Disposable Dental Aerosol Device with Segmented Suction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current dental procedures face challenges in effectively capturing and preventing the aerosol cloud generated during dental procedures, which can contain contagious viruses and other organisms, from contaminating patients, dental personnel, and equipment, as existing devices are often not disposable, not easily sterilized, and lack adjustable suction control.
Innovation Solution
A disposable dental aerosol device with a funnel-shaped tip receiving end, aerosol capturing ports, and a central lumen for easy installation on dental valves, allowing for adjustable suction and incorporation of antimicrobial agents to prevent bacterial growth, designed for one-time use and easy handling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a saliva ejector or high volume evacuator is used to remove liquids and debris from a patient's mouth, then saliva and debris can be effectively removed, but aerosol clouds containing viruses and organisms are generated and spread throughout the dental room
Solution Approach 1:
The device divides the suction function into separate pathways: a central lumen for liquid/debris removal and multiple aerosol capturing ports for aerosol containment. This segmentation allows independent optimization of each function, capturing aerosols through dedicated ports while maintaining effective liquid evacuation through the central lumen.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary aerosol capturing mechanism with multiple ports positioned to intercept aerosol clouds before they disperse. This intermediary structure captures harmful aerosols and directs them through the vacuum system, preventing their release into the dental environment while maintaining the primary suction function.
2Reliability
If traditional saliva ejectors and evacuators are used, then saliva and debris removal is effective, but the devices require sterilization by autoclave after each use which is hardly ever done
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a disposable aerosol capturing device that is discarded after single use, eliminating the need for sterilization. The device is designed to be inexpensive enough to justify single-use disposal, ensuring proper sterilization compliance without requiring complex autoclave procedures. The disposable nature prevents cross-contamination while simplifying the overall system requirements.
3Ease of operation
If a disposable aerosol device is designed for single-use to eliminate sterilization needs, then sterilization compliance improves, but the device must be easy to install and remove from dental valves
Solution Approach 1:
The device incorporates a dynamic connection mechanism that allows easy attachment and detachment from dental valves. The design includes flexible positioning and simple coupling features that enable rapid installation and removal without tools or complex procedures, making the disposable device as convenient as permanent equipment while maintaining single-use reliability.
4Productivity
If aerosol capturing ports are added to the device, then aerosol capture capability improves, but the device structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The device integrates multiple functions into a single unified structure: the aerosol capturing ports, central lumen, and vacuum connection are combined in one component that attaches to standard dental valves. This multi-functional design captures aerosols while maintaining liquid/debris evacuation capability, eliminating the need for separate devices and reducing overall system complexity despite the added aerosol capture features.
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 captures aerosols, preventing contamination and ensuring a safer dental environment by being easy to install, adjustable, and eliminating the need for sterilization, while being suitable for single-use and potentially recyclable or biodegradable.
Implementation Method 1
a source of vacuum
Implementation Method 2
suction tubing connected to a source of vacuum
Data Source
AI summary
A disposable dental aerosol device has a body having a tip receiving end, a valve receiving end, a central lumen formed between the tip receiving end and the valve receiving end, and a funnel at the tip receiving end, an aerosol capturing port having an aerosol capturing port lumen, and an aerosol capturing port entrance opening formed in the funnel and an aerosol port exit opening formed in the central lumen with the aerosol capturing port lumen spanning between the aerosol capturing port entrance opening and the aerosol capturing port exit opening.