Dental Evacuation Tip with Integrated Mirror Mount
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing dental tools for high-volume evacuation (HVE) of aerosols from a dental patient's mouth lack enhanced properties and efficient integration with dental mirror apparatuses.
Innovation Solution
A suction tube designed for dentistry, which includes a mount for a dental mouth mirror apparatus and adjustable intake holes along its length to control suction force, ensuring effective aerosol removal while allowing for secure mirror attachment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a dental mouth mirror apparatus is mounted to a suction tube, then the dentist can perform procedures with both hands free, but the mirror apparatus may obstruct the interior space of the tube and prevent fluid flow
Solution Approach 1:
The mirror apparatus is nested within the suction tube structure, with the mirror stem positioned inside the tube's interior space. The tube's internal diameter is specifically designed to accommodate the mirror stem while maintaining sufficient clearance for fluid flow, allowing the mirror to be held securely without blocking the suction pathway.
Solution Approach 2:
The mirror apparatus is oriented at an oblique angle relative to the tube's longitudinal axis rather than parallel to it. This angular positioning allows the mirror head to extend laterally from the tube while the stem remains within the tube's interior, creating three-dimensional spatial arrangement that prevents obstruction of fluid flow along the tube's length.
2Ease of operation
If the suction tube interior is reduced to accommodate the mirror apparatus, then the mirror can be securely held, but the suction capability for aerosol removal is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The suction tube features localized suction openings positioned at specific locations along its length, particularly near the distal end where aerosol generation occurs. These localized openings concentrate the suction effect at critical areas while the overall tube interior remains sufficiently large to accommodate the mirror apparatus without compromising total suction capacity.
3Reliability
If a mount structure is added to the suction tube, then the mirror apparatus can be securely attached, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting features are integrated directly into the suction tube structure itself rather than being separate components. The tube includes built-in mounting holes, receptacles, or engagement features formed as part of the tube manufacturing process, allowing the mirror apparatus to be securely attached without adding separate mounting brackets or complex attachment mechanisms.
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 suction tube effectively evacuates aerosols while securely holding a dental mirror apparatus, maintaining airflow and allowing for efficient use during dental procedures.
Implementation Method 1
The interior of the tube is configured to be in fluid communication with a vacuum source (e.g., partial vacuum)
Implementation Method 2
high-volume evacuation (HVE) of aerosols from a dental patient's mouth
Data Source
AI summary
A dental evacuation tip has a body defining an interior passageway extending along a length of the body, and proximal and distal openings to the interior passageway. The proximal and distal openings are spaced apart from one another along the length of the body. The dental evacuation tip is configured so that a mirror apparatus can be removably connected to the dental evacuation tip so that at least a portion of a rod of the mirror apparatus is positioned in the interior passageway and a mirror of the mirror apparatus is proximate the distal opening.