Dental Composition Dispensing System with Guide Rail Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional dental tray systems suffer from poor ergonomics, lack of control over compound dispensing, and inconsistency in the quantity of dental compositions applied, making it difficult for users to precisely and evenly dispense treatments into the tray.
Innovation Solution
A mechanically-driven dispensing unit with a guide rail and a dispensing mechanism, including a gear or displacement pump, that interacts with the guide rail to expel dental compositions into a tray reservoir in a single ergonomic motion, ensuring precise and even distribution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual syringe dispensing is used, then the user can apply the dental composition, but the user must simultaneously hold the tray and control the syringe plunger, resulting in poor ergonomics
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the tray holder and dispensing mechanism into a single integrated device. The tray is secured in a holder that automatically positions a syringe relative to the tray reservoir, eliminating the need for the user to manually coordinate holding the tray and operating the syringe separately. This merging of functions resolves the ergonomic contradiction by making the device easier to operate while maintaining reasonable complexity through functional integration.
2Measurement precision
If the tray is placed on a surface during dispensing, then the user has stability, but the tray can move during application of the compound, resulting in poor control over dispensing location
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by pre-securing the tray in the holder before dispensing begins. The holder is designed with positioning features that automatically align and fix the tray in the correct position prior to compound application. This preliminary positioning eliminates tray movement during dispensing, achieving precise control over where the compound is applied without requiring the user to constantly adjust tray position during operation.
3Quantity of substance
If manual syringe compression is used, then the user can dispense the compound, but there is poor control over the quantity of compound dispensed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the manual mechanical compression of the syringe plunger with an automated mechanical dispensing mechanism. The integrated device includes a mechanism that automatically actuates the syringe plunger with controlled force and duration, precisely regulating the quantity of compound dispensed. This substitution of manual mechanical control with an automated mechanical system achieves accurate quantity control while simplifying the user's operational burden.
4Quantity of substance
If the user carefully controls syringe compression, then better control over compound quantity is achieved, but the operation becomes more complex and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-configuring the dispensing system with predetermined compound quantities. The syringe is pre-filled with the exact amount of compound needed, and the dispensing mechanism is pre-set to deliver the precise quantity required for the treatment. This eliminates the need for the user to carefully control compression in real-time, achieving both quantity precision and time efficiency by performing the control actions beforehand.
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 system allows for precise and even dispensing of dental compositions into the tray reservoir, improving application control and consistency, enhancing the effectiveness of treatments such as tooth whitening and sensitivity relief.
Implementation Method 1
the guide rail comprises a plurality of teeth configured to guide the gear along the guide rail. According to an embodiment, the turning of the gear as the dispensing system moves along the guide rail causes the dental composition to be expelled from the dental composition reservoir.
Implementation Method 2
a dispensing mechanism in communication with the guide rail and configured to expel the dental composition from the dental composition reservoir in response to the dispensing mechanism moving along the guide rail
Data Source
AI summary
A dispensing system (10) configured to dispense a dental composition, the dispensing system including: (i) a dental tray (14) comprising a tray reservoir (18) configured to receive a dental composition (26), and further comprising a guide rail (22); (ii) a dental composition reservoir (12) for containing at least one dental composition; and (iii) a dispensing mechanism (16) in communication with the guide rail and configured to expel the dental composition from the dental composition reservoir in response to the dispensing mechanism moving along the guide rail, the dispensing mechanism comprising a nozzle (24) configured to direct the dispensed dental composition into the tray reservoir.