DENTAL TOOL HAVING A MINIATURIZED RFID TAG AND DENTAL CNC MILLING / GRINDING MACHINE USING THE SAME

Abstract

A dental tool (1) for use in a dental CNC milling/grinding machine for machining a dental restoration from a workpiece (6), the dental tool (1) has a shaft (2). The dental tool includes a miniaturized RFID tag (3) which is arranged in front of the back end (2a) of the shaft (2). A dental CNC milling/grinding machine (5) is also disclosed and has a machine compartment (5a) including one or more carriage units (5b) each adapted to exchangeably receive and drive one or more dental tools (1) for machining a dental restoration from a workpiece (6); one or more transceiver units (5c) each adapted to read and/or write the miniaturized RFID tag (3) of a dental tool (1); and a control unit adapted to control the transceiver units (5c), and the carriage units (5b) based on the information read from the miniaturized RFID tags (3).

Claims

1. A dental tool adapted to be mounted in a dental CNC milling grinding machine for machining a dental restoration from a workpiece, the dental tool comprising: a shaft; and a miniaturized RFID tag (3) which is arranged in front of the back end (2a) of the shaft (2).

2. The dental tool according to claim 1, further comprising: a protective housing for covering the miniaturized RFID tag, wherein the front section of the housing is connected to the back end of the shaft, and the miniaturized RFID tag, is arranged in the rear section of the housing and outside the shaft.

3. The dental tool according to claim 2, wherein the back end of the shaft has a bore, wherein the front section of the housing is fitted into the bore.

4. The dental tool according to claim 2, wherein the back end of the shaft has a reduced diameter section, wherein the front section of the housing is fitted onto the reduced diameter section.

5. The dental tool according to claim 4, wherein the reduced diameter section has one or more protrusions, wherein the front section of the housing is fitted onto the protrusions.

6. The dental tool according to claim 4, wherein the reduced diameter section has one or more grooves, and the front section of the housing has one or more claws, wherein the claws are fitted into the grooves.

7. The dental tool according to claim 1, wherein the miniaturized RFID tag is a read-only type or a read & write type.

8. The dental tool according to claim 1, wherein the miniaturized RFID tag comprises an air core coil.

9. The dental tool (I) according to claim 1, wherein the miniaturized RFLD tag stores dental tool specific information which specifically relates to the dental tool.

10. The dental tool according to claim 9, the dental tool specific information includes at least a unique for identifying the dental tool.

11. The dental tool according to claim 9, wherein the dental tool specific information further includes information on at least one of the manufacturer, the lot number, the type, the length, and the concentricity of the dental tool.

12. The dental tool according to claim 9, wherein the dental tool specific information further includes the remaining service life of the dental tool.

13. A dental CNC milling/grinding machine adapted to receive one or more dental tools according to claim comprising: a machine compartment including one or more carriage units for simultaneous machining, each adapted to exchangeably receive and drive said one or more dental tools for machining a dental restoration from a workpiece; one or more transceiver units each adapted to read and/or write the miniaturized RFID tag of a dental tool; and a control unit adapted to control the transceiver units, and the carriage units based on the information read from the miniaturized RFID tags.

14. The dental CNC milling/grinding machine according to claim 13, further comprising: a communication unit adapted to transmit information to and/or receive information from a data storage unit which is internal or external to the dental CNC milling/grinding machine and stores dental tool specific information of one or more dental tools.

15. The dental CNC milling/grinding machine according to claim 14, wherein he dental tool specific information stored in the data storage unit includes at least a unique ID for identifying a dental tool and information on at least one of the manufacturer, the lot number, the type, the length, and the concentricity, and the remaining service life of the dental tool.

16. The dental CNC milling/grinding machine according to claim 13, wherein the control unit is adapted to inhibit drive of a dental tool if it determines that the dental tool is worn or has an insufficient remaining service life based on the dental tool specific information.

