U.S. patent application number 11/194189 was filed with the patent office on 2005-12-01 for dental tool with retentive feature.
This patent application is currently assigned to ZIMMER DENTAL INC.. Invention is credited to Aravena, Ines, Kumar, Ajay.
Application Number | 20050266379 11/194189 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 29586521 |
Filed Date | 2005-12-01 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050266379 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Kumar, Ajay ; et
al. |
December 1, 2005 |
Dental tool with retentive feature
Abstract
A dental driving tool having a distal end with a drive mechanism
adapted to drive a dental implant and a retention mechanism adapted
to hold and carry the dental implant. The retention mechanism
includes a housing having a ceramic locking member and corrosive
resistant biasing member. Preferably, the housing is formed as an
axial bore through the distal end, and the locking and biasing
members are formed as a ball and spring, respectively.
Inventors: |
Kumar, Ajay; (Palmdale,
CA) ; Aravena, Ines; (Camarillo, CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
CONLEY ROSE, P.C.
P. O. BOX 3267
HOUSTON
TX
77253-3267
US
|
Assignee: |
ZIMMER DENTAL INC.
Carlabad
CA
|
Family ID: |
29586521 |
Appl. No.: |
11/194189 |
Filed: |
August 1, 2005 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
11194189 |
Aug 1, 2005 |
|
|
|
10302132 |
Nov 22, 2002 |
|
|
|
6951462 |
|
|
|
|
60385803 |
Jun 4, 2002 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
433/141 ;
433/173 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61C 8/0089
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
433/141 ;
433/173 |
International
Class: |
A61C 003/00; A61C
008/00 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A dental tool, comprising: a shaft having a distal end and a
proximal end, wherein the distal end is adapted to drive a dental
implant into a jawbone; and a retention mechanism located at the
distal end and including a ball and a spring biasing the ball,
wherein-the retention mechanism is adapted to hold and carry the
dental implant.
2. The dental tool of claim 1 wherein the ball and spring are
housed in an axial bore, and the spring biases the ball against an
internal cavity of the dental implant.
3. The dental tool of claim 2 wherein the ball is formed of a
ceramic and the spring is formed of a corrosive resistant
metal.
4. The dental tool of claim 3 wherein the ball is formed of one of
ruby or silicone nitride, and the spring is formed of one of
titanium or steel with a diamond or chromium coating.
5. The dental tool of claim 4 wherein the retention mechanism holds
the dental implant with a force of about one ounce to about 11/2
pounds.
6. The dental tool of claim 4 wherein the distal end is shaped as
one of a hexagon, star, triangle, square, or octagon.
7. A dental driving tool adapted to engage, carry, and drive a
dental implant, the driving tool comprising: an elongated shaft
having proximal and distal ends; a housing located at the distal
end; and a locking member and a biasing member located in the
housing, wherein the biasing member biases the locking member
against a surface of the implant to hold and carry the implant.
8. The dental driving tool of claim 7 in which the locking member
is formed of a ceramic and the biasing member is formed of a
corrosive resistant metal.
9. The dental driving tool of claim 8 in which the locking member
is formed of ruby or silicone nitride.
10. The dental driving tool of claim 9 in which the biasing member
is formed of titanium.
11. The dental driving tool of claim 10 in which the distal end has
a polygonal shape adapted to engage and drive the implant into a
jawbone.
12. The dental driving tool of claim 11 in which the locking member
and biasing member hold the dental implant with a removal force
between one ounce and 11/2 pounds.
13. A dental tool comprising: a shaft having a distal end and a
proximal end; a drive mechanism located at the distal end, wherein
the drive mechanism is adapted to drive a dental implant into a
jawbone; and a retention mechanism located at the distal end and
including a housing, a locking member, and a biasing member biasing
the locking member, wherein the locking member and biasing member
are located in the housing and adapted to hold the dental
implant.
14. The dental driving tool of claim 13 in which the locking
members is formed of ceramic as one of a ball, pin, or cylinder;
and the biasing members is a spring formed of a corrosive resistant
material.
15. The dental driving tool of claim 14 in which the housing
includes an axial bore that is perpendicular to a longitudinal axis
that extends through the shaft.
