Attachment Chamber Punch for Tooth Preparation Tray Openings

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for creating preparation trays with holes for tooth attachments in clear aligner systems are difficult due to the limitations of vacuum molding and manual application of etch and bonding fluids, leading to inaccurate hole placement and potential tooth damage.

Innovation Solution

A specially designed punch tool is used to remove attachment chambers from an attachment creation tray, creating precise holes that match the future tooth attachment contact areas, preventing bonded flashing and minimizing tooth damage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If a preparation tray with holes is created by manual methods, then the holes can be made to match tooth attachment areas, but the process is difficult and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehole placement accuracyVSAvoidtray creation process

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by creating a mold cavity in advance that contains a punch tool. This pre-configured mold allows the punch tool to be inserted and activated later to create holes in the preparation tray, simplifying the overall process while maintaining precision in hole placement at future tooth attachment contact areas.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Ease of manufacture

If etch and bonding fluids are applied manually to the tooth surface, then the bonding process can be completed, but the amount of fluid is difficult to control and excessive application damages the tooth surface

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebonding process completionVSAvoidtooth surface damage

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by creating a preparation tray with holes that are precisely positioned at future tooth attachment contact areas. These localized holes confine the etch and bonding fluids to specific regions, allowing the bonding process to be completed while preventing excessive fluid application from damaging the broader tooth surface.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The preparation tray with localized holes acts as an intermediary between the bonding fluid application and the tooth surface. The holes in the tray serve as conduits that direct the etch and bonding fluids precisely to the attachment areas, controlling fluid distribution and preventing harmful excessive application to the tooth enamel.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Manufacturing precision

If a punch tool is designed to remove attachment chambers, then precise holes can be created in the preparation tray, but the tool must be capable of accessing inaccessible areas

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehole placement accuracyVSAvoidtool accessibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by designing a punch tool with flexible or adjustable characteristics that allow it to adapt to different positions and orientations. The punch tool can be inserted at various angles and positions to access attachment chambers in inaccessible areas while still creating precise holes, combining precision with versatility through dynamic tool design.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS20250318905A1A Punch for Creating a Tooth Preparation Tray

Publication Date: 2025.10.16 METZ CARL J

AI summary

A specially designed punch tool removes an attachment chamber from an attachment creation tray to form a tooth attachment preparation tray. The tool creates at least one opening in the tray that closely matches a planned tooth attachment's position. The tool is designed to be capable of removing any attachment chamber without damage to the resulting preparation tray.