Patent Grant
11918436
The present invention relates in general to a dental implant with an improved coupling for an insertion tool and/or for a secondary part and/or any other superimposed element, such as, for instance, an abutment, superimposed on the dental implant. The present invention also relates to a secondary part, such as, for instance, an abutment, with an improved coupling to a dental implant. Moreover, the present invention also relates to an insertion tool with an improved coupling to a dental implant. In addition, the present invention also relates to a dental implant system, in particular a multi-part dental implant system with an improved coupling between a dental implant and a secondary part, such as, for instance, an abutment, wherein the coupling is also suitable for cooperating with an insertion tool intended to place the dental implant in a receiving bone.
Generally, multi-part dental implant systems are used in dental surgery to reconstruct dental parts of a human being. Usually, a multi-part implant system is comprised of a dental implant, preferably a dental screw, which is inserted by screwing or pressing into a receiving bore which has been prepared e.g. in the bone tissue, and of an abutment or a secondary part which can be attached to an internal blind bore of the dental implant. The abutment or secondary part is adapted, inter alia, to support a dental prosthesis or a dental bridge. The attachment of the abutment or of the secondary part to the dental implant is achieved by means of a connection screw which is threadingly fixed to an internal thread of the internal blind bore of the dental implant.
A dental implant system including a dental implant, in particular a dental implant screw, a secondary part (namely an abutment) and a connection screw are known from US 2005/0287497 A1. The internal blind bore of the known dental implant includes a stabilizing section which extends from a coronal end of the dental implant, a drive and indexing section which extends apically from the apical end of the stabilizing section and an internal threaded section extending apically from the apical end of the drive and indexing section. The known drive and indexing section is formed of a plurality of alternating equally dimensioned lobes with concave sections interposed between convex sections, such that a flower-like configuration is implemented. The abutment of the known dental implant system of US 2005/0287497 A1 is shaped at its apical end in a manner which is complementary to the stabilizing section and to the drive and indexing section of the dental implant and further has a through bore allowing the connection screw to pass therethrough for engaging the internal threaded section of the blind bore of the dental implant and holding the abutment fixed in a determined angular position on the dental implant.
A frequent problem arising with the above-described multi-part dental implant systems is the difficulty of correct angular positioning and stability of the abutment or of the secondary part within the dental implant which has already been placed in the bone tissue. Further, as the same coupling means are used to position the secondary part on the dental implant and to couple the same to an insertion instrument which is used to place the dental implant in the bone tissue, the problem of sufficient torque resistance of the coupling means arises. Yet another problem arising in multi-part dental implant systems is the sealing between the dental implant and the secondary part, as for the sake of sterility, the penetration of fluid into the internal blind bore of the dental implant via the coupling means should be minimized.
In US 2005/0287497 A1 the problem of correct angular positioning of the secondary part on the dental implant was addressed by devising an internal connection of the dental implant and the secondary part (namely an abutment) in which the dental implant includes the above-mentioned lobed configuration for installing the secondary part and a beveled surface positioned on the proximal side of the lobed configuration for providing stability between the dental implant and the corresponding secondary part.
Nevertheless, there is still the necessity in the art of dentistry to provide for a dental implant, a secondary part, an insertion tool and a dental implant system including a dental implant and a secondary part, wherein the above-mentioned positioning and stability problems along with the torsional strength and sealing problems are solved in a satisfactory manner.
The aim of the present invention is to provide an improved dental implant, an improved secondary part, an improved insertion tool and an improved dental implant system including a dental implant and a secondary part which avoids the drawbacks of the prior art devices, and thus allows a stable and sterile coupling between the dental implant and the secondary part in a plurality of angular positions, while at the same time the mechanical strength and the torsional resistance of the coupling between the dental implant and the secondary part and/or the insertion tool are increased as compared to the conventional prior art solutions.
Within the scope of this aim, an object of the present invention is to provide an improved dental implant, an improved secondary part, an improved insertion tool and an improved dental implant system including a dental implant which can be used in a plurality of dental applications for supporting various superstructures.
Further, within the scope of the above aims, another object of the present invention is to provide an improved dental implant, an improved secondary part, an improved insertion tool and an improved dental implant system including a dental implant which can be manufactured easily, thus reducing the overall costs for the production of the dental implant system as a whole and of its individual components.
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide an improved coupling for a multi-part dental implant system, wherein the number of parts is minimized.
This aim, these objects and others which will become more apparent from the description given hereinafter are achieved by a dental implant as defined in claim 1, a secondary part for a dental implant as defined in claim 24, an insertion tool as defined in claim 35 and a dental implant system as defined in claims 45 and 46.
Further advantageous aspects of the present invention are defined in the appended dependent claims.
The present invention provides in certain embodiments thereof for a dental implant for use in a dental implant system including a secondary part, wherein the dental implant has a substantially cylindrical shape with a longitudinal axis defining a longitudinal direction, the dental implant including: a coronal section including a coronal end of the dental implant; a threaded region extending apically from the coronal section to an apical tip of the dental implant; and an internal blind bore for connection to the secondary part, the internal blind bore including: a stabilizing section which extends apically from the coronal end of the dental implant; and a drive and indexing section which extends apically from an apical end of the stabilizing section, wherein the drive and indexing section is provided with a plurality of connecting lobes having a concave shape and extending in the longitudinal direction, the connecting lobes being interconnected by respective lobe linking areas also extending in the longitudinal direction, each of the lobe linking areas including: two convex sections extending in the longitudinal direction and adjacent to a respective connecting lobe; and a concave section extending in the longitudinal direction between the two convex sections.
Preferably, the internal blind bore of the dental implant further includes an apical internally threaded section extending apically from an apical end of the drive and indexing section thereof.
Further preferably, in the dental implant according to the present invention, both the connecting lobes and the lobe linking area extend substantially along the entire axial extension of the drive and indexing section.
Alternatively, each lobe linking area may include an apical portion which has a step-like configuration.
Further preferably, the apical portion of lobe linking area has a lateral surface which is part of a lateral cylinder surface having an axis that is coincident with the axis of the dental implant, wherein the lateral surface is provided with a ledge which extends in a radial direction towards the axis of the dental implant. In a further alternative, the apical portion may have a lateral surface which is part of a truncated cone surface flaring out coronally and having an axis that is coincident with the axis of the dental implant, wherein the lateral surface is provided with a ledge which extends in a radial direction towards the axis of the dental implant. The radial extension of the ledge may be substantially perpendicular to the axis of the dental implant or may be apically inclined with respect to the axis of the dental implant.
