Dental Handpiece Adapter for Incompatible Device Geometries

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Solution Overview

Problem

Dental devices, such as prophylaxis angles and handpieces, often have incompatible geometries, limiting their compatibility and requiring clinicians to use multiple handpieces for different devices, which increases downtime for sterilization and reduces modularity.

Innovation Solution

A dental device adapter system comprising first and second adapters that engage dental devices and handpieces with different geometries, allowing for rotation and connection of incompatible components, enabling the use of multiple prophylaxis angles with a single handpiece and vice versa.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple dental handpieces are used to accommodate different device geometries, then compatibility with various dental devices is improved, but sterilization downtime increases and operational efficiency decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovecompatibilityVSAvoidsterilization downtime
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The adapter system provides a universal connection interface that enables a single dental handpiece to accommodate multiple dental device geometries. The adapter acts as a universal intermediary, allowing the handpiece to function with various prophylaxis angles and dental devices that would otherwise be incompatible, thereby eliminating the need for multiple specialized handpieces and reducing sterilization downtime.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The adapter serves as an intermediary component between the dental handpiece and the dental device. It mediates the connection between incompatible geometries, allowing torque and rotation to be transmitted from the handpiece through the adapter to the dental device, thus enabling compatibility without requiring modification of the handpiece or the dental device.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple dental handpieces are used to support different device geometries, then device compatibility is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovecompatibilityVSAvoidnumber of handpieces
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The adapter system creates a universal interface that allows a single dental handpiece to perform multiple functions by accommodating different dental device geometries. This eliminates the need for clinicians to maintain and operate multiple specialized handpieces, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining broad compatibility.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The system segments the compatibility function into a separate, interchangeable adapter component rather than requiring multiple integrated handpiece designs. This segmentation allows the handpiece to remain simple while the adapter handles the geometry adaptation, reducing overall system complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Adaptability or versatility

If dental devices with incompatible geometries are used, then specialized functionality is improved, but ease of operation decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespecialized functionalityVSAvoidease of operation
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The adapter acts as a mediator that simplifies operation by providing a standardized connection interface. Clinicians can operate various dental devices with a single handpiece through the adapter, which handles the geometry conversion internally. This maintains ease of operation while enabling access to specialized functionality of different device geometries.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP2482751B1Dental device adapter system, dental system, and method of operating a dental system
Publication Date: 2023.07.19 DENTSPLY SIRONA INC
  • EP2482751B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2482751B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP2482751B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

Provided is a dental handpiece adapter connection system, dental handpiece adapter connection method, and a dental handpiece adapter. The dental handpiece adapter includes a first portion configured to engage a dental device having a first geometry and a second portion configured to engage a dental handpiece having a second geometry. The first portion being engaged with the adapter and the second portion being engaged with the adapter permits the dental handpiece to rotate a rotatable portion of the dental device.