A procedure and apparatus for producing individually designed, three-dimensional bodies usable as tooth replacements, prostheses, etc.

Claim 2

A procedure for producing individually designed, three-dimensional bodies (45, 46) intended to form at least parts of artificial replacements for teeth, dental bridges and joints; support parts for reconstruction of tissue build-up; and tools for producing whole or parts of such replacements and support parts, etc., characterized by the steps of identifying one or more forms of one or more of said bodies, forming a first digital representation (i1) of each respective identification, providing each respective first digital representation in memory devices (24, 25) associated with or included in a storage and processing unit (computer), handling, e.g. set-up in a file or files or in a database or databases, in the storage and processing unit of each respective first digital representation, said handling possibly including the application, for example via a terminal (26) associated with the storage and processing unit, of at least one item of information to the storage and processing unit (20) for actuation, e.g. form modification, size modification, etc., in relation to each respective first representation with each respective item of information, and generation of at least a second representation which differs from the relevant first representation depending on said actuation, activation of the storage and processing unit for one or more read-outs via one or more output ports of one or more of the first representations and the possible second representations, controlling one or more switch actuators/positioners (93) included in one or more machines (43, 44) for production by means of one or more of said read-outs; wherein each respective device, depending on its control, is actuated in an actuation function where a blank and a device acting thereon is brought into co-ordination because of the actuation of the device by means of relevant read-out and in which the blank is thus allocated the relevant read-out form; and wherein in cases where said actuation in relation to the first representation is to exist, such actuation is realized with the aid of said second representation and/or modification, e.g. supplementary modification, in the identification, machine setting, etc.

Claim 3

The procedure as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the production of one or more models of said bodies (6) and said identification are performed with the aid of the form(s) of the model(s), and/or production of a,description of each respective form of each respective model (9) or body, and wherein identification is performed with the aid of the description, said description including description parts which each respectively disclose co-ordinate indications (read-off angle of the body during read-off and position in one co-ordinate system) for each respective read-off point.

Claim 4

The procedure as claimed in Claim 1 or 2, wherein the description is allocated significances for form build-up, said significances consisting of predetermined codes characteristic of the build-up of the form and creating abbreviations or representations, here designated third representations, of the complete description parts and there forming an information mass which is substantially reduced in relation to the information mass of the complete description parts, and/or wherein the codes are stored in the processing unit and wherein complete first and second representations therein are generated with the aid of said codes.

Claim 5

The procedure as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein application of the first information via an input port (21) to first memory means (secondary memory) arranged in file or database of the first information, transmission to working memory of relevant file or database content, respectively, formation (editing) by introduction of a second item of information from the terminal (26) and with the aid of the transferred file or database content, respectively, of further file(s) or database content, respectively, representing varied or form-modifying third information items of the first information, storage in the first memory (secondary memory) of said additional file(s) or said database contents, respectively, read-out, by activation of the terminal (26) request from each respective machine (43, 44), etc., of one or more said first and third items of information.

Claim 6

The procedure as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein transition to user-friendly treatment form, e.g. a treatment form which operates on the basis of graphics in which editing may be carried out with the aid of a graphic representation on a screen, in connection with the transfer of each respective file or database content to the working memory (24), and/or wherein, on application of the first information, a program is activated for file or database processing, and/or wherein, on transfer from the first memory to the working memory, a processing program is activated which effectuates editing of the additional files or database contents, respectively, and/or wherein the file or database content, respectively, transferred to the working memory is recycled and restored in the first memory device.