17. The dental CNC milling/grinding machine according to claim 13, further comprising: a display for displaying information based on the dental tool specific information relating to a dental tool.

18. The dental CNC milling/grinding machine according to claim 17, characterized in that the displayed information includes at least the remaining service life of a dental tool and/or the position (P1,P2;P1,P2) on the respective carriage unit where the dental tool should be mounted by the user.

19. The dental CNC milling/grinding machine according to claim 13, further comprising: a panel for covering one or more transceiver units, wherein the panel is sufficiently thin to allow communication between the miniaturized RFID tag and the transceiver units.

20. The dental CNC milling/grinding machine according to claim 13, wherein one or more transceiver units are arranged in the carriage unit.

21. The dental CNC milling/grinding machine according to claim 20, wherein the carriage unit has one or more dental tool motors each for receiving and rotating a dental tool, wherein one or more antennas of the transceiver units is configured respectively by the stators of the dental tool motors.

22. A system comprising: a dental tool configured to be mounted in a dental CNC milling/grinding machine for machining a dental restoration from a workpiece, the dental tool comprising a shaft; and a miniaturized RFID tag which is arranged in front of the back end of the shaft; and the dental CNC milling-grinding machine configured to receive the dental tool, said dental CNC milling/grinding machine comprising: a machine compartment including one or more carriage units for simultaneous machining, each adapted to exchangeably receive and drive the dental tool for machining a dental restoration from a workpiece; one or more transceiver units each adapted to read and/or write the miniaturized RFID tag of the dental tool; and a control unit adapted to control the transceiver units, and the carriage units based on the information read from the miniaturized RFID tags.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] In the subsequent description, further aspects and advantageous effects of the present invention will be described in more detail by using exemplary embodiments and by reference to the drawings, wherein

[0018] FIG. 1is a schematic cross-sectional enlarged partial view of the dental tool according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0019] FIG. 2is a schematic cross-sectional enlarged partial view of the dental tool according to another embodiment of the present invention;

[0020] FIG. 3is a schematic cross-sectional enlarged partial view of the dental tool according to other embodiments of the present invention;

[0021] FIG. 4are schematic side views of various dental tools according to other embodiments of the present invention;

[0022] FIG. 5is a schematic enlarged side view of the protective housing for the miniaturized RFID tag of the dental tool according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0023] FIG. 6is a schematic vertical sectional view of the protective housing of FIG. 5;

[0024] FIG. 7is a schematic perspective view of the protective housing of FIG. 5;

[0025] FIG. 8is a schematic front view of a dental CNC milling/grinding machine according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0026] FIG. 9is a schematic perspective view of the dental CNC milling/grinding machine of FIG. 8, wherein the lid of the machine compartment has been opened;

[0027] FIG. 10is a schematic enlarged perspective view of the display of the dental CNC milling/grinding machine of FIG. 8, wherein the display shows the consumables.

[0028] The reference numbers shown in the drawings denote the elements as listed below and will be referred to in the subsequent description of the exemplary embodiments: [0029] 1. Dental tool [0030] 2. Shaft [0031] 2a. Back end [0032] 2b. Bore [0033] 2c. Reduced diameter section [0034] 2c-1. Protrusion [0035] 2c-2. Groove [0036] 3. Miniatured RFID tag (with air core coil) [0037] 4. Housing [0038] 4a. Front section [0039] 4a-1. Claw [0040] 4b. Rear section [0041] 5. Dental CNC milling/grinding machine [0042] 5a. Machine compartment [0043] 5b. Carriage unit [0044] 5c. Transceiver unit [0045] 5d. Camera [0046] 5e. Display [0047] 5f. Panel [0048] 5g. Lid [0049] 6. Workpiece
P1, P2: Positions of dental tools (1) on the left carriage unit (5b).
P1, P2: Positions of dental tools (1) on the right carriage unit (5b).

