Elastomeric Bite Fork Stabilizer for Accurate Maxillary Arch Recording

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Solution Overview

Problem

There is currently no effective method to stabilize a bite fork in a patient's mouth during dental procedures, which hinders the accurate recording of the maxillary teeth relationship to the cranial base.

Innovation Solution

An elastically deformable bite fork stabilizer with an adhesive layer is attached to the bottom surface of the bite fork, allowing it to be securely positioned in the mouth and stabilized during biting, enabling accurate recording of the maxillary arch relationship.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If a bite fork is placed in the patient's mouth to record maxillary teeth relationship, then the maxillary arch relationship can be determined, but the bite fork cannot be stabilized during biting

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemaxillary arch relationship recording accuracyVSAvoidbite fork stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

An elastomeric stabilizer material is introduced as an intermediary between the bite fork and the patient's teeth. This stabilizer material deforms elastically under biting forces to provide stabilization, while the rigid stabilizing members maintain the structural integrity and positioning of the bite fork during the recording process

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Stability of the object's composition

If a rigid stabilizing structure is added to the bite fork, then stability during biting is improved, but the ability to accurately record teeth imprints is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebite fork stabilityVSAvoidteeth imprint accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The bite fork assembly is designed with different local properties: the stabilizing members are rigid to provide structural stability, while the stabilizer material in contact with the teeth is elastomeric to allow accurate imprint recording. This local differentiation of material properties resolves the contradiction between stability and recording accuracy

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The system combines rigid stabilizing members with elastomeric stabilizer material to create a composite structure that exhibits both structural stability and deformability for accurate teeth imprint recording

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

3Stability of the object's composition

If complex stabilization mechanisms are added to the bite fork, then bite fork stability is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebite fork stabilityVSAvoidstabilization mechanism complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The elastomeric stabilizer material provides automatic stabilization through its inherent elastic properties when compressed by the patient's biting forces, eliminating the need for complex mechanical stabilization mechanisms. The system self-regulates based on the applied force

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

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 stabilizer ensures the bite fork remains stable, allowing for a more accurate representation of the teeth relationship, facilitating precise replication on a mechanical jaw simulator or dental articulator.

Implementation Method 1

an adhesive layer on one side of the elastically deformable layer, wherein the adhesive layer is disposed between the elastically deformable layer and the bite fork

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAdhesive bonding: Adhesive

Implementation Method 2

an elastically deformable bite fork stabilizer comprising an elastically deformable layer

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElastic deformation: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP2255747B1Elastically deformable bite fork stabilizer and associated methods
Publication Date: 2021.04.07 FLETCHER GAYLE
  • EP2255747B1 patent drawingFigure 1~7
  • EP2255747B1 patent drawingFigure 8~11
  • EP2255747B1 patent drawingFigure 12~13

AI summary

Methods and apparatus for stabilizing a bite fork in a patient's mouth. The apparatus may comprise an elastically deformable bite fork stabilizer. The elastically deformable bite fork stabilizer may comprise an elastically deformable layer, an adhesive layer on one side of the elastically deformable layer, and a removable layer adhered to the adhesive layer.