U.S. patent application number 12/531707 was filed with the patent office on 2010-07-22 for angulated attachment device for dental prostheses.
Invention is credited to Ophir Fromovich.
Application Number | 20100184004 12/531707 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39763068 |
Filed Date | 2010-07-22 |
United States Patent
Application |
20100184004 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Fromovich; Ophir |
July 22, 2010 |
ANGULATED ATTACHMENT DEVICE FOR DENTAL PROSTHESES
Abstract
The present invention relates an angulated ball attachment
device which is deployed such that the ball component is off-set
from the central axis of the implant. The ball component and the
abutment base element form a single rigid unit that is stable even
in case the attachment screw of the device becomes loosened.
Inventors: |
Fromovich; Ophir; (Hod
Hasharon, IL) |
Correspondence
Address: |
DR. MARK M. FRIEDMAN;C/O BILL POLKINGHORN - DISCOVERY DISPATCH
9003 FLORIN WAY
UPPER MARLBORO
MD
20772
US
|
Family ID: |
39763068 |
Appl. No.: |
12/531707 |
Filed: |
March 18, 2008 |
PCT Filed: |
March 18, 2008 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/IL08/00375 |
371 Date: |
March 11, 2010 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
433/174 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61C 8/0069 20130101;
A61C 8/0074 20130101; A61C 8/0053 20130101; A61C 8/006 20130101;
A61C 8/005 20130101; A61C 8/0068 20130101; A61C 8/0059
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
433/174 |
International
Class: |
A61C 8/00 20060101
A61C008/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Mar 18, 2007 |
IL |
181989 |
Claims
1. A device for detachable off-axis attachment of a dental
prosthesis comprising: (a) a bone anchoring arrangement having an
axis of insertion into the bone and including a rotation prevention
configuration shaped to engage the bone so as to prevent rotation
of the device about said axis; and (b) an attachment configuration
configured for detachable connection of a dental prosthesis, said
attachment configuration being located off-axis relative to said
axis of insertion, wherein said attachment configuration and said
rotation prevention configuration are integrally formed or
permanently attached so as to be in non-adjustable spatial
relation.
2. The device of claim 1, wherein said attachment configuration
includes a ball.
3. A kit for detachable off-axis attachment of a dental prosthesis
comprising two devices each according to claim 1, wherein said
rotation prevention configuration has 6-fold rotational symmetry,
and wherein: (a) a first of said devices has said attachment
configuration located off-axis at a first angular position relative
to said rotation prevention configuration; and (b) a second of said
devices has said attachment configuration located off-axis at a
second angular position relative to said rotation prevention
configuration, said second angular position being rotated about
said axis by an angle of substantially 30 degrees.
4. The kit of claim 3, wherein said attachment configuration
includes a ball.
5. A device for connecting a ball to a bone implant comprising: an
abutment element and a ball, said abutment element is at least
partially inserted inside said bone implant, said ball is
permanently connected in fixed spatial relation to said abutment
element so as to maintain their connection in case the connection
of said abutment element to said bone implant is loosened, said
ball is located such that the central long axis of said bone ball
is displaced from central long axis of said bone implant.
6. The device of claim 5, wherein the angle between the central
long axis of said bone implant and said central long axis of said
ball is between 0 to 90 degrees.
7. The device of claim 6, wherein said angle is 15 to 45
degrees.
8. The device of claim 5, wherein said long axis of said ball is
parallel said long axis of bone implant so said ball is displaced
from the center of said bone implant.
9. The device of claim 5, wherein at least part of said ball is
above the internal thread of the implant.
10. The device of claim 5, wherein said abutment element has an
anti-rotational element to be engaged with an anti-rotational
element of said bone implant.
11. The device of claim 10, wherein said anti-rotational element of
said abutment element is in the shape of hexagon.
12. The device of claim 11, wherein said ball is located above one
plane of said hexagon.
13. The device of claim 11, wherein said ball is located above one
corner of said hexagon.
