Patent Application
20160361150
Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to the field of implantology, and more particularly to the field of dental restorations, implants and prostheses. The present invention further relates to packaging, surface refinement and sterilization of medical devices in general.
Description of Related Art
The individual, partial or full CAD/CAM-based customization of prostheses is a modern trend towards further individualized patient-specific life science and health care services. U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/086,537 to Rubbert (published as U.S. Pub. No. 2014/0080093), which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety, describes in an exemplary embodiment a fully customized dental prosthesis that mimics the three-dimensional shape of a non-functional tooth, derived from three-dimensional imagining data, adjusted for straight insertion, that provides an anatomically shaped emerging profile, and that comprises a custom-shaped prosthetic post to receive a crown and is intended to be placed in the alveolar socket directly after the extraction of the non-functional tooth. Rubbert describes in the aforementioned '537 application various surface conditionings to either enhance osseointegration over fibrous encapsulation or to promote the regeneration of the periodontal ligament.
Packaging solutions for implants are required to avoid or at least minimize any contact between the implant's surface and the packaging materials during transportation, so that the materials of the packaging do not damage or alter the implant, for example by the packaging contacting the implant's surfaces, and rubbing off portions of the surface or by otherwise contaminating the implant surfaces. Sterilization of packaged products is the generally accepted standard for medical devices, and implants in particular. The packaging provides a sterile barrier that maintains sterilization during transportation and shelf life. Sterilization with moist heat, or other toxic gases, requires semi-permeable packaging components so that the sterilization agent is able to infiltrate and saturate the packaging volume and reach at least the surfaces of the medical device, or implant, in order to provide the level of bacterial overkill required by law or regulatory bodies. Volumetric sterilization methods like gamma radiation may damage or deteriorate material properties and cannot be used for certain medical devices.
Environmental air surrounding a medical device or implant, including fumes, pollution, and gas components that evaporate from packaging materials contaminate refined surfaces of medical devices within packaging containers. Purified surfaces “age” within hours and days being exposed to environmental air, so that, for example hydrocarbons are spreading out in cumulating molecular layers on implant surfaces, turning clean and refined hydrophilic surfaces, available directly after manufacturing processes, for example after etching of endosseous implant surfaces, into hydrophobic surface properties. The initial immediate and direct contact between refined implant surfaces and blood proteins is considered to enhance the hard and soft tissue integration. Hydrophobic surfaces and surfaces contaminated with hydrocarbons, for example from packaging emissions, are considered detrimental to that enhancement.
Steinemann et al. describe in U.S. Pat. No. 6,702,855, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety, an implant having improved osseointegration characteristics. The implant consists of titanium or a titanium alloy. The implant is provided with a rough “hydroxylated and hydrophilic surface which is at least sealed in a gastight and liquid-tight covering. The interior of said covering is provided with an inert atmosphere, preferably consisting of nitrogen, oxygen and/or inert gas and/or is at least partially filled with purified water,” which optionally contains additives.
All described options and methodologies are deficient and/or limited in their respective scope. There has not been recognition, until now by the inventors, of the need for systems, and related methods that include, for example, an at least partially custom-shaped holder to clamp or otherwise fixate a custom-shaped prosthesis in a packaging container to avoid any contact between the implant surface(s) conditioned for tissue integration with the surrounding packaging materials, wherein the holder may or may not also be used as an insertion tool. Methods include hermetically sealing a metal container with a metal foil that serves as a packaging component to protect refined, purified or otherwise conditioned surfaces of prostheses against environmental air. Further methods include sterilizing the prostheses inside the hermetically sealed container, for example by means of gamma radiation or dry heat.
In some systems and methods, for example, titanium is used for the container and the foil, for example with desorbed and/or conditioned surfaces that serve as getter and/or catalyst to clean at least the air inside the hermetically sealed container, the getter, for example, being further activated by heat treatment. In other systems and methods, integrated light emitting diodes (LEDs) or optical windows are utilized with and/or disposed within the container, so that the implant surfaces can be treated with ultraviolet A (UVA) and/or ultraviolet B (UVB) light activated inside the hermetically sealed container. All of the foregoing components and steps, alone or in any combination, can be used to protect refined implant surfaces during sterilization, transportation and shelf-life and/or to enable appropriate fixation and handling of customized prostheses for sterile delivery and insertion, so that the gain in surface purity and in handling accuracy enhances hard or soft tissue integration of implant surfaces of prostheses and reduces surgical errors.
There is also no prior recognition of the tooling required to laser weld a foil onto a container surface in the context of packaging medical devices, or implants, in order to account for tolerances in the evenness or levelness, and equality of height of the surfaces to be welded and dimensions of the container, so that more controlled and more robust manufacturing technologies ease dimensional production tolerances and thereby gain efficiencies.
The system(s) and method(s) provided by the various embodiments of the present disclosure comprise several independent inventive features providing substantial improvements. Benefits will be achieved in the field of implantology, and more particularly in the field of dental restorations, implants and prostheses and in the area of packaging, surface refinement and sterilization of medical devices in general.
One objective of the present invention is to provide a solution for safely packaging and storing a medical device in general, or a prosthesis or a dental implant in particular. For example, a surface conditioning has been performed to ensure that a dental implant supports either osseointegration over fibrous encapsulation, or promotes the regeneration of the periodontal ligament. In order to preserve and maintain those surface properties, the packaging must shield and protect the implant from external influences; the implant is to remain fully shielded inside a packaging container or covering until sterile clinical delivery of the implant, including its implantation, and actual use.
Another aspect is to prevent the implant from coming into contact with the packaging materials in order to prohibit the implant from rubbing against the encasement. Accordingly, the implant, custom-shaped or of generic shape, must be fixed inside the packaging container so that any movement relative to the envelope of the encasement is prevented, even under rough conditions to be expected during transportation and handling.
A further objective of the present invention is to allow reliable and easy removal of the implant from the package by the dentist or surgeon or an assistant prior to the implantation process. In order to support osseointegration or regeneration of the periodontal ligament, it is desirable that the tissue-integrating or anchoring portion of the implant can remain completely untouched during removal and insertion into the tissue of the patient. In addition, the process of removing the implant from the package, and placing it into the body cavity considering the proper orientation should not present any challenges requiring undue carefulness.