[0050] As shown in FIG. 9, the dental tool (1) of the present invention is suitable for use in a dental CNC (computer numeric controlled) milling/grinding machine (5) for machining a dental restoration from a workpiece (6). The dental tool (1) is suitable for milling/grinding the workpiece and preferably also for calibrating the dental CNC milling/grinding machine (5) through touching the workpiece (6). In FIG. 4, various dental tools (1) according to alternative embodiments of the present invention are illustrated. These dental tools (1) vary, for instance, in type, length, and concentricity. Their length typically ranges between 40 mm to 60 mm. As shown in FIG. 4, the dental tool (1) has a shaft (2) and a protective housing (4) which is connected to the back end (2a) of the shaft (2).

[0051] FIG. 1 shows the interior of the protective housing (4) of the dental tool (1) according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, a miniaturized RFID tag (3) is arranged in front of the back end (2a) of the shaft (2). The miniaturized RFID tag (3) is preferably a read-only type. Alternatively, a read & write type may be used. The 5 miniaturized RFID tag (3) may also be provided integrally with an air core coil. The miniaturized RFID tag (3) is covered by the protective housing (4). However, the protective housing (4) is optional. Alternatively, the miniaturized RFID tag (3) can be directly adhered to the front of the back end (2a) of the shaft (1) with some sealant adhesive. The front section (4a) of the protective housing (4) is connected to the back end (2a) of the shaft (2). The miniaturized RFID tag (3) is arranged outside the shaft (2) and in the rear section (4b) of the protective housing (4).

[0052] As shown in FIG. 1, the dental tool (1) has a reduced diameter section (2c) which has grooves (2c-2). The front section (4a) of the housing (4) has claws (4a-1). The claws (4a-1) are fitted into the grooves (2c-2).

[0053] FIG. 2 shows a dental tool (1) according to an alternative embodiment of the present invention. In this alternative embodiment, the reduced diameter section (2c) has protrusions (2c-1) instead of the grooves (2c-2). In this alternative embodiment, the front section (4a) of the protective housing (4) is provided without claws (4a-1) and is fitted onto the protrusions (2c-1). The dashed lines in FIG. 2 show the position where the miniaturized RFID tag (3) is located after the assembly.

[0054] FIG. 3 shows a dental tool (1) according to another alternative embodiment of the present invention. In this alternative embodiment, the back end (2a) of the shaft (2) has a bore (2b). And the front section (4a) of the protective housing (4) is fitted into the bore (2b). Similarly, in FIG. 3 the dashed lines show the position where the miniaturized RFID tag (3) is located after the assembly.

[0055] In each of the embodiments as shown in FIG. 1 to FIG. 3, the miniaturized RFID tag (3) is arranged such that it is circumferentially and rearwardly unblocked by the shaft (2) for the RF communication. The protective housing (4) is permeable to radio frequencies. The housing (4) is preferably made from plastic material. The protective housing (4) is preferably cylindrical shaped with a generally u-shaped cross-section.