14. The device of claim 5 wherein the height of said abutment
element is between 0.5 mm to 6 mm.
15. The device of claim 5, wherein said abutment element is
angulated.
16. The device of claim 15, wherein said ball is located more
displaced from the axis of the implant than said abutment
element.
17. The device of claim 15, wherein said ball is located less
displaced from the axis of the implant than said abutment
element.
18. The device of claim 5, wherein said ball is soldered to said
abutment element.
19. The device of claim 5, wherein said ball and said abutment
element are one piece which is milled by a C.N.C machine.
20. The device of claim 5, wherein said ball and said abutment
element are casted together.
21. The device of claim 5, wherein said ball is screwed to said
abutment element.
22. The device of claim 5, wherein said ball is glued to said
abutment element.
23. The device of claim 5, wherein said abutment element is fixated
by a screw to said bone implant.
24. The device of claim 5, wherein said abutment element is fixated
by a rotating fixating nut to said bone implant.
25. The device of claim 5, wherein said abutment is fixated by
friction to said bone implant.
Description
FIELD AND BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to dental attachment devices
and, in particular, it concerns second preferred embodiment of an
angulated ball attachment device constructed and operational
according to the teachings of the present invention.
[0002] In many cases of dental implants the implants are inserted
in a non-parallel manner, due to bone architecture. Placing a
denture over ball attachments which are connected to not parallel
implants causes difficulties in the insertion and removal of the
denture and causes damage to the ball and transfers damaging forces
to the dental implants and the bone. In some cases the implant are
located buccally or lingually to the desired location of the ball.
Placing a regular ball attachment over a misplaced implant causes
difficulties in the fabrication of the denture.
[0003] In cases of regular implants for fixed restorations, when
the implants are inserted at an angle to the prosthetic element
other than the desired angle, angulated abutments, as illustrated
in FIG. 1a, are used. The prior art angulated abutment 1 has an
anti-rotational element, usually a hexagonal configuration 2, that
engages a compatible anti-rotational element configured in the
implant. Further, the prior art angulated abutment 1 has a hollow
passageway that opens at opening 3 in the angulated wall 4 and
passes through the hexagonal configuration 2 to allow the insertion
of the attachment screw 5.
[0004] A conventional ball attachment, as illustrated in FIG. 1a,
has no anti-rotational element and therefore, it can not be used as
an angulated ball attachment because the correct angle can not be
determined by the doctor.
[0005] One prior art solution for providing an angulated ball
attachment device is illustrated in FIG. 2. This device is a
two-part abutment device, in which each part has an anti-rotational
element. The base element 6 has a first anti rotational element 7
which prevents rotation of base element 6 within the implant.
Additionally, rotation between base element 6 and plate 9 is
prevented by a second anti-rotational configuration in which
anti-rotational pin 10 engages the one of a plurality of
anti-rotational holes 8 configured in base element 6. A ball 11 is
attached to the edge of plate 9 so as to be angled to the long axis
of the dental implant. Both parts are attached to the implant by
attachment screw 12. The use of two parts increases the risk of the
screw loosening and assembly in the patient's mouth is more
difficult for the doctor. Further, if the screw becomes loose, the
non-rotational connection between base 6 and plate 9 will not be
maintained, which may lead to breakage of one of the parts or
damage to the surrounding area of the mouth.
[0006] There is therefore a need for a dental attachment device
that allows angulated ball attachment without increasing the risk
of screw loosening.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] The present invention is an angulated ball attachment
device.
[0008] According to the teachings of the present invention there is
provided, a device for detachable off-axis attachment of a dental
prosthesis comprising: (a) a bone anchoring arrangement having an
axis of insertion into the bone and including a rotation prevention
configuration shaped to engage the bone so as to prevent rotation
of the device about the axis; and (b) an attachment configuration
configured for detachable connection of a dental prosthesis, the
attachment configuration being located off-axis relative to the
axis of insertion, wherein the attachment configuration and the
rotation prevention configuration are integrally formed or
permanently attached so as to be in non-adjustable spatial
relation.