In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the implant is mechanically fixed inside the packaging container using an interlocking, positive fit or form closure system. A holder or two or more holders are shaped so that they partially embrace the implant. Depending on the nature of the implant, they can be customized to precisely match the shape of the implant, and can even be shaped under consideration of the teeth adjacent to the implant.
The holders can be firmly connected to the packaging container, and locked in place, but are removable, so that the implant can be removed from the container together with the holders. In another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the holders are shaped so that they can be used to remove the implant from the container, and thereafter to handle the implant and place it in the right orientation and position into the body cavity, thus, in some cases, avoiding the need for further tools or manipulation means.
This embodiment preferably would comprise two holders shaped according to the implant, and connecting to the implant by an interlocking, positive fit, form closure or clamping mechanism, or a combination thereof. After having placed the implant properly, the holders are to be released from the implant. In one embodiment, this can be performed without applying considerable force onto the prosthesis.
In order to support the correct rotational orientation, for example, of a dental implant, in another embodiment of the invention, the holders are equipped with at least one marker identifying the pre-defined position, for example a vestibular portion of the dental implant. The marker of the holder of a prosthesis may correlate with a respective marker placed on the prosthesis.
A packaging container is made from a material supporting the preservation of the refined and/or conditioned surfaces of the prosthesis. Specialty implants are manufactured with a broad spectrum of surface conditioning processes to support and enhance osseointegration over fibrous encapsulation or to promote the regeneration of the periodontal ligaments, or the integration with soft tissues in general. The aforementioned '537 application describes a great variety of possible surface conditioning, and it is essential that the surface properties achieved by those or other treatments are preserved to the maximum extent during the shipping and delivery process.
In an exemplary embodiment, a casing made from titanium is used. The inner surface of a titanium casing would also serve as getter or catalyst to attract and retain or dissolve any residual contamination. The inner surfaces, or portions thereof, may be surface treated to improve the getter feature, for example by desorption, sandblasting, etching, coating, and plasma cleaning, or any combination thereof in order to increase the surface, for example, by increasing the surface roughness, and/or to remove residual contamination. As used herein, the term “getter” refers to a substance, such as, for example, titanium disposed in a vessel, optionally under a vacuum, to adsorb residual gas in the vessel. In some embodiments, the getter further acts as a catalyst allowing for a reaction of the residual gas, the residual gas being adsorbed to the surface of the getter and/or dissolved, e.g., breaking up hydrocarbons by a catalytic process.
Additional, optional means are provided to further improve the purity of the inside of the casing. One such means includes, for example, a thin sheet having a meandering shape enclosed within in the container. This sheet provides a significant enlargement of the inner surface serving as a getter medium. In another embodiment, LEDs emitting ultraviolet light are mounted inside the casing, providing radiation suitable for breaking up hydrocarbons, and for changing the electro-static charge of the surface (which is reported to be conductive to cell attachment and cell propagation) when activated. In yet another embodiment, portions of the casing are made from quartz glass, allowing the implant or prosthesis to be exposed to ultraviolet radiation through the sealed covering or encasement at any point in time.
In order to maintain the purity of the inside of the casing after the implant and the holders have been inserted, the container must be sealed hermetically. In an exemplary embodiment, the casing is made from titanium, and a foil made from the same material is welded directly to the casing, thus closing the opening, and creating a robust and hermetically tight enclosure. During the welding process, the foil must be pressed tight against the casing in order to avoid leakage or cracks. For example vacuum, inert gas, or purified air may further enhance the environment inside the hermetically sealed covering of a prosthesis or implant.
Disclosed herein is a container for protectively holding a prosthesis for storage and transport. The container includes a casing; a sealing foil, wherein the sealing foil encloses an open portion of the casing, and wherein the sealing foil comprises an inner surface facing the prosthesis; and a holder, wherein the holder grips a portion of the prosthesis, wherein the holder is operable to support the prosthesis within the casing, and wherein the holder is operable to prevent contact between the prosthesis, an inner surface of the casing, and the inner surface of the sealing foil. In some embodiments, the inner surface of the casing is operable to reduce impurities within the container that negatively impact the prosthesis. In other embodiments, the container further includes an insert disposed between the holder and the casing, wherein the insert is operable to reduce impurities within the container that negatively impact the prosthesis.
Still in other embodiments, the holder comprises a first clamp and a second clamp, wherein the clamps are joined by a hinge. In certain embodiments, the holder further comprises a specialty manufactured portion correspondingly formed to hold a specialty manufactured prosthesis. Still in other embodiments, the specialty manufactured prosthesis is a dental implant. In yet other embodiments, the container further comprises at least one material selected from the group consisting of: titanium, titanium alloy, active carbon, a metal oxide, and zeolite-like materials. In some embodiments, the sealing foil is hermetically sealed to the casing. In certain embodiments, the holder is removable by hand and operable to insert the prosthesis into a patient's body without the prosthesis being removed from the holder prior to insertion into the patient's body.
In some embodiments of the container, the insert is flexibly positioned for insertion of the holder into the insert. In other embodiments, an outer surface of the holder is specially manufactured for insertion of the prosthesis into the patient's body between existing portions of the patient's body. In certain embodiments, the container is under a vacuum once the foil is hermetically sealed to the casing. Still in other embodiments of the container, the casing includes a meandering-shaped getter surface for reducing impurities within the container that negatively impact the prosthesis. In some embodiments, the casing includes light-emitting sources operable to emit UV light toward the prosthesis. Still in yet other embodiments, the casing includes transparent portions operable to allow UV light to travel through the casing toward an interior of the container and the prosthesis.
