Smart Orthodontic Bracket with Motorized Gear Adjustment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional orthodontic systems require frequent clinic visits for adjustments, leading to inefficiencies and increased treatment duration, as well as potential side effects and missed school days, especially in rural areas, due to the lack of remote monitoring and adjustment capabilities.
Innovation Solution
The development of a remote orthodontic system featuring smart brackets with integrated miniature motors and gear systems, controlled by a computer server that allows for wireless adjustments and monitoring, enabling patients to make adjustments at home and providing real-time feedback and progress tracking.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional orthodontic systems are used with manual adjustments, then device complexity is low, but treatment duration increases and clinic visits are frequent
Solution Approach 1:
The bracket system performs self-adjustment through an automated mechanism. The archwire is engaged with the bracket's adjustment mechanism, allowing the bracket to automatically adjust its position and apply forces without requiring manual intervention from the orthodontist or patient, thereby increasing treatment efficiency while reducing the need for frequent clinic visits
Solution Approach 2:
The manual mechanical adjustment process is replaced with an automated mechanical system integrated into the bracket. The bracket incorporates an adjustment mechanism that automatically engages and disengages the archwire, substituting the need for manual manipulation during clinic visits with an automated system that operates independently
2Reliability
If frequent clinic visits are required for adjustments, then treatment monitoring is thorough, but loss of time increases and accessibility decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The bracket system incorporates feedback mechanisms that continuously monitor the treatment progress and automatically adjust forces applied to teeth. This closed-loop feedback system eliminates the need for frequent manual monitoring and adjustment visits, maintaining treatment reliability while significantly reducing time loss associated with clinic visits
3Manufacturing precision
If manual archwire adjustments are used, then device complexity is low, but force application precision is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The bracket system incorporates dynamic adjustment capabilities that allow real-time modification of force application. The archwire can be automatically engaged and disengaged from the bracket's adjustment mechanism, enabling precise control over the timing and magnitude of forces applied to teeth, thereby improving force application precision through controlled dynamic interactions
4Ease of operation
If remote adjustment capability is added, then ease of operation improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The bracket system enables patients to perform adjustments themselves through user-friendly controls integrated into the bracket. The archwire can be automatically engaged and disengaged from the bracket's adjustment mechanism, allowing patients to make adjustments at home without requiring orthodontist intervention, thereby significantly improving ease of operation while the automation minimizes the increase in device complexity
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
This system reduces the need for frequent clinic visits, enhances treatment predictability, improves accessibility, and potentially shortens treatment duration while minimizing side effects, allowing for more flexible and efficient orthodontic care, including remote monitoring and adjustments.
Implementation Method 1
a motor to drive the gear system... the integrated circuit is configured to control the motor according to the instructions from the computer server to drive the gear system to apply a force to the archwire
Implementation Method 2
The bracket includes a gear system, a motor to drive the gear system... drive the gear system to apply a force to the archwire
Data Source
AI summary
An orthodontic system includes at least one orthodontic bracket attached to a surface of a tooth, in which the bracket define an archwire slot for receiving an archwire. The bracket includes a gear system, a motor to drive the gear system, and an integrated circuit to control the motor. A computer server sends instructions to the integrated circuit in the orthodontic bracket, and the integrated circuit controls the motor according to the instructions to drive the gear system to apply a force to the archwire.