Dental Suction Mirror With Central Wall For Independent Operation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current dental mirror suction devices require an assistant to operate, limiting the dentist's ability to perform procedures independently due to the need to hold both a drilling tool and a separate suction device, and they lack stability and versatility for various tasks during oral cavity treatments.

Innovation Solution

A dental mirror vacuum cleaner with a hollow base body featuring a central wall that tapers conically for improved aerodynamics, allowing for compressed air and light/data conduits, and a reflective surface for visibility, enabling the device to function as both a suction tool and a mirror, with a design that enhances stability and reduces production costs.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a separate suction device is used instead of a mirror suction device, then suction function is reliable, but the dentist cannot perform procedures independently requiring two hands

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveindependent operation capabilityVSAvoidfunctional versatility
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the suction device and mirror into a single integrated unit. The hollow base body contains a suction channel connected to a pump, while the front surface provides a reflective mirror surface. This merging allows the dentist to hold one tool that performs both suction and reflection functions, enabling independent operation without requiring an assistant to hold a separate suction device.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The mirror suction device is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: suctioning liquids and particles through the integrated pump system, providing visual reflection through the mirror surface, and potentially delivering compressed air or light through separate channels. This multi-functionality replaces the need for multiple separate tools, allowing the dentist to perform various procedures independently with a single device.

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

2Ease of manufacture

If a simple tubular mirror suction device is used, then manufacturing is simple, but stability and versatility are limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanufacturing simplicityVSAvoiddevice stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The mirror suction device is segmented into distinct functional components within the hollow base body: a suction channel for fluid removal, a compressed air channel for drying or cleaning, and a light channel for illumination. Each channel is independently designed and manufactured, then assembled into the final device. This segmentation allows for simple manufacturing of individual parts while achieving stable, versatile functionality through their integrated arrangement.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Adaptability or versatility

If a mirror suction device with central wall and multiple channels is used, then versatility and stability are improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefunctional versatilityVSAvoidstructural complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The device employs a nested structure where multiple functional channels (suction channel, compressed air channel, light channel) are arranged concentrically or adjacently within the hollow base body. The central wall divides the interior space into separate channels, each serving a specific function. This nesting approach allows multiple complex functions to be integrated into a single compact device without requiring separate external components, thereby managing complexity through efficient spatial organization.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

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

Enables the dentist to perform treatments independently by providing a stable, versatile device that can blow air, illuminate the oral cavity, and suction liquids and particles without an assistant, while maintaining a compact and cost-effective design.

Implementation Method 1

the inner surface has a mirrored surface visible through the suction opening

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectReflection: Reflection

Data Source

PatentEP3568055B1Suction mirror having a central wall
Publication Date: 2022.10.19 CLEVERDENT LTD
  • EP3568055B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP3568055B1 patent drawingFigure 4~6

AI summary

The invention relates to a dental suction mirror (10) for suctioning liquids and particles from an oral cavity of a patient, comprising a tubular hollow main body (12) having an inner surface (14), an outer surface (16), a longitudinal axis (X-X), a connection opening (18) for a tube and a suction opening (20). The inner surface (14) has a mirrored surface (24) that can be observed through the suction opening (20), said mirrored surface being arranged in such a manner that the oral cavity can be observed at least in some regions via said mirrored surface. The hollow base body (12) has a central wall (50) along its longitudinal axis (X-X), which divides the hollow space at least in some regions into a first hollow channel (52) and a second hollow channel (54).