PCT
`
`WORLD INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY ORGANIZATION
`International Bureau
`,
`
`
`
`
`INTERNATIONAL APPLICATION PUBLISHED UNDER THE PATENT COOPERATION TREATY (PCT)
`
`(51) International Patent Classification 6 3
`A61C 13/00
`
`A1
`
`(11) International Publication Number:
`
`WO 98/44865
`
`(43) International Publication Date:
`
`15 October 1998 (15.10.98)
`
`(21) International Application Number:
`
`PCT/SE98/00493
`
`(22) International Filing Date:
`
`19 March 1998 (19.03.98)
`
`(81) Designated States: AU, CA, JP, NO, US, European patent (AT,
`BE, CH, DE, DK, ES, FI, FR, GB, GR, IE, IT, LU, MC,
`NL, PT, SE).
`
`(30) Priority Data:
`97013098
`
`10 April 1997 (10.04.97)
`
`SE
`
`Published
`With international search report.
`In English translation (filed in Swedish).
`
`(71) Applicant (for all designated States except US): NOBEL
`BIOCARE AB (publ) [SE/SE]; P.O. Box 5190, 8-402 26
`GOteborg (SE).
`
`(72) Inventors; and
`(75) Inventors/Applicants (for US only): ANDERSSON, Matts
`[SE/SE]; Hammarstrc'omst'appa 2, 8—443 39 Lerum (SE).
`TORNQUIST, Anders [SE/SE]; Molndalsvagen 7, 8—412
`63 GOteborg (SE).
`
`(74) Agent: OLSSON, Gunnar; Nobel Biocare AB (publ), PO. Box
`
`5190, 5—402 26 Goteborg (SE).
`ASE
`
`(54) Title: ARRANGEMENT AND SYSTEM FOR PRODUCTION OF DENTAL PRODUCTS AND TRANSMISSION OF INFORMA—
`TION
`
`(57) Abstract
`
`An operating site is used to assemble individually designed
`dental products, for example distancing pieces, bridges, etc. Each
`product consists of two or more structural elements. The operating
`site is provided with computer equipment which can reproduce a
`simulated model of the jaw, dentine, implant, etc., and structural
`elements applied to the model. The operating site is arranged to
`collate data in a query profile relating to part of the assembly.
`Members are included for transmitting query profile data via the
`network to the central unit. The central unit supplies information
`relating to the part in question. The information is sent to the
`operating site or to a production unit connected to the central unit
`for production of the part. A debiting system is arranged to indicate
`to the central unit or to the production site that the information or
`production, respectively, has been paid for.
`
`2
`
`______.
`
`3
`3’2
`'
`v—33
`“34
`
`
`
`

`

`
`
`
`FOR THE PURPOSES OF INFORMATION ONLY
`
`
`
`Albania
`Armenia
`Austria
`Australia
`Azerbaijan
`Bosnia and Herzegovina
`Barbados
`Belgium
`Burkina Faso
`Bulgaria
`Benin
`Brazil
`Belarus
`,.
`Canada
`Central African Republic
`Congo
`Switzerland
`cote d'lvoire
`Cameroon
`China
`Cuba
`Czech Republic
`Germany
`Denmark
`Estonia
`
`Codes used to identify States party to the PCT on the front pages of pamphlets publishing international applications under the PCT.
`SI
`Slovenia
`LS
`ES
`Lesotho
`LT
`SK
`Slovakia
`Lithuania
`FI
`SN
`LU
`FR
`Luxembourg
`Senegal
`SZ
`Swaziland
`LV
`Latvia
`GA
`TD
`Chad
`MC
`Monaco
`GB
`TG
`GE
`MD
`Togo
`Republic of Moldova
`MG
`TJ
`GH
`Madagascar
`Tajikistan
`TM
`Turkmenistan
`MK
`GN
`The former Yugoslav
`TR
`GR
`Turkey
`Republic of Macedonia
`TT
`HU
`Mali
`Trinidad and Tobago
`Ukraine
`UA
`IE
`Mongolia
`Mauritania
`IL
`UG
`Uganda
`US
`United States of America
`Malawi
`IS
`UZ
`Uzbekistan
`Mexico
`IT
`VN
`Viet Nam
`JP
`Niger
`YU
`Netherlands
`KE
`Yugoslavia
`ZW
`Zimbabwe
`KG
`Norway
`New Zealand
`KP
`Poland
`Portugal
`Romania
`Russian Federation
`Sudan
`Sweden
`Singapore
`
`Spain
`Finland
`France
`Gabon
`United Kingdom
`Georgia
`Ghana
`Guinea
`Greece
`Hungary
`Ireland
`Israel
`Iceland
`Italy
`Japan
`Kenya
`Kyrgyzstan
`Democratic People’s
`Republic of Korea
`Republic of Korea
`Kazakstan
`Saint Lucia
`Liechtenstein
`Sri Lanka
`Liberia
`
`KR
`KZ
`LC
`LI
`LK
`LR
`
`ML
`MN
`MR
`MW
`MX
`NE
`NL
`NO
`NZ
`PL
`PT
`RO
`RU
`SD
`SE
`SG
`
`
`
`