[0056] As shown in FIG. 8, the present invention also provides a dental CNC milling/grinding machine (5). As shown in FIG. 9, the dental CNC milling/grinding machine (5) has a lid (5g) for opening/closing a machine compartment (5a) for accessing the consumables such as the workpiece (6) and the dental tools (1). The dental CNC milling/grinding machine (5) comprises: a mounting unit for mounting at least one workpiece (6); the machine compartment (5a) including two opposed carriage units (5b) for simultaneous machining, 5 each adapted to exchangeably receive and drive one or more dental tools (1) according to the present invention; one or more transceiver units (5c) adapted to read the miniaturized RFID tag (3) of a dental tool (1); and a control unit adapted to individually control the transceiver units (5c) and the carriage units (5b) based on the information read from the miniaturized RFID tags (3). Each transceiver unit (5c) is adapted to only read a miniaturized RFID tag (3). Alternatively, the transceiver units (5c) may also be adapted to read & write a miniaturized RFID tag (3). The dental CNC milling/grinding machine (5) preferably has a communication unit for transmitting information to and/or receiving information from a data storage unit. This information may also relate to dental tool specific information. The data storage unit is preferably internal to the dental CNC milling/grinding machine. The data storage unit may also store dental tool specific information of the dental tool (1). Alternatively, the data storage unit may be external to the dental CNC milling/grinding machine (5), and accessible via a network, the internet or the like. The dental CNC milling/grinding machine (5) preferably has a display (5e), more preferably a touch-screen display (5e), for displaying information based on the dental tool specific information relating to the dental tool (1). The dental CNC milling/grinding machine (5) has a panel (5f) that entirely or partially covers one or more transceiver units (5c). The panel (5f) is sufficiently thin or has an aperture to allow RF communication between the miniaturized RFID tag (3) and the transceiver unit (5c). In addition, or alternatively, one or more transceiver units (5c) are arranged close to the mounting positions (P1,P2,P1,P2) of the dental tools (1) in one or more carriage units (5b). The antennas of one or more transceiver units (5c) are preferably configured by the associated stators of the dental tool motors in one or more carriage units (5b). In addition, or alternatively, one or more separate antennas may be arranged for the transceiver units (5c) into the carriage units (5b).

[0057] The dental CNC milling/grinding machine (5) preferably also has camera (5d) for reading barcodes on the consumables such as the dental tool (1) or the workpiece (6) for recognizing them. The recognized consumables can be displayed using script and/or icons on the display (5e) with additional guidance information. The rear end of the shaft (2) preferably has a mounting thread (not shown) for mounting the same into the carriage unit (5b), namely into the spindle of the dental tool motor. The shaft (2) can be mounted by using a turning wrench that form-fittingly engages with the front end of the shaft (2) during 5 the mounting process. Alternatively, instead of a mounting-thread other type of connections may be used.

[0058] The miniaturized RFID tag (3) of the dental tool (1) stores dental tool specific information which specifically relates to the dental tool (1). The dental tool specific information includes at least a unique ID for identifying the dental tool (1). The dental tool specific information preferably further includes information on at least one of the manufacturer, the lot number, the type, the length, and the concentricity of the dental tool (1). In case the miniaturized RFID tag (3) is a read & write type, then the dental CNC milling/grinding machine (5) also stores the remaining service life into the dental tool (1) via the transceiver unit (5c). Alternatively, or in addition, the data storage unit includes at least a unique ID for identifying the dental tool (1) and information on at least one of the manufacturer, the lot number, the type, the length, and the concentricity, and the remaining service life of the dental tool (1). The remaining service life of the dental tool (1) can be monitored by the dental CNC milling/grinding machine (5) on the display (5e)

[0059] The user can be guided, for instance, through a display (5e) of information relating to the workpiece (6) and the dental tools (1) that are planned for use in the next machining process set forth through the CAD/CAM software. For instance, the type of the workpiece (6), the type of the dental tools (1) to be used, the minimum necessary remaining service lives, their designated mounting positions (P1,P2,P1,P2) on the carriage units (5b), or the like can be displayed on the display (5e) to the user as shown FIG. 10. The control unit can inhibit drive of a carriage unit (5b) when it has determined that the mounted workpiece (6) is wrong, or a mounted dental tool (1) is worn or has an insufficient remaining service life or is mounted to a wrong position in the carriage unit (5b).

[0060] The user can be informed, for instance, through the display (5e) of information relating to the dental tools (1) identified through the transceiver unit (5c) before mounting or after mounting to the carriage unit (5b). The dental tool specific information of the identified dental tool (1) such as the remaining service life, the type of the dental tool (1), the mounted position, and the like can be displayed to the user. The workpiece (6) can be provided with a barcode to be read through the camera (5d), and the relevant information can be displayed on the display (5e) as shown in FIG. 10.