According to yet another preferred embodiment of the dental implant of the present invention the connecting lobes are parts of respective cylinders with a lateral area that is parallel to the axis of the dental implant, and wherein preferably the cylinder parts are half-cylinders. Further, the convex and concave sections of the lobe linking areas may also be parts of respective cylinders with a lateral area that is parallel to the axis of the dental implant.
Furthermore, advantageously, the dental implant includes a substantially circular platform at the coronal end of the drive and indexing section which is adjacent to the apical end of the stabilizing section. The substantially circular platform may be formed by the radially protruding coronal parts of the lobe linking areas.
According to an additional advantageous aspect of the dental implant according to the present invention, the drive and indexing region thereof is formed by six connecting lobes and an equal number of the lobe linking areas which are interposed between the connecting lobes.
In the above dental implant, it is particularly advantageous if the stabilizing section is shaped as a truncated cone flaring out in a coronal direction and with a coronal opening having an angle of 5 degrees to 7.9 degrees, more preferably of 5 degrees to 7.7 degrees, even more preferably of 5 degrees to 7 degrees and most preferably 7 degrees with respect to the axis of the dental implant. All foregoing ranges are understood as including the boundary values and furthermore all foregoing values are understood to include deviations from the exact value within the engineering tolerances known to the person skilled in the art. Same applies for all values, ranges of values and ratios indicated in the following description and claims in respect to any feature of the present application.
In the above dental implant the coronal section may preferably include a smooth section extending in the apical direction from the coronal end of the dental implant and a threaded section extending in the apical direction from the apical end of the smooth section up to the coronal end of the threaded region, the threaded section being adapted for securing a secondary part to an external part of the dental implant and/or the threaded section including a reverse thread and/or the threaded section being adapted to facilitate osseointegration of the dental implant in a bone tissue.
The smooth section of the coronal section of the dental implant may preferably comprise a beveled part in the vicinity of the coronal end of the coronal section of the dental implant, wherein the beveled part is apically inclined at its periphery. It is particularly advantageous if the beveled part forms an angle of 17 to 27 degrees, more preferably an angle of 20 to 24 degrees and most preferably an angle of 22.5 degrees with respect to a plane that is perpendicular to the axis of the dental implant.
The coronal end of the dental implant may be defined by an optional flat shoulder which is adjacent to the beveled part, wherein the flat shoulder lies preferably on the plane which is perpendicular to the axis of the dental implant, wherein further preferably along a radius extending from the axis of the dental implant the ratios of the radial width of the flat shoulder to the radial width of the projection of the beveled part on the radius are from 1/5 to 1/3. Otherwise if the flat shoulder is omitted, the beveled part defines the coronal end of the dental implant.
According to a further preferred advantageous aspect of the invention an undercut is provided at the apical end of the drive and indexing section and more preferably between the apical end of the drive and indexing section and a coronal platform of the apical internally threaded section. Preferably the undercut extends apically below the ledges of the apical portion of the lobe linking areas up to a coronal platform of the apical internally threaded section of the internal blind bore of the dental implant. The coronal platform may extend on a plane that is perpendicular to the axis of the dental implant. Furthermore, preferably, the undercut has a reduced extension at the connecting lobes of the drive and indexing section of the dental implant or it can also be omitted at the connecting lobes, such that the undercut will have roughly a petal-like configuration.
In the above dental implant the threaded region may advantageously include at least one flute, each flute being preferably configured to mill bone, collect bone, condense bone and disperse bone when the dental implant is rotated both in the clockwise and in the counterclockwise direction. Further preferably, the thread of the threaded region (14) of the dental implant may have a helical shape.
In other embodiments the present invention provides for a secondary part for use in a dental implant or a dental implant system including a dental implant, the secondary part having a central bore extending along a longitudinal axis thereof, the longitudinal axis defining a longitudinal direction, the secondary part including: a coronal section including a coronal end of the secondary part; a stabilizing section extending apically from an apical end of the coronal section, where preferably at least at an apical part thereof is generally shaped as a truncated cone flaring out in a coronal direction of the secondary part; and an indexing section extending apically from an apical end of the stabilizing section, wherein the indexing section is provided with a plurality of connecting lobes extending in the longitudinal direction and having a convex shape, the connecting lobes being interconnected by respective lobe linking areas also extending in the longitudinal direction, each of the lobe linking areas including two concave sections extending in the longitudinal direction and adjacent to a respective connecting lobe; and a convex section extending in the longitudinal direction between the two concave sections.
Preferably, the secondary part is embodied as an abutment for supporting a single tooth or a dental bridge.
Preferably, in the above-mentioned secondary part both the connecting lobes and the lobe linking areas of the indexing section extend substantially along the entire axial extension of the indexing section.
Further, preferably, in the secondary part the connecting lobes are parts of respective cylinders with a lateral area that is parallel to the axis of the secondary part, and the cylinder parts are further preferably half-cylinders.
Also preferably the concave and convex sections of the lobe linking areas are parts of respective cylinders with a lateral area that is parallel to the axis of the secondary part.
Advantageously, the number of connecting lobes and the number of lobe linking areas of the indexing section of the secondary part are equal to six.
According to an advantageous aspect of the above-described secondary part the apical part of the stabilizing section is shaped as a truncated cone flaring out in a coronal direction and with a coronal opening having an angle of 5 degrees to 7.9 degrees, more preferably of 5 degrees to 7.7 degrees, even more preferably of 5 degrees to 7 degrees and most preferably 7 degrees with respect to the axis of the secondary part.
The stabilizing section may further advantageously include a coronal part which has a larger outward flaring region in comparison to the outward flaring region of the apical part of the stabilizing section, such as to allow the formation of the supporting ledge at the apical end of the coronal section of the secondary part.
Furthermore, according to an optional aspect, the coronal section of the above-mentioned secondary part further includes means for rotationally positioning a dental prosthesis thereon, wherein the prosthesis may include a single tooth or a dental bridge.
According to a further advantageous aspect of the above-mentioned secondary part the interface between the coronal part of the stabilizing section and the apical part of the stabilizing section is formed as a beveled surface, wherein the beveled surface is apically inclined towards its periphery. The beveled surface may form an angle of 17 to 27 degrees, more preferably an angle of 20 to 24 degrees and most preferably an angle of 22.5 degrees with respect to a plane that is perpendicular to the axis A of the secondary part.
