Maxillary protraction device

Abstract

Maxillary protraction device comprising a cranial support (1) that may be attached with straps (4) or similar on the forehead of the user. A guide (8) in a central position on the support (1) attaches to the upper end (9) of a vertical rod (2), at the lower end (13) of which a horizontal rod (3) is arranged with gripping points for the rubber bands that provide a tractive force on the jaw to be treated. Between the two ends (9, 13) of the rod, a ratchet mechanism (12) or similar may be arranged to adjust the angle, while the lower end (13) can be telescopic.

Claims

1. A maxillary protraction device, comprising: a cranial support configured to be attached over the frontal bone of the cranium of a user; a guide attached on a central position of the cranial support; a vertical rod attached to said guide, wherein said vertical rod comprises an upper end configured to be attached to the guide, a central part and a lower end, wherein the central part of the vertical rod is connected to the upper end by a ratchet mechanism configured to adjust the distance of the vertical rod regarding to the user; and, a horizontal rod attached to the lower end of the vertical rod, wherein the horizontal rod comprises gripping points configured to fix rubber bands between said horizontal rod and an orthodontic appliance of the user, being said rubber bands configured to provide a tractive force on the jaw of the user.

2. The maxillary protraction device according to claim 1, wherein the central part of the vertical rod is connected to the lower end by a telescopic joint configured to adjust the height of the horizontal rod.

3. The maxillary protraction device according to claim 1, wherein the cranial support comprises a series of holes configured to place at least a fixing strap configured to adjust and attach the cranial support to the user's forehead.

4. The maxillary protraction device according to claim 1, wherein the guide comprises two parallel plates protruding from a base fixed to the cranial support and said base being configured to fit the upper end of the vertical rod.

5. The maxillary protraction device according to claim 1, wherein the cranial support comprises a pair of attachments symmetrically located at and above of the user's temples, configured to hold and support an orthodontic extraoral anchorage.

6. The maxillary protraction device according to claim 1, wherein the upper end of the vertical rod is articulately attached to the guide through an articulating element, the vertical rod further comprising an interior rod.

7. The maxillary protraction device according to claim 6, further comprising: a rotating support mounted on a fixed thorax support plate; and, a spherical articulation fitted in the rotating support; wherein said spherical articulation is located at a lower end of the interior rod.

8. The maxillary protraction device according to claim 6, wherein the fixed thorax support plate comprising a plurality of through holes configured to hold a fastening straps.

9. The maxillary protraction device according to claim 6, further comprising: a supporting piece where the horizontal rod is mounted; and, a casing fixed and secured to the vertical rod and configured to hold the supporting piece; wherein the supporting piece is configured to rotate regarding to the vertical rod.

10. The maxillary protraction device according to claim 1, further comprising: a sensor configured to measure the body temperature of the user and to measure a wearing time of user wears the maxillary protraction device; and, recording and transmitting means configured to record and/or transmit the wearing time to a central database.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) In order to make the invention more readily understandable, the following figures are included.

(2) FIG. 1: A first exemplary embodiment of a cranial support, and the rods.

(3) FIG. 2: A second exemplary embodiment of a different version of the cranial support.

(4) FIG. 3: A third exemplary embodiment of the cranial support, with attachment straps.

(5) FIG. 4: A fourth exemplary embodiment wherein a fastening device to the patient's thorax is also included.

(6) FIG. 5: It shows a front perspective view of the fixed thorax support plate, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

(7) FIG. 6: It shows a rear perspective view of the fixed thorax support plate, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

(8) FIG. 7: It shows an exemplary embodiment of the horizontal rod.

(9) FIG. 8: It represents a particular embodiment of the device of the invention in a form of use, wherein the fastening device to the patient's thorax is also shown.

DESCRIPTION OF SPECIFIC EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

(10) Next, several embodiments of the invention will be described briefly, by way of illustrative, non-limitative examples thereof.

(11) The invention, as shown in FIG. 1, comprises a cranial support (1), a vertical rod (2) and a horizontal rod (3). The support (1) will be placed approximately on the frontal bone of the cranium and attached by straps (4) or another similar method. For this reason, it has a series of holes (5) for the placement of the fixing straps (4) and it's positioning on the head of the user, all of which are adjustable through conventional means, such as Velcro, among others.

(12) The cranial support (1) of the represented embodiments comprises two parallel plates (6) that protrude from it, in a position that will correspond to the center of the user's forehead. There is a base (7) between these two plates (6) which comprises the bottom of a guide (8) through with the upper end (9) of the vertical rod (2) moves. The curvature of the base (7) will correspond to that of the upper end (9) of the vertical rod (2), so that it can be placed and be perfectly coupled to any point on the guide (8).

