Orthodontic Distractor Device with Through-Going Implant Screws

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing distractor devices for orthodontic jaw expansion, particularly for palatal suture expansion, require precise placement of implant screws into the jawbone, which is cumbersome and complicated, and do not allow for easy replacement or adjustment of the expansion device during treatment.

Innovation Solution

The distractor device features implant screws that can be inserted completely through implant receiving sleeves over their entire length, allowing for precise screwing into the jawbone and easy removal and replacement of the expansion device, with a length-adjustable mechanism using expansion threaded rods and nuts for gradual jaw expansion.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If implant screws are screwed into the jaw before attaching the expansion device, then the expansion device can be securely attached to the jaw, but the placement of implant screws becomes complex and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesecure attachment of expansion deviceVSAvoidtime for placing implant screws
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The implant receiving sleeves are pre-attached to the expansion device before the implant screws are inserted into the jaw. This preliminary arrangement allows the screws to be guided through the sleeves during insertion, simplifying the placement process and reducing the time required while ensuring secure attachment once the screws are in place.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Stability of the object's composition

If implant screws are firmly fixed in the jaw, then stable jaw expansion is achieved, but replacement or adjustment of the expansion device becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestability of jaw expansionVSAvoidreplacement of expansion device
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The system is divided into separable components: the expansion device with its implant receiving sleeves can be detached from the implant screws that remain fixed in the jaw. This segmentation allows the expansion device to be replaced or adjusted while maintaining the stable fixation of the implant screws in the jawbone.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Adaptability or versatility

If the expansion device is made length-adjustable for gradual jaw expansion, then treatment flexibility is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetreatment flexibilityVSAvoidcomplexity of expansion device
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The expansion device incorporates a length-adjustable mechanism that allows it to be extended or contracted during treatment. This dynamic capability enables gradual jaw expansion while maintaining reasonable device complexity through the use of adjustable components rather than multiple fixed-size devices.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

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 simplifies the placement and adjustment of implant screws, enables precise jaw expansion, and allows for easy replacement of the expansion device as needed during orthodontic treatment, improving treatment efficiency and flexibility.

Implementation Method 1

the implant screws each have a threaded section (7) for screwing the respective implant screw (3) into the jaw (2)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectScrew mechanism: Screw

Implementation Method 2

a length-adjustable expansion device (4) with at least two expansion threaded rods (12, 13) and an expansion nut (14)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectScrew mechanism: Screw

Data Source

PatentEP3988049B1Distractor device
Publication Date: 2023.06.14 TIGER DENTAL GMBH
  • EP3988049B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP3988049B1 patent drawingFigure 4~6
  • EP3988049B1 patent drawingFigure 7~9

AI summary

Distractor device (1) for orthodontic expansion of a human jaw (2), in particular for palatal expansion, wherein the distractor device (1) has at least two implant screws (3) and a length-adjustable expansion device (4) and at least two implant receiving sleeves (5, 6) attached to the expansion device (4) for each of the implant screws (3), wherein the distance between the implant receiving sleeves (5, 6) can be changed by adjusting the length of the expansion device (4) and the implant screws (3) each have a threaded section (7) for screwing the respective implant screw (3) into the jaw (2) and a fastening section (8) for fastening the respective implant screw (3) in the respective implant receiving sleeve (5, 6),wherein the implant screws (3) can be passed completely through the respective implant receiving sleeve (5, 6) over their entire length in at least one operating state of the distractor device (1).