U.S. patent application number 10/020401 was filed with the patent office on 2002-08-08 for method and arrangement for producing elongate support element and product, and use of the support element.
Invention is credited to Back, Tomas, Carlsson, Lennart, Petersson, Anders.
Application Number | 20020106612 10/020401 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 20406961 |
Filed Date | 2002-08-08 |
United States Patent
Application |
20020106612 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Back, Tomas ; et
al. |
August 8, 2002 |
Method and arrangement for producing elongate support element and
product, and use of the support element
Abstract
A method and arrangement for producing elongate support element
(4) for replacement structure (9) in jaw (2). The support element
is applied to implants in the jaw with great accuracy of fit.
Identification information (16) is delivered to computer equipment
(15) in which supplementary information (17) is input. With the aid
of the said information, the computer equipment extracts control
data (19) for milling equipment (20) which mills out the support
element from a blank. With the aid of the milling information (19),
the milling equipment executes the support element according to the
shape determined in the computer equipment. In addition, the
information comprises details on the configurations of the said
seats and the positioning in the support element
material/blank.
Inventors: |
Back, Tomas; (Molndal,
SE) ; Carlsson, Lennart; (Molndal, SE) ;
Petersson, Anders; (Goteborg, SE) |
Correspondence
Address: |
CONNOLLY BOVE LODGE & HUTZ LLP
SUITE 800
1990 M STREET NW
WASHINGTON
DC
20036-3425
US
|
Family ID: |
20406961 |
Appl. No.: |
10/020401 |
Filed: |
December 18, 2001 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
10020401 |
Dec 18, 2001 |
|
|
|
09423090 |
Jan 3, 2000 |
|
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|
Current U.S.
Class: |
433/215 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61C 13/0004
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
433/215 |
International
Class: |
A61C 005/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
May 16, 1997 |
SE |
9701824-6 |
Claims
1. Method for producing elongate support element (21) with
associated seats (22, 23) for replacement structure (9) in human
body (jaw) (2), via which seats (22, 23) the support element can be
applied to implants (or to spacers on these implants), where the
longitudinal axes (centre axes) of the seats connect with or are
parallel to the longitudinal axes (centre axes) of the implants in
order to satisfy set accuracy of fit requirements ({fraction
(2/100)} mm), the method comprising the stages of: a)
identification (13) and possible modelling (11) of the dental
situation (1) in question, b) supplying information (16) extracted
from stage a) to computer equipment, c) operating the computer
equipment to use the supplied information (16) and further
information (17) input to the computer equipment to simulate and
determine the structure (4, 4') of the support element in or at the
replacement structure (9), d) extracting, from the computer
equipment (15), milling coordinates information (data) (19) used
for controlling the milling of a blank in milling equipment (20),
e) transmitting the milling coordinates information (data) (19) to
the milling equipment (20), f) controlling the milling equipment to
produce the support element from the blank, characterized in that
f) the milling equipment, with the aid of the said milling
information (data), in addition to executing the support element
shape determined in the computer equipment from the blank, can also
be used for control in order to mill out the said seats (22, 23)
directly from the blank/support element material.
2. Arrangement for producing elongate support element (4, 21) with
associated seats for replacement structure (9) in human body (jaw)
(2), via which seats the support element can be applied to implants
(or to spacers on these implants) (3), where the centre axes (24,
25) of the seats are arranged to connect with or be parallel to the
centre axes (8, 9) of the implants so that set accuracy of fit
requirements ({fraction (2/100)} mm) are satisfied, and where the
arrangement comprises identification member (12) and possibly
modelling member (10) for identification (13) and, respectively,
modelling (11) of the respective dental situation, computer
equipment (15) for receiving information (16) extracted from the
identification and modelling, and first transmission members (14)
for transmitting the extracted information to the computer
equipment (15), with which, on the one hand, the structure (21) of
the support element and the positioning in or at the replacement
structure can be simulated and can be determined by means of the
extracted information and further information (17) input to the
computer equipment, and, on the other hand, milling coordinates
information (data) (19) for controlling the milling of a blank in
milling equipment (20) can be executed with the aid of the said
extracted and input information, and second transmission members
(15a) are arranged for transmitting the milling coordinates
information (data) to the milling equipment (20) for controlling
the latter to produce the support element from the blank,
characterized in that the milling coordinates information (data)
(19) is designed, in addition to executing the support element
shape determined in the computer equipment from the blank using the
milling equipment, also to be used to control the milling equipment
to shape and position the said seats (22, 23) directly in the
blank/support element material (27).
