Dental Implant Impression Cap Attachment Mechanism

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing devices for attaching an impression cap to dental implants are not stable enough, especially in areas with small cross-sections, where limited space makes it difficult to achieve reliable attachment.

Innovation Solution

The elastically deformable holding means are integrated into the secondary part rather than the impression cap, allowing for a dimensionally stable wall on the impression cap and a secure snap connection that can be released by tensile force, ensuring stable attachment even with small diameters.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the holding means are formed on the impression cap as in previously known devices, then the device can be simple in structure, but the impression cap cannot maintain dimensional stability and reliable attachment in areas with small cross-sections

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveattachment stabilityVSAvoidstructure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent inverts the conventional design by moving the elastically deformable holding means from the impression cap to the secondary part. This inversion allows the impression cap to maintain dimensional stability while the secondary part provides the necessary elasticity for reliable attachment through snap connection elements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

2Reliability

If a dimensionally stable wall is required on the impression cap for small diameters, then attachment stability improves, but the ability to release the attachment non-destructively becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveattachment stabilityVSAvoidrelease capability
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the attachment system into two distinct functional parts: the impression cap with dimensionally stable wall for reliability, and the secondary part with elastically deformable holding means for easy release. The snap connection elements on the secondary part can be deformed independently to release the attachment without affecting the dimensional stability of the impression cap.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Ease of operation

If the impression cap is made with deformable sections to enable release, then ease of operation improves, but the dimensional stability and reliability of the impression cap deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverelease capabilityVSAvoiddimensional stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the deformable holding means from the impression cap and places them on the secondary part. This extraction allows the impression cap to maintain its dimensional stability and manufacturing precision, while the secondary part provides the necessary deformability for easy operation and release through its snap connection elements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

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 provides a stable and non-destructive attachment of the impression cap to the dental implant, ensuring precise transfer of the implant's axis and rotational position, even in constrained spaces, using a screw connection and spring fingers for secure engagement.

Implementation Method 1

The elastically deformable holding means for releasably attaching the impression cap to the dental implant are formed on the secondary part

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

A screw connection ensures an extremely stable attachment of the secondary part to the dental implant

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Data Source

PatentEP2303180B1Device for attaching a casting cover to a tooth implant
Publication Date: 2017.08.23 STRAUMANN HOLDING AG
  • EP2303180B1 patent drawingFigure 1~7
  • EP2303180B1 patent drawingFigure 8~11
  • EP2303180B1 patent drawingFigure 12~15

AI summary

In order to removably place the impression cap (72) on the tooth implant (10), the secondary part (40) is fastened to the same by means of a threaded connection. The secondary part (40) has elastically deformable spring fingers (44) that cooperate with the wall (76) of the impression cap (72). The wall (76) is inelastically configured. With a good fit of the impression cap, the device can be configured in a slim manner, making the latter particularly suitable for use in the frontal region of the lower jaw.