Plate bender for mandibular implants and bending process

Abstract

Provided is a plate bender for mandibular implants and the method employing it, which is intended for improving the bending process of mandibular plates or implants, reducing the number of folds (bents) until obtaining the desired geometry, further reducing fatigue failures, costs and streamlining the process, by providing a high-precision, semiautomatic bender, with modular and transportable assembly.

Claims

1. A plate bender for mandibular implants comprising: a support structure; a feeding system including synchronic pulleys having a flexible belt, and free rollers positioned proximate the synchronic pulleys, wherein the synchronic pulleys and the free rollers act in concert to clamp a mandibular plate in a position and also to advance the mandibular plate through the plate bender, the flexible belt of the synchronic pulleys configured to engage the mandibular plate as the mandibular plate advances through the plate bender; and a bending die system positioned proximate the feeding system, the bending die system including a fixed pin and a movable pin of angular oscillation, the fixed pin having a slot therethrough to receive the mandibular plate as the mandibular plate is advanced through the plate bender, the movable pin being concentric and movable with respect to the fixed pin to change a shape of the mandibular plate as the mandibular plate is advanced through the slot of the fixed pin, wherein the movable pin is moved by a power transmission system housed within the support structure, the power transmission system moving the movable pin around the fixed pin according to a specific rotation power and angle to change the shape of the mandibular plate; wherein the shape of the mandibular plate formed by the plate bender is based on virtual surgical planning data.

2. The plate bender for mandibular implants according to claim 1, wherein the synchronic pulleys are operated by a feeding servo, and the free rollers are connected to a tensor mechanism controlling advancement of the mandibular plate and bending accuracy, wherein the elements are supported on a modular structure of the feeding system.

3. The plate bender for mandibular implants according to claim 1, wherein the power transmission system comprises at least one of a synchronic pulleys and a belt, the synchronic pulleys of the power transmission system being controlled by a servo.

4. The plate bender for mandibular implants claim 1, wherein the power transmission unit has a ratio of 2:1.

5. The plate bender for mandibular implants according to claim 1, further comprising a control unit comprising a touch controller and auxiliary buttons.

6. The plate bender for mandibular implants according to claim 1, wherein the support structure has transportation handles.

7. The plate bender for mandibular implants according to claim 1, further comprising an electrical charge or power supply system.

8. The plate bender for mandibular implants according to claim 1, wherein the support structure comprises covers for modular maintenance.

9. The plate bender for mandibular implants according to claim 1, wherein the mandibular plate is mechanically advanced from the feeding mechanism to the bending die system.

10. The plate bender for mandibular implants according to claim 1, wherein the mandibular plate is automatically advanced from the feeding mechanism to the bending die system.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION

(1) Some of the embodiments will be described in detail, with references to the following Figures, wherein like designations denote like members, wherein:

(2) FIG. 1A corresponds to a perspective view of the plate bender in its application position, from a first angle;

(3) FIG. 1B corresponds to a perspective view of the plate bender in its application position, from a second angle;

(4) FIG. 2 corresponds to a view of the plate bender, without the top cover, which allows to observe the arrangement of elements inside the bender;

(5) FIG. 3 shows the power unit subassembly, the bending mechanical system (bending die) and its components;

(6) FIG. 4 shows in detail one of the synchronic pulleys and the bending die dice;

(7) FIG. 5A shows a tensor;

(8) FIG. 5B shows a feeding system with the tensor and free rollers;

(9) FIG. 6A shows an electronic system and the electrical power supply system;

(10) FIG. 6B shows a control unit; and

(11) FIG. 6C shows the control unit.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(12) Embodiments of the present invention is directed to a plate bender for mandibular implants, comprising the following components:

(13) Referring to FIGS. 1A-6C, plate bender for mandibular implants comprising a support structure (1), a feeding system (2), a clamping mechanism (22) which fastens the pate or mandibular implant in a specific position, a bending die system (4), a power unit (5), a control unit (6), and an output platform.

(14) The feeding system (2) comprises an advance mechanism by synchronic pulleys (21), operated by a feeding servo (24), a free roller mechanism (22) connected to a tensor mechanism (23) which improves the advancement and position of the mandibular plate and thus, the bending accuracy, wherein the elements are supported on the modular structure (11) of the feeding system.

(15) In addition, the bending die system (4) comprises a fixed pin (42), a movable pin (41) of angular oscillation, wherein the movable pin receives the specific rotation power and angle by a power transmission system (52) formed by synchronic pulleys in transmission ratio 2:1, and a toothed belt (53), operated by the servo (51).

(16) On its part, the control unit (6) comprises a mixed system formed by a touch controller (61) and auxiliary buttons (62) to facilitate its operation by the operator, wherein the electrical system (63) is located on one side of the support structure (1), side on which the 110V with integrated fuse charge or electrical power supply system (8) is located. On its part, the 48V 10 Ah power source feeds the electronic circuitry and the control system.

(17) The support structure (1) is configured on a modular manner to facilitate the maintenance of each of the elements and comprises the modular structure (11) of the feeding system, the modular structure (12) of the power system, the transportation handles (7), and the covers (13), (14), which are easy to remove for maintenance, its attachment could be made through screws, allowing that both the electrical and mechanical reparations can be performed with minimal disassembly.

(18) The feed from the platform to the fastening and bending mechanism can be mechanical or automatic.

(19) Finally, embodiments of the present invention also comprises a method for bending mandibular implants, characterized by comprising the following steps: Entering plate bending position and angle data, according to the virtual surgical planning data. Positioning the mandibular implant on the feeding platform, mechanically or automatically. Starting the bending the process by activating the plate bender for mandibular implants, and Removing the bent piece.

(20) The method is further characterized in that the bending step is automatic, reducing the number of folds and increasing the accuracy of the bent product.

(21) On its part, the plate or mandibular implant feeding and positioning process can be made mechanically or automatically.

(22) Although the present invention has been disclosed in the form of preferred embodiments and variations thereon, it will be understood that numerous additional modifications and variations could be made thereto without departing from the scope of the invention.

(23) For the sake of clarity, it is to be understood that the use of “a” or “an” throughout this application does not exclude a plurality, and “comprising” does not exclude other steps or elements.