Cheek Retractor with Integrated Nasal Aerosol Suction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Dental professionals are exposed to aerosols containing bioaerosols, such as viruses and bacteria, during procedures due to the inability of traditional saliva ejectors to remove aerosols from the oral and nasal cavities, posing a risk of airborne transmission.
Innovation Solution
A cheek retraction device with retractors and a nasal tube that connects to a vacuum source, featuring apertures to capture aerosols from the oral and nasal cavities, reducing exposure to aerosols during dental procedures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a traditional saliva ejector is used to remove liquids from the oral cavity, then liquid removal is achieved, but aerosols containing bioaerosols are not removed, exposing dental professionals to pathogens
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple functions into a single integrated device: the retractors perform both cheek retraction and aerosol capture from the oral cavity, while the nasal tube captures aerosols from the nasal passages. This merging of functions eliminates the need for separate saliva ejectors and nasal suction devices, resolving the contradiction by achieving comprehensive aerosol protection without proportionally increasing device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The retractors are designed with dual functionality: they mechanically retract the cheeks to provide access during dental procedures while simultaneously serving as aerosol collection devices through their apertures and internal passages. This multi-functionality addresses the harmful aerosol exposure without requiring additional dedicated devices, thereby managing the complexity-benefit tradeoff
2Productivity
If the dental professional remains in close proximity to the patient during procedures, then treatment efficiency is maintained, but exposure to aerosols containing viruses and bacteria increases
Solution Approach 1:
The device introduces an intermediary aerosol capture system between the patient's respiratory tract and the dental professional's breathing zone. The retractors and nasal tube with their apertures and internal passages actively intercept aerosols at the source, preventing their propagation toward the dental professional. This intermediary mechanism allows close proximity work to continue safely, maintaining productivity while eliminating the harmful exposure risk
3Object-affected harmful factors
If aerosols are captured from both oral and nasal cavities simultaneously, then comprehensive aerosol removal is achieved, but device structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges oral and nasal aerosol capture functions into a single integrated device structure. The retractors with internal passages handle oral cavity aerosols, while the nasal tube with its apertures handles nasal passage aerosols. Both systems converge to a common vacuum connection, eliminating the need for separate suction devices and achieving comprehensive capture without proportionally increasing component count
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 device effectively reduces aerosol exposure by removing over 90% of aerosols from the patient's mouth and nose, enhancing safety for dental professionals and improving room disinfection.
Implementation Method 1
A fluid connector is supported by the arm and in fluid communication with the first and second passages, with the fluid connector to connect the cheek retraction device to a remote vacuum source
Data Source
AI summary
A cheek retraction or dental device is provided with a member forming an arm extending between and connecting a first retractor and a second retractor. Each retractor defines an internal passage and an aperture. A nasal tube defines another internal passage and an aperture, and the nasal tube extends between and is in fluid communication with the passages of the first and second retractors. A fluid connector to connect the dental device to a remote vacuum source is supported by the arm and in fluid communication with the first and second passages. The apertures of the first and second retractors face towards one another such that aerosols flow from an oral cavity of a patient into the passages of the retractors. The aperture of the nasal tube faces away from the arm such that aerosols flow from a nasal passage of the patient into the passage of the nasal tube.