SBIR Phase I: Engineering a novel 3D metal printed orthodontic system for lingual attachment-enabled clear aligner therapy

SBIR 第一阶段：设计新型 3D 金属打印正畸系统，用于支持舌侧附着的透明矫正器治疗

• 批准号: 1938533
• 负责人: James Wang
• 金额: $ 22.5万
• 依托单位: SOVE INC.
• 依托单位国家: 美国
• 项目类别: Standard Grant
• 财政年份: 2020
• 资助国家: 美国
• 起止时间: 2020-01-01 至 2022-12-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=1938533&HistoricalAwards=false
• 关键词: SBIR; Phase; Engineering; novel; 3D

The broader/commercial impact of this SBIR Phase I project aims to optimize post-processing techniques of a novel three-dimensional (3D) metal-printed orthodontic system for precise, personalized, and esthetic treatment. Approximately 60% of adults need orthodontic treatment to improve the position and function of their teeth; however, an obstacle to adults seeking orthodontic treatment is the unattractiveness and moderately painful nature of traditional braces. Up to 80% of these patients are not candidates for treatment with clear aligners due to the severity of their malocclusion (improper positioning of teeth). The proposed innovation is a complement to clear aligner therapy that will enable all patients to be treated with an invisible orthodontic appliance, regardless of malocclusion severity. 3D metal printing technology is used to fabricate custom, one-piece, metal attachments with a wire-holding channel that are placed on the back of the teeth and used in conjunction with clear aligners. Successful development of this product and its implementation in dentistry will shift the paradigm of tooth movement towards esthetic and effective personalized treatment with minimum tooth reduction and maximum comfort for millions of patients per year. The technology addresses a $30 billion market.The proposed project will optimize 3D metal printing as a high-potential technology for use in human orthodontia devices. Although additive manufacturing fabricates unique 3D structures from metal powder, layer-by-layer deposition results in a ladder structure and high surface roughness. Further, laser sintering could yield enriched chromium carbide grain boundary, which is not desirable, as it may lead to corrosion in the oral environment. Post-processing techniques to prepare 3D metal printed appliances for intraoral use have not yet been established. The funds from this SBIR grant will be used to complete the following aims: 1) Determine a polishing strategy for finishing 3D metal printed surfaces that reduces the surface roughness and creates a passive surface layer that is resistant to corrosion; 2) Evaluate in vitro and in vivo biocompatibility of the 3D metal printed brackets. A variety of polishing methods will be explored, including heat treatment, chemical solutions, and tumbling with an abrasive medium. The results of this research will be impactful to the millions of patients seeking invisible orthodontic treatment each year, as well as to the many manufacturers of medical and dental appliances that are developing custom 3D metal printed devices for better patient outcomes.This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.

SBIR一期项目的广泛/商业影响旨在优化新型三维（3D）金属打印正畸系统的后处理技术，以实现精确、个性化和美观的治疗。大约60%的成年人需要正畸治疗来改善牙齿的位置和功能；然而，成年人寻求正畸治疗的一个障碍是传统牙套的不吸引力和适度疼痛的性质。由于严重的错牙合（牙齿位置不正确），高达80%的患者不适合使用透明矫正器进行治疗。提出的创新是一种补充，以明确对准治疗，将使所有患者使用一个隐形的正畸矫治器，无论错的严重程度。3D金属打印技术用于制造定制的一体式金属附件，该附件带有固定金属线的通道，放置在牙齿的背面，并与清晰的对准器一起使用。该产品的成功开发及其在牙科中的实施将使牙齿运动的范式转向美观和有效的个性化治疗，每年为数百万患者提供最小的牙齿减少和最大的舒适度。这项技术面临着300亿美元的市场。拟议的项目将优化3D金属打印作为一种高潜力的技术，用于人类正畸装置。虽然增材制造可以用金属粉末制造出独特的3D结构，但逐层沉积会导致阶梯结构和高表面粗糙度。此外，激光烧结可能产生富集的碳化铬晶界，这是不理想的，因为它可能导致口腔环境腐蚀。制备用于口腔内使用的3D金属打印器具的后处理技术尚未建立。SBIR赠款的资金将用于完成以下目标：1)确定3D金属打印表面的抛光策略，以降低表面粗糙度并创建耐腐蚀的被动表面层；2)评估金属3D打印支架的体外和体内生物相容性。将探讨各种抛光方法，包括热处理、化学溶液和研磨介质翻滚。这项研究的结果将对每年数百万寻求隐形正畸治疗的患者以及许多正在开发定制3D金属打印设备以改善患者治疗效果的医疗和牙科器械制造商产生影响。该奖项反映了美国国家科学基金会的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的知识价值和更广泛的影响审查标准进行评估，被认为值得支持。