3. Product produced using the method and the arrangement according
to Patent claims 1 and 2, respectively, in the form of elongate
support element (21) for replacement structure (9), for example in
the form of a dental bridge, for the human body, where the support
element is designed with seats (22, 23) via which the support
element can be applied to implants (3) and/or to spacers on these
implants, where the centre axes (24, 25) of the seats connect with
the centre axes (8, 9) of the implants so that fixed accuracy of
fit requirements (of at least about {fraction (2/100)} mm) result,
characterized in that the support element is made of homogeneous
material (27) and in that each seat wall (26a) is executed directly
from the homogeneous support element material (27).
4. Product according to Patent claim 3, characterized in that each
seat wall consists of a surface (26a) ground directly in the
homogeneous material.
5. Product according to Patent claim 3 or 4, characterized in that
the material strength around each seat has essentially the same
material strength as the rest of the support element material
(27).
6. Product according to Patent claim 3, 4 or 5, characterized in
that each seat wall (26a) is formed directly from the support
element material (27) without intermediate layers of material
compositions or material alterations.
7. Product according to any of Patent claims 3-6, characterized in
that each seat wall (26a) has the same chemical composition as the
rest of the support element material (27).
8. Use of recessing (26) directly in the material (27) of a blank
in conjunction with the production of a dental product from the
blank in milling equipment (20), characterized in that the
recessing is used for receiving the seats (22, 23) in the product
in the form of a support element (4) included in tooth replacement
structure (9), the seats (22, 23) of which with set accuracy of fit
requirements (at least about {fraction (2/100)} mm) are to be
applied to implants located in the human body and/or to spacers on
these implants.
9. Use according to Patent claim 8, characterized in that the
recessing (26) is used for forming a seat in the support element in
milling equipment (20) which is fed milling coordinates information
in the form of milling coordinates data (19) executed in computer
equipment (15) and attributable to identification data (16) and
supplementary data (17) fed to the computer equipment (15).
10. Use according to Patent claim 8 or 9, characterized in that the
recessing (26) is used for forming a seat in support element (21)
in milling equipment (20) which is fed integrated milling data (19)
on the support element design and seat design and the seat
positions in the support element.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present invention relates inter alia to a method for
producing elongate support element with associated seats for
replacement structure in human body (jaw), via which seats the
support element can be applied to implants and/or to spacers on
these implants. The longitudinal axes or centre axes of the seats
connect with or are parallel to the longitudinal axes or centre
axes of the implants in order to satisfy set accuracy of fit
requirements which can be about {fraction (2/100)} mm. The method
starts from the stages of identification and possible modelling of
the dental situation in question, supplying information, extracted
from the identification and modelling, to computer equipment,
operating the computer equipment to use the supplied information
and further information input to the computer to simulate and
determine the structure of the support element in or at the
replacement structures extracting, from the computer equipment,
milling coordinates information or milling coordinates data used
for controlling the milling of a blank in milling equipment,
transmitting the milling coordinates information and milling
coordinates data to the milling equipment and controlling the
milling work equipment to produce the support element from the
blank.
