Patent ID: 6358051
Filing Date: 2002-03-19
Classification: A61C

Abstract:
A method of determining the pre-load on a screw that secures a component to other components in a dental implant system comprising:a. Transmitting a sonic impulse at a predetermined frequency to the head of the screw through a transducer when the screw is in an unstressed condition; b. Measuring a first delay between first and second reflections through the unstressed screw, and establishing a baseline value for the unstressed screw; c. Applying a preload of a predetermined value to the screw to secure implant components together; d. Transmitting a sonic impulse at a predetermined frequency to the head of the preloaded screw through a transducer; e. Measuring a second delay between the first and second reflections through the preloaded screw to establish a preload value; and f. Determining the difference between the first delay and the second delay to establish a difference between the baseline value and the preload value, and comparing the difference with a predetermined table of values to determine the preload on the screw.