Universal Impression Housing for Vertical Dental Model Pouring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current dental impression processes are inefficient, requiring multiple steps, excessive material usage, and costly custom housings for various tray and articulator designs, leading to model distortions and increased waste.
Innovation Solution
A universal housing system that accommodates multiple tray and articulator designs, utilizing a vertical pour technique and stone flow prevention adapters to reduce material waste and streamline the model creation process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If custom housings are created for various tray and articulator designs, then the system can accommodate different components, but the device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by designing a single universal housing that can accommodate multiple types of impression trays and articulators through adjustable and interchangeable components, eliminating the need for custom housings for each component type
Solution Approach 2:
The housing incorporates adjustable and interchangeable components that can be dynamically reconfigured to fit different tray and articulator designs, allowing the same housing structure to adapt to various component configurations
2Ease of manufacture
If traditional horizontal pouring method is used, then the process is simple, but model distortions occur and material waste increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from traditional horizontal pouring to a vertical pouring method, changing the dimension in which the model material is introduced. This vertical approach prevents material distortion by gravity and improves model accuracy while reducing material waste through better control over material flow and placement
3Manufacturing precision
If multiple batches of model material are used for dual arch impressions, then complete reproduction is achieved, but loss of substance and time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The universal housing is pre-configured with features that guide the model material flow and define the exact volume needed, allowing a single batch of material to be optimally distributed across both arches without excessive waste or the need for multiple batches
Solution Approach 2:
The housing structure itself serves as a master form that replicates the precise geometry and volume requirements for both arches, ensuring accurate reproduction while controlling material consumption through the housing's built-in guidance features
4Ease of operation
If impression trays are held in fixed positions, then the process is simple, but adaptability to different tray designs is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The housing incorporates adjustable and interchangeable components that can be dynamically reconfigured to fit different tray and articulator designs, allowing the same housing structure to adapt to various component configurations
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
Enables efficient creation of dental models with reduced material usage and minimal trimming, accommodating various components with one mix of material, and minimizing model distortions.
Implementation Method 1
a modeling material (MM) is flowed into the impression
Implementation Method 2
the MM flow in a manner that captures all impression details
Implementation Method 3
then allowed to harden
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments of the invention can accommodate multiple variations and goals of impressions, including but not limited to dental and orthodontic models. To adapt embodiments of the invention for multiple purposes, and to standardize the process, embodiments include a housing that allows for impressions to be suspended and/or sealed in the housing so that modelling material can pour up the impression, form a model base or some other type of design, and/or articulate the models if desired, without the need for or with reduced need for trimming and substantial reduction of time and use of modelling material (hereafter “MM”) like gypsum, stone, plaster, resin, etc. Embodiments allow models to be created and formed and articulated if desired. Professionals may pour up impressions, form base models, and, optionally, articulate models, allowing less waste, material, and use of time than traditional and current methods.