(13) The guide (8) can have other forms, for example, it can be a tube to which the vertical rod (2) is attached.

(14) Three ways of making the support (1) have been shown in the figures. The most relevant is FIG. 2, where the cranial support (1) is extended in front of the ears so that the holes (5) are farther away from each other. This type will be preferably used for children.

(15) The cranial support (1) can be formed using a mold taken of the patient. Likewise, it can be made with a transparent material, such as methacrylate, in order to minimize visual impact. If preferred, it can have another type of finishing, especially when it will be used by children. It is also possible to place inner padding on the device to make it more comfortable.

(16) The vertical rod (2) is preferably divided into three parts: Upper end (9): the part that is mounted on the cranial support (1) and with a relative position that can be adjusted on the guide (8) through one or more locking points (10), which will allow it to move up or down through the channel of the cranial support (1). Central part (11): it will be attached to the upper end (9) of the vertical rod (2) and its relative position to this part can be adjusted by a ratchet mechanism (12) or similar, which will allow the approximation or separation of the lower end (13) to the patient. Lower end (13): it integrally incorporates the horizontal rod (3) on its free end and its length can be adjusted by means of a telescopic element (14).

(17) The ends (9, 13) or the central part (11) can be straight, curved or bent if considered convenient structurally or aesthetically.

(18) In its most common embodiment, the horizontal rod (3) is made up of two straight halves, one on each side of the free end of the vertical rod (2). The horizontal rod (3) can be formed in various ways, for example, with a more aesthetic curvature. In any case, the horizontal rod (3) will have gripping points for the rubber bands that provide a tractive force on the jaw to be treated.

(19) There are other embodiment alternatives for the vertical rod (2), for example, with removable elements of different sizes, so that medical staff can choose the proper length for each case without needing to adjust angles. However, the version described is considered to be the most advantageous.

(20) The device can be completed with a pair of symmetrical attachments (15) that are approximately located on the temples, each generally formed by elements of a circular section (see FIG. 3). The purpose of these attachments (15) is to hold and support orthodontic headgear, preferably of metal, which can be used in cases where it is necessary to intervene on the upper part of the dental arch.

(21) It is important to highlight the many adjustment and guidance points of the preferred vertical rod (2) and, as a result, of the horizontal rod (3). Firstly, this versatility allows it to be adapted to many head and skull sizes of patients, from babies to adults. Secondly, it allows the positioning distance of the horizontal rod (3) to be adjusted, which supports the traction that the rubber bands provide on the orthodontic appliance of the patient and, consequently, on the jaw and/or teeth. The positioning of said horizontal rod (3) is directly proportional to the tractive force of the device of the invention on the jaw to be treated.

(22) In another particular embodiment of the invention, the vertical rod (2) articulates on the guide by means of an articulating element (16), as shown in FIG. 4.

(23) In said FIG. 4, the device of the present invention is shown, which also has a fastening device to the patient's thorax, which is made up in the following way. The vertical rod (2) has an interior rod (17) that has at its end (18) a spherical articulation (19) similar to a ball joint, mounted on a rotating support (20) and wherein said spherical articulation (19) and the rotating support (20) are mounted on a fixed thorax support plate (21).

(24) The fixed plate (21) incorporates a plurality of through holes (22) to hold the optional fastening straps (23), which contribute to keeping the fixed plate (21) as well as the rest of the device in the working position established by the doctor. See FIGS. 5 and 6.

(25) Also in FIG. 4, and with more detail in FIG. 7, the horizontal rod (3) is shown mounted on a supporting piece (24) that is located on top of a casing (25) fixed and secured to the vertical rod (2), meaning that the supporting piece (24) rotates horizontally over the vertical rod (2) in both directions, maintaining the tension exerted by the rubber bands in the horizontal rod (3) constant.

(26) FIG. 8 shows the previously described particular embodiment of the device object of the present invention, in a form of use; in said FIG. 8 it is possible to see that the interior rod (17) can move inside of the vertical rod (2) in such a way that the fixed plate (21) and its associated elements can be adequately placed on the patient's thorax.

(27) It is recommended to add a sensor that measures the user's body temperature (not shown), which can record and/or transmit the wearing time parameters of the aforementioned device through wireless means or otherwise to a central database. In other words, once the user puts on the device, this element will read theirs body temperature (which is a range value generally between 35 and 39 C.), which implies that the device of the invention has been put on and is working. The exact position may change, but it will be preferably placed at the center of the forehead, taking advantage of the base (7) of the guide (8), and coming in contact with the user's skin.

(28) This additional element allows the specialist to track the patient's use of the device of the invention and be able to monitor the patient's progress, taking into account the effective times of treatment.