Abstract
A tool for use in dental implants wherein said tool includes a retention element held in the tool shaft via a friction fit. The retention element being adapted to grip a variety of impact drivers via a frictional fit for use in tightening procedures of a dental procedure. Wherein said tool also includes a variety of features for interaction with additional dental instruments, or that aid in cleaning and sanitization of the tool.
Claims
1-14. (canceled)
15. A tool for use in dental implant treatments, comprising: a handle; a shaft connected to the handle, wherein the shaft comprises a mounting section on the distal end; the mounting section comprising a cavity and at least one side opening, wherein the cavity is present at the distal end of the shaft and extends from a most distal end surface into, and through, the shaft such that the shaft is hollow for at least a portion of the way through the shaft, and wherein the at least one side opening is formed in an outer surface of the distal end of the shaft and extends along the shaft; a retention element held inside the mounting section of the shaft for holding an implant driver; and wherein a middle portion of the retention element is flexible and radially expandable such that the insertion of the implant driver pushes the narrower middle portion of the retention element outwards, and the implant driver is held inside the retention element via friction.
16. The tool of claim 15, wherein the retention element has two end portions and a middle portion narrower than the end portions, wherein the middle portion and at least one of the end portions are hollow.
17. The tool of claim 16, wherein the end portions of the retention element are radially compressible and the inner cross section of the mounting section of the shaft is narrower in diameter than the end portions, such that the retention element is held in the mounting section due to friction at both end portions, wherein the at least one side opening of the mounting section extends further along the shaft than the proximal end portion of the retention element when the retention element is held in the shaft.
18. The tool of claim 15, wherein the retention element comprises one or more retention openings in the external surface of the middle potion.
19. A retention element for holding an implant driver, in particular for use in a tool according to claim 15, wherein the retention element solely consists of two end portions and a hollow middle portion; wherein one or both end portions are hollow and cylindrical; wherein the middle portion is narrower than the end portions; and the middle portion is radially flexible.
20. The retention element of claim 19, wherein the end portions are radially compressible.
21. The retention element of claim 19, wherein the middle portion may be pushed outwards by insertion of an implant driver with a wider diameter.
22. The retention element of claim 19, wherein the retention element comprises one or more retention openings in the external surface of the middle portion.
23. The tool of claim 15, wherein the handle is connected to a cap, wherein the cap comprises a blind hole with an internal geometry analogous to an internal geometry of an implant for holding an abutment or other dental instruments.
24. The tool of claim 15, wherein the tool is shaped as a screwdriver or handle driver.
25. The tool of claim 23, wherein the proximal circumference of the blind hole has the shape of an implant shoulder.
26. The tool of claim 23, wherein the cap comprises one or more channels from the surface of the cap to the bottom of the blind hole.
27. The tool of claim 23, wherein the cap is fixed to the handle by an adhesive or by laser welding.
28. The tool of claim 23, wherein the cap comprises one or more markings, which convey information to the user regarding the blind hole.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES
[0072] FIG. 1A provides a side view of a dental tool according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0073] FIG. 1B relates to another embodiment of the present invention comprising a handle driver.
[0074] FIGS. 2A and 2B provide an alternate viewing angle of a handle driver according to the embodiment of the present invention seen in FIG. 1A.
[0075] FIGS. 3A and 3B provide an exploded (and partially cut away) side view of the embodiments of FIGS. 1A and 1B respectively.
[0076] FIG. 4A shows an elevated view of a retention element according to the present invention.
[0077] FIG. 4B shows the retention element of FIG. 4A from a side view (and partially cut away).
[0078] FIGS. 5A and 5B provide an elevated, and side view (and partially cut away) respectively of an alternative retention element shown, where a deformation step within a manufacturing process created the constriction.
[0079] FIGS. 6A and 6B provide an elevated and side view respectively of an alternative retention element according to the present invention.
[0080] FIGS. 7A and 7B provide an elevated and side view (and partially cut away) respectively of a further embodiment of the retention element.
[0081] FIG. 8 provides an elevated view of a further retention element according to the present invention.
[0082] FIGS. 9A, 9B and 9C provide an elevated view, bird's eye view and cross-sectional side view respectively, of a cap according to the present invention.
