Orthodontic Palate Fixing Ring with Tapered Thread Anchorage

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing orthodontic fixing apparatuses face challenges in minimizing contact with the palate and ensuring precise screw insertion, leading to discomfort and potential inflammation due to a large contact area and movement issues during orthodontic treatments.

Innovation Solution

An orthodontic fixing apparatus with a bisymmetric fixing body and a cylindrical fixing ring that minimizes contact with the palate by protruding only 0.1 mm to 4 mm, allowing for easier screw insertion and firm anchorage, featuring connection grooves and a taper internal thread for secure screw fixation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If a flat structure fixing apparatus is used to maximize contact with the palate for stability, then the anchorage stability is improved, but the contact area with the palate increases causing inflammation and damage

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveanchorage stabilityVSAvoidpalate inflammation and damage
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The fixing apparatus employs a curved or rounded structure instead of a flat surface, allowing the apparatus to conform to the natural curvature of the palate. This reduces the contact area to specific points or lines rather than a broad surface, thereby maintaining anchorage stability while minimizing tissue irritation and inflammation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

Solution Approach 2:

The fixing apparatus is divided into multiple segments or components that can be independently positioned. This segmentation allows the apparatus to distribute its contact points strategically across the palate, achieving stable anchorage through multiple discrete contact points rather than a continuous flat surface, thus reducing overall contact area and tissue damage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Device complexity

If no measure is taken to hold the screw fixed in the fixing apparatus, then the device complexity is reduced, but the screw movement during insertion makes precise placement difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvescrew fixation mechanismVSAvoidscrew placement precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The fixing apparatus includes pre-formed guiding structures such as channels or slots that direct the screw during insertion. These guiding features are built into the apparatus design, so that when the screw is inserted, it is automatically guided to the correct position and orientation, ensuring precise placement without requiring complex active fixation mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

A guiding structure or intermediary element is provided between the screw and the fixing apparatus body. This intermediary component facilitates precise screw placement by providing a controlled path or interface, while keeping the overall device complexity low through simple geometric features rather than complex mechanical systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Productivity

If a screw insertion method is used to prevent molar movement and simplify the procedure, then the orthodontic treatment efficiency is improved, but the lack of screw fixation measures causes difficulty in precise placement

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveorthodontic treatment efficiencyVSAvoidscrew insertion precision
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The fixing apparatus incorporates pre-designed guiding channels or insertion paths that are formed during manufacturing. These guiding features ensure that when the screw is inserted during the orthodontic procedure, it automatically follows the correct trajectory and reaches the precise target location, maintaining high treatment efficiency while ensuring accurate placement.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The fixing apparatus has different structural characteristics at different locations: the portion interacting with the screw has precise guiding features for accurate placement, while other portions are optimized for anchorage function. This local differentiation of structural quality allows the apparatus to simultaneously achieve precise screw insertion and effective orthodontic anchorage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentEP2596761B1Orthodontic fixing apparatus
Publication Date: 2019.05.22 LEE IN OK
  • EP2596761B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP2596761B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

The present invention relates to an orthodontic fixing apparatus. The orthodontic fixing apparatus comprises a linear fixing body, bisymmetrically defined, having a plurality of connection grooves in each left and right sides thereof, and a plurality of cylindrical fixing rings arranged on the upper and lower sides of the central portion of the fixing body with a connection member being placed between the upper and lower sides, wherein a screw is inserted, to thereby fix the fixing body to the palate. Each fixing ring may protrude by a width of 0.1 mm to 4 mm in a direction of contact with the palate to minimize the contact of the fixing ring or the fixing body with the palate. Also, the fixing ring may comprise a taper having a diameter that gradually decreases from an inlet to an outlet along an insertion direction of the screw, wherein an internal thread is arranged in the fixing ring. Thus, since the screw is firmly supported and inserted into the palate, the fixing apparatus may serve as a solid anchorage. Also, since the fixing apparatus is easily placed, the fixing apparatus is convenient to use. In addition, since the fixing apparatus is fixed while minimizing the contact area with the palate, it may prevent the palate from being damaged or becoming inflamed.