Adjustable Dental Suction Tip With Articulating Joint
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Solution Overview
Problem
Medical and dental evacuators face ergonomic, line-of-sight, and inefficient suction-surface interfacing challenges due to their inflexible design, which complicates procedures and causes discomfort for both patients and operators.
Innovation Solution
An adjustable suctioning implement with a joint-based design, featuring a hollow handle and nozzle connected by a dual opposing ball or socket configuration, allowing for rotational and angular adjustments to accommodate various surface angles and improve ergonomics and visibility during procedures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a straight or fixed-angled evacuator is used, then the device structure is simple, but the adaptability to different surface angles and presentations is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by incorporating a joint mechanism that allows the nozzle to rotate and articulate relative to the handle, transforming the fixed-angled structure into a dynamically adjustable one. This enables the nozzle to adapt to various surface angles and presentations while maintaining a relatively simple overall device structure through controlled movement rather than multiple fixed components.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the evacuator into distinct components (handle, joint, nozzle) that can move independently relative to each other. The joint acts as a separate segment connecting the handle and nozzle, allowing angular adjustment without complicating the entire device structure. This segmentation enables adaptability while keeping each individual component simple.
2Ease of operation
If a straight or fixed-tip evacuator is used, then the device is easy to manufacture, but the line of sight and ergonomic comfort are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The joint mechanism provides dynamic adjustment capability that improves ergonomic comfort and line of sight by allowing the operator to position the nozzle at optimal angles during procedures. The manufacturing process remains relatively straightforward as it involves standard joint configurations and assembly techniques already common in medical device production.
3Productivity
If a fixed-angled evacuator is used, then the suction surface interfacing is simple, but the procedural efficiency is reduced due to tedious repositioning
Solution Approach 1:
The articulated joint enables dynamic repositioning of the nozzle during procedures, allowing operators to adapt to different surface angles without completely removing and repositioning the entire device. This improves procedural efficiency by reducing tedious repositioning operations while the interfacing mechanism remains relatively simple through the use of a single joint connection.
Data Source
Figure 1A~1C
Figure 2A~2D
Figure 3A~3D
AI summary
An implement useful in dental and medical procedures, particularly aspiration, but that can also be readily adapted for irrigation or retraction, is described. In a preferred embodiment, the invention features a hollow handle portion (2) having a source end (2a) for connecting to a vacuum line or pump, and a second end (2b); a hollow nozzle portion (1) having a contacting end (la) for engaging a patient surface to be suctioned and a second end (lb) for functionally engaging, directly or indirectly, the second end of the handle (2b); and a hollow joint at least partially defined by the second end of the handle and the second end of the nozzle. In some embodiments, the joint may comprise an adaptor (3).