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

• US 5,440,496 A
• Filed: 03/25/1994
• Issued: 08/08/1995
• Est. Priority Date: 12/12/1990
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Nobelpharma AB
• Original Assignee: Nobelpharma AB
• Inventors: Andersson, Matts, Isberg, Erik, Carlsson, Lennart
• Primary Examiner(s): Envall, Jr., Roy N.
• Assistant Examiner(s): OAKES, BRIAN
• Application Number:
  US08/217,761
• Time in Patent Office: 501 Days
• Field of Search: 364/474.04, 364/474.05, 364/474.24, 364/474.06, 364/474.03, 364/550, 364/551.01, 364/551.02, 364/559, 364/560, 364/561, 364/562, 364/563, 356/376, 356/380, 33/503, 33/504, 33/505, 33/23.01-23.09
• US Class Current: 700/163
• CPC Class Codes: A61C 13/0004 Computer-assisted sizing or machining of dental prostheses
• CPC Class Codes: A61C 5/77 Methods or devices for making crowns
• CPC Class Codes: A61C 9/0053 Optical means or methods, e.g. scanning the teeth by a laser or light beam

Abstract

A method for producing at least one three-dimensional body. Conditions for sensing at least one model are preset. The conditions includes at least an angle of at least one sensor with respect to a longitudinal axis of the model and a relationship between a rotation speed of the model and a speed of movement of the sensor and the model relative to each other in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the model. The model is rotated while simultaneously moving at least one of the model and the sensor relative to each other in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the model while simultaneously sensing a plurality of distances generated by interaction between the sensor and a surface of the model to obtain a first set of data. The preset conditions and the first set of data are transmitted to at least one control for controlling at least one working tool for producing the three-dimensional body. The preset conditions of the at least one sensor and the at least one model substantially duplicated for at least one working tool and at least one blank respectively. The three-dimensional body is produced by varying a position of the working tool relative to the blank corresponding to the sensed distances generated by interaction between the sensor and the model, such that the working tool selectively removes material from the blank to substantially reproduce the surface of the model on the blank.

Claims

1. A method for producing at least one three-dimensional body, said method comprising the steps of:

a) presetting conditions for sensing at least one model, said conditions including at least an angle of at least one sensor with respect to a longitudinal axis of said model and a relationship between a rotation speed of said model and a speed of movement of said sensor and said model relative to each other in a direction parallel to said longitudinal axis of said model;

b) rotating said model while simultaneously moving at least one of said model and said sensor relative to each other in a direction parallel to said longitudinal axis of said model while simultaneously sensing a plurality of distances generated by interaction between said sensor and a surface of said model to obtain a first set of data;

c) transmitting said preset conditions and said first set of data to at least one control means for controlling at least one working tool for producing said three-dimensional bodies;

d) substantially duplicating said preset conditions of said at least one sensor and said at least one model for at least one working tool and at least one blank respectively; and

e) producing said three-dimensional body by varying a position of said working tool relative to said blank corresponding to said sensed distance generated by interaction between said sensor and said model, such that said working tool selectively removes material from said blank to substantially reproduce said surface of said model on said blank.

2. A method for producing at least one three-dimensional body according to claim 1, further comprising the steps of:

f) inputting said first set of data into memory of a computer;

g) modifying said first set of data to obtain a second set of data, said modification corresponding to a desired modification of said three-dimensional body produced;

h) generating an output from said computer in the form of a control signal;

i) transmitting said control signal to said means for controlling said working tool; and

j) producing a three-dimensional body including a surface different from said surface of said model.

3. A method for producing at least one three-dimensional body according to claim 1, wherein the entire surface of said model is sensed in one continuous motion.

4. A method for producing at least one three-dimensional body according to claim 1, further comprising the steps of:

f) altering at least one of said preset conditions at a point during said interaction between said sensor and said surface of said model;

g) transmitting said alteration of said at least one preset condition to said control means; and

h) duplicating said alteration of said at least one preset condition in said working tool and said blank at a point during the production of said three-dimensional body corresponding to said point during said interaction between said sensor and said surface of said model.