[0009] According to a further feature of the present invention, the
attachment configuration includes a ball.
[0010] There is also provided according to the teachings of the
present invention, a kit for detachable off-axis attachment of a
dental prosthesis comprising two of the aforementioned devices,
wherein the rotation prevention configuration has 6-fold rotational
symmetry, and wherein: (a) a first of the devices has the
attachment configuration located off-axis at a first angular
position relative to the rotation prevention configuration; and (b)
a second of the devices has the attachment configuration located
off-axis at a second angular position relative to the rotation
prevention configuration, the second angular position being rotated
about the axis by an angle of substantially 30 degrees.
[0011] There is also provided according to the teachings of the
present invention, a device for connecting a ball to a bone implant
comprising an abutment element and a ball, the abutment element is
at least partially inserted inside the bone implant, the ball is
permanently connected in fixed spatial relation to the abutment
element so as to maintain their connection in case the connection
of the abutment element to the bone implant is loosened, the ball
is located such that the central long axis of the bone ball is
displaced from central long axis of the bone implant.
[0012] According to a further feature of the present invention, the
angle between the central long axis of the bone implant and the
central long axis of the ball is between 0 to 90 degrees.
[0013] According to a further feature of the present invention, the
angle is 15 to 45 degrees.
[0014] According to a further feature of the present invention, the
long axis of the ball is parallel the long axis of bone implant so
the ball is displaced from the center of the bone implant.
[0015] According to a further feature of the present invention, at
least part of the ball is above the internal thread of the
implant.
[0016] According to a further feature of the present invention, the
abutment element has an anti-rotational element to be engaged with
an anti-rotational element of the bone implant.
[0017] According to a further feature of the present invention, the
anti-rotational element of the abutment element is in the shape of
hexagon.
[0018] According to a further feature of the present invention, the
ball is located above one plane of the hexagon.
[0019] According to a further feature of the present invention, the
ball is located above one corner of the hexagon.
[0020] According to a further feature of the present invention, the
height of the abutment element is between 0.5 mm to 6 mm.
[0021] According to a further feature of the present invention, the
abutment element is angulated.
[0022] According to a further feature of the present invention, the
ball is located more displaced from the axis of the implant than
the abutment element.
[0023] According to a further feature of the present invention, the
ball is located less displaced from the axis of the implant than
the abutment element.
[0024] According to a further feature of the present invention, the
ball is soldered to the abutment element.
[0025] According to a further feature of the present invention, the
ball and the abutment element are one piece which is milled by a
C.N.C machine.
[0026] According to a further feature of the present invention, the
ball and the abutment element are casted together.
[0027] According to a further feature of the present invention, the
ball is screwed to the abutment element.
[0028] According to a further feature of the present invention, the
ball is glued to the abutment element.
[0029] According to a further feature of the present invention, the
abutment element is fixated by a screw to the bone implant.
[0030] According to a further feature of the present invention, the
abutment element is fixated by a rotating fixating nut to the bone
implant.
