Orthodontic Attachment Module with Segmented Rotation Stops

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing orthodontic components, such as buccal tubes and bite correctors, often detach due to significant forces during jaw movement, disrupting treatment, especially when dealing with Class II and Class III malocclusions, as they lack secure and robust connections to resist rotational and twisting movements.

Innovation Solution

An attachment module with two segments, each containing a rotation stop, is designed to securely connect buccal tube appliances to bite correctors or force modules, allowing the rotation stops to be positioned in operative orientations that limit undue rotational movements, providing a stable connection against forces encountered during treatment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If a simple connection between buccal tube and bite corrector is used, then the device complexity is reduced, but the connection strength and reliability are insufficient to resist significant jaw movement forces

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection strengthVSAvoidattachment module complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The attachment module is divided into two segments that can move relative to each other, allowing the rotation stops to be positioned independently in operative orientations that limit rotational movements while maintaining connection strength between the buccal tube and bite corrector

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The attachment module incorporates movable segments with rotation stops that can adjust their positions dynamically to limit rotational movements during jaw movement, providing adaptive strength against varying forces while maintaining a manageable structural complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If rotation stops are fixed in position, then the manufacturing precision is improved, but the adaptability to limit rotational movements in different orientations is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverotational movement limitation adaptabilityVSAvoidrotation stop positioning precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The rotation stops are designed to be movable relative to each other through the two segments, enabling them to be positioned in different operative orientations to limit rotational movements in various directions while maintaining sufficient manufacturing precision through defined geometric relationships

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The segmented structure allows each rotation stop to be independently positioned in its operative orientation, providing adaptability to limit rotational movements in different orientations while maintaining precision through the defined geometric constraints of each segment

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP2185094B1Orthodontic attachment module for intra-oral bite correctors
Publication Date: 2017.06.07 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES CO
  • EP2185094B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2185094B1 patent drawingFigure 2~4
  • EP2185094B1 patent drawingFigure 5

AI summary

A module for attaching an orthodontic bite corrector to an orthodontic buccal tube appliance includes two segments, and each segment includes a rotation stop for limiting undesired rotational movement of bite corrector during movement of the patient's jaws. The segments are movable relative to each other during installation of the attachment module for facilitating placement of the rotation stops in regions next to the buccal tube appliance that might otherwise be difficult to access.