Claim 7

The procedure as claimed in any one of the preceding Claims, wherein for making possible, by means of model, read-off or other copying, the production of implant bodies, e.g. tooth replacements, tooth crowns, prostheses, construction parts of prostheses etc. in biocompatible and mechanically durable material, e.g. titanium, ceramics, plastic, etc. two units (48, 49) are mutually longitudinally displaceable along their longitudinal axes which are preferably obliquely inclined in relation to one another, the first unit carrying a blank (53) from which the implant body or a tool part for these is produced, and the second unit carries a processing device (52) acting on said blank, in connection with its longitudinal axes (105, 114) and the mutual longitudinal displacement movements of the units are effectuated by a movement effectuating device which, depending on controls from a device generating controls, is actuated such that the blank is allocated, by the processing device, a first form associated with the implant body or tool part, respectively, wherein first and second data in respect of a second form or possible differences in relation to the first form in dimension and/or a form which is to exist for the second form are entered in memory equipment associated with computer means (20), e.g. personal computer, microprocessor, etc. included in or associated with an electric control unit in which the controls are generated in the form of electric control signals, and wherein the electric control signals are based on/calculated in the computer unit from relevant data of said first and second data and are entered into the movement-effectuating device whichthen includes an electrically controlled servo device, switching means (93), etc., whose movement effectuation is executed by the utilization of a slight inertia resistance in the movement-effectuating devices.

Claim 8

The procedure as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein first information by means of which said first data may be generated is produced at a copier, e.g. a dentist, dental technician, etc., and transmitted by means of data conveying or data storing media to a central unit (E-I) which caters for production, and wherein said first data is, at the central unit, entered in said electric control unit/computer device on the basis of the first information items, and/or wherein said data conveying medium includes a transmission line (K), e.g. a hooked-up and/or permanent communication in the public telecommunications network (82), and wherein transmitter and reception devices (91, 92) which preferably include modems, are disposed connectible to said transmission line for transfer of the first information, and/or wherein said second data in respect of different percentages in enlargement and reduction of the second form, different form modifications of the first form in relation to the second form, etc., are entered in said memory equipment/computer device (20), and wherein the relevant second data is selected by means of actuations of terminal devices (26, 40) associated with or connected to said computer devices (20, 34).

Claim 9

The procedure as claimed in any one of the preceding Claims, wherein the blank and tool-carrying units (48, 49), or one of the blank and tool-carrying units is controlled by the electric control unit for obtaining an optimum manufacturing time in respect of machining speed and accuracy, and wherein each respective rotary unit is in such instance longitudinally displaced depending on the complexity of the first or second form such that, in such first portions of the first or second form, respectively, as represent a first part form which permits a certain first maximum machining speed or unit, respectively, is longitudinally displaced at the first maximum machining speed, in such second portions of the first or second form, respectively, as represent a second part form which permits a certain second maximum machining speed which differs from the first maximum machining speed, unit, respectively, is longitudinally displaced at the second maximum machining speed, and so on.

Claim 10

Apparatus for realizing the procedure as claimed in Claim 1 for producing individually designed, three-dimensional bodies (45, 46) intended to form at least parts of artificial replacements for teeth, dental bridges and joints; support parts for reconstruction of tissue build-up, and tools for producing whole or parts of such replacements and support parts, etc., wherein identification means (11,12) are provided for identifying one or more forms of one or more of said bodies (9), wherein means are provided for forming a first digital representation of each respective identification, wherein a storage and processing unit (computer) receives each respective first digital representation in memory devices (23, 25) associated therewith, wherein the storage and processing unit handles, e.g. sets up a file (files) or database (databases) for each respective first digital representation, said handling optionally including the application, e.g. via a terminal (26) associated with the storage and processing unit, of at least one item of information to the storage and processing unit for actuation, e.g. form modification, size modification, etc., in relation to each respective first representation with each respective item of information, and generation of at least a second representation which differs from the relevant first representation depending on said actuation, wherein said storage and processing unit is actuable for obtaining one or more read- outs via one or more output ports (22) of one or more of the first representations and the possible second representations, wherein one or more switch actuators/positioning devices are disposed controllable by means of one or more of said readouts, wherein each respective device, depending on its control, is actuable in an actuation function in which a blank (53) and a device (52) acting thereon may be brought into co-ordination with each other as a result of the actuation of the device by means of relevant read-out, and in which the blank is by such means allocated the relevant read-out form, and wherein said identification means, machine or machines, etc., are actuable for realizing/occasioning a second representation and/or modification which differs from the first representation.