[0002] The invention also relates to an arrangement for producing
elongate support element with associated seats for replacement
structure in human body/jaw, via which seats the support element
can be applied to implants and/or to spacers on these implants,
where the centre axes of the seats are arranged to connect with or
be parallel to the centre axes of the implants so that set accuracy
of fit requirements are satisfied. The arrangement comprises
identification members and possibly modelling members for
identification and, respectively, modelling of the respective
dental situation. Also included is computer equipment for receiving
information extracted from the identification and modelling. Also
included are first transmission members for transmitting the
extracted information to the computer equipment, with which, on the
one hand, the structure of the support element and the positioning
in or at the replacement structure can be simulated and can be
determined by means of the extracted information and further
information input to the computer equipment, and, on the other
hand, milling coordinates information or milling coordinates data
for controlling the milling of a blank in milling equipment can be
executed with the aid of the said extracted and input information.
Also included are second transmission members for transmitting the
milling coordinates information (data) to the milling equipment for
controlling the latter to produce from the blank.
[0003] The invention also relates to a product in the form of
elongate support element for replacement structure (for example,
dental bridge) for the human body, where the support element is
designed with seats via which the support element can be applied to
implants and/or to spacers on these implants. In accordance with
the above, the centre axes of the seats connect with the centre
axes of the implants so that fixed accuracy of fit requirements
result.
[0004] The invention also relates to -the use of recessing directly
in the material of a blank in conjunction with the production of a
dental product from the blank in milling equipment.
STATE OF THE ART
[0005] The features discussed in the introduction are known per se
in the production of dental products, and also to some extent in
connection with dental products in the form of elongate support
elements of the said type. Reference is made to, inter alia,
Swedish patents 9304042-6 and 9402351-2. It is also known per se to
make recesses in dental products by means of so-called direct
milling of the product material.
DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
TECHNICAL PROBLEM
[0006] In connection with the abovementioned methods and
arrangements for producing dental products in the form of support
elements, there are requirements for very great accuracy in the
seat application. The required accuracy is, in accordance with the
above, at least about {fraction (2/100)} mm, and the requirements
are set in order to be able to satisfy exact fitting in the jaw or
equivalent. Poor fitting gives rise to stresses in the dentine or
equivalent and causes discomfort and pain and even collapse of the
bone in question, at least in the longer term. This has entailed
comparatively technically complicated methods and arrangements for
seat applications. The said methods include, inter alia, seat
production by means of electro-erosion, in which a produced model
is used as electrode part. The hitherto proposed methods and
arrangements can include production of modules which are welded
together (by laser welding) to form the final support element.
Before the modules are put together, seat application can take
place separately in one or more modules, for example by means of
mechanical or optical measurement. However, the result of welding
is a nonhomogeneous material in which the strength varies in the
support element. Cavities may possibly arise in the material on
account of the melt zone not penetrating down deep enough. When
grinding or surface-machining the support element to adapt the
shape, such cavities can become exposed, which means that the
exactness or fit accuracy requirements cannot be satisfied. It has
also been proposed to produce support parts by means of casting
processes. In casting, there is the problem that the material may
buckle upon cooling. The surface fineness in the contact seats can
never be better than the grain size of the mould material.
Particularly in the case of titanium casting, the molten metal can
react chemically with the mould material, which can mean that the
outermost material layer, about 1 mm thick, is heavily oxidized or
forms an alloy, cf., for example in titanium casting, in the form
of zirconium oxide in which the surface layer will consist of an
alloy of titanium and zirconium. The strength will vary in the
support element and there may be problems in obtaining support part
elements with acceptable strength. In both welding and casting, the
chemical composition of the surface therefore varies. In welding,
the weld seam differs from the base material, and, in casting,
ground areas differ from the raw cast surface. When ceramic is then
to be baked onto the surface to form the tooth replacement, the
adhesion varies greatly across the surface, the result of this
being that there may be difficulties in obtaining products which
are durable in the long term and which are suitable for implanting
in, for example, the jaw. There is therefore a need for methods and
arrangements and finished support elements, and the use of methods
known per se, which solve the abovementioned problems. The main
object of the present invention is to provide a solution to these
problems.
