IMPLANT-SUPPORTED DENTAL PROSTHESIS, REMOVAL DEVICE FOR AUTOMATICALLY REMOVING THE PROSTHESIS, ATTACHMENT PIECE FOR ATTACHING THE PROSTHESIS TO IMPLANTS AND IMPLANT SPLINTING BAR FOR ATTACHING THE PROSTHESIS TO IMPLANTS

Abstract

An implant-supported dental prosthesis, removal device for automatically removing the prosthesis, attachment piece for attaching the prosthesis to implants and an attachment bar for attaching the prosthesis to implants. The prosthesis comprises a compartment with a spacing member that can be actuated through a side opening by means of the device, for automatically removing the prosthesis. The device comprises a head with a first plunger configured for being introduced in the compartment and moving the first plunger in both directions to move the first plunger out when the spacer moves, causing removing the prosthesis, and when the first plunger moves in the opposite direction the head is extracted from the compartment. The attachment piece and bar for attaching the prosthesis respectively comprise a projection and a step to make it easier to remove the prosthesis.

Claims

1. An implant-supported dental prosthesis, comprising intermediate pieces for fixing the prosthesis (g) to implants arranged in the gum of a user, wherein the dental prosthesis it at least comprises: a compartment (1) housed inside the prosthesis and provided with a side opening (1a) arranged in correspondence with a opening (28) of the prosthesis (g) for communicating the compartment (1) with the outside -of the prosthesis, a spacing member (2) included in the compartment (1) that can be actuated through the side opening (1a) and arranged proximal to an implant, that comprises two arms (2a) articulated on a shaft (2b) like pincers, where the spacing member (2) moves when it is actuated by a tool, pressing the spacing member against the implant, causing the separation of the prosthesis (g) from said implant.

2. The implant-supported dental prosthesis according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the two arms (2a) of the spacing member (2) comprises, in one of its end areas, a cavity (2c) facing the other arm and the side opening (1a); where an end of an upper one of the arms, opposite the arm with the cavity (2c) is located near an implant to cause the arms (2) to open and the prosthesis (g) to separate from the implant when the tool is introduced in the cavity (2c).

3. The implant-supported dental prosthesis according to claim 2, wherein the spacing member (2) is fixed in an articulated manner inside the compartment (1), such that when the arms (2) open, only the upper arm located near the implant at the end opposite the arm with the cavity (2c) moves.

4. The implant-supported dental prosthesis according to claim 3, wherein the end of the upper arm arranged proximal to the implant comprises a step (2d) on which said implant is supported.

5. The implant-supported dental prosthesis according to claim 3, wherein the compartment comprises a flare (2f) in which the side opening (1a) is included so as to allow opening the ends of both arms (2a) in which the cavity (2c) is included.

6. The implant-supported dental prosthesis according to claim 1, wherein the side opening (1a) of the compartment (1) comprises a plug member to prevent pieces of food from entering the compartment.

7. The implant-supported dental prosthesis according to claim 6, wherein the plug member is a flexible membrane covering the inlet opening and moving when the tool is introduced.

8. The implant-supported dental prosthesis according to claim 2, wherein both arms (2a) comprise respective cavities (2c) with a configuration extending transversely towards a rear portion of the prosthesis and which is complementary to the configuration of the tool to facilitate opening the spacing member (2) when said tool is introduced in the side opening (1a) of the compartment (1).

9. A removal device for automatically removing implant-supported dental prostheses according to the prosthesis of claim 1, wherein the removal device comprises: a head (a) including a first plunger (3), configured for being introduced in the compartment (1) through the side opening (28, 1a) of the prosthesis (g); and means for moving the first plunger (3) in both directions; where wherein when the head is introduced in the opening of the compartment (1), the movement of the first plunger (3) out of the head causes movement of the spacing member (2), removing the prosthesis, and when the first plunger moves in an opposite direction, the head can be extracted from the compartment (1).

