Curved Interconnecting Elements for Orthodontic Aligner Flexibility

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional orthodontic aligners face limitations in flexibility, leading to inadequate tooth engagement and force delivery, particularly when aligning teeth that are not well-lined up, resulting in suboptimal tooth movement and frequent revisions to treatment plans.

Innovation Solution

A tooth positioning appliance with curved interconnecting elements that connect tooth-clasping elements on nearby teeth, providing flexibility through controlled material choice, cross-section, and shape, specifically using small radius loop configurations to maintain engagement and allow for controlled tooth movement.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If conventional orthodontic aligners are used, then the appliance structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the flexibility is insufficient leading to inadequate tooth engagement

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveflexibilityVSAvoidappliance structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The appliance is divided into multiple tooth-clasping elements connected by interconnecting elements. Each tooth-clasping element can independently engage with individual teeth, allowing flexible adaptation to various tooth positions and arrangements while maintaining overall structural integrity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The interconnecting elements are designed with curved configurations that provide flexibility and resilience. The curved geometry allows the elements to bend and flex as teeth move from their original positions toward the desired straightened positions, accommodating the adaptive needs of different tooth arrangements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

2Adaptability or versatility

If the appliance material is made more flexible to improve tooth engagement, then the adaptability increases, but the force delivery control becomes less precise

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetooth engagementVSAvoidforce delivery control

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

Different portions of the appliance have different material properties optimized for their specific functions. The tooth-clasping elements use materials with specific resilience characteristics for effective tooth engagement, while the interconnecting elements have controlled flexibility to maintain force delivery precision. This local differentiation allows simultaneous achievement of adaptability and control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The material properties of the appliance components are carefully selected and adjusted. The interconnecting elements use materials with specific elastic moduli and cross-sectional dimensions that provide the right balance between flexibility for engagement and stiffness for force control. By changing material parameters, both engagement quality and force precision are optimized.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Manufacturing precision

If separate tooth positioning appliances are made for each incremental step, then the tooth movement precision is improved, but the manufacturing complexity and time increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetooth movement precisionVSAvoidmanufacturing efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The appliance design with modular tooth-clasping elements and flexible interconnecting elements creates a universal structure that can accommodate multiple incremental tooth movement stages. A single appliance design framework can be adapted for different treatment stages by adjusting the positioning of tooth-clasping elements, reducing the need to manufacture completely separate appliances for each step.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 appliance ensures firm engagement of tooth-clasping elements and controlled force delivery, enhancing tooth movement accuracy and reducing the need for frequent treatment plan revisions by maintaining consistent force application throughout the orthodontic process.

Implementation Method 1

The resilience of the material from which the positioner is made provides the energy to move the teeth from their original position toward the new straightened position

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

flexible curved interconnecting elements connecting the tooth-clasping elements on nearby teeth... specifically using small radius loop configurations to maintain engagement and allow for controlled tooth movement

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElastic deformation: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentUS10292789B2Tooth positioning appliance with curved interconnecting elements

Publication Date: 2019.05.21 MARTZ MARTIN G

AI summary

A removable, thin-shell tooth positioning appliance having a plurality of tooth-clasping elements for removably engaging attachments bonded onto selected teeth, with flexible curved interconnecting elements connecting the tooth-clasping elements on nearby teeth.