Additionally disclosed herein is a method for seamless prosthesis design and transport. The method includes the steps of: shaping a prosthesis according to a specific patient's anatomical features; conditioning the surface of the prosthesis for healthy integration of the prosthesis into the patient's body; inserting the prosthesis within a container for protectively holding a prosthesis for storage and transport, the container comprising: a casing, wherein the casing comprises an inner surface operable to reduce impurities within the container that negatively impact the prosthesis; and a holder, wherein the holder grips a portion of the prosthesis, wherein the holder is operable to support the prosthesis within the casing, and wherein the holder is operable to prevent contact between the prosthesis and the inner surface of the casing; and hermetically sealing the container.
In some embodiments of the method, the step of hermetically sealing the container further comprises the step of utilizing a sealing foil, wherein the sealing foil encloses an open portion of the casing, wherein the sealing foil comprises an inner surface facing the prosthesis, and wherein the holder is operable to prevent contact between the prosthesis and the inner surface of the sealing foil. In some embodiments, the method further comprises the step of heat activating an inner surface of the container. In some embodiments, the method further comprises the step of activating a surface of the prosthesis with UV light. In some embodiments, the method further comprises the step of opening the container for sterile delivery.
In some embodiments, the method further includes the step of using the holder to place the prosthesis clinically in a patient while preventing any human contact with the prosthesis, other than that of a patient.
Additionally disclosed is a system for protectively packaging a prosthesis, the system including an encasement; a prosthesis including a first custom-shaped portion; and a holder including a second custom-shaped portion, the first custom-shaped portion and the second custom-shaped portion provide a form-locking interface, so that, when the holder is operationally positioned inside the encasement and when the prosthesis is operationally positioned in the holder, the holder fixates the prosthesis by means of the form-locking fit in a pre-defined position and orientation inside the encasement. In some embodiments of the system, the prosthesis is a dental implant. Still in other embodiments of the system, the holder comprises a first clamp and a second clamp, the first clamp and the second clamp configured to provide a clamping mechanism, the holder being operable to position the prosthesis in the holder and release the prosthesis from the holder.
Still in other embodiments of the system, the prosthesis comprises an at least partially custom-shaped preparation post to receive a dental crown and a surface of the preparation post is at least a portion of the first custom-shaped portion. In certain embodiments, the second custom-shaped portion at least partially includes an inverse shape of the preparation post that substantially matches a corresponding portion of the preparation post of the dental implant.
Additionally disclosed is a system for sterile delivery and controlled handling of a prosthesis. The system includes a prosthesis including a first custom-shaped portion; a holder including a second custom-shaped portion, the first custom-shaped portion and the second custom-shaped portion provide a form-locking interface, so that, when the prosthesis is operationally positioned in the holder, the holder fixates the prosthesis by means of the form-locking fit in a pre-defined position and orientation with respect to the orientation and position of the holder. In some embodiments, the prosthesis is a dental implant. Still in other embodiments, the holder comprises a first clamp and a second clamp, the first clamp and the second clamp are configured to provide a clamping mechanism, so that a user that operationally positions the prosthesis in the holder is enabled to clamp the dental implant or to release the prosthesis from the holder.
In some embodiments, the prosthesis comprises an at least partially custom-shaped preparation post to receive a dental crown and a surface of the preparation post is at least a portion of the first custom-shaped portion. Still in other embodiments, the second custom-shaped portion at least partially includes an inverse shape of the preparation post that substantially matches a corresponding portion of the preparation post of the dental implant.
Additionally disclosed is a container for protecting a prosthesis for storage and transport. The container includes a casing; the prosthesis, wherein a surface of the prosthesis includes a surface property selected from the group consisting of: refined, purified, conditioned, sterilized, and combinations thereof, and wherein the prosthesis is positioned in an open portion of the casing; and a sealing foil, wherein the sealing foil closes the open portion of the casing to be airtight, and wherein the sealing foil comprises a material selected from the group consisting of: metal, a non-metal material comprising a metal coating, and combinations thereof.
In some embodiments, the sealing foil has a thickness of about 10 to about 1000 micrometers. In other embodiments, the sealing foil has a thickness of about 50 micrometers. Still in other embodiments, the casing comprises an inner surface facing the prosthesis, wherein the sealing foil comprises an inner surface facing the prosthesis, and wherein the container further comprises: a holder, wherein the holder grips a portion of the prosthesis, wherein the holder is operable to support the prosthesis within the casing, and wherein the holder is operable to prevent contact between the prosthesis and the inner surface of the casing, and between the prosthesis and the inner surface of the sealing foil, when the holder that holds the prosthesis is positioned in the open portion of the casing.
In some embodiments, the container further comprises an insert disposed between the holder and the casing. Still in other embodiments, the insert is flexibly positioned for insertion of the holder into the insert. In yet other embodiments, the surface of the prosthesis is refined. Still in other embodiments, the surface of the prosthesis is purified. In certain embodiments, the surface of the prosthesis is conditioned. Still in some embodiments, the surface of the prosthesis is sterilized. In certain embodiments, the sealing foil is made of metal. Still in other embodiments, the casing is made of metal.
In other embodiments of the container, the sealing foil is made of a non-metal material comprising a metal coating. In certain embodiments of the container, an inner surface of the casing is operable to reduce impurities within the container that negatively impact the prosthesis. Still in other embodiments, a surface of the insert is operable to reduce impurities within the container that negatively impact the prosthesis. In yet other embodiments, the casing comprises a meandering-shaped getter surface for reducing impurities within the container that negatively impact the prosthesis. Still in other embodiments, the container further comprises at least one material selected from the group consisting of: titanium, titanium alloy, active carbon, a metal oxide, and zeolite-like materials.
Still in other embodiments, the holder comprises a first clamp and a second clamp, wherein the clamps are joined by a hinge. In certain embodiments, the holder comprises a specialty manufactured portion correspondingly formed to hold a specialty manufactured prosthesis. Still in other embodiments, the specialty manufactured prosthesis is a custom-made dental implant. In certain embodiments, the holder is removable by hand from the casing and operable to insert the prosthesis into a patient's body without the prosthesis being removed from the holder prior to insertion into the patient's body. In other embodiments, an outer surface of the holder is specially manufactured for insertion of the prosthesis into the patient's body between existing portions of the patient's body.