10. The removal device for automatically removing implant-supported dental prostheses according to claim 9, wherein a front end of the first plunger (3) comprises a punch (3a) for being introduced in the cavity (2c) of the spacing member (2) of the prosthesis (g).

11. The removal device for automatically removing implant-supported dental prostheses according to claim 9, wherein the first plunger (3) comprises an inclined flare (3b) on which an expandable member (4) complementary to the first plunger (3) is coupled in order to cause radial expansion of the expandable member (4) and for anchoring thereof in the compartment (1) when the first plunger (3) moves.

12. The removal device for automatically removing implant-supported dental prostheses according to claim 11, wherein the expandable member (4) is aided by a coil spring (9) which is retained by a ring (5) and an annular cover (6) on the head (a) to keep the expandable member in constant contact with the first plunger (3).

13. The removal device for automatically removing implant-supported dental prostheses according to claim 12, wherein the expandable member (4) comprises a perimetral lip (4a) abutting with an inner wall of the compartment (1) when the first plunger (3) moves out of the head (a).

14. The removal device for automatically removing implant-supported dental prostheses according to claim 9, wherein the head comprises a chamber (7) in which the first plunger is arranged, a rear portion of which communicates with a hydraulic circuit controlling the movement of the first plunger (3) in both directions.

15. The removal device for automatically removing implant-supported dental prostheses according to claim 14, wherein the removal device comprises a handle (c) in which the hydraulic circuit is included, which is provided with an electric motor (15), with a reduction gear and a built-in anti-interference electronic circuit, causing angular movement in both directions of a threaded bushing (14) screwed on a threaded screw (12) fixed in the handle (c), both provided with a conduit comprising a second plunger (13) and communicated with the rear portion of the chamber (7) to cause the longitudinal movement of the second plunger (13) in both directions when the motor (15) is activated by means of an electronic circuit (16) through a switch (16a) and both being powered by batteries (18).

16. The removal device for automatically removing implant-supported dental prostheses according to claim 15, wherein the head (a) is attached to a flexible neck (b) provided with a conduit communicating the rear portion of the chamber (7) of the second plunger (3) with the conduit of the threaded screw (12), so as to allow introducing the head in the side opening (1) of the prosthesis without introducing fingers in the patient's mouth, and said neck (b) being fixed to the handle (c) in a detachable manner.

17. The removal device for automatically removing implant-supported dental prostheses according to claim 9, wherein the removal device comprises a casing (e) including the hydraulic circuit which is attached to the conduit of the neck (b) communicated with the rear portion of the chamber (7) through an extending tube (d).

18. The removal device for automatically removing implant-supported dental prostheses according to claim 17, wherein the hydraulic circuit comprises a motor (25) with a reduction gear (24) moving a hydraulic pump (22) with a reservoir for the hydraulic fluid (23), the hydraulic circuit being controlled by an electronic circuit (26) powered by batteries (18) which controls the operation of the motor (25).

19. The removal device for automatically removing implant-supported dental prostheses according to claim 17, wherein the casing (e) comprises fixing means for being fixed to an object.

20-21. (canceled)

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0024] FIG. 1 shows a sectioned side view of the removal device of the invention in the position in which the first plunger of the head is in standby so as to allow the introduction thereof in the prosthesis. It also shows a detail of the head in this position.

[0025] FIG. 2 shows a sectioned side view equivalent to the preceding figure of the removal device of the invention in the position in which the first plunger has been moved for removing a prosthesis. It furthermore shows a detail of the head in this position.

[0026] FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of a possible embodiment of the prosthesis of the invention.

[0027] FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of the compartment which is included in the prosthesis in which the head of the device is introduced for removing said prosthesis.

[0028] FIG. 5 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of the opening member, which is included in the compartment of the prosthesis, in the closed position, the opening of which by means of the head of the device causes removing the prosthesis.

[0029] FIG. 6 show a view equivalent to the preceding figure in which the opening member is open for removing the prosthesis.

[0030] FIG. 7 shows a perspective view of the compartment with the opening member mounted therein, which are housed inside the prosthesis.