SOLUTION
[0007] That which can principally be regarded as characterizing a
method according to the invention is that the milling equipment,
with the aid of the said milling information or milling data, in
addition to executing the support element shape determined in the
computer equipment from the blank, can also be used for control in
order to mill out the said seats directly in or out of the
blank/support element material.
[0008] The arrangement according to the invention can principally
be regarded as being characterized in that the milling coordinates
information or milling coordinates data is designed, in addition to
executing the support element shape determined in the computer
equipment from the blank using the milling equipment, also to be
used to control the milling equipment to shape and position the
said seats directly in the blank/support element material using the
information likewise set in the computer equipment.
[0009] A product according to the invention can principally be
regarded as being characterized in that the support element is made
of homogeneous material and in that each seat wall is executed
directly from the homogeneous support element material.
[0010] In embodiments of the inventive concept for the product,
each seat wall can consist of a surface ground directly in the
homogeneous material. The product can also have a material strength
around each seat which essentially corresponds to the material
strength of the rest of the support element material. In a further
illustrative embodiment, each seat wall is formed directly from the
support element material without intermediate layers of material
compositions or material alterations. Each seat wall thus has the
same chemical composition as the rest of the support element
material.
[0011] A use according to the invention can be characterized in
that the recessing is used for receiving the seats in the product
in the form of a support element included in tooth replacement
structure. The said seats must in this case have fixed accuracy of
fit requirements in order to be applied to implants located in the
human body and/or to spacers on these implants.
[0012] In one embodiment for recessing which is used for forming a
seat in the support element with milling equipment, this milling
coordinates information is supplied in the form of milling
coordinates data executed in database equipment and attributable to
identification data on the design of the tooth replacement
structure and supplementary data fed to the computer equipment. The
information supplied from the computer equipment to the milling
equipment can be integrated on condition that it contains milling
data on the support part design and the seat design/the seat
positions.
ADVANTAGES
[0013] By means of the measures proposed above, support elements
with very accurate seat positions can be produced at a relatively
low cost. The advantages are considerable compared to casting, for
example. In this case, a material independence is achieved, which
means that the production can be carried out using titanium, gold
or other tissue-compatible material. The seats are integrated in
the material and better precision is obtained in the seat positions
in relation to the cast support elements. The invention also
affords advantages compared to partially welded bridges. In this
case too, a clear material independence is achieved, and it is
possible to avoid weld seams which impair the strength and require
more comprehensive re-grinding. In the present case, very good and
uniform strength can be obtained throughout the whole material, and
the need for re-grinding is reduced.
DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
[0014] A presently proposed embodiment of the method, the
arrangement, the support element and the use will be described
hereinbelow with reference to the attached drawing, in which:
[0015] FIG. 1 shows a block diagram of the structural parts of the
arrangement, and the various manufacturing stages in the
method,
[0016] FIG. 2 shows, in vertical cross-section, an example of a
support element, and
[0017] FIG. 3 shows in vertical cross-section, and in an enlarged
view compared to FIG. 2, a seat formation in a support element.
DETAILED EMBODIMENT
[0018] In FIG. 1, reference number 1 indicates a dental situation
in the form of a mandible 2. The dental situation is such that a
replacement part in the form of a dental bridge is to be applied to
implants 3 incorporated in the jaw. The designs of the implants
with spacers and the like are already well known and will not be
described here. In the dental situation, the dental bridge has been
illustrated in its final state so as to indicate, in this
application, a tooth replacement example which is appropriate to
the invention. The replacement structure or the dental bridge will,
in the final state, comprise a support part 4 and, applied to this,
a tooth replacement material which is symbolized by 5. The tooth
replacement structure is placed between existing teeth 6 and 7 on
the patient. The implants have individual inclinations on their
centre axes, and the centre axes for two of the implants are
indicated by 8 and 9. The dental situation 1 in question which is
to be read off on commencement of the work thus includes the human
jaw 2, the implants 3 and possibly also surrounding teeth 6 and 7.