In further embodiments the present invention provides for an insertion tool for use in a dental implant or a dental implant system including a dental implant, wherein the insertion tool has a longitudinal axis defining a longitudinal direction, the insertion tool including a coronal section having a shank portion for connection to a rotary device; and an apical section for engagement with an internal bore of the dental implant, wherein the apical section includes from coronal to apical a first stabilizing section and a drive section, and wherein the drive section is provided with a plurality of connecting lobes having a convex shape and extending in the longitudinal direction, the connecting lobes being interconnected by respective lobe linking areas also extending in the longitudinal direction, each of the lobe linking areas being substantially of concave shape.
Preferably, the lobe linking areas of the drive section of the insertion tool include two concave sections extending in the longitudinal direction and adjacent to a respective connecting lobe thereof; and a convex section extending in the longitudinal direction between the two concave sections.
Also preferably, in the above-mentioned insertion tool both the connecting lobes and the lobe linking area of the drive section extend substantially along the entire axial extension of the drive section.
The connecting lobes of the drive section of the foregoing insertion tool are parts of respective cylinders with a lateral area that is parallel to the axis of the insertion tool, and wherein preferably the cylinder parts are half-cylinders.
Furthermore, preferably the lobe linking areas of the drive section of the foregoing insertion tool are parts of respective cylinders with a lateral area that is parallel to the axis of the insertion tool, wherein further preferably the cylinder parts are half-cylinders.
Alternatively, when the lobe linking areas of the drive section of the insertion tool include two concave sections extending in the longitudinal direction and adjacent to a respective connecting lobe thereof; and a convex section extending in the longitudinal direction between the two concave sections, the concave and convex sections of the lobe linking areas are parts of respective cylinders with a lateral area that is parallel to the axis of the insertion tool.
The number of connecting lobes and the number of lobe linking areas of the drive section of the above-mentioned insertion tool are preferably equal to six.
In the above-mentioned insertion tool the first stabilizing section may be shaped generally as a truncated cone flaring out coronally, and further preferably a coronal opening of the first stabilizing section has an angle of 5 degrees to 7.9 degrees, more preferably of 5 degrees to 7.7 degrees, even more preferably of 5 degrees to 7 degrees and most preferably 7 degrees with respect to the axis of the insertion tool.
The insertion tool may further include a circular recess which is formed peripherally around the axis of the insertion tool, the circular recess dividing the drive section into a coronal part and an apical part, the circular recess being adapted to house a resilient O-ring or a split C-ring.
In a preferred embodiment the above-described insertion tool includes a second stabilizing section arranged at an apical end of the drive section and defining the apical end of the insertion tool, wherein the second stabilizing section has preferably a cylindrical shape dimensioned to match an internal threaded section of the blind bore of the dental implant.
Furthermore, the coronal section of the above-described dental implant may include in a coronal region thereof an engagement element configured to engage a rotary machine and/or the coronal section of the insertion tool may include in an apical region thereof a manual tool engagement section configured to engage a manual torque applying tool, wherein preferably the manual tool engagement section is hexagonal along an axial cross section of the insertion tool with each side of the hexagon including a plurality of recesses, preferably of a substantially conical configuration.
In yet other embodiments a dental implant system is provided, wherein the dental implant system includes a dental implant and a secondary part as set forth hereinabove. Preferably, the dental implant system further includes an attachment tool as described hereinabove.
The dental system may also further include a healing cap, an impression cap and a threadable secondary part which can be threaded externally to the dental implant without the need for a fixation screw extending through the internal blind bore of the dental implant.
Preferably, the threadable secondary part includes an internal thread in a section thereof of an axially symmetric shape, such that the threadable secondary part is threadable to the externally threaded section of the coronal section of the dental implant. The threadable secondary part may further include an internal beveled surface having an inclination angle of 17 to 27 degrees, more preferably an angle of 20 to 24 degrees and most preferably an angle of 22.5 degrees with respect to a plane that is perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the threadable secondary part. Further the threadable secondary part may have the overall shape of an axially symmetric rotation body including a coronal cylindrical section, a beveled truncated cone-shaped section and an apical cylindrical section, wherein preferably the coronal cylindrical section of the threadable secondary part is smaller in diameter than the apical cylindrical section of the threadable secondary part and the beveled truncated cone-shaped section forms therebetween an apposition surface for a superstructure, wherein further preferably the beveled truncated cone-shaped section forms an angle of 17 to 27 degrees, more preferably an angle of 20 to 24 degrees and most preferably an angle of 22.5 degrees with respect to a plane that is perpendicular to the axis of the secondary part.
Preferably, the healing cap is shaped as a rotationally symmetrical rotation body along a longitudinal axis thereof, the healing cap having an enlarged head arranged at the coronal end thereof, wherein the enlarged head is provided with wrench engaging means, the enlarged head of the healing cap being followed further apically by a stabilizing section which matches exactly the stabilizing section of the dental implant.
The healing cap may optionally further include apically from the stabilizing section an intermediate section and a threaded section which is adapted to threadingly engage the internal thread of the apical internally threaded section of the internal blind bore of the dental implant.
According to a further preferred alternative the healing cap includes further apically from the stabilizing section an additional section that follows the outline of the drive and indexing section of the dental implant.
Further in all embodiments the healing cap may advantageously include an internal beveled surface which exactly follows the shape of the beveled part of the smooth section of the coronal section of the dental implant, such that the internal beveled surface of the healing cap has an angle of 17 to 27 degrees, more preferably an angle of 20 to 24 degrees and most preferably an angle of 22.5 degrees with respect to a plane that is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the healing cap.
Further characteristics and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following description of a preferred but not exclusive embodiment of the implant system according to the invention, illustrated by way of non-limitative example in the accompanying drawings, wherein:
Whenever reference is made in the present specification to connecting lobes or to linking areas as having a concave or a convex shape, such concavity or convexity is understood as referring to a transverse cross section of a dental implant, a secondary part, an insertion tool, a healing cap along a plane that is perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the listed dental items.
With reference to the enclosed
The threaded section 13 of the coronal section 11 of the dental implant 1, which is an optional feature of the dental implant 1, may be provided to improve bone retention and osseointegration, for example in the form of micro-threads. Optionally the threaded section 13 of the coronal section 11 may be configured to have a double lead, with preferably a pitch of 0.5 mm and a thread angle of 25 degrees to 45 degrees and more preferably from 25 degrees to 35 and most preferably 25 degrees. Optionally the threaded section 13 of the coronal section 11 may be configured according to the configuration of the threaded section 14 of the dental implant 1 and/or it may be configured to facilitate osseointegration of the dental implant 1 within the bone. Optionally the threaded section 13 of the coronal section 11 of the dental implant 1 may be configured according to at least one or more threading parameters as known in the art, for example including, but not limited to lead, pitch, thread angle, thickness, major diameter, minor diameter, taper angle, thread orientation, end position, starting position, porosity, number of stops, number of starts, number of leads, number of cuts, lead-in angle or the like or any combination thereof of threading variables and/or parameters.
