阅读说明：本技术 下颌前移装置及实现该装置的方法 (Mandibular advancement device and method of implementing the same ) 是由 加布里埃莱·斯科梅格纳 毛里齐奥·多尔菲 于 2019-05-02 设计创作，主要内容包括：一种用于下颌前移的装置(100),装置(100)包括管(1)和与管(1)相关联的伸缩杆(2),其中,管(1)和伸缩杆(2)能够与上弓和下弓的牙齿相连接,其中,伸缩杆(2)包括带螺纹的销(2P),该销与以可滑动的方式定位在管(1)中的中空元件(2T)的阴螺纹(2M)接合,并且其中,所述中空元件(2T)包括位于管(1)外部的操纵部分(23),装置(100)包括摩擦元件(3),该摩擦元件布置在操纵部分的内壁(24)与销(2P)的螺纹之间,并且该摩擦元件具有与所述操纵部分的内壁(24)互补的外表面和仿效了销(2P)的螺纹的带内螺纹的腔(32)。(A device (100) for mandibular advancement, the device (100) comprising a tube (1) and a telescopic rod (2) associated with the tube (1), wherein the tube (1) and the telescopic rod (2) can be connected with the teeth of the upper bow and the lower bow, wherein the telescopic rod (2) comprises a threaded pin (2P) engaged with a female thread (2M) of a hollow element (2T) slidably positioned in the tube (1), and wherein said hollow element (2T) comprises a handling portion (23) external to the tube (1), the device (100) comprising a friction element (3), the friction element is arranged between the inner wall (24) of the operating portion and the thread of the pin (2P), and has an outer surface complementary to the inner wall (24) of the manoeuvring portion and an internally threaded cavity (32) following the thread of the pin (2P).)

1. Device (100) for mandibular advancement, the device (100) comprising a tube (1) and a telescopic rod (2) associated with the tube (1), wherein the tube (1) and the telescopic rod (2) are associable with the teeth of the upper and lower arches, wherein the telescopic rod (2) comprises a threaded pin (2P) which engages with a female thread (2M) of a hollow element (2T) slidably positioned in the tube (1), and wherein the hollow element (2T) comprises a handling portion (23) external to the tube (1), the device (100) being characterized in that the device (100) comprises a friction element (3), the friction element (3) being arranged between an inner wall (24) of the handling portion and the thread of the pin (2P), and in that the friction element (3) has an outer surface and a complementary shape with respect to the inner wall (24) of the handling portion An internally threaded cavity (32) that emulates the thread of the pin (2P).

2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the inner wall (24) of the manoeuvring part (23) is provided with a groove (25) and the friction element (3) is provided with a corresponding moulding (35) which can be securely inserted into the groove (25).

3. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the inner wall (24) of the manoeuvring part (23) comprises a part (21) with a reduced diameter (D21) and in that the diameter (D3) of the friction element (3) is greater than the reduced diameter (D21).

4. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the friction element (3) is made of a material in the group comprising: plastic materials, resins, photopolymerizable materials, self-polymerizing materials, chemically activatable materials.

5. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the friction element (3) has an internal threaded portion (32), the internal threaded portion (32) being shaped so as to be compatible with the thread of the pin (2P), but the pitch and/or inclination of the thread of the internal threaded portion (32) is different from the corresponding pitch and inclination of the thread of the pin (2P).

6. Method for manufacturing a device (100) for mandibular advancement, the device (100) comprising a tube (1) and a telescopic rod (2) associated with the tube (1), wherein the tube (1) and the telescopic rod (2) are associable with teeth of the upper and lower arches, wherein the telescopic rod (2) comprises a threaded pin (2P), the pin (2P) being engaged with a female thread (2M) of a hollow element (2T) slidably positioned in the tube (1), and wherein the hollow element (2T) comprises a manipulation portion (23) located outside the tube (1), the method being characterized in that a friction element (3) is provided, the friction element (3) being arranged between an inner wall (24) of the manipulation portion and the thread of the pin (2P), and the friction element (3) having an outer surface and an outer surface shaped complementarily with respect to the inner wall (24) of the manipulation portion An internally threaded cavity (32) that emulates the thread of the pin (2P).

7. Method according to claim 6, characterized in that materials from the group comprising: plastic materials, resins, photopolymerizable materials, self-polymerizing materials, chemically activatable materials.

8. Method according to claim 6, characterized in that the components of the device (100) and the friction element (3) are first formed and subsequently the device (100) is assembled.

9. Method according to one of claims 6 to 8, characterized in that an internal thread (32) is formed in the friction element (3) compatible with the thread of the pin (2P), but the pitch and/or inclination of the thread of the internal thread (32) is different in value from the corresponding pitch and inclination of the thread of the pin (2P).

