Dental Handpiece Control Unit with Real-Time Torque Display
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current dental treatment auxiliary apparatuses cannot provide real-time, actionable data on handpiece operating torque and physiological parameters, limiting the surgeon's ability to make immediate decisions during procedures.
Innovation Solution
An auxiliary apparatus with a display unit connected to a computerized control unit that interpolates and displays real-time torque, rotation speed, and work done by the handpiece, incorporating a corrective index for user pressure and comparator means to estimate bone hardness, facilitating decision-making during treatments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If torque data is recorded on a smart card for statistical purposes, then data storage is achieved, but real-time decision-making capability is lost
Solution Approach 1:
A microprocessor unit acts as an intermediary between the torque sensor and display means, processing raw torque signals in real-time to generate actionable information about bone hardness and treatment progress, enabling immediate clinical decisions without delaying data storage functionality
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical/slow smart card storage system with an electronic real-time processing and display system that provides immediate visual feedback to the surgeon, while maintaining the ability to store data for later statistical analysis
2Loss of information
If torque data is displayed as a graph of torque over time, then real-time data visualization is achieved, but actionable clinical information is not provided
Solution Approach 1:
The microprocessor continuously monitors torque values and provides real-time visual feedback through display means showing bone hardness estimates and treatment progress, enabling the surgeon to immediately adjust treatment parameters based on actual bone conditions rather than relying on pre-treatment plans alone
Solution Approach 2:
The system transforms the raw torque parameter into clinically meaningful parameters such as bone hardness estimates and treatment progress indicators, changing the form of information from abstract numerical data to actionable clinical insights that directly guide surgical decisions
3Ease of operation
If the apparatus uses a microprocessor to control handpiece functions, then operational control is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The microprocessor unit serves multiple functions simultaneously: controlling handpiece operation, processing torque sensor signals, estimating bone hardness, and driving display means, thereby consolidating what could be separate complex subsystems into a single multi-functional control unit that simplifies the overall device architecture
Data Source
Figure 1~2
AI summary
An auxiliary apparatus (1) for dental treatments comprises at least: a main body (2) constituting a power unit that drives handpieces (5) used for traditional conservative, implant and/or endodontic operations and in turn connected to the unit (2) through a connecting tube (3); handpiece (5) activation and adjustment means (4) located on a surface (2a) of the main body (2) and controlled by a microprocessor unit (6) for controlling the main and auxiliary functions of the handpiece (5) applied to the unit (2); viewing means (7) for displaying data relating to functional parameters of the handpiece (5) being used, said viewing means (7) being connected to the microprocessor control unit (6) through an interface (8) for transmitting and conditioning a signal that carries said data; means (8a) being provided for interpolating the data, in particular for obtaining the data in a displayable form in real time, the apparatus further comprises means (10) for comparing the data in order to provide an estimated information item (12) relating to the patient being treated.