Dental Syringe Adapter for Disposable Tip Compatibility
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current dental syringes, especially those in Europe, are incompatible with disposable quick-release air/water tips due to differences in air and water routing patterns, preventing the use of standard disposable tips with autoclavable tips.
Innovation Solution
An adapter kit comprising a cap subassembly and an adapter subassembly that allows a disposable tip with a central water-carrying tube surrounded by air-carrying channels to connect to dental syringes, enabling separate air and water flow through appropriate passageways, accommodating various syringe designs and styles.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If European-style syringes use traditional autoclavable tips with specific air and water routing patterns, then the syringes can maintain their existing design and sterilization capabilities, but they become incompatible with standard disposable quick-release tips
Solution Approach 1:
An adapter assembly is introduced as an intermediary component between the European-style syringe and the disposable tip. The adapter includes a body with air and water passages that match the syringe's routing pattern, and a connector that interfaces with the disposable tip's standard quick-release mechanism. This mediator enables compatibility without modifying the original syringe design.
Solution Approach 2:
The connection system is divided into separate functional segments: the syringe body, the adapter assembly (which can be removed and replaced), and the disposable tip. This segmentation allows the adapter to serve as a convertible interface layer that bridges the incompatibility between different tip types and syringe designs.
2Ease of operation
If disposable tips are used instead of autoclavable tips, then tip replacement becomes quick and easy improving hygiene, but the routing pattern incompatibility prevents their use with European-style syringes
Solution Approach 1:
The adapter assembly acts as a mediator that translates between the European-style syringe's air and water routing pattern and the standard disposable tip's routing pattern. The adapter's internal passages are configured to receive air and water from the syringe and redirect them appropriately to the tip, enabling easy tip replacement while maintaining routing compatibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The adapter assembly provides universal compatibility by being designed to interface with both European-style syringes and standard disposable tips. It performs multiple functions: adapting the connection geometry, routing air and water flows appropriately, and enabling the quick-release mechanism to work with the syringe system.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the syringe design is modified to accommodate different tip routing patterns, then compatibility with disposable tips is achieved, but the existing syringe structure and air/water flow paths must be changed
Solution Approach 1:
Rather than modifying the syringe body, the adaptation function is segmented into a separate adapter assembly. This keeps the original syringe manufacturing process unchanged while adding the adaptability function through the adapter, which can be manufactured independently and attached to the syringe.
Solution Approach 2:
The adapter serves as an intermediary that provides the routing pattern conversion without requiring changes to the syringe's internal structure. The adapter's passages are designed to match the syringe's output pattern and the tip's input pattern, enabling compatibility while preserving the original syringe design and manufacturing simplicity.
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 use of standard disposable quick-release air/water tips with dental syringes, including European-style syringes, by providing an adapter kit that ensures proper air and water flow, enhancing compatibility and hygiene by allowing for easy tip replacement.
Implementation Method 1
an adapter subassembly having a proximal end configured for connection to the syringe body and a distal end configured for coupling to the cap subassembly, the adapter subassembly including an internal structure with a first path for coupling the water port of the syringe to the water-carrying tube of the tip through the cap subassembly
Implementation Method 2
a second path for coupling the air port of the syringe to the air-carrying channels of the disposable tip through the cap subassembly; wherein a cavity is established between the bottom portion of the receptacle and the base surface of the tip; and wherein the receptacle includes one or more side apertures through which air from the syringe passes into the cavity and into the air-carrying passages of the tip
Data Source
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AI summary
Conversion assemblies enable an air/water dental syringe adapted for connection to an existing tip such as an autoclavable tip to instead receive disposable tip. A conversion kit includes a cap subassembly with a cap body having a distal opening into which the disposable tip is inserted, and an adapter subassembly having a proximal end configured for connection to the syringe body and a distal end configured for coupling to the cap subassembly. The adapter subassembly includes one or more components with cut-outs, grooves or channels to direct air and water from the syringe body to the air-carrying channels and water-carrying tube of the disposable tip through the cap subassembly. To accommodate a wide variety of syringe styles, the adapter subassembly may include a proximal receptacle to receive a stem on the syringe; a proximal stem insertable into the syringe; one or more proximal air- or water-carrying tubes insertable into the syringe; or a threaded connection to the syringe body.