Yet according to another preferred alternative, the threaded section 13 of the coronal section 11 of the dental implant 1 may be embodied as a reverse thread on the external part of the dental implant 1 for facilitating removal of the dental implant 1 from the bone into which it has been inserted. Such removal of the dental implant can be performed by means of an instrument that is well-known to the person skilled in the art.
Furthermore, the threaded section 13 of the coronal section 11 of the dental implant 1 along with the flutes describes hereinbelow may be of the self-drilling, self-tapping, self-collection bone and bone condensing type as disclosed in detail in the International Patent Application WO 2015/118543 A1 in the name of Fromovich, the respective content thereof being herewith incorporated by reference. Thus, the threaded section and the flutes of this invention provide for a dynamic action during the bone insertion. The implant according to latter embodiments may be utilized at a heal site following bone growth or it may be utilized at an extraction site.
Yet according to another preferred alternative, the threaded section 13 of the coronal section 11 of the dental implant 1 may be embodied as a thread for securing a secondary part which is fixed to the external part of the dental implant 1. In the context of the present invention a secondary part is intended to designate any superstructure which can be placed on a dental implant such as, for instance, a dental abutment adapted for supporting a single tooth including a dental crown or for supporting a dental bridge. For better comprehension in this description the generic term “secondary part” will be used, unless the “secondary part” is intended to designate a specific element such as, for instance, an abutment adapted for supporting a single tooth including a dental crown or for supporting a dental bridge or for holding a healing cap or an impression cap.
The smooth section 12 of the coronal section 11 of the dental implant 1 may further optionally comprise a beveled part 121 in the vicinity of the coronal end thereof. In this way the smooth section 12 of the coronal section 11 of the dental implant 1 will have generally from coronal to apical a truncated cone outline followed by a cylindrical outline. The beveled part 121 advantageously provides for a more stable connection to a superimposed secondary part. Further, the beveled part 121 may also advantageously provide for a better sealing with the superimposed secondary part, as will be explained hereinbelow.
Preferably, the beveled part 121 forms an angle of 17 to 27 degrees, more preferably an angle of 20 to 24 degrees and most preferably an angle of 22.5 degrees with respect to a plane that is perpendicular to the axis A of the dental implant 1. The latter most preferred inclination angle of the beveled part 121 is particularly advantageous in terms of mechanical stability and sealing when the dental implant is connected to a superimposed secondary part which may be embodied, for instance, as an abutment adapted for supporting a single tooth or for supporting a dental bridge.
The coronal end of the dental implant 1 is preferably defined by a flat shoulder 122 which is adjacent to the beveled part 121. The flat shoulder 122 lies preferably on the plane which is perpendicular to the axis A of the dental implant 1. Further, the flat shoulder 122 is preferably relatively narrow as compared to the beveled part 121. Along a radius extending from the axis A of the dental implant 1 preferred ratios of the radial width of the flat shoulder 122 to the radial width of the projection of the beveled part 121 on the radius are from 1/5 to 1/3.
The flat shoulder 122 also provides advantageously, in conjunction with the beveled part 121, for a centering platform for a secondary part that is superimposed on the dental implant. Such superimposed secondary part may comprise, as mentioned above, an abutment adapted for supporting a single tooth including a dental crown or for supporting a dental bridge.
According to a further preferred option, the smooth section 12 extending below the beveled part 121 may be optionally machined and acid etched and/or provided with micro grooves so as to improve the osseointegration of the dental implant 1.
The threaded region 14 of the dental implant 1 is preferably fitted with at least two flutes 141 disposed along its full length. As disclosed in detail in the International Patent Application WO 2015/118543 A1 in the name of Fromovich, who is also the inventor of the present invention, the flutes 141 are preferably configured to mill bone, collect bone, condense bone and disperse bone when the dental implant 1 is rotated with a dental implant maneuvering tool, for example in the form of a dental hand-piece, both in the clockwise and in the counterclockwise direction. The thread of the threaded region 14 of the dental implant 1 is designated with reference numeral 142 and preferably has a helical shape.
The stabilizing section 16 extends from the shoulder 122 defining the coronal end of the dental implant 1 in an apical direction or from the beveled part 121 if the shoulder 122 is omitted. The shoulder 122 is, as explained, preferably substantially flat and lies on a plane which is perpendicular to the axis A of the dental implant 1. Nevertheless, according to a variation of the embodiment shown in
The stabilizing section 16 of the present invention is intended to provide for a highly stable connection between the dental implant and the secondary part. At the same the stabilizing section 16 is intended to provide for good sealing with a complementarily shaped section of the secondary part which is received in the internal blind bore of the dental implant 1. In addition, the stabilizing section 16 provides for a self-locking function with the complementarily shaped section of the secondary part when the secondary part is inserted into the internal blind bore of the dental implant 1.
With reference to
With further reference to
In particular, according to the present invention, the drive and indexing section 17 of the dental implant 1 is provided with a plurality of connecting lobes 171 having a concave shape extending substantially along the entire axial extension of the drive and indexing section 17. Preferably, the connecting lobes 171 are parts of respective cylinders with a lateral area that is parallel to the axis A of the dental implant 1. Further, preferably, the cylinder parts defining the connecting lobes 171 may be embodied as half-cylinders.
In the particular embodiment shown in
The inventor of the present application has found that a number of six connecting lobes 171, as illustrated in
With particular reference to
In the embodiment wherein the number of connecting lobes 171 is equal to six, the number of apical portions 173 of the lobe linking areas 172 (and obviously the number of the lobe linking areas 172) is also equal to six. Clearly, as the lobe linking areas 172 are interposed between the connection lobes 171, their respective numbers will be equal.
In the embodiment with the step-like configuration the respective lateral surfaces of the apical portions 173 of the lobe linking areas 172, which are designated by reference numeral 1731, are part of a lateral cylinder surface which has an axis coincident with the axis A of the dental implant 1. Nevertheless, according to a variation of the foregoing, the respective lateral surfaces 1731 of the apical portions 173 of the lobe linking areas 172 can be part of a truncated cone having an axis that is coincident with the axis A of the dental implant 1. Each of the lateral surfaces 1731 of the apical portions 173 of the lobe linking areas 172 may be provided with a respective ledge designated by reference numeral 1732 which extends in a radial direction towards the axis A of the dental implant 1. The ledges 1732 may extend in a radial direction that is substantially perpendicular to the axis A of the dental implant 1 or may have an inclination to the same, so as to provide for a further centering function for the secondary part or the insertion tool once the same is inserted into the internal blind bore of the dental implant, as discussed hereinbelow.
