Dental Micro Applicator with Rupture Capsules for One-Handed Adhesive Dispensing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing dental applicators require the use of both hands to activate, leading to potential leakage of volatile solvents and unintentional escape of liquids due to direct communication between the reservoir and discharge channel.
Innovation Solution
A one-handed dental micro-applicator with a body featuring a distal and proximal area, branch, and multiple hollow capsules filled with dental adhesive, where capsules are designed to rupture under external pressure or contact, preventing direct communication between the reservoir and discharge channel, and are packaged to prevent accidental opening during transport or storage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the reservoir communicates directly with the dispensing channel, then the liquid can be dispensed easily, but the liquid may unintentionally leak from the applicator or volatile solvents may escape
Solution Approach 1:
The capsule is pre-filled with liquid and sealed before use. The sealing membrane remains intact during storage and transport, preventing any leakage or solvent escape. Only when the user intentionally activates the applicator does the capsule rupture and release the liquid, ensuring reliability is maintained throughout the product lifecycle.
Solution Approach 2:
A sealing membrane acts as an intermediary barrier between the capsule interior and the external environment. This membrane prevents direct communication between the reservoir and dispensing channel until intentionally ruptured, thereby preventing unintended leakage while still allowing controlled dispensing when activated.
2Ease of operation
If both hands are required to activate the applicator, then the activation can be controlled precisely, but the ease of operation is reduced and potential leakage may occur
Solution Approach 1:
The applicator is designed to be activated by a simple one-handed squeezing motion, where the user's own hand provides the activation force. The capsule rupture mechanism responds automatically to the applied pressure, eliminating the need for complex two-handed activation sequences while maintaining reliable controlled release.
Solution Approach 2:
The activation mechanism is designed to respond to a specific pressure threshold. When the user squeezes the applicator body, the pressure increases until it reaches the rupture point of the capsule membrane, at which point the liquid is released. This pressure-based activation can be easily achieved with one hand while maintaining precise control over the release timing.
3Ease of operation
If the capsules are arranged in the application area, then the dental adhesive can be applied directly to the tooth surface, but the capsules may be accidentally opened during transport or storage
Solution Approach 1:
The capsules are pre-positioned in the application area and pre-filled with adhesive, but remain sealed until use. The packaging is designed to protect the capsules during transport and storage, with the rupture mechanism only activated when the user intentionally applies pressure to the applicator body during the dental procedure.
Solution Approach 2:
The applicator body is designed to distribute and cushion the activation pressure uniformly across the capsule array. This prevents accidental activation during normal handling while ensuring that when intentional pressure is applied, the capsules rupture in a controlled manner. The structural design absorbs incidental impacts without reaching the rupture threshold.
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
Enables one-handed operation, secure containment of dental adhesives, and controlled release of dental liquids, minimizing solvent escape and ensuring easy application without the need for two hands.
Implementation Method 1
The capsules are destructive under the influence of an external force or upon contact with a surface
Data Source
Figure 1~2
AI summary
The invention relates to a dental micro applicator (1) comprising a body (2), a distal region (2.1), a proximal region (2.2), and an application region (2.3) in the proximal region. In the proximal region (2.2), the body has at least one branch (4) or at least one filament, whereby a ramification is formed on the body (2) in the proximal region (2.2), said ramification constituting the application region (2.3), and at least one closed hollow capsule (3), in particular a plurality of capsules (3), is paired with the application region (2.3). The invention further relates to a kit comprising the applicator (1), wherein a dental adhesive is contained in the capsules (3).