Orthodontic mechanical force module

Abstract

The present invention is generally directed to an orthodontic mechanical force module having a jack screw whose rotation is controlled by a ratchet. In one embodiment, a pair of housings are interconnected with the patient in any appropriate manner, and are further rotatably interconnected with a rotatable spindle. At least one of these housings is also threadably engaged with the spindle. A ratchet is associated with the spindle to selectively allow the spindle to rotate only in a direction that increases a magnitude of the treatment forces being exerted on the patient by changing the spacing between the pair of housings by a movement of at least one of the housings along the spindle due to its rotation. That is, in an active position the ratchet precludes the spindle from rotating in a direction that would tend to reduce the magnitude of the treatment forces being exerted on the patient.

1 - 32 . (Canceled)  
   
   
       33 . An orthodontic mechanical force module, comprising: 
 first and second housings;    a spindle that extends within each of said first and second housings and that is rotatable relative to each of said first and second housings, wherein said spindle and said first housing are interconnected such that rotation of said spindle moves said first housing along a length dimension of said spindle to change a spacing between said first and second housings in a dimension measured along said length dimension of said spindle;    a ratchet associated with said spindle, wherein said ratchet comprises a ratchet wheel and a pawl, wherein said ratchet wheel rotates along with said spindle, wherein when said pawl is engaging said ratchet wheel so as to preclude rotation of said ratchet wheel and said spindle in a first direction, said pawl allows said ratchet wheel and said spindle to rotate in a second direction that is opposite said first direction; and    a plurality of adjustment apertures that extend at least within said spindle and that are radially spaced about a reference axis along which said length dimension of said spindle extends, wherein a first adjustment aperture of said plurality of adjustment apertures is accessible by an adjustment tool whenever said pawl is engaging said ratchet wheel so as to preclude rotation of both said ratchet wheel and said spindle in said first direction.    
   
   
       34 . An orthodontic mechanical force module, as claimed in  claim 33 , wherein: 
 said second housing remains at a constant position along said length dimension of said spindle during rotation of said spindle.    
   
   
       35 . An orthodontic mechanical force module, as claimed in  claim 33 , wherein: 
 said second housing and said spindle are interconnected such that rotation of said spindle also moves said second housing along said length dimension of said spindle, wherein said first and second housings move simultaneously in opposite directions along said length dimension of said spindle during rotation of said spindle.    
   
   
       36 . An orthodontic mechanical force module, as claimed in  claim 35 , wherein: 
 said first and second housings comprises first and second threaded bores, respectively, wherein said spindle comprises first and second threaded sections that interface with said first and second threaded bores, respectively.    
   
   
       37 . An orthodontic mechanical force module, as claimed in  claim 33 , wherein: 
 said pawl is resiliently biased into engagement with said ratchet wheel.    
   
   
       38 . An orthodontic mechanical force module, as claimed in  claim 33 , wherein: 
 said ratchet wheel comprises first and second bosses that are spaced along said length dimension of said spindle and a plurality of notches disposed on a peripheral surface of each of said first and second bosses, and wherein said pawl is at least simultaneously engageable with one of said plurality of notches on each of said first and second bosses.    
   
   
       39 . An orthodontic mechanical force module, as claimed in  claim 38 , wherein: 
 said plurality of adjustment apertures are disposed between said first and second bosses.    
   
   
       40 . An orthodontic mechanical force module, as claimed in  claim 38 , further comprising: 
 a first guide pin that extends within each of said first and second housings, wherein said first guide pin is parallel with said spindle, wherein said first guide pin comprises a collar disposed between said first and second bosses, wherein movement of said first guide pin along a path that is parallel with said length dimension of said spindle is restrained by a positioning of said collar of said first guide pin between said first and second bosses.    
   
   
       41 . An orthodontic mechanical force module, as claimed in  claim 33 , wherein: 
 said ratchet wheel comprises a plurality of detent apertures that are radially spaced about said reference axis along which said length dimension of said spindle extends, wherein engagement of said pawl with any of said plurality of detent apertures prevents rotation of said spindle in said first direction.    
   
