ELECTRONIC TORQUE METER DESIGNED TO MEASURE AND SEND READING DATA OVER A WIRELESS INTERFACE AND SYSTEM INCLUDING SAID TORQUE METER

Abstract

The present invention relates to an electronic medical and dental torque wrench for implant or prosthesis placement surgeries being dental or medical.

Such torque wrench is capable of sending the measurement data instantly and automatically to a console for recording, processing and analyzing the data, in addition to this being sterilized by autoclave without the need for disassembly/removal of the device's electronic circuit.

Further, the present invention refers to a system that comprises said torque wrench and the console for processing the data obtained.

Claims

1-13. (canceled)

14. An electronic torque wrench for dental and/or medical devices, comprising: an upper portion comprising a head socket and a ratchet mechanism; a lower portion; a central portion comprising sensors, an RF antenna, an RF transmitter, a circuit board, a microprocessor circuit, all these electronic components being resistant to high temperatures and sealed in said central portion wherein the torque data is read and sent to an external console for recording, treatment and analysis and wherein since the upper, central and lower portions are connected sequentially and that said device comprising electronic components can be subjected to temperatures and pressures associated with sterilization procedures such as autoclave processes, disassembling the central portion for such procedures, and that the torque data is read and sent to an external console for recording, treatment and analysis, where the signal is scaled and corrected for calibration and encrypted in the microprocessor, and once digitized, the data points are scaled by an algorithm that maps voltage to torque using a calibration table.

15. The electronic torque wrench, according to claim 14, made of titanium and its alloys or other medical grade materials.

16. The electronic torque wrench, according to claim 14, wherein the lower portion comprises a battery compartment and a cover adapted to be screwed on or fit by interference.

17. The electronic torque wrench, according to claim 14, suitable for dental, cranio-maxillofacial and orthopedic surgeries, in addition to prosthetic procedures.

18. The electronic torque wrench, according to claim 14, further comprising a combination of one or more of: multicolored LED, a panel and a display sound transducer that present information on the torque reading and connection status with the external console.

19. The electronic torque wrench, according to claim 14, wherein a sound transducer provides information on connection or reading.

20. The electronic torque wrench for dental and/or medical devices according to claim 14, further comprising a central portion comprising a window welded onto an RF transmitter and an antenna, the window being made of material that allows passing RF radiation.

21. The electronic torque wrench for dental and/or medical devices according to claim 14, further comprising a central portion comprising electronic components being sensors, an RF antenna, an RF transmitter, a plate of circuit, a microprocessor circuit, all being resistant to high temperatures and sealed in said central portion which further comprises a window covering the entire said portion being welded.

22. The electronic torque wrench for dental and/or medical devices, according to claim 14, comprising: a central portion comprising electronic components resistant to high temperatures and sealed in said central portion which further comprises a window covering the entire said portion being welded, wherein the torque is subjected to temperatures and pressures associated with sterilization procedures such as autoclave processes, disassembling the central portion for such procedures.

23. A system for dental and/or medical procedures, comprising: a torque wrench as defined in claim 14; a console with embedded software; a ratchet fixed to said torque wrench; wherein all data obtained through the use of the torque wrench are sent to the console, and the software performs data processing, so that the data read by the torque wrench sensors is processed as follows: (I) Data from the sensors is amplified; (II) Data passes through a filter; (III) The signal is then digitized in an analog to digital converter; (IV) The signal is scaled corrected for calibration and encrypted in the microprocessor; (V) Signal flow is fed into a BLE module; (VI) The signal is transmitted via antenna; (VII) Signal passes through air waves; (VIII) Signal is received by gateway antenna; (IX) The signal is fed into the gateway; (X) The signal is interpreted in graphical formats for display on a monitor; the data is obtained and processed following the steps below: sensor data is in the form of electrical voltage changes. These changes are amplified by an instrumentation amplifier; the data is then filtered using a fourth order bandpass filter of the low voltage front filter, which removes noise before entering an ADC or analog to digital converter; once digitized, the data points are scaled and an algorithm is used that maps voltage to torque using a calibration table; once converted into torque, the data is sent to a low power Bluetooth module through a serial link between the microcontroller and the BLE module; the radio frequency link then transmits the data to a gateway module composed of a BLE receiving module and a small computer; this gateway redistributes data to monitors; wherein the data is presented in an interface to the attending physician or dentist in the form of torque data or a variant presentation.

24. The system for dental and/or medical procedures, according to claim 23, wherein the variant presentation is a color scheme.

