Orthodontic Bracket Curved Insertion Area Self-Ligating Wire Guide
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing orthodontic brackets experience significant friction between wire guide surfaces and ligatures or rubber bands, which hampers the duration and effectiveness of orthodontic treatments by allowing wire slippage and reducing control over tooth movement.
Innovation Solution
The bracket features a curved insertion area that allows the orthodontic wire to be inserted in an elastically deformed state, locking it into a circularly enclosed wire guide with surfaces that secure the wire against lateral escape, reducing friction by eliminating the need for ligatures or rubber bands.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If wire guide surfaces are used to guide the orthodontic wire through a slot, then the wire can be secured in the bracket, but significant friction occurs between the wire guide surfaces and the ligature or rubber band, causing wire slippage and reducing treatment effectiveness
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and eliminates the ligature or rubber band from the system by providing a self-ligating bracket design where the wire is directly engaged by the wire guide surfaces and locking mechanism, thereby removing the source of friction and wire slippage
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces a pad as an intermediary element between the wire guide surfaces and the tooth, which reduces friction and improves wire positioning stability by providing a low-friction contact surface
2Stability of the object's composition
If ligatures or rubber bands are used to fasten the orthodontic wire in the slot, then the wire can be secured, but friction occurs that allows wire slippage and reduces control over tooth movement
Solution Approach 1:
The invention removes the ligature or rubber band from the fastening system, replacing it with a direct engagement mechanism where the wire is held by the wire guide surfaces and a locking mechanism, eliminating the friction caused by ligatures
Solution Approach 2:
The bracket is designed to automatically engage and lock the wire in place through its own structural features (wire guide surfaces and locking mechanism) without requiring external ligatures or rubber bands
3Ease of operation
If a curved insertion area is used to allow elastic deformation of the wire during insertion, then the wire can be locked into the wire guide, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention employs curved surfaces and geometric shapes in the wire guide and insertion area to naturally guide the wire through elastic deformation during insertion, utilizing form and geometry rather than complex mechanical components to achieve ease of operation
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
This design enhances the stability and control of orthodontic wire guidance, reducing friction and improving treatment outcomes by ensuring precise wire positioning and minimizing slippage, allowing for more effective tooth alignment and movement.
Implementation Method 1
through which the wire can be inserted into the wire guide in an elastically deformed state
Data Source
AI summary
Methods of use are provided, relating to a bracket with a pad for affixing it to a tooth of a patient, with a bracket body that has a slot for receiving an orthodontic wire, and with a channel-like wire guide which has wire guide surfaces for guiding the wire and which is assigned a lateral insertion area for insertion of the wire into the wire guide, wherein the insertion area has, in the longitudinal direction of the wire, a curved section through which the wire can be inserted into the wire guide in an elastically deformed state, such that the wire, on forming back to a rectilinear state, locks in the wire guide, and that the wire guide surfaces enclose the wire in a circle shape, such that the wire is held longitudinally displaceably in the wire guide by the wire guide surfaces and is secured against escaping laterally from the wire guide.