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a device for mandibular advancement of the type commonly referred to as the "Herbst device" and to the relative manufacturing method.

Background

As is known, devices of the above type are essentially constituted by a tube in which a telescopic rod is slidably positioned. The tube and the rod are intended to be fixed by their respective free ends to the upper and lower jaw of the patient receiving treatment by means of special joints. The device forces the lower jaw and the teeth of the lower jaw forward.

An apparatus of the above type is described in US 5879157. With reference to figure 1 of the drawings, in a possible embodiment, the device comprises a first outer tube EST with a corresponding first anchoring eyelet AE and a second tube INT longitudinally slidable in the outer tube EST. The second tube INT has a handling portion MP formed by an annular element with an internal nut threadedly engaged by a threaded rod TA having a corresponding second anchoring hole AR on the opposite side. Said handling portion has a radial hole MH into which a pin can be inserted to rotate the handling portion and in this way adjust the distance between the eyelets AE, AR. The connection between the portion integral with the first eye AE and the portion integral with the second eye AR is therefore determined by the screwing of the threaded rod TA integral with the second eye AR, by the idle rotation of the manipulation portion MP fixed to the tube INT in a rotatable manner with respect to the tube, so as to allow the variation of the distance between the above-mentioned eyes AR, AE, even when the latter are fixed to form an orthodontic device.

The drawback resulting from the realisation of such a connection lies in the fact that an undesired unscrewing between the threaded rod TA and the maneuvering portion MP may occur, and this unscrewing may impair the effectiveness of the orthodontic treatment.

Attempts have been made to solve this problem by using so-called "thread-lock", i.e. a material that increases the friction between the thread of the rod and the manoeuvring part. This solution does not ensure effectiveness or a constant effect; in fact, the thread locking compound may be unstable at temperatures of 30 ℃ to 40 ℃ and may crack and/or shatter, thereby reducing or eliminating the effectiveness of the thread locking compound. Another drawback associated with the use of thread locks relates to the reduced braking efficiency during the execution of repeated maneuvers.

Disclosure of Invention

The main object of the present invention is to eliminate the above drawbacks and to propose a device for advancing the lower jaw and a relative manufacturing method that combine simplicity and economy of construction with reliability and safety to prolong the overall duration of use.

This result is achieved, according to the invention, by adopting the idea of implementing a device and a method having the characteristics indicated in the independent claims. Further innovative features are described in the dependent claims. Among the advantages offered by the present invention, in addition to the fact that a Herbst device is obtained that is able to maintain the coupling between the components of the Herbst device in a correct and efficient manner, the following is emphasized: simplicity of construction, and thus relatively low cost; reliability; accuracy; the possibility of using such biocompatible materials commonly used in the manufacture of intraoral appliances.

Drawings

These and further advantages and features of the invention will be more and better understood by those skilled in the art from the following description and the attached drawings, provided as an example and not to be considered as limiting, in which:

figure 1 shows a side view, partially in section, of a known Herbst-type device constituting "prior art";

figures 2 and 3 respectively show a first side view and a second side view of a possible embodiment of the device according to the invention, rotated by 90 ° with respect to the first side view and partially sectioned with enlarged details;

fig. 4 and 5 are two different side views of the embodiment shown in fig. 2 and 3, partially shown to better highlight some details; FIG. 4 is a side view of the device partially cut away and represented by a view similar to FIG. 3; FIG. 5 is a side view rotated 90 relative to the side view of FIG. 4;

fig. 6 shows the device of fig. 2 to 5 in section and in enlarged detail, partly as shown in fig. 4 and 5, highlighting a possible embodiment of the seat for receiving the resin or acrylic composite element according to the invention;

FIG. 7 is a schematic longitudinal sectional view of a possible example of embodiment of a resin or acrylic composite element according to the invention;

fig. 8 shows, in section and with enlarged detail, the device of fig. 2 to 5, in a similar manner to fig. 6, highlighting a possible embodiment of the seat for receiving the resin element or acrylic composite according to the invention;

FIG. 9 is a schematic longitudinal cross-sectional view of another possible embodiment of a resin element or acrylic composite according to the invention;

FIG. 10 is a schematic view in longitudinal section of another possible embodiment of a resin element or acrylic composite according to the invention; and

fig. 11 is a graph showing the trend of the torque required for unscrewing with respect to the activation value.

