Dental Cover Sheet with Intra-oral Spanner for Tension Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing dental cover and holdback elements either hold teeth unprotected or apply excessive tension, leading to discomfort and inefficiency during dental operations.
Innovation Solution
A cover and holdback element that automatically accommodates the shape of the patient's mouth through a combination of sheet turning and displacement relative to tensioning elements, providing radial inward tension and a cinched-in region to protect teeth and lips, while being stable against suction and allowing for easy handling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If the sheet is elastically expanded to provide sufficient coverage, then the covering area is improved, but the tension force increases and requires stronger tensioning elements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a flexible sheet made of elastomeric material that can be elastically expanded to cover the required area. The sheet is configured to be stretchable and adaptable to the patient's mouth shape, allowing sufficient coverage without requiring excessive tensioning forces. The flexible nature of the sheet enables it to conform to contours while maintaining adequate coverage area.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the tensioning elements are configured to be form stable to resist expansion, then the structural stability is improved, but the patient comfort deteriorates due to hard configuration
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameters of the tensioning elements, specifically using soft elastomeric materials instead of hard form-stable materials. This parameter change allows the tensioning elements to maintain sufficient structural stability to resist sheet expansion while being comfortable for the patient. The soft material properties enable the elements to conform to the patient's anatomy without causing discomfort.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite material construction where soft elastomeric materials are used for both the sheet and tensioning elements. This composite approach integrates the benefits of flexibility and comfort while maintaining adequate structural stability through the material properties of the elastomer, creating a harmonious balance between stability and comfort.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the sheet material is rolled out to estimate required size, then the adaptability is improved, but the operational complexity increases due to experience requirement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates preliminary markings on the sheet that indicate the required size and configuration before application. These pre-marked guidelines allow the sheet to be properly positioned and sized without requiring the operator to roll out and estimate the required size, thereby reducing operational complexity while maintaining adaptability to different patient anatomies.
4Stability of the object's composition
If the sheet is held in strong tensioned condition, then the coverage stability is improved, but the patient comfort deteriorates and sheet folds occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the tension parameters by using soft elastomeric materials that can accommodate moderate tension without causing discomfort or folding. The material's inherent elasticity allows the sheet to maintain stable coverage while the soft material properties prevent excessive tension from causing patient discomfort or sheet deformation.
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 solution provides a comfortable, ergonomic, and effective means of protecting teeth and lips during dental procedures, resisting suction and accommodating the mouth's shape for improved access and reduced discomfort.
Implementation Method 1
a highly elastic material such as, for example, latex, can be used for the sheet so that, in principle, it need not be feared that the sheet will rip. Such sheets can be elastically expanded, for example, by a factor of 7.
Implementation Method 2
A certain rough accommodation of the device to the mouth of the patient can be undertaken via the use of a material reserve, as is known from the above-noted publications. In this connection, the sheet material is rolled out from the frame of the rubber dam.
Data Source
AI summary
A cover and holdback element for permitting disturbance-free dental operations to be performed on a patient's teeth includes an expandable sheet operable to cover at least a portion of the mouth volume of a patient and an intra-oral spanner and an extra-oral spanner. The sheet is turned around the at least one of the spanners and is displaceable relative thereto.