In connection with the production of the support element 4,
modelling equipment can be used which is symbolized by 10 in the
figure. The cooperation between the situation and the equipment 10
is symbolized by arrows 11.
[0019] In accordance with the invention, the dental situation is to
be read off using identification equipment 12 which can also be of
a type known per se. The reading can be effected in various ways
known per se, for example by stereophotography, scanning of the
outer form, etc. The scanning of the outer form can be performed
using scanning needles, optical light beams, etc. The
identification function is symbolized by 13 in the figure. The
identification in question leads to a conversion to electrical
information signals. This conversion takes place, in the
illustrative embodiment, in conversion equipment 14. The conversion
equipment also comprises first transmission members 14a by means of
which information on the identified situation can be transmitted to
computer equipment 15 of a type known per se in the context known
per se. According to the illustrative embodiment, the transmission
is done digitally and identification data is indicated by 16. This
identification data is thus received in computer equipment 15 in a
manner known per se. The computer equipment 15 also includes a
terminal 16 by means of which supplementary information is input to
the computer equipment. In the illustrative embodiment, the
supplementary information is digital and has been symbolized by 17
in FIG. 1. The computer equipment comprises memory equipment and
CPU which can receive and store, and, respectively, execute the
received information 16 and 17. With the aid of the last-mentioned
information or data 16 and 17, the support element 8 can be
simulated on the computer screen 15a, for example. This applies
also to the tooth replacement structure 9 as such. By interaction
with a user 18, the simulated support part 4' can be shaped in a
manner known per se for optimum construction in the tooth
replacement part 9. Programs for identifying shape, positions,
etc., are available on the market and can be used in connection
with the illustrative embodiment.
[0020] With the aid of the said information 16 and 17 and the
simulation which has been performed, milling coordinates
information can thus be executed in the computer equipment 15.
Examples of milling coordinates data are shown by 19 in the figure.
The said milling coordinates data are fed to machining equipment 20
of a type known per se. The said machining equipment consists of a
mill which can mill from a blank 21 not only the outer shape 21 of
the support part, but also the seats 22, 23 by means of which the
support part 21 is to be anchored on the implants 3 and/or on
spacers (not shown) on these implants. The inclinations and the
positions of the said seats are produced using the said known
programs in the computer equipment and are thus part of the said
milling coordinates data 19.
[0021] In FIG. 2, the positions and inclinations of the seats are
shown enlarged in relation to FIG. 1. In FIG. 2, two of the seats
have been given reference labels 22 and 23 (cf. FIG. 1). The centre
axes of the seats are indicated by 24 and 25, respectively. These
centre axes must be adapted with great precision to the
corresponding axes of inclination of the implant (cf. the centre
axes 8 and 9 in FIG. 1).
[0022] FIG. 3 shows that equipment known per se can be used for
making a seat 26 in the support part material 27. In FIG. 3, a mill
is indicated by 28. In addition, a grinding member is indicated by
29. The mill can thus mill out the recess 26, after which the seat
wall 26a can be re-ground using the member 29. The known equipment
28 for making a hole can thus be used for making the seat 26 in the
case according to FIG. 1. The milling equipment 20 can work in a
manner known per se. In FIG. 1, second transmission members are
shown by 15c for transmitting the information 19 to the machining
equipment 20. This transmission can be done in a manner known per
se and is symbolized by 15d. Thus, for example, the transmission
can be done by the telephone and/or computer network, for example
via the international computer network, the internet. The
transmission between the first transmission members 14, 14a and the
computer equipment can take place on a fixed connection, for
example when the said equipment is integrated or set up in the same
locality. However, the transmission, which has been symbolized by
14b in FIG. 1, can also take place via the telephone and/or
computer network, for example via the said international network,
the internet. Alternatively, one or both transmissions can take
place with the aid of cassettes which are sent between the
localities in question.