[0083] FIGS. 10A, 10B and 100 provide an elevated view, bird's eye view, and cross-sectional side view respectively of another cap according to the present invention.
[0084] FIG. 11A shows a side view of a handle driver according to the present invention wherein said handle driver is holding an abutment.
[0085] FIG. 11B shows a side view of a handle driver according to the present invention wherein said handle driver is holding two implant drivers, one being adapted for use with a ratchet.
[0086] FIG. 12A shows a side view of a handle driver according to the present invention wherein said handle driver is holding an implant driver being adapted for use with a ratchet.
[0087] FIG. 12B provides a cross-sectional side view of part of the cap along axis a-a as seen in FIG. 12A.
[0088] FIG. 13A shows a side view of a handle driver according to the present invention wherein said handle driver is holding an abutment or abutment analog.
[0089] FIG. 13B provides a cross-sectional view of at least part of the cap as shown along axes a-a as seen in FIG. 13A.
[0090] FIGS. 14A and 14B provide an elevated and bird's eye view respectively of an embodiment of the cap wherein additional markings may be seen on said cap.
[0091] FIGS. 15A and 15B provide views of the shaft of a handle driver embodiment.
[0092] FIG. 15C provides a cross-sectional view of the mounting portion of the distal end of the shaft along axis A-A as indicated in FIG. 15B.
[0093] FIG. 16A provides a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the handle driver according to the present invention.
[0094] FIG. 16B provides a magnification of a part of the mounting portion of the handle driver seen in FIG. 16A with a retention element of FIG. 8.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS
[0095] FIG. 1A provides a side view of a dental tool according to an embodiment of the present invention. Dental tool 100 may be considered a screwdriver or handle driver and thus may be referred to as such herein.
[0096] Said handle driver 100 comprises a cap 101 affixed to a handle 102 which may comprise a plurality of grip portions for increased grip for the user when held. Said handle 102 should have a length that allows for it to be held in a human hand such that the handle driver 100 may be operated manually. Said cap 101 may be referred to as forming part of the proximal end of the handle driver 100, positioned on the end of the handle 102 opposite to the end connected to a shaft 103. Said cap 101 may be substantially dome shaped.
[0097] Said shaft 103 may extend into the handle 102 and be secured to the inside of said handle 102. The upper portion of the shaft 103, i.e. the end connected to the handle 102 may also comprise an interface portion 1031 around the circumference of the shaft 103. Said interface portion 1031 may not extend into the handle 102, but should be exposed such that it may interact with a ratcheting device. Said interface portion 1031 may comprise a plurality of grooves extending from the proximal end 109 of the shaft 103 (the end connected to the handle 102) towards the distal end of the shaft 103. Said shaft 103 may extend longitudinally away from the handle 102 and may have a rotationally symmetrical cross section, preferably circular or hexagonal.
[0098] At the distal end of the shaft 103, an opening or cavity 112, 212 is present which extends from the most distal end surface into, and through, the shaft 103 such that the shaft is hollow for at least a portion of the way through the shaft 103.
[0099] The distal end of the shaft 103 may also comprise at least one, preferably three, side openings 106, 206 which are formed in the outer surface of the distal end of the shaft 103 in what is herein referred to as a mounting section.
[0100] Said side opening/openings 106, 206 extend longitudinally along the shaft 103 in the mounting section and can facilitate the passing of fluid from outside the handle driver 100 to the inside of the shaft 103. Said side openings 106, 206 may be oval or rectangular in shape.
[0101] The handle driver 100 may comprise a retention element 104 held in the mounting section of the shaft 103. Said retention element 104 may be held in the handle driver 100 via a frictional fit. Said retention element 104 may be permanently fixed or may be removable when necessary.
[0102] FIG. 1B relates to another embodiment of the present invention comprising a handle driver 200. Unless stated otherwise, it is considered that the handle driver 200 of this embodiment comprises substantially identical features to the handle driver 100 of the first embodiment.
[0103] FIGS. 2A and 2B provide an alternate viewing angle of a handle driver 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention seen in FIG. 1A. It can be seen that the distal end surface cavity may have a preferably hexagonal cross-section constituting a shaft drive portion 105. Said cross section may also be elliptical, octagonal, or of any alternative cross-section which would allow for transmitting torque to the implant driver.
