Single-Piece Dental Scan Abutment for Precise Implant Orientation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing scan bodies for dental implants suffer from imprecision in orientation determination, potential breakage, hygiene issues, and complexity in assembly, leading to health risks and increased costs due to imprecise fitting of dental bridges.
Innovation Solution
A single-piece scan body design with a first hollow element and a second element for fastening, featuring optimized openings for insertion and retention of an elongated component, allowing for precise scanning and improved hygiene, with a distal end opening for a tightening tool and a middle section opening for cleaning and safety features.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a multi-part scan body design is used, then assembly flexibility is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to risk of disassembly and loss of parts
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple separate components (base part, cap, and retaining features) into a single integrated scan body structure. This eliminates the risk of disassembly and loss of parts while maintaining the functional flexibility of multi-part designs through integrated features such as the hollow element, opening configuration, and built-in retaining mechanisms.
2Reliability
If a scan body with multiple fastening parts is used, then fastening capability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple fastening functions into a single integrated structure. The scan body includes a hollow element with an opening that receives an implant analog, and integrating retaining features within the same structure. This reduces the number of separate parts to be fastened while maintaining reliable fastening capability through the unified design.
3Ease of manufacture
If a conventional scan body design is used, then manufacturing is simplified, but cleaning accessibility deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by strategically positioning openings and hollow elements in specific locations on the scan body. The opening in the hollow element provides targeted cleaning accessibility to critical internal surfaces, while the overall structure remains simple enough for easy manufacturing. The opening configuration is optimized to balance manufacturing simplicity with cleaning accessibility.
4Reliability
If a single-piece scan body is used, then reliability is improved by eliminating disassembly risk, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
While the scan body is a single-piece structure, the patent incorporates segmented functional zones including a hollow element, opening, and integrating retaining features. This segmentation of functions within a unified structure allows for standardized manufacturing processes while achieving the reliability benefits of a single-piece design. The hollow element and opening are formed using precise but achievable manufacturing techniques.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to the field of devices for implantation. More specifically, the invention provides a scan body or scanning abutment for dental implants, which is suited for high precision inter-oral scanning while mounted on a dental implant. The scan body is also suited for scanning when mounted on an implant analog, e.g. mounted in a model of the patient's mouth.