Patent Description:
An implant means a substitute that restores human tissues when the human tissues are lost, and in dentistry, the implant means an artificial tooth structure.

In an implant procedure, an artificial tooth root made of a material (e.g., titanium, etc.) that is not rejected by the human body is planted in the bone to replace a tooth root of a lost tooth. Then, the artificial tooth root is adhered to an alveolar bone, and a prosthesis is fixed thereto to form an artificial tooth structure.

In general, a dental implant includes a fixture made of titanium and implanted in an alveolar bone, an abutment fixed on the fixture to support a prosthesis, an abutment screw to fix the abutment to the fixture, and a prosthesis as an artificial tooth fixed to the abutment.

Because components of the dental implant are inserted into tissues of the human body, sterilization and surface activation need to be maintained. Therefore, the most important task is to prevent contamination or damage during packaging, transportation, and opening of a package.

<CIT> discloses an apparatus for storing a dental implant. In the document the apparatus is described to comprises a case unit having a housing space in which a metallic fixture for the dental implant primarily surface-modified and sterilized is kept hermetically, but is selectively opened and closed to take out the fixture, and a corona discharging pin disposed inside the casing unit so as to face the accommodated fixture and forming ozone for secondary surface modification of the fixture.

<CIT> relates to an implant storage ampoule for storing an implant fixture, comprising an implant fixture, an internal vessel in which the implant fixture is stored, an external vessel in which the internal vessel is stored, and a cap unit sealing the external vessel, wherein the cap unit is connected with the internal vessel and the implant fixture.

<CIT> discloses a packaging container for a dental implant. In the document te packaging container is described to comprise a projecting body portion having an accommodation room opened in the upper part and the lower part in order to accommodate the fixture for a dental implant, and formed of a material through which an ultraviolet ray for modifying the surface penetrates, a bushing portion joined to one end of the projecting body portion and having a support protrusion protruding radially inward in order to support the end portion of the fixture on the inner circumference of the hollow body, a first stoppage portion including a first fixing portion joined to the upper part of the bushing portion and a protrusion portion protruding from the first fixing portion for being inserted into an inner circumferential joint groove of the fixture, and a second stoppage portion including a second fixing portion engaged into the other end of the projecting body portion and a support portion disposed on the inner end of the second fixing portion.

<CIT> relates to a package for a dental implant. In the document the present invention is described to include a case portion in which the fixture for the dental implant is sealed and stored after a primary surface modification and sterilization treatment and an accommodating space capable of being accommodated to allow selective opening and withdrawal is formed, the case portion being provided with a reflective layer for ultraviolet reflection on its inner circumference, a light-emitting unit placed in the case portion to face a screw portion implanted, and a grip portion provided in the case portion to fix the accommodated fixture, an adsorption material being applied thereto along the inner circumference of a housing extending to surround one side of a side surface portion of the fixture and adsorbing a carbon-based pollution source desorbed by the ultraviolet rays.

Provided is a structure that allows vacuum sealing to prevent contamination and damage to implants stored in a storage container.

Provided is a storage container for storing an implant which is treated by plasma or ultraviolet ray for surface modification, and the storage container includes a
dielectric layer for discharging a dielectric barrier or a configuration for applying an electrode or a material through which ultraviolet rays pass.

Provided is an implant storage container having characteristics according to plasma treatment of a target object such as a biomaterial, a device for the same, and a method using the same.

Provided is an implant storage container in which devices may be simplified by applying electricity to a target object to replace a high-voltage portion for generating plasma, a device for the same, and a method using the same.

Provided is an implant storage container that prevents damage due to connection of a connector of a device for applying electricity to a target object or its connection member by a point contact by changing the connector of the device to be in line or face contact with a side surface of the target object, a device for the same, and a method using the same.

Provided is an implant storage container capable of forming a vacuum state of a plasma processing space to ensure sterility of the plasma processing space, a device for the same, and a method using the same.

Provided is an implant storage container capable of maintaining sterility and biocompatibility by maintaining a vacuum state after plasma surface treatment is completed, a device for the same, and a method using the same.

Provided is an implant storage container capable of preventing contamination during processing by moving a fixture to a vacuum chamber in surface treatment using plasma in a vacuum state, a device for the same, and a method using the same.

