Dentistry – Apparatus – Having gauge or guide
Reexamination Certificate
1999-11-09
2001-01-30
Lewis, Ralph A. (Department: 3732)
Dentistry
Apparatus
Having gauge or guide
C433S069000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06179612
ABSTRACT:
The invention concerns a fast transfer yoke for the cranium-calculated [unconfirmed translation] transfer of a plaster model of the maxilla from a patient into a dental articulator as well as for the recording of the axis-related individual geometry of the mandibular joint of the patient in question containing a flag yoke with flags located near the mandibular joints and earplugs or ear supports and a glabella support for the local fixation on the head and a recording yoke to which an occlusion fork is attached for the actuation of the write heads on the recording yoke for the recording of the sagittal movement of the hinge axes.
These types of fast transfer yokes of conventional design (e.g., DE 42 11 016 A1, DE 42 11 018 A1) are characterized in that they are not capable of meeting both requirements simultaneously, i.e., the cranium-calculated transfer of the plaster model of the maxilla and the recording of the axis-related individual geometry of the mandibular joint. Usually so-called “Quick Mount Yokes” are based on an arbitrary hinge axis. The advantage here lies in the easy and fast handling. The disadvantage resides in the fact that an axis-related geometry of the mandibular joint cannot be recorded.
Several fast transfer yokes are adjusted from the outside to arbitrary axis points, others are anchored in the foramen and braced at the front with a glabella support.
In this mode of attachment to the cranium, the earplugs collide with the anatomical posterior mandibular joint supports, permitting the transfer yoke to shift in relation to the cranium if the mandible conducts pro-, medio- or laterotrusive movements. This makes the recording of axial movements of the mandible impossible.
For the recording of the movements of the mandible, the patient ordinarily first conducts a protrusive and retrusive movement. The recording styli that are attached to the recording yoke record the sagittal movement that occurs and the joint path inclination (HKN [expansion unknown; perhaps, main condylar inclination]).
In order to determine the Bennett movement, the mandible is moved to the right and to the left. The lateral offset of the mandible is recorded by the change in distance of the recording styli vs. the flags.
By way of example, the Bennett movement can be recorded by means of an indicating caliper, whereas the distance of the path of the joint movement needs to be read from the indicating caliper. The value pairs read are calculated into a Bennett curve by way of conversion tables.
Because of the multitude of process steps required, it is desirable to achieve a simplification and at the same time an increase in precision of the three-dimensional joint movement recording.
Therefore, the invention is based on the problem of developing a fast transfer yoke that, with easy handling, facilitates a fast recording of patient data, i.e., of the movements of the mandible and of the patient axis and their transfer into a dental articulator or mounting apparatus.
DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION
The problem on which the invention is based is solved for a fast transfer yoke of the aforementioned type in that the flag yoke is tensioned by spring force against the posterior wall of the acoustic meatus and/or the glabella or frontal support, in that the flags are each attached to an end piece that is detachably attached to the flag yoke, in that to each flag an angular plate is detachably attached that can be adjusted at various angles, in that the write heads can be positioned both on the flag and on the angular plate and in that to the side of each flag a centering tip can be positioned in an assumed or actual patient axis.
In this manner a three-dimensional recording can be conducted with the fast transfer yoke of the movements of the mandible, such as the HKN paths and the Bennett movement, without the need for any additional measuring devices. This means that the fast transfer yoke is suited for all types of measurements. This significantly reduces the effort and simultaneously improves the precision of the recording. By way of the centering tips that can be positioned next to the flags after determination of the patient axis and after removal of the end pieces from the legs of the fast transfer yoke, in addition it can be transferred to a dental articulator or a mounting apparatus in a simple manner.
In order allow the writing tips or the centering tips to be adjusted to an arbitrary patient axis, the flags each feature an axis bore. This makes it easier to fit the recording yoke to the patient and facilitates the positioning of the transfer yoke on an mounting apparatus or articulator with centering tips.
For the easy positioning of the centering tips next to the flags, a continuation of the invention is characterized in that mounting devices can be attached to the flag yoke that feature the centering tips that can be positioned on the flags, whereas the centering tip is inserted into a carrier that can be longitudinally shifted and locked in a fixed position on the mounting device.
Preferably, the angular plate is connected with the flag by way of a clamping device permitting its very easy adjustment to the axis point and according to the mandibular joint path inclination.
The clamping device consists of a pressure plate that is flush with the angular plate and of a rotatable clamping jaw that is positioned at a distance to and connected with the pressure plate, whereas the clamping jaw can be swiveled in the direction of the pressure plate against a spring force.
In a further configuration, the angular plate can be connected with the flag by way of a magnetic mount.
The angular plate can also be attached directly to the arms of the flag yoke or to its end pieces.
In a continuation of the invention, the lateral arms of the recording yoke are configured so as to make the write heads interchangeable. In this configuration the write heads are designed in such a way that once the recording yoke is adjusted to the axis it does not need to be readjusted for the HKN and the Bennett recordings. In this fashion, a direct three-dimensional recording of the mandibular movements can be made. In lieu of the described mechanical recording of the path of the joint movement it is certainly possible to apply an electronic recording of the path of the joint movement.
Because of the change of the flag/writing tip distance during lateral movements, it is necessary that the mechanical or electrical writing tips are spring mounted.
In a continuation of the invention, the front end of the flag yoke is additionally equipped with a fixture for the retention of a writing plate, which can be touched by a recording stylus that is adjustably attached to the occlusion fork handle. In this way the mandibular movements, i.e., the movements of the front teeth can be recorded in an easy manner and, with the help of these recordings, the dental articulator can be adjusted so that it reproduces the mandibular movements accurately.
Another configuration of the invention is additionally characterized in that frontal supports can be attached to the flag yoke. Their function is added stabilization of the flag yoke on the forehead against inadvertent movements. These frontal supports are indispensable in the event that the flag end pieces with earplugs are exchanged against flag end pieces for ear saddle [unconfirmed translation] support.
Additionally, flattened earplugs can be used that are flattened in the direction of the glabella support, creating a clearance for the mandible and giving the patient some relief.
In such cases where, due to patient conditions, earplugs cannot be used to fasten the flag yoke, one embodiment of the invention provides for ear saddle support in lieu of earplugs that, by way of vertical supports, are attached to an end piece that pertains to each of the lateral legs of the flag yoke.
The end pieces are preferably attached to each of the legs in a way that allows them to be interchanged.
In one continuation of the invention a flag is attached to each of the end pieces for
Cramer Rudolf
Reusch Diether
Brooks & Kushman P.C.
Lewis Ralph A.
Synthese Dentale Forschungs-Und Entwickseungsgedsellschaft MBH
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