Acoustic Pressure Wave Tooth Cleaning via Ferrofluid Diaphragm
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional dental and endodontic procedures are painful and often incomplete, as they rely on mechanical instruments that may not fully remove diseased material from teeth, leading to post-procedure complications such as infection and trauma to soft tissues.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus utilizing a pressure wave generator that converts electromagnetic energy into acoustic waves in a treatment fluid, using an electromagnetically responsive medium like ferrofluid, to effectively clean and treat teeth by removing unhealthy material without damaging healthy dentin or enamel.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If mechanical instruments such as drills and files are used to clean unhealthy material from teeth, then the cleaning process can be performed, but the procedure becomes painful and may not fully remove diseased material
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical instruments (drills, files) with acoustic waves generated by a pressure wave generator. The pressure wave generator creates acoustic radiation pressure that removes unhealthy material from teeth without mechanical contact, thereby eliminating patient pain and tissue trauma while maintaining effective cleaning capability
Solution Approach 2:
The pressure wave generator produces periodic acoustic waves at specific frequencies that create oscillating pressure fields. These periodic pressure variations enable effective removal of diseased material through acoustic radiation pressure while avoiding the continuous mechanical contact that causes pain and trauma
2Reliability
If endodontic files are inserted into root canal spaces to remove organic material, then the canal can be cleaned, but organic material may be forced through apical opening into periapical tissues causing trauma
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical endodontic files with acoustic waves that can clean root canal spaces without physical insertion. The pressure waves propagate through the canal fluid and作用于 organic material, removing it through acoustic radiation pressure rather than mechanical scraping, thus preventing material extrusion through the apical opening
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces treatment fluid as an intermediary medium that carries acoustic energy into the root canal system. The pressure waves travel through this fluid medium to reach and remove organic material without requiring direct mechanical contact, thereby preventing trauma to surrounding tissues
3Productivity
If conventional mechanical procedures are used to treat teeth, then treatment can be performed, but post-procedure complications such as infection occur due to incomplete removal of diseased material
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical cleaning procedures with acoustic wave-based treatment that achieves more complete removal of diseased material and organic debris from tooth structures and root canals. This thorough cleaning reduces the risk of post-procedure infections while maintaining treatment efficiency
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution provides a safer and more effective method for removing unhealthy material from teeth, reducing post-procedure complications by ensuring thorough cleaning and precise treatment with controlled acoustic properties, improving both the cleaning and filling processes in dental treatments.
Implementation Method 1
a pressure wave generator configured to generate pressure waves in the treatment fluid. The pressure wave generator can comprise a volume housing an electromagnetically responsive material, a diaphragm comprising a first side and a second side, the first side exposed to the volume, the second side exposed to the treatment fluid, the diaphragm being movable such that movement of the electromagnetically responsive material within the volume causes movement of the diaphragm, and an electromagnetic generator coupled to the volume, the electromagnetic generator configured to generate electromagnetic energy
Implementation Method 2
The electromagnetically responsive material can be responsive to the electromagnetic energy generated by the electromagnetic generator so as to cause the movement of the diaphragm. In certain implementations, the electromagnetically responsive material comprises a ferrofluid
Implementation Method 3
generating pressure waves in a treatment fluid... The pressure wave generator can be positioned to generate pressure waves in the treatment fluid at a location within the fluid passage proximal of the opening and outside of the tooth, the generated pressure waves being transmitted through the treatment fluid in the fluid passage and the chamber to the treatment region of the tooth
Data Source
AI summary
Examples of apparatus, methods, and compositions for endodontic treatments are described. In certain implementations, the apparatus can include a treatment fluid supply configured to supply a treatment fluid to a treatment region of the tooth and a pressure wave generator configured to generate pressure waves in the treatment fluid. The pressure wave generator can include a volume housing an electromagnetically responsive material, a diaphragm including a first side and a second side, the first side exposed to the volume, the second side exposed to the treatment fluid, the diaphragm being movable such that movement of the electromagnetically responsive material within the volume causes movement of the diaphragm, and an electromagnetic generator coupled to the volume, the electromagnetic generator configured to generate electromagnetic energy. The electromagnetically responsive material can be responsive to the electromagnetic energy generated by the electromagnetic generator so as to cause the movement of the diaphragm.