Dental Implant Secondary Part With Elastic Spring Connection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing dental implant accessories suffer from loss of elasticity and functionality over time, leading to unstable connections and potential jamming issues.
Innovation Solution
A secondary part for dental implants featuring spring elements with specific geometric configurations and material properties that allow for a stable, secure, and reusable connection, utilizing a head part and connecting part with radially supported spring elements that can deflect elastically to engage with the implant.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If flexible fingers or arms are used to engage the dental implant, then the connection is secure and stable, but the elasticity is lost over time and the components wear out
Solution Approach 1:
The connecting part is segmented into multiple spring elements (typically 3-6) that are radially supported by an end part. Each spring element acts as an independent engagement component, distributing the mechanical stress and preventing single-point failure. This segmentation allows the system to maintain reliability while reducing wear on individual elements.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring elements are designed to be elastically deflectable in the radial direction, providing dynamic adaptation to the implant surface. The central part of each spring element can deflect radially to engage with the implant's outer contour, maintaining secure connection while accommodating manufacturing tolerances and surface variations. This dynamic capability preserves elasticity throughout the service life.
2Ease of operation
If resilient teeth are used for snap-in connection, then the insertion is easy and secure, but the teeth lose their function over time
Solution Approach 1:
The spring elements are designed with specific geometric parameters including a length-to-radial-width ratio greater than 3 (preferably 5-10), and wall thickness ratios that optimize elastic deflection. These parameter changes enable the spring elements to maintain their elastic properties and engagement function over repeated use, unlike traditional resilient teeth that deform permanently.
Solution Approach 2:
The secondary part is preferably made from superelastic materials such as nitinol (nickel-titanium alloy) or elinvar (nickel-iron-chromium alloy). These composite material properties provide superior elasticity retention and fatigue resistance compared to conventional resilient teeth, maintaining connection function durability while preserving ease of insertion.
3Reliability
If multiple spring elements are used for stable connection, then the connection reliability improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The spring elements are merged with the connecting part as an integrated structure, where the spring elements extend directly from the connecting part's outer surface. The end part that provides radial support is also integrated into the connecting part design. This merging reduces the number of separate components and simplifies manufacturing while maintaining the reliability benefits of multiple spring elements.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring elements serve multiple functions simultaneously: they provide elastic engagement with the implant, transmit torque for rotational operations, and accommodate radial misalignments. The end part both supports the spring elements radially and provides structural closure. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional components, decreasing device complexity while maintaining connection stability.
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 solution provides a durable and reliable connection that maintains elasticity, allowing easy insertion and removal without losing functionality, and supports torque transmission and defined positioning.
Implementation Method 1
A central part of at least one of the supported spring elements is elastically deflectable in a radial direction
Implementation Method 2
The at least two spring elements are radially supported with respect to each other by an end part at the respective apical end. A central part of at least one of the supported spring elements is elastically deflectable in a radial direction.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a secondary part (1) for a dental implant (2). The secondary part (1) has a head part (3) and a connection part (4). The connection part (4) has at least two spring elements (5), which extend along a longitudinal axis (L) of the secondary part (1). The spring elements (5) have a coronal end (6) and an apical end (7) and are connected at the coronal end (6) to the head part (3) In addition, the at least two spring elements (5) are radially supported with respect to each other at the respective apical ends (7) by an end part (8). A central part (9) of at least one of the supported spring elements (5) is in this case elastically deflectable in a radial direction.