In some embodiments, the sealing foil hermetically seals the open portion of the casing. Still in other embodiments, a seal between the casing and the sealing foil is welded. In yet other embodiments, the container is under a vacuum once the sealing foil seals the open portion of the casing. Still in other embodiments, the container contains purified air once the sealing foil closes the open portion of the casing. In certain embodiments, the casing comprises a light-emitting source operable to emit ultraviolet (UV) light toward the prosthesis. In yet other embodiments, the casing comprises a transparent portion operable to allow UV light to travel through the casing to the prosthesis, when the prosthesis is positioned in the open portion of the casing.
Additionally disclosed is a method to manufacture the aforementioned containers, the method including the steps of: disposing the prosthesis in the casing; and sealing the sealing foil to the casing to enclose the prosthesis in the container. Additionally disclosed is a method to sterilize the aforementioned embodiments of containers, the method including the step of: removing impurities from surfaces within the container, including internal surfaces of the casing and the sealing foil, to prevent impurities from contacting the prosthesis. In certain embodiments, the method further includes the step of applying dry heat sterilization.
Additionally disclosed is a method to protect a prosthesis for storage and transport, the method including the steps of: conditioning a portion of the prosthesis, wherein the conditioned portion of the prosthesis operably allows enhanced tissue integration; inserting the prosthesis with a holder into an open portion of a casing, wherein the holder grips a portion of the prosthesis, and wherein the holder is operable to support the prosthesis within the open portion of the casing; and hermetically sealing the open portion of the casing with a sealing foil, wherein the sealing foil comprises a metal surface. In some embodiments, the method further includes the step of custom-shaping a portion of the prosthesis responsive to the needs of an individual patient. In some embodiments of the method, the holder is operable to prevent contact between the prosthesis and the sealing foil and between the prosthesis and the casing, when the holder that grips the prosthesis is operationally positioned in the open portion of the casing.
In some embodiments, the holder is operable to place the prosthesis clinically in a patient while preventing any human contact with the prosthesis, other than that of the patient. In certain embodiments, the prosthesis is a custom-made dental implant. Still in other embodiments, the sealing foil is made of metal, wherein the casing is made of metal, and wherein the step of hermetically sealing the open portion of the casing with the sealing foil utilizes a laser welding process. In some embodiments, the method further includes the step of sterilizing the hermetically sealed casing utilizing a sterilization method based on dry heat. In some embodiments, the laser welding process utilizes a fixture that presses the sealing foil onto the casing, utilizing a spring loaded swivel distributing the forces between the sealing foil and the casing to accommodate variances in the thickness of the casing.
Still in other embodiments, the laser welding process utilizes a fixture that presses the sealing foil onto the casing, utilizing multiple spring elements distributing the forces to accommodate unevenness in the surface of the casing that contacts the sealing foil. In some embodiments, the method further includes the step of custom-shaping a portion of the holder, the custom-shaped portion of the holder to correspond to a custom-shaped portion of the prosthesis. In some embodiments, the method further includes the step of heat activating an inner surface inside the hermetically sealed casing. In some embodiments, the method further includes the step of activating a surface of the prosthesis with UV inside the hermetically sealed casing. In some embodiments of the method, the conditioned portion of the prosthesis allows enhanced hard-tissue integration. Still in other embodiments of the method, the conditioned portion of the prosthesis allows enhanced soft-tissue integration.
Additionally disclosed is a system for protectively packaging a prosthesis, the system including: an encasement; the prosthesis including a first custom-shaped portion; and a holder including a second custom-shaped portion, the first custom-shaped portion and the second custom-shaped portion provide a form-locking interface, so that, when the prosthesis is positioned in the holder, and when the holder is positioned inside the encasement, the holder fixates the prosthesis utilizing the form-locking interface in a pre-defined position and orientation inside the encasement. In some embodiments of the system, the holder comprises a first clamp and a second clamp, the first clamp and the second clamp configured to provide a clamping mechanism, the holder being operable to position and clamp the prosthesis in the holder and to release the prosthesis from the holder.
Still in other embodiments of the system, the prosthesis is a custom-made dental implant. In certain embodiments, the prosthesis comprises an at least partially custom-shaped preparation post to receive a dental crown and a portion of the at least partially custom-shaped preparation post is the first custom-shaped portion. Still in other embodiments, the second custom-shaped portion at least partially includes a substantially inverse shape of the custom-shaped preparation post that substantially matches a corresponding portion of the preparation post of the dental implant.
So that the manner in which the features and advantages of the invention, as well as others which will become apparent, may be understood in more detail, a more particular description of the invention briefly summarized above may be had by reference to the embodiments thereof which are illustrated in the appended drawings, which form a part of this specification. It is to be noted, however, that the drawings illustrate only various embodiments of the invention and are therefore not to be considered limiting of the invention's scope as it may include other effective embodiments as well.
The present invention will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, which illustrate embodiments of the present invention. This invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the illustrated embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the present invention to those skilled in the art. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout. The different numbering of identical or similar components and/or prime notation, if used, indicates similar elements in alternative embodiments and/or configurations.
The casing shown in
In another embodiment, conventional laboratory or industrial procedures such as, for example, casting are used to manufacture the casing and container. Other options include rapid-prototyping methods like high-speed milling or high-speed grinding.
In yet another embodiment, for example a ceramic material is used for the casing and/or container, and additional sheets of titanium or another suitable material are placed into the casing to serve as getter medium, as illustrated in
Preferably, at least the customized portion of the packaging container is fabricated using a CAD/CAM based method and system. In another exemplary embodiment, more than one prosthesis, or several parts of a medical device are placed and fixated inside the packaging container, for example a dental implant, a temporary cantilever bridge and an accessory to the dental implant, such as a test body to check the integrity of the insertion path prior to using the dental implant.
A degree of freedom when inserting the implant into a body cavity is the rotational orientation. Accordingly, it is preferable to mark at least one holder so that the rotational orientation of the implant is clearly indicated. In
Custom shaped outer portions (0416, 0417) are shaped according to the crowns of the teeth being adjacent to the implant. In most cases, the implant will be bordered at least on one side by another tooth (or a crown, bridge, or another implant), and when inserting the implant into the cavity with the help of the holders, the holders must not collide with the adjacent crowns or prosthetic components. Since the available space in the dentition is very limited, it may be required to shape the outer portions of the holders according to the adjacent crowns to avoid interferences.
