Two-Part Abutment Blank Holder for Implant-Safe Milling

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing holding devices for dental abutment blanks during milling often exert forces on the implant connection, risking damage and complicating the coupling process, which can lead to inaccurate machining and potential damage to the implant interface.

Innovation Solution

A two-part holding frame system with a blank holder and main frame, featuring fixation elements that transition between a floating and engaged position, allowing secure coupling and decoupling of the abutment blank without direct contact to the implant interface, thereby minimizing stress on the implant connection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If the abutment blank is held on the implant connection during machining, then the blank is securely retained, but forces are exerted on the implant connection risking damage

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveretention stabilityVSAvoiddamage risk to implant interface
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The holding device is divided into two separate parts: a holding frame that provides stable retention, and a separate implant interface that remains untouched. This segmentation allows the blank to be securely held without transmitting machining forces to the implant connection, resolving the contradiction between retention stability and damage prevention.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The holding frame acts as an intermediary structure between the abutment blank and the machining process. It provides the necessary retention and stability during machining while isolating the implant interface from harmful forces, thus protecting the implant connection while maintaining secure blank retention.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Strength

If the implant interface is used for retaining the blank, then secure coupling is achieved, but the coupling process becomes complicated

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecoupling strengthVSAvoidcoupling process complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

By separating the retention function (performed by the holding frame) from the implant interface, the system achieves secure coupling through dedicated fixation mechanisms while simplifying the overall coupling process. The implant interface remains intact and undamaged, and the holding frame can be easily attached and detached without complicating procedures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Stability of the object's composition

If forces are applied to the implant connection for holding, then the blank is securely retained, but machining precision is compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveretention stabilityVSAvoidmachining accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The holding frame provides a stable, force-absorbing structure that is separate from the implant interface. This segmentation ensures that retention stability is achieved through the holding frame while the implant interface remains free from disturbing forces, thereby maintaining high machining precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The holding frame serves as an intermediary that absorbs and isolates machining forces, preventing them from reaching the implant interface. This mediator structure maintains both retention stability and machining precision by decoupling the force transmission path from the critical implant connection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP3868331B1Holding device for an abutment blank
Publication Date: 2023.09.13 BIOMET 3I LLC
  • EP3868331B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3868331B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP3868331B1 patent drawingFigure 4A~4B

AI summary

According to one example, a holding device system including a two-part holding frame having a blank holder coupled to a main frame is disclosed. The two-part holding frame can define a processing space and a fixation space. The holding device system can further include at least one fixation element having a head positioned within the fixation space and a threaded shaft extending within and engaged with a bore of the two-part holding frame. In one example, when the blank holder is coupled to the main frame, the at least one fixation element is unable to be removed from the two-part holding frame.