Orthodontic Traction Member With Bent Wire Fixation For Tooth Rotation Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional orthodontic appliances face difficulties in applying rearward traction and frontward rotational forces to teeth while minimizing rearward rotation, and existing pliers struggle to bend and cut wires effectively in the mouth cavity.

Innovation Solution

An orthodontic appliance with a base member fixed to screws near the median palatine suture, an arm-shaped arm member, and a traction member made of elastic wire that applies rearward traction and frontward rotational forces through a bent fixation portion, combined with pliers having angled clamping surfaces to facilitate wire bending and cutting.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Force

If a conventional orthodontic appliance applies rearward traction force to a tooth, then the tooth moves rearward, but the tooth also rotates rearward unintentionally

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverearward traction forceVSAvoidcontrol over tooth movement
Core Design Contradiction:
ForceVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The traction force is segmented into two independent components: a rearward traction force applied through the bracket and a frontward rotational force applied through the bent portion. This segmentation allows each force to be independently controlled and optimized, enabling precise control over both tooth translation and rotation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The bent portion acts as an intermediary mechanism that converts the elastic recovery force into a frontward rotational force applied to the bracket. This intermediary structure enables the application of counteracting rotational force without requiring direct intervention, thus controlling the unwanted rearward rotation while maintaining rearward traction.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of manufacture

If pliers are used to bend and cut wire in the mouth cavity, then wire manipulation is performed, but the operation is difficult due to limited space and access

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewire bending and cutting capabilityVSAvoidaccessibility in mouth cavity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The bending portion and cutting portion are merged into a single integrated tool head that can perform both operations sequentially. This combination eliminates the need to switch between multiple tools, simplifying the操作流程 and improving accessibility within the confined oral cavity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The clamping surface is oriented at an angle rather than perpendicular to the wire, creating a dimensional advantage that allows the tool to approach the wire from an angled direction. This angular approach facilitates easier access and manipulation within the limited space of the mouth cavity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

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 appliance effectively moves teeth rearward without significant rotation and allows for easy wire manipulation within the mouth cavity, enhancing orthodontic treatment efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

The traction member has a traction base portion fixed to the second connecting portion, a traction fixation portion hooked on a bracket that is fixed to the traction target located away from the traction base portion, and a traction force generation portion that is located between the traction base portion and the traction fixation portion and applies a rearward traction force and a frontward rotational force

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElastic deformation: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

The traction fixation portion has a bent portion in which the wire material extending along the dentition is plastically deformed and bent toward the tooth root side

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPlastic deformation: Plasticity

Data Source

PatentEP3973913B1Orthodontic device
Publication Date: 2023.11.22 OKADA MEDICAL SUPPLY
  • EP3973913B1 patent drawingFigure 1(a)~1(b)
  • EP3973913B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3973913B1 patent drawingFigure 3(a)~3(c)

AI summary

The present invention provides an orthodontic appliance according to a novel orthodontic scheme. The orthodontic appliance comprises: a base member fixed to two or more screws implanted in the vicinity of median palatine suture of a palate bone; an arm-shaped arm member having a first connecting portion connected to the base member and a second connecting portion located in the vicinity of palatal side of a tooth; and a traction member that is made of an elastic wire material and pulls a tooth as the traction target. Here, the traction member has a traction base portion fixed to the second connecting portion, a traction fixation portion hooked on a bracket that is fixed to the traction target located away from the traction base portion, and a traction force generation portion that is located between the traction base portion and the traction fixation portion and applies a rearward traction force and a frontward rotational force or a frontward traction force and a rearward rotational force to the bracket via the traction fixation portion. The traction fixation portion has a bent portion in which the wire material extending along the dentition is plastically deformed and bent toward the tooth root side. The bent portion is hooked on a protruding portion protruding to the palate side in the bracket.