5. A method for producing at least one three-dimensional body according to claim 1, further comprising the steps of:

f) inputting said first set of data into memory of a computer;

g) creating a graphic representation of said first set of data on a display of said computer;

h) altering said graphic representation on said display, thereby producing a second set of data;

i) transmitting said second set of data to said control means; and

j) producing said three-dimensional body by varying a position of said working tool relative to said blank corresponding to said second set of data, such that said working tool selectively removes material from said blank to produce a surface on said blank.

6. A method for producing at least one three-dimensional body according to claim 1, further comprising the step of conveying said first set of data to said means for controlling said working tool over a transmission line temporarily or permanently connected to a public communications network, wherein said first set of data is transmitted and received by modems.

7. A method for producing at least one three-dimensional body according to claim 2, wherein said modification includes enlargement or reduction of said surface of said model or alteration of a portion of the surface of the model.

8. A method for producing at least one three-dimensional body according to claim 1, further comprising the steps of:

f) storing said preset conditions and said first set of data on a portable storage medium after being sensed;

g) reading said preset conditions and said first set of data from said portable storage medium; and

h) transmitting said preset conditions and said first set of data to said means for controlling said working tool with said portable storage medium.

9. A method for producing at least one three-dimensional body according to claim 1, wherein said three-dimensional body is a tooth implant, tooth replacement, tooth crown, prosthesis, or construction part of a prosthesis.

10. A method for producing at least one three-dimensional body according to claim 1, wherein said rotation speed of said blank as said three-dimensional body is produced is substantially similar to said rotation speed of said model as said sensor interacts with said model.

11. A method for producing at least one three-dimensional body according to claim 1, wherein said speed of movement of said sensor and said model relative to each other in a direction parallel to said longitudinal axis of said model is substantially similar to the movement of said blank and said working tool relative to each other in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of said blank.

12. An apparatus for producing at least one three-dimensional body, said apparatus comprising:

at least one sensor for sensing at least one model;

means for presetting conditions for sensing the model, said conditions including at least an angle of the sensor with respect to a longitudinal axis of the model and a relationship between a rotation speed of the model and a speed of movement of said sensor and the model relative to each other in a direction parallel to said longitudinal axis of the model;

means for rotating the model while simultaneously moving at least one of the model and the sensor relative to each other in a direction parallel to a longitudinal axis of the model and while said sensor simultaneously senses a plurality of distances generated by interaction between said sensor and a surface of the model to obtain a first data set;

at least one means for transmitting said preset conditions and said first set of data to means for controlling a working tool;

means for substantially duplicating said preset conditions for said sensor and the model in a working tool and a blank, respectively;

at least one working tool for removing material from at least one blank to produce said at least one three-dimensional body; and

at least one means for controlling said working tool to vary the position of said working tool relative to the blank, said position of said working tool corresponding to the distances generated by interaction between said sensor and the model, such that said working tool selectively removes material from the blank to substantially reproduce on the blank the surface of the model.

13. An apparatus for producing at least one three-dimensional body according to claim 12, wherein said sensor is a contact sensor.

14. An apparatus for producing at least one three-dimensional body according to claim 12, wherein said sensor is a laser sensor.

15. An apparatus for producing at least one three-dimensional body according to claim 12, further comprising a computer for receiving said first set of data, for altering said first set of data and transmitting said data to said means for controlling said working tool thereby altering said three-dimensional body produced.

16. An apparatus for producing at least one three-dimensional body according to claim 12, further comprising means for altering at least one of said preset conditions at a point during said interaction between said sensor and said surface of said model, for transmitting said alteration of said preset conditions to said means for controlling said working tool, and for duplicating said alteration of said at least one of said preset conditions in said working tool and said blank at a point during the production of said three-dimensional body corresponding to said point during said interaction between said sensor and said surface of said model.

17. An apparatus for producing at least one three-dimensional body according to claim 15, further comprising means for creating a graphic representation of said first data set on a display of said computer and for altering said graphic representation on said display thereby producing a second set of data and means for transmitting said second set of data to said means for controlling said working tool.

18. An apparatus for producing at least one three-dimensional body according to claim 12, wherein said transmitting means is a modem for transmitting said first set of data connected to a public telephone line and a modem for receiving said first set of data and transmitting said first set of data to said means for controlling said working tool.

19. An apparatus for producing at least one three-dimensional body according to claim 12, further comprising a floppy disk drive for storing said first set of data.