JPH0341177B2 - - Google Patents

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] [Industrial Application Field] This invention is applicable to the maxillofacial area, such as the jaw, face, throat, nose,
The present invention relates to a prosthesis that compensates for a defective part of an eye or the like and restores the function of the defective part, and a method for manufacturing the same.

[Prior Art] Conventionally, materials for this type of maxillofacial prosthesis include:
Usually, polymeric materials such as methacrylate resin, silicone rubber, polyurethane rubber, and fluoropolymer are used. For example, jaw dentures are used for the purpose of filling jaw defects and restoring its functions (food intake function, mastication function, pronunciation function, etc.). In this case, the volume of the jaw denture increases in order to reliably compensate for the missing part of the jaw, which increases the weight of the polymer material, making it difficult to maintain and maintain the denture at the attachment site, and making it less comfortable to wear. It becomes uncomfortable. Therefore,
Use polymeric materials with as low specific gravity as possible,
Efforts have been made to form hollow parts in areas where the volume increases.

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] As mentioned above, the volume of maxillofacial prostheses increases in order to compensate for defects, so the amount of polymeric material used increases and the weight also increases. There are many drawbacks. Therefore, it has been proposed to mold the prosthesis into a partially hollow shape.
In this case, there is a drawback that the molding process becomes complicated. For example, when molding each part using multiple materials to mold a hollow body, it is necessary to finish by gluing, which increases the number of steps and reduces work efficiency. . On the other hand, when manufacturing in one piece by pouring into a mold, it is necessary to drill a hole from the outside and cut out the material in the hollow part to form a hollow body, which requires a lot of work. becomes extremely complicated. Furthermore, due to the nature of the materials used and the molding process to form the hollow body, there is also the complexity of having to repeat the same process. Therefore, it has been desired for this type of maxillofacial prosthesis to be lightweight, comfortable to wear, easy to mold, and simplify the molding process.

Therefore, the object of the present invention is to be able to be easily molded with a small number of molding steps, to maintain strong adhesive force with a simple operation when bonding with other materials, and to be soft and resistant to defective parts. An object of the present invention is to provide a maxillofacial prosthesis that can improve suitability and maintain comfort when worn due to weight reduction, and a method for manufacturing the same.

[Means for Solving the Problems] The maxillofacial prosthesis according to the present invention uses an ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer and press-forms it to form a hollow body of a predetermined shape, and a part or the whole of this hollow body is It is characterized by polymerization bonding of known maxillofacial prosthetic materials.

Further, the hollow body is configured as an obturator adapted to a palate defect, a prosthetic tongue, a pharyngeal obturator, a prosthetic eye, an obturator adapted to a facial defect, etc. Various maxillofacial prostheses can be created by polymerizing and bonding the parts with maxillofacial prosthetic materials.

Furthermore, in the present invention, an ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer is used, a hollow body of a predetermined shape is formed by press molding, a model is made of wax on a part or the whole of this hollow body, and then this is placed in plaster. The various maxillofacial prostheses described above are made by embedding the material in a plaster mold and applying flowing wax, inserting a mochi-shaped maxillofacial prosthetic material into the resulting plaster mold, tightening the mold, and polymerizing with microwave irradiation. It can be simply and easily produced.

[Function] According to the maxillofacial prosthesis according to the present invention, the hollow body molded from ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer is lightweight and flexible, so it is easy to install when it is adapted to a defect in the maxillofacial region, etc. It has various advantages such as good texture.

Furthermore, due to its material properties, this hollow body can be combined with other maxillofacial prosthetic materials to increase adhesive properties during polymerization, creating various lightweight maxillofacial prostheses that are comfortable to wear. be able to.

Furthermore, when joining the maxillofacial prosthetic material that forms this hollow body and a part of the maxillofacial region, a wax mold is made according to the customary method, and this is buried in plaster to create a plaster mold. By polymerizing methacrylate resin in plaster using microwave irradiation, a maxillofacial prosthesis with extremely high adhesive strength can be easily produced in a short period of time, and mass production thereof becomes possible.

[Example] Next, an example of the maxillofacial prosthesis according to the present invention will be described in detail below in relation to a manufacturing method thereof with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1A is a schematic diagram showing one embodiment of a maxillofacial prosthesis according to the present invention. That is, the prosthesis shown in FIG. 1A is a jaw denture adapted to a patient with a maxillary defect, and includes a maxillary denture base 10 and an artificial tooth 1.
2 and an obturator 14. However,
In this embodiment, a relatively hard resin is effective for the denture base 10, a resin tooth or a porcelain tooth is used for the artificial tooth 12, and the obturator 14 is a part to be inserted into the maxillary defect. It is made of lightweight and flexible plastic sheet with an outer diameter suitable for Therefore, the details of this embodiment will be explained below according to the manufacturing process.

