A fastening system

Abstract

A fastening system (10) configured to be connected to an implant fixture, the fastening system (10) comprising a ball abutment (12) configured to be connected at a first end to said implant fixture and comprising at a second end a spherical section (18), a locking element (20) comprising a first central throughgoing aperture (22) with a distal portion (28) and a proximal section (29);a connecting element (40) configured to be received inside the locking element (20), and a fastening element (50) extending axially between the distal portion (28) and the proximal portion (29) of the first central throughgoing aperture (22), and configured to be connected to a distal end portion (42) of the connecting element (40), wherein the connecting element (40) and the locking element (20) are permanently connected to each other while allowing a mutual axial displacement.

Description

[0001] A FASTEN I NG SYSTEM

[0002] TECH N ICAL FI ELD

[0003] The present invention relates to a fastening system configured to be connected to an implant fixture.

[0004] BACKG ROU N D

[0005] Dental implant systems are used to improve or restore the aesthetics, comfort, speech, and general performance of a patient’s dental condition. An implant system generally comprises several components which are fixed together to provide a complete implant system.

[0006] The implant system generally comprises an implant fixture which is fixed in the jawbone of a patient. The implant fixture may be screwed or otherwise fixed into the bone of a patient. The implant fixture is then connected to a superstructure, also known as a crown or bridge via a fastening system. The superstructure forms the external, tooth prosthetic element of the system.

[0007] The fastening system which connects the superstructure to the implant fixture may comprise various components. Ideally, the fastening system allows the superstructure to be appropriately angled for its intended position in relation to the jawbone. The fastening system should also not add substantial additional height to the overall structure.

[0008] Improved fastening systems are required which enable secure connection to implant fixtures, enable adjustable positioning, and reduce the risks and thereby increase safety for patients during procedures.

[0009] From the above it is understood that there is room for improvements and the invention aims to solve or at least mitigate the above and other problems.

[0010] SU M MARY

[0011] The invention is defined by the appended independent claims. Additional features and advantages of the concepts disclosed herein are set forth in the description which follows, and in part will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by practice of the described technologies. The features and advantages of the concepts may be realized and obtained by means of the instruments and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims. These and other features of the described technologies will become more fully apparent from the following description and appended claims, or may be learned by the practice of the disclosed concepts as set forth herein. By using the disclosed fastening system fewer small components are required. Such small components would be difficult to handle and there is a risk that the small components fall into the patient’s trachea or oesophagus, resulting in accidental ingestion or aspiration, the patient therefore risks both serious complications due to internal damage or even suffocation. (Cossellu et al, Accidental aspiration of foreign bodies in dental practice: clinical management and prevention-, Gerodontology, 2013) This is a risk during both installation, adjustment, and removal of the dental implant system.

[0012] Furthermore, since each additional new component which is fixed to the jawbone of a patient requires extensive regulatory testing it is advantageous to use existing approved products for insertion to the jawbone, combined with improved components which are not inserted to the jawbone of a patient to locate the superstructure.

[0013] The disclosed fastening system comprises mainly a locking element having a cup shaped section receiving a cup shaped section of a connecting element. Normally, the locking element of the fastening system is fixed to the superstructure in a premounting stage. The connecting element is inserted from below into the locking element. The locking element is arranged axially displaceable in relation to the connecting element.

[0014] In a first position, the connecting element allows insertion of a spherical section of a ball abutment. By axially displacing the connecting element into the cup shaped section of the locking element, an inner space of the connecting element will connect tighter and tighter with the spherical section of the ball abutment and prevent separation of the connecting element from the spherical section of the ball abutment. Rotation and adjustment of the position of the ball abutment inside the connecting element is possible until a second position is reached in which neither rotation nor any change of position is possible. The axial displacement of the connecting element inside the locking element is achieved by operating a fastening element. The connecting element and the locking element are permanently connected to each other while allowing a mutual axial displacement. As a result, the connecting element cannot fall into the patient’s trachea or oesophagus.

[0015] In various embodiments, the connecting element is provided with an axially extending groove and the locking element is provided with a through hole. A locking pin is inserted through the through hole into the groove in a mounting stage. The locking pin will limit axial displacement of the locking element in relation to the connecting element and will prevent the connecting element from being released from the locking element after the pre-mounting stage.

