Dental Cleaning Powder Device with Removable Capsule System

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing cleaning powder devices in dental practice require laborious powder refilling and replacement procedures, and are prone to contamination by foreign bodies, which discourages the use of different powder types and poses sanitary risks.

Innovation Solution

A cleaning powder device with a removable capsule system that simplifies powder refilling and replacement, featuring a reversible coupling mechanism with locking rings and a flow partializer integrated into the capsule rotation, ensuring airtightness and easy handling.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a removable capsule system is implemented, then powder refilling and replacement becomes simplified, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepowder refilling operationVSAvoidcapsule coupling mechanism
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The device is divided into a reusable main body and a removable capsule containing the powder. The capsule can be easily detached and replaced without affecting the main device structure. This segmentation allows simplified powder refilling by simply replacing the entire capsule rather than manually refilling powder into the chamber.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The capsule is designed to nest within the main device body during operation, with the coupling mechanism allowing the capsule to be inserted into and locked within the device. The locking rings provide a nested configuration that secures the capsule while maintaining easy accessibility for removal and replacement.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Device complexity

If manual powder refilling is required, then device structure remains simple, but risk of foreign body contamination increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvechamber structureVSAvoidforeign body contamination
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The powder is pre-filled into sealed capsules before use, during which the capsules can be filled under controlled industrial conditions. This preliminary action prevents foreign body contamination that would occur during manual refilling operations, as the powder is already contained in a sterile, sealed environment before insertion into the device.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The capsules are designed as disposable or replaceable units that can be easily discarded after use. This approach eliminates the need for complex cleaning and sterilization procedures that would be required for reusable chambers, and ensures that each capsule provides a fresh, contamination-free powder supply.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

3Adaptability or versatility

If different powder types are used, then treatment versatility improves, but refilling procedure becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepowder type varietyVSAvoidpowder replacement procedure
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The coupling mechanism and capsule design are made universal, allowing the same device to accommodate capsules containing different types of powder. The standardized interface and locking mechanism work with various capsule types, enabling the device to handle multiple powder types without requiring different refilling procedures or complex adjustments.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 allows for effortless powder type changes and reduces the risk of contamination, enhancing user convenience and ensuring safer operation by using capsules filled through industrial processes.

Implementation Method 1

a flow partializer of the air flow at the inlet to the intermediate chamber for the containment of powder and air-powder mixing is used... the optimal mixing conditions can be obtained precisely by modifying the flow rate of air entering the intermediate chamber and therefore the fluid dynamic parameters of the turbulence that is generated inside the chamber itself

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectTurbulence: Turbulence

Implementation Method 2

The compressed air is conveyed into the aforementioned intermediate chamber... The higher pressure inside the chamber with respect to the external environment therefore causes the air-powder mixture to exit from the intermediate chamber through a special channel in the dispensing direction to the patient

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPressure gradient: Pressure Gradient

Data Source

PatentEP3920833B1A cleaning powder device for use in a dental practice
Publication Date: 2024.04.24 MECTRON
  • EP3920833B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3920833B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP3920833B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

The present invention relates to a cleaning powder device for use in a dental practice, in particular of the type dispensing a mixture of air and abrasive powder, possibly together with a water jet. According to one aspect of the invention, the device is adapted to allow the loading of powder by coupling removable capsules.