Cheek Retractor with Integrated Suction for Aerosol Control
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
During dental treatments, aerosols generated can pose health risks to practitioners and patients due to their potential for transmitting bacteria, viruses, and fungi, and existing measures like personal protective equipment do not provide 100% protection, while avoiding these aerosols can restrict treatment efficiency and access.
Innovation Solution
A cheek holder with integrated suction openings connected to a suction system, positioned along the lip contour to capture aerosols directly at their source, ensuring effective suction without hindering treatment access or efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If aerosols are used for cooling and cleaning during dental treatment, then treatment effectiveness is improved, but health risks from aerosol transmission increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and removes aerosols from the oral cavity using a suction system connected to the cheek retractor. The suction openings capture aerosols at their source and remove them through a suction line, separating the harmful aerosol particles from the treatment environment while maintaining the beneficial cooling and cleaning functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The cheek retractor with integrated suction openings acts as an intermediary device between the aerosol-generating treatment and the surrounding environment. It mediates by capturing aerosols through the suction openings and channeling them away, protecting both the patient and practitioner while allowing treatment to proceed.
2Reliability
If suction is applied to remove aerosols, then health protection is improved, but aerosol removal effectiveness may be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The suction openings are positioned to capture aerosols as they are generated at the source, before they can escape from the oral cavity. This preliminary action of capturing aerosols at the point of generation prevents them from becoming a harmful factor in the first place.
Solution Approach 2:
The suction system is applied locally at specific points around the oral cavity through strategically positioned suction openings on the cheek retractor. This localized suction creates effective capture zones without requiring strong suction across the entire cavity, maintaining aerosol removal effectiveness while protecting health.
3Ease of operation
If cheek retractor is inserted to improve access, then treatment access is improved, but aerosol containment becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges two functions into a single device: the cheek retractor for improving treatment access and the aerosol suction system for health protection. The suction openings are integrated into the cheek retractor structure, allowing both functions to work simultaneously without interfering with each other.
Solution Approach 2:
The cheek retractor is transformed into a multi-functional device that not only provides mechanical access by holding the cheek open but also serves as an aerosol containment and removal system. This universal device performs multiple functions that were previously required from separate tools.
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 integrated suction system significantly reduces or prevents aerosol escape from the oral cavity, minimizing the risk of infection to treating staff while maintaining treatment efficiency and access.
Implementation Method 1
on the lip-holding shell of which a number of suction openings connected to a suction system are arranged
Data Source
Figure 1a~1c
Figure 2a~2c
Figure 3a~3b
AI summary
In order to improve the occupational safety of the treating personnel during a dental treatment of a patient, the invention relates to an apparatus by means of which the discharge of aerosols from the oral cavity (78) during the treatment of a patient can be reduced to a particular extent or possibly completely prevented. To this end, according to the invention, a cheek retractor (20, 40, 50), in particular for holding the patient's mouth (64) open during a treatment in the oral cavity or throat or a dental treatment, is equipped with integrated suction, wherein a plurality of suction openings (22) connected to a suction system (24) are arranged on the lip support shell (2, 58) of said cheek retractor.