Dental and Orthopedic Insertion Tool

Abstract

The present invention describes a dental insertion tool, comprising: an axle and an insertion element; wherein the axle comprises a axle attaching region; the insertion element comprises a attaching region of the insertion element; in which axle's attaching region and the insertion element's attaching region make the connection between the said axle and the said insertion element; the axle rotating the insertion element when connected; wherein the axle fixation region comprises a torque limiting element, which may be an shear pin and a hole located in the attaching region of the insertion element or a latch and spring lock set wherein the latch hooks in the internal grooves of the insertion element's attaching region.

Thus, one advantage of the present invention is the torque limiting element is configured in order to limit the torque applied to the implant, and then avoiding the possible damage that can be caused to the implant and the patient, preserving the implant even if a excessive torque is applied, depending on the type of application, implant and/or technique used.

Claims

1. Dental and orthopedic insertion tool (4), comprising: an axle (1); and an insertion element (2); wherein the axle (1) comprises an axle attaching region (12); the insertion element (2) comprises an insertion element attaching region (22); wherein the axle attaching region (12) and the insertion element attaching region (22) connects the axle (1) and the insertion element (2); the axle (1) capable of rotating the insertion element (2) when connected; the axle attaching region (12) comprising a hole (13) and the insertion element attaching region (22) comprising another hole (23); the tool (4) further comprising a torque fixing element configured to fix the insertion element (2) on the axle (1) through the holes (13, 23); characterized by the fact the torque fixing element is a shear pin configured to withstand a maximum rotation torque, so that the shear pin is broken when the rotation torque is greater than the maximum torque supported by the said shear pin, interrupting the torque transmission between the axle and the insertion element.

2. The insertion tool (4) according to claim 1, characterized by the fact the insertion element (2) is configured in order to connect to a dental implant, the tool (4) length ranging between 16 mm and 40 mm.

3. The insertion tool (4) according to claim 1, characterized by the fact the insertion element (2) is configured in order to connect to an orthopedic prosthesis, the tool (4) length ranging between 150 mm and 250 mm.

4. The insertion tool (4) according to claim 1, characterized by the fact it is made of stainless steel.

5. The insertion tool (4) according to claim 1, characterized by being a tool (4) as contra angle and/or ratchet type.

6. The insertion tool (4) according to claim 5, characterized by the fact the maximum torque supported by the said shear pin (3) is related to the diameter of the said shear pin.

7. (canceled)

8. The insertion tool (4) according to claim 6, characterized by the fact the shear pin (3) is configured to withstand a maximum rotation torque between 20 N.Math.cm to 575 N.Math.cm, with a shear pin diameter (3) ranging from 0.5 mm to 2.0 mm.

9-11. (canceled)

12. A dental and orthopedic insertion tool (4), comprising: an axle (1′); and an insertion element (2′); wherein the axle (1′) comprises a. axle attaching region (12′); the insertion element (2′) comprises an insertion element attaching region (22′); wherein the axle attaching region (12′) and the insertion element attaching region (22′) connect the axle (1′) and the insertion element (2′); the axle (1′) capable of rotating the insertion element (2′) when connected; the tool (4′) further comprising a torque fixing element configured to fix the insertion element (2′) on the axle (1′) through a hole (13′). characterized by the fact the by the torque fixing element is a latch (7) connected to a spring (5) and the attaching region of the insertion element (22′) further comprises internal grooves (6), wherein the relaxed spring (5) presses the latch (7) against the internal grooves (6) and when the torque applied by the user reaches the value determined by the spring pressure (5), the said spring (5) is deformed and the latch (7) moves away from the grooves (6), interrupting the torque transmission between the axle (1′) and the insertion element (2′).

13. The insertion tool (4) according to claim 12, characterized by the fact the insertion element (2′) is configured to connect to a dental implant, the tool (4′) length ranging between 16 mm and 40 mm.