Provided is an implant storage container including a cover that stores an implant body therein and maintains an internal gas environment filled with a discharge gas used for plasma discharge according to a preset composition ratio.

In some embodiments, the sealing member may be an elastic O-ring or sealing pad.

The sealing member includes a recoverable elastic material, and when internal air of the cover is exhausted, an air circulation path is temporarily formed in the sealing member and then closed.

In some embodiments, the cover may include an inner cover storing the implant body and an outer cover storing the inner cover, and the sealing member seals a boundary between the outer cover and the holding block to maintain a vacuum state inside the outer cover.

The inner cover includes a path for circulating internal air from the inner cover to the outer cover.

In some embodiments, the outer cover may be separated from the holding block, and the inner cover may be separated from both the outer cover and the holding block.

In some embodiments, the inner cover may include a dielectric area for dielectric barrier discharge. The holding block includes a hole for exhausting internal air of the cover.

In some embodiments, the hole may include a recovery structure for maintaining the inside of the cover in a vacuum after the internal air of the cover is exhausted.

In the recovery structure, when the internal air of the cover is exhausted, an air circulation path is temporarily formed in the recovery structure and then closed so that the inside of the cover maintains a vacuum.

In some embodiments, the cover may includes a valve port for exhausting internal air of the cover.

In some embodiments, the implant storage container may further comprises an electrical terminal on an outer surface of the holding block and an electrical connector configured to connect the electrical terminal to the implant body.

In some embodiments, the cover may include a dielectric area for dielectric barrier discharge.

In some embodiments, the dielectric area may be capable of transmitting ultraviolet rays.

An implant storage container includes: a fixing portion that contacts a target object and fixes the target object; and a cover storing the fixing portion, wherein the fixing portion contacts a side portion of a contact portion inserted into the cover from the outside of the cover to receive electricity from the contact portion.

In some embodiments, the fixing portion and the target object may include a material through which electricity is conducted, and the target object may be a power supply for generating plasma by the electricity received from the contact portion.

In some embodiments, the cover includes a first area penetrated by the contact portion, wherein the first area includes an elastic material so that the inside of the cover may be sealed to maintain a vacuum state even if the first area is penetrated by the contact portion.

In some embodiments, in the cover, internal air is exhausted by the contact portion, so that the inside of the cover may be in a vacuum state.

In some embodiments, the fixing portion may include an inwardly convex protrusion, wherein the protrusion may contact a side portion of the contact portion inserted inwardly.

In some embodiments, the fixing portion may include a first fixing member in contact with the target object; and a second fixing member coupled to the first fixing member, wherein the first fixing member and the second fixing member include a material through which electricity is conducted, and electricity received by the second fixing member in contact with the contact portion may be transmitted to the target object.

In some embodiments, an inner angle of an insertion groove formed by the protrusion may be greater than an inner angle of a tip of the contact portion.

In some embodiments, the first fixing member may include a D-cut portion in which a portion of an outer circumferential surface is cut into a planar shape, and may be fixed so that the target object does not rotate.

In some embodiments, the cover may include an inner cover storing the target object and the fixing portion; and an outer cover storing the inner cover, wherein the inner cover and the outer cover may be apart from each other by a certain distance.

In some embodiments, the implant storage container may further include a sealing member connected to the cover, wherein the sealing member includes a penetrating portion penetrated by the contact portion, and the penetrating portion includes an elastic material, and thus, the inside of the cover is sealed to maintain a vacuum state even if the penetrating portion is penetrated by the contact portion.

In some embodiments, an elastic O-ring or sealing pad may be further included between the sealing member and the cover.

In some embodiments, the inner cover may include a path for distributing internal air of the inner cover toward the outer cover.

In some embodiments, the implant storage container may further include a sealing member connected to the outer cover; and an O-ring or sealing pad having elasticity between the sealing member and the outer cover, wherein the sealing member may be connected to the inner cover, and the inner cover may be connected to the outer cover through a cap having elasticity. As internal air of the outer cover is exhausted, the inside of the outer cover is sealed to maintain a vacuum state by the elastic O-ring or sealing pad. As the internal air of the outer cover is exhausted, inner pressure of the outer cover increases, so that coupling between the inner cover and the outer cover is strengthened through the cap portion. Also, as the inside of the outer cover is vented, inner pressure of the outer cover decreases, so that coupling between the inner cover and the outer cover may be weakened through elastic recovery of the cap portion.