Detailed Description

The device 100 for advancing the lower jaw according to the invention, simplified to the basic structure of the device 100 and illustrated with reference to the figures, is a telescopic element comprising a tube 1 on which a telescopic rod 2 is placed. According to known procedures and therefore not shown in the figures, the tube 1 and the rod 2 can be connected by their respective free ends to the same side, to the right or to the left of the upper and lower arches of the patient to be treated. More specifically, the free end of the tube 1 and the free end of the rod 2 are provided with respective eyelets 10, 20, the eyelets 10, 20 being oriented at a predetermined angle with respect to the longitudinal axis of the tube 1 and of the rod 2, respectively. The eyelets 10, 20 can be used in a known manner to constrain the device to an orthodontic apparatus comprising two caps or bites anatomically shaped to fit onto the dental arch by means of corresponding fixing screws provided by the known prior art, which also provides for mounting on the screws corresponding pins provided with metal wires intended to be incorporated into the material of the respective caps, to ensure a more convenient anchoring. The application using the cap allows the user to use a removable device that can be used during sleep and has an anti-snoring function.

However, it is to be understood that the tube 1 and the rod 2 may be anchored to the dental arch in any other way depending on the specific treatment decided by the physician. Thus, the method of applying the device to the dental arch may be varied and is not limited for the purposes of the present invention.

The telescopic rod 2 comprises a hollow element 2T and a threaded pin 2P, the hollow element 2T being sized and shaped so as to be able to slide in the tube 1, the external thread of the threaded pin 2P engaging a female thread 2M arranged inside the hollow element 2T. Thus, the hollow element 2T of the telescopic rod 2 can slide inside the tube 1 and can be screwed onto the pin 2P. The pin 2P is equipped with the above mentioned eyelet 20 on the side opposite to the side where the hollow element 2T is engaged. The hollow element 2T is provided with a cap 2C which defines the maximum travel over the maximum extension of the device, so as to interfere with a stop placed in the tube 1 on the opposite side to the corresponding eyelet 10. Said hollow element 2T has a handling portion 23 with a transverse dimension greater than the internal diameter of the tube 1, so that the handling portion 23 is external to the tube 1, whatever the position of the above-mentioned element 2T inside the tube 1.

Said handling portion 23 is provided with two opposite holes 22, each of the holes 22 defining the following seat: said seat is used to manoeuvre a key, i.e. an instrument adapted to be inserted into the hole 22, to rotate the manoeuvring portion 23 and thus determine the screwing (or unscrewing) of the pin 2P with respect to the hollow element 2T.

According to the present invention, the friction member 3 is stably accommodated inside the manipulation portion 23. In particular, the friction member 3 may be made of a resin (e.g., a thermoplastic resin POM or polyamide PA), or a photopolymerizable acrylic composite. For the construction of the element 3, for example, a composite material named Light-Cure composite F3171-01 by Leone SpA may be used; obviously, this choice is not limited to other materials.

The friction element 3 follows the profile of the thread of the pin 2P, determining a significant increase in friction. In practice, the friction element 3 is provided with an internally threaded cavity 32, which cavity 32 is affixed to the thread of the pin 2P, and the outer surface of the friction element 3 is affixed to the inner wall 24 of the manoeuvring part 23. The friction element 3 may be preformed and inserted during assembly of the device 100.

In the case of a preformed friction element 3, a relatively elastic material such as Polyoxymethylene (POM), Polyamide (PA) or Polyaryletherketone (PEK) or polypropylene (PP) may be preferred.

Independently of the production process of the friction element 3, the construction of the above-mentioned element 3 can be advantageously implemented according to features adapted to provide advantages from a structural and functional point of view, i.e. according to features adapted to provide good mechanical resistance and high resistance against undesired unscrewing.

Fig. 7 shows an embodiment of a friction element 3 that can be used in combination with a handling part 23, such as the handling part 23 shown in fig. 6. In this case, the inner wall 24 of the manoeuvring portion 23 is provided with a circumferential groove 25, the circumferential groove 25 defining a recess that firmly blocks the friction element 3, which is in turn provided with a corresponding circular moulding 35, the circular moulding 35 being inserted into said groove 25.

Fig. 9 shows an embodiment of a friction element 3 that can be used in combination with a handling part 23, such as the handling part 23 shown in fig. 8. In this case, the inner wall 24 of the manoeuvring portion 23 is provided with a step 26, which step 26 determines a reduction of the inner diameter of said manoeuvring portion 23. In practice, inside the handling portion 23, below the illustration of fig. 8, there are arranged a portion 24 of larger diameter 21 and a portion 21 of smaller diameter D21, which are delimited by a step 26. The diameter D3 of the shape of the friction element 3 corresponds to the diameter of the portion 24 or is larger than the diameter D21 of the portion 21. In this way, the element 3 is blocked by the step 26 inside the handling portion 23. Also in this case, the element 3 is provided with an internally threaded cavity 32, which is affixed to the thread of the pin 2P.

The embodiment of the friction element 3 shown in fig. 10 is similar to the embodiment of the friction element 3 shown in fig. 9. In this case, the internally threaded cavity 32 of the element 3 has a slightly countersunk lower portion 34.

