Dental Aerosol Collection Ring With Suction Barrier Around the Oral Cavity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Dental aerosols and splatter particles pose a significant risk of airborne transmission of infectious diseases to dental professionals and patients due to their small size and ability to remain airborne, despite the use of personal protective equipment, and existing devices like dental dams and suction devices do not effectively contain these particles.
Innovation Solution
A dental aerosol protection system comprising a ring assembly with a frame and collar that traps aerosols and splatter particles using high-volume suction, optionally combined with a support mask and flexible extensions to create a barrier around the oral cavity, directing particles into suction ports for collection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If high speed handpieces or ultrasonic equipment are used during dental procedures, then treatment effectiveness is improved, but aerosol and splatter generation increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the oral cavity into isolated zones using a rubber dam that segments the treatment area from the rest of the mouth and operatory environment, preventing aerosol spread while allowing high-speed instrumentation to proceed
Solution Approach 2:
A rubber dam serves as an intermediary barrier between the high-speed handpiece/ultrasonic equipment and the surrounding environment, intercepting aerosols and splatter at the source before they can disperse into the operatory
2Object-generated harmful factors
If standard dental dams are used to isolate teeth, then aerosol volume is reduced, but aerosol particles are not removed and can still spread into the operatory
Solution Approach 1:
The rubber dam acts as an intermediary barrier that not only reduces aerosol volume by isolating the treatment area but also works in conjunction with high-volume suction to actively remove particles, creating a two-layer protection system that reliably contains aerosols
Solution Approach 2:
High-volume suction devices utilize pneumatic forces to actively draw aerosol particles through the rubber dam isolation zone and into collection systems, ensuring reliable removal and containment rather than passive reduction alone
3Object-affected harmful factors
If personal protective equipment such as masks and face shields are worn, then direct exposure is reduced, but small aerosol particles remain airborne long after the procedure
Solution Approach 1:
The rubber dam is installed before the procedure begins to preliminarily contain the aerosol-generating environment, and high-volume suction operates throughout the procedure to proactively remove particles before they can escape into the operatory and remain airborne
Solution Approach 2:
The rubber dam serves as a primary intermediary barrier that contains aerosols at the source, working in combination with PPE to create multiple layers of protection that address both direct exposure and long-term airborne particle concerns
4Object-generated harmful factors
If rubber dam isolation is used, then aerosol spread is reduced, but many procedures producing high aerosol levels cannot use a rubber dam
Solution Approach 1:
The aerosol protection system is designed with universal applicability, providing a framework that can be adapted to various procedure types including those where traditional rubber dam isolation is not feasible, through alternative containment and suction configurations
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 system effectively contains and collects aerosols and splatter particles before they enter the operatory, providing a protective barrier and reducing the risk of infection for dental professionals and patients, adaptable for procedures with and without a rubber dam.
Implementation Method 1
The suction ports create negative pressure to draw aerosol and splatter particles into the ring assembly for collection
Implementation Method 2
high-volume suction at the suction ports simultaneously creates a circumferential negative pressure in close proximity to the patient's mouth
Data Source
AI summary
A dental aerosol protection system for controlling dispersion of aerosol and splatter particles produced during dental procedures, the system including a ring assembly, a support mask for supporting the ring assembly on a patient, and a suction generating device, the ring assembly and support mask having suction ports which are connectable to the suction generating device to provide a negative suction force around the oral cavity, wherein the ring assembly and support mask can be connected or used separately to control dispersion of aerosols depending upon the requirements of the dental procedure, and one or more flexible extensions connectable to the ring assembly and support mask extending superiorly away from the patient around and over the oral cavity, the flexible extensions forming an adjustable physical barrier between the dental professional and the patient's oral cavity.