Custom shaped inner portions (0419, 0420) are conforming to the outer shape of the portion of the implant connecting to the abutment. In an exemplary embodiment, the shape of the implant is designed with the help of a computer. The three-dimensional design data of the implant are then used to define portions (0419, 0420), for instance by using a holder design obtained from a library, providing excess material where the holders are gripping the implant, and using a software like the CAD software application called MAGICS (Materialise, Leuven, Belgium), for example, to remove the excess material by performing a Boolean operation, in this case a subtraction.
When a virtual representation of the custom-shaped preparation post of the implant, intended to receive a crown, is subtracted from the virtual representations of the holders, virtual representations of custom shaped inner portions (0419, 0420) will be generated representing the exact negative of the implant, and thus be perfectly shaped to grip or clamp the implant. The virtual representation of the custom-shaped preparation post of the implant may be positively or negatively sized, or reduced or enlarged by CAD operations, at least partially, to account for manufacturing tolerances or shrinkage in the manufacturing process. The same may apply to the virtual representations of custom shaped inner portions (0419, 0420) of the holders.
In a next step, the so-called “stitching” functionality of MAGICS may be used in case gaps are present in the resulting 3D surface. The outcome of this step is a virtual representation of a solid. In this context, a three-dimensional solid is an unambiguous numerical description of the surface of the geometrical shape of a three-dimensional object, with the numerical description showing no holes and clearly identifying the inside and the outside of the surface.
The data derived from CAD operations in stereolithography (STL) data format is then converted, for example, to an initial graphics exchange specification (IGES), or similar, data format. To fabricate a ceramic holder, for example, a piece of dental zirconia ceramic having a size of approximately 20 mm×8 mm×10 mm using a traditional 5-axis computer numerical control (CNC) milling device with a high-speed spindle (about 60,000 rpm), a spherical tungsten cutter having a diameter of the tip of the cutter of 1 mm and water cooling, can be used. The ceramic workpiece is clamped to the machine table of the milling machine. After programming the machine for the position and inclination of the workpiece, dialing in the machine and process parameters, and overlapping the physical workpiece with the virtual shape, a first portion comprising the generic parts of the holder (the slot receiving the inserts, and the indent or recess intended to be held by the fingers of a user) is completed by grinding down layer-by-layer the workpiece to the shape of interest. Then the completed portion of the workpiece is clamped into a fixture.
After programming the machine for the position and inclination of the reoriented workpiece clamped into that fixture, and entering machine and process parameters and overlapping the physical second part of the workpiece with the virtual shape of the second portion to be machined, the customized portions of the surface are machined by grinding the workpiece down layer-by-layer to the desired shape. After properly cleaning, removing the excess, and degreasing, the workpiece is sintered and finished, the ceramic holder then being ready for use.
Methods of fabricating holders, inserts, and the enclosing container include, but are not limited to, depositing, sintering, 3D printing, molding, curing, grinding, and milling. The ongoing progresses made in rapid prototyping, that is fabricating individual parts directly based on digital data, can strongly contribute to advancing various embodiments of the present invention.
Process steps derived from rapid prototyping can also be used to contribute partially to the manufacturing process. For example, a layer-by-layer wax printing machine fabricates a three-dimensional wax representation (sample) from the three-dimensional design data. The sample is prepared and embedded for lost wax investment casting; the wax sample is burned out and the investment mold is filled with liquid precious metal (e.g., dental gold alloy). After cooling down to room temperature, the embedding material is removed, the runner is cut-off and the workpiece is cleaned.
It must be understood that portions (0419, 0420) need to be customized only in case the corresponding portion of the implant is also customized. If that portion is generic, no customization is required. Different manufacturing technologies may be employed to fabricate the generic-shaped surfaces and to custom-shape the specific surfaces of the holder(s).
For the design of the root-analog implants, sophisticated imaging processes like for example CT (Computerized Topography), CBCT (Cone Beam Computed Tomography), or MRT (Magnetic Resonance Tomography) will be used to acquire the 3D data of the original tooth, and the surrounding tissue. These data will also comprise the crowns of the adjacent teeth, and can readily be used to generate outer portions (0612). Other options include performing a 3D scan of an impression of the dentition, or a 3D scan of a casted model poured from such an impression, or a direct 3D scan of the patient's dentition using an intra-oral 3D camera. Further suitable imaging methods include, but are not limited to ultra sound, destructive scanning, active triangulation, passive triangulation, confocal scanning, and Time of Flight (TOF). Such methods generate either surface descriptions, for example, in STL-format, or volumetric data, for example, in a so called “voxel”-format that can be transformed into surface data by generally available software applications known to those skilled in the art, and vice versa.
The digital surface data consists of multiple measurement data points, each having an x, y, and z coordinate and together having a density better than 0.1 mm and an accuracy noise of less than 0.05 mm. Alternatively, other resolutions, accuracies, and coordinate systems including, but not limited to cylindrical or spherical coordinate systems, can be employed by those skilled in the art. The data points are then exported in STL format according to this exemplary embodiment of the present invention. This widely used file format describes a surface or portions of a surface by interconnected triangles. STL files can be encoded either in binary or in ASCII format. Other established formats like PLY are also applicable.
In addition,
Both edges show a certain amount of flexibility, resulting in an elastic grip of the ensemble of holders and implant. The long cut-out (1018) adjacent the leg (1016) located between the receptacles for the holders provides additional elasticity. The insert (1004) is shaped so that it fit into slots in the casing (1002). These slots can be seen in
The insert as exemplarily shown in
It should be noted that the implementation of the inserts as displayed in
The CAD software MAGICS also has functions allowing an orthogonal shift of the surface of an object by a specified amount. This allows reduction of a 3D body, and thus to create a small gap between the outer surface of the holder, and the outer surface of the crown, allowing for a certain degree of maneuverability. MAGICS has helpful features that have originally been developed to optimize plastic parts for injection molding, but also have been found to be useful for the processes of various embodiments of the present invention.
