Dental Appliance with Moveable Nozzle for Interproximal Cleaning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing dental treatment appliances, such as electric toothbrushes, face challenges in effectively cleaning interproximal gaps between teeth due to limited movement and actuation mechanisms, which can lead to inadequate removal of plaque and debris.
Innovation Solution
A dental treatment appliance with a handle, a moveable datum component, and a contact member that actuates treatment based on relative movement between the components, utilizing a fluid delivery system, acoustic waves, or electromagnetic radiation to dislodge matter from interproximal gaps, and a control circuit to detect and respond to the movement for targeted treatment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a fluid delivery system is incorporated into an electric toothbrush for interproximal cleaning, then cleaning effectiveness in interproximal gaps is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the fluid delivery system with the existing electric toothbrush structure by integrating the nozzle assembly into the brush head. The fluid delivery mechanism shares common components with the toothbrush, such as the power source and control circuitry, thereby reducing overall device complexity while maintaining improved interproximal cleaning effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The electric toothbrush is designed to perform multiple functions: traditional tooth brushing using bristles and enhanced interproximal cleaning using the fluid delivery system. This multi-functionality allows a single device to address both routine tooth brushing and targeted interproximal cleaning needs, justifying the added complexity through expanded capability.
2Measurement precision
If automatic actuation based on sensor detection is implemented, then treatment precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where sensors detect the position of the brush head relative to the tooth surface and automatically actuate the fluid delivery system when interproximal gaps are detected. This closed-loop control improves treatment precision by ensuring fluid is delivered only when needed, while the feedback circuitry integrates with the toothbrush's existing control system to minimize additional complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system automatically detects and responds to interproximal gaps without requiring manual user intervention. The sensor-based actuation system self-regulates the fluid delivery based on real-time detection of tooth geometry, eliminating the need for user judgment or manual activation and thereby improving treatment precision.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the nozzle is made moveable relative to the handle, then adaptability to tooth contours is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a dynamic nozzle assembly that can move relative to the toothbrush handle to adapt to varying tooth contours and interproximal gap geometries. This dynamic positioning capability allows the fluid delivery system to maintain optimal alignment with the target area during brushing movements. The nozzle is connected via flexible couplings and movable joints that permit angular adjustment while maintaining fluid sealing, thereby achieving adaptability without excessive complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes flexible components in the nozzle assembly, including flexible conduits for fluid delivery and compliant mounting structures, that allow the nozzle to flex and adapt to tooth contours. These flexible elements provide the necessary adaptability while maintaining structural integrity and fluid sealing, avoiding the need for complex rigid adjustment mechanisms.
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 appliance effectively delivers bursts of fluid or emits radiation to dislodge matter from interproximal gaps, enhancing cleaning efficiency and comfort by using a resilient nozzle and datum component that move in synchronization with the teeth's contours, ensuring thorough treatment without excessive force.
Implementation Method 1
delivering a burst of working fluid to the teeth of a user, for example to dislodge matter located within a gap between the user's teeth
Implementation Method 2
dislodge matter from interproximal gaps
Implementation Method 3
emission of acoustic waves or electromagnetic radiation from the appliance
Implementation Method 4
acoustic waves... to dislodge matter from the teeth of the user
Implementation Method 5
emission of acoustic waves or electromagnetic radiation from the appliance
Data Source
AI summary
A dental treatment appliance includes a handle, a nozzle for engaging the teeth of the user and for delivering a burst of working fluid to the teeth of a user, and a datum component also for engaging the teeth of the user. Each of the nozzle and the datum component is moveable relative to the handle. A control circuit detects relative movement between the nozzle and the datum component as the appliance is moved along the teeth of a user, and actuates the delivery of working fluid to the teeth of the user depending on the detected relative movement.