`

`WO 98/44865
`
`.
`
`'
`
`PCT/SE98/00493
`
`TITLE
`
`Arrangement
`
`and
`
`system for
`
`production
`
`of
`
`dental
`
`products and transmission of information.
`
`TECHNICAL FIELD
`
`The present
`
`invention relates to an arrangement
`
`which makes
`
`it possible,
`
`at
`
`an operating site,
`
`to
`
`assemble
`
`individually designed dental products,
`
`for
`
`example distancing pieces, bridges, etc. Each dental
`
`product can in this case be made up from two or more
`
`structural elements. Each operating site is arranged
`
`with computer equipment with which it is possible to
`
`reproduce
`
`a
`
`simulated model
`
`of
`
`the
`
`jaw,
`
`dentine,
`
`and structural elements applied to the
`implant, etc.,
`model. By Ineans of
`interaction with the user,
`it
`is
`
`possible to adapt
`
`the constructional design of
`
`the
`
`respective assembled product
`
`to the dental situation in
`
`question. The operating site can be connected to one or
`
`more
`
`central units via
`
`a
`
`telecommunications
`
`and/or
`
`computer network, via which the central unit
`
`receives
`
`data from the operating site.
`
`The arrangement can also be set up to permit
`
`manufacture of dental products, or
`
`instruments for the-
`
`latter,
`
`at
`
`a
`
`number
`
`of
`
`geographically
`
`distinct
`
`manufacturing sites, where the manufacturing procedure
`
`can be effected in a number of manufacturing stages.
`
`The arrangement can also be set up so that, at
`
`one or more manufacturing sites,
`
`it
`
`is possible to
`
`control a manufacturing procedure for a dental product,
`
`or
`
`instrument
`
`for
`
`the
`
`latter, where
`
`the procedure
`
`comprises one or more subsidiary stages.
`
`10
`
`15
`
`20
`
`25
`
`30
`
`The arrangement can also be set up to assemble
`qualified constellations at
`a dental user site,
`for
`
`35'
`
`example with
`
`regard
`
`to
`
`dental
`
`situations,
`
`dental
`
`information, dental
`has
`access
`to
`its
`
`test products, etc. The user site
`own
`results
`or
`one
`or more
`
`presentation banks which
`
`can be
`
`subject
`
`to factual
`
`40
`
`information relating to,
`
`for
`
`example, verifications,
`
`

`

`WO 98/44865
`
`PCT/SE98/00493
`
`-2-
`
`adjustments,
`
`complementary additions,
`
`etc.
`
`The user
`
`site can in this case be connected to oner or more
`central units via a telecommunications and/or computer
`
`network, via which the user site and the central unit
`
`5
`
`are capable of exchanging information/ data.
`
`system
`invention is also applicable to a
`The
`supplying dental products
`and preferably dental
`
`for
`
`information
`
`relating
`
`to
`
`the
`
`products
`
`and
`
`dental
`
`situations
`
`and,
`
`if
`
`appropriate,
`
`also
`
`for making
`
`10
`
`instruments for production of the product. A number of
`
`users using the system and constituting user sites can
`
`be connected to one or more central units,
`
`included in
`
`computer
`telecommunications and/or
`the. system, via a
`network. The respective user site can in this case be
`
`15
`
`provided with computer
`
`equipment
`
`by means of which
`
`query profiles can be collated.
`
`STATE OF THE ART
`
`It
`
`is
`
`already
`
`known
`
`to
`
`use mechanical,
`
`20
`
`computer—aided methods
`
`for
`
`production
`
`of
`
`dental
`
`products such as caps, bridges, etc. Plaster models and
`
`can be
`
`the jaw,
`
`tooth remains,
`
`etc. of
`
`the patient
`
`scanned with the aid of various methods by the dental
`
`technician/dentist.
`
`The
`
`scanned
`
`information
`
`can
`
`be
`
`25
`
`compressed and fed to the computer equipment,
`
`in which
`
`the model or equivalent can be simulated and,
`
`in the
`
`computer
`
`environment,
`
`can undergo constructional
`
`and
`
`add-on functions in order
`
`to obtain an optimum tooth
`
`replacement or equivalent
`
`for the patient
`
`in question.
`
`30
`
`The
`
`result
`
`obtained
`
`can
`
`constitute
`
`the basis
`
`for
`
`ordering the actual dental product
`
`from a centralized
`
`manufacturing site. An order can be
`
`sent
`
`in a
`
`known
`
`manner
`
`to the manufacturing site or production site in
`
`question, which manufactures the desired dental product
`
`35
`
`and
`
`sends
`
`this back
`
`to the orderer, who
`
`can
`
`then
`
`continue his work preparing and fitting the dental
`
`product on the patient.
`
`