16. The dental driving tool of claim 15 in which the locking member
and biasing member are removable from the housing.
17. The dental driving tool of claim 16 in which the drive
mechanism has a polygonal configuration that matches a polygonal
configuration at a coronal end of the implant.
18. The dental driving tool of claim 15 in which the locking member
slideably moves in the axial bore.
19. The dental driving tool of claim 18 in which the locking member
partially protrudes from the axial bore and engages a surface of
the dental implant.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims benefit of priority of U.S.
Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/385,803 filed Jun. 4, 2002.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates generally to the field of
dental implantogy and, more specifically, to an apparatus for
safely and effectively carrying and then driving a dental implant
in a prepared surgical site.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] In order to install a dental implant into the jawbone of a
patient, the gingival tissue is incised and the bone is exposed. A
series of drills are then used to form a cylindrical bore (referred
as the osteotomy) in the bone. Once the osteotomy is prepared, the
distal end of the implant is positioned in the bore, and a powered
or manual driving tool is used to rotate and drive the implant into
the osteotomy. The driving tool includes an end portion that is
configured to matingly engage the end of the implant.
[0004] In some instances, a fixture mount is attached to the top of
the implant with a retaining screw. The fixture mount serves as an
intermediate member between the implant and driving tool. The
driving tool directly engages the fixture mount and imparts torque
to it to drive the implant.
[0005] The connection between the driving tool and the implant or
fixture mount has several disadvantages. Often, this connection is
not consistent or reliable, and the implant can loosen from the
driving tool and fall off. In such a situation, the implant can be
ingested or contaminated.
[0006] In some instances, a frictional fit holds the driving tool
to the implant or fixture mount. The end of the driving tool may be
tapered and pressed into a cavity at the coronal end of the implant
to hold and drive the implant. This frictional fit, however, may
wear with use and does not have even retentive forces. Further, the
tight fit between the end of the driving tool and implant can
deform and damage the internal cavity of the implant.
[0007] If the connection between the driving tool and implant or
fixture mount is not consistent and reliable, then other problems
may occur as well. For example, the posterior maxilla can have soft
bone. If the connection between the driving tool and implant is too
strong, then the implant can be moved or otherwise disturbed while
the tool disengages from the implant. Such movement can interfere
with the proper placement and location of the implant.
[0008] It would be advantageous to have dental driving that
connected to the implant or fixture mount and eliminated the
disadvantages of prior connections.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION
[0009] The present invention is directed toward a dental driving
tool adapted to engage, carry, and drive a dental implant and
dental fixture mount into the jawbone of a patient. The driving
tool has a body that extends from a proximal portion to a distal
portion. The distal portion has a retention mechanism that includes
a housing having a biasing member and locking member located in the
housing. Preferably, the housing includes an axial or radial bore
that is perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the body. The
biasing member biases the locking member to slideably move in an
axial or radial direction in the bore. The locking member may be
formed as a ball, pin, cylinder, or the like; and the biasing
member may be formed as a spring.
[0010] One advantage of the present invention is that the
connection between the driving tool and the implant is consistent
and reliable. As such, the likelihood that the implant will loosen
from the driving tool and fall off is reduced.
[0011] The connection between the driving tool and implant is not
based on a frictional taper fit but on a retention mechanism having
an active or moveable locking member and biasing member. This
retention mechanism will not damage the internal cavity of the
implant or leave micro-fragments or residuals from the end of the
driving tool.
[0012] Further, the retention mechanism and corresponding
connection with the implant or fixture mount provides consistent
tactile feedback while the dental driving tool disengages from the
implant. A minimal or predictable amount of force is required to
perform this disengagement. As such, any interference with the
proper placement and location of the implant is greatly reduced,
especially when the implant is placed in soft, cortical bone.
[0013] Accordingly, the present invention comprises a combination
of features and advantages that overcome various problems,
deficiencies, or shortcomings associated with prior devices. The
various features and advantages of the invention will be readily
apparent to those skilled in the art upon referring to the
accompanying drawings and reading the following detailed
description of the preferred embodiments of the invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0014] For a more detailed description of preferred embodiments of
the present invention, reference will now be made to the
accompanying drawings, wherein:
[0015] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an assembled dental drive
tool made in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present
invention.