1 Materials Used In the present invention, as the material of the obturator 14 (consisting of parts with reference numerals 20, 22, and 24, which will be described later), an ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer (commercially available as "Ercoflex (registered trademark)" manufactured by Elcodent GmbH, West Germany) is used. ). Further, methacrylate resin is used as the denture base 10, and a known resin tooth or porcelain tooth is used as the artificial tooth 12.

2. Preparation of Model Impressions were taken using alginate impression material, plaster was injected to prepare impression models, and then individual trays (see Fig. 2) were prepared according to the standard method. Next, functional impressions were taken using various elastic impression materials on each tray (see FIG. 3) to prepare a working model. After that, the sharp part of the undercut (bone defect) used to maintain the denture is made into a soft roundness.
Correct the working model using plaster (fourth step)
(see figure).

3 Preparation of obturator After fixing the previously prepared plaster model in the center of the flask of the press machine so that the undercut of the jaw defect area is not shifted, ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer is heated and molded to form the canopy part 20 and the jaw denture. The base floor portion 22 of the base floor 22 is press-molded. At this time,
The obturator plate 24 and the base floor part 22 made of ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer are molded so that the thickness thereof does not become less than about 0.6 mm, and the base bed part 2 is formed in advance to be larger.
2 (see FIG. 1B), the floor side of the canopy part 20 is covered, the joint part 26 is appropriately softened, and the joint part 26 is welded transitionally with a spatula to seal the hollow body (see FIG. 5).

4 Preparation of occlusal ridge, occlusal recording, and trial fitting The obturator forming the hollow body prepared in this way is attached to the model, placed in the center of the flask of the press machine, and the sheet wax cut out in the required amount is placed on top of it. Heat. After heating, touch it lightly with your fingers and remove excess wax. Next, after applying pressure evenly using a press, an occlusal ridge is prepared using paraffin wax according to a conventional method.

After performing occlusal registration according to the conventional method and mounting the occlusal ridge on the articulator, the arrangement of the artificial teeth and gingival preparation are performed to prepare the wax denture [Fig. 6a,
(see b)].

Using the obtained wax dentures, the absence of movement during function and the degree of maintenance and stability of the healthy side alveolar ridge are confirmed by try-in.

5. Implantation, flowing wax, and polymerization After try-in, the wax denture is embedded in plaster in a flask according to the standard method. Next, flow waxing is performed using hot water. In this case, be careful not to pour boiling water onto the canopy 20 forming the hollow body.

Next, in order to use the healthy side of the alveolar ridge as a resin bed, the healthy side of the foundation bed 22 is removed, a resin separation material is applied to the exposed plaster mold surface, and a rice cake-shaped methacrylate resin is filled into the plaster mold. After applying test pressure and tightening the nut, polymerization was carried out by microwave irradiation in a microwave oven for 3 minutes.

After polymerization, the maxillary denture can be removed from the plaster mold in a conventional manner and polished if necessary to complete the maxillary denture (see FIGS. 1A and 7).

The maxillary denture in this example prepared in this way has excellent adhesion properties because the ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer and methacrylate resin have good compatibility, and in particular, the denture with methacrylate resin can be bonded with microwave irradiation. During polymerization, it forms a strong bond with the ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer, making it easy to stabilize the quality of this type of jaw denture.

FIG. 8 shows an example of application of the maxillary denture shown in FIG. 1A. That is, in this embodiment, the obturator 14 formed in a hollow body is completely surrounded by methacrylate resin that forms a denture base for the upper jaw. In this case, the thickness of the obturator 14 is approximately 0.6 to 1.5 mm. With this configuration, the strength of the obturator 14 can be increased while the weight of the obturator 14 is reduced.

FIG. 9 shows an embodiment in which a mandibular denture is constructed integrally with a prosthetic tongue. That is, in this embodiment, a hollow prosthetic tongue part 30 is formed from ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer, and a lower jaw denture base 32 made of methacrylate resin is polymerized and adhesively molded to sandwich both sides of this prosthetic tongue part 30. , the hollow body of the prosthetic tongue part 30 is filled with a saliva absorbing body 34 made of a water-absorbing material such as a sponge. In this case, the thickness of the hollow body constituting the prosthetic tongue portion 30 is approximately 0.6 to 1.5 mm. Further, reference numeral 36 indicates an artificial tooth. In this way, according to this embodiment, the production of a prosthetic tongue can be extremely facilitated.

