SHAKIBAPOURTABRIZI MAHTAB (IR)
NOURI ARVIN (IR)
HOODEH MEHRAN (IR)
| 7 Claims An apparatus for standardized and repeatable surface treatment of dental materials comprising three perpendicular axis movement platforms, holder of dental tools and handpieces or means for machining, a gripper platform for holding samples of dental materials, a cooling system for samples and a controller unit, whereby the controller unit enables the apparatus function to be repeatable The apparatus as claimed in claim 1 , the controller unit, controls the movement of the actuators and the function of the cooling system. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1 , holder of dental tools and handpieces or means for machining is connected to a universal joint mechanism for adjusting and adopting the holder to hold dental handpieces, turbines, low speed handpieces or any sort of dental tools, instruments or means for machining. The apparatus as claimed in claims 1 and 2, holder of dental tools and handpieces or means for machining, is connected to a sensor for measuring the applied force and sends feedback to controller unit in order to apply constant force by dental tools and handpieces or means for machining, on the samples by controlling the movements. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1 , the gripper platform for holding samples of dental material, has at least one sensor for measuring the applying force of the grippers onto the sample. The apparatus as claimed in claims 2 and 5, wherein the controller unit gets feedback from the sensors and controls the grippers movement to hold samples within the size range of the gripper with any shape or material. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1 , the gripper platform for holding samples of dental materials, has at least one sensor for measuring the temperature of the sample before, during and after the procedure. The apparatus as claimed in claims 2 and 7, the controller unit, controls the function of the cooling system by processing the feedback of the sensors. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1 , has a user interface which receives the standard variables of surface treatment of dental materials. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the structure has a built-in compressor or dental tool and hand piece driver. The apparatus as claimed in claims 1-10, wherein the movements are operated in an automatic or manual mode, while in the manual mode, the direction of the movement of 8 every actuator is received by the user interface and the controller unit saves all of the input variables of a movement and reproduces that movement. A method for standardized and repeatable surface treatment and mechanical simulation of preparation of dental materials comprising movement on a platform involving three perpendicular axes, holding dental tools and handpieces or means for machining, holding samples of dental material with a gripper platform, a cooling system for samples and a controller unit, whereby the controller unit enables the apparatus function to be repeatable. The method as claimed in claim 12, in which the controller unit controls the movement of the actuators and the function of the cooling system. The method as claimed in claim 12, in which the holder of dental tools and handpieces or means for machining is connected to a universal joint mechanism for adjusting and adopting the holder to hold dental handpieces, turbines, low speed handpieces or any kind of dental instrument or means for machining. The method as claimed in claims 12 and 13, comprising a gripper platform for holding samples of dental material which has at least one sensor for measuring the applying force of the grippers onto the sample. The method as claimed in claim 12, wherein the gripper platform for holding samples of dental material has at least one sensor for measuring the applying force of the grippers onto the sample. The method as claimed in claims 13 and 16, wherein the controller unit is getting feedback from the sensors and is controlling the grippers movement, holding samples within the size range of the gripper with any shape or material. The method as claimed in claim 12, comprising at least one sensor for measuring the temperature of the sample before, during and after the procedure on the gripper platform for holding samples of dental materials. The method as claimed in claims 13 and 18, includes the controller unit controlling the function of the cooling system by processing the feedback of the sensors. The method as claimed in claim 12, wherein the user interface is receiving the standard variables of surface treatment of dental materials. The as claimed in claim 12, wherein the structure has a built-in compressor or dental tools and handpiece driver. The method for surface treatment and machining of dental materials as claimed in claims 12-21 , wherein the movements are operating in an automatic or manual mode, while in the manual mode, the direction of the movement of every actuator is received by the user 9 interface and the controller unit saving all of the input variables of a movement and reproducing that movement. |
Technical Field / Background
This invention pertains to dentistry, surface treatment and machining on dental materials, performing experiments on dental materials.
Conventionally, surface treatment and machining on dental materials are done manually both in the field and laboratories except for the CAD/CAM technology, in which case a simple process can consume a fair amount of time and is not practical to deploy.