`

`WO 98/44865
`
`PCT/SE98/00493
`
`_ 3
`
`_
`
`In this connection, it is known to prepare not
`
`only tooth caps in this way, but also pontics,
`crowns and bridge parts.
`'
`7
`
`titanium
`
`the customers on the system thus
`The users or
`provide for the system a work station which includes a
`
`standard PC with modem (or
`
`ISDN connection). The work
`
`station can be fitted out
`
`in various ways. Thus,
`
`for
`
`example,
`
`it can be equipped with a
`
`scanner device of
`
`the Procera type with associated user program.
`
`DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
`
`TECHNICAL PROBLEM
`
`_
`
`The manufacturing process entails, overall,
`
`a
`
`very complex technique which it
`
`is not possible for
`
`each user/customer
`
`to perform. There
`
`is,
`
`however,
`
`a
`
`need for each user or customer to be able,
`
`to a greater
`
`extent
`
`than has hitherto been possible,
`
`to be able to
`
`gain access in a
`
`technically simple manner
`
`to all or
`
`parts
`
`of
`
`the
`
`complete process
`
`structure or process
`
`technique in order to obtain support, at
`
`the user site
`
`or
`
`customer
`
`site,
`
`for his
`
`own
`
`constructional
`
`and
`
`testing work on the respective patient. It is essential
`
`in this respect that use of the system is possible in a
`
`technically simple manner which has been well proven in
`
`the sector. The main object of
`
`the invention is to
`
`solve these problems.
`
`There is also a need for the user to be able to
`
`subscribe
`
`to certain functions
`
`(structures)
`
`in the
`
`dental
`
`complex manufacturing process, which is being
`
`constantly updated
`
`and
`
`refined. Thus,
`
`for
`
`example,
`
`constant developments are being* made
`
`on the software
`
`side, with the systems user
`
`(dentist/dental technician)
`
`wishing to make use of
`
`these developments
`
`in their
`
`daily application, without
`
`too .much work on updating
`
`requirements. The dentist/dental technician may require
`
`new reading
`
`and data
`
`compression
`
`systems
`
`and
`
`new
`
`hardware for
`
`these. By means of
`
`the invention,
`
`it is
`
`possible,
`
`in a simple manner,
`
`to have updating provided
`
`10
`
`15
`
`20
`
`25
`
`30
`
`35
`
`

`

`WO 98/44865
`
`PCT/SE98/00493
`
`-4-
`
`and installed in the customer equipment
`
`in a more or
`
`,
`less automatic way.
`Different users may be specialists in different
`
`dental products and dental situations, cf.
`
`titanium and
`
`ceramic
`
`crowns
`
`and bridges,
`
`and
`
`they may wish
`
`to
`
`the complex system only within their specialist
`consult
`area. The invention solves this problem too.
`A
`
`Users who need to use the complex system only
`
`now and then can also obtain help in a simple manner
`
`in
`
`the fOIHl of basic information. Thus,
`
`for example,
`
`it
`
`may be useful
`
`for
`
`a user/customer
`
`to find out about
`
`existing and well—proven
`
`constructions
`
`in
`
`specific
`
`dental situations. His/her work is made easier with a
`
`main-type solution to the specific dental situation.
`
`This is achieved,
`
`inter alia, by means of the fact that
`
`the system can give statistics and examples of use in
`
`different situations on which the user/customer/patient
`can base his solution.
`
`Colleges and other educational institutions can
`
`also use
`
`the
`
`system as
`
`an
`
`information source
`
`for
`
`different dental situations and dental presentations.
`
`It
`
`is also expedient, when using distancing
`
`for
`
`implants,
`
`for
`
`these to be designed
`
`10
`
`15
`
`20
`
`pieces
`
`on or
`
`individually. The
`
`individual preparation can be based
`
`25
`
`on information from the system,
`
`and the ordering and
`
`manufacture
`
`of
`
`the
`
`individually designed distancing
`
`pieces can be done with the aid of the system.
`
`For
`
`the system provider,
`
`it
`
`is important
`
`to
`
`30
`
`and
`secure
`a
`have
`executes debits for
`
`reliable debiting system which
`function uses
`and function. means
`
`from the system and dental products or parts thereof
`
`manufactured in the system and instruments for the said
`
`products or parts. The
`too.
`
`invention solves this problem
`
`35
`
`There
`
`is
`
`a
`
`need
`
`to be
`
`able
`
`to expand
`
`the
`
`available 'equipment at
`
`the
`
`respective user
`
`site or
`
`customer Site,
`
`and
`
`it
`
`is
`
`therefore desirable,
`
`for
`
`example,
`
`to be
`
`able
`
`to introduce
`
`and use
`
`a
`
`free—
`
`standing CADD program. As new software and hardware is
`
`