25. The system for dental and/or medical procedures, according to claim 23, wherein the monitor is a device selected from the group consisting of: a computer; a smartphone; and tablet.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0044] The present invention will be described based on the drawings attached herein, which illustrate:

[0045] FIG. 1 illustrates the physical layout of a preferred embodiment of the torque wrench object of the present invention;

[0046] FIG. 2 illustrates the architecture of the torque wrench object of the present invention;

[0047] FIG. 3 illustrates the flow of processing the electronic data obtained through the torque wrench of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0048] The present invention refers to an electronic torque wrench particularly used in dental and/or medical devices which comprises:

[0049] an upper portion comprising a head socket and a ratchet mechanism;

[0050] a lower portion;

[0051] a central portion comprising sensors, an RF antenna, an RF transmitter, a circuit board, a microprocessor circuit, all these electronic components being resistant to high temperatures and sealed in said central portion which also comprises a window that covers the entire said portion being welded, the torque data being read and sent to an external console for recording, processing and analysis. The present invention further relates to an electronic torque wrench particularly used in dental and/or medical devices which comprises a central portion comprising a window welded onto an RF transmitter and an antenna, the window being made of material that allows the passage of RF radiation.

[0052] The present invention further relates to an electronic torque wrench particularly used in dental and/or medical devices comprising a central portion comprising electronic components being sensors, an RF antenna, an RF transmitter, a circuit board, a microprocessor circuit, being all resistant to high temperatures and sealed in said central portion which further comprises a window covering the entire said portion being welded.

[0053] The present invention further relates to an electronic torque wrench particularly used in dental and/or medical devices which comprises:

[0054] a central portion comprising electronic components resistant to high temperatures and sealed in said central portion which further comprises a window that covers the entire said portion being welded, being subjected to temperatures and pressures associated with sterilization procedures such as autoclave processes without disassembly the central portion for such procedures.

[0055] The present invention further relates to a system particularly used in dental and/or medical procedures which comprises:

[0056] a torque wrench as described herein;

[0057] a console with embedded software;

[0058] a ratchet fixed to said torque wrench;

All data obtained through the use of the torque wrench are sent to the console for recording, treatment and analysis.

[0059] The electronic torque wrench of the present invention was developed to be particularly used in dental and/or medical devices such as implants, prostheses and rigid fixation systems. It is noteworthy that said torque wrench transmits the torque applied by an operator to the ratchet 2 that will promote the fixation or placement of the implant or tightening of the prosthesis screw.

[0060] The torque wrench object of the present invention is preferably indicated for:

[0061] Implantology, periodontics, cranio-maxillofacial: installation of dental implants, prosthetic components and system of plates and screws for internal fixation;

[0062] Orthopedics: installation of internal fixation plates and screws system, in addition to orthopedic prostheses in general.

[0063] The present invention relates to a digital electronic torque wrench comprising three portions: an upper portion, a central portion and a lower portion. These portions are sequential and constitute the torque wrench object of the present invention, which has a preferably substantially cylindrical shape and its longitudinal axis is much larger than the diameter of its cross section. These portions are sequentially connected and surrounded by a metallic or polymeric body 10 that promotes the external finishing of said torque wrench.

[0064] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the torque wrench has the following dimensions: 114 mm×10 mm×7 mm. These data show how its size is ideal to be used by an operator such as a surgeon. These proportions were reached especially due to the miniaturization of the electronic components present in this device.

[0065] It is noteworthy that the torque wrench object of the present invention is made of material resistant to sterilization by moist heat such as autoclave or autoclaving.

[0066] Preferably, the torque wrench of the present invention is made of titanium and its alloys or other medical grade metals such as medical grade stainless steel and further comprises a window (or viewfinder) located in its central portion made of a material that allows radiation of the RF pass through. This window allows the integration of a wireless transmission system.

[0067] The digital electronic torque wrench or dental/medical torque wrench of the present invention is a device that allows the active real-time measurement of torque as a surgeon fixes dental/medical implants and screws. Torque readings are designed for a custom interface, preferably being mobile devices like smartphones or tablets.

[0068] In the torque wrench of the present invention, miniaturized internal sensors will detect the torque applied to the upper portion of the torque wrench. The signal derived from these sensors is amplified and fed into a microcontroller based on the data acquisition system. The acquired data is then projected onto custom interface devices, such as smartphones or tablets, as long as they are within the signal range. Reading the generated data provides immediate feedback to the operator, allowing him to monitor the driving process and even stop at a pre-set level if desired. The system also has the advantage of being able to be sterilized by moist heat, ensuring safe reuse. The device can also be adapted for surgical procedures in other related medical fields.

