WO2016142942A1

WO2016142942A1 - Dental adaptor

Info

Publication number: WO2016142942A1
Application number: PCT/IL2016/050259
Authority: WO
Inventors: Eliezer Bar Shalom
Original assignee: A.B. Dental Devices Ltd.
Priority date: 2015-03-09
Filing date: 2016-03-09
Publication date: 2016-09-15

Abstract

Dental adaptors, kits and methods are provided, in which a dental rod is attached to a dental adaptor centrally, within an opening formed between two or more prongs at a top part of the adaptor, and is secured within the opening by fastening the prongs. Kits of multiple adaptors connectable to the dental rod are also provided. The central attachment is more stable and secured than prior art lateral attachment methods.

Description

DENTAL ADAPTOR

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to the field of dental appliances, and more particularly, to a dental adaptor.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Dental adaptors are used to connect and stabilize the connection between dental implants and the mounted prosthesis.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The following is a simplified summary providing an initial understanding of the invention. The summary does not necessarily identify key elements nor limit the scope of the invention, but merely serves as an introduction to the following description.

One aspect of the present invention provides a dental adaptor comprising a hollow basis, configured to receive a connector and be attached by the connector to a dental implant; at least two prongs connected to the basis, the prongs having respective bottom portions defining a central opening which is configured to receive a dental rod and respective top portions; and a fastener attachable to the top portions of the prongs to fasten the dental rod within the central opening.

These, additional, and/or other aspects and/or advantages of the present invention are set forth in the detailed description which follows; possibly inferable from the detailed description; and/or learnable by practice of the present invention. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a better understanding of embodiments of the invention and to show how the same may be carried into effect, reference will now be made, purely by way of example, to the accompanying drawings in which like numerals designate corresponding elements or sections throughout.

In the accompanying drawings:

Figure 1 illustrates prior art adaptors.

Figures 2A-2C are illustrations of dental adaptors according to some embodiments of the invention. Figure 3 is a high level schematic illustration of the dental adaptor, mounted on an angular structure, according to some embodiments of the invention.

Figure 4 is a high level schematic illustration of the dental adaptor with an external fastener, according to some embodiments of the invention.

Figure 5 is a high level schematic illustration of a dental adaptor with a lateral basis, according to some embodiments of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

With specific reference now to the drawings in detail, it is stressed that the particulars shown are by way of example and for purposes of illustrative discussion of the preferred embodiments of the present invention only, and are presented in the cause of providing what is believed to be the most useful and readily understood description of the principles and conceptual aspects of the invention. In this regard, no attempt is made to show structural details of the invention in more detail than is necessary for a fundamental understanding of the invention, the description taken with the drawings making apparent to those skilled in the art how the several forms of the invention may be embodied in practice.

Before at least one embodiment of the invention is explained in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is applicable to other embodiments or of being practiced or carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.

Figure 1 illustrates prior art adaptors 95. Adaptor 95 is connectable to a dental implant 90 by a screw 91 going through adaptor 95 via opening 92. Adaptor 95 is also connectable to a rod 80 which may be inserted through a lateral ring 96, located off adaptor 95's axis. Rod 80 may be attached to two or more adaptors 95 and serve as a prosthesis support. Figures 2A-2C are schematic illustrations of dental adaptors 100 according to some embodiments of the invention. Adaptor 100 may have a body 110 with a hollow basis 115 and at least two prongs 120 (in the non-limiting illustration, two semi-circular prongs 120). Adaptor 100 is connectable to the dental implant by a screw going through hollow basis 115 of adaptor 100 as illustrated by arrow 102. Hollow basis 108 may be configured to receive a connector (e.g., a screw) similar to connector 91 and be attached by the connector to a dental implant, similar to implant 90. Prongs 120 are connected to basis 115 and have respective bottom portions defining a central opening which is configured to receive the dental rod. Prongs 120 further have respective top portions which are fastened as described below.

[0001] Adaptor 100 is connectable to the rod which may be inserted through a central opening 108 located between prongs 120. Central opening 108 may be U-shaped, the bottom of the "U" supported by hollow basis 115 and the sides of the "U" being the two or more prongs 120. Central opening 108 may be shaped differently, and configured to receive the rod for connecting multiple adaptors 100 (the rod possibly serving as a prosthesis support). Central opening 108 is along the axis of adaptor 100 to avoid lateral torques on adaptor 100 and the implant and stabilize the rod and attached structures. Prongs 120 and the rod inserted between prongs 120 may be fastened by a fastener 130 which may be set internally between prongs 120 or externally around prongs 120, as illustrated in Figure 4 below. Fastener 130 is attachable to the top portions of prongs 120 to fasten the dental rod within central opening 108.

