EP0731673B1
Expired / Lapsed
EP
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and device for a product intended to be introduced into the human body.
Assignee: Nobel Biocare AB
•
Filing: 1995-10-03
•
Granted: 2001-05-30
•
Expires: 2015-10-03
Abstract
Abstract PCT No. PCT/SE95/01131 Sec. 371 Date Aug. 6, 1996 Sec. 102(e) Date Aug. 6, 1996 PCT Filed Oct. 3, 1995 PCT Pub. No. WO96/10371 PCT Pub. Date Apr. 11, 1996A method and apparatus for manufacturing a product for use in the human body using a model having different parts are provided. The method comprises the steps of determining the position of the parts with an apparatus which generates first information related to the position of the parts. The contours of the parts are then scanned with a scanning members, which is functionally separate from the apparatus, and which represents the contour with electrical signals. The electrical signals are supplied to a computer unit which transforms the electrical signals into second information which is arranged in files. The first information and second information is processed concurrently with a computer program run on the computer unit, whereby the positions of the parts in a construction are represented on a computer screen. The processing information representing a construction is then provided from the computer unit to manufacturing equipment which is used to make the product.
Inventors
- 👤 Matts Andersson
- 👤 Magnus Persson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 21:30
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61C; A61C13/00; A61C13/0003; A61C13/0004; A61C9/00; A61C9/004; A61C9/0046; A61C9/0053; A61C9/0093
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
297 words
Method for manufacturing a product which can be used in
the human body, preferably a dental bridge, with the aid of a
model (2) comprising different parts, for example preparations
(8, 9, 10), and utilizing a scanning unit (14, 15) by
means of which the contours of the parts are scanned and represented
by electrical (digital) representations (23), and a
computer unit (19, 25) having a computer screen which
operates with data/information items which are related to the
representations and therefore to said contours and which are
arranged in files, and with the aid of a computer program,
for example a CAD program, processes the said data in cooperation
with an operator in order to represent, on the computer
screen, a construction (20) which is based on the
scanned representations, whereby processing information representing
the said construction being obtained from the computer
unit for use in equipment for manufacturing the product,
characterized by a) a first step in which the mutual positions of the
parts/preparations (8, 9, 10) in the model are determined by
means of a levelling apparatus which is functionally separate
from the scanning unit and in which position data/position
information items (23') related to said mutual positions are
generated, which position data/position information items are
transmitted to the computer unit, b) a second step in which the parts/preparations (8, 9,
10) of the model are moved to the scanning unit and scanned
for effecting the contour data/contour information items of
the parts, and c) a third step in which said position data/position information
items are run concurrently with the contour
data/contour information items in the computer unit (19, 25),
whereby the operator of the computer unit (19, 25) can indicate
both the contours and the mutual positions of the preparations
in the construction (20).
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
163 words
Method according to Patent Claim 1, characterized in
that the model is applied on a support platform of the levelling
apparatus (1), in that the said parts/preparations (8,
9, 10) are brought one at a time to one or more reading-off
positions on the support platform, in that the support platform
is turned about two axes (x,z), which extend through the
plane and are at right angles to one another, in order to
provide for the respective part/preparation, a vertical position
corresponding to a vertical scanning position in the
scanning unit (14, 15) so that the latter is able to scan the
whole contour of the respective part/preparation, and in that
information on the position of the model (2) on said support
platform and the said angles of rotation about the said axes
(x,z) is supplied and is used by the computer unit (19, 25),
in order to effect the determination of the correct mutual
positions of the parts/preparations in the construction (20).
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
50 words
Method according to Patent Claim 1 or 2, characterized
in that the respective part/preparation (8, 9, 10) is provided
with a handle (13) or equivalent holding member, by
means of which the part/preparation is transferred to the
scanning unit (14, 15) for said scanning of the contour of
the part/preparation.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
70 words
Method according to Patent Claim 1, characterized in
that the scanning unit (14, 15) operates with a scanning
function along an axis (17) which is inclined in relation to
the axis (14a) of the part/preparation, and in that the part/
/preparation is rotated about its axis (14a) during the scanning,
at the same time as the part/preparation and/or the
scanning unit (its scanning axis) moves in the vertical
direction (18).
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
47 words
Method according to any one of the preceding patent
claims, characterized in that the construction (20) produced
using the program is sectioned in the computer unit (19, 25)
and in that the machining information (26) includes information
on the structure of the sections and their mutual positions/locations.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
56 words
Method according to any one of the preceding patent
claims, characterized in that the machining/milling is carried
out in a similar way to the scanning of the preparation
(8, 9, 10) of the respective section/part, and each scanning
file can serve as production basis in the same way as in
manufacture of individual parts/dental crowns, etc.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
27 words
Method according to any one of the preceding patent
claims, characterized in that the sections or the bridge
parts are joined together by means of laser welding.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
392 words
Device for manufacturing a product which can be used in
the human body, preferably a dental bridge, with the aid of a
model comprising different parts, for example preparations
(8, 9, 10) and including a scanning unit (14,15) by means of
which the contours of the parts can be scanned and represented
by electrical (digital) representations (23), and a
computer unit (19, 25) having a computer screen, which
computer unit can receive the electrical representations (23)
and stores in files data/information corresponding the
electrical representations (23), and which computer unit can
process i.a. said data/information by means of a computer
program, for example a CAD-program, in cooperation with an
operator when designing a construction (20) on the screen,
whereby processing information (26) representing said
construction can be transmitted to equipment (29, 33) for
manufacturing of the product, characterized in that the
device also comprises a levelling apparatus which operates
separately from the scanning unit, in that the levelling
apparatus having a support platform (1) adapted to receive
the model (2) and allow side displacements (4, 5) of the
model in order to make it possible to position each of the
respective parts/preparations (8, 9 or 10) in read-off positions
at the levelling apparatus/support platform, in that
the support platform (1) also is adapted to be tiltable
around two axes (x,z) extending through the platform and
right angled to one another in order to make it possible to
adjust the inclination of a respective part/preparation (8, 9
or 10) in said read-off position with aid of tiltings of the
support platform around said axes (x, z), in that a tracer
equipment (11) senses respective side displacement positions
of the model and tilting positions of the support platform
for each part/preparation (8, 9, 10) and obtains information
(23') about these last mentioned positions to the computer
unit individually and a further platform (14) included in
said scanning unit, on which further platform (14)
parts/preparations can be placed individually in a scanning
position related to the position it had on the support
platform of the levelling apparatus when sensed by said
tracer equipment (11), and in that the information (23')
obtained by the tracer equipment (11) is adapted to be used
concurrently with said data/information by the computer unit
(19, 25) in order to determine the correct mutual positions
of the parts/preparations in the construction.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
EP0025911A1
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
Maintenance schedule is calculated for granted US utility patents.