[0016] In various embodiments, also the fastening element is permanently connected to the connecting element and the locking element. As a result, the number of individual components that need to be handled by the medical personnel is decreased, in this case three components are reduced to one combined component. In addition, the risk that the small components fall into the patient’s trachea or oesophagus further reduced.

[0017] Different aspects of the disclosed fastening system are defined in the claims.

[0018] BRI EF DESCRIPTION OF TH E DRAWINGS

[0019] In order to best describe the manner in which the above-described embodiments are implemented, as well as define other advantages and features of the disclosure, a more particular description is provided below and is illustrated in the appended drawings. Understanding that these drawings depict only exemplary embodiments of the invention and are not therefore to be considered to be limiting in scope, the examples will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail through the use of the accompanying drawings in which:

[0020] Fig. 1 is a schematic sectional side view of one embodiment of the disclosed fastening system,

[0021] Fig. 2 is a schematic partial sectional side view of the fastening system shown in Fig. 1 combined with a superstructure and an implant fixture,

[0022] Fig. 3 is a schematic sectional side view of the fastening system shown in Fig. 1 during a fastening process,

[0023] Fig. 4 is a schematic sectional side view of the fastening system shown in Fig. 1 in a pre-mounted stage,

[0024] Fig. 5 is a schematic sectional side view of a fastening element, and

[0025] Fig. 6 is a schematic sectional side view of an alternative embodiment of the disclosed fastening system.

[0026] Further, in the figures like reference characters designate like or corresponding parts throughout the several figures.

[0027] DETAILED DESCRI PTION

[0028] Various embodiments of the disclosed methods and arrangements are discussed in detail below. While specific implementations are discussed, it should be understood that this is done for illustration purposes only. A person skilled in the relevant art will recognize that other components, configurations, and steps may be used without parting from the spirit and scope of the disclosure.

[0029] In the description and claims the word “comprise” and variations of the word, such as “comprising” and “comprises”, does not exclude other elements or steps.

[0030] Hereinafter, certain embodiments will be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made without departing from the inventive concept. Other embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art from consideration of the specification and practice disclosed herein. The embodiments herein are provided by way of example so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the inventive concept, and that the claims be construed as encompassing all equivalents of the present inventive concept which are apparent to those skilled in the art to which the inventive concept pertains. If nothing else is stated, different embodiments may be combined with each other.

[0031] The disclosure below is made with reference to Fig. 1 to Fig. 5.

[0032] The fastening system 10 shown in Fig. 1 is in a mounted stage, in which a locking element 20, a connecting element 40 and a fastening element 50 are interconnected permanently. The locking element 20, or bowl screw, is cylindrical with a first central throughgoing aperture 22. At a distal opening 24 of locking element 20, the through- going aperture 22 is configured to receive the fastening element 50. The throughgoing aperture 22 has a distal portion 28 and a proximal portion 29. At the proximal portion 29, the throughgoing aperture 22 expands into a first inner cup shaped space 26. Between distal portion 28 and the proximal portion 29 there is provided a first shoulder 16. The fastening system 10 is fixedly connected to a spherical section 18 of a ball abutment 12. The ball abutment 12 is connected to an implant fixture 14 which in turn is fixed in the jawbone 15 of a patient, c.f. Fig. 2.

[0033] A distal end portion 42 of the connecting element 40 is received inside the proximal portion 29 of the locking element 20. A proximal end portion 44 of the connecting element 40 is received inside the cup shaped space 26 of the locking element 20. The proximal end portion 44 of the connecting element 40 forms a second cup shaped inner space 46 receiving and fixing in this position the spherical section 18 of the ball abutment 12. The connecting element 40 has a second central through- going aperture 48.