Hereinafter, various embodiments relating to applications other than maxillary dentures and combinations thereof will be described as the maxillofacial prosthesis according to the present invention. Note that the above-described embodiments can be applied as they are to molding the hollow body.

A Mouthpiece Figures 10 and 11 show an occlusion in which a hollow body part 40 is molded from ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer and integrally covers the upper jaw made of the same material and the anterior teeth and molars connected thereto. It has a configuration in which a surface portion 42 is extended. In this case, FIG. 10 shows that the hollow body part 40 has a thickness of about 0.6 to 1.5 mm and is located on the outer peripheral surface side of the tooth, and the part 44 that is located on the occlusal surface part 42, that is, the palatal surface, is about 1 to 1.5 mm thick. 3mm
The thickness is as follows. Also, Figure 11 shows
The hollow body portion 40 is located on the palate surface and has a thickness of approximately 0.6 to 1.5 mm, and the portion that covers the front teeth and the like connected to the upper jaw has a thickness of approximately 1 to 3 mm. The mouthpiece configured in this manner has a lightweight and highly elastic structure due to the presence of the hollow body portion 40. In this example, a case was shown in which it was made only from ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer material, but it is possible to increase the strength by polymerizing and adhesively molding a known maxillofacial prosthetic material as appropriate.

B. Palatal Lift (prosthesis for improving pronunciation) Figures 12 and 13 show a hollow body part 50 that pushes up the soft palate made of ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer, and a part of the outer surface of this hollow body part 50, front teeth, and molar teeth. The palate side 52 is formed by polymerizing and adhesively molding a maxillofacial prosthetic material covering the maxillofacial prosthetic material. In this case, the thickness of the hollow body part 50 is about 0.6 to 1.5 mm, and in FIG. 12, the palate side 52 is glued to the maxillary contact surface side of the hollow body part 50, and in FIG. , a hollow body portion 50 is adhered to the palate side 52. Due to the presence of the hollow body portion 50, the paratal lift constructed in this manner has a lightweight and highly flexible structure, and has the advantage of providing a comfortable adhesive feeling.

C. Speech aid (prosthesis for pharyngeal defects) FIGS. 14 and 15 show a pharyngeal obturator 60 made of a spherical hollow body made of ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer, and a connecting portion 62 attached to the pharyngeal obturator 60. A maxillary floor part 64 made of maxillofacial prosthetic material is connected via the maxillary floor part 64. In this case, the thickness of the hollow body constituting the pharyngeal obturator 60 is about 0.6 to 1.5 mm, and in FIG. In FIG. 15, it is integrally connected to the maxillary bed portion 64 by a connecting portion 62 made of the same material. In this way, according to this embodiment, it is possible to easily provide the speech aid 66 that is lightweight and comfortable to wear.

D Artificial Eye Fig. 16 shows an artificial eye 70 made of a hollow body made of ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer, and a part of the artificial eye 70 made of a maxillofacial prosthetic material, which corresponds to the cornea of the crystalline lens, and formed by polymerization and adhesive molding. It is. In this case, the thickness of the hollow body constituting the artificial eye 70 is approximately 0.6 to 1.5 mm,
The artificial eye 70 is located approximately at the center of the cornea-equivalent portion 72 of the crystalline lens.
It is preferable to provide a ventilation hole 74 communicating with the inside of the hollow body. In this way, according to this embodiment, it is possible to easily provide a lightweight artificial eye that is comfortable to wear.

E Epithesis (Prosthesis for Facial Defects) Fig. 17 shows an obturator 80 made of a hollow body that fits the facial defect formed from ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer, and a hard maxillofacial prosthesis attached to one side of the obturator 80. Reinforcement part 8 made of material
The artificial skin 84 is formed by polymerizing and adhesion molding 2 and then covering the outside with a soft prosthetic material such as silicone rubber that has a skin feel. In this case, the thickness of the obturator 80 made of a hollow body is approximately 0.6 to 1.5 mm. In this way,
According to this embodiment, it is possible to easily provide an epithesis 86 that is lightweight, comfortable to wear, and suitable for facial defects.

[Effects of the Invention] As is clear from the various examples described above, according to the present invention, an ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer is used and a hollow body having a desired thickness can be easily formed using a press machine. At the same time,
The material characteristics of this hollow body have the advantage that it can be applied lightweight and flexibly as a prosthesis for maxillofacial defects. In addition, when the hollow body formed in this way is combined with dentures, etc., rapid polymerization and strong adhesion can be obtained by irradiating it with microwaves, for example, with methacrylate resin, making it suitable for use in a variety of maxillofacial prostheses. It has many excellent advantages, such as not only being easily manufactured, but also simplifying the manufacturing process.

