Cranium-Anchored Maxilla Holder for Precise Orthognathic Positioning

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional occlusal splints using the mandible as a positioning base for the maxilla in orthognathic surgery lack stability, leading to inaccurate positioning due to mandible movement, and their width often complicates the surgical procedure by narrowing the oral space and hindering precise tooth binding.

Innovation Solution

A maxilla holder with a base plate and connecting members that attach to the cranium, featuring supporting portions to stabilize the maxilla's position, ensuring precise alignment by abutting against the piriform aperture and anterior nasal spine, and secured with screws for fixed positioning.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If the mandible is used as the positioning base for the maxilla, then the positioning procedure can be performed, but the positioning accuracy deteriorates due to mandible movement

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepositioning accuracyVSAvoidmandible stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of using the mandible as the positioning base, the invention inverts the approach by using the maxilla holder with supporting portions that abut against the cranium and nasal structures to position the maxilla directly, eliminating mandible movement as a source of error

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The maxilla holder acts as an intermediary device between the cranium and the maxilla, providing stable positioning through its supporting portions that contact the piriform aperture and anterior nasal spine, thereby achieving accurate maxilla positioning without relying on mandible stability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Stability of the object's composition

If the occlusal splint is made wide to provide sufficient support, then the positioning stability improves, but the oral space becomes narrower hindering the surgical procedure

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepositioning stabilityVSAvoidoral space accessibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The positioning function is segmented into multiple localized supporting portions (first supporting portions at the ends of branch portions and second supporting portions on branch portions) that distribute stabilization across different anatomical landmarks, allowing the device to be sufficiently stable without requiring excessive overall width

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The supporting portions are strategically positioned to contact specific local anatomical features (piriform aperture, anterior nasal spine), concentrating the stabilization function at precise locations rather than requiring broad surface contact, thereby maintaining oral space accessibility

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentUS20260007500A1Maxilla holder and installation thereof

Publication Date: 2026.01.08 CHEN LIANG CHENG

AI summary

A maxilla holder includes a base plate and a connecting member. One end of the connecting member is connected with the base plate which extends along a pre-designed occlusal plane while the other end of the connecting member includes at least two supporting portions. With the supporting portions abutting against the cranium, the base plate is positioned so that the maxilla is located in a pre-planned position once it is moved onto the base plate.