Offset Aperture Spacer for Dental Implant Screw Access
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing dental implant assemblies face difficulties in accessing the head of an inclined implant screw due to the angulated abutment, which complicates tool access and assembly processes, especially in dental bridges.
Innovation Solution
A spacer element with a single aperture featuring a coaxial threadless implant screw access bore and an offset threaded abutment screw bore, allowing unhindered access to the implant screw while facilitating angled abutment positioning, with the abutment screw bore being angled relative to the implant screw access bore to accommodate various angulations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If an angled abutment is used in a dental implant assembly, then the abutment can be positioned at an inclined angle relative to the implant screw to accommodate dental bridge requirements, but it becomes difficult or impossible to access the head of the implant screw with conventional straight tools
Solution Approach 1:
The single aperture is segmented into two distinct functional zones: a first portion for receiving the implant screw and a second portion for receiving the abutment. This segmentation allows each component to be accessed through its designated pathway, resolving the conflict between angled abutment positioning and tool access to the implant screw head.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from a single-dimensional coaxial arrangement to a two-dimensional offset arrangement within the aperture. By positioning the abutment receiving portion offset from the implant screw receiving portion, the design creates spatial separation that allows conventional tools to access the implant screw head while maintaining the angled abutment configuration.
2Device complexity
If a single aperture is used to receive both the implant screw and abutment, then the structure is simplified, but access to the implant screw head is hindered by the angled abutment
Solution Approach 1:
The single aperture is segmented into two distinct functional zones: a first portion for receiving the implant screw and a second portion for receiving the abutment. This segmentation allows each component to be accessed through its designated pathway, resolving the conflict between angled abutment positioning and tool access to the implant screw head.
Solution Approach 2:
The offset arrangement acts as an intermediary spatial relationship between the implant screw receiving portion and the abutment receiving portion. This intermediary configuration allows both components to coexist in a single aperture while maintaining independent access pathways, with the offset distance providing sufficient space for tool insertion.
3Ease of operation
If the abutment screw bore is offset from the implant screw access bore, then tool access to the implant screw is enabled, but the structural symmetry is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The invention deliberately employs asymmetry by offsetting the abutment receiving portion from the implant screw receiving portion within the single aperture. This asymmetric arrangement creates distinct access pathways that enable tool insertion while accommodating the angled abutment, accepting the loss of geometric symmetry for functional advantage.
Solution Approach 2:
Different portions of the aperture are assigned different functional qualities: the first portion is optimized for implant screw reception and tool access, while the second portion is optimized for abutment reception at an angled orientation. This local differentiation of functional quality within the unified aperture structure resolves the contradiction between symmetry and functionality.
Data Source
Figure 1a~1b
Figure 1c~2
Figure 3a~4b
AI summary
A spacer element for use in a dental implant assembly having a single aperture therethrough, the single aperture comprising an implant screw access bore and an offset abutment screw bore.