Dental Fixture With Strain-Inducing Trailing Portion

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current dental fixtures face challenges in achieving high stability and strength during the healing phase after implantation, as they often do not effectively utilize the beneficial effects of exceeding the yield point of bone tissue to enhance osseointegration.

Innovation Solution

A fixture design that induces controlled static strains in the bone tissue by varying the radial distance of threads, with a leading portion creating a female thread and a trailing portion applying radial pressure to condense the bone, achieving strains between 0.01-0.3, which is beneficial for osseointegration.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If the fixture is designed to induce high static strains exceeding the yield point of bone tissue, then the stability and strength during healing phase is improved, but the risk of bone damage and plastic deformation increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefixture stabilityVSAvoidbone damage

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The fixture design changes the strain parameter by incorporating a transition portion that creates a controlled diameter increase, generating static strains in the bone tissue that exceed the yield point (ultimate strain) to trigger beneficial biological responses while maintaining fixture stability during healing

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The invention converts the potentially harmful effect of exceeding the yield point into a beneficial outcome. By intentionally inducing high static strains that cause controlled bone cracking and plastic deformation, the fixture triggers enhanced osseointegration and bone growth, transforming what would normally be damaging stress into a therapeutic effect that improves fixture stability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

2Reliability

If the fixture design includes a transition portion with diameter increase to induce static strain, then osseointegration is enhanced, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveosseointegrationVSAvoidfixture structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The fixture is segmented into distinct functional portions: a leading portion with cutting edges for thread formation, a transition portion with increased diameter to induce static strain, and a trailing portion for final seating. This segmentation allows each portion to perform its specific function while maintaining overall structural integrity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The transition portion introduces a dimensional change by increasing the diameter of the fixture along its axial length. This geometric progression from the leading to trailing portion creates the necessary strain in the surrounding bone tissue without requiring additional components or complex mechanisms

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Reliability

If the threaded portion has larger radial distance from axis to trigger biological response, then the strain effect is enhanced, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebiological responseVSAvoidthread dimensional control

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the radial distance parameter along the axial length of the fixture. The transition portion progressively increases the radial distance from the fixture axis to the thread, creating a controlled diameter increase that generates the desired static strain in the bone tissue while providing clear geometric definitions for manufacturing

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 controlled strain induction enhances the stability and strength of the fixture during the healing phase, as demonstrated by increased removal torque values in animal studies, indicating better initial and long-term stability.

Implementation Method 1

The fixture comprises a threaded outer surface for engagement with the bone tissue

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMechanical interlocking: Mechanical Fastener

Implementation Method 2

The inventors have found that tensile strains in the circumferential direction which exceed the ultimate strain of the bone, i.e. when the bone cracks, may also be beneficial to trigger the biological response during the healing phase after fixture installation

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectStatic strain: Deformation

Implementation Method 3

the trailing portion is adapted to provide a static radial strain to the cortical bone

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRadial pressure: Compression

Data Source

PatentEP2696796B1fixture

Publication Date: 2017.09.27 DENTSPLY IH AB

Figure 1a~2b
Figure 3a~5
Figure 6a~6b

AI summary

The present invention relates to a fixture, such as a dental fixture, for insertion into a bore hole arranged in bone tissue, comprising a threaded leading portion and a threaded trailing portion located coronal ly of the leading portion. By a widened threading at the trailing portion, the bone tissue is subjected to a static strain beyond the yield strain of the bone tissue.