Magnetic Palatal Distractor Activation for Safer Oral Adjustment
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing palatal distractors face challenges in easy and safe activation due to difficult access and precise movement requirements, especially in children or subjects with mouth opening issues, and the use of spanners can be unpleasant or injurious.
Innovation Solution
A distraction assembly with a palatal distractor and an activation tool featuring a magnetic coupling between a first and second magnetic assembly, allowing for easy attachment and detachment, and a drive member to simplify the activation process, reducing the risk of injury.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a spanner is used as an adjustment tool, then the distraction rod can be rotated to achieve relative displacement, but the tool is difficult to position and may injure the subject due to poor accessibility and thin spanner design
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the traditional mechanical spanner system with a magnetic coupling system. The activation tool contains a magnetic assembly that magnetically couples with the distractor body, eliminating the need for precise mechanical insertion of a thin spanner. This substitution reduces injury risk while maintaining activation capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The magnetic coupling acts as an intermediary between the activation tool and the distractor body. Instead of direct mechanical contact requiring precise positioning, the magnetic field serves as a mediator that automatically aligns and secures the activation tool to the distractor body, making activation safer and easier.
2Ease of operation
If a thin spanner is used for activation, then the distraction rod can be accessed, but the spanner is difficult to handle and may injure the subject
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the activation tool with the distractor body through magnetic coupling, creating a unified system during activation. The magnetic assembly in the activation tool merges with the magnetic assembly in the distractor body, simplifying handling while reducing activation complexity through automatic alignment.
3Ease of operation
If a magnetic coupling is used for connection, then the activation tool can be easily attached and detached, but the connection must be strong enough to prevent accidental separation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes magnetic field strength as a controllable parameter to achieve the desired balance. By selecting appropriate magnet strengths and configurations, the system provides strong enough attraction to prevent accidental separation during activation, while allowing easy attachment and detachment when intentionally activated by the user.
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 magnetic coupling and drive member facilitate safer and easier activation of the palatal distractor, improving user safety and reducing the complexity of precise movements.
Implementation Method 1
the fixed connection between the first part and the activation tool comprising a magnetic coupling between the first magnetic assembly and the second magnetic assembly
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a distraction assembly, comprising: a palatal distractor, comprising an activation rod and a body segmented into a first part comprising a first magnetic assembly composed of at least one first permanent magnet, and into a second part, the rotation of the activation rod causing a relative displacement of the first part and the second part along a distraction axis X, an activation tool removably attached to the first part, comprising a drive member configured to drive the activation rod in rotation, and a second magnetic assembly composed of at least one second, preferably permanent, magnet, the fixed connection between the first part and the activation tool comprising a magnetic coupling between the first magnetic assembly and the second magnetic assembly.Figure for the abstract: Figure 1