[0104] FIGS. 3A and 3B provide an exploded (and partially cut away) side view of the embodiments of FIGS. 1A and 1B respectively. Said view provides a clearer look at the proximal end 109, 209 of the shaft 103, 203 which when assembled is held inside the handle 102, 202. Furthermore, the retention element 104, 204 may be seen prior to its instalment in the mounting section of the shaft 103, 203 and a substantially cut away view of the mounting section provides a clearer image as to the internal surface structure of the mounting section including the shaft drive portion 105/205. It can also be seen that the embodiments have different features regarding the cap 101, 201 and handle 102, 202 and how said features are fixed together (these shall be discussed in more detail regarding FIGS. 9 and 10, specifically related to the cap 101, 201 and handle 102, 202).
[0105] FIG. 4A shows an elevated view of a retention element 104, 204 according to the present invention, whilst FIG. 4B shows the retention element 104, 204 from a side view. It may clearly be seen that the retention element 104, 204 comprises two end portions (a proximal end portion 2041 and distal end portion 2043) and a middle portion 2045. The end portions 2041, 2043 may be cylindrical, as this aids in ensuring a uniform press fit when inserted into the mounting section of a handle driver 100, 200. Said middle portion 2045 is narrower (i.e. has a smaller diameter) than the end portions 2041, 2043. Said middle portion 2045 has a curved internal surface that is narrowest at the centre of the middle portion 2045. The diameter of said narrowest part may be less than the diameter of an implant driver shaft, to ensure that the implant driver shaft is held via a frictional fit.
[0106] Said middle portion 2045 may also comprise a plurality of retention openings 2045a extending along the side of the middle portion 2045 such that fluid may pass through the outer surface of the middle portion 2045 and into the inside of the retention element 104, 204. The retention openings 2045a aid in the flexible properties of the retention element 104, 204 and allow for expansion and retraction when implant drivers are pressed into the retention element 104, 204.
[0107] Distal end portion 2043 also comprises a first opening (not visible in the figures) such that the shaft of an implant driver (i.e. the portion that is usually held by a user with a dental handpiece) may be pushed through the first opening and pressed inside the retention element 104, 204. It is also preferred that the proximal end portion 2041 also has an second opening 2041a (see FIG. 8) such that it may further facilitate the cleaning and sterilization procedure of either the retention element 104, 204 or the handle driver shaft 103, 203 it is installed in. This may be the case for any of the following embodiments showing a retention element 104, 204.
[0108] FIGS. 5A and 5B provide an elevated, and side view respectively of a retention element 104, 204 according to the present invention, after a deformation step of a manufacturing process. During said deformation step, the middle portion 2045 is deformed such that it comprises inwardly curved surfaces of the retention element 104, 204. Said deformation step may comprise removal of material around the middle portion 2045 of the retention element 104, 204. Due to the achieved shape of the retention element 104, 204 with bent single elements, the friction can be increased with regard to a component to be inserted.
[0109] FIGS. 6A and 6B provide an elevated and side view respectively of an alternative retention element 104, 204 according to the present invention. The retention element 104, 204 of FIGS. 6A and 6B comprises a somewhat spring-shaped middle portion 2045 wherein the outer surface of the middle portion 2045 forms a spiral around the central axis extending from the proximal end portion 2041 to the distal end portion 2043.
[0110] FIGS. 7A and 7B provide an elevated and side view respectively of a further embodiment of the retention element 104, 204. The retention element 104, 204 of FIGS. 7A and 7B differs from that of FIGS. 5A and 5B in that the middle portion 2045 has a non-curved outer surface that narrows when it approaches the middle of the retention element 104, 204. Due to the individual elements of the middle portion 2045, each of which has an inwardly directed edge, friction with respect to an element to be introduced is again increased.
[0111] FIG. 8 provides an elevated view of a further retention element 104, 204 according to the present invention, wherein said element has multiple narrow portions of the retention element's middle portion 2045, preferably three narrow portions. The middle portion 2045 thus also comprises multiple, preferably two, wider sections 2049 which have a diameter preferably up to 0.25 mm, more preferably between 0.05 and 0.20 mm, more preferably up to 0.18 mm and most preferably between 0.15 and 0.1 mm less than the proximal end portion 2041 of the retention element 104, 204. These provide a more robust system which can grip an implant driver shaft in any of the narrow portions and in addition the wider sections 2049 may be compressible such that they aid in the press fit of the retention element 104, 204 in the shaft 103, 203. In this example, the middle portion 2045 has four flexible connecting strips 1041. Due to the widening, the flexible connecting strips 1041 are not permanently bent or overstretched if an implant driver shaft is inserted with a slight cant.
