Self-Retaining Dental Screw With Deformable Retaining Element
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Solution Overview
Problem
Dental implant systems face challenges with screw retention during transportation, leading to loosening due to vibrations, and existing solutions like support rings are costly and complex to manufacture.
Innovation Solution
A self-retaining screw assembly with a through passage and a resilient retaining element that deforms to securely hold the screw in place, preventing loosening without the need for additional manufacturing steps or parts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a support ring is used to retain the screw during transportation, then the screw retention reliability is improved, but the device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The retaining element is integrated directly into the screw head structure, merging the retention function with the screw component itself. This eliminates the need for separate support rings or additional retention parts, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining screw retention reliability during transportation and handling.
2Reliability
If a support ring is used to retain the screw during transportation, then the screw retention reliability is improved, but the manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The retaining element is formed as an integral part of the screw head during the same manufacturing process, eliminating the need for separate production and assembly of support rings. This reduces manufacturing steps, lowers production costs, and simplifies quality control while ensuring reliable screw retention.
3Reliability
If the screw channel is narrowed to prevent screw loosening, then the screw retention reliability is improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The retaining element is designed to be flexible or deformable, allowing it to dynamically adjust its diameter. During screw insertion, the element can be compressed to a smaller diameter to facilitate easy insertion. Once inserted, it springs back to its original larger diameter to securely retain the screw, thus maintaining both ease of operation and retention reliability.
4Reliability
If a resilient retaining element is used, then the screw retention reliability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The resilient retaining element is integrated into the screw head structure as a single-component design. The retention function is built-in rather than added through separate parts, minimizing device complexity while providing reliable screw retention through the elastic deformation and recovery of the resilient material.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution provides secure screw retention during transportation and assembly, reducing the risk of loosening and simplifying the manufacturing process while maintaining ease of use and cost-effectiveness.
Implementation Method 1
at least one of the restriction and retaining element is a resilient member deformable from a first, rest, position, in which the resilient member has a first diameter, to a second, stressed, position, in which the resilient member has a second diameter
Data Source
AI summary
A self-retaining screw assembly comprising a dental secondary component and a screw. The secondary component comprises a through passage having an apical and a coronal open end, and a screw seat located between said apical and coronal ends. The screw comprises a screw rod and a screw head, the screw head being dimensioned to abut against the screw seat and the screw rod being dimensioned to pass unhindered through the through passage such that the apical end of the rod can protrude from the apical end of the through passage. The through passage further comprises, coronal of the screw seat, a first section and, directly coronal of the first section a second section having a narrower diameter than the first section, such that the second section forms a restriction in the through passage. The screw head comprises a radially outwardly extending retaining element.