Devices according to an embodiment enable vacuum sealing for maintaining sterilization and preventing damage and contamination of a stored implant.

In addition, the devices according to an embodiment enable vacuum sealing to increase the efficiency of dielectric barrier discharge in plasma surface treatment of the stored implant.

In addition, the devices according to an embodiment have a configuration for a dielectric layer and an applied electrode for plasma surface treatment of the stored implant, so that the devices may be connected to a treatment device with lower cost and higher efficiency.

In addition, the devices according to an embodiment include an ultraviolet transmissive material for ultraviolet surface treatment of the stored implant, so that the devices may be connected to a highly efficient processing device.

In addition, the devices according to an embodiment may maximize the efficiency of surface treatment by performing plasma surface treatment and ultraviolet surface treatment on the stored implant together.

In addition, the devices according to an embodiment, by sealing an implant fixture in a vacuum state, may prevent organic matter from adhering to a surface of the fixture.

In addition, the devices according to an embodiment may improve biocompatibility by surface treating the implant fixture in a packaged state to remove organic matter on the surface of the fixture.

The inventive concept may be variously modified and have various embodiments, so that specific embodiments will be illustrated in the drawings and described in the detailed description.

In describing the inventive concept, in the following description, a detailed explanation of known related technologies may be omitted to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the subject matter of the present disclosure. In addition, numeral figures (e.g., <NUM>, <NUM>, and the like) used during describing the specification are just identification symbols for distinguishing one element from another element.

Further, in the specification, if it is described that one component is "connected" or "accesses" the other component, it is understood that the one component may be directly connected to or may directly access the other component but unless explicitly described to the contrary, another component may be "connected" or "access" between the components.

In addition, terms including "unit," "er," "or," "module," and the like disclosed in the specification mean a unit that processes at least one function or operation and this may be implemented by hardware or software such as a processor, a micro processor, a micro controller, a central processing unit (CPU), a graphics processing unit (GPU), an accelerated Processing unit (APU), a digital signal processor (DSP), an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), and a field programmable gate array (FPGA) or a combination of hardware and software. Furthermore, the terms may be implemented in a form coupled to a memory that stores data necessary for processing at least one function or operation.

Moreover, it is intended to clarify that components in the specification are distinguished in terms of primary functions of the components. That is, two or more components to be described below may be provided to be combined to one component or one component may be provided to be divided into two or more components for each more subdivided function. In addition, each of the respective components to be described below may additionally perform some or all functions among functions which other components take charge of in addition to a primary function which each component takes charge of and some functions among the primary functions which the respective components take charge of are exclusively charged by other components to be performed, of course.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the disclosure will be described in detail.

<FIG> is a configuration diagram of an implant storage container according to an embodiment, and <FIG> is a cross-sectional view of the implant storage container taken along line A-A of <FIG>.

Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, an implant storage container <NUM> according to an embodiment includes an implant body <NUM>, a holding block <NUM> connected to the implant body <NUM>, covers <NUM> and <NUM> storing the implant body <NUM> and connected to the holding block <NUM>, and a sealing member <NUM> capable of maintaining a vacuum state inside the covers <NUM> and <NUM> by sealing a boundary between the holding block <NUM> and the covers <NUM> and <NUM>.

The implant storage container <NUM> may store the implant body <NUM> by accommodating the implant body <NUM> therein. The implant storage container <NUM> may be referred to as an implant ampoule or the like.

According to an embodiment, the implant body <NUM> is inserted into an alveolar bone and configured as a certain structure supporting an artificial tooth. According to an embodiment, the implant body <NUM> extends in a vertical direction and has a shape of a column as a whole, and may include a material such as titanium that is harmless to the human body and is easily fused with bone tissue, but is not limited thereto. Therefore, any material having properties similar to those described above may be used.

In addition, according to an embodiment, the implant body <NUM> may have a screw-like shape and have a structure that increases a contact area with the periphery, and may have a configuration in which an outer diameter is expanded or contracted in one direction.

The implant body <NUM> may be a target to be stored by the implant storage container <NUM> and may be a target to be plasma treated when plasma treatment is performed with the implant storage container <NUM>.

According to an embodiment, the implant body <NUM> may be replaced with another target object through which electricity is conducted.