`

`WO 98/44865
`
`PCT/SE98/00493
`
`_ 5 _
`
`developed,
`
`this too will be able to be connected to the
`
`work station, which in this way will be able to use the
`system to an even greater extent. There is therefore a
`
`need to be able to create a general
`platform (IT
`
`information technology).
`In this way the
`customer can work with a Procerar station and send his
`
`IT-based dental
`
`10
`
`15
`
`2O
`
`work to a production unit via a network. The production
`
`unit
`
`then manufactures
`
`the
`
`component
`
`concerned
`
`and
`
`sends this to the customer. It will be possible to deal
`
`with all the administration in the given network. The
`
`invention solves this problem too.
`
`The
`
`systeHI will be able to be set
`
`up
`
`for
`
`a
`
`large number of work stations
`
`(customers). Thus,
`
`example,
`
`the system will be able to be
`
`set
`
`up
`
`for
`
`for
`
`several hundred work stations which will be able to be
`
`connected in stages without disrupting the
`
`rate of
`
`production of dental products
`
`and
`
`the delivery of
`
`information. Software used in the system will be able
`
`to be updated with minimal disruption to the production
`
`of dental products
`
`and delivery of
`
`information. This
`
`places special
`
`requirements on the coordination within
`
`the system. It additionally places requirements on the
`
`program constructions
`
`and
`
`how
`
`the
`
`programs
`
`are
`
`installed in the system. The
`
`invention is intended to
`
`25
`
`solve these problems too.
`
`There is therefore a requirement
`
`to be able to
`
`use
`
`routines
`
`for
`
`product modifications,
`
`which
`
`modification routines will be able to be used both for
`
`software and hardware. It is therefore expedient
`
`to be
`
`able
`
`to create a platform for
`
`comprehensive dental
`
`rehabilitation systems while at
`
`the same
`
`time being
`
`able to maintain the rate of development within the
`
`systenu It
`
`is expedient
`
`in this case to be able to
`
`create a number of rules which mean that
`
`the routines
`
`in connection with the system are actually used. The
`
`invention also solves this set of problems.
`
`30
`
`35
`
`

`

`WO 98/44865
`
`SOLUTION
`
`PCT/SE98/00493
`
`feature which can principally be regarded
`The
`as characterizing an arrangement used at an operating
`
`site to assemble individually designed dental products
`
`is that the operating site is arranged to collate data
`
`the assembly.
`in a query profile relating to part of
`The
`operating
`site
`is
`provided with members
`for
`
`transmitting query profile data via the network to the
`
`central unit. The latter is arranged, as a function of
`
`the received query profile data,
`
`to supply information
`
`relating to the part
`
`in question. This information can
`
`be sent
`
`to the operating site and/or can be set onwards
`
`to a production unit connected to the central unit, or
`
`included in the central unit,
`
`for production. of
`
`the
`
`part. A further
`
`feature is that
`
`a debiting system is
`
`arranged to indicate to the central unit or
`
`to the
`
`production site that
`
`the
`
`information or production,
`
`respectively, has been paid for.
`
`The query profile data can relate to queries on
`
`first
`
`information
`
`concerning
`
`the dental
`
`situation,
`
`which can relate to optimum design and fitting of
`
`the
`
`part concerned in the dental product
`
`in question.
`
`In
`
`one
`
`illustrative embodiment,
`
`the dental product
`
`can
`
`10
`
`15
`
`20
`
`25
`
`consist of a distancing arrangement on an implant. The_
`distancing arrangement comprises
`an angled distancing
`
`part or other part which has
`
`on or more
`
`individual
`
`30
`
`35
`
`parameters, e.g.
`
`shape, position of rotation about
`
`the
`
`longitudinal
`
`axis
`
`of
`
`the
`
`implant,
`
`etc.
`
`The
`
`angled
`
`distancing part or the said other part
`
`is dependent on
`
`the individuality of the dental situation.
`
`In a further
`
`embodiment,
`
`the
`
`query profile data
`
`and
`
`the
`
`first
`
`information
`
`afford
`
`the possibility of
`
`interaction
`
`between the operating site’s computer equipment,
`
`its
`
`uSer,
`
`and the central unit
`
`for production of one or
`
`more
`
`structures
`
`adapted
`
`to
`
`the
`
`respective
`
`dental
`
`situation.
`
`In
`
`a preferred embodiment,
`
`a
`
`number
`
`of
`
`operating sites or customer sites are connected to the
`
`central unit
`
`and
`
`its production unit or production
`
`units. The operating sites are in this case categorized
`
`