All apical portions 173 of the lobe linking areas 172 have equal axial extensions and the step-like configuration defined by a lateral surface 1731 in conjunction with the respective ledge 1732 advantageously provides the function of guiding a secondary part or an insertion tool when the secondary part or the insertion tool are connected to the dental implant 1. The guiding function is particularly advantageous if the secondary part or the insertion tool is connected to the dental implant 1 by means of a click-in connection. It is also particularly advantageous in this context if the ledges 1732 are inclined in the apical direction, as compared to a plane perpendicular to the axis A of the dental implant 1, such that a sliding surface is provided for the click-in connection or the connection in general if the click-in feature is missing. For instance, advantageously, the inclination with respect to the plane perpendicular to the axis A of the dental implant 1 may be less than 30 degrees, more preferably less than 20 degrees and most preferably less than 10 degrees.
However, it should be borne in mind that the main objective of the present invention is to keep the axial extension of the lobe linking areas 172 as large as possible for the purpose of high mechanical stability, high torque resistance and for the other reasons discussed hereinbelow, and to this end the respective apical portion 173 with the step-like configuration thereof, if present, should be kept as short as possible. Accordingly, it is preferred that the ratio of the axial extension of the apical portion 173 to the overall axial extension of the lobe linking area 172 is from 1/20 to 1/4 and more preferably from 1/10 to 1/5 and most preferred from 1/8 to 1/5.
Each of the lobe linking areas 172 is shaped, according to the invention, generally with a convex shape further including a central section that has a concave shape. Thus, as is apparent for instance in the upper view of
In
By means of the shape of the lobe linking area 172 of the dental implant according to the present invention, whereby a larger contact surface with a secondary part or an insertion tool is provided, the lobe linking area 172 can achieve a particularly stable mechanical connection with a secondary part (for instance an abutment) and/or an insertion tool, while at the same time the drive and indexing section 17 can withstand a high torque without being damaged during the insertion of the dental implant into the bone of a patient and during the use of the dental implant. Furthermore, the shape of the lobe linking area 172 of the dental implant according to the present invention improves the rotational stability of the connection of the dental implant with the secondary part. In addition, a better sealing between the dental implant and the secondary part is achieved, such sealing avoiding the penetration of non-desirable material or liquid into the cavity defined by the internal blind bore of the dental implant. The mechanical strength and the tightness of the connection between the dental implant and the secondary part are further improved by the combination of the lobe linking area 172 according to the present invention and the connecting lobes 171. The same applies to the torque resistance and the rotational stability of the drive and indexing section 17 according to the present invention.
Advantageously, the combined axial extensions of the connecting lobes 171 and the lobe linking areas 172 which form the drive and indexing section 17 are larger than the axial extension of the stabilizing section 16 of the dental implant 1. In practice the inventor of the present application has found that preferably the ratio of the axial length of the indexing section 17 to the axial extension of the stabilizing section 16 is from 2/1.8 to 2/1 and more preferably from 2/1.6 to 2/1.2 and most preferably from 2/1.5 to 2/1.3.
A shorter axial extension of the stabilizing section 16 reduces the absolute narrowing of the same at the coronal end of the dental implant which is due, as has been explained, to the taper resulting from the truncated cone shape of the stabilizing section 16. Therefore, the coronal end of the stabilizing section 16 has sufficient material strength. Such material strength facilitates manufacturing of the dental implant 1 and also provides for a better mechanical stability thereof, when the secondary part is inserted in the coronal opening of the stabilizing section 16.
On the other hand, a larger axial extension of the drive and indexing section 17 (combined with a matching axial extension of the corresponding section of the secondary part) provides for a more stable retention of the secondary part (the “tube-in-tube” effect). The “tube-in-tube” effect is further improved by the additional concave surfaces provided in the lobe linking areas 172. Also by means of the sequence of contact surfaces in one section defined by one connecting lobe 171 and one lobe linking area 172, which is concave (at 171), convex (at 174), concave (at 175) and again convex (at 174), the “tube in tube” effect is amplified. This is true for the connection to a secondary part or an insertion tool and indeed to any other type of superimposed element which has a connection outline complementary to the above concave/convex sequence.
Furthermore, along the lines explained in conjunction with the particular shape or outline of the lobe linking areas 172 of the drive and indexing region 17 of the dental implant 1, whereby a larger contact surface with a secondary part or with an insertion tool becomes available, such contact surface is further increased by the axial extension of the drive and indexing section 17.
In a variation of
Advantageously, in all embodiments of the present invention, the concave sections 175 of the lobe linking areas 172 extend along the lateral face of a straight cylinder with its center on the axis A of the dental implant 1, the cylinder being indicated with the dotted line C
Alternatively, according to the invention, the concave sections 175 of the lobe linking areas 172 may have a more accentuated concavity, so that they extend outwardly beyond the lateral face of the straight cylinder with its center on the axis A of the dental implant 1. While in the illustrated embodiments the concave sections 175 of the lobe linking areas 172 have the same concavity it is also conceivable that the concave sections 175 of the lobe linking areas 172 have different concavities and extend to a different degree into the dental implant. Same is true for the connecting lobes 171.
Nevertheless, in all embodiments the convex sections 174 of the lobe linking areas 172 are still present even if shortened.
As shown in
According to a further advantageous aspect of the present invention, at the coronal end of the drive and indexing section 17 which is adjacent to the apical end of the stabilizing section 16, a substantially circular platform 177, as shown in
With renewed reference to
With reference to
The secondary part 2 shown, which is embodied as an abutment, in particular as an abutment for supporting a single replacement tooth or a dental bridge, includes a coronal section 21, followed further apically by a stabilizing section 22 and by an indexing section 23.
The secondary part 2 includes a central through bore 211 that extends along the entire axial extension of the secondary part 2, preferably, as shown in
The coronal section 21 of the secondary part 2 further optionally includes means 212 for rotationally positioning a dental prosthesis like a dental crown or a dental bridge which are not shown in the drawings of this application. As is known in the art, such means 212 may also be adapted to facilitate the cementing of a dental prosthesis like a dental crown or a dental bridge on the coronal section 21 of the secondary part 2.