Experimental tests carried out by the applicant have shown that the value of the unscrewing torque determined by the friction element 3 is between 1Ncm and 10Ncm, preferably between 2Ncm and 5Ncm, as shown in the graph of fig. 11.

Furthermore, the pitch and inclination of the thread may be of different values than the corresponding pitch and inclination of the thread of the pin 2P. In this way, the friction value determined by the element 3 can be increased.

Fig. 11 is a graph showing the tendency of the unscrewing force UT in performing the experimental tests. In particular, the torque value T is represented in Ncm on the axis of ordinate, while the activation value is represented in mm on the axis of abscissa. In the graph, these values are indicated by abbreviations; UT denotes unscrewing torque, MT denotes measured torque, BT denotes breaking torque with the screw subjected to torsion, IT denotes torque shortage. In practice, this graph represents the value of the activation torque obtained by means of the friction element of the invention. The graph shows an upper limit BT corresponding to the torsional resistance of the threaded pin 2P and a lower limit IT corresponding to the frictional inefficiency.

By using the friction element 3, a sufficient torque can be ensured to prevent undesired unscrewing for all activation values.

In practice, the friction element 3 functions in all the configurations adopted by the device 100, i.e. in all the configurations determined by screwing the threaded pin 2P in the female thread 2M of the hollow element 2T, eliminating the possibility of undesired unscrewing of the threaded pin 2P.

Furthermore, the value of the hardness of the photocurable composite material may be quantified as between 80Shore D and 90Shore D, in particular between 82Shore D and 85Shore D.

It goes without saying that all the components of the device in question are made of biocompatible material.

The object of the present invention is therefore a device 100 for mandibular advancement, which device 100 comprises a tube 1 and a telescopic rod 2 associated with the tube 1, wherein the tube 1 and the telescopic rod 2 can be associated with the teeth of the upper and lower arches, wherein the telescopic rod 2 comprises a threaded pin 2P, which threaded pin 2P engages with a female thread 2M of a hollow element 2T slidably positioned in said tube 1, and wherein said hollow element 2T comprises an operating portion 23 located outside the tube 1, the device 100 being characterized in that the device 100 comprises a friction element 3, the friction element 3 being arranged between an inner wall 24 of said operating portion and the thread of the pin 2P, and the friction element 3 having an outer surface shaped complementarily with respect to the inner wall 24 of said operating portion and an internally threaded cavity 32 following the thread of the pin 2P.

In the description and the illustrations of the figures, the inner wall 24 of the manoeuvring part 23 is provided with a groove 25 and the friction element 3 is provided with a corresponding moulding 35, the moulding 35 being able to be inserted securely into the groove 25. Furthermore, the inner wall 24 of the manoeuvring part 23 comprises a part 21 with a reduced diameter D21, and the diameter D3 of the friction element 3 is larger than the reduced diameter D21.

The friction element 3 is preferably made of a material from the group comprising: plastic materials, resins, photopolymerizable materials, self-polymerizing materials, chemically activatable materials.

Still referring to the example of the figures, the friction element 3 has an internal threaded portion 32, the internal threaded portion 32 being shaped so as to be compatible with the thread of said pin 2P, but the pitch and/or inclination of the thread of the internal threaded portion 32 is different from the corresponding pitch and inclination of the thread of the pin 2P.

The method according to the invention can be used to make a device 100 for mandibular advancement, the device 100 comprising a tube 1 and a telescopic rod 2 associated with the tube 1, wherein the tube 1 and the telescopic rod 2 can be associated with teeth of the upper and lower arches, wherein the telescopic rod 2 comprises a threaded pin 2P which engages with a female thread 2M of a hollow element 2T slidably positioned in said tube 1, and wherein said hollow element 2T comprises a handling portion 23 located outside the tube 1, the method providing a friction element 3, the friction element 3 being arranged between an inner wall 24 of said handling portion and the thread of the pin 2P, and the friction element 3 having an outer surface complementarily shaped with respect to the inner wall 24 of said handling portion and an internally threaded cavity 32 which emulates the thread of the pin 2P.

With reference to an example, the method provides for using a material in the group comprising: plastic materials, resins, photopolymerizable materials, self-polymerizing materials, chemically activatable materials. Furthermore, the method provides for first forming the components of the device 100 and shaping said friction element 3, and subsequently assembling the device 100. Furthermore, the method provides to provide in said friction element 3 an internal threaded portion 32, the internal threaded portion 32 being formed so as to be compatible with the thread of said pin 2P, but the pitch and/or inclination of the thread of the internal threaded portion 32 is different from the corresponding pitch and inclination of the thread of the pin 2P.

In practice, the implementation details may in any case vary in a manner equivalent to the elements described and illustrated, without thereby departing from the scope of the idea of the solution adopted, and therefore remain within the protection conferred by the present patent.