[0016] FIG. 2 is a solid view of an unassembled dental drive tool
shown in FIG. 1.
[0017] FIG. 3 is an enlarged, partial perspective view of the
distal end of the drive tool of FIG. 1.
[0018] FIG. 4 is a side view of a vial, implant, and drive
tool.
[0019] FIG. 5 is a partial, cross-sectional of the connection
between the distal end of the drive tool and the coronal end of the
implant of FIG. 4.
[0020] FIG. 6 is a side view of a drive tool attached to a implant
being placed in an osteotomy of a human jawbone.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0021] FIGS. 1 and 2 show the dental drive tool 10 of the present
invention. The drive tool generally has an elongated body or shaft
that extends from a distal end or implant engaging end 12 to a
proximal end or tool engaging end 14. The drive tool may be formed
of various materials known to those skilled in the art, such as
titanium, steel, polymer, or composites.
[0022] The proximal end 14 includes a hexagonal projection 16 that
is adapted to connect to a motorized dental drive tool (not shown).
A stop or radial flange 18 is formed at the end of the hexagonal
projection 16. The proximal end may have other configurations known
to those skilled in the art as well. For example, a right-angle
latch lock connection or a square connection can be used.
[0023] Further, the proximal end may be configured for manually
driving the driving tool 10. Specifically, a hand-grip surface (not
shown) can be included at the proximal end so the drive tool 10 can
be manually rotated.
[0024] The implant engaging end 12 includes an elongated drive
shaft 24 having a hexagonal configuration The shaft 24 widens and
transitions to a radial flange 26 that is adjacent flange 18. A
distal portion of the drive shaft 24 includes a retention mechanism
30. The retention mechanism and drive shaft are adapted to hold,
carry, and drive dental implants and fixture mounts into the
jawbone of a patient.
[0025] As shown in FIGS. 1-3, the retention mechanism includes a
locking member 32 and a biasing member 34. The locking and biasing
members are located in a housing 36 adjacent the end of engaging
end 12. The housing may have various configurations known to those
skilled in the art. As shown in FIG. 3, the housing may be an axial
or radial bore 38 that extends completely through the drive shaft
24. This bore is perpendicular to a longitudinal axis 39 that
extends through the body of the driving tool (see FIG. 1).
[0026] Preferably, the locking member 32 is formed as a ball, but
one skilled in the art will appreciate that other locking members
can be used as well, such as a pin, button, cylinder, or the like.
Further, the biasing member is shown as a spring, but one skilled
in the art will appreciate that other biasing members can be used
as well.
[0027] As shown in FIG. 3, one end of the spring includes a stop
member or plug 40 that closes one end of the bore 38 and maintains
the spring in the housing. The other end of the bore remains open.
A ledge 41 (shown in FIG. 3) inside bore 38 prevents the ball 32
from exiting the housing while under bias from the spring,
[0028] One skilled in the art will appreciate that various means
may be employed to retain the locking and biasing member in
engaging end 12. For example, bore 38 may be formed with a
counterbore that has an opening smaller than the diameter of the
locking member. As such, the locking member would not be able to
escape the bore. As another example, the bore 38 could include stop
members at each end. These stop member could be press-fit in the
bore and would prevent the locking and biasing members from leaving
the confines of the bore.
[0029] FIG. 5 shows another example for housing the locking member
and biasing member. In this figure, the housing is a cylindrical
bore that partially extends into the engaging end of the driving
tool. The biasing member 34 biases the locking member 32 outwardly
toward the exterior surface of the drive shaft 24. A stop 42 keeps
the locking member 32 inside the housing.
[0030] As shown in FIGS. 4-6, the drive tool is adapted to engage,
hold, carry, and drive a dental implant 50. The implant 50
preferably is made of titanium or another strong and biocompatible
metal and includes a generally cylindrical body 52 having external
threads 54, tapered end 56 and coronal end 58 for engaging with the
distal end of the drive-tool. Coronal end 58 of implant 50 includes
an engaging feature 60 adapted to engage the distal end of the
drive tool. This engaging feature can be various configurations
known to those skilled in the art, such as splines, external or
internal hexagon, octagon, star, polygons, or other geometries or
retention mechanisms. A central bore 62 is located adjacent the
engaging feature to engage corresponding threads of retaining screw
(not shown).