Furthermore, the coronal section 21 of the secondary part 2 also includes a supporting ledge designated by reference numeral 213 for the placement of a dental prosthesis thereon, such as a dental crown or a dental bridge. The supporting ledge 213 may have a circular extension along the axis A of the secondary part which is coincident with the axis A of the dental implant 1 in the inserted state of the secondary part 2, as shown in
With further reference to
The coronal part 221 of the stabilizing section 22 may be extended outwardly as compared to a truncated cone of the apical part 222, such as to allow the formation of the supporting ledge 213 with a larger radial extension, which is beneficial to the supporting function and stability of a dental prosthesis. Furthermore, the sealing with the dental prosthesis may be improved, as has been mentioned, by the larger radial extension of the supporting ledge 213.
At the apical end of the stabilizing section 22 an O-ring designated by reference numeral 224 may be advantageously provided. The O-ring 224 may be disposed on the platform 177 at the coronal end of the drive and indexing section 17, as shown in
The O-ring 224 has a conventional design and is manufactured preferably from titanium, a titanium alloy, an elastomeric material or other different materials known to the person skilled in the art.
The advantageous function of the O-ring 224 is that of stopping any fluids, which may contain bacteria or the like, from penetrating into the internal blind bore of the dental implant 1. Accordingly, by providing for a barrier against the penetration of bacteria and the like, the O-ring 224 minimizes the risk of an infection or an inflammation. Alternatively, in an embodiment which is not shown in
The indexing section 23 of the secondary part 2 has an axial profile with lobes exactly matching the lobes of the drive and indexing section 17 of the internal blind bore of the dental implant 1. In particular, as shown in
In the particular embodiment shown in
With particular reference to
In the embodiment of the indexing section 23 of the secondary part 2 wherein the number of connecting lobes 271 is equal to six, the number of interposed lobe linking areas 272 is also equal to six.
In a preferred variation which is not shown in
In the embodiments with the cutouts in the lobe linking areas 272 of the indexing section 23, the respective lateral surfaces of the apical portions are parts of a lateral cylinder surface which has an axis coincident with the axis A of the secondary part 2 or the axis A of the dental implant 1 when the secondary part 2 is inserted in the dental implant 1. Nevertheless, according to a variation of the foregoing, the respective lateral surfaces of the apical portions can also be parts of a truncated cone having an axis coincident with the axis A of the secondary part 2 (or the axis A of the dental implant 1 when the secondary part 2 is inserted in the dental implant 1). Each of the cutouts in the apical portion of the lobe linking areas 272 of the indexing section 23 of the secondary part 2 extends in a radial direction towards the axis A of the secondary part 2 for receiving a respective ledge 1732 of the drive and indexing section 17 of the dental implant 1. The cutouts may extend in a radial direction that is substantially perpendicular to the axis A of the secondary part 2 (or the axis A of the dental implant 1 when the secondary part 2 is inserted in the dental implant 1) or has an inclination with respect to the same, in order to match the conformation of the respective ledges 1732 of the drive and indexing section 17 of the dental implant 1.
Generally, as shown in
In the embodiments of the secondary part 2 that include the cutouts in the apical portion of the lobe linking areas 272 of the indexing section 23 of the secondary part 2, the axial extension of the connecting lobes 171 of the drive and indexing section 17 of the dental implant 1 and the axial extension of the connecting lobes 271 of the indexing section 23 of the secondary part 2 may be equal. In other words, in this case, the axial extension of the drive and indexing section 17 of the dental implant 1 may be equal to the axial extension of the indexing section 23 of the secondary part 2.
Nevertheless, in all above embodiments, irrespectively of the respective axial extensions, a tight seal between the stabilizing section 16 of the dental implant 1 and the stabilizing section 22 of the secondary part 2 must be maintained.
The embodiments including the cutouts in the lobe linking areas 272 of the indexing section 23 of the secondary part 2 which cooperate with step-like apical portions 173 of the dental implant 1 advantageously provide the function of guiding the secondary part 2 when the same is connected to the dental implant 1. This guiding function is particularly advantageous in the case of a click-in connection. It is also particularly advantageous in this context if the cutouts are inclined in the apical direction, as compared to a plane perpendicular to the axis A of the secondary part 2 (or the dental implant 1 in the inserted state of the secondary part 2), such that a sliding surface is provided for the click-in connection or the connection in general if the click-in feature is missing. For instance, advantageously, the inclination with respect to the plane perpendicular to the axis A of the secondary part 2 (or the dental implant 1 in the inserted state of the secondary part 2) may be less than 30 degrees, more preferably less than 20 degrees and most preferably less than 10 degrees.
As shown in
In
Generally, the lateral areas of the sections of the lobe linking areas 272 of the indexing section 23 of the secondary part 2 are also parts of respective cylinders and extend, similarly to the lateral areas of the connecting lobes 271 of the indexing section 23 of the secondary part 2, in parallel to the axis A of the secondary part 2 or of the dental implant 1 when the secondary part 2 is inserted into the dental implant 1.
Otherwise, as regards the connecting lobes 271 and lobe linking areas 272 of the indexing section 23 of the secondary part 2, the same advantages and constructive details are applicable as set out in connection with the connecting lobes 171 and lobe linking areas 172 of the drive and indexing section 17 of the dental implant 1, with the exception of the advantages set out in connection with the interaction with an insertion tool.
With renewed reference to
At the same time, in the secured state, the stabilizing section 22 of the secondary part 2 closely fits the stabilizing section 16 of the dental implant 1 to seal the connection between the secondary part 2 and the dental implant 1. Additionally, a supplementary O-ring (not shown on
With reference to
As far as the dental implant 1′ is concerned, its construction is the same as that of the dental implant of
Turning now to the secondary part 2′ of
Otherwise, the secondary part 2′ of
Accordingly any further detailed description of the features of the secondary part 2′ of
The supporting ledge 213′ of the secondary part 2′ of the embodiment of
With further reference to
Furthermore, as shown in
As has been described with respect to the beveled part 121 of the dental implant 1, the beveled surface 223 of the secondary part 2′ has an angle of 17 to 27 degrees, more preferably an angle of 20 to 24 degrees and most preferably an angle of 22.5 degrees with respect to a plane that is perpendicular to the axis A of the secondary part 2′ (or the axis A of the dental implant 1′ when the secondary part 2′ is inserted into the dental implant 1′). The latter most preferred inclination angle of the beveled surface 223 of the secondary part 2′ in conjunction with the matching inclination angle of the beveled part 121 of the dental implant 1 is particularly advantageous in terms of mechanical stability and sealing when the dental implant is connected to the superimposed secondary part which may be embodied, for instance, as an abutment.
