Ionizing Radiation Absorbent Dental Arch Protector
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current solutions fail to provide effective and total protection for dental arches and paradental tissues from ionizing radiation during radiotherapy, with existing solutions only offering partial protection.
Innovation Solution
A device comprising arc-shaped bodies made from ionizing radiation absorbent materials, such as lead, designed to cover the entire dental arch, including the outer and inner surfaces of teeth and adjacent gum tissue, with a customizable and standardized manufacturing process to ensure comprehensive protection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If existing protection solutions are used, then some protection from ionizing radiation is provided, but the protection is only partial and not total
Solution Approach 1:
The protective device is divided into multiple arc-shaped bodies, each covering a specific dental arch. Each arc-shaped body comprises flat walls and transverse walls that segment the protection zones, ensuring comprehensive coverage of teeth surfaces and paradental tissues while maintaining individual functionality of each segment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces arc-shaped bodies made of ionizing radiation absorbent material as an intermediary between the ionizing radiation and the dental arches. This intermediary structure absorbs the radiation before it can reach and damage the teeth and surrounding tissues, providing total protection.
2Productivity
If a standardized manufacturing process is used, then production efficiency is improved, but customization for individual patients is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The device design incorporates universal features through standardized arc-shaped bodies that can be manufactured using consistent processes. These universal components can then be adapted to different patients by adjusting parameters such as the number of bodies, their arrangement, and dimensional specifications, achieving both standardization and customization.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent allows for parameter changes in the manufacturing process to achieve patient-specific customization. By modifying parameters such as the dimensions of arc-shaped bodies, the number of bodies required, and the configuration of flat and transverse walls, the same standardized manufacturing process can produce customized protective devices for different patients.
3Reliability
If the device covers the entire dental arch including inner surfaces, then total protection is achieved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs arc-shaped bodies with curved geometries that naturally conform to the shape of dental arches. The arc-shaped flat walls and transverse walls are designed with curvatures that match the anatomical structure of teeth and gums, allowing comprehensive coverage of inner and outer surfaces while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure that integrates smoothly with the oral cavity.
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 shields dental arches and paradental tissues from ionizing radiation, minimizing discomfort and allowing for easy use during radiotherapy, while being manufactured to fit individual patients and made from materials that can be easily sterilized or disposed of.
Implementation Method 1
The device is manufactured with a material comprising an ionizing radiation absorbent material. Advantageously the material used to manufacture the body of the device is fully made of an ionizing radiation absorbent material. Preferably, such material is lead.
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
A device (1) is described for protecting dental arches, comprising at least one arc-shaped body (10, 20) comprising in turn an arc-shaped flat wall (11, 21), configured for covering the ends of the teeth of a respective dental arch, and an outer wall (12, 22) which transversally extends from an outer edge (11A, 21A) of the flat wall (11, 21) and is configured for covering the outer surface of the teeth of a dental arch. Each arc-shaped body (10, 20) is manufactured with a material that comprises an ionizing radiation absorbent material. Each arc-shaped body (10, 20) also comprises an inner wall (13, 23) which transversally projects from an inner edge (11B, 21B) of the flat wall (11, 21). Each inner wall (13, 23) is placed in front of said outer wall (12, 22) so as to form a tooth receiving groove. The inner wall (13, 23) of a respective arc-shaped body (10, 20) has a length that is equal to, or slightly greater than, the length of the teeth, so as to cover and protect their complete inner surface, as well as part of the gum immediately adjacent to the base of the teeth, in order to also protect the roots of the teeth. Two arc-shaped bodies (10, 20) are provided, connected to each other at the ends (11C, 21C) of their respective flat walls (11, 21), this reciprocal connection making it possible for the two arc-shaped bodies (10, 20) to move with respect to each other.