Dental Suction Device with Integrated Camera
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional dental suction devices require an assistant to hold the suction device, limiting the dentist's ability to inspect and document the oral cavity during treatment, and are not cost-effective or easy to operate.
Innovation Solution
A dental suction device with a mirror-coated surface that includes an objective for real-time oral cavity inspection, image capture, and storage, allowing for direct and indirect monitoring via a connected monitor, with features like zooming and one-finger operation for recording and playback of images or videos.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If an assistant holds the suction device, then the suction device can be properly positioned and operated, but the dentist loses the ability to directly inspect and document the oral cavity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the suction device with an integrated camera system and monitor, merging the suction function with the inspection and documentation functions into a single device. This allows the dentist to hold one device that performs multiple functions, eliminating the need for an assistant to hold the suction device while maintaining full inspection and documentation capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The suction device is designed with multi-functionality, serving as both a suction tool and an inspection/documentation tool through the integrated camera and monitor system. This universal design enables a single device to replace multiple separate tools, improving treatment efficiency without compromising operational ease.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a mirror-coated surface is used in the suction device, then the device can serve as both suction tool and mirror, but the inspection and documentation capabilities are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical mirror system with an electronic camera and digital display system. This substitution provides superior inspection quality through higher resolution imaging and enables documentation capabilities that were not possible with a simple mirror. The electronic system also allows for image capture and storage, eliminating information loss.
3Productivity
If an integrated imaging system is added to the suction device, then the dentist can inspect and document the oral cavity independently, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The camera system is integrated within the hollow base body of the suction device, with the objective positioned to look through the suction opening. This nesting approach allows the imaging components to be housed within the existing suction device structure, minimizing additional complexity while achieving the desired functionality.
4Reliability
If the objective is sealed in a depression with a transparent pane, then hygiene is improved by preventing liquid penetration, but the manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a transparent pane (likely a thin film or shell) to seal the depression containing the objective. This thin film approach provides effective hygiene protection by preventing liquid penetration while maintaining optical transparency for imaging. The use of thin films simplifies the sealing process compared to rigid enclosures and reduces manufacturing complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a dental suction device (10) for suctioning liquids and particles from an oral cavity of a patient, with a tubular hollow base body (12) having an inner surface (14), an outer surface (16), a longitudinal axis (X-X), a connection opening (18) for a hose, and a suction opening (20). In the course of the extent of the base body (12), an objective (50) is provided, which can be connected to a monitor (40), and by means of which the image taken by the objective (50) can be displayed.