Multi-Function ScanPost for Stable Abutment Placement and Digital Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing dental tools such as scan posts, healing caps, and multi-unit abutment drivers are cumbersome to operate, necessitating a more efficient and stable solution for digital capture of dental implant positions and secure placement of multi-unit abutments.
Innovation Solution
A multi-functioning ScanPost that serves as both a ScanPost for digital capture and a multi-unit abutment driver, featuring precise fit, secure seating, durable materials, geometric markings, and compatibility with digital workflows, allowing for accurate implant positioning and easy multi-unit abutment insertion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If separate tools are used for digital capture and abutment placement, then each tool can be optimized for its specific function, but the overall operational complexity increases and efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the ScanPost and multi-unit abutment driver into a single integrated tool. The ScanPost body includes both the digital capture interface and the abutment driver mechanism, allowing the dentist to perform both digital impression and abutment placement with one instrument rather than requiring separate tools for each function.
Solution Approach 2:
The ScanPost is designed to perform multiple functions: it serves as both a digital capture device for recording implant position and a driver for placing and positioning the multi-unit abutment. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for multiple specialized tools while maintaining the effectiveness of each individual function.
2Productivity
If a multi-functioning ScanPost is used, then operational complexity is reduced and efficiency improves, but the design and manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the ScanPost and abutment driver functions into a single manufactured component. The ScanPost body is designed with integrated features including the digital capture interface, the abutment driver mechanism, and the interface for the multi-unit abutment, allowing it to be manufactured as a single piece or pre-assembled unit that performs multiple functions.
3Measurement precision
If the ScanPost is designed to fit precisely into the multi-unit abutment, then alignment accuracy and stability improve, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The ScanPost and multi-unit abutment feature asymmetric geometric interfaces with specific shapes and orientations. This asymmetric design ensures that the ScanPost can only be positioned in the correct orientation relative to the abutment, providing inherent alignment guidance and ensuring precise fit without requiring extremely tight manufacturing tolerances.
Solution Approach 2:
The ScanPost is pre-designed with specific geometric features that automatically guide its positioning onto the multi-unit abutment. These pre-configured geometric interfaces perform the alignment function before the final securing step, ensuring that the ScanPost is correctly positioned relative to the implant and abutment assembly.
Data Source
AI summary
A multi-functioning ScanPost for processing a digital capture of position of an implant in relation to remaining teeth and that serve and as a driver for placing a multi-unit abutment inside the implant. The multi-functioning ScanPost has a longitudinal hole from its upper face to its lower face to enable an insertion of a screw to screw the multi-functioning ScanPost to the multi-unit abutment, and a diagonal hole from its peripheral wall to its lower face to enable an insertion of a screw to screw the multi-unit abutment to the implant itself. The lower part of the longitudinal hole fits the shape of the upper part of the multi-unit abutment. The multi-functioning ScanPost is designed to be positioned on the multi-unit abutment securely without wobbling, includes geometric feature of flat surfaces, grooves, or notches for aligning the digital scan.