from the outside via the elastic deformation mechanism part.

2. 10. The set of claim 1, further comprising an opening for inserting an implant insertion instrument.

3. 2. The set according to claim 1, wherein the container includes a cover case and a main case, and at least one of the cover case and the main case has an elastic deformation mechanism.

4. 4. The set according to claim 3, wherein the cover case and the main case are in contact with each other via a slide mechanism, and the cover case is movable from a closed position to an open position in which the storage section is open.

5. The cover case has at least one protrusion and the main body case has at least one recess, In the open position, the protrusion interferes with the main body case, As the elastic deformation mechanism elastically deforms, a part of the housing container moves to a non-contact position where it does not come into contact with the implant body, 4. The set of claim 3, wherein in the closed position, the projection engages the recess.

6. 2. The set according to claim 1, wherein the biocompatible material is pure titanium, a titanium alloy, or zirconia.

7. 4. The set according to claim 3, wherein the main body case has a second storage section, and the cover case is movable from an open position to a second open position in which the second storage section is open.

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