Elastically Deformable Dental Suction Arrangement for Oral Cavity Adaptation

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing dental suction arrangements are ineffective in completely removing saliva and water from the oral cavity, particularly at the bottom of the mouth, leading to discomfort and inefficiency due to their static design and limited adjustability, which results in incomplete absorption and increased saliva accumulation, causing swallowing reflexes and noise issues.

Innovation Solution

A suction arrangement made of elastically deformable material that adapts to the anatomical shape of the bottom of the mouth, extending along the lower jaw and incorporating a non-circular absorption body with multiple holes, allowing for comprehensive fluid absorption and retention without causing discomfort, and optionally including a secondary absorption body for the Glandula Parotis to address saliva production at its source.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a static suction device with fixed shape is used, then the device structure is simple, but the absorption effect is limited to specific areas and cannot adapt to different anatomical positions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptability to anatomical shapeVSAvoiddevice structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The suction device incorporates an elastically deformable material that allows the device to dynamically adapt its shape to the anatomical contours of the oral cavity, particularly the bottom of the mouth. This elastic deformation capability enables the suction holes to maintain contact with fluid sources regardless of position or movement, resolving the contradiction between adaptability and structural simplicity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The device utilizes changes in physical parameters - specifically the elasticity and deformability of the material - to enable adaptation to different anatomical positions. By selecting materials with appropriate elastic properties, the device can change its shape parameters to conform to the oral cavity's geometry without requiring complex mechanical adjustment mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Productivity

If the suction device is placed at the bottom of the mouth for maximum absorption, then fluid removal efficiency is improved, but the device contacts the sensitive lower jaw causing discomfort and noise

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefluid removal efficiencyVSAvoidpatient discomfort and noise
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The suction device employs a flexible, elastically deformable shell that can conform to the contours of the oral cavity. This flexibility allows the device to be positioned at the bottom of the mouth for optimal fluid removal while distributing contact pressure evenly, preventing pain on the lower jaw and reducing the vibration-induced noise that occurs with rigid devices.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The invention converts the potential harm of device contact with the lower jaw into a benefit by using the elastic material's ability to deform and conform. The same flexibility that enables effective positioning at the fluid source also prevents harmful concentrated pressure, transforming what would be a harmful contact into a comfortable, adaptive fit that eliminates noise and discomfort.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

3Productivity

If the suction device holes are positioned to maximize absorption coverage, then the absorption capacity is improved, but the mobile mucous membrane gets absorbed into the holes causing blockage and noise

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveabsorption capacityVSAvoidmucous membrane blockage and vibration noise
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The elastically deformable material creates a flexible surface that adapts to the movement of oral tissues. When the mucous membrane moves, the flexible surface deforms accordingly, maintaining the suction holes' alignment with the fluid source while preventing the membrane from being drawn into and blocking the holes, thus eliminating vibration noise and maintaining absorption capacity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The device incorporates dynamic adaptability through its elastic material, allowing the suction hole arrangement to move and deform in response to oral cavity movements. This dynamic behavior prevents the static configuration problem where fixed holes would be blocked by moving mucous membranes, maintaining both absorption capacity and silence throughout the procedure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

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 elastically deformable suction arrangement effectively absorbs saliva and water from the bottom of the mouth, reducing discomfort and noise, maintaining a dry operating area, and minimizing swallowing reflexes by securely attaching to the anatomical shape, enhancing fluid removal efficiency and patient comfort.

Implementation Method 1

a suction arrangement which removes saliva and other fluids from a person's oral cavity

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSuction: Suction

Implementation Method 2

an absorption body to be placed in the oral cavity... equipped with a hole member communicating with the absorption body

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCapillary action: Capillary Action

Data Source

PatentEP3313321B1Dental suction arrangement
Publication Date: 2024.10.02 ASUM THOMAS
  • EP3313321B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP3313321B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5
  • EP3313321B1 patent drawingFigure 6~7

AI summary

The invention is about a dental suction arrangement which removes saliva and other fluids from a person's oral cavity. The suction arrangement includes a suction tube (101) and an absorption body (111) to be placed in the oral cavity. The suction tube (101) includes a suction part (103) which is arranged in the absorption body (111) and which is equipped with hole members (104) communicating with the absorption body (111). According to the invention, the suction arrangement is made of elastically deformable material in order to adapt to the anatomical shape of the bottom of the mouth.