According to an embodiment, the implant body <NUM> may broadly mean a portion of an implant requiring plasma treatment. For example, the implant body <NUM> may be an implant fixture, but is not limited thereto.

The implant body <NUM> is stored in the covers <NUM> and <NUM>. The covers <NUM> and <NUM> may have a cylindrical or rectangular parallelepiped body.

The covers <NUM> and <NUM> includes the inner cover <NUM> storing the implant body <NUM> and the outer cover <NUM> storing the inner cover <NUM>.

According to an embodiment, the outer cover <NUM> includes a resin material.

The outer cover <NUM> is sealed at a boundary with the holding block <NUM> through the sealing member <NUM>, so that a vacuum state inside the outer cover <NUM> may be maintained. In addition, the outer cover <NUM> is connected to the holding block <NUM> through the sealing member <NUM> to form a vacuum boundary condition.

According to an embodiment, the inner cover <NUM> may be provided with support units <NUM> and <NUM> on which the implant body <NUM> is mounted and supported to support the implant body <NUM> to a certain height. The support units <NUM> and <NUM> may include the lower support unit <NUM> for fixing and supporting the implant body <NUM> by being located under the implant body <NUM>, and the upper support unit <NUM> for fixing and supporting the implant body <NUM> by being located above the implant body <NUM>.

In the present specification, the "support unit" may broadly mean a structure for supporting or fixing the implant body <NUM> regardless of the arrangement, and may be referred to as a "fixing portion" according to embodiments.

According to an embodiment, the support units <NUM> and <NUM> may include the same material as that of the implant body <NUM> or a material that is harmless to the human body such as titanium and is easily fused with bone tissue to prevent contamination and damage of the implant body <NUM>.

According to an embodiment, the inner cover <NUM> includes an inner cover cap <NUM> for pressing and fixing the upper support units <NUM> by elasticity.

The inner cover cap <NUM> has elasticity and applies elastic pressure to the upper support unit <NUM> to fix the implant body <NUM>.

According to an embodiment, the inner cover cap <NUM> includes a path <NUM> for distributing internal air of the inner cover <NUM> from the inner cover <NUM> to the outer cover <NUM>.

According to an embodiment, the inner cover cap <NUM> includes a silicone material.

According to an embodiment, the inner cover <NUM> may include a dielectric material and may be a dielectric area for dielectric barrier discharge. In addition, a portion of an outer circumferential surface of the inner cover <NUM> may include a dielectric material to become the dielectric area for dielectric barrier discharge.

According to an embodiment, the inner cover <NUM> includes low-expansion heat-resistant glass. For example, the inner cover <NUM> includes borosilicate glass.

According to an embodiment, the outer cover <NUM> may be a ground area for dielectric barrier discharge. In addition, a portion of an outer peripheral surface of the outer cover <NUM> may be configured to be a ground area for dielectric barrier discharge.

According to an embodiment, the outer cover <NUM> includes a non-conductor through which electricity does not flow, so that even if electricity is applied to the implant body <NUM>, user safety on the outer surface may be secured.

According to an embodiment, the inner cover <NUM> and the outer cover <NUM> are capable of transmitting ultraviolet rays to enable ultraviolet treatment of the implant body <NUM>.

Through this, surface treatment efficiency for the implant body <NUM> of the covers <NUM> and <NUM> is improved as plasma surface treatment or ultraviolet treatment may proceed sequentially, independently, or simultaneously in a state in which an internal vacuum is formed.

The holding block <NUM> is connected to the implant body <NUM>.

In the present specification, the "holding block" may broadly mean a structure for directly or indirectly supporting or fixing the implant body <NUM>, and may be referred to as a "storage container body" or the like according to embodiments.

According to an embodiment, the holding block <NUM> includes an electrical terminal <NUM> on an outer surface thereof and an electrical connector <NUM> connecting the electrical terminal <NUM> to the lower support unit <NUM>, and is connected to the implant body <NUM>.

According to an embodiment, the electrical connector <NUM> includes a metal material capable of electrical connection, and is connected to the electrical terminal <NUM> exposed on an outer surface of the implant storage container <NUM>.

According to an embodiment, the electrical terminal <NUM> is connected to an external power source and applies power to the implant body <NUM> through the electrical connector <NUM> and the lower support units <NUM> so that the implant body <NUM> becomes an electrode for dielectric barrier discharge.