14. The insertion tool (4) according to claim 12, characterized by the fact the insertion element (2′) is configured in order to connect to an orthopedic prosthesis, the tool (4′) length ranging between 150 mm and 250 mm.

15. The insertion tool (4) according to claim 12, characterized by the fact it is made of stainless steel.

16. The insertion tool (4) according to claim 12, characterized by being a tool (4′) as contra angle and/or ratchet type.

17. The insertion tool (4) according to claim 16, characterized by the fact the maximum torque responsible for contracting the spring (5) and detaching the latch (7) being related to the dimensions of the spring (5), and the spring is made of a wire that ranges 0.15 mm to 0.5 mm in diameter, resulting in compression forces between 0.15 to 10 Kgf, respectively.

18. The insertion tool (4) according to claim 17, characterized by the fact the spring (5) is configured to be triggered with a maximum rotation torque between 20 N.Math.cm to 575 N.Math.cm, releasing the latch (7).

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0032] The present invention refers to one the tool of dental and orthopedic insertion comprising an element limiting applied force.

[0033] The tool according to the present invention is preferably manufactured in temperate stainless steel.

[0034] The connection between these two parts is made by means of the torque-limiting element, fixed to holes located on the axle and the insertion element for fixing them, and can be strategically arranged in order to better fit the key, according to FIG. 6. Preferably the attaching region of the present invention comprises one or more holes to better meet the technique for insertion of dental implants with adaptation of the key type contra angle and/or ratchet.

[0035] Regrading the dimensions, the length of the tool can vary between 16 mm and 40 mm, presenting a preferably hexagonal or square shape.

[0036] In reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, in a first embodiment, the torque-fixing element is a shear pin, configured to limit the torque applied to the implant, thus avoiding the possible damage that can be caused to the implant and the patient.

[0037] Laboratory tests determined that the shear pin with a diameter of 0.90 mm supported 80 N.Math.cm, 0.95 mm supported 92 N.Math.cm and 1 mm supported 105 N.Math.cm. This way, it was determined the equation of F=200×d.sup.2−130×d+35 wherein F is the supported force (in N.Math.cm) and d is the diameter (in mm). Thus the shear pin can vary between 0.5 mm and 2 mm, supporting a force (directly related to diameter) between 20 N.Math.cm 575 N.Math.cm.

[0038] In view of the above teachings, the present invention describes a dental insertion tool comprising an axle 1 and an insertion element 2; where axis 1 comprises a axle attaching region 12; the insertion element 2 comprises a attaching region of insertion element 22; in which the axle attaching region 12 and the attaching region of the insertion element 22 make the connection between axle 1 and insertion element 2; the axle 1 rotating the insertion element 2 when connected; wherein the axle attaching region 12 comprises a hole 13 and the attaching region of the insertion element 22 also comprises a hole 23; the tool 4 further comprising a shear pin 3, in which the shear pin 3 is configured to fix the insertion element 2 on axle 1 through of holes 13, 23.

[0039] In reference to FIG. 4 a second configuration, the force limiting element is a system of an internal latch and spring, configured to limit the torque applied to the implant, thus avoiding the possible damage that can be caused to the implant and the patient.

[0040] In view of the above, the present invention describes a dental insertion tool comprising a axle 1′ ;and an insertion element 2′; in which the axle 1′ comprises a axle attaching region 12′; and the insertion element 2′ comprises a attaching region of the insertion element 22′; where in axle attaching region 12′ and the attaching region of the insertion element 22′ make the connection between axle 1′ and insertion element 2′; axle 1′ rotating the insertion element 2′ when connected; where the axle attaching region 12′ comprises a latch 7 and a spring 5 inside a hole 13′ and the attaching region of the insertion element 22′ comprises internal grooves 6. The latch 7 which is pressed by spring 5 against the internal grooves 6 of the insertion element 2′ causing the latch 7 to operate inside the groove.