Claim 11

The apparatus as claimed in Claim 9, wherein for realizing production, by means of model, read-off or other copy, of tools, replacement, support body in the form of implant body, e.g. tooth replacement, tooth crow, prosthesis, construction part for prosthesis, etc., in biocompatible and mechanically durable/hard material, e.g. titanium, ceramics, etc., there are included two blank and tool-carrying units (48, 49) which are mutually longitudinally displaceable along their axes of rotation which are preferably inclined at an angle in relation to one another, said first unit (48) being disposed to carry a blank, from which the implant body or a tool part for these may be produced, and the second unit (49) is disposed to carry a processing device (52) by means of which the blank is formable, and movement-effectuating means depending on controls from a device generating the controls, to realize mutual longitudinal displacement movements for the units so that the processing device allocates to the blank a first form associated with the implant body or tool part, respectively, wherein the device generating the controls includes an electric control unit (42) which comprises or is connected/connectible to computer means, e.g. a personal computer, microprocessor, etc., in whose associated memory devices first and second data may be entered in respect of a second form relating to the model, the read-off or the copy, or a difference in relation to the first form, respectively, in dimension and/orform which is to exist for the second form, and wherein the control unit, depending on relevant data from said first and second data generate electric signals to the movement-effectuating device whichthen includes or consists of electrically controlled servo devices, switch actuators, etc., with slight inertia resistance.

Claim 12

The apparatus as claimed in Claim 9 or 10, wherein the electric control unit is included in a distribution system for transfer of first information, by means of which said first information, by means of which said first data may be generated in the memory equipment/computer device (20), said distribution system including a number, preferably a plurality, of initiation or gathering devices for said first information, and data storing and/or data transmitting/data transferring devices for said first information from said stations to a central station including the electric control unit and memory equipment/computer device, said first information being converted into said first data in the memory equipment/computer device in connection with transfer of the first information to the central station or after a short or lengthy intermediate storage in the central station (E-I), wherein the data transmitting devices include transmitter and receiver means (28, 30) and transfer communications between said transmitting and receiving stations, respectively, and wherein said transfer communication includes permanent and/or hook-up connections in the public telecommunications network to which said transmitter and receiver means are connected/connectible via modems, and/or wherein said electric control unit is operative to control the one or both of the rotary units for their mutual longitudinal displacement movements at speeds which are dependent upon the complexity of the form in question, e.g. in complicated form portions of the form in question at a first speed, in less complicated form portions of the form in question at a second speed which exceeds the first speed, and so on, and/or wherein in such forms in question or in such part forms of forms in question in which the processing device cannot operate above the axis of rotation of the blank because of the total configuration of the form in question, the electric control unit controls each respective rotary unit such that processing in certain phases takes place only under a part of a rotation turn for each respective rotary unit, and/or wherein it includes two or more pairs of rotary units where each respective pair is included in a machine or machine part allocated thereto, and wherein the electric control unit controls, directly or via subordinate control units, the different unit pairs/machines/ machine equipment parts on the basis of the same model/read-off/copy.

Claim 13

The apparatus as claimed in Claim 11, wherein the first pair of rotary units/a first machine/a first machine equipment part shapes a first blank which forms or is to form the implant body and which has an outer configuration which corresponds to the outer configuration of the model/the read-off/or the copy, or has been allocated said difference in relation to the outer configuration of the model/the read-off/the copy, and wherein at least second and third pairs of rotary units/second and third machines/second and third machine equipment parts shape second and third blanks, respectively, which form first and second tool parts in the form of electro-erosion devices intended for the production of an inner configuration of the implant body which then obtains socket form in its final configuration, cf. tooth crown, which first tool part forms a rough production part which has been provided with frontal wear durability for compensation of frontal wear in electro-erosion and which second tool part forms a fine production tool part with close association to the second form.