According to an embodiment, the holding block <NUM> includes an insulating portion <NUM> on an outer periphery of the electrical connector <NUM> to prevent a risk of damage due to electrical distribution to other structures when electricity is applied through the electrical connector <NUM>.

According to an embodiment, the holding block <NUM> includes a hole <NUM> for exhausting internal air of the covers <NUM> and <NUM>.

According to an embodiment, the hole <NUM> includes a plurality of flow paths and a plurality of holes for exhausting the internal air of the covers <NUM> and <NUM>.

The hole <NUM> is a recovery structure for maintaining the inside of the covers <NUM> and <NUM> in a vacuum after the internal air of the covers <NUM> and <NUM> is exhausted, and includes a sealing pad (not shown).

The sealing pad includes an elastic material, and an air circulation path is temporarily formed when the internal air of the covers <NUM> and <NUM> is exhausted and then closed through elastic recovery so that the inside of the covers <NUM> and <NUM> maintains a vacuum.

Through this, the implant body <NUM> is blocked from external air and thus plasma surface treatment is possible without being exposed to contamination.

According to an embodiment, the holding block <NUM> and the insulating portion <NUM> include a resin material.

The sealing member <NUM> seals a boundary between the holding block <NUM> and the covers <NUM> and <NUM> to maintain a vacuum state inside the covers <NUM> and <NUM>.

According to an embodiment, the sealing member <NUM> seals a boundary between the outer cover <NUM> and the holding block <NUM> to maintain a vacuum state inside the outer cover <NUM>.

In addition, according to an embodiment, the sealing member <NUM> forms a boundary condition of a vacuum on a surface to which the holding block <NUM> and the covers <NUM> and <NUM> are connected.

According to an embodiment, the sealing member <NUM> includes an O-ring or sealing pad having elasticity.

According to the invention, the sealing member <NUM> includes an elastic material. Through this, the sealing member <NUM> forms an air circulation path temporarily when a hole for air circulation is passed by a sharp object having a small diameter such as a needle to exhaust the internal air of the covers <NUM> and <NUM>. In addition, the sealing member <NUM> may achieve recovery in which the air circulation path is elastically closed after the internal air is exhausted.

The sealing member <NUM> includes a silicone material.

The outer cover <NUM> is connected to the holding block <NUM> by a detachable coupling structure, and the inner cover <NUM> is fixed to the outer cover <NUM> and the holding block <NUM> by elasticity of the inner cover cap <NUM>.

Accordingly, when the outer cover <NUM> and the holding block <NUM> are separated from each other, the inner cover <NUM> is separated from both the outer cover <NUM> and the holding block <NUM>.

When the inner cover <NUM> is separated from the holding block <NUM>, the inner cover <NUM> is independently separated from the outer cover <NUM> and the holding block <NUM>.

<FIG> is a configuration cross-sectional view of an implant storage container.

Referring to <FIG>, an implant storage container <NUM> , not covered by the invention, includes an implant body <NUM>, a holding block <NUM> connected to the implant body <NUM>, a cover <NUM> storing the implant body <NUM> and connected to the holding block <NUM>, and a sealing member <NUM> capable of maintaining a vacuum state inside the cover <NUM> by sealing a boundary between the holding block <NUM> and the cover <NUM>.

The implant body <NUM> is fixedly coupled to an extension member <NUM>, the extension member <NUM> is fixedly coupled to a base plate <NUM>, and the base plate <NUM> is connected to the holding block <NUM>.

Claim 1:
An implant storage container (<NUM>) comprising:
an implant body (<NUM>);
a holding block (<NUM>) connected to the implant body (<NUM>);
a cover (<NUM>, <NUM>) storing the implant body (<NUM>) and connected to the holding block (<NUM>); and
a sealing member (<NUM>) configured to seal a boundary between the holding block (<NUM>) and the cover (<NUM>,<NUM>) to maintain a vacuum state inside the cover (<NUM>, <NUM>),
characterized in that the sealing member (<NUM>) includes a recoverable elastic material, through which, the sealing member (<NUM>) forms an air circulation path temporarily when a hole for air circulation is passed by a sharp object having a small diameter such as a needle to exhaust the internal air of the cover (<NUM>, <NUM>), wherein the sealing member (<NUM>) achieves recovery in which the air circulation path is elastically closed after the internal air is exhausted.