[0031] As best shown in FIG. 5, the biasing member 34 biases the
locking member 32 against the coronal end of the implant to hold
and carry the implant. Specifically, the locking member is biased
against an internal wall 66 of the engaging feature 60. The
retention mechanism thus holds and carries the implant. Preferably,
the retention mechanism releasably holds the implant with a removal
force of about one ounce to 11/2 pounds.
[0032] As shown in FIGS. 4 and 6, the removal force enables the
drive tool 10 to remove the implant 50 from its packaging, here a
vial 70. The implant is then transported from the vial to the
osteotomy site 72 located between two teeth 74 in a jawbone 76 of a
patient. Once the implant is positioned at the osteotomy, the drive
tool is rotated and the implant is driven into the bone. The distal
end of the drive tool transfers torque from the drive tool to the
engaging feature 60 of the implant. As shown in FIG. 4, the distal
end of the drive tool can also engage a fixture mount 80 located
between the drive tool 10 and implant 50.
[0033] Preferably, the locking member 32 is a ball and is formed of
hard material, such as ceramic, ruby, or silicone nitride. One
advantage of the present invention is that the ceramic ball will
not leave a residue or deposit on the surface of the implant where
the implant and ball contact.
[0034] Preferably, the biasing member is a spring and is formed of
a biocompatible, corrosive resistant material, such as titanium.
Other materials include stainless steel (such as SS 17-4) coated
with an amorphous diamond coating or a chromium coating. One
advantage of the present invention is that the spring is
biocompatible and will not corrode.
[0035] Another advantage of the present invention is that the
connection between the driving tool and the implant is consistent
and reliable. This connection is not based on frictional taper fit
but on a retention mechanism having an active or moveable locking
member and biasing member. The biasing member biases the locking
member to slideably move in an axial bore located in the driving
tool. This retention mechanism will not damage the internal cavity
of the implant, leave micro-fragments or residuals from the end of
the driving tool, and provides a consistent connection force with
the implant. Further, the likelihood that the implant will loosen
from the driving tool and fall off is reduced.
[0036] Further, the retention mechanism and connection with the
implant or fixture mount provides consistent tactile feedback while
the dental driving tool disengages from the implant. A minimal or
predictable amount of force is required to perform this
disengagement. As such, any interference with the proper placement
and location of the implant is greatly reduced, especially when the
implant is placed in soft, cortical bone, such as in the posterior
maxilla.
[0037] It will be appreciated that the present invention could
incorporate multiple locking members and biasing members. Two
balls, for example, could be employed in the same bore, with one
ball at the first end of the spring and a second ball at the other
end. Multiple stop members could be placed at the ends of the bore
to prevent the balls from exiting the bore. Further, multiple bores
could be used to house multiple balls and springs.
[0038] Further yet, the present invention can be used with various
dental tools, implants, and accessories. The retention mechanism,
for example, can be employed with an abutment, future mount, or
other driving apparatus.
[0039] As understood by those skilled in the art, the precise
configuration and dimensions of the various components of drive
tool may vary depending upon the size of the implant or device to
be installed. For example, a number of conventional implants are
constructed so as to have either a polygonal extension or a
polygonal socket at the coronal end of the implant. The principles
of the present invention can be applied so the retention mechanism
is fabricated with a socket type connection at the end of the
distal end. The locking member would partially protrude in the
socket to engage a protrusion from the coronal end of the implant.
For example, a hexagonal socket would matingly engage a
correspondingly sized and shaped hexagonal projection on the
coronal end of an implant or on the end of a fixture mount.
[0040] While preferred embodiments of this invention have been
shown and described, modifications thereof can be made by one
skilled in the art without departing from the spirit or teaching of
this invention. The embodiments described herein are exemplary only
and are not limiting. Many variations and modifications of the
system, apparatus, and methods are possible and are within the
scope of the inventions claimed below. Accordingly, the scope of
protection is not limited to the embodiments described herein, but
is only limited by the claims that follow, the scope of which shall
include all equivalents of the subject matter of the claims.
* * * * *