An additional O-ring (which is not shown in the figures) may be provided between the beveled part 121 of the smooth section 12 of the coronal section 11 of the dental implant 1 and the beveled surface 223 of the stabilizing section 22 of the secondary part 2′. The added O-ring additionally improves the sealing between the dental implant and the superimposed secondary part. Advantageously, the additional O-ring is placed at the flat shoulder 122 of the dental implant 1 which is adjacent to the beveled part 121 of the dental implant 1. In a further alternative, the additional O-ring may be placed at the beveled part 121 of the smooth section 12 of the coronal section 11 of the dental implant 1, such that it provides for additional sealing between the beveled part 121 and the beveled surface 223 of the stabilizing section 22 of the secondary part 2′. In a further variation, the additional O-ring can be placed in the secondary part (abutment) 2′ at or close to the interface between the coronal part 221′ of the stabilizing section 22 and the apical part 222 of the stabilizing section 22 of the secondary part 2′. The latter alternative is shown in
Finally, with reference to the embodiment of
A perspective view of the secondary part 2′ of
As far as the dental implant 1 is concerned, its construction is the same as that of the dental implant of
The insertion tool, which is designated by reference numeral 4, includes a coronal section 41 having a shank portion 411, which can be connected to a rotary machine (not shown) by means of an appropriate engagement element 414. The engagement element 414 may have any appropriate shape for engaging a rotary machine or a manual drive for the tool including a polygonal, for instance hexagonal, configuration. The coronal section 41 of the insertion tool 4 also includes a manual tool engagement section 412 configured to engage a manual torque applying tool (e.g., a wrench) which is also not shown. Preferably the manual tool engagement section 412 is hexagonal with each side of the hexagon including a plurality of recesses 413, preferably of a substantial conical configuration, for the engagement with the manual tool. The recesses 413 may additionally serve to recognize the angular position of the dental implant 1 during its insertion into the bone tissue. Further, additional means which are well-known to the person skilled in the art may be provided on the insertion tool 4 to enable the recognition of the angular position of the dental implant 1 in the bone tissue during its insertion.
The insertion tool 4 further includes an apical section 42 for the engagement with the internal bore of the dental implant 1. The apical section 42 of the insertion tool 4 includes from its coronal to its apical end a first stabilizing section 421, a drive section 422 and a second stabilizing section 423.
With further reference to
The drive section 422 of the apical part 42 of the insertion tool 4 has an axial profile with lobes exactly matching the outline of the lobes of the drive and indexing section 17 of the internal blind bore of the dental implant 1. In particular, as shown in
In the particular embodiment shown in
With further particular reference to
In a variation which is not shown in the drawings, the apical part 4222 of the drive section 422 of the insertion tool 4 may be devised with a cylindrical shape. The cylindrical shape may also be replaced by any alternative geometrical form appropriate to hold the resilient O-ring or the split C-ring 489 in place on the insertion tool 4. Nevertheless, the outline shown in
According to a further alternative embodiment of the insertion tool 4, which is also not shown in
According to the latter preferred alternative which is also not shown in
Further, according to the latter preferred alternative, when the cutouts are provided, each of the apical portions of the lobe linking areas 472 of the drive section 422 of the insertion tool 4 having the respective inverse-step-shaped cutout advantageously provides for the function of guiding an insertion tool 4 when the same is inserted in the dental implant 1. This guiding function is particularly advantageous in the case of a click-in connection. It is also particularly advantageous in this context if the cutouts are inclined in the apical direction, as compared to a plane perpendicular to the axis A of the insertion tool 4 (or the dental implant 1 in the inserted state of the insertion tool), such that a sliding surface is provided for the click-in connection or the connection in general if the click-in feature is missing. For instance, advantageously, the inclination with respect to the plane perpendicular to the axis A of the insertion tool 4 (or the dental implant 1 in the inserted state of the insertion tool) may be less than 30 degrees, more preferably less than 20 degrees and most preferably less than 10 degrees.
The click-in connection of the dental implant 1 with the insertion tool 4 may be implemented by means of a radially flaring section provided at the apical end of the drive section 422 of the insertion tool 4, in particular at the apical part 4222, which can be engaged in the undercut 176 of the drive and indexing section 17 of the dental implant 1. The click-in connection of the secondary part 2 with the dental implant 1 can be implemented in a similar manner.
Furthermore, as regards all embodiments of the insertion tool 4 the following should be noted:
In the embodiment of the drive section 422 wherein the number of connecting lobes 471 is equal to six, the number of apical portions (if any) of the lobe linking areas 472 (and obviously the number of lobe linking areas 472) is also equal to six. Clearly, also in the drive section 422 of the insertion tool 4, as the lobe linking areas 472 are interposed between the connection lobes 471, their respective numbers will be equal.
As shown in
Nevertheless, in an alternative which is not shown in
While the latter detail is not shown in
As has been explained, in the embodiment under consideration, the outline and extension of the respective convex and concave sections of the lobe linking areas 472 of the drive section 422 of the insertion tool 4 exactly follow the outline and extension of the corresponding sections of the lobe linking area 172 of the dental implant 1.
Generally, the lateral areas of the sections of the lobe linking areas 472 of the drive section 422 of the insertion tool 4 are also parts of respective cylinders and extend in parallel to the axis A of insertion tool (or of the dental implant 1 when the insertion tool 4 is inserted into the dental implant 1), similarly to the lateral areas of the connecting lobes 471 of the drive section 422 of the secondary part 2.
Otherwise, as regards the connecting lobes 471 and lobe linking areas 472 of the drive section 422 of the insertion tool 4, the same advantages and constructive details as set out in connection with the connecting lobes 171 and lobe linking areas 172 of the drive and indexing section 17 of the dental implant are applicable, with the exception of interaction with a secondary part.
The second stabilizing section 423 of the apical section 42 of the insertion tool 4, which is a further preferred feature in all embodiments thereof, is provided apically of the drive section 422 of the apical section 42 of the insertion tool 4, as shown in
The second stabilizing section 423, which closely matches the outline of the internal thread 182 of the apical internally threaded section 18 of the dental implant 1, advantageously provides for further stability of the connection between the dental implant 1 and the insertion tool 4. The second stabilizing section 423 of the apical section 42 of the insertion tool 4 has preferably a cylindrical shape (namely the shape of a straight cylinder), and the axial extension of the second stabilizing section 423 along the axis A is preferably equal to at least 1/3 of the axial extension of the internal thread 182 of the apical internally threaded section 18 of the dental implant 1, more preferably equal to at least 1/2 of the axial extension of the internal thread 182, and most preferably equal to at least 2/3 of the axial extension of the internal thread 182.
