Braided Endodontic Finishing File for Flexible Debris Removal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing endodontic files face issues such as material weakness, risk of breakage, clogging, and inadequate cleaning efficacy due to design flaws, leading to potential infections and complications during root canal treatment.
Innovation Solution
A novel endodontic file design featuring a core of twisted elastic tungsten wires with a four-layer outer braid, where the second and fourth layers are wound in the opposite direction to secure both ends in the shank, and the third and fourth layers have a shorter length, ensuring stiffness and flexibility, with curved ends forming a conical helix for effective cleaning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If thin wires are used to form the core and basket structure, then the file can flexibly navigate root canals, but the risk of file breakage increases due to small wire thickness and high rotational loads
Solution Approach 1:
The file combines nickel-titanium alloy wires for the core and basket structure with stainless steel wires for the helical winding. The nickel-titanium provides superelasticity and flexibility to navigate curved canals, while the stainless steel helical winding adds tensile strength and structural integrity to prevent breakage during rotation and withdrawal.
2Productivity
If abrasive materials are applied to the core and helical wire to improve debris removal, then cleaning efficiency increases, but lateral tubules become clogged with fine dust and debris
Solution Approach 1:
The abrasive function is completely removed from the file design. Instead of applying abrasive coatings to the core and helical wire, the invention relies on the mechanical action of the brush formed by exposed core strands and the irrigation fluid to remove debris, thereby eliminating the source of fine dust that clogs lateral tubules.
Solution Approach 2:
The file is designed as a disposable instrument that is discarded after a single use. This eliminates the need for self-cleaning mechanisms or reusable components that would require maintenance, and ensures that worn or contaminated files are never reused, preventing cross-contamination and lateral tubule clogging.
3Productivity
If the file rotates at high speed to improve cleaning efficiency, then debris removal increases, but centrifugal force presses the tip against the canal wall and drives debris into lateral root tubules
Solution Approach 1:
The file is used with reciprocating motion rather than continuous high-speed rotation. The operator alternates between advancing and withdrawing the file, allowing debris to be removed during withdrawal when centrifugal force is minimal, and preventing debris from being driven into lateral tubules during the advancing phase.
4Ease of operation
If the shank is made of elastomeric material with frictional grip to secure the file, then ease of insertion is improved, but the grip reliability decreases under high rotational speeds and loads
Solution Approach 1:
The file is designed as a disposable single-use instrument with a integrated shank and working end, eliminating the need for a separate grip mechanism. The entire file is inserted as one piece and discarded after use, avoiding the reliability issues of frictional grips under high-speed rotation.
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 design enhances cleaning quality, reduces the risk of injury, and extends the file's service life by maintaining structural integrity under high rotational speeds, effectively removing debris while minimizing the risk of canal blockage and wall damage.
Implementation Method 1
a core 3 of twisted elastic tungsten wires 4
Implementation Method 2
When rotating at high speed, the tip of the file, under the action of centrifugal force, is pressed against the surface of the root canal of the tooth
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to dentistry, and particularly, to a rotary endodontic finishing file used for root canal treatment. The endodontic finishing file comprises a shank for inserting in an endodontic motor handpiece, and a core of twisted metal braids secured in the shank, the said core being provided with an outer braid made of wire wound over the core. The length of the braid is less than the length of the core. At the braid-free end of the core, a brush of the core braids is formed. The winding of the wire of the outer braid is made in four layers, the winding of the first and third layers is made in the direction from the shank to the brush without a gap between the adjacent coils in each layer, the winding of the second and fourth layers is made in the opposite direction.