Orthodontic Ball Joint Articulation for Mandibular Advancement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing mandibular advancement orthoses, such as Herbst orthosis and ball joint systems, fail to provide sufficient freedom of articulation in both antero-posterior and lateral planes, and occupy excessive space, making them cumbersome and difficult to engage.
Innovation Solution
A device with ball joint type means for coupling rods to reinforcements, allowing 90° vertical and 360° horizontal articulation, featuring a hemispherical cage with parallel vertical wings to prevent swinging, and a support element with a sleeve and offset bush for secure mounting, enabling easy assembly and disassembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a horizontal axis articulation is used to connect rods with reinforcements, then the structure provides restricted vertical plane movement, but it makes lateral movement of the mandible cumbersome and difficult to engage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the traditional horizontal axis articulation with a ball joint mechanism featuring a spherical head that rotates within a hemispherical cage. This spherical geometry enables freedom of movement in both vertical and lateral planes, eliminating the restrictive nature of linear axis articulation while simplifying the engagement process through omnidirectional rotational capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The ball joint articulation mechanism transforms the static, fixed-axis connection into a dynamic, multi-directional joint. The spherical head can rotate freely within the hemispherical cage, adapting to various movement directions including lateral mandibular movements, thereby providing the required dynamic freedom of motion that overcomes the limitations of rigid horizontal axis articulation.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a ball joint system is used to couple rods with reinforcements, then freedom of articulation in lateral plane is improved, but space occupation increases making the device cumbersome
Solution Approach 1:
The ball joint components are nested within each other to minimize space occupation. The spherical head fits within the hemispherical cage, and the stop means are integrated into the cage structure. This nested arrangement allows the articulation mechanism to occupy minimal space while maintaining full articulation freedom in both vertical and lateral planes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes three-dimensional spatial arrangement of the ball joint components. The spherical head rotates within the hemispherical cage in multiple dimensions, enabling freedom of articulation in both vertical and lateral planes simultaneously. This dimensional approach allows compact packaging of the articulation mechanism while maintaining versatile movement capability.
3Ease of manufacture
If traditional articulation mechanisms are used to connect rods, then engagement is difficult and cumbersome, but the invention enables easy assembly and disassembly
Solution Approach 1:
The ball joint is pre-assembled with the rod as a unit, and the hemispherical cage with stop means is prepared in advance. This preliminary preparation allows for quick and easy engagement by simply aligning and inserting the pre-assembled components, eliminating the need for complex on-site assembly procedures and making the device easy to install and remove.
Data Source
AI summary
An orthodontic assembly articulation device for causing a mandible to move relative to a maxilla includes a lower splint fitted with a lower reinforcement and an upper splint fitted with an upper reinforcement. The reinforcements are connected by a system of rods mounted with sliding capability. A ball joint couples each system of rods with a part of the reinforcements. The ball joint is interdependent with an extension oriented perpendicularly and screwed into a support element interdependent with a corresponding part of the reinforcements. The ball joint engages with the hemispherical cage of an end piece secured to each system of rods. The cage is in communication with an opening of the end piece to allow articulation of the system of rods of about 90° in a vertical plane and about 360° in a horizontal plane, while preventing any swinging of the end piece.