Summary of Invention
On the basis of this invention, an apparatus is provided for the surface treatment and machining of dental materials comprising three perpendicular axis movement platforms, holder of dental handpieces or the means for machining, a gripper platform for holding samples of dental material, a cooling system for samples and a controller unit, whereby the controller unit enables the apparatus function to be repeatable.
This invention provides a method for the surface treatment, while the machining of dental materials is characterized by the fact that the application of force from dental hand pieces or means for machining onto the materials sample is time-constant and repeatable.
Description of Drawings
FIG. 1 shows 3D view of the apparatus including:
1 : illustrates a platform or mechanism for movement in the direction of the vertical axis (Z) 2: illustrates a platform or mechanism for movement in the direction of the longitudinal axis (X)
3: illustrates a platform or mechanism for movement in the direction of the transverse axis (Y)
4: illustrates a tool holder as a versatile rake mechanism, with the components provided in Fig. 2.
5: illustrates a micro unit for setting up dental tools (turbines, handpieces, etc.) and cooling fluid tank and pump with the electrical part and circuit of the controller unit
6: illustrates a LCD touch screen as the user interface of the apparatus and a controller unit
FIG. 2 shows the holder of dental handpieces mechanism including:
4-1 : illustrates a universal joint to adjust any shape and angle required by the user
4-2: illustrates tool holder clamp with the ability to adjust the size with screws
4-3 illustrates spring and damper
4-4 illustrates in Line Load Cell sensor in order to control the force
FIG. 3 shows the view of upper part of apparatus including:
7: illustrates a coolant tube and nozzle of samples with the ability to change the direction and shape and adjust the position of the contact surface
9: illustrates a laser or optical sensor to control the placement of the contacted surface and height changes of samples during machining
FIG. 4 shows a gripper platform for holding samples of dental material including:
8: illustrates a gripper and sample holder with automatic movable jaws
8-1 : illustrates a temperature sensor for parts and samples
10 illustrates a stepper motor (actuator) to provide the power for transmission through the leadscrews 11 : illustrates a leadscrew and guide shaft for motion and power transmission in all axis movements
FIG. 5 shows the closed body of the apparatus including:
12: Illustrates a frame cap for the apparatus
Description of the Invention
Up to this date, various materials have been introduced in the field of dentistry to supply favorable properties. These materials undergo grinding, polishing, and different surface treatments in clinical circumstances; therefore, several studies in the field of dental materials have evaluated the effects of mentioned procedures on different properties of those materials. Numerous factors such as pressure, temperature, duration, and surface topography can modify the effects of a surface treatment on a dental material, resulting in a differentiable surface roughness, which is highly important. Some researchers have so far been trying to provide repeatability for experiments through different means such as employing human senses, performing the treatments by the same operator, using mechanical mechanisms and sensors to sight alternations during the study.
The aim of this invention, The method and apparatus for the unification of surface treatment and machining on dental materials conditions, considering the vast number of materials used in dentistry, frequent introduction of new materials, numerous devices required in dental experiments, the need for assessing and evaluating the materials and devices, and the increasing demand for these experiments, is to provide familiar conditions for studying materials in dental research, which can play a key role in using, improving, and introducing new dental materials. In addition, this device can contribute to the indirect fabrication of temporary crowns by preparing chosen teeth of the casts with no undercuts. Moreover, the finishing line can be prepared precisely. On the other hand, the primary and best-known means for the fabrication of temporary crowns are direct, indirect, and direct-indirect approaches, all of which have their own disadvantages. The main innovation of this device is that it can standardize experimental conditions for the study of different dental materials, which are conducted using a range of different dental tools and handpieces. As an innovation, high-speed handpiece, low-speed handpiece, and straight handpiece can be employed in this device. Moreover, all types and designs of dental burs can be employed in this device. All types of dental materials in any measure can be treated by burs in the invention. In addition, the device can standardize surface treatments in terms of the temperature of the specimens during treatment, duration of the treatment, surface roughness and topography.
The method for the unification of surface treatment and machining on dental materials conditions and apparatus for performing this method is designed for both experimental and clinical use; therefore, it needs to be robust, reliable and precise.