`

`WO 98/44865
`
`PCT/SE98/00493
`
`_ 7 _
`
`and each category subscribes
`
`to a
`
`relevant
`
`service
`
`information and/or product parts
`which effects first
`from the total
`range or offered range of
`the central
`
`the production unit or production units.
`unit and/or
`The first information can in this case relate to one or
`
`more
`computer program information items or
`computer
`programs for carrying out
`the said assembly. The query
`
`profile data of
`
`the respective operating site and the
`
`information
`
`sent
`
`from the
`
`central
`
`unit/respective
`
`production unit can preferably relate to user data and
`
`setting data for
`etc.
`
`the scanner unit, measuring table,
`
`_
`
`An arrangement used at.
`
`a dental user site to
`
`assemble qualified constellations
`
`can principally be
`
`regarded as being characterized by the fact
`
`that
`
`the
`
`user site/customer site is arranged to collate data in
`
`a
`
`query profile
`
`relating to all
`
`or part
`
`of
`
`the
`
`constellation. The user site is in this case provided
`
`with members
`
`for
`
`transmitting query profile data via
`
`the network to the central unit. The central unit
`
`is
`
`arranged,
`
`as
`
`a
`
`function of
`
`the query profile data
`
`received,
`
`to supply factual
`
`information relating to the
`
`constellation or
`
`the constellations, which information
`
`can be sent back to the user site for acting on the
`
`said results or presentation bank/presentation banks. A
`
`further characteristic is
`
`that
`
`a debiting system is
`
`arranged to indicate to the central unit
`
`that
`
`the
`
`factual information sent out has been paid for.
`
`In one embodiment,
`
`the factual information sent
`
`out consists of
`
`second information on manufacturing
`
`process(es) and/or statistics relating,
`
`for example,
`
`to
`
`the construction of different main
`
`types of dental
`
`products.
`
`In one embodiment,
`
`the central unit can also
`
`function ns, or be connected to, one or more production
`
`units for production of dental products. The central
`
`is arranged
`unit and/or the respective production unit
`to utilize and store characteristic data on the dental
`
`products, data on the respective dental situation in
`
`which the respective dental product is being used, etc.
`
`10
`
`15
`
`20
`
`25
`
`30
`
`35
`
`

`

`WO 98/44865
`
`PCT/SE98/00493
`
`_
`
`8
`
`_
`
`In a preferred embodiment, Characteristic data
`
`thus
`
`situationsr can 'be
`stored and dental
`utilized and
`interrogated by means of
`the said query profiles from
`
`one or more user sites connected to the central unit
`
`and/or the respective production unit.
`
`The respective query profile data and returned
`information
`concern
`characteristics
`or
`construction
`
`information
`
`on
`
`different
`
`types
`
`of
`
`dental
`
`crown
`
`configurations which have been the object of production
`
`in association with manufacture/production controlled
`
`or‘ managed by the central unit. The
`
`said types
`
`form
`
`main types which can each be
`
`supplemented by one or
`
`more variants.
`
`An arrangement
`
`to permit manufacture of dental
`
`products, or instruments for the latter, at a number of
`
`geographically distinct manufacturing sites where
`
`the
`
`manufacturing procedure
`
`is effected in a
`
`number of
`
`manufacturing stages,
`
`is principally characterized in
`
`that a central unit supplies moduled information items
`
`and means
`
`for carrying out
`
`the stages,
`
`in which the
`
`different modules
`
`can be
`
`assigned to the different
`
`manufacturing stages or parts thereof. The different
`
`manufacturing
`
`stages
`
`are
`
`capable
`
`of
`
`interrogating
`
`10
`
`15
`
`20
`
`and/or are assigned in advance one or more of the said
`moduled information items and means in order to be able
`
`25
`
`to carry out all or part of
`
`the manufacturing process
`
`by means of
`
`the called—up information items and means.
`
`Transmission members are arranged, as a function of the
`
`requested order for called—up information and means,
`
`to
`
`30
`
`effect
`
`transmission of
`
`these
`
`on
`
`a
`
`computer
`
`and/or
`
`communications medium which
`
`connects
`
`the
`
`respective
`
`manufacturing site to the central unit.
`
`In this case
`
`too,
`
`a debiting system is
`
`arranged to credit
`
`the
`
`central unit with paymert
`
`for used time,
`
`information
`
`35
`
`and/or means.
`
`In a preferred embodiment,
`
`the customers are
`
`categorized in such a way
`
`that
`
`a
`
`first category of
`
`customer can be assigned first information and means,
`
`a
`
`second category of
`
`customer
`
`can be
`
`assigned second
`
`