Therefore, when compared with similar conventional prostheses, the maxillofacial prosthesis according to the present invention not only is lighter in weight and has significantly improved wearing comfort, but also is easier to manufacture than before by applying the hollow body described above. It has become possible to manufacture various types of prosthetics, which were considered difficult, and the effect of contributing to the field of prosthetics is extremely large.

Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and may be applied to and designed for prostheses other than the above embodiments without departing from the spirit of the present invention. Of course, changes can be made.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

1A and 1B are schematic sectional views showing one embodiment of the maxillofacial prosthesis according to the present invention, in which FIG. 1A is a completed view, FIG. 1B is a semi-molded state view, and FIG.
Figures 7 to 7 are schematic diagrams of the models produced in the manufacturing process of the prosthesis shown in Figure 1A, respectively.
The figure is a schematic sectional view showing a modification of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1A, FIG. 9 is a schematic sectional view showing another embodiment of the maxillofacial prosthesis according to the present invention, and FIGS. Other application examples of the maxillofacial prosthesis according to the invention are shown, and FIGS. 10 and 11 are schematic sectional views showing different embodiments of the mouthpiece,
12 and 13 are schematic sectional views showing different embodiments of the paratal lift, FIGS. 14 and 15 are schematic explanatory views showing different embodiments of the speech aid, and FIG. FIG. 17 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing an embodiment of the epithesis. 10... Maxillary denture base, 12... Artificial tooth, 14
... Obturator, 20 ... Canopy part, 22 ... Foundation floor part, 24 ... Obturator plate, 26 ... Connection part,
30... Prosthetic tongue part, 32... Mandibular denture base, 34...
... Saliva absorber, 36 ... Artificial tooth, 40 ... Hollow body part, 42 ... Occlusal surface part, 44 ... Palate side part, 5
0...Hollow body part, 52...Palate side, 60...Pharyngeal obturator, 62...Connection part, 64...Maxillary floor part, 6
6...Speech aid, 70...Artificial eye, 72...
Each membrane equivalent part, 74... Vent hole, 80... Obturator,
82... Reinforcement part, 84... Artificial skin, 86...
Epithesis.

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A hollow body of a predetermined shape is formed by press molding using an ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer, and a known maxillofacial prosthetic material is polymerized and bonded to part or all of this hollow body. Maxillofacial prosthesis. 2. The jaw denture as a maxillofacial prosthesis according to claim 1, wherein the hollow body is configured as an obturator that fits into a palate defect, and a denture base made of a maxillofacial prosthetic material is polymerized and adhesively molded onto the obturator. 3. The maxillary denture as a maxillofacial prosthesis according to claim 1, wherein the denture base is molded by polymerization and bonding so that the denture base is formed by molding the denture tongue with a hollow body and clamping the denture tongue. 4. The mouthpiece as a maxillofacial prosthesis according to claim 1, wherein the hollow body, the occlusal surface portion, and the floor portion are integrally molded. 5. The palatal lift as a maxillofacial prosthesis according to claim 1, wherein the hollow body and the occlusal surface part and the floor part made of a maxillofacial prosthetic material are polymerized and adhesively molded. 6. A speech aid as a maxillofacial prosthesis, in which a pharyngeal obturator is molded from a hollow body, and a maxillary contact part made of a maxillofacial prosthetic material is connected to the pharyngeal obturator. 7. A prosthetic eye as a maxillofacial prosthesis according to claim 1, wherein the prosthetic eye is formed from a hollow body, and a cornea-equivalent portion of a crystalline lens made of a maxillofacial prosthetic material is polymerized and adhesively molded around the entire circumference of the prosthetic eye. 8. The maxillofacial prosthesis according to claim 1, wherein an obturator that fits the facial defect is molded from a hollow body, and a reinforcing part made of a maxillofacial prosthetic material and artificial skin are polymerized and adhesively molded onto the obturator. Epithesis. 9 Using ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer, a hollow body of a predetermined shape is formed by press molding, a model is made of wax on a part or the whole of this hollow body, and then this is embedded in plaster and poured with flowing wax. A method for manufacturing a maxillofacial prosthesis, which comprises: inserting a mochi-shaped maxillofacial prosthesis material into the obtained plaster mold, clamping the mold, and polymerizing by microwave irradiation.