The STL data describing the surfaces or solid representing the holder are then, for example, converted to an IGES data format. This is performed using, for example, software named SolidWorks (SolidWorks Corp., Concord, Mass. USA). The IGES file allows generating a CNC sequence to machine an artificial tooth from a piece of material like titanium or a titanium alloy (like Ti6Al4V), that consists, for example, of more than 60% of titanium. Ceramic material and other biocompatible materials or materials suitable for packaging medical devices, including but not limited to stainless steel (like 1.4435, 1.4542 or 1.4548), synthetics, elastics, plastics, resin-modified glass-ionomer cement, hybrid-ionomer cement, resin-enforced cement, and other synthetic and plastic materials, are also applicable. Processes to manufacture solid parts based on digital 3D data are also described in the aforementioned '537 application.
In another embodiment the holders are made from metal, and so-called rapid prototyping processes like selective laser melting are used to manufacture the holders. A wide variety of materials and manufacturing processes are applicable to produce holders showing the required properties. The main requirements regarding holders and inserts are that they must withstand the processes used to ensure the purity of the implant, which may include sterilization and/or plasma cleaning. In an exemplary embodiment, both the insert(s) and the holder(s) must maintain their shape during those processes.
In another embodiment of the present invention, the holders are made from stabilized tetragonal zirconium oxide polycrystalline or another aluminum oxide or zirconium oxide material known to those skilled in the art (e.g. inCoris ZI, inCoris AL, VITABLOCS, and CEREC Blocs distributed by and Ivoclar Vivadent and SIRONA). Alternatively, the holders can be made of titanium or a titanium alloy and surface coated with zirconium oxide, for example, in sputtering technologies (as offered by Clinical House Europe GmbH). In yet another embodiment, the packaging components are at least partially made of one of the following, or any combination of the following: titanium, titanium alloy that consists of more than about 60% of titanium, cement, zirconium oxide, ceramics, synthetics, elastics, plastics, stainless steel, glasiomer cement, resin-ionomer cement, hybrid-ionomer cement, resin-enforced cement, and acrylic based photopolymer.
In yet another embodiment of the present invention, a rapid prototyping process is used for fabricating the holders and/or the packaging container and/or the inserts from hybrid materials. The rapid prototyping process may build the holder layer-by-layer. For example, a powdery layer of a substance can be applied on top of a workpiece, and then portions of the new layer are hardened by a controlled laser beam, while the other unhardened portions are later removed. In this manner, different substances having different properties (stiffness, hardness, biological properties etc.) can be applied, and therefore different portions of the workpiece are made from different materials. In an embodiment of the present invention, the portion of the holders enclosing the prosthesis is made from a material different from the one used for the generic portion with slot and recess.
In yet another embodiment of the present invention, the holders, inserts or the container are an assembly of two or more parts. The parts are, for example, glued, sintered, mounted by pressure, and/or screwed to each other. In yet another embodiment of the present invention, the segments are fabricated using different materials and manufacturing technologies.
Accordingly, an exemplary embodiment comprises a disposable container. The outer shell of the container is made from only two pieces: the frame-like casing (1302) comprising the walls of the container and the bottom portion, and foil (1312) forming the seal of the container. A great variety of materials and processes is available for manufacturing and processing the foil. In an exemplary embodiment, the foil is laser-welded to the container. A circumferential weld seam ensures hermetical closure. In an exemplary embodiment the laser source is a fiber laser, emitting light at a wavelength of about 1070 nm. The laser beam is focused by optic components to a spot size of about 50 micrometers. The travel path of the laser light spot is numerically controlled by a two-axis or three-axis mirror system. Also, other laser technologies are readily available.
Another option is a design where the bottom closure is not a part of the frame, but consists of another foil, which is welded to the frame using the same mechanism as for the upper closure. Yet another example would be to use a container fabricated by deep-drawing instead of milling. Further variants like selective laser melting have been mentioned with respect to
In yet another embodiment, a foil made from synthetic material is used, having a thin metallic coating, and the container is sealed by heating and welding the plastic material. The examples listed above are reflecting only a fraction of processes and materials suitable for producing the packaging container. Accordingly, other methods of providing an air-tight enclosure can be selected. Welding, border crimping, and soldering, if executed properly, will produce excellent results, but other methods like bonding, vacuum sealing, or using a detachable connection can also serve for creating an airtight enclosure.
Foils having an appropriate thickness can also be connected by hemming and/or creasing. Such a seam may not be as tight as a welded seam, but since the great majority of prostheses are fully customized for treatment of a specific patient, the product will be delivered in a short time frame, and will not reside inside the package for more than a couple of days. In order to control the tightness of the seal, the packaging container can for instance be filled with helium. Helium molecules escaping from the container can easily be detected using a common leakage helium sniffer. Other gases and detection mechanisms are also applicable.
Several designs are applicable to support a reusable or partially reusable container. If the packaging container is for instance formed from a stable frame being enclosed by sealed foils, only the foils are dispensable, whereas the frame would be reused. This concept is also suitable for a tubular container as mentioned above. If a foil is welded directly to a solid frame-like structure, this structure can also be reused a couple of times by milling or grinding off the top layer, thus removing the residuals of the welding seam. If the container is initially fabricated with excess height, this refitting can be performed multiple times.
Another option to expose the packed implant to UV radiation for removal of impurities is to manufacture portions of the packaging container from quartz glass, allowing for the passage of UV rays to the dental implant through the packaging container (not illustrated in the drawings). In the practice of the dentist or surgeon, the packaging container would be placed into a small cradle comprising UV radiating elements, the elements being configured to match the quartz glass portions of the container.
Using computer networks, all process steps may be carried out by different and independent parties. The 3D acquisition of the shape of adjacent crowns, for example, be performed at the dentist's office, at a hospital or at a location specialized in imaging. The imaging data can then be transferred to a location where the imaging data are further processed in order to ready them for manufacturing. Then, the data can be transferred to a remote manufacturing location. All of these data transfers can, for example, be performed via the Internet, using preferably Virtual Private Network channels to secure privacy, or through a local area network.