`

`WO 98/44865
`
`PCT/SE98/00493
`
`-9-
`
`information and means, etc. The
`
`said information and
`
`information for operating
`can comprise control
`means
`equipment
`for one or more of
`’the
`said manufacturing
`
`stages at the manufacturing site.
`
`An
`
`arrangement
`
`used
`
`at
`
`one
`
`or
`
`more
`
`manufacturing
`sites
`to
`control
`a manufacturing
`procedure for a dental product, or instrument for this,
`
`where the manufacturing procedure comprises one or more
`
`subsidiary stages, can principally be regarded as being
`
`characterized by the fact
`
`that
`
`the control
`
`information
`
`for
`
`equipment
`
`effecting one
`
`or more manufacturing
`
`procedures
`
`or
`
`subsidiary
`
`stages
`
`thereof
`
`can
`
`be
`
`extracted by a selection procedure from an information
`
`and/or data
`
`bank
`
`located in a unit geographically
`
`separated
`
`from the
`
`respective manufacturing
`
`site.
`
`Extraction is in this case carried out by means of
`
`the
`
`the respective manufacturing site,
`selection made at
`and
`the
`selection made
`can
`be
`transferred via
`a
`
`computer
`
`and/or
`
`telecommunications medium to effect
`
`selection in the information and/or data bank at
`
`the
`
`the
`
`selection,
`
`the
`
`10
`
`15
`
`20
`
`25
`
`3O
`
`35
`
`central unit. As
`
`a
`
`function of
`
`central unit
`
`transmits the selected information and/or
`
`means.
`
`At
`
`the manufacturing
`
`site,
`
`the
`
`selected
`
`information received is arranged to be included in or
`
`be converted to control
`
`information for
`
`the equipment
`
`in question. Here, once again, use is made of debiting
`
`equipment which credits the central unit with payment
`for used time,
`information and/or means.
`
`A system in accordance with the above can be
`
`regarded as being characterized by the fact
`
`that
`
`the
`
`said
`
`central
`
`unit(s)
`
`comprise(s)
`
`one
`
`or
`
`more
`
`coordinating
`
`units
`
`which,
`
`via
`
`a
`
`first
`
`telecommunications and/or computer network or
`
`a second
`
`local
`
`telecommunications
`
`and/or
`
`computer
`
`network,
`
`is/are connected to one or more production units. The
`
`respective coordinating unit
`
`is in this case arranged
`
`to effect or participate in the
`
`assignment of
`
`the
`
`information flows
`
`coming fronl
`
`the user sites/customer
`
`sites via the first telecommunications and/or computer
`
`

`

`WO 98/44865
`
`PCT/SE98/00493
`
`-10-
`
`network (query profile data). The respective production
`
`the respective
`for
`receiver
`as order
`functions
`unit
`dental product which the respective user site wishes to
`
`have produced.
`In a preferred embodiment,
`
`.
`the respective user
`
`site is equipped with functions
`model
`or
`jaw,
`dentine,
`etc.,
`
`for
`of
`
`reading off
`the patient.
`
`the
`The
`
`reading result can be fed to the user site’s computer
`
`equipment,
`
`and a query profile (systems user profile)
`
`effected by this means
`
`includes one or more tasks. The
`
`respective coordinating unit preferably functions as a
`
`connection station to a
`
`network
`
`(telecommunications
`
`and/or computer network) belonging to the system. Two
`
`or more
`
`coordinating units distribute the
`
`incoming
`
`query profile flow (systems user
`
`flow)
`
`and the flow of
`
`information coming from the coordinating units, which
`
`information,
`
`for example, will be controlled for access
`
`to different databases.
`
`The
`
`system capacity can be
`
`expanded by means of connection of further coordinating
`
`units and/or
`
`inclusion of more powerful computers
`
`existing
`several
`
`coordinating
`ISDN modems.
`
`units
`
`and/or
`
`connection
`
`in
`
`of
`
`Further characteristics of
`
`the system will be
`
`evident
`
`from the subsequent system subclaims.
`
`ADVANTAGES
`
`The
`
`features proposed above provide a
`
`system
`
`and
`
`a
`
`user
`
`relationship characterized by
`
`economic
`
`application of
`
`the system from the viewpoint of
`
`the
`
`user sites/customers. Use is based on technology which
`
`is known per se,
`
`and which further affords simplified
`
`use
`
`procedures
`
`for
`
`the
`
`users, while maintaining
`
`economic
`
`advantages.
`
`The users,
`
`i.e. dentists/dental
`
`technicians,
`
`can make use of
`
`the advantages obtained
`
`through
`
`high manufacturing
`
`operations,
`
`involving
`
`substantial economic and technical outlay. By means of
`
`the fact
`
`that subsidiary functions, statistics, etc.,
`
`are
`
`offered
`
`for
`
`sale
`
`in
`
`the
`
`large
`
`system,
`
`the
`
`developments
`
`in this
`
`system can benefit
`
`the users
`
`10
`
`15
`
`20
`
`25
`
`3O
`
`35
`
`

