Dental Abutment Locator with Extended Alignment Feature
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing abutment position locators in dental procedures often lose functionality due to misaligned insertion, leading to decreased friction force and improper fitting, as the springs can be plastically deformed during incorrect insertion.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates resilient spring members and an alignment feature that extends further than the spring members, ensuring correct alignment and preventing misinsertion by using a configuration where the alignment feature surrounds the spring members, preventing plastic deformation and maintaining frictional engagement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the spring members are made resilient to provide frictional engagement, then the fitting can be easily inserted and removed, but the spring members can be plastically deformed during misaligned insertion, causing loss of functionality
Solution Approach 1:
The fitting is divided into two functional segments: spring members for frictional engagement and an alignment feature for positional guidance. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function independently, with the alignment feature protecting the spring members from damaging misaligned forces.
Solution Approach 2:
The alignment feature performs a preliminary action by establishing correct alignment before the spring members engage. This preliminary alignment prevents misaligned insertion forces from reaching the spring members, thereby protecting them from plastic deformation while still allowing easy insertion.
2Manufacturing precision
If the alignment feature is added to prevent misalignment, then the fitting maintains correct orientation, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The alignment feature is merged with the spring member structure, forming an integrated component rather than a separate assembly. This merging reduces overall device complexity while maintaining the alignment function, as the alignment feature and spring members work together as a unified structural element.
3Force
If the spring members are positioned to engage the implant, then frictional engagement is achieved, but misaligned insertion causes plastic deformation and loss of friction force
Solution Approach 1:
The alignment feature acts as an intermediary element between the external insertion force and the spring members. It mediates the insertion process by guiding the fitting into correct alignment before the spring members engage the implant, thereby protecting them from harmful misaligned forces that would cause plastic deformation.
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
This configuration ensures the abutment is securely aligned and fixed to the dental implant without risking spring deformation, maintaining effective frictional engagement and stability, even during incorrect initial attempts, thus enhancing the reliability of the fitting process.
Implementation Method 1
These springs 104 are expandable perpendicularly to the insertion axis of the fitting 100, for impeding a movement of the fitting 100 relative to the dental implant along the insertion axis when inserted into the dental implant
Implementation Method 2
the springs 104 are expanded radially inwardly towards the central insertion axis of the fitting 100 upon insertion of the fitting 100 into the implant and, hence, frictionally engage the dental implant due to their constant pressure exerted on the implant
Data Source
AI summary
The present application relates to a fitting for insertion into a dental implant in an insertion orientation defining a central insertion axis. The fitting includes at least one resilient spring member which extends from a body portion. It further includes an alignment feature for aligning the fitting relative to the dental implant about the insertion axis. The alignment feature extends distally beyond the distal end of the spring member.