[0031] According to a further feature of the present invention, the
abutment is fixated by friction to the bone implant.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0032] The invention is herein described, by way of example only,
with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:
[0033] FIG. 1A is a perspective view of a conventional prior art
angulated abutment device;
[0034] FIG. 1B is a perspective view of a conventional prior art
straight ball attachment device;
[0035] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a prior art two-piece
angulated ball attachment device with two anti-rotational
elements;
[0036] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a first preferred embodiment
of an angulated ball attachment device constructed and operational
according to the teachings of the present invention, shown
connected to a dental implant;
[0037] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a first variant of the
angulated ball attachment of FIG. 3, in which the ball is located
above one plain of the hexagonal anti-rotational configuration of
the abutment;
[0038] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a second variant of the
angulated ball attachment of FIG. 3, in which the ball is located
above one corner of the hexagonal anti-rotational configuration of
the abutment;
[0039] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a second preferred
embodiment of an angulated ball attachment device constructed and
operational according to the teachings of the present
invention;
[0040] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a third preferred embodiment
of an angulated ball attachment device constructed and operational
according to the teachings of the present invention;
[0041] FIGS. 8 and 9 are schematic illustrations of alternative
attachment configurations, which are known per se in other
contexts, which may he used according to the teachings of the
present invention for attachment of a prosthesis to the attachment
device of the present invention; and
[0042] FIGS. 10-14 are schematic illustrations of further
alternative attachment configurations, which are new in their own
right, which may be used according to the teachings of the present
invention for attachment of a prosthesis to the angulated
attachment device of the present invention or to a conventional
straight or angled attachment device.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0043] The present invention is second preferred embodiment of an
angulated ball attachment device constructed and operational
according to the teachings of the present invention.
[0044] The principles and operation of second preferred embodiment
of an angulated ball attachment device constructed and operational
according to the teachings of the present invention according to
the present invention may be better understood with reference to
the drawings and the accompanying description.
[0045] By way of introduction, the present invention relates an
angulated ball attachment device which is deployed such that the
ball component is off-set from the central axis of the implant. The
ball component and the abutment base element form a single rigid
unit that is stable even in case the attachment screw of the device
becomes loosened.
[0046] In some preferred embodiments the abutment base element is
deployed at least partially inside the dental implant.
[0047] The angulated ball attachment device of the present
invention provides parallel balls which provide easy insertion and
removal of the denture by the patient even in cases where the
implants are not parallel.
[0048] The present invention also provides a method for connecting
a ball to a bone implant in which the ball component is fixed
attached to the abutment base element, at least a portion of the
abutment base element is at least partially inserted into the bone
implant and then attached thereto, and the ball component is
positioned such that the central axis of the ball component is
off-set from the central axis of the bone implant.
[0049] Referring now to the drawings, FIG. 2 illustrates a first
preferred embodiment of the angulated ball attachment device 100 of
the present invention. Embodiment 100 includes a single base
element 13 having an anti-rotation element, illustrated here by
non-limiting example as a hexagon configuration 14 that is coupled
to the implant 45 with a screw 15 as is known in the art. A ball
component 16 is rigidly connected to base element 13 at a point
that is off-set from the implant central axis 70 of the base
element 13. It will be appreciated that ball component 16 may be
integrally formed with base element 13, such as by milling or
casting. Alternatively, ball component 16 and base element 13 may
be independently formed and later joined by soldering, welding or
any suitable process, as non-limiting examples.
[0050] It will be understood that the position of ball component 16
about the implant central axis 70 of the base element 13 is limited
by the anti-rotation element that is illustrated here as the
hexagon configuration 14, thereby limiting the deployment of the
ball component 16 to six positions spaced at 60.degree. intervals
about implant central axis 70.
[0051] In order to provide additional positioning options for ball
component 16 about the implant central axis 70, the position of
ball component 16 in relationship to the anti-rotation element may
be varied, as illustrated by the non-limiting examples of FIGS. 4
and 5.
[0052] In the first variant 100a, as illustrated in FIG. 4, the
ball component 16 is aligned with one plane 17 of the hexagon
configuration 14. In the second variant 100b, as illustrated in
FIG. 5, the ball component 16 is aligned with one corner 18 of the
hexagon configuration 14. By providing these two variants of
angulated ball attachment device 100 together as a kit, the doctor
is able to place the ball component 16 in any one of twelve
different position of ball component 16 spaced at 30.degree.
intervals about implant central axis 70. While these two variants
100a and 100b provide an appropriate solution for most of the
clinical situations, it will be appreciated that the anti-rotation
element may be configured with substantially any suitable
cross-sectional contour so as to provide fewer or additional
deployment positions. Such cross-sectional contours may include
regular polygons such as, but not limited to, triangle, square,
pentagon, heptagon, octagon, nonagon and decagon.