[0112] FIGS. 9A, 9B and 9C provide an elevated view, bird's eye view and cross-sectional side view respectively, of a cap 101 according to the present invention. FIG. 9C is a cross sectional view along the axis A-A of FIG. 9B. The cap 101 may comprise a blind hole 1011 or cap cavity in the top (preferably centre) of the cap 101. Said blind hole 1011 or cap cavity has an internal surface geometry, preferably reflecting the internal geometry of an implant, suitable for the holding of dental instruments or prosthetic parts.
[0113] As can be seen most clearly in FIG. 9C, the blind hole 1011 or cap cavity has a wider upper section and a narrower threaded lower section 1014. Said cap 101 may also comprise a plurality of channels 1012 in the outer surface of the top, which penetrates to the base of the lower portion of the cavity where the channels 1012 meet, directly below the cavity opening. Said channels 1012 render cleaning and sterilization operations far easier as there are multiple entrances and exits for fluid to pass through during cleaning and sterilization operation. The cap 101 also comprises an insert portion 1013 which is adapted to be inserted into the top of the handle 102. Said cap 101 may be press fit into the handle 102, laser welded to the handle 102, attached via adhesive, or via any standard fixing means.
[0114] FIGS. 10A, 10B and 10C provide an elevated view, bird's eye view, and cross-sectional side view respectfully of another cap 201 according to the present invention. FIG. 10C is a cross sectional view along the axis A-A of FIG. 10B. Said cap 201 however is adapted to be connected with the handle 202 of the handle driver 200 via a screw thread 2011 on the outer surface of the cap 201. Said screw thread 2011 is designed to allow the cap 201 to be screwed into an opening of the upper portion of the handle 202 comprising a complementary internal thread 2021. Whilst not pictured in FIGS. 10A-10C, the cap 201 may also comprise one or more channels 1012.
[0115] FIGS. 11A and 11B show a side view of a handle driver 100 according to the present invention (preferably the embodiment outlined in FIG. 1A), wherein in FIG. 11A an abutment 400 or abutment analog 400 (an abutment replica which has a similar surface shape such that it may hold a crown) and in FIG. 11B said handle driver 100 is holding an implant driver 300 adapted for use with a ratchet, both of which are held in the blind hole 1011 of the cap 101 as previously outlined. In addition, FIG. 11B shows an implant driver 110 inserted into the distal end of the shaft 103.
[0116] FIG. 12A shows a side view of a handle driver 100, 200 according to the present invention wherein said handle driver 100, 200 is holding an implant driver 300 adapted for use with a ratchet.
[0117] FIG. 12B provides a cross-sectional side view of part of the cap 101 along axis A-A as seen in FIG. 12A. Said cross-sectional view of FIG. 12B shows how the implant driver 300 adapted for use with a ratchet may fit into the upper part of the blind hole 1011 of the cap 101 and be held in place so that torque may be transmitted via the distal end of the shaft 103, 203 to the implant driver 110 when a ratchet is attached to the head 301.
[0118] FIG. 13A shows a side view of a handle driver 100, 200 according to the present invention wherein said handle driver 100, 200 is holding an abutment 400 or abutment analog 400. FIG. 13B provides a cross-sectional view of at least part of the cap 101 as shown along axis A-A as seen in FIG. 13A. In FIG. 13B, the cap 101 holds an abutment 400 or abutment analog 400 (analogous to an abutment) which is adapted to hold a crown such that modifications may be made to the crown. Alternatively, the shape of the abutment 400 may be modified (individualized).
[0119] In FIG. 13B, the abutment 400 may also be provided with a screw 401 that is held in a hollow portion of the abutment 400 and protrudes from said abutment 400 such that it may interact with, and be screwed into the threaded portion of the cap 1013, thus holding the abutment 400 securely in the cap 101.
