3D Printed Maxillofacial Surgical Splint With Digital Positioning Structure
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current maxillofacial surgical procedures face challenges in accurately positioning and maintaining the relative alignment of the maxilla and mandible during surgery, particularly for conditions like Class II overjet and Class III negative overjet, where traditional methods lack precision and effectiveness.
Innovation Solution
A method involving the creation of a three-dimensional digital model of a patient's dentition, adjusted using a computing device with an electronic model manipulation engine, to generate a physical splint with relative positioning structures that correctly aligns the maxilla and mandible, utilizing 3D printing technology to produce a splint that maintains the desired positional correction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If traditional surgical splints are used to maintain maxilla and mandible positioning, then the surgical procedure can be performed, but the precision and accuracy of maintaining corrected positioning during and after surgery is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by creating a pre-surgical digital model that simulates the desired corrected positioning of maxilla and mandible before the actual surgery. The surgical splint is designed based on this pre-planned model, ensuring that the splint incorporates the exact positioning requirements before surgery begins. This advance planning and preparation of the splint design based on digital simulations directly resolves the contradiction by establishing precise positioning guidelines beforehand, which then guides the surgical procedure to achieve accurate results.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses copying by creating a digital replica or model of the patient's dentition and jaw structures. This digital model serves as a precise copy that can be manipulated and measured to determine the optimal corrected positioning. The surgical splint is then designed to match this digital model, ensuring that when the splint is applied during surgery, it accurately reproduces the planned corrected positioning. This copying approach eliminates the precision and accuracy issues of traditional splints by using a precise digital template.
2Adaptability or versatility
If existing splint methods are used, then surgical procedures can proceed, but the ability to adjust and customize positioning for individual patient needs is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by using digital modeling to precisely define and adjust various positioning parameters such as the angle, position, and orientation of the maxilla relative to the mandible. These parameters can be easily modified in the digital model to accommodate different surgical scenarios and individual patient anatomies. The surgical splint is then designed to reflect these customized parameters, providing the needed adaptability and versatility for different positioning requirements without requiring complex physical adjustment mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces complex mechanical adjustment systems with a digital design approach. Instead of using adjustable mechanical components in the splint itself, the positioning is determined through digital modeling and simulation, and the splint is manufactured as a custom-fit device with built-in positioning features. This substitution of digital planning for mechanical adjustment reduces the actual device complexity while dramatically improving adaptability to individual patient needs.
3Productivity
If manual model manipulation is used to plan surgery, then surgical approach can be developed, but the efficiency and speed of creating accurate surgical plans is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical model manipulation with computer-based digital modeling and simulation. The digital model can be rapidly manipulated, measured, and modified using software tools, dramatically increasing the efficiency of surgical planning. At the same time, the digital system maintains or even improves measurement precision through computer-aided design and analysis tools that can calculate and visualize dentition alignment with high accuracy. This substitution of digital technology for manual methods simultaneously achieves both high productivity and high measurement precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses digital copying to create an accurate virtual representation of the patient's dentition and jaw structures. This digital copy can be infinitely replicated, manipulated, and analyzed without degrading in quality, unlike physical models. The copying process captures precise anatomical details, and the digital nature allows for rapid iteration and refinement of surgical plans, thereby improving both the efficiency of planning and the precision of alignment measurements.
Data Source
AI summary
A technique for fabricating a surgical splint for use in correcting a dental condition of a patient. The technique involves obtaining a three-dimensional digital model of lower and upper arch dentitions of the patient having the dental condition. Relative positions of the lower and upper arch dentitions are adjusted with respect to each other in the three-dimensional digital model using a computing device. A relative positioning structure is added to the three-dimensional digital model using the computing device. A physical model of the patient's corrected dentition is then generated from the three-dimensional digital model. The physical model includes the relative positioning structure that connects the lower and upper arch dentitions of the physical model at the adjusted relative position. The surgical splint is then formed using the physical model. A non-surgical splint is also described.