Device Operation

[0041] The axle 1, 1′ is tightly fitted to tool 4, as shown in FIG. 4. Thus, when the torque is applied by the professional in the said tool 4, the same torque is applied to axis 1, 1′, which in turn transmits the torque for the insertion element 2, 2′, which finally transmits the torque to the implant or prosthesis screw.

[0042] Due to the fact the fixing between the axle 1, 1′ and the insertion element 2 is made by the torque fixing element, in the hole 13, 13′, the interruption of the torque by the torque fixing element prevents the torque from being passed to the insertion element 2, 2′.

[0043] According to the first preferred embodiment, the shear pin 3 is configured to withstand a maximum rotation force, wherein the shear pin 3 is broken when the rotation force is greater than the maximum force supported by the said shear pin 3. The maximum force supported by shear pin 3 is related to the diameter of the shear pin 3, wherein the shear pin 3 is configured to withstand a maximum rotation force between 20 N.Math.cm to 575 N.Math.cm, with a diameter of the shear pin 3 ranging from 0.5 mm to 2.0 mm. The insertion element is preferably configured to connect to a dental implant.

[0044] The advantages of this first configuration are that the shear pin is configured to limit the torque applied to the implant, thus avoiding the possible damage that can be caused to it, depending on the type of application, implant and/or technique used. Thus, if the torque at the time of insertion of the implant is greater than the torque for which the pin was sized, the pin will break, ensuring that excess torque will not be transmitted to the implant, preserving the implant as illustrated in FIG. 3.

[0045] Another advantage is the replicability and reliability of the shear pin 3. With a standard part in the described sizes, it is possible to offer pins that always shear at a certain torque threshold, being a safe, failproof tool.

[0046] Additionally, because it is an analog and physical system, torque interruption always happens, and is not subject to electronic failures that may occur.

[0047] According to the second embodiment, the latch 7 is pressed by spring 5 against the internal grooves 6 in a way that it makes the transmission of the torque applied on axle 1 to insertion element 2′. When the torque reaches the value determined by spring pressure 5 is deformed and lock 7 moves away from slots 6, causing shaft 1′ to stop transmitting torque to insertion element 2′, thus avoiding possible damage that can be caused to the same and the patient, preserving the implant.

[0048] The torque is defined by the pressure that spring 5 does on latch 7 against the internal grooves 6 of the fixing region of the insertion element 22′, depending on the desired torque it will be necessary to change the dimensions of the spring 5. Thus, the maximum torque responsible for contracting spring 5 and disfitting the latch 7 is directly related to the dimensions of spring 5, and the spring is preferably made of a wire with a diameter between 0.15 mm and 0.5 mm, resulting in compression forces between 0.15 and 10 Kgf, respectively.

[0049] Furthermore, the latch is preferably 0.5 to 3.0 mm in diameter, and the arrangement of the internal grooves 6 is such that the angulation of the grooves can be from 30 to 150° and the inclinations between the sides may not be symmetrical, according to the profile illustrated in FIG. 5.

[0050] Additionally, other elements with elastic strength can replace spring 5 in alternative embodiments of the present invention without causing damage to the operation of the tool.

[0051] One of the advantages of this second configuration is that the latch 7 moves with the torque applied and goes back to its original state when the torque is below the specified, without shearing, which makes this part reusable.

[0052] Further, because it is an analog and physical system, torque interruption always happens, and is not subject to electronic failures that may occur.

[0053] Additionally, the dental insertion tool 4 can be manufactured in stainless steel, with a length ranging from 16 mm to 40 mm, and tool 4 being angled and/or ratcheted.

[0054] Also, tool 4 can have its size suited to be used in orthopedic cases, as a tool for inserting prosthetic screws with a length ranging from 150 mm to 250 mm., and tool 4 being angled and/or ratcheted.

[0055] Having described examples of preferred embodiments of the present invention, it should be understood that the scope of the present invention covers other possible variations of the inventive concept described, being limited only by the content of the claims, including the possible equivalents.