[0069] Data readings provide data to the operator allowing him to monitor the driving process and stop at a predefined level if desired. The system is no larger than existing mechanical equivalents and can be sterilized in a standard autoclave process. Inside the torque wrench of the present invention there are miniaturized sensors that detect the torque applied to the head of said torque wrench.

[0070] The signal derived from these sensors is amplified and fed into a microcontroller based on the data acquisition system. The acquired data is transmitted wirelessly to nearby monitoring devices.

[0071] As can be seen from FIG. 1, in its upper portion there is a head socket 1 connected to a ratchet mechanism 2.

[0072] In the lower portion of the torque wrench object of the present invention, opposite to the upper portion, is located the battery compartment 5 and a cover 6 located at the lower end of said torque wrench to access the compartment 5 in order to change the battery. The cover 6 can be screw-on or interference fit.

[0073] In the central portion of the torque wrench of the present invention, there are sensor cavities 9 and an RF transmitter 8 which is a small electronic device used to transmit and/or receive signals in addition to the RF antenna 3 which is an electrical device that converts radio frequency into current alternating. The RF antenna 3 radiates the radio frequency energy generated in the transmitter 8 and fed to the antenna by a transmission line. And it directs energy in the desired directions in addition to suppressing radiation in unwanted directions. Thus, the reading of the torque measurement performed by sensors located in cavities 9 are transmitted by transmitter 8 by antenna 3.

[0074] In a preferred embodiment, the sensors 9 form a bridge configuration that compensates for thermal drift.

[0075] Further, in the central portion, there is a printed circuit board 4 and microprocessor circuits 7 that will work and convert the read data to be sent to preferably mobile devices. One of the advantages perceived in the present invention is that it does not need to disassemble the device to carry out the sterilization process by autoclaving.

[0076] This fact is possible because the electronic components are sealed within a compartment and all of them are selected to be resistant to high temperatures. Also, electronic components are not exposed to moisture from the autoclave chamber. Medical grade epoxy materials and encapsulants can withstand the temperatures used in the autoclaving process. Laser welding is also used to seal the sensor components.

[0077] It is noteworthy that such techniques are inspired by aerospace and automotive applications that use similar components that can withstand exposure to high temperature and humidity. Also, in preferred embodiments, special batteries that can withstand these temperatures are used.

[0078] However, in a preferred embodiment, the torque wrench object of the present invention comprises an electronic circuit designed so as to be able to undergo repeated exposure to an autoclave sterilization environment.

[0079] In the present invention, the electronic components are matrix semiconductors (die semiconductors), which means that the silicon is mounted directly on the printed circuit board (PCB) 4. Resistors and passive capacitors (not shown) are used, which are the smallest components. available. PCB 4 board is manufactured using state-of-the-art lithographic techniques currently available in Switzerland and Germany and are miniaturized via laser drilling. Blind and buried pathways techniques that provide the highest level of PCB integration are also used. Thus, it is possible to provide state-of-the-art electronic components that make the torque wrench of the present invention portable, light, practical, reproducible and with a high level of reliability during the entire manufacturing process.

[0080] Further, in a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the torque wrench of the present invention comprises a colored light emitting diode or display panel that informs on how to directly read connection status information and a sound transducer that gives feedback and/or information status.

[0081] Furthermore, a special adhesive mechanism is used to attach a transparent window to the central portion.

[0082] In a preferred embodiment, the torque wrench of the present invention further comprises a memory preferably inserted in its central portion. This memory is used to record and store the data measured by the apparatus of the present invention.

[0083] Further, said apparatus may comprise a multi-colored LED or display panel which presents reading information including connection status and a sound transducer which provides connection or reading information.

[0084] FIG. 2 illustrates the operation of the electronic components present in the device object of the present invention. As can be seen from the aforementioned figure, in the central portion of the torque wrench of the present invention, there is a thermally compensated bridge sensor 21 that receives the signal related to the torque measurement which is connected to an amplifier 22A which in turn is connected to filter and signal conditioning circuits 22B connected to a microprocessor 23 which takes the signal to an RF transmitter 24 forwarding the data to an antenna 25. Thus, the signal is sent via a wireless interface to an installed application or software on an internet device such as computer, laptop, tablet, smartphone, wearable device etc.

