Angulated Dental Screw Interface for Off-Axis Driver Rotation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods face challenges in inserting and rotating screws through angulated screw channels in dental components, as conventional driver tools struggle to align and apply rotational force effectively when angled significantly from the screw's longitudinal axis.
Innovation Solution
A dental screw with a bore featuring angled recesses and a driver head with a polygonal cross-section and tapered surfaces, allowing the driver to grip and rotate the screw at various angles, utilizing Titanium Nitride coatings for enhanced friction and a 'carry function' to facilitate insertion and rotation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a conventional driver tool is used to insert and rotate a screw through an angulated screw channel, then the screw can be inserted into the dental component, but the driver cannot effectively align and apply rotational force when positioned at significant angles from the screw's longitudinal axis
Solution Approach 1:
The driver head is segmented into multiple functional surfaces: a first surface for gripping the screw head when aligned, and a second surface angled relative to the first surface for applying rotational force when the driver is positioned at an angle. This segmentation allows the driver to adapt to different angular positions during screw insertion through angulated channels.
Solution Approach 2:
The driver head incorporates an angled second surface that operates in a different angular dimension compared to the first surface. This dimensional change enables the driver to effectively apply rotational force even when positioned at significant angles from the screw's longitudinal axis, solving the limitation of conventional drivers.
2Manufacturing precision
If the screw channel is angulated to match the prosthesis orientation, then the prosthesis can be properly positioned, but the driver axis cannot align with the screw longitudinal axis during insertion
Solution Approach 1:
The screw head is designed with pre-configured angular surfaces that anticipate the angular misalignment between the driver and screw during insertion. The angled second surface is预先 positioned to receive and guide the driver's rotational force even before perfect alignment is achieved, ensuring precise prosthesis positioning without requiring precise driver-screw alignment.
Solution Approach 2:
The angled second surface of the driver head acts as an intermediary that transfers rotational force from the misaligned driver to the screw. This intermediary surface bridges the angular gap between the driver axis and screw longitudinal axis, enabling force transmission without direct axial alignment.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a ball-headed driver is used to interface with the screw at an angle, then some rotational capability is achieved, but the interface is insufficient for effective manipulation during insertion
Solution Approach 1:
The driver head features asymmetric surfaces with different orientations: a first surface optimized for aligned gripping and a second angled surface optimized for angular rotation. This asymmetry provides superior adaptability and manipulation capability compared to the symmetric ball-headed design, enabling effective screw insertion through angulated channels.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables efficient insertion and rotation of screws through angulated channels, ensuring secure fastening of dental components to implants with reduced risk of misalignment and slippage, even when the driver is positioned at significant angles relative to the screw axis.
Implementation Method 1
At least a portion of the inside surface of the bore comprises a layer of Titanium Nitride
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a screw and corresponding screw driver for driving the screw into a dental implant at an angle from the longitudinal axis of the implant. The screw has a polygonal interface and the screw driver has a matching interface for driving the screw to rotate.