[0031] FIG. 8 shows a sectioned view of the head of the device introduced in the compartment before the removal.

[0032] FIG. 9 shows a view equivalent to the preceding figure in which the first plunger of the head has been actuated, removing the implant.

[0033] FIG. 10 shows a partially sectioned perspective view in which the first plunger has been actuated as depicted in FIG. 9, removing the prosthesis, for the case in which a new attachment piece for attaching the prosthesis to implants as depicted in FIGS. 11a-11c is used.

[0034] FIGS. 11a-11c show different views of the new piece for fixing the prosthesis to the implant in independent, non-splinted implant attachment systems, i.e., without a bar, so as to allow removing the prosthesis.

[0035] FIG. 12 shows another sectioned view of what is depicted in FIG. 10 at the time in which the prosthesis is removed.

[0036] FIG. 13 shows a view equivalent to FIG. 12 for the case in which the prosthesis is attached by means of the new splinting bar, showing the arrangement of the step of the spacing member on the new bar in the initial moment of the opening so as to allow removing the prosthesis.

[0037] FIG. 14 shows a view of another possible embodiment of the device of the invention in which the first plunger is actuated by means of a hydraulic pump controlled by a circuit of control.

DISCLOSURE OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0038] The invention relates to a prosthesis (g), to a removal device for removing the prosthesis, to a new piece for fixing the prosthesis to the implant for the case in which the prosthesis is fixed to the implant by means of a non-splinted implant attachment system, and to an implant splinting bar for attaching the prosthesis to implants for the case of attaching splinted implants.

[0039] The prosthesis (g) comprises a preferably metallic compartment (1) which is provided with a side opening (1a) arranged in correspondence with a side opening (28) of the prosthesis (g). The compartment (1) includes a spacing member (2), which is also preferably metallic, which in the embodiment is formed by two arms (2a) articulated on a shaft (2b), one side of the arms (2a) near the end thereof having a cavity (2c) facing the side opening (1a) of the compartment (1), all this being like small pincers, such that if a first plunger (3) is introduced in the cavity (2c), the pincers open, the ends thereof being separated from one another. In the embodiment, the end which is arranged at the back of the compartment (1) and opposite the end including the cavity (2c) is fixed to said compartment (1) by means of a pin (2e) with rotational possibility, and at this same end of the other arm there is comprised a step (2d) on which an implant is supported, as will be described below, preferably an implant end.

[0040] Furthermore, the compartment has a side flare (2f) in which the opening (1a) is included, such that when a first plunger is introduced in the cavity (2c), the ends of the arms (2a) including the cavity (2c) open and at the opposite ends of which only the upper end which is proximal to or in contact with the implant opens, the entire movement for opening the arms (2a) being applied to said end, causing the separation of the prosthesis (g) from the implant.

[0041] In bar splinted implant attachment systems including a bar (27) (FIG. 12), it is the actual end (27a) of the bar (27) that comes into contact with the step (2d), where said end (27a) is a stepping complementary to step (2d) and in independent, non-splinted attachment systems, i.e., without a bar, in which the prosthesis is fixed on an add-on (29) (FIGS. 10, 11a-11c and 12) located in the implant (30) and to which it is fixed by means of a through screw (31), there is a projection (29a) provided in the add-on (29) located proximal to the compartment (1) and on which the step (2d) is supported for lifting the prosthesis (g).

[0042] Therefore, the invention provides a new bar (27) for splinted implant attachment according to the description made and it also provides a new attachment piece for attaching the prosthesis (g) to the implant (30) in non-splinted attachment systems, which in this case is formed by a new add-on (29) the novelty of which resides in the incorporation of the projection (29a) so as to allow removing the prosthesis by means of the spacer (2) like pincers, as described. To assure the position of the projection (29a) in the suitable position, the add-on (29), as is conventionally envisaged, has an outer portion (29b) with a polygonal-shaped contour complementary to an inner polygonal-shaped portion (30a) of the implant such that the outer polygonal-shaped portion (29b) is housed in the inner polygonal-shaped portion (30a) of the implant (30) in the position in which the projection (29a) is located proximal to the compartment (1), and then it is fixed in this position by means of the through screw (31) so that the step (2d) is supported on the projection (29a). The invention envisages that the side opening (1a) can be covered by a membrane made of a flexible material (not depicted) to reduce the entry of food into the compartment (1).