[0053] It will be readily appreciated that other variations of
angulated ball attachment devices can be constructed by, by
non-limiting example, varying the height (length) of the base
element 13 preferably in the range of between 0.5 mm to 6 mm.
Additionally, the distance of the ball component 16 from the
implant central axis 70 may be varied.
[0054] By varying the distance of the ball component 16 from the
implant central axis 70, the angle between the central long axis 71
of the ball component 16 is also varied. Therefore, it will be
appreciated that in one embodiment of the present invention, the
central axis 71 of ball component 16 may be at angle to the implant
central axis 70 of the implant 45. Preferably, the angle between
the central axis 70 of the bone implant and the central axis 71 of
the ball component is in the range of between 0 to 90 degrees, and
most preferably the angle is 15 to 45 degrees. It is also within
the scope of the present invention to provide an angulated ball
attachment device in which the ball component is not a perfect
sphere and in which the central axis of the non-spherical ball
component is parallel to the implant central axis 70.
[0055] Preferably more than one variant embodiment of ball
attachment devices are supplied to the doctor in kit form so as to
provide the doctor with an appropriate ball attachment devices in
substantially any situation.
[0056] FIG. 6 illustrates a second preferred embodiment of the
angulated ball attachment device 200 of the present invention in
which the abutment element 20 is angulated in relation to
attachment screw 15 which will align with the central axis of the
implant (not shown) upon installation. This embodiment also
provides the ability to deploy the ball component at different
positions about the central axis of the implant. It will be
appreciated that abutment base element 20 has less material in
region 21 that is on the side of abutment base element 20 opposite
the ball component 16. This reduces the interference of the
abutment base element 20 with the removable dental prosthesis (not
shown) with which it will be used. In this embodiment as well,
variation of the location of ball component 16 in relation to the
hexagon configuration 14 or to the abutment base element 20 may be
achieve as described above in regard to embodiment 100.
[0057] FIG. 7 illustrates a third preferred embodiment of the
angulated ball attachment device 300 of the present invention in
which the ball component is not fixedly attached to the abutment
base element 26. This embodiment 300 is similar to the previous
embodiments 100 and 200 in that it includes an anti-rotational
element, such as the non-limiting example of the hexagon
configuration 14 and that the receiving abutment base element 26 is
attached to the dental implant (not shown) with a screw 15. As
illustrated here, the separate ball component is configured with a
threaded extension. Likewise, the receiving abutment base element
26 is configured with an internal threaded hole 27 for receiving
the threaded extension of ball component 25. Here too, variation of
the location of ball component 25 in relation to the hexagon
configuration 14 or to the abutment base element 20 may be achieve
as described above in regard to embodiment 100.
[0058] It will be appreciated that features common to all of the
embodiments of the present invention discussed herein include
deploying the ball component so as to be off-set from the central
axis on the implant and the ball component is rotatable about the
central axis on the implant.
[0059] It should be noted that while the description herein is
directed toward an angulated ball attachment device, this is not
intended as a limitation and the same principles other type of
dental abutments for implants or for angulated orthopedic
attachment devices. Further, although the embodiments described
herein were configured with a ball component, this is not intended
as a limitation and may be applied to substantially any other type
of prosthetic connectors. Examples of alternative attachment
configurations will now be described briefly with reference to
FIGS. 8-14.
[0060] In general terms, these alternative attachment
configurations include a lower portion 52, forming part of the
attachment device, which has one or more internal or external
undercuts, and a flexible engagement element 50, typically formed
of resilient polymer material, which snap-fits onto the lower
portion to engage the undercuts and retain an attached prosthesis
in place. The form of FIG. 8 corresponds to a configuration
commercially available under the name LOCATOR.RTM. while that of
FIG. 9 corresponds to a configuration commercially available under
the name ERA.RTM. from Sterngold Dental, LLC (MA, USA). In each
case, retention of the prosthesis is achieved by engagement of an
engagement element 50 in the form of a polymer cap onto lower
portion 52. The configurations are intended to allow some degree of
angular freedom, and/or some angular freedom may be provided at the
cup-like interface between the polymer cap and an overlying
metallic casing (not shown).
