Orthodontic mechanical force module

Details Orthodontic mechanical force module Orthodontic mechanical force module

2002-10-01

2004-08-31

Wilson, John J (Department: 3732)

Dentistry

Orthodontics

By device having means to apply outwardly directed force

Reexamination Certificate

active

06783361

ABSTRACT:

FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention generally relates to orthodontics and, more particularly, to an orthodontic appliance that exerts a desired force on a patient to change at least one spacing associated with the patient (e.g., palatal expansion).
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
It is oftentimes necessary to expand the palate as an orthopedic prerequisite for orthodontic treatment. Palatal expansion increases arch length as needed to correct crowding and in the process, establishes a more morphologic arch form for subsequently establishing the aesthetic orthodontic alignment of the teeth. Narrow, constricted arches are often the result of destructive oral habits such as thumb sucking and tongue thrusting. The sequela of such habits not only makes attainment and maintenance of a stable transverse width difficult, such conditions are commonly associated with significant orthodontic mal-alignment of the teeth as well as a non-harmonious occlusion between the arches. For many orthodontic cases, the orthopedic step of palatal expansion must be accomplished before the subsequent steps of orthodontically moving the teeth into alignment and orthopedically moving both arches into a harmonious relationship.
Palatal expansion of the above-noted type is commonly accomplished utilizing a palatal expansion device known as an expansion screw. The method of palatal expansion using expansion screws has become known in the art as “rapid palatal expansion” (RPE). Conventional palatal expansion devices are at least generally rigid structures that typically include at least one screw mechanism (e.g., a jackscrew). Such conventional palatal expansion devices may be installed into an oral cavity of a patient in a variety of appropriate manners, such as by interconnecting the device to one or more teeth on each side of the palatal suture or a sagittal midline of the arch. Typically, torquing/rotating the screw mechanism of the palatal expansion device to a desired position at least assists in generating expansive force on the patient's palate. Over time, exertion of this expansive force on the patient's palate due to utilizing such a palatal expansion device ideally results in a widening of the patient's palate.
The above-described type of palatal expansion device is most commonly installed on the upper dental arch of a patient by an appropriate professional (e.g., an orthodontist). Subsequent to installation of the device, regular and/or systematic adjustment of the device is generally desired to promote the potential for appropriate change in spacing of the patient's dental arch. This adjustment is typically attempted via an individual (e.g., the patient, a relative or friend of the patient or otherwise) reaching into and/or inserting a tool into the patient's oral cavity and thereafter rotating/torquing the above-mentioned screw mechanism of the palatal expansion device. For example, an orthodontist may prescribe that the patient have the patient's mother or father adjust the palatal expansion device every evening via rotating the screw mechanism a defined amount. However, adjustment of these palatal expansion devices has left much to be desired in that the individual generally responsible for making these adjustments typically does not have in education in orthodontics or orthodontic devices, and thus, typically has not been equipped with a way of providing that such adjustments exhibit the prescribed amount of rotational adjustment on a day-to-day basis. Accordingly, this may result in inefficient treatment due to these regular adjustments falling short of the prescribed amount of screw rotation. Alternatively, this may result in an increased potential for unnecessary pain and/or injury to the patient as a result of one or more of the adjustments exceeding the prescribed amount of rotation.
In addition, rather significant treatment forces may be exerted on the patient by utilizing these types of palatal expansion devices. As mentioned above, the expansive force of a particular expansion device is typically altered by rotating/torquing the associated screw mechanism (e.g., jackscrew). This expansive force is at least generally physiologically/anatomically resisted by reciprocal (i.e., contractile or compression) forces due to the patient's biological makeup, which promote a “status quo” contour/shape of the palate. In other words, these reciprocal forces tend to oppose augmentation of the arch of the oral cavity. Moreover, these reciprocal forces may potentially exact enough force on the palatal expansion device that the screw mechanism may undesirably back out or unwind with regard to the rest of the palatal expansion device. This is commonly referred to as “backoff.” “Back-off” also occurs due to the reciprocal, resistive physiological forces, in combination with slight flexing of an appliance structure during mastication, speaking and normal tongue movement. Such movements or slight flexing of the appliance, during use, all contribute to “walking” of the screw in the direction of least resistance, which is “back-off.” In any case, the design/configuration of the screw mechanisms of these palatal expansion devices typically enables these devices to “loosen” or contract and provide less than the desired amount of expansive force on the patient's palate.
Accordingly, it would be desirable to provide a palatal expansion device that increases the potential for adjusting the palatal expansion device in a substantially controlled/defined manner. Similarly, it would be desirable to provide a palatal expansion device that increases the potential for promoting/maintaining desired levels of expansive forces upon installation into the oral cavity of a patient.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, the present invention is generally embodied by an orthodontic mechanical force module that may be designed to selectively enable only unidirectional adjustment (e.g., rotation) of an associated screw mechanism (or “spindle”) to increase the treatment forces, and thereby decreasing the potential of an undesired reduction of these treatment forces over time. Moreover, the design of such an orthodontic mechanical force module of the present invention may desirably promote one or both of achieving and maintaining a desired positioning of the screw mechanism (or “spindle”) relative to the remainder of the orthodontic mechanical force module by enabling regular, predetermined incremental advances for the screw mechanism. Although the present invention is particularly suited for use in palatal expansion applications, the present invention may be applicable to any type of orthodontic treatment where a change in a spacing is a desirable objective (e.g., for distalizing molars on one side of a given dental arch), and regardless of whether this change in spacing is an increase or a decrease.
Adjustment of the treatment forces associated with one or more aspects of the present invention may occur on a relatively frequent basis due to the significant biological response elicited in typically young and growing adolescent patients. In many cases, daily adjustment of the treatment forces associated with one or more aspects of the present invention will be prescribed by an orthodontist. As such, the benefits associated with the one or more aspects of the present invention in reducing the potential for an undesired reduction of treatment forces will be similarly utilized on an equally frequent basis.
A first aspect of the present invention is embodied by an orthodontic mechanical force module that includes first and second housings. A rotatable spindle is rotatably interconnected with both the first and second housings. The spindle is further threadably interconnected with the first housing. That is, both the first housing and at least a portion of the spindle are threaded. Rotation of the spindle thereby causes the first housing to move along the spindle (e.g., along its length dimension) while the spindle rotates relative to both the first and second housings. A ratchet is associat

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