Dental Drilling Template Segmentation for Precision Positioning

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing methods for producing dental drilling templates with guide channels are complex, expensive, and require specialized machining centers, leading to long waiting times for patients and limited opportunities for dentists to develop additional services.

Innovation Solution

A method that uses prefabricated or easily manufactured channel elements, such as metal sleeves, combined with a mounting element and mounting plate with a form-fitting assembly structure, allowing for the arbitrary positioning of guide channels using less complex processing machines like four-axis machines, and enabling the use of both subtractive and additive manufacturing techniques.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If guide channels are created directly in the impression element using specialized machining centers, then manufacturing precision and arbitrary positioning are achieved, but device complexity and production cost increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveguide channel positioning precisionVSAvoidmachining center complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The drilling template is divided into multiple separable components: an impression element and a mounting element with guide channels. This segmentation allows each component to be manufactured independently using simpler, more accessible machining equipment rather than requiring a single complex multi-axis machining center to create the entire assembly with integrated guide channels.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A mounting element serves as an intermediary component that connects the impression element to the guide channels. This mounting element acts as a mediator that enables precise guide channel positioning through form-fitting assembly structures without requiring the impression element itself to be machined with complex guide channels directly into it.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If five-axis processing machines are used to create guide channels in any desired angular orientation, then arbitrary positioning capability is achieved, but production time and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveguide channel angular orientation capabilityVSAvoidproduction waiting time
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The mounting element is pre-manufactured with form-fitting assembly structures and guide channels in the desired angular orientations before being assembled to the impression element. This preliminary preparation allows for arbitrary positioning capability to be achieved without time-consuming manual adjustment procedures during the final assembly process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system enables dynamic adaptability through the form-fitting assembly structure that allows the mounting element with guide channels to be positioned and fixed in various angular orientations relative to the impression element, providing versatility without requiring complex five-axis machining during assembly.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Manufacturing precision

If manual adjustment procedures on multi-axis mounting bases are used, then experienced specialists can achieve precise positioning, but operation complexity and expertise requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveguide channel position accuracyVSAvoidoperation simplicity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The mounting element incorporates self-aligning form-fitting assembly structures that enable precise positioning of the guide channels relative to the impression element without requiring manual adjustment by experienced specialists. The components are designed to self-align and lock into the correct position, making the operation simpler and more accessible.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The manual mechanical adjustment system is replaced with a form-fitting assembly structure that uses geometric interlocking and form-fit mechanisms to achieve precise positioning automatically, eliminating the need for complex manual adjustment procedures and specialized expertise.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

4Manufacturing precision

If drilling templates are produced only by specialized machining centers, then manufacturing quality is maintained, but accessibility and waiting time worsen

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedrilling template qualityVSAvoidproduction accessibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

By segmenting the drilling template into separable components (impression element and mounting element with guide channels), the invention enables production to be distributed across multiple simpler machining centers rather than requiring a single specialized facility, thereby improving accessibility while maintaining quality through standardized form-fitting assembly structures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The mounting element with form-fitting assembly structures serves as a universal component that can be manufactured on various types of machining centers and then assembled to different impression elements, making the production process more accessible to a broader range of dental laboratories while maintaining consistent manufacturing quality through standardized interfaces.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP3151776B1Method for producing a dental drilling template
Publication Date: 2018.11.07 MED DENT MINDS
  • EP3151776B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3151776B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3151776B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a method for producing a dental drilling template which is adapted to the jaw structure of a patient and which comprises at least one guide channel (5) for guiding a drilling tool, in which said guide channel (5) is arranged, in accordance with positional data, on an impression element (1) comprising a negative impression of the jaw structure. A mounting element (6) which comprises an adaptation element (7) and which is adapted to the required position of the guide channel (5) is produced by machining a material by means of a machining machine and a periodic closed mould mounting structure (10), preferably a closed mould mounting structure (10) in at least two directions is produced on the mounting element (6), during the production in accordance with the positional data. A channel element (4) already comprising the guide channel (5), in particular in the form of a metal housing, and which comprises an adaptation area (7) which corresponds to the adaptation element (7) of the mounting element (6), and which is in particular formed by the guide channel (5) itself, is secured to the produced mounting element (6). The part formed by the interconnected mounting element (6) and the channel element (4) and comprising the closed mould mounting structure (10) of the mounting element (6) is fixed in a position which is calculated in accordance with the positional data, on a mounting plate (12) comprising a corresponding closed mould structure (14), in particular in a periodic structure (14) in at least two directions. The impression element (1) is secured to the securing element (2) opposite the mounting plate (12) and the channel element (4) is arranged, by fixing, in particular by sticking, on the impression element (1) and by detaching from the mounting element (6) to the impression element (1).