Orthodontic Expansion Device With Dual Hinges
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional orthodontic expansion devices, particularly the fan type, face issues with hinge contact to the soft palate due to a long front-back diameter, limited lateral expansion, and ineffectiveness in treating constricted maxilla and collapsed maxillary dentition, restricting their use in morphological and functional improvements.
Innovation Solution
An orthodontic expansion device with two hinges arranged at an interval, a screw, intermediate members acting as fulcrums, arm members extending laterally and diagonally, and holding members attached to the maxillary dentition, allowing for greater expansion and reduced hinge length to prevent soft palate contact.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Shape
If a conventional fan type expansion device is used, then expansion in a fan shape is achieved, but the front-back diameter becomes long causing the hinge to contact the soft palate
Solution Approach 1:
The device divides the expansion mechanism into two separate hinges instead of using one long hinge, allowing each hinge to be positioned closer to the screw and reducing the overall front-back diameter while maintaining fan-shaped expansion capability
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from a single-hinge mechanism to a two-hinge mechanism, changing the spatial arrangement from a linear extension to a distributed configuration that reduces the front-back diameter while preserving the fan-shaped expansion trajectory
2Shape
If a conventional fan type expansion device is used, then fan-shaped expansion is achieved, but lateral expansion is limited and constricted maxilla cannot be effectively treated
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the expansion mechanism into two independent hinges with arm members, the device can simultaneously achieve fan-shaped expansion and provide sufficient lateral expansion force to treat constricted maxilla, overcoming the limitation of conventional single-hinge designs
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces dynamic movement through two hinges that can operate independently, allowing the arm members to provide both fan-shaped expansion and lateral expansion forces adaptively, making the device versatile for different malocclusion types
3Adaptability or versatility
If a hyrax type expansion device is used, then lateral expansion is achieved, but retrognathism of the maxilla and maxillary dentition cannot be improved
Solution Approach 1:
The invention creates a universal expansion device that combines the lateral expansion capability of hyrax type with the fan-shaped expansion capability for retrognathism correction, making it effective for multiple malocclusion types including both constricted maxilla and retrognathism
4Object-affected harmful factors
If the front-back diameter is reduced to prevent hinge contact with soft palate, then comfort is improved, but expansion effectiveness may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the hinge system into two shorter hinges instead of one long hinge, the device reduces the front-back diameter to prevent soft palate contact while maintaining expansion effectiveness through the combined action of both hinges and arm members
Solution Approach 2:
The invention redistributes the expansion force in a different spatial dimension by using two hinges positioned closer to the screw, allowing the arm members to generate sufficient expansion force despite the reduced front-back diameter
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 device achieves significant lateral and fan-shaped expansion of the maxilla and maxillary dentition, reducing hinge contact with the soft palate, widening treatment options, and improving morphological and functional outcomes such as eating, breathing, and speech without impairing other bodily functions.
Implementation Method 1
a screw; two intermediate members configured to be driven in directions of opening on a front end side with the respective hinges as fulcrums, by rotating operation of the screw
Implementation Method 2
two intermediate members configured to be driven in directions of opening on a front end side with the respective hinges as fulcrums, by rotating operation of the screw
Implementation Method 3
two intermediate members configured to be driven in directions of opening on a front end side with the respective hinges as fulcrums
Data Source
AI summary
An orthodontic expansion device for expanding a maxilla A and a maxillary dentition B includes: two hinges arranged with an interval; a screw; two intermediate members configured to be driven in directions of opening on a front end side with the respective hinges as fulcrums, by rotation operation of the screw; at least two arm members supported by the intermediate members and extending laterally and diagonally forward from the intermediate members; and a plurality of holding members supported by the arm members and configured to be attached to crowns of both lateral segments of the maxillary dentition B.