[0023] The invention is not limited to the embodiment shown above
by way of example, but can be modified within the scope of the
appended patent claims and the inventive concept.
[0024] Method and arrangement for producing elongate support
element and product, and use of the support element.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0025] The present invention relates inter alia to a method for
producing elongate support element with associated seats for
replacement structure in human body (jaw), via which seats the
support element can be applied to implants and/or to spacers on
these implants. The longitudinal axes or centre axes of the seats
connect with or are parallel to the longitudinal axes or centre
axes of the implants in order to satisfy set accuracy of fit
requirements which can be about {fraction (2/100)} mm. The method
starts from the stages of identification and possible modelling of
the dental situation in question, supplying information, extracted
from the identification and modelling, to computer equipment,
operating the computer equipment to use the supplied information
and further information input to the computer to simulate and
determine the structure of the support element in or at the
replacement structure, extracting, from the computer equipment,
milling coordinates information or milling coordinates data used
for controlling the milling of a blank in milling equipment,
transmitting the milling coordinates information and milling
coordinates data to the milling equipment and controlling the
milling work equipment to produce the support element from the
blank.
[0026] The invention also relates to an arrangement for producing
elongate support element with associated seats for replacement
structure in human body/jaw, via which seats the support element
can be applied to implants and/or to spacers on these implants,
where the centre axes of the seats are arranged to connect with or
be parallel to the centre axes of the implants so that set accuracy
of fit requirements are satisfied. The arrangement comprises
identification members and possibly modelling members for
identification and, 9304042-6 and 9402351-2. It is also known per
se to make recesses in dental products by means of so-called direct
milling of the product material.
DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
TECHNICAL PROBLEM
[0027] In connection with the abovementioned methods and
arrangements for producing dental products in the form of support
elements, there are requirements for very great accuracy in the
seat application. The required accuracy is, in accordance with the
above, at least about {fraction (2/100)} mm, and the requirements
are set in order to be able to satisfy exact fitting in the jaw or
equivalent. Poor fitting gives rise to stresses in the dentine or
equivalent and causes discomfort and pain and even collapse of the
bone in question, at least in the longer term. This has entailed
comparatively technically complicated methods and arrangements for
seat applications. The said methods include, inter alia, seat
production by means of electro-erosion, in which a produced model
is used as electrode part. The hitherto proposed methods and
arrangements can include production of modules which are welded
together (by laser welding) to form the final support element.
Before the modules are put together, seat application can take
place separately in one or more modules, for example by means of
mechanical or optical measurement. However, the result of welding
is a nonhomogeneous material in which the strength varies in the
support element. Cavities may possibly arise in the material on
account of the melt zone not penetrating down deep enough. When
grinding or surface-machining the support element to adapt the
shape, such cavities can become exposed, which means that the
exactness or fit accuracy requirements cannot be satisfied. It has
also been proposed to produce support parts by means of casting
processes. In casting, there is the problem that the material may
buckle upon cooling. The surface fineness the support element shape
determined in the computer equipment from the blank using the
milling equipment, also to be used to control the milling equipment
to shape and position the said seats directly in the blank/support
element material using the information likewise set in the computer
equipment.
[0028] A product according to the invention can principally be
regarded as being characterized in that the support element is made
of homogeneous material and in that each seat wall is executed
directly from the homogeneous support element material.
[0029] In embodiments of the inventive concept for the product,
each seat wall can consist of a surface ground directly in the
homogeneous material. The product can also have a material strength
around each seat which essentially corresponds to the material
strength of the rest of the support element material. In a further
illustrative embodiment, each seat wall is formed directly from the
support element material without intermediate layers of material
compositions or material alterations. Each seat wall thus has the
same chemical composition as the rest of the support element
material.
