Orthodontic Spacer Bar Hinge to Prevent Canine Extrusion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing orthodontic devices for treating malocclusions suffer from issues such as excessive freedom of rotation, torque, extrusion of canines, lack of versatility, and difficulty in installation, leading to ineffective force distribution and increased costs.
Innovation Solution
An orthodontic device with a spacer bar featuring a hinging portion that rotates around a single axis, integrated with a housing seat to prevent unwanted rotations, allowing for interchangeable components and easier installation, and includes hooks for balanced force distribution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a spherical hinging portion is used to connect the spacer bar to the support body, then the spacer bar can be easily attached to the upper canine, but excessive freedom of rotation occurs in the occlusogingival direction causing canine extrusion
Solution Approach 1:
The rotation freedom is segmented by introducing a specific rotation axis that allows rotation only in the mesiodistal direction while restricting rotation in the occlusogingival direction. This segmentation of rotational freedom resolves the contradiction by allowing easy attachment through controlled rotation while preventing harmful canine extrusion.
Solution Approach 2:
The hinging portion acts as an intermediary element between the spacer bar and support body, mediating the force transmission and rotation control. By designing this intermediary with specific rotational constraints around a predetermined axis, it enables easy attachment while preventing unwanted rotation that would cause canine extrusion.
2Device complexity
If the spacer bar is fixed to the support body before sale, then assembly is simplified, but the device lacks versatility for different patients and correction needs
Solution Approach 1:
The connection between spacer bar and support body is made dynamic rather than static. The hinging portion allows the spacer bar to be attached, detached, and reattached with proper orientation around a predetermined rotation axis. This dynamic connection enables versatility for different patients while maintaining simple assembly procedures.
3Ease of operation
If the spacer bar can rotate freely around multiple axes, then maneuverability during fixation is improved, but the force distribution becomes unbalanced causing torque and extrusion
Solution Approach 1:
The rotational freedom is made asymmetric by allowing rotation only around a specific mesiodistal axis while restricting rotation around other axes. This asymmetric rotation control provides sufficient maneuverability during fixation while maintaining balanced force distribution to prevent torque and extrusion.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2a~2b
Figure 3a~5b
AI summary
Orthodontic device for treating malocclusions, comprising a support body (2), fixable to a first tooth (D1) and on which a housing seat (21) is made, and a spacer bar (3), placed to connect between the support body (2) and a second tooth (D2). The spacer bar (3) comprises a hinging portion (31), rotatably connected to said support body (2) around a rotation axis (R), an elongated central portion (32) and an end portion (33), extended starting from the central portion (32) in an opposite position with respect to the hinging portion (31) and fixable to the second tooth (D2). In particular, the hinging portion (31) of the spacer bar (3) comprises two opposite planar surfaces (34), substantially perpendicular with respect to the rotation axis (R), and a lateral surface (35), placed to connect the planar surfaces (34) and with at least partially cylindrical shape. In addition, the housing seat (21) of the support body (2) is at least partially counter-shaped with respect to the hinging portion (31).