[0061] In addition to these conventional attachment configurations,
it is a further aspect of the present invention, additionally
patentable in its own right even when used with an otherwise
conventional straight or angled attachment device, to provide
attachment configurations and/or attachment kits which provide
better control of the retention and angular range of motion than
are offered by the conventional forms of attachment discussed
above. A number of non-limiting examples of the improved attachment
configurations will now be illustrated with reference to FIGS.
10-14.
[0062] Turning first to FIG. 10, this illustrates a case in which
lower portion 52 is formed with at least two external undercut
recesses which lie on an overall generally conical profile "C". An
attachment kit preferably includes at least two types of
corresponding caps, each shown here only partially and labeled
respectively "A" and "B". Cap "A" is configured to engage only one
of the at least two undercut recesses, while cap "B" is configured
to engage two undercut recesses. The same principle may be extended
to cases of three or more undercut recesses, whether external,
internal or both, and correspondingly more caps. By suitable choice
of the number of recesses engaged, the position of the recesses
engaged, and the fit or misfit of the engagement shape, it is
possible to achieve a wide range of different degrees of retention
and, largely independently of the degree of retention, a choice or
angular ranges of motion.
[0063] FIG. 11 illustrates a further example of the same concept
where cap "A" (again only shown partially) engages two internal
recesses and one external recess of lower portion 52, while cap "B"
engages two internal recesses and three external recesses of the
lower portion 52. In this case; the general profile of both the
internal and external recesses is a conical form as illustrated by
the straight lines.
[0064] FIG. 12 again illustrates the same underlying concept, but
in a case where the internal retention features are in the form of
internal projecting features within the caps and complementary
shaped recesses on the upper surface of lower portion 52.
Adjustment of retention forces between different caps may be
achieved by various combinations of varying the number of external
recesses engages and varying the number and shape of the internal
projecting features within the cap.
[0065] Turning now to FIG. 13, this shows a spherical or elliptical
structure which itself functions as an "undercut" with hollows in
different regions which facilitates gripping. This structure can be
used alternately with female engagement elements having different
undercuts which allow angular movement of the female element over
the male element with varying gripping locations. In the variant
shown at the bottom of FIG. 13, an additional large recess "D" is
shown which provides an additional grip for the internal
hollow.
[0066] Finally, FIG. 14 shows two views of a lower portion 52
formed as a round or oval dome with three or more large cavities
which may be identical of non-identical to provide gripping
locations.
[0067] In each of the above novel attachment configurations, the
upper element (referred to as "female"), may be formed from any
suitable material including, but not limited to, nylon, any type of
plastic, metal or metal alloys including various types of springs,
and any combination of such materials. In the case of certain
materials, for example, Nickel-Titanium ("Nitinol") alloys, the
device may be activated by temperature transition (e.g., body
heat), by electric current or by any other physical mechanism to
assume a predefined final configuration.
[0068] The structures described may be straight or angled, and may
allow the prosthesis a range of motion in any desired direction.
Where required, a supplementary internal or external gripping
element may be incorporated to provide the required function.
[0069] Each of the upper elements described above may accommodate
an overlying metal casing. The structures can be implemented with
combinations of full or partial gripping of the external features
of the lower element and full or partial gripping of the internal
features of the lower element in order to allow a range of motion
in all directions in order to reduce stress from the implant, and
to allow the prosthesis to settle onto the tissue.
[0070] It will be appreciated that the above descriptions are
intended only to serve as examples and that many other embodiments
are possible within the spirit and the scope of the present
invention.
* * * * *