[0030] A use according to the invention can be characterized in
that the recessing is used for receiving the seats in the product
in the form of a support element included in tooth replacement
structure. The said seats must in this case have fixed accuracy of
fit requirements in order to be applied to implants located in the
human body and/or to spacers on these implants.
[0031] In one embodiment for recessing which is used for forming a
seat in the support element with milling equipment, this milling
coordinates information is supplied in the form of milling
coordinates data executed in database equipment and attributable to
identification data on the design of the tooth replacement
structure and supplementary data fed to the computer equipment. The
information supplied from the -7
DETAILED EMBODIMENT
[0032] In FIG. 1, reference number 1 indicates a dental situation
in the form of a mandible 2. The dental situation is such that a
replacement part in the form of a dental bridge is to be applied to
implants 3 incorporated in the jaw. The designs of the implants
with spacers and the like are already well known and will not be
described here. In the dental situation, the dental bridge has been
illustrated in its final state so as to indicate, in this
application, a tooth replacement example which is appropriate to
the invention. The replacement structure or the dental bridge will,
in the final state, comprise a support part 4 and, applied to this,
a tooth replacement material which is symbolized by 5. The tooth
replacement structure is placed between existing teeth 6 and 7 on
the patient. The implants have individual inclinations on their
centre axes, and the centre axes for two of the implants are
indicated by 8 and 9. The dental situation 1 in question which is
to be read off on commencement of the work thus includes the human
jaw 2, the implants 3 and possibly also surrounding teeth 6 and 7.
In connection with the production of the support element 4,
modelling equipment can be used which is symbolized by 10 in the
figure. The cooperation between the situation and the equipment 10
is symbolized by arrows 11.
[0033] In accordance with the invention, the dental situation is to
be read off using identification equipment 12 which can also be of
a type known per se. The reading can be effected in various ways
known per se, for example by stereophotography, scanning of the
outer form, etc. The scanning of the outer form can be performed
using scanning needles, optical light beams, etc. The
identification function is symbolized by 13 in the figure. The
identification in question leads to a conversion to electrical
information signals. This conversion takes place, in the
illustrative embodiment, in conversion equipment 14. The conversion
equipment known programs in the computer equipment and are thus
part of the said milling coordinates data 19.
[0034] In FIG. 2, the positions and inclinations of the seats are
shown enlarged in relation to FIG. 1. In FIG. 2, two of the seats
have been given reference labels 22 and 23 (cf. FIG. 1). The centre
axes of the seats are indicated by 24 and 25, respectively. These
centre axes must be adapted with great precision to the
corresponding axes of inclination of the implant (cf. the centre
axes 8 and 9 in FIG. 1).
[0035] FIG. 3 shows that equipment known per se can be used for
making a seat 26 in the support part material 27. In FIG. 3, a mill
is indicated by 28. In addition, a grinding member is indicated by
29. The mill can thus mill out the recess 26, after which the seat
wall 26a can be re-ground using the member 29. The known equipment
28 for making a hole can thus be used for making the seat 26 in the
case according to FIG. 1. The milling equipment 20 can work in a
manner known per se. In FIG. 1, second transmission members are
shown by 15c for transmitting the information 19 to the machining
equipment 20. This transmission can be done in a manner known per
se and is symbolized by 15d. Thus, for example, the transmission
can be done by the telephone and/or computer network, for example
via the international computer network, the internet. The
transmission between the first transmission members 14, 14a and the
computer equipment can take place on a fixed connection, for
example when the said equipment is integrated or set up in the same
locality. However, the transmission, which has been symbolized by
14b in FIG. 1, can also take place via the telephone and/or
computer network, for example via the said international network,
the internet. Alternatively, one or both transmissions can take
place with the aid of cassettes which are sent between the
localities in question.
[0036] The invention is not limited to the embodiment shown above
by way of example, but can be modified within the scope of the
appended patent claims and the
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