[0034] The proximal end portion 44 of the connecting element 40 is provided with a web 51 adjacent to an end surface 55. The web 51 has a ring shaped cross section and extends around an external or envelope surface of the connecting element 40. In the mounted stage, as shown in Fig. 1, the web 51 extends proximally of a center line C of the spherical section 18 of the ball abutment 12. The web 51 allows the proximal end portion 44 located proximal of the web 51 to bend or deflect proximal of the center line C. As a result, the spherical section 18 of the ball abutment 12 will be forced in a distal direction and thus be more efficiently locked in the position shown in Fig. 1. Furthermore, there will be a more efficient seal between the spherical section 18 and the proximal end portion 44 of the connecting element 40.

[0035] The fastening element 50 extends through the first central throughgoing aperture 22 and into a wider diameter section 47 of the second central throughgoing aperture 48. The wider diameter section 47 ends a distal end with a radially extending second shoulder 49. In the embodiment shown in Fig. 1 , the fastening element 50 is a screw configured to be received in a threaded portion 45 of the connecting element 40. A head 56 of the screw 50 bears on the first shoulder 16.

[0036] As shown in Fig. 1 , a proximal end 52 of the fastening element 50 has an enlarged diameter end section 54. The enlarged diameter end section 54 has a larger outer diameter than an inner diameter of the second shoulder 49 and thus prevents the fastening element 50 from being removed through the second central through- going aperture 48. In the configuration shown in Fig. 1, the locking element 20, the connecting element 40 and the fastening element 50 are interconnected permanently. The enlarged diameter end section 54 as shown in Fig. 1 is provided by deformation of the proximal end 52 before mounting of the connecting element 40 on the ball abutment 12.

[0037] The disclosed fastening system 10 normally is applied as shown in Fig. 2 where it is fixed to a superstructure 70 and mounted on the spherical section 18 of the ball abutment 12. The ball abutment 12 in turn is fixed to the implant fixture 14 that is fixed in the jawbone 15.

[0038] The fastening system 10 in Fig. 3 is shown in a fixing stage where the locking element 20, the connecting element 40 and the fastening element 50 are interconnected permanently. The spherical section 18 has been inserted into the second cup shaped inner space 46 of fastening system 10 as indicated by arrow A and is received therein. The screw 50 is then rotated as indicated by arrow B with a screw head 56 bearing against the first shoulder 16. During rotation of the screw 50, threads of the screw 50 engage the threaded portion 45 of the connecting element 40 and will move the connecting element 40 together will the ball abutment 12 in a distal direction as indicated by arrow C in relation to the locking element 20. In reality, the complete fastening system 10 is lowered towards the ball abutment 12. Before reaching the position as shown in Fig. 1 , it is possible to adjust the position and angle of the fastening system 10 in relation to the ball abutment 12.

[0039] The fastening system 10 as shown in Fig. 4 is in a pre-mounted stage where the connecting element 40 has been inserted into the locking element 20. The proximal end 52 of the fastening element 50 at this stage has an outer diameter allowing passage in a proximal direction through the second central throughgoing aperture 48. In this position it is possible to deform the proximal end 52 to expand the diameter so as to prevent movement of the fastening element 50 in a distal direction. As a result, the locking element 20, the connecting element 40 and the fastening element 50 are interconnected permanently. An elongated slot 43 is provided in the connecting element 40, so as to allow radial contraction and expansion, respectively, of the proximal end portion 44 of the connecting element 40. A lower end section 53 of the elongated slot 43 extends at an angle from the remaining part of the elongated slot 43, as shown in Fig. 4. When the proximal end portion 44 of the connecting element 40 is deflected and forced into the position shown in Fig. 1 , the lower end section 53 of the elongated slot 43 will be squeezed together creating a mechanical seal around the spherical section 18 and a stronger force that will further fix the connecting element 40 on the spherical section 18. The improved seal will prevent remains of a meal from entering between the spherical section 18 and the proximal end portion 44 of the connecting element 40. Such remains otherwise may cause discomfort, growth of bacteria, foul smell and infection.

[0040] An alternative embodiment of the disclosed fastening system is shown in Fig. 5. In this embodiment, the fastening means 50 comprises at the proximal end 52 an end piece 58 having radial extension 54 exceeding the inner diameter of the radially extending second shoulder. In various embodiments, the end piece 58 comprises a washer or similar device. The end piece 58 can be attached to the proximal end 52 in different ways, such as with a fixing screw 59.