Operation and Performance of the Torque Wrench of the Present Invention

[0085] The torque wrench of the present invention is preferably used according to the following steps: [0086] a) When starting a surgical procedure that requires a medical device with torque application, based on an assessment of bone health and density, an operator (surgeon) will enter defined torque values and maximum torque values to be applied to the bone structure of the patient; [0087] b) The surgeon will calibrate the device; [0088] c) During surgery, the key is collected and a communication link is automatically established between the key and the host device; [0089] d) The implant is screwed into place and the torque wrench provides live torque data to the surgeon; [0090] e) When targets and limits are reached, indicators and alarms are triggered; [0091] f) Data is instantly and automatically sent via wireless interface to an application installed on a device such as a computer, laptop, smartphone, tablets, among others, and is then recorded, which can be analyzed, treated, built a patient or treatment history, among others; [0092] g) After surgery, the battery cover 6 and battery 5 devices are removed.

[0093] The key and cover 6 are sent for sterilization.

[0094] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the torque wrench is capable of measuring torque ranging between 0 and 100 N.Math.cm with decimal precision (0.1 N.Math.cm).

Operation of the Software Embedded in the Console for Processing the Data Read by the Torque Wrench of the Present Invention

[0095] After linking the console to the torque wrench of the present invention using a code in said torque wrench, the data is transmitted to the gateway and the operation starts. If the link between the torque wrench and the gateway is lost, an alarm goes off. A color indicator present on the torque wrench constantly indicates link status information and other tips that can be programmed into the device. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a low battery, for example, is displayed as a flashing red light.

[0096] Data is encrypted at the torque wrench and later decrypted at the gateway. It can then be uploaded to multiple display platforms. In yet another modality, the gateway can be a tablet device.

Obtaining and Processing Data from Readings

[0097] The data read by the sensors present in the torque wrench of the present invention are treated according to the following steps as illustrated in FIG. 3: [0098] (I) Data from the sensors is amplified; [0099] (II) Data passes through a filter; [0100] (III) The signal is then digitized in an analog to digital converter; [0101] (IV) The signal is scaled corrected for calibration and encrypted in the microprocessor; [0102] (V) Signal flow is fed into a BLE module; [0103] (VI) The signal is transmitted via antenna; [0104] (VII) Signal passes through air waves; [0105] (VIII) Signal is received by gateway antenna; [0106] (IX) The signal is fed into the gateway; [0107] (X) The signal is interpreted in graphical formats for display on a monitor;

[0108] In a preferred embodiment, data is obtained and processed following the steps below: [0109] sensor data is in the form of electrical voltage changes. These changes are amplified by an instrumentation amplifier; [0110] the data is then filtered using a 4th order bandpass filter of the low voltage front filter, which removes noise before entering an ADC or analog to digital converter; [0111] once digitized, the data points are scaled and an algorithm is used that maps voltage to torque using a calibration table; [0112] essentially, the more torque applied, the greater the voltage difference measured between the sensors; [0113] once converted into torque, the data is sent to a low power Bluetooth module through a serial link between the microcontroller and the BLE module; [0114] the radio frequency link then transmits the data to a gateway module composed of a BLE receiving module and a small computer; [0115] this gateway redistributes data to monitors or be displayed as such on a gateway equipped with a display; [0116] In preferred embodiments a tablet can be used; [0117] Data is presented in GUI (general user interface) to the attending physician or dentist in the form of torque data or a variant presentation (a color scheme, for example).

[0118] The present invention has numerous technical and economic advantages when compared to the state of the art, some of which are listed below: [0119] it is a digital electronic torque wrench capable of performing accurate torque measurements in dental and medical implant procedures, avoiding or reducing losses of implants and prosthetic components caused by the application of incorrect torque; [0120] is capable of sending the data collected through a wireless interface to mobile devices, preferably, such as smartphones and tablets, so that such data can be processed and analyzed in software and/or applications for this purpose. Thus, the recorded data generate a very useful history for the operator; [0121] it is a device that measures torque and transmits the said measurement via a wireless interface to a console or a device such as a smartphone or tablet for precise and quantitative manual adjustments; [0122] comprises miniaturized electronic circuits resistant to extreme environments such as: shockproof, extreme temperature proof, waterproof, among others; [0123] it is a light device, ideally sized and easy to use; [0124] the torque wrench of the present invention has a low production cost, easy assembly and operation. Battery consumption is still low.

[0125] Having described an example of a preferred embodiment of the present invention, it is to be understood that the scope of the present invention encompasses other possible variations of the described inventive concept, being limited solely by the content of the appended claims, including possible equivalents therein.