   
       42 . An orthodontic mechanical force module, as claimed in  claim 41 , wherein: 
 all of said plurality of adjustment apertures are located within a first region that extends completely about an entire circumference of said spindle and that extends along only a portion of said length dimension of said spindle, wherein none of said plurality of detent apertures are located in said first region of said spindle.    
   
   
       43 . An orthodontic mechanical force module, as claimed in  claim 41 , wherein: 
 said plurality of detent apertures and said plurality of adjustment apertures are clocked such that one of said plurality of adjustment apertures is presented at the same position for a rotational adjustment of said spindle, by insertion of the adjustment tool therein, each time said pawl is in engagement with at least one of said plurality of detent apertures, and further such that said spindle may then be rotated at least 90° without encountering any obstruction by said orthodontic mechanical force module.    
   
   
       44 . An orthodontic mechanical force module, as claimed in  claim 43 , wherein: 
 said plurality of detent apertures consist of at least one set of four detent apertures spaced every 90 degrees about said reference axis and disposed at a common longitudinal position along said length dimension of said spindle.    
   
   
       45 . An orthodontic mechanical force module, as claimed in  claim 41 , wherein: 
 said plurality of detent apertures comprises a plurality of notches on a peripheral surface of said ratchet wheel, wherein said ratchet wheel comprises a transition section between each adjacent pair of said plurality of notches, wherein each said transition section is defined by a common radius having an origin on said reference axis along which said spindle extends in said length dimension, wherein each of said plurality of notches comprises first and second planar surfaces that intersect and that are disposed in perpendicular relation to each other, and wherein said first planar surface of each said detent aperture extends at least generally towards said reference axis.    
   
   
       46 . An orthodontic mechanical force module, as claimed in  claim 41 , wherein: 
 said plurality of detent apertures comprises a plurality of notches on a peripheral surface of said ratchet wheel, wherein each of said plurality of notches comprises first and second planar surfaces that intersect and that are disposed in perpendicular relation to each other, and wherein said first planar surface of each said notch extends at least generally towards said reference axis.    
   
   
       47 . An orthodontic mechanical force module, as claimed in  claim 33 , wherein: 
 said plurality of adjustment apertures consist of first and second through holes that are disposed in perpendicular relation to each other and that extend entirely through said spindle.    
   
   
       48 . An orthodontic mechanical force module, as claimed in  claim 33 , wherein: 
 first and second adjustment apertures are exposed whenever said pawl is engaged with said ratchet wheel so as to prevent rotation of both said ratchet wheel and said spindle in said first direction.    
   
   
       49 . An orthodontic mechanical force module, as claimed in  claim 33 , wherein: 
 said ratchet comprises a pawl assembly, wherein said pawl assembly comprises said pawl, and wherein said pawl assembly is mounted on said spindle.    
   
   
       50 . An orthodontic mechanical force module, as claimed in  claim 49 , further comprising: 
 a first guide pin that extends within each of said first and second housings, wherein said first guide pin is parallel with said spindle, and wherein said pawl assembly is mounted on each of said spindle and said first guide pin.    
   
   
       51 . An orthodontic mechanical force module, as claimed in  claim 50 , wherein: 
 said pawl assembly comprises a concave first recess on a first side of said pawl assembly and a concave second recess on a second side of said pawl assembly opposite said first side, wherein said spindle is received within said first recess, and wherein said first guide pin is received within said second recess.    
   
   
       52 . An orthodontic mechanical force module, as claimed in  claim 33 , wherein: 
 said pawl is disposed in at least partially overlying and spaced relation to a second said adjustment aperture of said plurality of said adjustment apertures whenever said pawl is engaged with said ratchet wheel so as to prevent rotation of both said spindle and said ratchet wheel in said first direction, wherein an adjustment tool may be directed first through said first adjustment aperture and then through said second adjustment aperture and into engagement with said pawl to disengage said pawl from said ratchet wheel to allow said spindle to be rotated in said second direction.