Crimpable Orthodontic Stop with Integrated Tie-Back Hook
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing orthodontic hardware configurations, such as traditional stops and tie backs on archwires, are time-consuming to bend and can cause irritation and discomfort due to their size and design, limiting their effectiveness and patient comfort.
Innovation Solution
A modified crimpable stop with integrated slots for ligature placement, allowing it to function as both a stop and a tie back, reducing irritation and improving hygiene by being smaller and easier to place, while maintaining the ease of use of crimpable stops.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional stops and tie backs are bent in the archwire, then they can prevent archwires from sliding through brackets and prevent space opening, but the process is time consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs crimpable stops made of stainless steel tubes that are pre-formed and designed for single-use crimping onto archwires. These stops are manufactured ready-to-use with standardized dimensions, eliminating the need for time-consuming manual bending during orthodontic procedures while maintaining reliable space prevention functionality.
2Reliability
If conventional tie back hooks are made larger to provide anchor for elastics, then they can provide intermaxillary fixation, but they can cause irritation of the gingiva
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the stop function and tie-back anchor function into a single integrated component. The crimpable stop includes a tubular body for securing to the archwire and an integrated hook structure that extends from the stop, allowing both space prevention and elastic anchoring functions to be performed by one smaller component rather than two separate larger components.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent designs the hook with specific dimensional characteristics - the hook height is controlled to be sufficient for elastic attachment but limited in size to minimize gingival irritation. The hook dimensions are optimized locally to provide adequate anchor strength while maintaining a compact profile that reduces contact with soft tissues.
3Ease of operation
If crimpable stops are used to facilitate placement, then they can be easily secured to archwires, but they cannot be used as tie backs since there is no way to tie a ligature to them
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs the crimpable stop as a multi-functional component that simultaneously provides stop functionality (preventing archwire movement through brackets) and tie-back functionality (providing anchor for elastics). The integrated hook structure enables the same component to perform both functions, eliminating the need for separate tie-back devices and expanding the versatility of crimpable stops.
Data Source
AI summary
An orthodontic appliance, includes a crimpable tubular shaped portion having at least three walls selected from the group consisting of a lingual wall, a buccal or labial wall, an occlusal wall and a gingival wall, the at least three walls defining and opening configured to receive an archwire therethrough in a mesial-distal direction. The appliance includes at least one wing joined to the tubular shaped portion, the at least one wing extending longitudinally in the mesial-distal direction. A slot is provided in the at least one wing open to an end of the wing in the mesial or distal direction and having a depth in the mesial distal direction and a height in a gingival-occlusal direction configured to receive a ligature wire or elastic.