Figure 3 is a high level schematic illustration of dental adaptor 100 mounted on an angular structure 97, according to some embodiments of the invention. Angular structure 97 may be an abutment connected on implant 90 (illustrated simplistically as a cylinder) and having an angled arm or cone upon which adaptor 100 may be connected (in place of being placed directly on the implant). Adaptor 100 may have a socket 107 corresponding to the cone of angular structure 97, through which a screw connecting adaptor 100 with angular structure 97 is inserted and fixated. Central opening 108 may receive the rod, which may connect two or more adaptors 100 and support additional dental structures.

Figure 4 is a high level schematic illustration of dental adaptor 100 with an external fastener 130, according to some embodiments of the invention. External fastener 130 may fixate prongs 120 to the inserted rod in a stable manner which is less sensitive to mechanical stresses than internal connector 120. Depending on the dimensions of prongs 120 and the rod, appropriate fasteners 130 may be selected. [0002] Figure 5 is a high level schematic illustration of dental adaptor 100 with a lateral basis 115, according to some embodiments of the invention. In certain embodiments, hollow basis may be extended laterally to be attached to implant 90 via opening 102, while body 110 with prongs 120 is located off-axis with respect to the axis of implant 90 (implant 90 is shown schematically as a cylinder with a socket 93, which may represent a hexagonal socket). Adaptor 100 may comprise basis 115 which is received by implant socket 93. Adaptor body 110 may comprise an angular structure or basis extension 112 to stabilize the lateral connection of prongs 120 to basis 115. Prongs 120 may be fastened internally or externally by fastener. It is noted that while opening 108 in embodiments illustrated in Figure 5 is lateral with respect to the axis of the implant, it differs from prior art adaptor 95 in two fundamental aspects. First, adaptor 100 comprises fastenable prongs 120 which adaptor 95 does not. Second, fastening adaptor 100 to the implant and to the rod is carried out by two different connectors or fastener while both fastening action are carried out in prior art implant 95 by single connector 91. The use of two connectors/fasteners in adaptor 100 provide higher strength and stability as well as more design flexibility of the adaptor, rod and prosthesis.

Certain embodiments comprise a dental kit comprising a plurality of dental adaptors 100 and a dental rod fitting through their central openings and configured to receive and support a dental prosthesis.

Certain embodiments comprise a method comprising attaching a dental rod to a dental adaptor centrally, within an opening formed between at least two prongs at a top part of the adaptor, and fastening the prongs to secure the dental rod within the opening.

In the above description, an embodiment is an example or implementation of the invention. The various appearances of "one embodiment", "an embodiment", "certain embodiments" or "some embodiments" do not necessarily all refer to the same embodiments.

Although various features of the invention may be described in the context of a single embodiment, the features may also be provided separately or in any suitable combination. Conversely, although the invention may be described herein in the context of separate embodiments for clarity, the invention may also be implemented in a single embodiment.

Certain embodiments of the invention may include features from different embodiments disclosed above, and certain embodiments may incorporate elements from other embodiments disclosed above. The disclosure of elements of the invention in the context of a specific embodiment is not to be taken as limiting their used in the specific embodiment alone.

Furthermore, it is to be understood that the invention can be carried out or practiced in various ways and that the invention can be implemented in certain embodiments other than the ones outlined in the description above.

The invention is not limited to those diagrams or to the corresponding descriptions. For example, flow need not move through each illustrated box or state, or in exactly the same order as illustrated and described.

Meanings of technical and scientific terms used herein are to be commonly understood as by one of ordinary skill in the art to which the invention belongs, unless otherwise defined.

While the invention has been described with respect to a limited number of embodiments, these should not be construed as limitations on the scope of the invention, but rather as exemplifications of some of the preferred embodiments. Other possible variations, modifications, and applications are also within the scope of the invention. Accordingly, the scope of the invention should not be limited by what has thus far been described, but by the appended claims and their legal equivalents.

Claims

1. A dental adaptor comprising:

a hollow basis, configured to receive a connector and be attached by the connector to a dental implant,

at least two prongs connected to the basis, the prongs having respective bottom portions defining a central opening which is configured to receive a dental rod and respective top portions, and

a fastener attachable to the top portions of the prongs to fasten the dental rod within the central opening.

2. The dental adaptor of claim 1, wherein the at least two prongs comprise two semi-circular prongs.

3. The dental adaptor of claim 1, wherein the fastener is external to the prongs.

4. A dental kit comprising a plurality of the dental adaptors of claim 1 and the dental rod.

5. A method comprising attaching a dental rod to a dental adaptor centrally, within an opening formed between at least two prongs at a top part of the adaptor, and fastening the prongs to secure the dental rod within the opening.