Such variances can result from the raw material used for the container, from manufacturing processes, and divergences in thickness of the foil. Base (1940), tool base (1916) and frame (1912) must be interconnected in order to function properly. This connection is not illustrated in the drawing. The spring (1932) is configured to apply, for example, a force in the range of about 1 to about 500 N, e.g. about 50 N to press the foil against the container. The allowable gap between the container surface and the foil for laser welding is, for example, in the range from direct contact to up to about 100 micrometers, so that the requirement for the evenness of the container, for example needs to be better than about 100 micrometers, e.g. up to about 10 micrometers. The mechanism(s) to open and load the fixture and to apply the spring forces are generally known to one skilled in the art.
A system including one or more mirrors to direct the laser beam (“remote laser cutting”) has several advantages over a system with a fixed beam where the container would be moved. In an exemplary embodiment, the shape of the welding seam is specified by numerical data being fed into the system (“numerical control”). From the numerical data defining the welding path, the system calculates the required movements of the mirror(s). In this manner, curved seams can easily be achieved, just as well as a seam composed only from straight portions. Other systems may comprise a flexible fiber to transmit the laser energy to the welding spot. Additionally, after the welding process, the laser can be used to trim or cut off foil excess adjacent to the welding stream.
In an exemplary embodiment, the laser configuration of
In yet another exemplary embodiment of the present invention a method comprises the steps of (a) placing a prosthesis in a metal encasement, (b) desorbing the metal components of the encasement, with or without the prosthesis, in a high vacuum chamber, the vacuum, for example in the range of about 10−7 to 10 mbar, e.g. about 10−6 mbar, with or without a heating process, for example in the range of about 20° C. to about 400° C., e.g. about 300° C., and (c) hermetically sealing the metal encasement, including the prosthesis. In an alternative embodiment, the aforementioned steps (a) and (b) are performed in reverse order.
The parts as shown in the exemplary embodiments of
For removal of the prosthesis from the packaging container, the closure must be opened. If a foil is used, a tear strip can be incorporated by deliberately weakening the material at predefined locations by, for example, a line of scoring. This line of scoring or groove can, for example, be applied by stamping, or by directing the laser beam used for welding at the location of the tear strip, and by reducing the power, and/or increasing the speed of movement of the beam, so that the material is engraved but not cut apart.
In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention a system of packaging a prosthesis comprises a prosthesis, a holder and an encasement, the prosthesis including a first custom-shaped portion, the holder including a second custom-shaped portion, the first custom-shaped portion and the second custom-shaped portion provide a form-locking interface, so that, when the holder is operationally positioned inside the encasement and when the prosthesis is operationally positioned in the holder, the holder fixates the prosthesis by means of the form-locking fit in a pre-defined position and orientation inside the encasement, so that the prosthesis surfaces are not in contact with the encasement.
In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention a system of providing a prosthesis for sterile delivery comprises a prosthesis, and a holder the prosthesis including a first custom-shaped portion, the holder including a second custom-shaped portion, the first custom-shaped portion and the second custom-shaped portion provide a form-locking interface, so that, when the prosthesis is operationally positioned in the holder, the holder fixates the prosthesis by means of the form-locking fit in a pre-defined position and orientation with respect to the orientation and position of the holder.
In another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the holder described in the two directly aforementioned exemplary embodiments is the same holder to be used to fixate the prosthesis inside the encasement and to be used to provide the prosthesis for sterile delivery, so that the treating doctor is able to orient and position the prosthesis by orienting and positioning the holder.
In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention a system of manufacturing and packaging a prosthesis comprises a prosthesis and an encasement, the prosthesis includes a surface conditioned for enhanced hard- and/or soft-tissue integration, the encasement being hermetically sealed to thereby substantially preserve the enhancement for hard- and/or soft-tissue integration of the conditioned surface of the prosthesis, at least a portion of the materials the encasement is made of, are having getter properties to thereby competitively attract impurities enclosed in the hermetically sealed encasement away from the surface of the prosthesis conditioned for enhanced hard- and/or soft-tissue integration.
In the directly aforementioned embodiment, the encasement is for example made of metal. In the directly aforementioned embodiment, the material that is having getter properties is for example made of titanium or a titanium alloy. Alternatively or additionally the getter material is an additional part to be placed inside the encasement. In yet another embodiment the getter material(s) are activated after the encasement is hermetically sealed, for example, by at least by one of the following: exposure to heat, by inductive heat, by mechanical shock and by magnetism. In another embodiment the active getter material(s) are (first) enclosed and are (second) released or exposed to reach the prosthesis, for example, by one of the following: exposure to heat, by inductive heat, by mechanical shock and by magnetism.
In yet another exemplary embodiment of the present invention a system of packaging a prosthesis comprises a prosthesis and a covering, the covering encloses and seals hermetically the prosthesis, the prosthesis is sterile and the materials the covering is made of does not include any organic materials. In the directly aforementioned embodiment, the covering is for example made of metal. In the directly aforementioned embodiment, the covering is for example made titanium or a titanium alloy.
In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention a system of packaging a prosthesis comprises a prosthesis and an encasement, the encasement encloses and seals hermetically the prosthesis, the encasement includes at least one window placed and oriented in the encasement so that the prosthesis is exposed in the encasement to ultraviolet light when the encasement is operationally placed in an ultraviolet light chamber. In the directly aforementioned embodiment, the window is for example made of quartz glass.
In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention a method comprises the steps of hermetically sealing a prosthesis, whether customized or not, in a covering, sterilizing the prosthesis inside the hermetically sealed covering, for example, by at least one of the following sterilization methods: exposure to dry heat, exposure to gamma radiation, exposure to beta radiation, exposure to high-energy ultraviolet light and exposure e-beam radiation, and performing a process to break up hydrocarbons, for example, by at least one of the following mechanisms: a catalytic reaction activated by heat, and photon triggered reaction activated by ultraviolet light. The catalytic reaction can be caused, for example, by one of the following materials: titanium, titanium alloys, titanium oxides zirconia, other metal oxides, and platinum. The term “catalytic reaction” includes a pyrolytic reaction, oxidative reaction, and/or reductive reaction.