`

`WO 98/44865
`
`PCT/SE98/00493
`
`-11-
`
`against
`
`payment
`
`for
`
`only
`
`the
`
`desired
`
`use. Very
`
`products,
`of manufactured
`experience
`considerable
`product designs, etc., can be built into and stored in
`
`the system. The stored information can be used as basic
`information
`for
`the
`users
`and
`for
`statistical
`
`application in association with colleges
`and other
`institutions.
`In addition to offering accurate
`and
`
`exact products,
`
`the system provider can receive payment
`
`for
`
`continued
`
`development
`
`and
`
`research.
`
`The
`
`very
`
`substantial
`
`development
`
`of
`
`the
`
`databases
`
`in
`
`the
`
`coordinating units means that it is possible to follow
`
`everything that
`
`is going on in the system. Production
`
`can be constantly modified and administrative functions
`can be applied in the databases in order to facilitate
`
`the development work. Despite the information content
`
`being transferred in the proposed manner
`
`to the user
`
`sites/customers,
`
`the required accuracy of
`
`the products
`
`can be maintained. The
`about 2/lOOths tolerance.
`
`required accuracy nowadays
`
`is
`
`DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
`
`A
`
`presently
`
`proposed
`
`embodiment
`
`of
`
`an
`
`and a
`
`system according to the invention
`
`10
`
`15
`
`20
`
`arrangement
`
`25
`
`30
`
`will be described hereinbelow with reference to the
`
`attached drawings,
`
`in which:
`
`Figure
`connection of
`
`the
`an outline diagram showing
`is
`1
`two user
`sites/customers
`to a central
`
`unit, where
`
`the
`
`two
`
`users
`
`or
`
`customers
`
`represent
`
`different categories for use of different functions in
`
`the complex system at the central unit,
`
`Figure
`
`2
`
`is
`
`an outline diagram showing
`
`the
`
`connection of
`
`the user
`
`site/customers
`
`to production
`
`units via a network of the Procera type,
`
`35
`
`structure of a user site,
`
`Figure
`
`3
`
`shows,
`
`in
`
`Figure
`
`4
`
`shows,
`
`in
`
`a
`
`a
`
`block
`
`diagram,
`
`the
`
`block
`
`diagram,
`
`the
`
`structure
`
`of
`
`a
`
`coordinating
`
`unit
`
`in
`
`the
`
`network
`
`according to Fig. 2,
`
`

`

`WO 98/44865
`
`PCT/SE98/00493
`
`_ 12 ..
`
`Figure
`
`5
`
`shows
`
`the
`
`flow of
`
`information,
`
`of
`
`query profile data from the user site, being received
`in a coordinating unit, and
`V
`
`in the production
`shows databases
`6
`Figure
`units and coordinating units connected to the databases
`
`and EQL database applications.
`
`DETAILED EMBODIMENT
`
`10
`
`15
`
`20
`
`In Figure l,
`
`a first user
`
`is indicated by l.
`
`The user works,
`
`inter alia, with a model 2,
`
`in which
`
`implants 3, 4,
`
`5 are arranged.
`
`In or on the implant
`
`3
`
`there
`
`is
`
`an
`
`angled distancing piece
`
`3a which
`
`is
`
`individually designed for the patient/dental situation
`in question. The user 1 has a production resource 6. A
`
`user site for the user 1
`
`is indicated by ASI. The user
`
`l/user site ASI has access to computer equipment 7. The
`
`user 1 can also work with a dental product
`
`in the form
`
`of
`
`a dental bridge
`
`8.
`
`In addition to the product
`
`resource 6 and other equipment,
`
`the user/user site can
`
`have access to levelling table 9 for production of the
`
`dental product,
`
`reading equipment 10, etc.
`
`The manufacturing method for producing dental
`
`products in accordance with the above with the aid of
`
`the said equipment
`
`is already well known and will not
`
`25
`
`3O
`
`35
`
`be
`
`described
`
`here.
`
`However,
`
`the
`
`possibility
`
`of
`
`interaction between
`
`the
`
`user
`
`1
`
`and
`
`the
`
`computer
`
`equipment
`
`7
`
`is
`
`indicated symbolically by arrows
`
`ll.
`
`Interaction between user 1 and model
`
`2
`
`is indicated by
`
`arrows 12. The simulation and production of the model 2
`
`in the computer equipment
`
`7
`
`is shown by arrows 13. The
`
`use and supply of
`
`information between the bridge part
`
`8,
`
`levelling table 9 and scanning equipment 10 and the
`
`user
`
`1
`
`and
`
`computer
`
`equipment
`
`7
`
`are
`
`symbolized by
`
`arrows 14,
`
`15 and 16. Relations and interaction between
`
`the computer equipment
`
`and the production resource 6
`
`are symbolized by 17. A manufacturing and information
`
`supply site is indicated by CE,
`
`and transmission via a
`
`telecommunications and/or computer
`
`system between the
`
`user site ASI and the site CE is indicated by arrows
`
`