[0043] The compartment (1) and spacer (2) assembly could be mounted on new prostheses (g) during the resin muffling process inside the mold inserted in prostheses or in already existing prostheses by means of milling a housing and opening (28) allowing the mounting thereof.

[0044] The removal device comprises a head (a), neck (b) and handle (c) (for one embodiment of the invention (FIGS. 1 and 2), and for another embodiment it comprises the head (a), neck (b), extending tube (d) and control box (e), (FIG. 14).

[0045] The head (a) is formed by preferably metallic components comprising a first plunger (3) provided at the front end thereof with a punch (3a), and provided with an inclined flare (3b) in which preferably metallic expandable members (4) are coupled, such that they are in contact enveloping said first plunger (3), and they are kept in this position by means of the action of a coil spring (9) which is retained by means of a ring (5), and the entire assembly is fixed in the head (a) by means of a threaded cover (6). This configuration means that when the first plunger-punch (3-3a) moves forward, the expandable members (4) expand for the purpose of anchoring the device in the side opening (1a) of the compartment (1) by means of a perimetral lip (4a) provided in said expandable members, and when it moves backwards they close, returning to the initial position. The ring (5), the coil spring (9) and the threaded cover (6) keep the expandable members (4) in the correct position during movement of the first plunger (3). The first plunger (3) is arranged in a chamber (7) the rear portion of which communicates with a hydraulic oil conduit (8) which is injected or discharged in said rear portion of the chamber (7) to cause the forward and backward movement and of the first plunger-punch (3-3a). When the hydraulic oil is discharged, the first plunger-punch (3-3a) moves backward, during which movement the expandable members (4) close, and when filling occurs, the oil moves forward, opening the expandable members (4).

[0046] The head (a) comprises an extension (10) with an end threaded on which the neck (b) of the device is screwed such that the head (a) can be dismounted.

[0047] The neck (b) is the piece joining the head (a) with the handle (c) and is essentially a tube through which the hydraulic oil runs, connecting with the conduit (8), and which can also include wires for a control function located close to the head (a). The neck (b) is long enough so as to allow the head (a) to be introduced in the side opening (1a) of the compartment (1) of the prosthesis (g) without difficulties and without having to introduce the fingers in the patient's mouth. Furthermore, the neck (b) is made of a flexible material to prevent the movements the user makes from causing excess stress on the head (a).

[0048] The handle (c) comprises a threaded screw (12) on which a threaded bushing (14) is screwed, internally comprising a conduit connecting with the conduit (8) through the tube constituting the neck (b) and comprising a second plunger (13), such that it acts as a cylindrical hydraulic chamber, the second plunger (13) of which moves together with the threaded bushing (14) which is rotated by an electric motor (15) with a reduction gear and a built-in anti-interference electronic circuit. The second plunger (13) does not move integrally with the threaded bushing (14) internally, but rather rotates internally and will only move longitudinally in the conduit of the threaded screw (12) and threaded bushing (14) to prevent friction and lateral wear. The rotation of the motor (15) screws on or unscrews the threaded bushing (14) with respect to the threaded screw (12), moving the second plunger (13), causing the injection or suction of the hydraulic oil, which in turn causes the movement of the first plunger (3) of the head (b).

[0049] Furthermore, the handle (c) internally includes an electronic circuit (16) with a switch (16a) and batteries (18) of any type, such as contact or induction rechargeable batteries or any energy accumulator rotating the motor (15). All this is encapsulated in a casing (19) and hermetically sealed with a cover (20).

