Orthodontic Appliance with Nested Correction Element
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Solution Overview
Problem
The manufacturing of Class II and Class III Correctors in orthodontics is complex and costly due to their multipiece design, requiring assembly by manufacturers or clinicians, which complicates the process and increases costs.
Innovation Solution
An orthodontic appliance design featuring a main body portion with a first orthodontic device and an eyelet, where the second orthodontic device seats within the eyelet, allowing for manufacturing in an assembled state, thus simplifying the manufacturing process and eliminating the need for post-manufacture assembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If Class II Correctors and Class III Correctors are designed as multipiece components, then the orthodontic correction function is achieved, but the manufacturing complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple separate orthodontic components (brackets, connectors, and correction elements) into a single integrated appliance. The main body portion includes first and second brackets with a connecting portion that has a recess, while the correction element has a protrusion that fits into the recess, forming a unified structure that provides Class II or Class III correction without requiring assembly of separate pieces.
Solution Approach 2:
The correction element is nested within the connecting portion of the main body. The protrusion of the correction element fits into the recess of the connecting portion, creating a nested configuration where one component is housed within another, simplifying the overall structure and eliminating the need for separate assembly steps.
2Ease of manufacture
If Class II Correctors and Class III Correctors are manufactured as discrete components, then manufacturing flexibility is maintained, but the assembly process becomes more difficult and expensive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the manufacturing process into a single operation by designing the appliance as one integrated component. The main body portion and correction element are configured to be manufactured together as a single piece, eliminating the need for post-manufacturing assembly and reducing both complexity and cost.
Solution Approach 2:
The design incorporates preliminary integration of all components during the manufacturing process. The recess and protrusion features are built-in during the initial manufacturing stage, so that the appliance is delivered in its final assembled state, eliminating any subsequent assembly steps for the clinician or manufacturer.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a ball-and-socket mechanism is used to connect components, then Class II/III correction capability is provided, but the design complexity and assembly difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the complex ball-and-socket mechanism from the design and replaces it with a simpler recess-protrusion interface. The connecting portion has a recess that directly receives the protrusion of the correction element, eliminating the need for spherical joints and their associated complexity while maintaining the necessary movement capability for orthodontic correction.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using a ball-and-socket mechanism where a spherical element fits into a spherical cavity, the patent inverts the approach by using a recess (cavity) that receives a protrusion (sphere-like element). This inverted configuration achieves the same functional outcome with significantly reduced complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
In some embodiments, apparatuses and methods are provided herein useful to orthodontic appliances. In some embodiments, an orthodontic appliance comprises a main body portion including a first end and a second end, wherein the first end is opposite the second end, the main body portion comprising a first orthodontic device, wherein the first orthodontic device is configured to be bonded to a first tooth of a patient's mouth, and wherein the first orthodontic device is located to proximal the first end, and an eyelet, wherein the eyelet is located proximal to the second end, and a second orthodontic device, wherein the second orthodontic device is configured to be bonded to a second tooth of the patient's mouth, wherein the second orthodontic device includes a protrusion, and wherein the protrusion is located within the eyelet during use in the patient's mouth.