In yet another exemplary embodiment of the present invention a system for packaging and sterilizing comprises a prosthesis and an encasement, the encasement encloses the prosthesis, all components of the encasement are made of metal, the encasement is hermetically sealed by welding, and the encasement is labeled sterile.
In yet another exemplary embodiment a hermetically sealed encasement that includes the prosthesis is filled, for example, with at least one of the following: environmental air, inert gas, oxygen, ammoniac, reactive gas mixtures, water (gas), hydrogen peroxide (gas), composed air, and purified air, at any pressure to include increased pressure, pressure of about 1 atmosphere, and vacuum.
In another exemplary embodiment a hermetically sealed encasement that includes the prosthesis is evacuated and filled, for example, with at least one of the following: environmental air, inert gas, oxygen, ammoniac, reactive gas mixtures, composed air, and purified air, at a pressure suitable for plasma or corona discharge, e.g. a range of about 0.1 to about 20 mbar, e.g. about 2 mbar. The discharge is enabled by direct or alternative voltage, e.g. a range of about 20 volts (V) to about 1 kilovolt (kV), e.g. about 400 V, in case of alternative voltage, e.g. a range of about 1 hertz (Hz) to about 4 MHz, e.g. about 40 kHz. Electrodes are placed inside the encasement, for example, the prosthesis and/or the at least a portion of the encasement function(s) as electrode(s). The electric energy is conducted to at least one electrode by an isolating lead through into the encasement or an inductive process. With that, a plasma or corona discharge process may be performed that applies a coating onto a surface of the prosthesis inside the hermetically sealed encasement.
All the aforementioned embodiments and features and methods steps disclosed herein are deemed to be disclosed alone or in any combination, in the disclosed or in reverse order, or in any order as a person skilled in the art would combine and/or order the embodiments, configurations and features and method steps disclosed herein.
Note, it should be understood that one of ordinary skill in the art should understand that the various aspects of the present invention, as explained above, can readily be combined with each other.
The meaning of “CAD” shall include, but shall not be limited to, any and all technology of computer aided design.
The meaning of “CAM” shall include, but shall not be limited to, any and all technology of computer aided manufacturing.
The meaning of “CNC” shall include, but shall not be limited to, any and all technology of computer numerical control as it relates to manufacturing machinery and systems, including but not limited to rapid prototyping devices and systems.
The meaning of “rapid prototyping” shall include, but shall not be limited to, technologies qualified for manufacturing of copies of virtual three-dimensional objects and also technologies qualified for mass customization or the mass production of copies of customized or adapted geometries to the needs of an individual patient. Rapid prototyping in this context shall include, but not be limited to, manufacturing technologies based on the digital data, by a process that includes depositing material, in accordance with the digital data, layer-by-layer in a plurality of layers each constituting a two-dimensional cross section of a solid object having an edge defined by data of the three-dimensional surface, the layers being stacked in a third dimension to form the solid object having a three-dimensional surface defined by the data.
Such rapid prototyping technologies can be directed to actually manufacturing the part of interest, for example, by selective laser sintering or indirect by fabricating first e.g., a resin or wax sample of the part of interest, and second using, for example, “lost-wax” casing to duplicate such sample and fabricate therewith the part of interest. It also includes sintering techniques where the “green” body is printed in response to computerized numerical controlled (CNC) data and sintered it to its final material properties. Sintering in this context includes pressure and heat.
The meaning of “prosthesis” shall include any substantially artificially shaped part of any natural and artificial material.
Whenever the context requires, the word “prosthesis” shall be deemed to include the word “implant” and vice versa.
“3D” shall mean three-dimensional.
The meaning of “imaging”, “scan” and “scanning” shall include, but shall not be limited to, any and all technology of acquiring two-dimensional and/or three-dimensional data of physical objects or parts of a human body.
The meaning of clinical “imaging data” shall include, but shall not be limited to, in-vivo and in-vitro processes that result in any anatomical data of the anatomy of a human being. In this context the term data shall include, but shall not be limited to, two-dimensional and three-dimensional data.
The meaning of three-dimensional data shall include, but shall not be limited to, surface (e.g. triangulated data) and volumetric (e.g. voxel) data.
The words used in this specification to describe the various exemplary embodiments of the present invention are to be understood not only in the sense of their commonly defined meanings, but to include by special definition in this specification structure, material or acts beyond the scope of the commonly defined meanings. Thus, if an element can be understood in the context of this specification as including more than one meaning, then its use in a claim must be understood as being generic to all possible meanings supported by the specification and by the word, itself.
The various embodiments of the present invention and aspects of embodiments of the invention disclosed herein are to be understood not only in the order and context specifically described in this specification, but to include any order and any combination thereof. Whenever the context requires, all words used in the singular number shall be deemed to include the plural and vice versa. Words which import one gender shall be applied to any gender wherever appropriate. Whenever the context requires, all options that are listed with the word “and” shall be deemed to include the world “or” and vice versa, and any combination thereof. The titles of the sections of this specification and the sectioning of the text in separated paragraphs are for convenience of reference only and are not to be considered in construing this specification.
Insubstantial changes from the claimed subject matter as viewed by a person with ordinary skill in the art, now known or later devised, are expressly contemplated as being equivalent within the scope of the claims. Therefore, obvious substitutions now or later known to one with ordinary skill in the art are defined to be within the scope of the defined elements.
In the drawings and specification, there have been disclosed embodiments of the present invention, and although specific terms are employed, the terms are used in a descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation, the scope of the invention being set forth in the following claims, when attached. The invention has been described in considerable detail with specific reference to the illustrated embodiments. It will be apparent, however, that various modifications and changes can be made within the spirit and scope of the invention as described in the foregoing specification.
The present application is a non-provisional patent application of and claims benefit to and the priority of U.S. Prov. App. No. 62/174,895, filed Jun. 12, 2015, the entire disclosure of which is hereby expressly incorporated herein by reference.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 62174895 | Jun 2015 | US |