[0120] The outer circumference of the blind hole 1011 may also be shaped to match the outer circumference of an implant shoulder. The inserted abutment can therefore be flush with the top surface of the cap 101, which is advantageous when scanning a dental object (crown, abutment or healing abutment). The blind hole 1011 may also be machined such that the internal surface structure corresponds to the internal geometry of an implant.
[0121] FIGS. 14A and 14B provide an elevated and bird's eye view respectively of an embodiment of the cap 101 wherein additional markings 1015 may be seen etched into the surface of said cap 101. Alternatively, such markings 1015 may also be of different colours or shapes as well as being embossments. Said markings 1015 may provide information to the user such as, for example, arrows directing the user as to where to insert the implant driver 300 or abutment 400 when intended to be held in the blind hole 1011 or cap cavity, such that the channels 1012 used for cleaning and sterilization are not confused with said blind hole 1011.
[0122] Alternatively, markings 1015 may provide other information such as an indication of the internal surface structure of the blind hole 1011, in particular the orientation of the anti-rotational features of the implant. It is also possible that one of the markings 1015 is marked or specially designed. This makes it possible to individualize or work on an abutment 400, healing abutment 400 or a crown in the correct position. In addition, a scan of an abutment/crown can be made (e.g. with an intraoral scanner), whereby the exact position is then saved in relation to the geometry of the blind hole 1011, corresponding to the inner geometry of the implant.
[0123] FIGS. 15A and B provide views of the shaft 103, 203 of a handle driver 100, 200 embodiment, wherein FIG. 15C provides a cross-sectional view of the mounting portion of the distal end of the shaft 103, 203 along axis A-A as indicated in FIG. 15B.
[0124] The interface portion 1031, 2031 may comprise a plurality of grooves that are designed to be gripped by teeth of a ratcheting device (also referred to as ratchet), such that when a ratcheting device is rotated in one direction, the torque is transferred to the handle driver 100, 200, and thus the implant driver 110.
[0125] FIG. 15C provides details of the internal structure 205, 206, 207, 208 of the mounting portion and shows at least one of the side openings 206 which extend along the shaft 103, 203. In addition, it displays the distal end of said mounting section which may be referred to as the shaft drive portion 105, 205 and receives the retention element 104, 204 when it is inserted.
[0126] FIG. 16A provides a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the handle driver 100 according to the present invention and FIG. 16B provides a magnification of at least part of the mounting portion (detail X) of the handle driver 100 seen in FIG. 16A.
[0127] As can be seen in FIG. 16B, the retention element 104, 204 of FIG. 8 is held in the mounting section. It may also be seen that at least part of the side opening 206 in the mounting section extends further along the shaft 103, 203 than the retention element 104, 204 when fully inserted. This provides a further gap to ensure that fluid may be passed from the outside of the shaft 103, 203 into and around the insides of the shaft 103, 203.
[0128] It is noted that herein different embodiments of the handle driver 100,200, cap 101, 201, retention element 104, 204 etc, have been outlined. It should be understood that unless otherwise stated, these embodiments may be used with one another, and the invention is not limited to the combinations seen in the figures.
REFERENCE NUMERALS
[0129] 100, 200 Handle driver/dental tool [0130] 101, 201 Cap [0131] 1011 Blind hole [0132] 1012 Channels [0133] 1013 Cap insert portion [0134] 1014 Hole screw thread portion [0135] 1015 Markings [0136] 2011 Cap screw thread [0137] 102/202 Handle [0138] 1021, 2021 Internal handle surface [0139] 103, 203 Shaft [0140] 1031, 2031 Interface portion [0141] 104, 204 Retention element [0142] 1041 Retention element flexible connecting strips [0143] 2041 Retention element proximal end portion [0144] 2041a Second opening [0145] 2043 Retention element distal end portion [0146] 2045 Retention element middle portion [0147] 2045a Retention opening [0148] 2049 Retention element wider middle portions [0149] 105, 205 Shaft drive portion [0150] 106, 206 Side opening/Windows [0151] 207, 208 Internal surface portions [0152] 109, 209 Shaft proximal end [0153] 110 implant driver [0154] 112, 212 cavity [0155] 300 Implant driver for use with ratchet [0156] 301 Implant driver head [0157] 302 Implant driver distal end [0158] 400 Abutment [0159] 401 Screw
