Orthodontic Bracket Traction Element with Detachable Screw Mechanism

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing orthodontic bracket systems cause discomfort due to protruding traction hooks and are inconvenient to install and disassemble, affecting traction efficiency.

Innovation Solution

An orthodontic bracket setup with a traction/locking element and detaching handle, featuring a nail body with external screw threads and a detachable handle for easy installation and disassembly, allowing for timely traction and reduced oral discomfort.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a traction hook is integrally welded on a bracket body, then the traction hook is nondetachable and remains in the oral cavity throughout orthodontic treatment, but this causes obvious discomfort to the patient and may damage the oral mucosa and teeth side buccal surfaces

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetraction reliabilityVSAvoidoral discomfort and damage
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The traction element is divided into two separate parts: a base portion integrated with the bracket body and a detachable hook portion. This segmentation allows the hook to be removed when not needed, eliminating continuous oral discomfort while maintaining traction reliability when the hook is attached.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The traction element transitions from a static, permanently welded hook to a dynamic, detachable structure. The hook can be attached or detached based on treatment stage requirements, allowing the system to adapt between providing reliable traction and eliminating oral discomfort.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Object-affected harmful factors

If a traction wire is temporarily inserted into the bracket body and bent when traction is required, then the existing time of the traction hook in the oral cavity is shortened to reduce discomfort, but the bracket body requires processing with small processing space and narrow processing view field, making installation and disassembly very inconvenient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoral discomfortVSAvoidinstallation and disassembly convenience
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The traction element is segmented into a base portion with an integrated screw mechanism and a separate detachable hook portion. This design eliminates the need for complex bending operations in narrow spaces, as the hook can be simply attached or detached by screwing it in or out.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A screw mechanism serves as an intermediary between the bracket body and the detachable hook. This screw interface provides a simple, standardized connection that is easy to operate even in the constrained space of the oral cavity, avoiding the need for complex bending operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Ease of operation

If a traction wire is temporarily inserted and bent, then the processing space and processing view field are small, but this makes the installation and disassembly very inconvenient and may affect the traction effect

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinstallation and disassembly convenienceVSAvoidtraction effect
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The traction element is segmented into a base portion with an integrated screw mechanism and a separate detachable hook portion. This design ensures reliable traction through the screw connection while maintaining ease of operation for installation and disassembly.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The screw mechanism acts as an intermediary that provides both reliable mechanical connection for traction and ease of operation for installation and removal, resolving the contradiction between reliability and operational convenience.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP3449863B1Orthodontic bracket system and tooth orthodontic method
Publication Date: 2021.10.27 JI LI
  • EP3449863B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3449863B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3449863B1 patent drawingFigure 5~7

AI summary

Disclosed is a traction/locking element, a traction/locking set, an orthodontic bracket, an orthodontic bracket setup and a tooth orthodontic method. The traction/locking element comprises a strip-shaped nail body (10). The nail body (10) has a cross-sectional area of 0.06-2.5 square millimetres, and a length of 0.8-4.5 millimetres. The front end of the nail body (10) is a first fixed end(11), and the rear end thereof is a first screwing end(12). The first fixed end (11) is provided with connecting external screws (111), with the external diameter of the connecting external screws (111) being 0.2-1.6 millimetres. At least the end position of the first screwing end (12) is provided with a first force applying surface (121). The traction is performed in time according to the traction opportunity of orthodontics, and the traction is very reliable, reducing the discomfort in the oral cavity. With a breaking part and a disassembly and assembly tool, the assembly and disassembly are very convenient.