[0050] FIG. 14 shows another embodiment of the invention in which the handle (c) of the device has been replaced with a casing (e), which in the embodiment is a box (21) comprising a mini hydraulic pump (22) that has to contain pressure without any leaks, therefore a suitable one would be a gear pump, but a peristaltic pump or another type of pump that may appear on the market in the future could also be used. The pump (22) incorporates a small oil reservoir (23) through which the oil that is discharged from the head during the suction process passes. The pump (22) is rotated by a reduction gear (24) with a motor (25). It furthermore includes an electronic circuit (26) which controls the opening, closing and ends of stroke or excess pressure (for example by means of controlling the operating amperage of the motor) and includes the corresponding batteries (18) of any type, for rotating the motor and feeding the electric circuit.

[0051] The outlet of the pump (22) is connected to an extending tube (d) which, by means of a connector (11), is connected with the neck (b) for injecting-suctioning the oil in the rear portion of the chamber (7) of the head (a), achieving the aforementioned functionality. The extending tube (d) is flexible in order to be able to freely manipulate the head and allows the box (21), during use, to be located on a table, anchored to a belt, a pocket, a wheelchair, etc. The connector (11) used is a conventional connector for pressures not exceeding 8 bar.

[0052] In the case of the embodiment of FIGS. 1 to 13, it is easily understood that in order to extract a prosthesis (g), the first plunger (3) of the head (a) is introduced in the side opening (1a) and then the switch (16a) is operated, such that the electronic circuit (16) activates the motor (15) screwing the threaded bushing (14) on the threaded screw (12), moving the second plunger (13) which initiates the injection of hydraulic oil towards the head (a), which causes the first plunger-punch (3-3a) to move outwards, opening the metallic expandable members (4) that are anchored in the side opening (1a) by the arrangement of the perimetral lip (4a) abutting with the inner walls of the side opening (1a).

[0053] The first plunger-punch (3-3a) continues entering and presses into the cavities (2c) at one end of the spacing member (2), which forces the spacers (2) to open by sliding. More specifically, the punch (3a) is introduced in the cavities (2c) of the arms (2a) such that they open, which determines the separation of the prosthesis from the implant, by pressing the end of the spacer (2), more specifically the step (2d) thereof, against the implant, which can be the end (27a) of the bar (27) or the projection (29a) as described, depending on the used attachment system, so when this point of attachment is separated, the remaining points of attachment continue to be separated one after another. The separation strength it provides is far superior to that which can be provided using the hands.

[0054] To make it easier to open the arms (2b), the cavities (2c) have a configuration extending transversely towards the rear portion of the prosthesis and complementary to that of the punch (3a), to make it easier to open the arms (2b) of the spacing member (2) when the punch (3a) is introduced in the side opening (1a) of the compartment (1).

[0055] The prosthesis (g) moves with the arms (2b) of the spacer (2) due to contact between metallic surfaces, causing extraction of the prosthesis (g).

[0056] From the start of the forward movement of the first plunger (3), the expandable members (4) remain anchored by the perimetral lip (4a), so that the punch (3a) can exert pressure and the prosthesis (g) remains attached to the head (a) once extracted.

[0057] When the switch (16a) is operated again, the first plunger-punch (3-3a) moves back and the expandable members (4) close, allowing the user to place the prosthesis (g) in the desired location, even without touching it.

[0058] For the case of the embodiment of FIG. 14, the operation is the same as what has been described, with the difference that the movement of the first plunger (3) is made by the hydraulic circuit included in the casing (e) that has been described.

[0059] If required, it is envisaged that the prosthesis (g) can comprise the compartment (1) at the two ends for fixing the prosthesis, or at any other point required for extraction.

[0060] To manufacture the metallic members it is necessary to use very strong materials such as stainless steel with surface treatments or titanium, manufacturing them by means of high-precision milling and turning and casting. Plastic pieces manufactured by injection molding are also used. Advanced bi-material injection and plastic injection techniques are used to achieve different surface finishes and flexibility in some areas.