[0041] An alternative embodiment of the disclosed fastening system is shown in Fig. 6. In accordance with this embodiment, the fastening element 50 does not extend through the connecting element 40. Instead, the connecting element 40 is provided with an axially extending groove 60 in the proximal end portion 42. A through hole 62 in the locking element 20 opens into the groove 60 when the connecting element 40 is positioned inside the locking element 20. A locking pin 64, such as a screw, is inserted through the through hole 62 to a position with a tip inside the groove 60. With the locking pin 64 in the shown position, axial displacement of the connecting element 40 in relation to the locking element 20 is limited to the length of the groove 60. Thus, it is not possible to separate the connecting element 40 from the locking element 20 and there is no risk that the connecting element 40 is dropped during adjustment of the position of the fastening system.

[0042] The various embodiments described above are provided by way of illustration only and should not be construed to limit the invention. For example, the principles herein may be applied to similar fastening systems. Those skilled in the art will readily recognize various modifications and changes that may be made to the present invention without following the example embodiments and applications illustrated and described herein, and without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

Claims

CLAI MS1. A fastening system (10) configured to be connected to an implant fixture, the fastening system (10) comprising:, a ball abutment (12) configured to be connected at a first end to said implant fixture and comprising at a second end a spherical section (18); a locking element (20) comprising a first central throughgoing aperture (22) with an opening (24) at a distal end and terminating at a proximal end in a first inner cup shaped space (26), the first central throughgoing aperture (22) having a radially extending first shoulder (16) separating a distal portion (28) and a proximal section (29); a connecting element (40) configured to be received inside the locking element (20) and having distal end portion (42) and a proximal end portion (44) with a second cup shaped inner space (46) configured to receive the spherical section (18) of the ball abutment (12); and a fastening element (50) extending axially between the distal portion (28) and the proximal portion (29) of the first central throughgoing aperture (22), and configured to be connected to the distal end portion (42) of the connecting element (40); wherein the connecting element (40) is axially displaceable within the locking element (20) between a proximal first position in which the spherical section (18) of the ball abutment (12) can be inserted into the second cup shaped inner space (46) of the connecting element (40) and a distal second position in which the spherical section (18) of the ball abutment (12) is prevented from being removed from the second cup shaped inner space (46) of the connecting element (40) by operating the fastening element (50); and wherein the connecting element (40) and the locking element (20) are permanently connected to each other while allowing a mutual axial displacement.

2. The fastening system (10) as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the connecting element (40) is provided with a central throughgoing second aperture (48) having a radially extending second shoulder (49), and wherein a proximal end (52) of the fastening element (50) has a radial extension (54) exceeding an inner diameter of the radially extending second shoulder (49).

3. The fastening system (10) as claimed in claim 2, wherein the fastening means (50) comprises at a proximal end (52) an end piece (58) having radial extension (54) exceeding an inner diameter of the radially extending second shoulder (49).

4. The fastening system (10) as claimed in claim 3, wherein the end piece (58) is attached to the proximal end (52) by a fixing screw (59) that is screwed axially into proximal end (52).

5. The fastening system (10) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the distal end portion (42) of the connecting element (40) is provided with an axially extending groove (60) having a length shorter than an axial extension of the distal end portion (42) of the connecting element (40), wherein the locking element (20) is provided with a radially extending through hole (62), and wherein a locking pin (64) extends through the through hole (62) into the groove (60), so as to restrict axial movement of the connecting element (40) and to permanently connect connecting element (40) and the locking element (20).

6. The fastening system (10) as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the locking pin (64) is a screw and the radially extending through hole (62) is threaded.

7. The fastening system (10) as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the fastening element (50) is a screw with a head (56) and wherein the connecting element (40) comprises an internally threaded section (45) interacting with threads of the screw.

8. The fastening system (10) as claimed in claim 1 , wherein a proximal end portion (44) of the connecting element (40) is provided with a web (51) adjacent to an end surface (55) of the proximal end portion (44), the web (51) allowing the proximal end portion (44) located proximal of the web (51) to bend or deflect when the connecting element (40) is in the distal second position within the locking element (20).

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