Elastomeric Dental Drape with Light-Cured Seal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current dental treatment materials applied in the oral cavity are prone to saliva contamination and washout due to the lack of effective containment, and existing devices often leak or are uncomfortable for patients, restricting eating and speaking.
Innovation Solution
An anatomical drape made from elastomeric material with a curing agent that conforms to the oral anatomy, providing a liquid-impermeable and gas-permeable barrier with pre-configured holes for teeth, activated by heat or light to set in a fixed configuration, ensuring a secure and comfortable fit.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a custom-made vacuum-formed plastic tray is used to cover teeth and gums, then the treatment material can be contained, but the device leaks treatment material and allows saliva to seep inside due to inability to adapt closely to the undulating topography
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a thin film elastomeric material that can be stretched and molded to conform precisely to the undulating topography of teeth and gums. This flexible membrane approach allows the drape to adapt closely to anatomical surfaces, creating an effective seal that prevents both treatment material leakage and saliva infiltration, resolving the contradiction between containment reliability and anatomical conformity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes phase transition of the elastomeric material through temperature control during application. The material is provided in a softened state at elevated temperature, allowing it to be molded to anatomical contours, then cooled to set in the fixed conforming configuration. This parameter change enables precise anatomical adaptation while maintaining manufacturing simplicity.
2Reliability
If a cover device covering both teeth and gums is used, then treatment material containment is improved, but the patient cannot eat or speak properly due to restriction of oral functions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the coverage area to cover only the gums while leaving the teeth exposed through pre-formed openings. This selective coverage maintains treatment material containment on the gum tissue while preserving the patient's ability to speak and eat by not obstructing the teeth and surrounding oral structures, thus resolving the contradiction between containment reliability and oral functionality.
3Ease of operation
If patches are used to cover small areas of gum tissue, then the device is simple to apply, but treatment areas are limited and the patches are easily dislodged by tongue or cheek contact
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a thin film elastomeric material that can be stretched over the gum tissue, creating a secure fit that resists dislodgement by tongue or cheek contact. The material's flexibility allows it to conform to gum contours while maintaining positional stability, resolving the contradiction between application simplicity and position stability.
4Ease of operation
If treatment materials are applied in an open manner without covering material, then the application process is simple, but the therapeutic effect is significantly reduced due to immediate saliva contamination and washout
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a thin film elastomeric drape that creates a barrier between the treatment material and saliva while maintaining application simplicity. The drape can be easily placed over the gum tissue after treatment material application, providing immediate protection against saliva contamination and washout, thus preserving therapeutic effect without complicating the application process.
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 drape effectively contains treatment materials, preventing saliva contamination and allowing prolonged exposure to the target area, enhancing therapeutic efficacy while maintaining patient comfort and functionality.
Implementation Method 1
The curing agent is activated by an external source selected from one or more of heat and light
Implementation Method 2
an elastomeric material capable of conforming to the contours of the anatomical part
Implementation Method 3
the elastomeric material of the drape is substantially liquid impermeable and gas permeable
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is an anatomical drape, such as a dental drape, for covering a treatment area of an anatomical part. The drape includes an elastomeric material capable of conforming to the contours of the anatomical part. The drape preferably includes a curing agent. Activation of the curing agent, for example by a light source, causes selective hardening of the stretched material to at least partially set the drape in a configuration conforming to the anatomical part. The semi-rigid set drape preferably is liquid impermeable but gas permeable. A method of manufacturing the drape is also disclosed.