Assembly Rod for Occlusal Plane Measurement

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional methods for capturing the occlusal plane in dental prosthesis fabrication are inaccurate, prone to deformation, and require expensive and complex equipment, often resulting in incorrect information transfer due to asymmetrical anatomical landmarks and limited reference lines.

Innovation Solution

An assembly type rod that includes a bite rod with adhesion parts for attaching to dental trays, extension parts for capturing Camper's lines, and a scale for precise measurement, allowing simultaneous capture of interpupillary and Camper's lines, midline, and arch symmetry without expensive equipment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If conventional simple rod forms (microbrush, swab) are used to capture occlusal plane, then the device is simple and easy to use, but the rod is likely to be deformed and inaccurate information is delivered

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of useVSAvoidmeasurement accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The rod is divided into multiple segments that can be assembled together, allowing the device to maintain structural integrity while remaining simple to use. The segmented design prevents deformation while preserving ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Reference lines and anatomical landmarks are pre-marked on the rod before use. This preliminary preparation ensures accurate measurement without requiring complex adjustment during the procedure, maintaining both simplicity and precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Device complexity

If only a reference line at the frontal view is set, then the device structure is simple, but it is difficult to provide information on an accurate occlusal plane

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice structureVSAvoidocclusal plane information
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The device incorporates reference lines in multiple dimensions - frontal view, lateral view, and vertical orientation. This multi-dimensional approach captures complete occlusal plane information without significantly increasing device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The rod is designed to serve multiple functions: capturing frontal reference lines, lateral reference lines, and vertical relationships. This multi-functionality ensures complete occlusal plane information is obtained using a single simple device.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Measurement precision

If a face bow is used to capture occlusal plane, then more accurate information can be obtained, but the equipment is expensive and complicated and only a dedicated articulator can be used

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveocclusal plane accuracyVSAvoidequipment complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The essential measurement functions of the face bow are extracted into a simplified rod device. By taking out only the necessary reference line capture capabilities, the device achieves accurate measurement without the complexity and high cost of a complete face bow system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The rod is designed as an inexpensive, simple device that can be used once or discarded after a single procedure. This eliminates the need for expensive, complex equipment while providing sufficient accuracy for the measurement task.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

4Reliability

If anatomical landmark such as eyes or ears are asymmetrical, then conventional methods fail to provide accurate occlusal plane, but the invention can still capture accurate information

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinformation accuracyVSAvoidhandling asymmetry
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The device is designed to accommodate and measure asymmetric anatomical landmarks directly. By incorporating asymmetric reference points and allowing independent measurement of each side, the rod provides accurate occlusal plane information even when eyes or ears are asymmetrical.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

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

The assembly type rod provides accurate, four-dimensional information on the occlusal plane, reducing errors in prosthesis fabrication by enabling precise transfer of occlusal plane information during impression taking with a simple and economical method.

Implementation Method 1

The adhesives are meltable by applying heat to the adhesion part, so that the bite rod may be attached and fixed to the maxillary or the mandibular tray

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMelting: Melting

Data Source

PatentEP3900672B1Assembly type rod for recording occlusal plane
Publication Date: 2023.05.17 PUSAN NAT UNIV IND UNIV COOPERATION FOUND
  • EP3900672B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3900672B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3900672B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An assembly type rod for an occlusal plane taking is presented. An assembly type rod according to one embodiment comprises: a bite rod of which the middle portion thereof is placed between the upper and lower anterior teeth of a patient to obtain information of the frontal occlusal plane parallel to the interpupillary line; and an extension portion which is coupled to the bite rod in the form of a ball-and-socket through a ball-shaped coupling portion and is rotatable in a state of being coupled with the bite rod such that information of a lateral occlusal plane according to Camper's line on both sides can be acquired.