This method and apparatus for performing this method comprise four major sections:
1- Movement and motion and power transmission
2- Holder and gripper of tools and samples
3- Micro unit (dental tools driver), compressor and cooling system
4- Controller unit
The details for the sections named above are as follows:
• Movement and motion and power transmission section:
One of the vital purposes of this method and apparatus for performing this method is precision and accuracy in the movement with nearly null backlash to be done as robustly as possible.
This part comprises three movement platforms (1 , 2, 3) in three directions of vertical axis (Z), longitudinal axis (X) and transverse axis (Y). By looking at the movement platform of the transverse axis (3), it can be noticed that there is a stepper motor (10) for providing the power for transmission through the lead screws (11) to initiate a motion in that axis.
The actuator or power provider for the motion here is preferably stepper motor chosen for its precision and torque, but there are many actuators like servo motors or any other controllable electrically powered motor that can be used for this part, as well.
As a result, for the motion itself, the actuator spins the leadscrew and by spinning in the screw holes of the platform motion, changes from circular into linear in the direction of the said axis. Moreover, there are guiding shafts (11) for spreading the weight of the platform and helping the leadscrews to do their job perfectly.
Other movement platforms are accorded the same conditions with few adjustments in their size and length.
Also, the movement in the vertical axis (Z) is monitored by a laser or optical sensor (9), which is placed on the upper part (roof) of the apparatus, facing down to control the placement of the contacted surface and height changes of samples during machining.
The said movements can be determined both manually by the operator, using the LCD touchscreen (6) as the user interface or automatically and predetermined with the command of the controller unit. Under the latter circumstance, the operator sets the origin placements, offsets and conditionally chooses the preprogrammed types of the movements.
• Holder and gripper of tools and samples section:
This section comprises a tool holder (4) and a gripper and sample holder (8).
The tool holder (4) comprises a universal joint (4.1 ) to adjust the tool holder into any shape or angle required by the user, a tool holder clamp (4.2) with the ability to adjust the size of itself with screws (by opening and closing) to hold a variation of tools, a spring and damper (4.3) part for controllable variables which can result into constantly applying force in confronting any uncertainty in the system or variables of the experiment and an In Line Load Cell sensor (4.4) in order to control the force and give feedback to the controller unit (which will be discussed later).
This part is meant to hold dental tools like handpieces or turbines or means for machining in a variation of sizes and angles. The tools will be held by the clamps whose sizes can be adjusted with the screws and whose angles can be adjusted in accordance with the universal joints that they are fixed to. The universal joints are fixed in a predetermined height on the vertical axis (Z) and their fixed end cannot move.
The spring and damper part is fixed on the top of each clamp from one end and is connected to the inline load cell sensor from the other end and the sensor is fixed to the upper part (roof) of the apparatus.
There can be more than two clamps in this section.
The gripper and sample holder (8) comprises a two-point sample holder mechanism and a temperature sensor (8.1) for parts and samples. The two-point sample holder mechanism is fixed on the platform for moving in the direction of the transverse axis (3) and the temperature sensor is fixed on one of the clamps or grippers of the two-point sample holder, and naturally for the sensor to perform well and give correct feedback to the controller unit, the material used in the two- point sample holder clamps or grippers needs to be heat conductible.
The sample holder is modular and can be replaced by another sample holder which have two or three degrees of freedom, turning the whole apparatus into a five- or six-axis movement platform, which can be used for much complicated samples like a single teeth model.
• Micro unit (dental tools driver), compressor and cooling system section:
There is a built-in micro unit (5) which has a compressor. The micro unit works as a driver for dental tools like handpieces and turbines, etc., and this means there is no need to have a whole dental unit for experiments in the laboratories which consume a lot of space.
Also, the compressor of the micro units can be used as a source of blowing air through cooling system pipes and nozzle (7) for removing chips off the samples during the procedure or machining.
The cooling system includes separate pumps for applying cooling fluids onto the samples during the procedure or machining, both manually through the user interface (6) or automatically by the controller unit, which enables the processing of the given feedbacks from the temperature sensor (8.1).