The dental implant of
The internal shape of the threadable secondary part 5 of
Otherwise the threadable secondary part 5 has the shape of an axially symmetric rotation body (around the axis A) including a coronal cylindrical section 53, a beveled truncated cone-shaped section 54 and an apical cylindrical section 55. As becomes apparent from
With reference to
The healing cap 6 is generally shaped as a rotationally symmetrical rotation body along the longitudinal axis A thereof.
The healing cap 6 has an enlarged head 62 arranged at the coronal end thereof, wherein the enlarged head 62 is provided with wrench engaging means 61 which are embodied for instance as an internal hex, an internal square or another driving surface. Nevertheless, advantageously, wrench engaging means 61 can also be embodied to interact with the drive section 422 of the insertion tool 4 described hereinabove.
The enlarged head 62 of the healing cap 6 is followed further apically by a stabilizing section 63 which matches exactly the stabilizing section 16 of the dental implant 1. The stabilizing section 63 of the healing cap 6 is followed further apically by an intermediate section 64 which may be shaped in one preferred embodiment as a rotationally symmetrical rotation body.
The intermediate section 64 is followed further apically by a threaded section 65 which is adapted to threadingly engage the internal thread 182 of the apical internally threaded section 18 of the dental implant 1.
In an alternative to the above preferred intermediate section 64 and threaded section 65, which is not shown in the drawings of the present application, the intermediate section can also be formed with the “modified” torx outline which follows the outline of the drive and indexing section 17 of the dental implant 1. In the alternative to the intermediate section 64 of the healing cap 6 having the “modified torx” outline (and thus matching the outline of the drive and indexing section 17 of the dental implant 1), the threaded section 65 is omitted and replaced by a bulge-shaped element arranged and dimensioned to be seated in the undercut 176 of the dental implant.
The internal shape of the healing cap of
Furthermore, according to the present invention, an impression cap is also provided which is devised, in terms of its connection to the internal blind bore of the dental implant, similarly to the healing cap described above.
Clearly, several modifications will be apparent to and can be readily made by the person skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the present invention. Therefore, the scope of the claims shall not be limited by the illustrations or the preferred embodiments given in the description in the form of examples, but rather the claims shall encompass all of the features of patentable novelty that reside in the present invention, including all the features that would be treated as equivalents by the person skilled in the art. In this regard it is stressed that the dental implant and the secondary part of the invention can be manufactured from ceramics, metal (in particular titanium) and combinations thereof.
Furthermore, while the present invention has been discussed and shown above in various combinations of dental implants and secondary elements, the person skilled in the art will readily understand that each of the dental implants can be combined with each of the secondary elements disclosed herein. In addition, also further dental implants and secondary elements not shown and/or discussed herein are envisaged as being part of the present disclosure to the extent that they have stabilizing sections and/or indexing sections and/or drive and indexing sections as discussed herein. Similar considerations apply to the combinations of dental implants and insertion tools (which are not shown and/or discussed) with the specification that the drive section of the insertion tool must be provided with the “modified torx” configuration of the present invention.
Where technical features mentioned in any claim are followed by reference signs, those reference signs have been included for the sole purpose of increasing intelligibility of the claims and accordingly, such reference signs do not have any limiting effect on the scope of each element identified by way of example by such reference signs.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 17169130 | May 2017 | EP | regional |
| Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/IB2018/053035 | 5/2/2018 | WO |
| Publishing Document | Publishing Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| WO2018/203247 | 11/8/2018 | WO | A |
| Number | Name | Date | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20020110784 | Kumar | Aug 2002 | A1 |
| 20020142265 | Weissman | Oct 2002 | A1 |
| 20050287496 | Niznick | Dec 2005 | A1 |
| 20050287497 | Carter | Dec 2005 | A1 |
| 20070037121 | Carter | Feb 2007 | A1 |
| 20070037123 | Mansueto | Feb 2007 | A1 |
| 20110117522 | Verma | May 2011 | A1 |
| 20140186795 | Huang | Jul 2014 | A1 |
| 20140200620 | Yahav | Jul 2014 | A1 |
| 20170065377 | Hall | Mar 2017 | A1 |
| 20170086952 | Aravena | Mar 2017 | A1 |
| 20190008614 | Weitzel | Jan 2019 | A1 |
| Number | Date | Country |
|---|---|---|
| 101252891 | Aug 2008 | CN |
| 101730511 | Jun 2010 | CN |
| 105636548 | Jun 2016 | CN |
| 106232053 | Dec 2016 | CN |
| 105283147 | Oct 2019 | CN |
| 1139906 | Oct 2001 | EP |
| 2407121 | Jan 2012 | EP |
| 2611760 | May 2017 | ES |
| 2003-052720 | Feb 2003 | JP |
| 2006075427 | Mar 2006 | JP |
| 2008-504883 | Feb 2008 | JP |
| 2015-084796 | May 2015 | JP |
| 2015-204887 | Nov 2015 | JP |
| 2016-523626 | Aug 2016 | JP |
| 10-2007-0024664 | Mar 2007 | KR |
| 2006012273 | Feb 2006 | WO |
| WO-2006109176 | Oct 2006 | WO |
| 2014198681 | Dec 2014 | WO |
| 2015118543 | Aug 2015 | WO |
| WO-2017010711 | Jan 2017 | WO |
| Entry |
|---|
| Dec. 10, 2020 Office Action issued in European Patent Application No. 18 722 220.3. |
| Aug. 4, 2017 Search Report issued in European Patent Application No. 17 16 9130. |
| Jun. 11, 2018 International Search Report issued in International Patent Application No. PCT/IB2018/053035. |
| Jun. 11, 2018 Written Opinion of the International Searching Authority issued in International Patent Application No. PCT/IB2018/053035. |
| Dec. 3, 2021 Office Action issued in Chinese Patent Application No. 201880028913.0. |
| Apr. 27, 2022 Office Action issued in Brazilian Patent Application No. BR112019022823-3. |
| Jan. 5, 2023 Office Action issued in Korean Patent Application No. 10-2019-7031637. |
| Oct. 23, 2022 Office Action issued in Israeli Patent Application No. 270258. |
| Oct. 27, 2022 Office Action issued in European Patent Application No. 18722220.3. |
| Nov. 22, 2022 Office Action issued in Japanese Patent Application No. 2019-560186. |
| Aug. 28, 2023 Office Action issued in Korean Patent Application No. 10-2019-7031637. |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20200146786 A1 | May 2020 | US |
