Aligner Placement Tool with Nested Hook for Safe Dental Device Handling

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional aligner devices are inefficient and pose risks due to the need to use fingers or nails for placement and removal, which can cause injury and introduce germs, and the use of probes for adjustment often results in damage to the device or tissue.

Innovation Solution

An aligner placement system with a handle and a hook-like placement end that allows for precise force application without increasing the device's thickness, enabling safe and germ-free insertion and removal of aligners, and precise positioning without damaging the aligner or causing injury.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If fingers or nails are used to place and remove the aligner, then the aligner can be inserted and removed, but injury to gums or tissue occurs and germs are introduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvealigner placement and removalVSAvoidtissue injury and contamination

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a placement tool as an intermediary device between the user and the aligner. This tool includes a placement end with features that engage the aligner's engagement features, allowing the user to place and remove the aligner without direct finger contact with the teeth or gums, thereby preventing tissue injury and contamination while maintaining ease of operation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Measurement precision

If a probe is used to adjust the aligner, then positioning can be manipulated, but injury to the person or damage to the aligner occurs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvealigner positioningVSAvoidsafety and device integrity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The placement tool serves as a safe intermediary for adjusting and positioning the aligner. Its design includes features that engage with the aligner's engagement features, allowing precise manipulation and positioning without the risk of injury or damage associated with traditional probes. The tool provides controlled force application and precise positioning capabilities while maintaining safety and device integrity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Manufacturing precision

If the placement end is designed to engage aligner features, then precise force application is achieved, but the device thickness increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveforce application precisionVSAvoiddevice thickness

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The placement features are designed to nest within or engage the existing features of the aligner itself. The placement end includes features that interface with engagement features already present on the aligner, allowing precise force application without adding significant thickness to the device. The nested design enables the placement tool to utilize the aligner's own structure for precise positioning and force application

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Data Source

PatentUS11857388B1Aligner placement system and method of use

Publication Date: 2024.01.02 CHONG CHRISTOPHER

AI summary

An aligner placement system allows for precise holding of a hook or other tool to carefully place, position or remove a dental device, like an aligner, in the mouth. The system uses a handle end that is configured to allow a person to firmly grip the system and hold it in the desired position to properly seat the dental device.