`

`WO 98/44865
`
`PCT/SE98/00493
`
`-13..
`
`18. The site CE can be regarded as central equipment
`relation to the user site.
`
`in
`
`In accordance with 'the invention,
`
`rthe user
`
`l/user site ASI subscribes to or purchases information
`or orders products from the system 19 in the central
`
`unit CE.
`The
`system 19
`is
`technically complex
`includes manufacturing processes
`for production
`
`and
`of
`
`titanium crowns,
`
`ceramic
`
`crowns,
`
`caps,
`
`bridges,
`
`statistics,
`
`programs,
`
`etc.
`
`The
`
`various
`
`functions,
`
`machinery,
`
`information, etc.,
`
`can be categorized,
`
`and
`
`Figure
`
`1
`
`shows
`
`the categories A,
`
`B
`
`and C.
`
`In the
`
`present case,
`
`the user 1 has purchased or subscribed to
`
`information relating to category A, which information
`is used by the user 1
`to assist in his work and make it
`
`more efficient. This work
`
`can
`
`involve producing an
`
`angled distancing piece 3a,
`
`in which work his purchased
`
`or subscribed information, data, programs, etc., can be
`
`used to produce an actual dental assembly 3 + 3a with
`
`the
`
`computer
`
`equipment
`
`7.
`
`In
`
`accordance with
`
`the
`
`10
`
`15
`
`20
`
`25
`
`3O
`
`35
`
`invention,
`
`he can obtain help in producing a dental
`
`bridge 8. He can also obtain control information on his
`
`levelling table 9 and/or
`
`information on reading of an
`
`actual product.
`
`In accordance with the concept of
`
`the
`
`invention,
`
`it is also possible,
`
`as
`
`a
`
`function of his
`
`constructional
`
`and test work,
`
`to make
`
`a product with
`
`the aid of the information obtained from the system 19,
`
`and the computer equipment 7,
`in the central unit CE.
`
`and to order
`
`the latter
`
`Figure
`
`1 also shows
`
`a
`
`second user site ASII
`
`with user 20. This user has,
`
`in corresponding manner,
`
`computer equipment 21. The user 20 may be interested in
`
`another
`
`type of
`
`information than that
`
`in the case of
`
`the
`
`user
`
`1
`
`described
`
`above.
`
`Examples
`
`of
`
`such
`
`information are statistics from different main types of
`
`dental crowns 22, 23, 24, 25. These statistics can be
`
`used as a basis for starting up dental fitting work in
`
`or on a patient. The statistics can also be used in
`
`different combinations
`
`and assessment situations. The
`
`acquisition of
`
`the statistics from the system 19
`
`is
`
`

`

`WO 98/44865
`
`PCT/SE98/00493
`
`-14-
`
`symbolized by arrows 26. The user 20 uses his computer
`
`equipment 21 to send a query profile Via a connection
`(telecommunications and/or computer connection) which
`
`is symbolized by arrows 27. The input of statistics for
`
`the
`
`dental
`
`crowns
`
`in
`
`the
`
`computer
`
`equipment
`
`is
`
`symbolized by arrows 28.
`The interaction between the
`computer equipment
`and the -user
`20
`is symbolized by
`arrows 29. The actual query profile which is generated
`
`by the user 20 with the aid of
`
`the computer equipment
`
`21 is sent
`
`to the central unit CE in digital
`
`form, and
`
`such a query profile is symbolized by 30. The query
`
`profile
`
`triggers
`
`selection information
`
`31,
`
`32,
`
`33
`
`and/or
`
`34
`
`in the central unit CE. By means of
`
`the
`
`selection information,
`
`the information on
`
`the dental
`
`crowns 22,
`
`23,
`
`24
`
`and 25
`
`can be
`
`transmitted via an
`
`actual connection 26 or 27. The user 20 can, with the
`
`aid of the information in or from the system 19 in the
`
`central unit CE, build up an actual constellation 31
`
`which can consist of previously known parts
`
`31a
`
`and
`
`31b, which the user 20 needs to supplement with factual
`
`information
`
`31c
`
`from
`
`the
`
`system.
`
`The
`
`factual
`
`10
`
`15
`
`20
`
`25
`
`30
`
`35
`
`information
`
`can
`
`be
`
`transmitted
`
`from the
`
`computer
`
`equipment
`
`21 via a connection which is symbolized by
`
`arrows 32. Alternatively,
`
`the factual
`
`information can
`
`be
`
`stored. up and used in the computer equipment 21.
`
`Factual
`
`information is also transmitted in digital form
`
`and is symbolized by 33. The constellation construction
`
`which is carried out by the user 20 is symbolized by
`
`arrows
`
`34.
`
`The
`
`user
`
`can
`
`also
`
`request
`
`program
`
`information 35,
`
`36
`
`from the system, 19. Such program
`
`information,
`
`and
`
`its
`
`relation to
`
`the
`
`system,
`
`are
`
`symbolized by arrows 37. The transfer of the program to
`
`the computer equipment 21 is symbolized by arrows 38.
`
`Figure 2
`
`shows ‘that
`
`the central unit CE
`
`can
`
`comprise different units,
`
`for example production units
`
`CEl, CE2
`
`and CE3,
`
`and a network CE4 with associated
`
`coordinating units, which are described hereinbelow.
`
`Figure 3
`
`shows an example of
`
`the construction
`
`of
`
`a user site/customer ASI".
`
`In accordance with the
`
`

`

`WO 98/44865
`
`PCT/SE98/00493
`
`-15..
`
`above,
`
`the
`
`user
`
`site
`
`can
`
`include
`
`a
`
`process
`
`for example a Procera
`scanner/reader 39 of known type,
`scanner
`station.
`The
`scanner
`istation can produce
`a
`
`query profile which is
`
`symbolized by 40.
`
`The query
`
`profile is generated with the aid of
`
`21 CADD program
`
`for example the Procera CADE program. The
`known per se,
`program handles filling-in and ordering functions in a
`
`manner known per se. The user site ASI” also include